ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
How would you describe the corporate culture of Rotana and how is it aligned with the Rotana company values? Justify your answer with examples It is safe to assume that the corporate culture of Rotana is centered on its employees. According to the information on the official website of the establishment, Rotana’s company values focus on four main principles, which can be observed in the described case. Firstly, this brand is determined to create long-term relationships with partners, guests, and colleagues (“Rotana Values”). The case displays Rotana’s commitment to providing employees with options to stay in the company, which aligns with the described principle. For example, the management’s decision to not only retain all existing employees but also offer them a full revision of their position shows dedication to the workers and their needs. Moreover, the relationships with suppliers and other partners were also reevaluated rather than terminated. Finally, new employees were taken into account as well, as their hiring process was carefully monitored and evaluated. These actions of the company show its desire to build strong relations with all existing members of the team. Secondly, Rotana’s values center on innovation, which can explain the approach that the company took during the financial crisis of 2008 (“Rotana Values”). While most companies focused their efforts on reducing staff, this organization’s decisions differed significantly. During the crisis, Rotana chose to renegotiate the prices of various supplies in order to reduce expenses. This method can be considered rather innovative. Thus, the company’s values aligned with this particular choice. The third and fourth principles of the company deal with creating and supporting amicable relationships and being ethical in every action (“Rotana Values”). This particular aspect is possibly the primary driver behind the company’s decisions as the management wanted to maintain their corporate culture above all else. Therefore, the determination of the business to highlight employee retention and reevaluation of internal processes is based on the company’s values of friendliness and integrity. Would you consider that the financial crisis had a positive impact on Rotana? The financial crisis had a mainly positive impact on Rotana for a number of reasons. First of all, the pressing issue that concerned the whole region allowed the company to revise its resources and create a plan that would use every opportunity and maximize everyone’s efficiency. The company took advantage of the crisis, which gave the management a chance to strengthen the morale of the employees. Secondly, the fact that the company’s competition did not attempt to implement the same reforms affected Rotana’s place on the market. Therefore, the company was able to advance further and prosper in the field where other establishments failed. While these difficult circumstances put the management in a challenging position, the course of action taken by the company led to its success in the end. If you were to
Deeply embedded in the dark mysteries of the history of Mexican life is a famous festivity that compares with no other, popularly referred to as Dias de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. This ritual, adapted from pre-Hispanic traditions, has become a memorable day when families get together in memory of the dead and in recognition of the fact that life does not stop at death but is instead a continuous process that extends into the afterlife. Traditionally, this feast celebrated in honor of the dead and the children took place at a combined celebration in honor of Huitzilopochtli , a god of war, and Mictecacihuatl , a goddess popularly referred to as lady of the dead. After the Spaniards conquered Mexico, they tried to influence this festivity by introducing Christianity and moved the celebrations from the traditional month of July/August to early November such that the festivity got swallowed up in the Christian All Saints’ Day. But the Mexican style of celebrating the Day of the Dead still entails a peculiar Mexican view about death (Standish & Bell 50). The Day of the Dead, a feast celebrated in honor of the souls of departed loved ones, dates back to the 16 th century, and its origin has been linked to the European colonial conquest of the Americas. Even though this feast is celebrated in several other places worldwide, the Day of the Dead is much more associated with Mexico than any other place and strongly symbolizes Mexican ness. In the U.S.A, the holiday is celebrated as a symbol of either Latino or Mexican ethnic identity. To the faithful followers of this popular holiday, this day is a sacred event, and the whole ceremony is directed towards honoring, recognizing, and even creating a forum for spiritual communion with the dead. Through this ritual, those involved expect t
Introduction Religion has influenced political decisions for the longest time in various states and vice versa. This has created an interesting relationship between the two actors whose weight is felt across governmental fronts, religious communities, pressure groups and political parties (Jevtic 63-64). This paper looks at the arguments for and against keeping religion in politics according to Sweetman’s study. Arguments for keeping religion out of politics According to the study carried out by Sweetman (pp.115), there are about eight arguments on why politics and religion should not mix. Religious beliefs are viewed as irrational and therefore do not form a strong basis on which politics can be linked to. They are seen to defy the US constitution and this makes them dangerous since the public square must always remain neutral. The reason why religion must be kept out of politics is that it persuades people to subscribe to that religious experience and not all do so as some are atheists by choice. In addition, some people view religious arguments as inferior and this further discredits their inclusion in politics (pp.121). Religion is also seen to lack an adequate basis to be used in liberal democracy and it seems inappropriate to base politics on other people’s revelations. On the other hand, arguments introduced by believers are seen to undermine the freedoms of non-believers and a good example is the issue on whether to legalize abortion and euthanasia among other controversial issues. This brings in a conflict between the church and the state as the church is pro-life whereas the state could opt otherwise. Political decisions thus made would impact negatively on religion as they defy what is appealing to it. However, Sweetman (pp.128) shows the important role played by religion in politics citing that the secular arguments are not convincing enough to rule out the religious arguments. He sees the religious arguments as rational enough to stand firm against the provided secular arguments and in this regard, religion has a right to voice its opinions on the aforementioned issues of euthanasia and abortion among others. Life is a precious gift from God and no one has a right to take it away apart from Him (pp.141). The secular arguments could therefore only be meaningful if those who coin them can be able to convince the religious fraternity satisfactorily that their arguments fall short. This Sweetman sees as impossible since he views the religious arguments on its inclusion in p
Introduction To Kill a Mockingbird book was published in 1960 and is based on a true story and explains the events that took place in the writer’s hometown in the late 1930s. It is a classic book that captivates the reader with the unique flow of the story bringing out the author’s emotions. The book became an instant hit due to its perfect combination of humor and remorse in the narration and received multiple positive reviews. The narrator of the story is a young girl named Scout Finch, who lives with her father, Atticus Finch, in Maycomb, Alabama. He is a lawyer by profession. She has only one brother called Jem. Throughout the story, Scout portrays her father as a hero and a role model in maintaining integrity in the legal profession (Johnson 6). The Theme of Slavery in To Kill a Mockingbird The book brings out specific themes, such as roles of gender, education, racism, courage, and destruction. The primary idea in the book is the issue of black slavery and the attempt to abolish it. Slavery is more depicted through racial prejudice. The main characters in the novel are said to live in the southern area of the United States of America (Roden 45). The South Americans practiced racism as opposed to the inhabitants in the north. The southern territory supported the use of slaves to provide free labor in their large cotton plantations as opposed to the northern state who had declared the practice illegal. However, the southerners were faced with a dilemma of maintaining their Christian morals on the one hand and retaining the slaves on the other (Tolstoy 43). The ‘negroes,’ as the Southerners referred them, were valuable during this period of the Great Depression. To balance their Christianity beliefs and their material needs, they declared the Negroes as being in-humans who were inferior to society. This justified their role as slaves and the reason why they could not be treated equally according to Christianity ( McCarty 23). Was Tom Robinson a Slave? The author introduces a character Tom Robinson who represents the slaves in the South (Lee and Bloom 12). Tom is accused of rape, and Atticus acts as his lawyer. He worked as a slave in Mr. Link Deas’s farm. He had been accused of raping a white lady, Mayella, in the pretense of helping her. Racial discrimination was evident during the cross-examination when Tom told the court that he felt pity for the white lady who seemed lonely. The statement is sa
Summary The Nasrid Palace is an ancient monument located in Granada, Spain. Surrounded by fortress-like walls, this military building complex was strategically erected on Sabika Hill in the 9th century. The ancient Alhambra fortress was not constructed at a specific moment; additional structures enhanced its architectural development. Although the Alhambra palace in Grenada is considered the work of different Nasrid dynasty rulers, Mohammed I laid its foundation. In the 15th century, the Alhambra was embellished and enlarged by his descendants and later modified during the Christian period. Unlike other medieval palaces, the Alhambra is sophisticated, especially regarding its intricate decorative programs, captivating gardens, and fountains. The most famous courtyard in the Alhambra is the Patio of the Lions. The trees, fruits, streams, and fountains are viewed as the Quranic metaphors’ replicas. It is not surprising that most scholars have regarded it as the epitome of paradise. The Court of the Lions can be recognized by the twelve lion sculptures throwing jets of water that form a fountain at the center of the courtyard. The large basin, which is dodecagon-shaped, is perched atop the twelve lions surrounding it. This white marble fountain is indeed a prime example of Muslim carving. The Court of the Lions was built by the sultan of Granada, Mohammed V, during his second reign in 1362 AD. The patio, constructed under the ruler’s guidelines, comprised a rectangular ground plan and a gallery in a Christian cloister style. However, many of the Court’s aesthetic decorations and symbols have been attributed to Spain’s ancient Islamic traditions. First, the Patio of the Lions was profusely decorated with muqarnas, a three-dimensional decoration used to furnish Al-Ándalus’s mosques and palaces. Quranic scriptures and poetry had been carved on the basin’s border for the visitors who ought to read them. Ibn Zamrak, one of Muslim Spain’s last pre-eminent poets, wrote much of the work. Notably, the Patio’s epigraphy breaks up the simplicity and duplication of the geometric and vegetal designs. The Alhambra Following the Reconquista It was not until 1492 that the last sultan of Granada, Muhammad XII, relinquished power to King Ferdinand of Aragon, who would then rule as Charles I. The new emperor played a leading role in uniting Spain under the moribund Islamic rule and a Catholic monarchy. The Alhambra complex underwent several transformations since its conquest by the Castilian forces. The main reason is that the territorial structure could not meet the comforts and needs of the emperor. For instance, the upper story is a complete Christian work after its reconstruction under King Ferdinand’s orders. In addition, the Comares Palace and the Court of the Li
This essay is aimed at discussing the way in which race and ethnicity can be represented in modern films and artworks. In many cases, they can throw light on the changes that take place within a community during a certain period. In particular, it is necessary to analyze such a movie as Independence Day, directed by Roland Emmerich. Furthermore, one can consider the famous X-Men comics. These examples are very informative because they can eloquently illustrate the values and attitudes, which are proclaimed by American society. Overall, their main message is that America is a diverse community in which racial and ethnic differences must not act as dividing lines; moreover, they should not be viewed as the underlying causes of conflict within the community. This is one of the messages that these artworks are supposed to convey. On the whole, filmmakers and artists can achieve this goal in different ways. In particular, they focus on characters who are not very concerned about racial or ethnic distinctions, which are completely irrelevant to them. Apart from that, various authors may try to dispel some of the stereotypes that people can easily take for granted because these false assumptions often lead to the marginalization of social groups or individuals. This is the main thesis that should be elaborated in greater detail. At first, one can consider the movie Independence Day because it shows how the representative of different ethnic and racial groups can be empowered with the help of cinematography. In particular, this film depicts an alien invasion of Earth, and this plot enables the director to describe various representatives of American society and their interactions with one another. For example, one can mention such a character as Captain Steven Hiller, whose part was brilliantly played by Will Smith. It should be noted that he is a courageous and independent person who is ready to risk his life for the sake of his country. In addition to that, he serves in Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 1 . One should keep in mind that at the time when this film was released, there were not many movies that portrayed African Americans as soldiers. This is one of the details that should be taken into account. To some degree, such a character is supposed to break different stereotypes according to which black people are predominantly engaged in criminal or anti-social activities. In contrast, Steven Hiller is an example of a person who is able to achieve high social status. Moreover, there are stereotypes according to which African Americans are not able to defend themselves against injustice. They can be regarded only as helpless victims who cannot withstand injustice. In contrast, the character played by Will Smith is not a person who can be easily intimidated. To some degree, Steven Hiller is an eloquent counter-example that can break
The article under consideration is called Post-foundational development management – power, politics and complexity and written by Christ Mowles (2010). The author discusses the place of management theories in learning and development theories as well as how they are applied to introduce changes and improvement. Particularly, the author focuses on post-foundational management theory based on the principles of emergence. The work combines empirical and theoretical framework for analyzing the major aspects and strategies needed to upgrading the development management. Investigating future perspectives of improvements and programs, the research also places an emphasis on such concepts as predictability, control, emergency, and system change. All the above-described aspects are considered in regional context that provides a favorable ground for more effective implementation of theoretical approaches. In addition, the author provides some historical facts and a comparative analysis of theories for the audience to have clearer understanding of their essence. While discussing particular theories, the author resorts to assessment of post-foundational management within the local context believing that this principle creates a number of positive perspectives for improvement of public sphere. To enlarge on this, Mowles believes that strategies and generalized plans are always perceived in particular contexts with certain actors participating in political cooperation aimed at grouping their efforts and sharing their experience in overcoming particular problems. In this respect, an alternative theory put forward by the research draws on the concept of emergence, a condition under which all governmental and managerial procedures can be considerably improved. This is explained by the fact that quick adjustment to changes creates a number of benefits in critical situations, especially when time is of primary importance. Considering these concepts, the author reaches a conclusion that, even if future perspectives and strategies are idealized and, sometimes, far from reality, planning and projecting intension can better assist in meeting the future goals rather than taking no measures at all. In the article, the author presents a well-planned presentation of arguments and approaches used to assert the validity and reliability of facts. More importantly, the author has managed to sustain the balance between theoretical and empirical information applied. It should also be stressed that the main hypothesis of the paper is quite specific and consistent with the proposed supportive arguments. However, excessive reference to theoretical materials provides a number of ambiguities that prevent readers from understanding the connection between practical and theoretical information. Despite that, the major strength of the article lies in a multidimensional approach the author has chosen for considering one theory within different contexts. The writing
Wang, F., Hao, H., Zhao, S., Zhang, Y., Liu, Q., Liu, H., Liu, S., Yuan, Q., Bing, L., Ling, E., & Hao, A 2011, “Roles of activated astrocyte in neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation,” Stem Cell Research, vol. 2011, no. 7, pp. 41-53. In the introduction, the authors provide an unambiguous background on the use of neural stem cells (NSCs) in treating neural disorders. It is known that astrocytes produce certain substances, which play significant roles in deciding the outcomes of neural stem cells. Neural stem cells can be used in nervous disorders. However, the key challenge lies in maintaining the ability of the propagation of stem cells as well as deciding the type of cells that are formed. The neighbouring microenvironment of the stem cells is thought to play a significant role in influencing the fate of stem cells. Wang et al. (2011) provide numerous examples of previous studies showing the role of astrocytes in the central nervous system. It is shown that astrocytes affect the development of mesenchymal stem cells obtained from bone marrow. Then again, the precise substances and their mode of action in deciding the fate of neural stem cells remain unknown. Therefore, the authors seek to determine whether the effects observed in mesenchymal stem cells are replicated in NSCs. The general experimental procedure is well illustrated. Astrocytes triggered by lipopolysaccharides are used to imitate the effects of activities of astrocytes following inflammatory injury. In addition, the authors provide the implications of their findings on the treatment of neurological disorders. However, the authors do not explicitly state the hypotheses of their investigation. Therefore, it is unclear whether a null or alternative hypothesis is being tested by the outcomes of the investigation. The materials and methods section comes after the results and discussion sections, which is unusual as most papers usually have the materials and methods section appearing before the results and discussion. Bits of information on the experimental procedures are also given alongside the results. There is an order in the experimental steps followed by the researchers since each step is illustrated under its subheading. The experimental design followed by the authors makes it easy to answer the research questions. In addition, the procedure lists the materials and equipment employed in the research. This information is adequate to enable one replicate the experimental procedure. The methods are explained systematically except in cases where given protocols are used. In such instances, the names of the authors who first developed the protocols are mentioned, for example, the preparation of astrocytes follows the procedure described by McCarthy and de Vellis in 1980 (Wang et al. 2011). However, it is difficult to determine whether the sampling
According to Collier (2008), there are several reasons why international support has not been of great help to poor countries. This is the reason why the author is quite categorical that impoverished countries will continue to languish in poverty if a different approach is not devised. In addition, the Bottom Billion issue is of great interest to the author because there seems to be growing list of countries that largely depend on foreign aid even though their residents are still experiencing downward growth in income. In most of the mentioned Bottom Billion countries, residents are living in deplorable conditions even though they put so much effort towards uplifting their standards of living. For the few residents who have managed to secure formal employment, they are definitely underpaid and also work for long hours. Worse still, they have limited work benefits and allowances. As a result, they have been left with little chance to develop themselves economically. The author is also emphatic on the Bottom Billion question due to the fact that poor leadership that is characterized with elements of dictatorship is also a common feature in most of these governments. The combination of these issues has compelled the author of the book to explore various issues that ail these economies and also provide possible solutions to the menace. It is imperative to note that Collier (2008) is addressing both the international community and the leadership of the Bottom Billion countries. The author is attempting to inform the international community that irrespective of the amount of foreign aid advanced to these impoverished and failed states, the solution to their problems will never be obtained. To the failed and poor states, Collier (2008) is critically addressing what actually ails them. In fact, he is offering suggestions that may be put in place in order to cater for the myriads of challenges facing these weak economies. The bottom Billion issue has also been brought out by the author as an international menace that should be addressed with speed if the world is to be safer place in future. Collier (2008) does not just highlight the causes of challenges facing the so-called developing countries. He relentlessly attempts to correlate the economic burden faced by the disadvantaged populations and the state of world peace. Due to the wake of terrorism, the author is quite explicit that various circumstances that have been facing poor and failed states have been the main catalyst