Case Study You Are Your Own Worst Enemy Essay

Gen Y are shown to be a substantial security risk to organizations because Gen Y’s download and use non-sanctioned IT Tools while at work or using company technology and often compromising software like instant messaging software and open-source technologies. What’s happening is quite simple, but very dangerous. Having/using them on company technology opens a door for hackers and data thieves to enter unnoticed into your organization’s information assets. But Gen Y are not even aware that they are causing potential compromises. Question and Answer( Legend:Q=Question,A=Answer) Q1. Think of yourself as a business manager. You have employees you supervise and you are responsible for ensuring that they meet daily work quotas. But, you find they are spending a couple of hours per day shopping online, chatting with friends through instant messaging, and so on. How do you motivate your employees to perform their work? How do you restrict them from non-work-related activities without creating a stifling, boring, and dull workplace? A1. As a manager, I am responsible and takes charge of all the activities that involve in my company and it is very necessary for me to have an employee which has a knowledge to perform and listen to their task properly and willing to abide the rules and regulation of my company. Discipline is a must. They should focus to their job assignment and use their time properly especially during working hours. And as a Manager I must know what the different types of Managerial functions . And one of it is directing that refers to motivation, communication and leadership. I am the Manager so I will be the one to motivate my employees by communicating them with the power of leadership. To motivate them to perform their work I will give them incentives or rewards to make them productive. I may increase their wages to encourage them to perform their task well. By restricting them I think will not work because their life are attach to the technology – that most of the time of their work they are in front of the computer that maybe will tempt to open a social networking site or shopping site that is not related to their work. I will not totally restrict them but instead I will allow them to do their non-work-related activities during breaktime. They deserve a little break that will make them calm and not so stressful. I will take a survey from them that deals with knowing what they would suggest in order to have a pleasant workplace that will affect them in a good way. In that, my employees will be encourage to work well. Q2. The case study mentioned the need for employee education. What elements would you include in an education program for helping employees better understand the dangers in which they place the organization’s IT infrastructure by using technology the wrong way while at work? A2. It is better to conduct an orientation the moment that they are employed in the company. This will help them to have a better understanding regarding to their task such as the general rules and regulations and the proper using of the IT infrastructure of the company. Using technology in the wrong way while at work will cause a great damage and failure to do their task in the company. Sometimes it will be lost of the company and their reputation will destroy. And also I can include short cases of organizations that have been compromised because of unsafe software, having a fellow Gen Y person make the presentation, showing safe computing habits.I will alsoinclude the things that can happen in the organization if the employees are continuous in doing things online that are not related in their work, also the harmful effects on it not just on organization but on them also that they will no longer focused on their work responsibilities and they taking their work at risk that they can be fired and out of the company.. Q3.Beyond the compromises caused to IT infrastructure, what do you see wrong with shopping online while at work? Is this illegal or unethical, perhaps both, or neither? A3.Nothing is wrong about the shopping online because it’s your money that you spending with but during your work it is both illegal and at the same time unethical.It is said to be illegal because before working at the company, there is a certain contract that they should sign stated that they should abide the rules and regulations of the company, including: the proper used of their time for their work and do their task without doing unnecessary actions such as chatting with the others. Also, it is unethical because it could be unfair to the others who were doing their task properly while the others are just wasting their time, having their salary doing wrong things. You employed in the organization to work, you are subjected to work with all of your knowledge, skill and focused because your being paid by the company and doing something not related to your work is not good. It’s definitely grounds for dismissal from employment.But then, people may or may not see it as u nethical, because so many people do it. Q4.Read the acceptable use policy (AUP) for your school. Are you doing anything with your school’s technology that violates the AUP? If so, what is it? How prevalent among other students is the violation? Does widespread violation somehow or another make it okay? A4.(Since our school have no AUP, answers are based on computer laboratory ordinance,rules and regulations).Yes, sometimes I play games installed in the computer which is strictly prohibited based on the ordinance issued by th President.It is very common since students have saved games on their flash drives and through this they can install and play games they want anytime but they make sure that they do this in the absence of their teachers.No, because even violation is widespreaded after the next day they will do it again and again. Q5.Why do you think Gen Y is being singled out? Wouldn’t it make sense that people in other age groups also put a company at risk by misusing technology? What is so different and unique about Gen Y? A5.Generation Y grew up with technology and rely on it to perform their jobs better. Gen Y is the digital generation, and thus uses technology more, especially those types of tools that can compromise security. Yes, other age groups misuse technology but not to the extent of Gen Y. As law firms compete for available talent, employers cannot ignore the needs, desires and attitudes of this vast generation. Millennials grew up with easy access to computers, constant connection to the internet, and smart phones in-hand. They’re accustomed to using technology in every part of their lives and fully believe in its power to make their lives easier. This generation dreams without limits. They’re in search of two things – money and happiness. Q6.Would you consider working for a company that prohibited access to social networking sites, gaming, blogs, and online shopping while at work? Why or why not? How about in the defense industry? In certain places within defense organizations, you’re not allowed to carry cell phones and the like because you can take photos and videos with them. Do you want to work there? Why or why not? A6.Yes. Working in the company that prohibited access to social networking sites, gaming, and online shopping is something gives discipline to the employee regarding doing something not related to their work and also these things must be done not in your workplace but in your own place like in your house and in your own computer. In the company that cell phones and other similar to it that can take pictures and videos are not allowed, why or why not work in this kind if organization? For me it’s alright ,we all know that cell phone is convenience way to communicate to others most of the time in emergency, so not carrying cell phone is hard for me to follow but if the company is great and there’s a lot of benefits or good salary for their employees I will, they just do it for their own safety.

Raise the Red Lantern by Zhang Yimou Essay

Raise the Red Lantern (1991) directed by Zhang Yimou was based on a novel called Wives and Concubines by Su Tong. This film takes place in the early 1900s which tells the story of a woman named Songlian (played by Gong Li) who was struck by the harshness of reality. Her father died during the Chinese Civil War when she was nineteen. Facing the death of her father and the severity of the family financial situation, she was left with no choice but to marry the wealthy Chen family. Upon arrival to the Chen’s estate, Songlian was greeted with open arms and was treated like royalty. She later came to the realization that it was just a mere fantasy as she experience more of the traditions and rules set by the Master Chen. The Master has four mistress, Songlian being the fourth, and all was in competition with one another for the master’s affection and attention. Each mistress has her own quarter in the castle and her own personal servant. The routine on a daily basis was to stands in front of their quarters and awaits the Master’s decision on his sexual needs. Once his decision is made, the quarter of the mistress chosen was lit up with red lanterns. For that day, the chosen mistress is rewarded with foot massage, meal of her choice, and the respect of all the servants in the estate. At first glance, Songlian finds Zhuoyun, the Second Mistress, to be trusting and kind. She laters found out that Zhuoyun was said to â€Å"have a face of the Buddha, but the heart of a scorpion.† Songlian, yearning for her husband affection, decides to fake her own pregnancy. Yan’er backstabbed Songlian by revealing the bloodstain undergarment to Zhuoyun. Feigning her concern for Songlian’s pregnancy, the second mistress requested the family doctor to examine Songlina’s condition. Infuriated by Songlian’s deception, the master ordered all the red lantern in her quarters to be covered by a black canvas. As an act of revenge, Songlian revealed Yan’er secret obsession with the master and ordered all the red lantern in Yan’er’s room to be burned. Yan’er’s refusal to apologize to Songlian kneel all night which eventually led to her death. During Songlian’s birthday, she drunkenly professes the Meishan, third mistress, affairs with the family doctor. Being manipulative as she is, Zhuoyun caught the third mistress and the doctor in the act of adultry. As punishment for infidelity, Meishan was hanged. The following summer, the master marry yet another concubines. At this point, Songlian has finally went completely insane and was just wandering around in her own quarters. In order for this film to be called a Classical Hollywood Narrative, it must adheres to the four simple stages in which this narrative composes. First stage, the hero, is established clearly at the beginning revealing his/her strengths and flaws. This film adhere to the first stage in which it did reveals who is the main protagonist at the very beginning. However, it is very hard to determine whether Songlian is actually a hero in this film. At the beginning, it did shows that her motive is very admirable in accepting her fate in order to save her family from poverty. As the story progresses, in my opinion, she is reveal to be weak and unforgiving. Her weakness shows in her selfishness as she yearn for affection and attention. Her unforgiveness shows when after her deception was reveal in her pregnancy. She became very vengeful and it causes the death of Yan’er and Meishan. For those reason, it is hard for me to consider her only as a protagonist. Instead, I see her as protagonist with the negative traits of an antagonist. Second stage, the goal, is established for the protagonist to pursue. In this case, Songlian’s goal is to become a concubine to a wealthy family to save her family from poverty. The success of this goal is very simplistic. Although her long term goal is unclear, the sense of belonging is very clear. Clearly Songlian did not want to live a life as a concubine. She does belong here, but her fate is inevitable. Third stage, the obstacle, can be established as the lifestyle of the concubines and upholding the traditions and rules set by the master of the house. Unlike most obstacles which has a clear time period of resolution, the obstacle in this film appears to be never ending. Final stage, the success, is established when the protagonist finally achieve his/her goals and overcome the obstacle with great success. Unlike Classical Hollywood Narrative, the ending to this film left the protagonist’s problems unresolve and distraught. She just went insane and became mentally ill at the end. That is a complete failure for a hero of a narrative. I believe a better way to become successful in this film’s obstacles would be death because it is the only escape for the fate a concubine.

Examine the Key Influence on Operations Which Contributes to the Business Success Essay

This Report will examine how the major influences on Operations which contribute to the success of the business with focus all of the major eight influences, these include Globalisation, Technology, Environmental Sustainability, Legal Regulations, Corporate Social Responsibility, Quality Expectations, Government Policies and Cost based Competition. This report will also examine the impact of the influences on businesses such as Billabong, Westpac, Holden, Woolworth and Coca-Cola. Globalisation Globalisation is the internationalization of trade and often forces businesses to adopt new strategies for operations to suit different cultures and economies. The often easily saturated domestic market has triggered many large businesses to expand globally for the purpose of increased sales and profits. Globalisation allows businesses to enter new markets, increase the size of their product range and the size of their operations, thus leading to the successful business. One such business that has successfully undergone the process of Globalisation is Billabong. Billabong’s approach in their expansion into foreign markets has allowed the stakeholders of the business to access to the numerous advantages of globalisation, such as the expansion through new markets. New Markets Billabong commenced with global expansion with the aim to increase revenue and profitability as their original domestic niche market became increasing hard to expand, as the surfing demographics geographically was limited to coastal areas. Today, Billabong is a major transnational surfing brand, producing mass customized outputs to meet the demand of the potential customers at the global market. This is done through the Global web strategy, which allowed Billabong to carefully select from a list of appropriate proximity global suppliers which can make up a predictable and reliable supply chain that is highly responsive to changes in demand that will be experienced by the business. It is evident that Billabong has successfully been influenced by Globalisation with over 70% of its revenue being generated from overseas markets. Technology Many business use existing cutting edge technology to design, construct and or apply innovative devices, machinery and methods upon the operations process. The goal is to provide opportunities for their businesses to apply new breakthroughs, innovations, and inventions to both administrative and processing level of Operations, with aims to increase efficiency and logistics in production process, lower prices, increase their market share and a higher return for the business’s shareholders and thus gain competitive advantage in their target market and leading the business a path to success. One particular business that has integrated very well with technology is Woolworths. Woolworths’s approach to technology, especially in its processing level has let opportunity for the business to increase efficiency of operations via improving the supply chain management. Woolworths Project refresh was put in place on the operation process in 1999 with aims to increase efficiency via utilising technology and is prove successful. An example of technology used in Woolworth is the IT system called AutoStockR. It is used to forecast when supermarket shelves need to be replenished. This type of technology can effectively prevent stock from running out, which leads to increase of customer satisfaction and reliability on the brand and ultimately leading the business to success. Quality Expectation Consumers are becoming increasing orientated to the marketing process of a business; as a result, customers began to have an expectation to the level of quality that they will receive from the product outputs by businesses. These expectations involve: *Quality of design *Fitness for purpose *Durability An operations manager needs to make sure that the goods produced are of the required quality that is expected by the consumers that is they are safe and reliable. For any businesses not able to achieve the expectations assumed by the customers on the quality of the product produced by the business, can lead to a decline in sales and ultimately business failure. Cost-Based Competition Cost has traditionally being a major influence on all business as all businesses desire to achieve maximum efficiency as it is a vital factor for businesses in order to reach the ultimate goal and success. Businesses sees cost as the key value to success and aims to become as much cost efficient as possible, by implementing a cost-leadership style approach to the operations variable cost or fixed cost ,while maintain the expected profit margin, business is able to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors in their target market. This is called cost-based competition. By determining the break-even point and applying cost saving strategies, to reducing cost, businesses who apply cost-based competition in their operations is able to maximize the profits and lead business to success. Government Policies Regardless of the nation of the business may be operating in, all aspect of any business must comply by the laws and policies of businesses set by the government of that nation in order to success. Political policies often alter business legal regulations and thus leading to business opportunity, such as taxation rates, WH&S standards, public safety and health policy, and environment policies all contribute to business success. An example of recent government policy is Carbon Tax. The introduction of the Carbon Tax in 2012 will see many carbon-intensive businesses, such as electricity companies, restructure their operations to more renewable energy sources, as this will reduce business costs and possibly allow them a competitive advantage thus leading business to success. Legal Regulations The legal influence on the business is a complex issue as the legal system with each nation has a fundamental difference on how the legal regulation influences on the operations of a global business. The range of laws set by each individual nation which businesses must comply is collectively termed compliance. The cost of expenses to meet and integrate the legal regulations to meet the compliance is very influential on the business’s cost and ultimately the operations process. In Australia, the legal system recognizes the contemporary issues exists many large industries exploiting their workers and place upon businesses to protect the labor market and the public health and environment. Some of these laws include: *Workers Health and Safety Act:  *Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Act: *Fair work and Anti-discrimination law Environmental Sustainability As global consumers became increasing aware of the current environmental problems, such as pollution, global businesses are required to identify the key structural changes needed, which may affect demand and supply conditions for their products and eventually their success. This is done through integrating the goals outlined by the environment sustainability laws into their resources and operations planning and practices in order to receive a good image with their target market and maintain their market share which leads the business to success. One of the businesses has completely complied with the legal regulations to sustain the environment is Holden. Holden’s approach to sustain the world environment, such as the integration of the business goals with the goals outlined in the environmental sustainability laws has maintained a good image of the business assumed by the market.To comply with the legal regulations set by the government, and to maintain customer satisfaction, Holden focus on reducing energy, water and waste as operating performance indicators has successfully reduced their carbon footprint demanded by the government and consumers and maintained their market share. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Business in the modern global market extends their objectives from just complying with the legal regulations in their operations to reach maximum financial gain to â€Å"service to society and community† by taking account of their business practices based on the respect for people, community and the broader environment. Businesses who have that change of objectives are aiming to achieve corporate social responsibility. Formerly known as the triple bottom line, corporate social responsibility places same value on profitability with social justice and environmental protection. Businesses with a positive CSR image will gain high reputations among the stakeholders, thus leading to business efficiency and ultimately business success. However, the notion of CSR can also be exploited as a marketing ploy, thus criteria and measures have been established for prevention. Some of these measures are: *Ethical responsibility It is standard for many businesses to operate at the level of legal compliance permissible as it means to maintain cost efficiency and thus maintain profit at a maximum. However for businesses who truly integrate corporate social responsibility into their business practices aims to meet all legal obligations and taking into account broader social, community and environmental concerns. One of the businesses who have taken on ethical responsibility on their business operations practices is Westpac. Westpac demonstrate ethical responsibility in many ways, such as its target of 40% of senior management positions being held by women by 2014. *Environmental Sustainability As mentioned earlier the principle of ecological sustainability requires business to evaluate their operations strategies affected by the environment and produce new and better products in an ecologically sustainable manner as the business focus coincides with stakeholder expectations. For example; Coca-Cola demonstrates corporate social responsibility in regards to environmental sustainability through its extensive water recycling program, which has significantly reduced water wastage at the company’s production facilities in Australia and around the world. This type of CSR actions by Coca-Cola has led the stakeholders’ good impression of the business which ultimately leads to business success. Conclusion This Report has examined how each of the major influences such as: Globalisation, Technology, Environmental Sustainability, Legal Regulations, Corporate Social Responsibility, Quality Expectations, Government Policies and Cost based Competition on Operations contributes to the success of the business. This report also had examined the impact of the influences on the businesses such as Billabong, Westpac, Holden, Woolworth and Coca-Cola.

ITEC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ITEC - Essay Example The best feature of videoconferencing is that it provides the users with the opportunity to conduct group meetings. This is why teleconferencing is also called as groupware or visual collaboration. Videoconferencing is of immense value and importance in business. The technology is particularly useful for joint ventures where the business partners are away from each other but feel the need to interact and communicate with each other frequently to discuss the on-going and future business plans and strategies. While the invention of mobile phones served this purpose to a large extent, but still the addition of body language made possible by videoconferencing enhances the quality of interaction manifolds. Obviation of the need to travel to attend the meetings saves a lot of time, money, and energy of the businessmen. Videoconferencing has helped business entrepreneurs make the work flexible for the employees so that their productivity is enhanced. Employees can deliver the work staying at their home by using telecommuting. This provides them with a way to do multi-tasking, thus contributing to the

Kinetic Theory of Matter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Kinetic Theory of Matter - Essay Example The paper tells that the Kinetic theory of matter is a theory that describes states of matter.   There are three states of matter namely solids, liquids, and gases. This theory states that matter is composed of particles that are in constant motion. These particles are either atoms or molecules. The particles in solids cannot move to another location but they can only vibrate because they are closely held to each other. There is enough space in liquids and therefore the particles are free to move but they attract one another. In gases, there is enough free space since the particles are far apart. As more Kinetic energy is gained by the particles, the components of matter change their state; solids change into liquids and liquids change into gases. Kinetic energy is as a result of heating the particles thus making them move apart from one another. The Kinetic theory is based on the fact that when heated, the molecules quickly vibrate and some of it moves from the matter. The physica l states of matter can be explained by the kinetic theory. Heat is a form of energy that is being transferred from region to another. The energy transfer is as a result of thermal contact or thermal radiation and occurs at different temperatures of the systems. Nuclear reactions such as those that are responsible for the burning of the sun release heat. Insulators can also be used to trap heat for a limited time. Energy is transferred through three modes namely conduction, convection or radiation, depending on the medium through which it is being transferred.... It can either be forced or free convection. In radiation, there is no contact between the objects in which the heat transfer is taking place. The transfer takes place through electro-magnetic waves, and does not require a medium. Heat is measured in joules. Temperature Temperature is the measure of the amount of heat energy in a body and the capacity for heat transfer. It can also be defined as the measurement of the mean kinetic energy of molecules in a system. The apparatus that are commonly used in the measurement of temperature are the thermometer and calorimeter. The SI unit for measuring temperature is the centigrade (Celsius), although in physics the Kelvin scale is often used. Warmth or coldness can be felt from contact with an object and this describes the object’s temperature. Relationship between heat and temperature As mentioned earlier, heat is a form of energy that is being transferred from one region to another while temperature is the measure of the amount of h eat energy in a body and the capacity for heat transfer. Therefore, the amount of heat determines the temperature of a body or a region. An increase in heat energy increases the kinetic energy of molecules thus making them to move faster resulting to a rise in temperature. In addition, how fast or slow the molecules move is determined by the amount of heat energy they possess. There is a direct relationship between heat and temperature in that as the kinetic energy of molecules is increased, the temperature also increases. Differences between heat and temperatures Though the two concepts are closely related, there is a distinction between them. Temperature is the amount of inner energy of a system. On the other hand, heat is a measure of the transfer of energy from a system to

Vaginal Examinations Paper Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Vaginal Examinations Paper - Literature review Example Friedman created a cervicograph to  offer  clinicians with an objective  means  of gauging  labour  development, which  was later established  to  become  the partogram (Albers, 2001a:p351). While Friedman’s  curve  illustrates that the dilation  pace  should be one centimetre per an hour (Arya, Whitworth and Johnson, 2007), there has been a  dispute  on this  pace  of cervical development from both obstetricians and midwives. Albers (2007b: p209) researches on the care methods to  maintain  birth  normal, for  instance  social  sustenance  and non -pharmacological techniques of pain reliever,  position  change and activity. Her results show a slower  development  of  labour  with no a raise in complications for the  baby  or mother. According to Albers, the optional rate of cervical dilation should be between 0.3cm and 0.5cm per hour. Vaginal examination is an assessment tool that offers encouragement to the mo ther and midwife that labour  is  systematic  towards the birth. According to Albers (2007b: p212), the rate of vaginal examination is reliant on the health professional and the medical institution. There is a  difference  of three hourly, four hourly or six hourly or at the midwives’ judgment. ... on, for example, foetal position, `presentation and  drop  of the presenting part alongside with information on cervical consistency, effacement, and dilatation of the cervix (Thorpe and Anderson, 2006:p22). When placing into the  milieu  of what the woman is experiencing, and her  labour  concerning the length,  intensity  and  strength  of the contractions the midwife could  advance  her perceptive of that woman’s  labour. While interpretation of these aspects may be  variable, the vaginal examination is a  significant  ability  that midwives must develop. This can assists them to understand labour rhythms and signal  divergence  from the physiological process. Without a doubt, many midwives use vaginal examinations that  assist  them to  widen  their skills in the examination of labour. Hence, improving their skills in understanding the signs of the labour development, this could differ with each woman. The  performance  of midwives when doing a vaginal examination hints an  echelon  of awkwardness, as well as  potential  issues about  authority  and  control. In her research  survey, the midwives and women's incidents of vaginal examination in labour, Stewart (2006: p31) findings  indicate  that the midwives actions  imply  high levels of  embarrassment  when performing a vaginal examination. Stewart (2006: p34) employed a critical ethnographic advance to  centre  on how the to  converse  vaginal examination with the  woman  and how midwives  perform  it in practice. She institutes two main arguments that she explains as sanitisation through verbal and action sanitisation (Stewart, 2006: p35). Stewart proposes that midwives  employ  a number of physical and verbal strategies to  detach  themselves from vaginal examinations. These include the  employment  of

Harwich International Ports Business Model Essay

Harwich International Ports Business Model - Essay Example Experts noted that a major change caused by the influence of globalisation was the integration of services with the national as well as international service industries. The fact can be by further observed in the international transport sector comprising of airways, roadways, railways, and even waterways (UNESCAP, n.d.). It is stated to be the rising competition in the global market structure that acts as a major influencing element in the integration of the international port services. Moreover, the continuous changes occurring in the global industry also influence the port service providers to re-evaluate the adopted competitive strategies periodically (The World Bank, n.d.). Integration in terms of modernisation rewards with various opportunities and significant scopes to the industry players such as enhanced competency, profitability, market share that in turn contributes to the overall growth of the port(s). Few of the common strategies implemented by the ports in order to stimulate the process of modernisation and integration are related to the restructuring of corporate governance, cost structure re-evaluation, and infrastructural development (European Sea Ports Organisation, 2011). With the purpose of empirically scrutinising the fact, the paper will concentrate on the integration strategies implemented by Harwich International Port with due consideration to its strategic effectivity and limitations. 2.0 Harwich International Port’s Business Model Harwich International Port is one of the most significant ports on the eastern coast of England. It was established in the 19th century and since then it has served the industry as a reliable deep-w ater harbour. Till the year 1883, the port served passengers from England, Belgium, and Netherlands with its strategies solely concentrated on the expansion of the then business model. Presently, the port operates as a linkage with Germany as well as Scandinavia along with the other countries of the European Continent. It had been acquired by the Hutchison Port Holdings Group in 1998 and thus implements the strategic vision of the group to define its business model (Harwich International Port Limited, 2005). The strategies implemented by the port largely depend on its strategic mission and corporate vision. For instance, the mission of the organisation concentrates on the overall development of its logistic services, operations and the efficiency in terms of port services. The determined vision statement of the organisation also supports the fact by providing considerable significance to the aspect of efficiency in the services rendered by the port. In this regard, the adopted strat egies by the organisation intended to enhance the performance of the port with the assistance of innovative solutions along with long-term continuation of effective customer relationship (Harwich International Port Limited, 2010). To be precise, the company offers a wide range of services to its customers, i.e. shippers and passengers. The services provided by the port include RoRo, Passenger, Cruise, Container, Liquid Bulk and Dry Bulk (Harwich International Port Limited, 2010). The organisation is further diversified in providing services through rail operations. The port also emphasises on other various strategies. They are: Lock-free maintenance Multi-disciplinary system High quality training and development to the employees Continuation of working hours for seven whole days Investment in the development of the services rendered by the port Continuous diversification through the integration of

Multi-faceted role of the teacher Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Multi-faceted role of the teacher - Essay Example Educators design curriculum to help them set learning paths for their students. This noble task has been attempted repeatedly and in various contexts in the hopes of improving curriculum. It can be said that educators always work towards a curriculum that empowers the learner. It would greatly benefit him and future generations to come. Curriculum comprises the whole school programme. It covers a broad spectrum - from how the physical environment is designed, which skills are targeted to be developed in the children, which concepts and activities are appropriate for the age group, what are the routines to be included and how one transitions from one activity to another. Marsh (2004) defines curriculum as a variety of learning experiences where students gain general skills and obtain knowledge in different learning sites. This definition concentrates more on learning and learning skills rather than teaching. It also values the practical skills gained from other learning sites other than from school alone. Grundy (1987) in his definition describes curriculum as ‘A programme of activities (by teachers and pupils) designed so that pupils will attain so far as possible certain educational and other schooling ends or objectives’ (Grundy, 1987, p.11). It is evident that any curriculum definition one way or another puts emphasis on the learning process, gained knowledge and skills, subject content and students’ comprehensive learning experience. In designing an appropriate course curriculum, an essential process needs to be considered including which curriculum model is most suitable for the needs of the learner. The process of learning is as important as the content learned (Newby 2005). Constructivist theory is gaining more attention, recognition and acceptance in many educational institutions. Its curriculum premises on the belief that learners â€Å"construct† their own

The subject is organisational change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The subject is organisational change - Assignment Example Non-trained employees resist. Change in the skill level of employees is also resisted. The managers must take measures to overcome resistance. For this, they should communicate with each employee individually to know his needs. The more the employees feel empowered and respected, the lesser is the resistance to change. Question 2 Home businesses are very rewarding because they consume lesser resources, energy and time. Due to this fact, the job satisfaction is greater and future prospects are high. One of the greatest difficulties that home businesses may face is choosing the right kind of partner who will guide you and stand beside you through the whole process. Other difficulties include isolation. When you are staying at home, you are leaving the outside world and the chances of face-to-face communication lessen. Personal meetings are crucial to build trust with the partner and the consumers, and home businesses do not give you this chance. Also, sometimes the performance is affec ted when one tries to manage the home business along with the official job. One has to wait for the home business and its savings to get established enough so that the official job is left.

Causes and Consequences of the Great Depression Essay

Causes and Consequences of the Great Depression - Essay Example This write-up will discuss events which contributed to this economic crisis and its consequences. The events that resulted in this calamity include poor economic policies, malpractices and increased tariffs (Ross 1998, p. 183). In the late 1920s, there were no adequate regulations which governed trading in America’s stock exchanges. Consequently, traders exploited these shortcomings to their benefit. Overall, the investors’ funds were vulnerable to unscrupulous traders. Unscrupulous trading in the stock market was one of the triggers of stock market failure. Subsequently, the values of shares began to plunge. The decrease in the value set off events in other industries, which culminated in this economic calamity. However, historians and economists argue that the decrease in the value of stocks in the market was not the cause, but a symptom of an impending economic calamity. Decreased market confidence resulted from the general failure in entities, poor policies such as increased taxation and dismal performance of other industries. According to economists, the collapse of markets denotes the final symptom of an eminent economic calamity. Although the collapse of the stock market may be a symptom rather than a cause, the resultant panic caused rapid deterioration of the economy in both America and the globe (Robbins 1971, p. 90). It is vital to realize that the great depression was a culmination of the coupling of various factors. Such factors included unfavourable tariffs. There was a general rise in the tariffs to finance the governmental operations. However, the higher taxes resulted in the government having more funds. During this period, governments undertook rearmament programmes. Subsequently, vital industries did not receive appropriate funding to stimulate the economy. Despite the imperialist policies adopted by nations, there were positive attributes from nations spending massively on defence programmes. Government globally were able to em ploy additional workforce. The massive defence expenditure did not improve the economy. Therefore, it denied the economy vital resources that would have improved nations further. The military ambitions were realized at the expense of the global economy (Lied 2002, p. 234). During this era, the international trade was not properly developed. Additionally, the emergence of global alliances hindered trade further. Globalization was inexistent; hence, economic panic due to failure of stock markets in America resulted in an economic calamity. If international trade had been properly developed, it would have mitigated the impact of the Great Depression. It would have provided optimism in the economic sectors globally. However, the existing global alliances, which pitted Germany and the United Kingdom (UK) against each other, only made the situation dire (Smiley 2002, p.153). Countries only traded in their alliances; thus, there was minimal business among nations such as the UK and Germany , which represented the global economic forces. Such enmity hindered trade among nations that would have mitigated the depression. Global politics had massive implications on the depression. Proper politics would have enacted measures that would have encouraged economic improvements. However, the political stands during this era resulted in further degradation of the economy (Klein 1947, p.157). The Great Depression was global; hence, there were numerous factors which triggered its occurrence. While the collapse of the

Orangic Milk or Regular Milk Essay Example for Free

Orangic Milk or Regular Milk Essay Is organic milk really that better for you? That was what I was thinking when we were discussing that in health class. Coach Deyo gave good ideas, but I still had my doubts. Because people have been drinking regular milk a long time and no one has died from it or didn’t get enough nutrients from it. So, why do people say organic milk is better for you. I was looking at a website called Men’s Health. It gives a few ideas about organic milk and regular milk. One thing said on the website made me think, why waste the money on organic milk if it doesn’t give you the effects you desire. â€Å"There are differences between organic and conventional milk production, but they may not have the effects consumers expect, says Thomas Overton, Ph. D. , associate professor of animal science at Cornell University. † After I read this I was thinking maybe it’s all in the consumers mind that organic is better for them. Maybe that’s what the organic milk farms want them to think. The website also states that you get the same stuff from organic milk in regular milk. â€Å"For one thing, it’s not any healthier. â€Å"An eight-ounce serving of regular milk offers the same nine essential nutrients—including calcium, vitamin D, and potassium—as a glass of organic milk,† Mangieri says. † So, people that say they drink organic milk because it’s healthier for you are not correct, it’s basically the same type of milk just the cows are feed differently. This is what I read that gave me that idea that the organic dairy cows are just fed differently than the regular milk cows. â€Å"Are fed only organic grains, free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; get at least 30 percent of their feed from pasture; aren’t treated with antibiotics, or with bovine growth hormone to increase milk production. † The website was talking about how organic dairy farms feed and treat their cows. In my opinion, that’s a good thing that they are being fed organic grains and not treated with growth hormones. But, why does it matter if it’s going to be the same kind of nutrients. Also I read in the website that both types of dairy farms have to go through a test for antibiotic residue. â€Å"There’s also no distinction in terms of unwanted ingredients. All organic and conventional milk is tested for antibiotic residue, and any milk that contains it is removed from the food supply. † In conclusion I think it’s all up to the consumer. If the consumer wants healthier milk for him or her, you could decide between both milks. If the consumer wants milk from a cow that’s fed and treated right then they should decide to get organic milk. But for me if I drank milk, I would decide to pick the one that gives you the nutrients you need and not break my wallet.

Solutions to Supplementary Problems from Scott Textbook 6th Edition Essay Example for Free

Solutions to Supplementary Problems from Scott Textbook 6th Edition Essay Several reasons can be suggested why oil company managers have reservations about RRA: †¢ The discount rate of 10% might not reflect the firm’s cost of capital. †¢ Low reliability. RRA involves making a large number of assumptions and estimates. While SFAS 69 deals with low reliability in part by requiring end-of-period oil and gas prices to be used (rather than prices anticipated when the reserves are expected to be sold), management may feel that end-of-year prices bear little relationship to the actual net revenue the company will receive in the future. Furthermore, management may be concerned about low reliability of other estimates, such as reserve quantities. †¢ Frequent changes in estimates. Conditions in the oil and gas market can change rapidly, making it necessary for the firm to make frequent changes in estimates. †¢ Investors may ignore. Investors may not understand the RRA information. Even if they do, management may believe the RRA information is so unreliable that investors will ignore it. If so, why prepare it? †¢ Legal liability. Management may be concerned that if the RRA estimates are not realized, the firm will be subject to lawsuits from investors. Management’s reservations may be an attempt to limit or avoid liability. 12. a. Most industrial and retail firms regard revenue as earned at the point of sale. Since sale implies a contract with the buyer and change of ownership, this is usually the earliest point at which significant risks and rewards of ownership pass to the buyer, the seller loses control of the items sold (e. g.. , title passes to buyer) and at which the amount of revenue to be received can be determined with reasonable reliability. b. Under RRA, revenue is recognized when oil and gas reserves are proven. This point in the operating cycle does not meet the IAS 18 criteria for revenue recognition. Since the oil and gas are still in the ground and the reserves are not sold, the significant risks and rewards of ownership have not been passed on and control remains with the producer. Also, the large number of revisions to estimates under RRA casts doubt on the reliability of the amount of revenue recognized. Presumably, this is why RRA is presented as supplementary information only. Presumably, however, collection is reasonably assured since oil and gas have ready markets. Note: This question illustrates that the tradeoff between relevance and reliability can be equivalently framed in terms of revenue recognition as well as balance sheet valuation. In effect, balance sheet valuation is in terms of the debit side of asset valuation whereas criteria for revenue recognition are in terms of the credit side. The basic tradeoff is the same, however. In particular, it should be noted that early revenue recognition increases relevance, even though it may lose reliability. 13. a. From a balance sheet perspective under ideal conditions, inventory is valued at current value. This could be the present value of expected future cash receipts from sale, that is, value-in-use. Alternatively, if market value of the inventory is available, it could be valued at its market value, that is, its fair value (the 2 values would be the same if markets work reasonably well, as is the case under ideal conditions). From a revenue recognition perspective, revenue is recognized as the inventory is manufactured or acquired. b. Cost basis accounting for inventory is due to lack of ideal conditions. Then, inventory markets may not work well. If so, Samuelson’s (1965) demonstration does not apply. As a result, market value requires estimation, opening up inventory valuation to error and possible manager bias. Accountants must feel that this reduction in reliability outweighs the greater relevance of current inventory value. Historical cost accounting for inventories is not completely reliable, since firm managers still have some room to manage (i. e. , bias) their reported profitability through their choice of cost methods (FIFO, LIFO, etc. ). Also, historical cost accounting for inventories is accompanied by the lower-of-cost-or-market rule. Then, reliability issues of current valuation re-arise. Furthermore, even the cost of inventories is not always reliable. For example, overhead costs are usually allocated to the cost of manufactured inventory. These costs are affected by manager decisions about allocation rates and production volumes. 14. 25. a. Relevant information is information that enables the prediction of future firm performance, such as future cash flows. Early revenue recognition anticipates these future cash flows, hence it is relevant. Thus, Qwest’s revenue recognition policy provided relevant information.b. Reliable information is information that faithfully represents the firm’s financial position and results of operations. When significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the buyer and the seller loses control over the items transferred, the amount of future cash flows is determined with reasonable representational faithfulness and verifiability, since the purchaser has an obligation to pay. Also, if the amount of cash to be received is determined in an arms-length transaction, the amount of sale is reliable due to lack of possible manager bias. It seems that Qwest’s revenue recognition policy met none of these reliability criteria. The future cash flows were not representationally faithful since there appeared to be no provision for returns, obsolescence, or unforeseen service costs. Furthermore, as evidenced by the later SEC settlements, substantial manager bias is apparent. Obviously, amounts ultimately collectible were not reasonably assured, since the SEC came up with materially different valuations. c. Under ideal conditions, revenue is recognized as production capacity is acquired, since future revenues, or expected revenues, are inputs into the present value calculations. For an oil and gas company, revenue recognition is analogous—revenue is recognized as reserves are discovered or purchased. The reason is that under ideal conditions, future cash flows, or expected future cash flows, are perfectly reliable. There is thus no sacrifice of usefulness in recognizing revenue as early as possible. Note: A superior answer will point out that under ideal conditions net income consists of interest on opening present value (i. e. , accretion of discount), plus or minus abnormal earnings under ideal conditions of uncertainty). These are not operating revenues, however, but simply an effect of the passing of time.

Title IX Legislation Analysis

Title IX Legislation Analysis Title IX for South Suburban Bulldogs Athletic Department Introduction I. Brief History of Title IX A. Title IX Defined B. The Test C. Equal Pay Act II. Understanding Title IX Athletics Compliance Introduction A. Title IX Coordinator III. The Participation A. Athletics Team for Purposes of Title IX B. Athletics Participant for Title IX Purposes C. The Test IV. Athletic Benefits Opportunities A. The Laundry List Resources to Educate Athletic Staff to Advance Compliance with Title IX A. List of Resources Introduction Our goal is to commit to institutional control by establishing an organization that is operating in full compliance. Title IX law was passed on June 23, 1972 it was intended to end gender discrimination in education. Title IX offers women an equal athletic opportunity to participate in the sports and this law also applies to all educational programs that receive federal funding, and to all aspects of a schools educational system (Weight Zullo 2015, pg.84). An athletic director must make sure that the athletic department as a whole maintains compliance integrity with Title IX or the school may lose its federal funding as well as be brought up on legal allegations. I. Brief History of Title IX A. Title IX Defined No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance (Weight Zullo 2015, pg.84). B. The Test An athletic program can be considered gender equitable when the participants in both the men and women sports programs would accept as fair and equitable the overall program of the other gender. No individual should be discriminated against on the basis of gender, institutionally or nationally, in intercollegiate athletics(Weight Zullo 2015, pg.84). C. Equal Pay Act No covered employer shall discriminate between employees on the basis of sex by paying wages to employees in such establishment at a rate less than the rate at which he pays wages to employees of the opposite sex in such establishment for equal work on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions (www.ncaa.org). II. Understanding Title IX Athletics Compliance Introduction The conduct by a university that violates Title IX is sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics, and discrimination based on pregnancy. Title IX is enforced by the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights along with several compliance enforcement offices throughout the United States. An Athletic Director must have full understanding of Title IX and the educational institutions role in implementing the law which will make the assessment phase meaningful. According to NCAA Title IX policy any educational intuition that receives federal funding must designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply and carry out the responsibilities under Title IX law and if an educational intuition does not appoint a Title IX coordinator they are failing to comply with Title IX and may face consequences of noncompliance which can include the possibility of losing federal funding for educational programs. (www.ncaa.org). The athletic director can maintain full control of the department when working with Title IX coordinator to stay updated on guidelines or new rule changes to the policy (www.ncaa.org). A. Title IX Coordinator Title IX Coordinator has a responsibility to fully understand Title IX, oversee compliance, development, and implementation of grievance procedures, and the intake, investigation, and resolutions of complaints of noncompliance. The information of Title IX Coordinator must be available to students and employees and this contact information is required on all recruiting materials published by the covered university (www.ncaa.org). III. Participation A. Athletics Team for Purposes of Title IX When assessing compliance in the area of athletics participation, it is first necessary to determine what teams count. The sport test is designed to determine whether programs or activities outside those sponsored by the NCAA such as mens rowing also qualify for inclusion when determining equity. B. Athletics Participant for Title IX Purposes A school must determine what the number of male and female athletics participants. The Policy Interpretation and 1996 Clarification defines a participant as one who receives the institutionally sponsored support normally provided to athletes competing at the institution involved. C. The Test 3Prong Test (1) provide participation proportionate to enrollment(2) show history and continuing practice of program expansion for underrepresented sex; or 3) fully accommodate underrepresented sex. Two-Part Test: 1) provide equivalent levels of competition (2) show upgrade of competitive levels (Mabry 2013, pg.503). IV. Athletic Benefits Opportunities A. The Laundry List Title IX regulations require that institutions provide equal athletics opportunities for members of both sexes. In order to determine whether or not a school provides equivalent athletics benefits and opportunities the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will review the following laundry list of treatment issues (Weight Zullo 2015, pg.89). Provision and maintenance of equipment and supplies Scheduling of games and practice times Travel and per diem expenses Opportunity to receive tutoring and assignment and compensation of tutors Opportunity to receive coaching, and assignment and compensation of coaches Provision of locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities Provision of medical and training services and facilities Provision of housing and dining services and facilities Publicity Support services Recruiting Resources to Educate Athletic Staff to Advance Compliance with Title IX As an athletic director the first responsibility is to create a fully complied Title IX sports department. Our athletes as well as staff will be advised on all Title IX policies, procedures rules and regulations. Staff heads will keep updated checklist on all things that pertain to Title IX procedures, attend trainings workshops and weekly newsletters to stay current with all changes of Title IX. Each department head will get a copy of the resources listed below so that there is ongoing awareness about all subjects as it pertains to Title IX. The Title IX Coordinator in conjunction with Athletic Director will continue to measure each department on the merits of the 3 prong test. A. List of Resources 1979 Title IX Intercollegiate Athletics A policy interpretation by the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights (OCR) on Title IX and intercollegiate athletics (feminist.org). 2010 Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Clarification The Three Part Test part three (PDF) A clarification letter from the OCR withdrawing the 2005 additional clarification on the three part test part three, and all related documents accompanying it (feminist.org). Equity Assistance Centers Funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education 2011-2014 http://www2.ed.gov/programs/equitycenters/contacts.htmlContact the Civil Rights Act Title IV Equity Assistance Center serving your state. These centers provide technical assistance, training and resources on education equity issues related to gender, race, and national origin to state departments of education, local educational agencies, and schools upon request (feminist.org). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Gender Equity http://www.ncaa.org/gender_equity and http://www.ncaa.org/lgbt NCAA is a voluntary membership organization through which the nations colleges and universities govern their athletics programs (feminist.org). The Legislative Services Database (LSDBi) is a useful tool for looking up bylaws and bylaw interpretations, which are published responses to specific questions about NCAA guidelines. The LSDBi has the advantage of being updated continuously throughout the year (Weight Zullo 2015, pg.78). Conclusion The Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights created three paths to demonstrate compliance with Title IX. A university will not have to worry about any violations of Title IX when they continue to operate within the margins that the percentages of male and female athletes are about the same as the percentages of male and female students enrolled at the school , that the school has a history and a continuing practice of expanding athletic opportunities for female students, and finally even though it is not offering its female students substantially proportionate opportunities to play sports, the school is nonetheless fully meeting female athletes interests and abilities (Weight Zullo 2015, pg.89). The goal is not to create an atmosphere of tension but of compliance and awareness to all student athletes and staff members. References Ladda, S. (2012). Examining Title IX at 40: Historical Development, Legal Implications, and Governance Structures. Presidents Council on Physical Fitness Sports Research Digest, 13(2), 10-20. Mabry, A. M. (2013). Title IX: Proportionality and walk-ons. The University of Memphis Law Review, 44(2), 497-522. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/1510497892?accountid=28180 Spengler, J., Anderson, P., Connaughton, D., Baker, T. (2010). Introduction to Sport Law. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers. Retrieved on March 6, 2107, From http://www.gallup.com/poll/7663/what-americans-see-title-ixs-future.aspx Weight, E. A., Zullo, R. (2015). Administration of intercollegiate athletics. Champaign, IL Human Kinetics. Retrieved on 3/09/17 From http://www.feminist.org/sports/ATHLETICS%20AND%20TITLE%20IX%20RESOURCES_09202013.pdf Retrieved on 3/09/17 From https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Title_IX%2BCoordinators%2B%2BNCAA%2Bresource%2B2011.pdf Title IX Legislation Analysis Title IX Legislation Analysis ARGUMENT I. Deference should not extend to an opined unpublished agency letter because it does not carry the force of law. [WS1] The United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) letter presented here should not be awarded deference because the regulation letter argues that the interpretation the language of Title IX is ambiguous. Title IX provides that, no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program that receives Federal financial assistance. 20 U.S.C. ÂÂ § 1681(a); accord 34 C.F.R. ÂÂ §106.1 (emphasis added). OCR issued their letter challenging the interpretation of language on the basis of sex under Title IX, challenging it on the basis that it is not clear as it relates to gender identity. In support of OCRs letter, respondent proffers the legal standard accorded under Auer v. Robbins. There, the Court afforded controlling deference to an agency letter in form of a legal brief by the Secretary of Labor interpreting the language of regulations with regard to overtime pay under Federal legislation. Auer v. Robbins, 519 U.S. 452, 463 (1997). While Auer accords agencies the highest level of deference when interpreting their own regulations, such deference is only warranted in situations where regulatory language is ambiguous, unless the language is plainly erroneous or inconsistent with regulation. Id; see Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Nat. Resources Def. Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837, 843 (1984);Mission Group Kansas, Inc. v. Riley, 146 F.3d 775 (10th Cir. 1998; Stinson v. United States, 508 U.S. 36, 45, 113 S.Ct. 1913, 123 L.Ed.2d 598 (1993) (quoting Bowles v. Seminole Rock Sand Co., 325 U.S. 410, 414, 65 S.Ct. 1215, 89 L.Ed. 1700 (1945)). Here, the same level of deference to OCR would be inappropriate because OCR interprets language found under Title IX. Title IX is not an agency regulation, but rather federal law, and deference to an agencys interpretation of its regulation is warranted under Auer v. Robbins only when the regulations language is ambiguous, and that is not the case here. Christensen v. Harris County, 529 U.S. 576, 588 (2000) (emphasis added). As such, giving deference to an agencys interpretation of federal law is unwarranted. II. Language under Title IX is unambiguous and clear in its definition of sex. Title IX is clear as to its language, prohibiting discrimination of the basis of sex. When turning to past precedent, many courts have defined the term sex as the biological sex assigned to the person at birth. Johnston v. Univ. of Pittsburgh of Com. System, 97 F.Supp.3d 657, 670 (W.D.Pa. 2015); Frontiero v. Richardson, 411 U.S. 677, 686, 93 S.Ct. 1764, 36 L.Ed.2d 583 (1973). Here, Title IX is clear in its plain language that sex means to be construed as a persons biological sex rather than the gender they identify with. In fact, Title IX makes no mention at all of gender identity anywhere within its language as to be construed as anything but biological sex. We hold a narrow view of the statutory term sex due to its construction under legislative history. Johnston, 97 F.Supp.3d at 677. Because of prior precedent that holds a narrow meaning to the language under Title IX as it relates to sex, and the lack of reference to a persons perceived gender identity, we have to continue to construe on the basis of sex as meaning a persons biological sex and not gender identity. III. Respondent is not likely not to succeed on the merits because Petitioners restroom policy does not violate Title IX. The District Court did not abuse its discretion denying Petitioners preliminary injunction, because Petitioner had a discretionary right under Title IX to implement its bathroom policy. Schools are allowed to provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities on the basis of sex. 34 C.F.R. ÂÂ §106.33 (emphasis added). They may do this so long as such facilities provided for students of one sex shall be comparable to such facilities provided for students of the other sex. Id. After adopting the restroom policy in dispute, Petitioner installed three single-stall restrooms throughout Gloucester High School. R.21. They also raised doors and walls around the bathroom stalls, and installed partitions between urinals, in an effort to minimize the exposure individuals may experience in restroom facilities. Id. While these new policy measures were put in place, it by no means restricted the very nature of using the restroom facilities, but rather imposed an adherence to using separate facilities that correspond with a persons sex at birth. As such, Respondent was by no means denied the right to use the bathroom, nor was he encouraged or mandated to hold it in, but rather designated a separate restroom facility for convenience. Id. Respondent chose to avoid using the restroom in its entirety while present at school and as a result developed painful urinary infections and discomfort because of that choice. Id. Petitioner had every right under the scope of Title IX to enact its restroom policy, and in doing so, provided all students with an alternative facility that may be used by anyone and everyone, at any time. Its purpose was designed to accommodate everyone, including those, such as Respondent, who suffer from gender identity issues, and therefore Petitioner did not act in violation of Title IX. IV. Petitioners policy does not discriminate because it is within its authority under Title IX. Petitioners policy does not discriminate against Respondent because the plain language of Title IX does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Johnston v. Univ. of Pittsburgh of Com. System, 97 F.Supp.3d 657, 673 (W.D.Pa. 2015). To establish a prima facie case of discrimination under Title IX, Respondent must allege (1) that he was subjected to discrimination in an educational program; (2) that the program receives federal assistance; and (3) that the discrimination was on the basis of sex. Id. at 674; accord Bougher v. Univ. of Pittsburgh, 713 F.Supp. 139, 143-44 (W.D.Pa.1989). Here, Respondent cannot demonstrate that he was discriminated against based on sex. In dissecting the language under Title IX, the phrase on the basis of sex is construed to refer to a persons biological and anatomical sex assigned at birth. Title IX does not prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, nor does it even refer to such language within the legislature. Here, however, there was no discrimination under either light. With regard to Respondents gender identity, Petitioner expressed immediate support when Respondent informed officials that he was transgender from the very beginning. R.11; R.16. Subsequently, school officials immediately changed Respondents name in the official school records and began referring to him using only male pronouns. R.16. Furthermore, Respondent was permitted to use the boys restroom for almost two months before community concerns became vocal. R.17. Here, not only was Petitioner sensitive to Respondents requests and needs, but they were more than accommodating to ensure that Respondent felt comfortable within his educational environment. Petitioners restroom policy took into consideration both community and Respondents concerns. Ultimately, the policys intent is to increase both safety and privacy of all students so everyone feels as comfortable as possible using the restroom facilities. By providing all students with the option of an alternative, private single-stall restroom, the school sought to address everyones concerns of privacy. As such, the policy is, in and of itself, inclusive, not discriminatory, and Respondent cannot state such a claim. V. The restroom policy is motivated by a substantial interest. Petitioners restroom policy is motivated by a substantial interest to increase privacy and safety of all students. Petitioner implemented said restroom policy with the scope of addressing the entire communitys concerns, including Respondents, and provide an alternative solution to the dispute set forth. In Johnston, a transgender university student brought suit against the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown for his expulsion on the basis of discrimination, following failure to comply with the universitys bathroom policy. Johnston, 97 F.Supp.3d at 664. There, the university argued that the reasoning behind their policy of segregating its bathroom and locker room facilities on the basis of birth sex is substantially related to a sufficiently important government interest.' Johnston, 97 F.Supp.3d 657 at 669; accord Glenn v. Brumby, 663 F.3d 1312, 1316 (11th Cir.2011) (quoting Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Ctr., Inc., 473 U.S. 432, 446-47, 105 S.Ct. 3249, 87 L.Ed.2d 313 (1985)). Further, they reasoned that their policy was needed to ensure the privacy of its students to disrobe and shower outside of the presence of members of the opposite sex, which was widely upheld by courts for this reason. Johnston, 97 F.Supp.3d 657 at 669; see Etsitty v. Utah Transit Auth., 502 F.3d 1215, 1224 (10th Cir.2007). Similarly, here, Petitioner inherently undertakes the administrative duty to protect the safety and privacy interests of all their students as an educational body, particularly here because, the students are minors, rather than adults, as in Johnston. Linnon v. Commonwealth, 287 Va. 92, 752 S.E.2d 822, 826 (2014). For this reason, Petitioner has a substantial interest in protecting the safety and privacy of the minor children in its care. Moreover, all students have the right to privacy proscribed under the Constitution, and collectively, those rights outweigh the interests claimed by Respondent. Lee v. Downs, 641 F.2d 1117, 1119 (4th Cir. 1981). [WS1]Insert roadmap here under the first sub-issue and then continue with your argument

Socioeconomic effects on children :: essays research papers

When Both Parents are Employed Socio-economic conditions in North America have contributed to the need for dual incomes for families. Economically, â€Å"the number of two parent families below the poverty line would increase to an estimated 78% if they were to become single income families.† (Ontario Women’s Directorate 9) Socially, it was the norm, in the past, for women to stay at home having a more expressive role in the family; taking care of the children and providing emotional support for the family. Presently, women feel that their traditional roles as child bearers and homemakers must be supplemented with a sense of achievement outside the home. Recent studies reflect an increased trend towards the dual income family and projections are for this trend to continue. In 1961, 30% of married women were working; in 1978, 38% were employed; by 1981 50% were working and in 1985, 55% held paying positions outside the home. (Jarman and Howlett 95) In 1961, only 20% of all two parent families were! dual wage families, but by 1986, more than half (53%) of all families were dual earning families. (Ramu 26) In light of the fact that the majority of two parent families in the 1990’s have also become dual wage earning families, it is important to examine the effects of such a phenomenon on society in general and on child rearing in particular. Children acquire their goals, values and norms based on the way that they view or identify with their parents as well as from the quality and amount of care, love and guidance given to them by their parents. Parents who work present a different image to their children than parents who do not work. In addition, wage earners, including parents, must (in most cases), be absent from the home during the day. When considering these modifications to the family dynamics, there is considerable basis for proof that the positive effects outweigh the negative effects experienced by offspring in families were both parents are employed. The working parent occupies an important exemplary role within the family. Working parents often command considerable respect from their children, because they demonstrate the worthy characteristics of industriousness, social compatibility, self reliance, maturity, intelligence and responsibility. Because children identify with their parents, the feedback from such positive influences tends to be positive as well because many of these positive characteristics are imparted upon them.

Shakespeares Hamlet - The Ambiguity Essay -- English Literature Cust

Hamlet – the Ambiguity      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The extent of the ambiguity within William Shakespeare’s drama Hamlet deserves consideration. Literary critics disagree in their assessments of how prevalent the ambiguity is in the work.    Lawrence Danson in the essay â€Å"Tragic Alphabet† discusses the equivocation and ambiguity within the play:    Equivocation – the conflict between the reality Hamlet perceives and the language used to describe that reality – has made all expression a matter of mere seeming, and Hamlet knows not seems. His rejection of the Claudian language extends to a rejection of all the symbolic systems that can denote a man. Thus, even his own punning (both verbal and silent) is inadequate: Hamlet chooses â€Å"nothing† since he cannot have â€Å"all†:    ‘Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, Nor customary suits of silent black, Nor windy suspiration of forc’d breath, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, Nor the dejected haviour in the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, That can denote me truly. These, indeed, seem; For they are actions that a man might play; But I have that within which passes show – These but the trappings and the suits of woe. (I.ii.77)    In an ambiguous world, where all is but seeming, and hence misinterpretation, no symbol is successful. (70)    D.G. James says in â€Å"The New Doubt† that the Bard has the ambiguous habit of charging a word with several meanings at once:    â€Å"Conscience does make cowards of us.† There has been, I am aware, much dispute as to what the word means here. For my part, I find not the least difficulty in believing that the word carries both its usual meaning and that of â€Å"reflection an... ... Impulsive but Earnest Young Aristocrat.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Masks of Hamlet. Newark, NJ: Univ. of Delaware P., 1992.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html    West, Rebecca. â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Court and the Castle. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1957.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"Hamlet: A Man Who Thinks Before He Acts.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar. N. p.: Pocket Books, 1958.    Shakespeare's Hamlet - The Ambiguity Essay -- English Literature Cust Hamlet – the Ambiguity      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The extent of the ambiguity within William Shakespeare’s drama Hamlet deserves consideration. Literary critics disagree in their assessments of how prevalent the ambiguity is in the work.    Lawrence Danson in the essay â€Å"Tragic Alphabet† discusses the equivocation and ambiguity within the play:    Equivocation – the conflict between the reality Hamlet perceives and the language used to describe that reality – has made all expression a matter of mere seeming, and Hamlet knows not seems. His rejection of the Claudian language extends to a rejection of all the symbolic systems that can denote a man. Thus, even his own punning (both verbal and silent) is inadequate: Hamlet chooses â€Å"nothing† since he cannot have â€Å"all†:    ‘Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, Nor customary suits of silent black, Nor windy suspiration of forc’d breath, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, Nor the dejected haviour in the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, That can denote me truly. These, indeed, seem; For they are actions that a man might play; But I have that within which passes show – These but the trappings and the suits of woe. (I.ii.77)    In an ambiguous world, where all is but seeming, and hence misinterpretation, no symbol is successful. (70)    D.G. James says in â€Å"The New Doubt† that the Bard has the ambiguous habit of charging a word with several meanings at once:    â€Å"Conscience does make cowards of us.† There has been, I am aware, much dispute as to what the word means here. For my part, I find not the least difficulty in believing that the word carries both its usual meaning and that of â€Å"reflection an... ... Impulsive but Earnest Young Aristocrat.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Masks of Hamlet. Newark, NJ: Univ. of Delaware P., 1992.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html    West, Rebecca. â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Court and the Castle. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1957.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"Hamlet: A Man Who Thinks Before He Acts.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar. N. p.: Pocket Books, 1958.   

The Colliding Dynamics of Class Structure Essay -- Sociology

The rigidity of class structure is the culprit for the vast number of inequities in society. Power is concentrated in the hands of a small sector; leaving a few individuals to have more authority and influence, in comparison to others. The construction of class structure identifies the way groups are divided into social positions. Differences stemming from social position are further exemplified by the accessibility to valuable resources–such as wealth, education, occupation, and status. Those with distinguished command in society have access to these increasingly wide ranges of resources, which may be present in limited forms to the less powerful. Used as a device of supremacy, power is a style of control when the basis is acquiring these societal possessions. Even though class structure is considered to be fluid in nature, for some it is a complex web of entanglements hard to deal with it. Groups who suffer from social and material deprivations are not doing so by choice, b ut hugely in part to economical and occupational factors. These prominent distinctions have led several to fall victim to the systems of hierarchy. Built within these schemes are the inequalities that arise due to one’s position; and captured inside are the outcomes that influence levels of individual, educational, and occupational independence. People who do observe the inequities between classes may feel the impact of social stratification in various ways. Similarly the dynamics of class structure are very significant elements found throughout the works of Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, and Karl Marx. They are all in agreement that society host the series of conflicts underlying that of class structure. Class structure as a whole denotes differing realit... ...ist Feminism." Critical Sociology (Brill Academic Publishers) 25.2/3 (1999): 196-217. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Marx, Karl, and Frederick Engels. Marx/Engels Selected Works, Vol. One. Moscow. Progress Publishers, 1969, N. pag. http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist- manifesto/index.htm. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. Orwell, George. "Shooting an Elephant". The Seagull Reader Essays. 2nd Edition. Ed. Joseph Kelly. New York. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2008. 243-250. Print. Peet, Richard. "Inequality and Poverty: A Marxist-Geographic Theory." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 65.4 (1975): 564-571. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Woolf, Virginia. A Room of One's Own. New York. Quality Paperback Book Club, 1992. Print. Woolf, Virginia. Three Guineas. New York. Quality Paperback Book Club, 1992. Print.

Motivation Techniques Essay

This essay will explain how groups are formed and will discuss how motivation techniques promote effective group work and a well motivated workforce. A group can be defined as â€Å"two or more freely interacting people with shared norms and goals and a common identity† (Kreitner, Kinicki and Buelens 1999). However there is no specific definition to the term ‘group’. Cartwright and Zander (1968) identified eight different definitions of the word all which represent a particular perspective on the most important characteristics of a group. Mullins (2005) states that â€Å"groups are deliberately planned and created by the management as part of the formal organisation structure.† Managers create formal groups to accomplish goals and serve the needs of the organisation. The main purpose of formal groups is to perform specific tasks and achieve specific objectives defined by the organisation. However informal groups are not formed or planned by the management. These develop naturally among employees through communication and interaction within the workplace. Informal groups tends to satisfy employees social needs, for example developing meaningful relationships with other people and obtaining and sharing important information. Tuckman’s (1965) suggests that a group normally has to pass through a five stages before it functions in an effective way. His theory focuses on the way which a team tackles a task from initial formation if the team through to the completion of the task. The five stages of Tuckman’s theory are forming, storming, and norming, performing and adjourning. At first stage the group get together and initially gets to know each other. Next stage the members become more aware of each other, they become more willing to bring their views into the open. There will be disagreements within the group about the task and the arrangements, which may lead to conflict. Norming is a stage where employees cooperate with each other and they tend to get their work done. In the next stage the group works well and gets on with their job to the required standard and achieves its objectives. The last stage of the Tuckman’s theory is adjouring, groups members usually disperse at this stage and they tend to reflect on the task that has been carried out. According to Cole (2004) â€Å"motivation is the term used to describe those processes, both instinctive and rational, by which people seek to satisfy the basic drivers, perceived needs and personal goals, which trigger human behaviour†. However Cook et al. (1997) stated another interpretation of motivation whereby it is â€Å"A conscious decision to perform one or more activities with greater effort then other competing activities.† Nowadays managers use motivation techniques in a number of ways, one that every manager commits themselves and set company goals for their employees to aim for. By doing this it identifies the purpose of their job. Motivation techniques that are likely to be used in the industries are, employee of the month schemes, where workers are recognised for their hard work. To increase motivation and group work within the childcare industry one should consider Herzberg’s Two Factor, which is hygiene and motivating factors. His theory hinges on the idea that people are motivated by the things that make them feel good about work. In childcare it is important to ensure hygiene factors such as the conditions the employees work in are satisfactory and comfortable along with security of having an acceptable amount of wage and benefits such as pension. Another way to motivate employees is by reinforcing them. Skinner’s theory simply states that the employee’s behaviour that leads to positive outcomes will be repeated (skinner 1953). Managers should positively reinforce employee behaviour that will lead them to positive outcomes. For example if the teacher has a plan for an activity, the manager should encourage the teacher to the activity or the play. By this he/she will feel valued and would like to make further contribution in other tasks. Some employees are quiet and some are loud. Despite people’s personality, everyone should have a say in discussion or at least be given the chance. Managers should be able to build up self esteem in their employees and for their employees to build up to their work colleagues. This effectively motivates the whole workforce. If there are new employees in the nursery and one is quicker in adapting things whereas the other one might take time to get used t new things and the environment. Managers should recognise this as not everyone is same in any workplace. It is important for a manager to recognise this and treat them same. Abraham Maslow is an early theorist who realised that people have more than just social and physical needs. He studied human motivation from which he then invented a theory of needs of hierarchy, with basic needs at the bottom and higher needs at the top. Maslow’s theory relates to the motivation techniques of today’s industry as it displays how managers to this day follow the same method of systematic movement up the hierarchy. Schools and community or day nurseries needs a stable environment in order to maintain a suitable place for employees to work in. To motivate staff into working, the surroundings are needs to have adequate lighting, warmth and shelter and free from threats as much as possible. For example people do not want to enter a working zone and feel threatened each day that they are going to be physically got hurt or even catch a cold when there is no heating in the workplace. This is manager’s job to ensure that every angle is covered so that their employees enjoy coming to work. Schools should have right teaching resources to motivate their staff. For example in the classroom a teacher should have a computer and all the equipments that he/she need for their lesson. These are the basic needs of any employee working in the early years that need to be met so they can work to their fullest potential. Another motivational technique to promote effective group work and a well-motivated workforce is communicating with employees. As suggested by the expectancy theory, workers expect some sort of reward as an outcome of the effort that they put in. It is vital that communication is a two-way action as not all people have the same incentives as mentioned before, one working in the childcare vocation may get to an advance whereas another may prefer the option to work in another group, such as a different year group or subject. So it is essential that one projects their desired needs in order for them to be met. However, a lack of communication can de-motivate employees and one should be careful to not send out misleading information. Managers who do not meet their demands as promised, causes a break-down in communication and trust, which will therefore lead on to cause motivational problems, but if managed to maintain this trust then they will be more valued, as will their decisions, upholding the employees will to co-operate. In conclusion this essay shows different ways how groups are formed and different types of groups such as formal and informal groups. There are many ways of motivating employees but employers should know that there are different ways of rewarding. Different theorists have different ways of explaining their techniques on motivating workforces.   

Local Literature Essay

According to Manila Bulletin (Tariella, 2014) entitled â€Å"Rural Tourism and Community Development†, it states that rural areas are becoming popular destinations because of cuisine. Most of the tourists look for attraction, activities such as festivals in different rural areas, authentic rural cuisine, and amenities of the area. This is the way to promote the Culinary Tour here in our country. Many of the residents in rural areas also have their own local unique food which visitors would like to take part or even learn cooking. There is need to appreciate the recreational activities, food, and souvenir items. In other words, â€Å"to develop applicable tourism package, the whole community must involve, the benefits well distributed to all its colleagues to ensure sustained participation and cooperation†. This is the essence of community-based rural tourism and it’s able to uplift the community. According to AIM Center for Tourism (Dr. Tan, 2014) entitled â€Å"Propelling Filipino Cuisine to the World Stage†, it is stated there that the increasing popularity of food tourism in the Philippines makes the travelers visit the country not only to see the different heritage sites and natural scenery but also to experience the authenticity of flavors of Filipino food has to offer. Travelers often associate destinations with local cuisine. Since culinary tourism develops opportunities for our local cuisine, Filipinos must patronize it. According to the website of â€Å"Its more fun in the Philippines† (www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com) (Buenavente, 2009) entitled â€Å"Kulinarya Food Trips†, the Philippine cuisine is one of the country’s best –kept secret which is not yet known in different parts of the world. The Department of Tourism (DOT) under the management of Sec. Joseph Ace Durano lately launched Culinary Tourism as Kulinarya Filipina as part of Cultural Tourism Program. This program introduces the Philippine authentic flavors to promote the country as a culinary destination. The Department wanted to promote the culinary tours to other well-known culinary centers of our country such as Manila, Ilocos Region, Pampanga, Bulacan, Iloilo, Negros and Davao. According to Philippine Daily Inquirer (De Lara, 2015) entitled â€Å"We have everything in the North†, it states that Northern has a lot to offer- historical scenery, natural scenery- beaches and the terrific rural cuisines. Other than natural destinations and exciting activities in the north provinces, it is also known in delicious authentic cuisine. The north has Pampanga as the culinary capital and Ilocos has their famous bagnet and all those delicious authentic delicacies. According to Sun Star (Flora, 2015), it states that in the city of San Fernando in Pampanga, its provincial government decided to launch the first ever Great Alualu Festival on April 17. Its purpose is to declare â€Å"alualu† or the native term in Pampanga for the popular dessert of Filipinos, â€Å"halo-halo†. The highlight of this festival plays the important role in creating the authentic Kapampangan Cuisine to be known outside in its province and also all over the world. According to Sun Star (Pacete, 2015), it stated that one of the provinces of Region 18, Negros, bringing up and promoting the tourism potential of this province for local and foreign tourists. To appoint Pinoy travelers to discover the hidden gems of the Philippine tourism—sights, cuisine, activities, places, people and culture. The Culinary Historians of the Philippines (CHOP) visit the roaming food vendors selling their delicacies in â€Å"nigo† (flat basket) to observe the actual buying and selling of â€Å"batuan†- a local berry used as souring agent in soup, â€Å"kalkag†- dried tiny shrimps, â€Å"lamayo†- sun dried fish, and fresh sugarcane juice. According to Business World Online (Carillo, 2015), it stated that the city’s culinary scene than the fresh durian sold in the streets and all its processed versions in local shops—cakes, pastries, candies, ice cream, and even coffee. By elevating the culinary scene in Davao, held a competition categorized the Filipino Cuisine challenge. Food Tour in Davao. The local government‘s tourism office, with the help of private tourism stakeholders, the heritage tour and food tour will combined and the program is now a part of tourism packages for the visitors.

Ibm Case Essay

History By the 1950’s, IBM became the dominant vendor in the computer industry with the release of the IBM 701 along with many other series of mainframes, which are large central processors. Then in the1960’s and 1970’s, the company had to diversify to get on the same level as smaller companies, such as Digital Equipment Corporation, who were introducing microprocessors. This threatened IBM’s position in the computer industry. Their response was coming put with a personal computer, software, and services. In 1981, IBM officially introduced the IBM PC with a compatible hardware platform. This was a large accomplishment for the company. A few years later, on May 1st, 2005, IBM sold its PC division to the Chinese company Lenovo for $655 million in cash and $600 million in Lenovo stock. Then on January 25, 2007, IBM sold their printing systems division for $725 million to Ricoh and created a new Ricoh subsidiary called InfoPrint Solutions Company. Ricoh will now own a 51% share and IBM will own a 49% share. Also in 2007, IBM’s yearly revenue was $98. 8 billion and they had a net income of $10. 8 billion dollars. IBM is run by about 427,000 employees. There are three main people who keep the business running smoothly. The most important one is Samuel J. Palmisano, who is the Chairman, President, and CEO. Another important associate at IBM is Mark Loughridge, who is the SVP and CFO. And lastly, Douglas Elix, who is another SVP, a Group Executive, and is in charge of Sales and Distribution. These three men are vital to the company’s success. Besides them, most of the employees at IBM are IT Specialists, Application Services Consultants, and Managing Consultants. Every company has to have competitors. Competition makes a healthy industry. Some of the top competitors IBM runs against are EDS (Electronic Data Systems Corporation), Hewlett Packerd, and their biggest competitor, Microsoft, whom they are ranked right behind in second place in their industry. IBM has many recent accomplishments within that last few years. One of the major ones was the development of the world’s tiniest nanophotonic switch, which is a device for routing light on a chip scale. Another project they have completed wasweb 2. security concerns with â€Å"SMash,† which is one of their development tools. Another very large project they completed was the design of the microprocessor for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii. All three of those were a good addition to the list of products they already design. This opened up their age range of consumers as well since a lot of children play these video systems. Besides recent accomplishments in their elec tronic field, IBM also had many of their employees win multiple awards for their achievements. They have had three of their employees win Nobel Prizes, which are achievements in either physics, chemistry, literature, peace, economics, medicine and physiology; four have received a Turing Awards, which are awards for technology; five have National Medals of Technology; and five more have received National Medals of Science. These are all very big accomplishments that IBM is very proud of. IBM is currently working on many projects. One of its big ones is Eclipse, which is a platform-independent, Java based software framework. Another is developerWorks, which is a website run by IBM for software developers and IT professionals. It contains large numbers of how-to articles and tutorials, software downloads, code samples, discussion forums, podcasts, blogs, wikis, and other resources. Then there is alphaWorks which is IBM’s source for emerging software technologies. They are also working on more semiconductor designs and manufacturing for them. Open client offering is another project they are working on. It is to run on Windows, Linux and Apples. Used for word processing, presentations, Lotus Notes, instant messaging, blogging, etc†¦ UC2: Unified Communications and Collaboration is an IBM and Cisco joint project. It will offer numerous Eclipse applications developers a unified platform for an easier work environment. Examples of this would be click-to-call and voice mailing. SWOT on Management IBM holds more patentsthan any other U. S. based technology company. IBM’s Project Management Center of Excellence, or PM COE, is first-rate. PM COE is considered IBM’s â€Å"Think Tank†. It is a program that has been set up to define the steps needed to strengthen IBM’s project management capabilities. PM COE combines external industry trends and directions with IBM business, organizational, geographic requirements and insight. Using PM COE, IBM has developed project management policy, practices, methods, and tools (Wikipedia, 2008). For someone to be considered for a management position, they must complete IBM certification or accreditation. To be accepted in to the certification or accreditation process an individual must have done the following. Successfully passed PMI exam (i. e. be a certified PMP). Verifiable documentation and approval for mastery/expertise in a well-defined set of PM skills. Several years of PM experience spanning at least 3 verifiable projects within the immediate 5 years (including specific role, team size, and budget requirements). Verifiable documentation and proof of at least one area of specialty. Demonstrated the use of IBM’s Worldwide Project Management Method (_WWPMM_). Completed extensive classroom and online education and testing. To become a Junior Project Manager, you must go through self assessment and get supervisors authorization to be accredited. Becoming a Senior Project Manager requires going through the rigorous IBM certification process, which involves Candidate preparing a detailed package with proof of above requirements. Package review, approval, and support by at least two levels of Senior Management. Package review and re-verification by PM COE expert. Personal interviews with the PM COE Certification board. Candidates whose experience, skills, knowledge and education are deemed valid, verifiable and accurate, are certified by the board as either Certified Senior Project Manager (CSPM) or Certified Executive Project Manager (CEPM). Senior Project managers must validate their skills and expertise against IBM’s worldwide standards. It is a deliberately long process with multiple checkpoints designed to ensure the integrity, fairness and legitimacy of the certification. This helps IBM maintain customer confidence in their products (Wikipedia, 2008). Since IBM is such a large, diversified, and established company they do not have many weaknesses. One weakness is they have a tendency to â€Å"strong arm† clients that are highly dependent on IBM products (Bradley, 2004). In the future this reputation could lead companies to be hesitant to rely on IBM’s merchandise. This reputation could also create bad enough relationships with current clients to make them transfer to a competitor’s product. IBM has also been known to â€Å"over promise† (Bradley, 2004). Since they are such a large corporation, with many capabilities, they tend to promise unrealistic deadlines to their customers. Businesses don’t like losing money, and opening later then planned is a good way to do that. These delays in their customers start-ups, could also lead to unfavorable relationships that could cause clients to move their business elsewhere. IBM is constantly looking for new opportunities to expand their share of the market, or start a new market. IBM is looking into revolutionizing the prevention of traditional and online fraud and Identity thefts. They are working on a comprehensive anti-fraud program that is going to help banks protect themselves and their customers, while continuing to offer their products and services (IBM, 2006). IBM is also conducting case studies for the automotive industry. The case studies are going to help them change the industry, and become more innovative (Lunani, 2006). Hopefully, the innovations will alleviate some of the stress the industry is under. Management Practices ; Theories SWOT analysis is a very important part of finding out a lot of information pertaining to current management functions within the company. However, it is what the management does after they find their strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats that are the most relevant part of determining a company’s success. The theories and practices the company uses to take advantage of their strengths, try to combat their weaknesses, use opportunities to their best interest, and to defend themselves from threats are the key determinant on what the company’s future looks like. IBM as one of the top companies in the world clearly knows what they are doing. They have taken into careful consideration their SWOT analysis and their management theories and practices are derived from their analysis. Being involved in competitive global competition, the company’s workforce is an essential part to IBM’s success. In knowing of this, IBM has created a list of seven key core workforce capabilities. These capabilities include: Understanding the demographics and capabilities of the workforce, predicting future labor supply and demand, utilizing social networks to increase the visibility and application of knowledge across the organization, enabling individuals to perform work regardless of location, facilitating collaboration across traditional organizational boundaries, driving the rapid development of skills and capabilities to meet changing business conditions, and evaluating employee performance and providing appropriate feedback. IBM has implemented these guidelines so their workforces can constantly adapt to the ever changing global business environment. In addition, workers are paid incentives for their input to keep the employees with a sense of involvement which is important to keeping them excited about IBM. At IBM, the managers believe and in a workforce that is diversified. According to Ron Glover, VP for Global Workforce Diversity at IBM, focuses on what it means to retain a true culture of diversity is IBM’s greatest competitive advantage. From all the way back to World War I, IBM has romoted workforce diversity when they hired disabled veterans to work for the company. Even when no one was using diversity IBM was. Way back in 1953, CEO at the time Thomas Watson sent out a very controversial stating that IBM needs to hire the best people, regardless of their race, ethnic origin, sex. In addition, the company added sexual orientation in 1984. He knew that this would give IBM a competitive advan tage because IBM would then be able to hire talented people the it’s competitors would turn down. (hrmreport. com, 2008) Another way IBM tries to get the best workers is using their program called Extreme Blue. This is an internship program for graduate and undergraduate students. This internationally known program is great for getting students prepared to work for IBM. IBM believes this will give students interested in working for a IBM a realistic perspective on what it would be like to work for them. IBM runs this diverse workforce under a classical management perspective. Money is assumed to be the primary motive and have a traditional compensation plan. The main forms of pay to employees are base pay and valuable other forms of benefits such as retirement plans and insurances. According to the company’s website, â€Å"cash compensation opportunities include base pay, commissions, performance bonuses, awards and other forms of earnings. † In addition to these forms of pay, IBM also offers generous paid vacation and holidays. There are also some benefits to relieve stress and just get away from the company for a little while. These benefits include reduced-prices, cooking lessons, and fitness centers. This management style has worked for them and we think they should stick with the classical approach to management and not move to a behavioral perspective. IBM uses an analyzer strategy which most large companies use. An analyzer strategy is a strategy in which the firm attempts to maintain its current businesses and to be somewhat innovative in new businesses. They use this strategy because they want to produce some new product opportunities while protecting their base of operations. (Griffen, 2007) Management Structure â€Å"The management structure that IBM maintains is an effective internal control structure. This structure has clearly defined lines of responsibility, as well as comprehensive systems and control procedures. This structure is beneficial because it assures customers that their transactions are put through correctly and efficiently. â€Å"(http://sec. edgar-online. com) An important part of IBM’s management structure is a good internal audit program. IBM takes a good amount of time to train its workers correctly. Each employee receives written policies and procedures to ensure that each employee knows exactly what to do under any circumstance or problem that may arise. By doing this everyone is on the same page and everything is done the way they want it done. IBM is now thinking about cutting 13,000 jobs most of which should be mostly in Europe and other headquarters around the world. Ethics With all of the diversity that exists within the company it would be hard for IBM to conduct any work without ethics on their minds. As in any large company there is some sort of unethical behavior going on, however these behaviors have not been detrimental to the company thus far. So far it is obvious that IBM won’t make any large scale unethical decisions such as the like of Enron. The ethics are very important in the business process and will be discussed more in an interview with a former employee. Interview With a Former Employee Flat or tall management structure? â€Å"The structure tends to be taller than most companies, especially within the consulting group. † Management Style? â€Å"The managers take a very classical by the book style to their decisions. Everything that had happened before was documented and later considered protocol, if there was success. † What ethics does IBM use in decision making? â€Å"IBM has well defined guidelines on many ethical issues, and it is required that all new employees review these guidelines. Employees are also required to take an annual review test to comply with IBM corporate policy. In my experience IBM relies on individual managers to make judgment calls on grey areas, and the managers I worked with all took ethic approaches to handling the issue. † What are the area’s for improvement? â€Å"IBM has had difficulties integrating its consulting division, since the acquisition of Price Waterhouse Coopers consulting in 2002. Much effort has been focused on getting full value from this acquisition, and at least initially the purchase was viewed as a misstep. With changes over the last few years, the consulting division has become the bulk of IBM revenue, but there are still opportunities to better leverage the consulting division in light of other IBM business units. IBM has also been severally criticized for its outsourcing practices, and has taken very proactive measures to combat this public criticism. † Any alliances? â€Å"IBM has numerous alliances with companies, all the way from suppliers to working with competitors. The number of alliances in likely in the thousands. † What makes IBM so successful? The ability to solve large scale business problems, especially in the IT sector, by combining various internal specialties and partnerships to create and implement end to end solutions. † Have you witnessed any unethical behavior throughout the company? â€Å"I have not personally witnessed any unethical behavior, but have spoken to a former VP who was put in a position to take an unethical action by someone who wa s very senior in the organization. † Hiring procedures? Promotions procedures? â€Å"Hiring is done at the group level, based upon target numbers that are established at the top of the organization. Final hiring decisions are made at the senior manager level. Promotion decisions occur annually with promotions and compensation based upon the outcome of the decision. Promotion is granted if the employee can show sufficient evidence that he/she is operating at the intended promotion level, and that the results are sustainable (ie. , results must be shown for a relatively long time and consistent time period, in various situations) . The implementation of the corresponding compensation typically occurs six months after promotion decisions are made. The timing of promotions and compensation increases are an area which many employees feel needs to be corrected, and IBM has stated it intends to reduce the total time of the process. † Relationship between managers and subordinates? â€Å"Varies greatly based upon individual relationships. IBM offers many channels to discuss issues, but the design of the promotion/compensation/staffing structure makes it imperative to have a successful working relationship with direct and next level management. † Is there a lot of management restructuring? Yes, at the lower levels, especially in consulting, management roles are very fluid and change frequently in comparison with other companies. Some of this is based on market changes, some on promotions/exits, and some on business results. † What kind of fringe benefits do workers receive? â€Å"Discounts with partner companies, cell and broadband reimbursement, 401k contribution, pension (eliminated in 2006), corporate educatio n, annual bonus (consulting division), extensive health care coverage at low rates. † Is there a lot of communication between the different headquarters? Conclusion It is obvious that IBM is successful because their values and the way they conduct business. This is a direct reflection upon their management structure, style, and practices. They will surely stay on the same track of success for many years to come. As they push forward in their business they are becoming one of the most well known businesses whether it be for technology or consulting around the world. No matter what kind of work a person is in one thing is for certain, everyone can learn from the way IBM conducts their business.