ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Working across boundaries refers to working beyond the expected groupings such as international boundaries and social groups. This concept has been a topic for discussion in most forums, particularly in the field of public administration and management. Throughout these discussions, notions have emerged that continue to set the basic principles in this relatively new field. Some of the notions captured in this study include inter-sectoral, inter-organisational, and inter-jurisdictional notions (Carlile, 2002:443). From these notions, some terms have been formulated including collaboration, collaborative government, horizontal coordination, and holistic government (Bogdanor, 2005:52). The binding notion for collaborative efforts demonstrated by the individuals is that current organisational dispensations must allow room for working across boundaries so that goals may be achieved. The purpose of this essay is to analyse and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working across boundaries. The analysis will be based on models that have been developed on the topic. The new models developed in management have identified working across boundaries as one of the major components. Several authors and researchers have also developed a variety of models, with working across boundaries being central in most of the policies developed by organisations. The essay is divided into three major sections. The first section presents the advantages of working across boundaries. Because the topic is a relatively new concept, which can be attributed to globalisation and has its strengths and weaknesses, the second section will show the disadvantages of working across boundaries. As there is relatively little discussion of the concept in the literature, the last section will conclude whether the strategy of working across boundaries can be adopted for use in organisations or not. Advantages Several authors, including Denhardt and Denhardt (2000: 550), whose model is based on shared leadership and collaborative structures, have developed newer models with the aim of promoting better collaboration between organisations and governments Osborne (2006: 378) also suggests another model that incorporates working across boundaries. He attempts to include the notions of inter-dependence and inter-organisational management. The other researcher whose model includes working across boundaries as a key component is Halligans (2007: 218). In his model, he stipulates that integrated governance is a form of horizontal collaboration. Delineates components and populations Boundaries are important in delineating components and populations that are utilised in many ways to demarcate what is included from what is not in a set of things and/or populations. In organisational management, boundaries allow accountability, as organisations are able to impose their rules within their organisational boundaries. Several kinds of boundaries have been described, with the most common being geographical boundaries. Some of the other boundaries include symbolic boundaries, which are described by Lamont and Mol
Introduction The need to preserve the environment has become one of the major concerns for modern societies. Currently, many public organizations implement projects that are supposed to preserve forests and wildlife; nevertheless, many of the existing practices and policies can infringe on the interests of people who live in the areas which may be transformed into conservation parks. For instance, these individuals can be sometimes forcefully evicted. One can argue that this problem can be related to ecological conciseness, justice, and science. Moreover, this issue requires the cooperation of researchers, lawyers, as well as journalists. Overall, it is important to design policies that can reconcile the interests of different stakeholders. In particular, public administrators and environmental agencies should pay more attention to the economic needs of vulnerable communities; furthermore, they should have an opportunity to use the lands on which they have lived for many years. The interests of these stakeholders must be considered by governmental and non-governmental organizations. These are the main questions that should be examined in greater detail. The rise of environmental consciousness On the whole, researchers attach importance to such a concept as environmental consciousness. In particular, people should bear in mind that they are a part of the planet; more importantly, their survival can depend on the preservation of the environment (Uhl, 2013). For instance, one can mention Christopher Uhl (2013) who lays stress on the idea that people should pay more attention to the impact of their activities on various elements of nature such as water, air, fauna, flora, and so forth (Uhl, 2013). Thus, one should speak about a very important shift in the public opinion. Additionally, scientists are able to identify the locations in which there are many endangered species (Myers et al., 2000). For instance, one can speak about such regions as Tropical Andes, Central Chile, Mesoamerica, and Philippines (Myers et al., 2000, p. 857). Additionally, scientists should determine what uses of land can be compatible with the preservation of species. In many cases, their assessment can be critical for resolving the conflicts between various stakeholders such as local communities, businesses, and governmental agencies. Furthermore, researchers should not overlook long-lasting economic implications of these policies, especially their impact on the welfare of various communities. Thus, scientists can play a pivotal role in reconciling the needs of different stakeholders. The challenges associated with the conservation of lands One should keep in mind that the preservation of the environment can also create several important challenges. For instance, it is possible to mention the arguments put forward by Mac Chapin (2004). He
Mythology is a name which dictates two aspects of life. To begin as off, it is used to describe several myths which form mythological systems that were derived from different societies and were used at a certain time in human history. Secondly it may be defined as a study of myths or their systems. This book brings out a world of great imagination and thinking. It has brought about an aspect of modernity and other technical aspects of life. These have been fully connected to bring out the sense of the hidden unnoticeable aspects. This aspect is used in different societies like the Greeks and Sumerians. Most of the uses are not in the physical world but in the mental and psychological (Herbert 5; Kelly 14). Odysseus was the king of Ithica, one of the strongest chieftains in the Trojan War and the best known ancient Greek heroes. He was smart and valuable and was not only used where the physical combat was involved, but was also involved in the planning levels. He was involved in the invention of the Trojan horse tactics which was the main reason that led to the Greeks winning the war. Odysseus was given the fallen Achilles’ armor which was attributed by the fact that he had sharp wits that achieved much. To survive, Odysseus uses his shrewd intellect which is a human and modern ways of facing the challenges that he faces (Neol 23). The theory of Freud Sigmund is vividly portrayed. This is seen through Oedipus. The theory comes to life through the action of killing his biological father and marring his biological mother. In the long run Oedipus does discover the whole truth about his parents. He therefore decides to leave the city. Unfortunately, death comes in and he is no more. By putting out his own, Oedipus accepts fate. There is also another depiction of this mythology that is academically described as classical. This is through Media. The girl is a princess from Colchis on the Black sea. We see her saving the life of the prince of Greece and s
Introduction The US government’s policy against illegal drugs has been ineffective because of its ambivalence. The lack of a common understanding about drugs and how to deal with it among policy makers has paralyzed efforts in this area. The report will demonstrate this indecisiveness through the history and the current failures of divergent illicit-drug policies in the US and the world, as well. History of illegal drugs and the US government Illegal drugs first entered the US market in the eighteenth century after the British government brought opium into the country. They obtained the product from Asia, or China in particular. In the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, medical practitioners started using opium as a pain killer but later found out that it was addictive. They substituted opium with cocaine and heroin only to realize that the latter drugs had the same addictive effects as opium. The government responded to increased use of these drugs by passing the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act in 1914. 1 However after suppressing the use of one drug, another drug became popular and detrimental as well; marijuana. The government eventually created the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in the 1930s in order to curb the use of marijuana and other outlawed drugs. In the 1950s, Congress passed many legislations intended on minimizing illegal drug use. Perhaps the toughest decade for illegal drug stakeholders was the 1970s. At this time, President Nixon declared a war on drugs, which would eliminate supply and curb use. Later on in 1986 and 1988, Congress passed Antidrug Abuse Acts intended on controlling the prevalence of crack cocaine. These Acts resulted in tougher prison sentences for drug users, dealers and manufacturers. In the 1990s, President Bush also declared another war on drugs that manifested in tough Legislations. Currently, the Obama administration still affirms its commitment to the drug problem. However, it appears to depend on methods of the past save for a few changes such as dealing with recovery. US government policy regarding illegal drugs today One may fight illegal drugs through preventive or reactive mechanisms. President Obama’s government mostly focuses on minimization of demand for illegal drugs. However, the country still lacks an aggressive campaign against the issue. This administration also supports treatment centers that substitute heroin addiction with methadone. Advocates claim that it minimizes death as well as drug abuse. Currently, the government has eliminated funding for a youth media campaign against drugs thus making the youth vulnerable in subsequent years. In 2011, Representatives passed the Synthetic Drug Control Act which aimed at fighting
It is indeed true that films can play a vital role in conveying the horrific experiences and sufferings of people during historical events of the past, which bring about feelings of empathy amongst all those who view the film. Indeed films enable us to be witness to how creativity and ingenuity plays an important role in lighting up the darkest of situations and how they are portrayed in the film. It is in this context that we will be examining the films “Jacob the Liar” and “Life is Beautiful” to show how historical events such as the Holocaust can create hope and imagination into leading to survival in the most difficult situations. Certainly hope is a very positive spiritual trait amongst humans with the potential to carry us away from the most difficult situations and has the potency to empower us with the strength to get over disappointment and unhappiness. The most significant of the powers and capability of hope is that it is often available in unexpected situations and places. This is exactly what is portrayed and conveyed in the film “Jacob the Liar” which is a very sober drama. The film is directed by Peter Kassovitz and has its settings in Poland while it was occupied by the Nazis during the Second World War. The film depicts the character of Jakob as played by Robin Williams who has also been the executive producer of the film. Jacob, who owns a small café, is portrayed as a middle aged widower living in a small Polish town which had been converted into a ghetto for Jews. Jakob is shown as having very little money and struggles to keep his soul and body together in the dangerous shadow of the Third Reich. He was shifted to the headquarters of the Nazis for having broken the curfew limitations, and while standing close to a German officer, he overhears by chance from a radio message that the Russian army had advanced to nearby locations and were very close to the town thus posing a serious threat to the Germans. This kind of news was forbidden for the inmates of the ghetto. He informs of these positive developments to another character in the film, Mischa, who was a close associate from the past and very soon everybody in the ghetto gets to know of the news and they start assuming that Jacob has in his possession a forbidden radio set which enabled him to get the news. In consequence everyone is hopeful and expects Jacob to keep providing them news about the latest progress and developments in the war. Jacob, being the seasoned man that he is portrayed as being, takes the opportunity in keeping the spirits of his people in high mode and begins a fabricated account of the consistent and regular advancements in the movement for their liberation, raising in them the hopes that freedom was just around the corner. Having observed that his stories were giving hope to the people in making life easier for them, he began to invent stories and passed them along by creating imaginary reports of war that suggested the occupation of their country would be ending soon. Jakob the Liar is a typical example o
Introduction All cultures, in one way or another, place varying levels of importance on caring and respecting for one’s parents. For various Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, particularly those in China, South East Asia and Saudi Arabia, it is almost expected that a child is suppose to care for their parents in old age. Unfortunately, these traditions do not exist to the same extent within Western cultures such as those within the U.S., U.K. and some parts of Western Europe. In such countries, independence from one’s parents is often a state of being that is celebrated and even at times necessary in order to conform to the expectations placed on adults within such societies. It is this inherent societal divergence in attitudes regarding the care for the elderly that helps to set the stage in explaining the concept of Filial Piety (xiao) from the Chinese Confusician tradition. Filial Piety (Xiao) can be described as virtue that places a distinct emphasis on respect for an individual’s parents or ancestors which manifests itself in acts such as:  1. Caring for one’s parents in old age  2. Treating one’s parents with respect both at home and in public  3. Acting in a manner that does not bring shame on the family  4. Showing the necessary love and support to one’s parents  5. Lastly, performing necessary sacrifices in order to ensure that one’s parents are given the appropriate level of care In a way, Filial Piety can be defined as actions that are heavily based on the concepts of tradition and indebtedness wherein showing respect and caring for one’s parents is an inherent part of Chinese cultural traditions while, at the same time, it is a way in which a child “pays back” his/her parents for their care while he/she was still a child. Explaining the Origins of Filial Piety through the Concept of the Family Unit In trying to understand the reasoning behind the concept of Filial Piety, it is necessary to see the inherent divergence between the Western nuclear family and the Chinese extended family. It is often the case that in most western societies a nuclear family consists of a mother, father, and child within the same household. This is the basic social unit seen in most western societies which continues to be prevalent to this very day. Historically, the Chinese on the other hand had a distinctly different family unit which can be characterized as being extended rather than being nuclear. It was often the case that Chinese households consisted of a husband and his wife along with the mother and father of the husband within the same household. Early independence from one’s family was not a trait that was often practiced throughout Chinese society which placed a greater emphasis on the development of strong familial bonds. This often manifested itself in some of the affluent families within Chinese society living within the same compound consisting of a grandmother, grandfather as well as having several aunts, uncles and other members of the family often being located within the same large building. Members of the family often contributed towards the betterment of the family’s situation with the gr
Introduction Establishing a competitive advantage is one of the primary goals of any company. In today’s highly competitive environment, businesses without such a benefit find it very hard to increase the profitability ratio or even survive. Large retailer chains, such as Target or Walmart, give their customers the possibility to order online and pick up at a nearby store. However, such an option has not been applied by any smaller discount chains until recently. Currently, Dollar General allows its customers to total up items they wish to buy in-store through the app. Dollar General Corp. decided to broaden its digital strategy, offering its customers “the buy-online, pick-up-in-store feature” (Castellanos, 2019, para. 6). It is projected that the new initiative will attract a younger stratum of customers. Competitive Advantage Strategies and a Small Business Cost leadership, Differentiation, and Focus are the business competitive advantage strategies Dollar General Corp. utilizes to stand out from the extreme competition. Some of these tactics can be applied even to smaller-scale businesses, such as a family convenience store in a neighborhood. A company or a business must be able to establish the benefit it wishes to provide to the target audience that would differentiate it from the competitors to develop a competitive advantage. Cost Leadership Cost Leadership strategy allows a company to offer its customers products at a lower price. Dollar General already applies this method successfully; however, it doesn’t distinguish it from its competitors such as Dollar Tree or Five Below. Besides, this tactic is unlikely to be used by a smaller business (for example, a family-owned convenience store Giordano’s) since its buying power is much lower than that of a chain grocery store. Hence, suppliers are unlikely to offer it a more attractive acquisition price. Differentiation Dollar General’s example shows that only offering low-cost products is not enough to outperform competitors since they apply the same strategy. However, digitalizing the purchasing process allows it to stand out since this benefit offers “real value” which is time-saving and convenient (Amadeo, 2019, para. 3). The strategy of differentiation is the one that can be successfully app
Online and computer-based learning Online and computer-based learnings are contemporary teaching and learning concepts that are grounded on the larger model of technology-based learning (TBL). TBL is inclusive of several learning technologies, ranging from networks and intranets to hardware and software solutions. However, this study found that, contrary to the common misconception, computer-based and online learning situations are not interchangeable, even though, both require computing tools in one form or another (Shukor, Tasir, Van der Meijden & Harun, 2014). Online learning, also known as web-based learning is limited to learning through the web, while computer-based learning is by definition exclusive to offline computers and other relevant IT hardware such as tablets and smartphones. Some of the popular online teaching tools that were studied include Myportifolio, which is an online platform where learners can upload their notes and other academic data. The data is remotely accessible as long as the user has an internet connection. Also, there is Blackboard, which provides a space for students to submit class assignments. Another particularly important category of online educational tools consists of plagiarism detectors such as Turnitin and Copyscape, which are designed to scan assignments for plagiarized content (Singh, Mangalaraj, & Taneja, 2010). On the other hand, computer-based learning can be understood as a learning environment in which computers are used to mediate between learners and content without necessarily being online (Shukor et al., 2014). The tools for these learning situations include traditional computers and other devices through which teachers can render content for their learners (Salmon, 2013). Besides, there are software applications intended to enhance these interactions such as Prezi and Powerpoint. For example, a teacher can use Prezi to animate presentations for their class, or PDF files to allow learners to transfer documents between their personal computers and smartphones or tabs. Local area network technologies (LANs) have also emerged as important teaching tools through which teachers aid their learners from a central point while each is using their computer. However, the two methods are often combined since they are largely interdependent. The online tools and content must be accessed through computing devices and the content for computer-based learning is usually shared through online channels. Scaling up innovation According to Coburn (2003), scaling up and implementing innovation in the pedagogical context requires a combination of the dimensions of depth, sustainability, spread and shift to reform the perception of the innovations in question. She advocates a paradigm shift in classroom practices designed to alter the notions that both learners and tutors have towards technology-based innovation. TBL tools can also be