Final exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final exam - Assignment Example Strategic management also assumes the responsibility of determining whether the strategy requires any modification due the change in the external environment of the entity. Thus, it can be inferred strategic management system is highly important for an organization’s survival in a competitive industry. In order to increase its share in the overall market, an organization needs to increase its customer base. Consumers are highly important for an organization because it is the end consumer that determines the success of an organization. If the organization manages to maintain goodwill among the consumers, it would be successful in acquiring the market share otherwise the organization might not be able to face the threats posed by its competitors. Strategic management system helps an organization conduct periodic evaluation of the external factors that affect the organization’s strategy and one of those factors is the consumer’s demand. Thus, by using strategic mana gement system, an organization can assess the social trends and the demand for its products among consumers. An organization can also receive feedback from consumers with regard to its products. In this manner, an organization can provide better public services by using strategic management system and designing its strategy in accordance with the consumer demand. Thus, it can be concluded that strategic management system is very important for an organization because it helps the organization formulate strategies after assessing the external environment of the organization. Therefore, the strategy determined by the organization would be in conformity with the consumer trends and the organization would be able to provide better public services. This would in turn help the organization in building its goodwill among the consumers as well. Question 2 Please identify and describe five (5) key environmental changes that can influence strategic management. An organization is always affecte d by the environment it operates in. It can never be isolated from its environment therefore it needs to continuously adapt to its external environment. There are certain external factors that affect the strategic management of an organization. The environmental changes that can influence the strategic management are; Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Legal. Political changes depend upon extent to which the governmental authorities take part in the economy of the country. The political changes that may influence an organization’s strategic management are changes in tax policy, corporate laws related to social responsibility, changes in environmental laws, restrictions upon trade and tariffs. All these factors can affect the organization in accordance with the business of the organization. If the organization is a trading company and it imports goods in bulk quantities, it can be highly affected by import restrictions and tariffs on imports imposed by the governme nt. Therefore, the organization may have to modify its strategy accordingly. Economic changes may be changes in interest rates, inflation rate and the exchange rates. If the organization conducts business in international market, any change in exchange rates can influence its business transactions. Social changes that may

Tesla Motors Essay Example for Free

Tesla Motors Essay Elon Musk successfully established Tesla Motors as one of the leaders in the electric vehicle industry since his induction as CEO in 2008. Tesla Motors designs, manufactures, and sells electric cars and powertrain components. The company also provides services for the development of powertrain systems and components, and sells electric powertrain components to other automotive manufacturers. It markets and sells its vehicles through Tesla stores as well as over the internet (Mora 2014, 1). Consumers and companies are looking to save at the pump, and what better way to do so than with electric vehicles (Mora 2014, 1)? Through government support and raised capital, Musk has put Tesla in an advantageous position to capitalize on the growing electric vehicle market. Battery electric vehicles will increase at a 31.5% compound annual growth over the next seven years (Navigant Research 2013). With Musk’s leadership and innovation, Tesla plans on boosting sales by increasing current production of the Model S, introducing the Model X SUV in 2015, and introducing the more affordable Gen III by 2017 (Recharge Now, Forbes 2013). â€Å"Tesla has now crept onto the top ten list for brand perception, as ranked by Consumer Reports† (Ingram 2013, 1). Tesla is exceeding their own expectations as more consumers are becoming familiar with their company. In 2013, sales totaled to 22,450, while forecasts were set at 21,500 (Ohnsman). All of this success has resulted in Tesla’s stock rising nearly $100 this past year (Yahoo Finance 2014). With people increasingly worrying about the harmful effects of combustion engines on the environment and the limited supply of oil, the market for electric cars has a ton of potential. While there is tons of potential for Tesla, the truth is that they have yet to make an annual profit. Yes, they did raise their revenue from $413 million to $2 billion in the last year, but this still resulted in a net loss of $74 million (Yahoo Finance 2014). This loss is primarily due to the high cost of goods sold, which is why it is so important to keep researching and developing cheaper ways to produce their technology. â€Å"Few expect to trim electric-car battery costs by more than 20%-30% by the planned 2016† (Recharge Now, Forbes 2013). Increasing sales indicates a positive future for Tesla, but if they are unable to effectively reduce the cost of goods their financial condition will suffer. Next, we will examine the opportunities that Tesla could capitalize on with their substantial growth over the past few years. Being that oil is a limited resource, it’s only a matter of time before the supply becomes extremely scarce, resulting in skyrocketing oil prices. This event should cause a major shift to the use of electric vehicles. The average consumer cannot afford the $90,000 and up Model S, but many are still interested in owning an electric vehicle. Musk realizes this opportunity and has begun developing a more affordable model known as the Gen III. In order to launch this model at a price point of around $35,000 Tesla must drastically reduce the cost of batteries. Tesla unveiled details about a plan to build a â€Å"gigafactory†. It will cost them $5 billion, but it will reduce battery costs by an impressive 30% in the first year (Trefis 2014, 1). At peak production, this factory will be able to produce 50 gigawatt-hours of batteries in a year, more than the entire world’s current production (Trefis 2014,2). At this point, Tesla could provide surplus batteries to the electronic industry and potentially become a leading producer of energy storage. Despite all of this, there are potential threats to Tesla’s business, mainly the competition they face in the alternative fuel vehicle market. Many established and upcoming automobile manufacturers have entered, or plan on entering this market. For example, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, and Audi are promoting new plug-in models aimed at affluent consumers (White 2013, 1). Established luxury brands are muscling on to Teslas turf in part because government policies are forcing them to, and in part because they see Mr. Musk peeling away influential trendsetters they dont want to lose (White 2013, 2). The impact of these new luxury plug-ins on Tesla will depend on whether they are trying to expand the segment, or merely go after the same consumers. With Elon Musk’s plan to increase production of the Model S, while introducing two new vehicles by 2015 and 2017, the Model X and Gen III, we  should expect to see continued success from Tesla Motors. If Musk successfully reduces operational costs and offers consumers an affordable Tesla model, he may trigger an amazing turning point in the auto industry and leave a lasting impression on the world. Works Cited Alpert, Bill. â€Å"Recharge Now!† Forbes. 10 June 2013. Web. 16 October 2013. â€Å"Electric Vehicle Market Forecasts. Navigant Research. Navigant Consulting Inc, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. Ingra, Antony. Tesla Gains In Brand Awareness. Green Car Reports. High Gear Media, 4 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. Mora, Victor. Is Tesla Motors an Attractive Investment? Wall St. Cheat Sheet. Wall St Cheat Sheet, 21 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. Ohnsman, Alan. Tesla Rises After Model S Sales in 2013 Exceed Forecast. Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 15 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. â€Å"Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA).† Yahoo Finance. Web. 13 March 2014. http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=tslaql=1. Trefis. Gigafactory Will Cost Tesla $5 Billion But Offers Significant Cost Reductions. Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 11 Mar. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. White, Joseph B. BMW, Cadillac Aim to Pull Plug on Tesla With Pricey New Cars. The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones Company, 20 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

If We Are What We Eat, What Does This Count As? Essay -- Food Health S

References can possibly be made between the modern world of high school and the brutal wilderness of Africa. Walk into any high school, and even a college or two, cafeteria and the similarities are blatantly obvious. Here is where the watering hole can be seen: the very place where members of the tribe or pack congregate everyday to talk, eat, and determine the food chain. There are the lions, the seniors of the school, lounging lazily in the sun and reveling in their greatest accomplishment yet: gaining acceptance into college. Next the elephants make themselves known, juniors loud and looking to prove their worth to the rest of the jungle, showing they are capable of operating the complex system known as high school once the seniors are gone. Sophomores present themselves in the form of the chimpanzees, hanging out in the trees, watching another year and all the commotion around them floating leisurely by. Finally, we see the gazelles, frightened freshmen quivering in anticipat ion and excitement of the next four years of their lives, looking for a safe place to graze the savannas. While these four components of the jungle happen smoothly and seem to take little effort, little thought is given to the primary purpose of the animal’s gathering: the food itself. Food, as a vital and necessary part of any being’s existence, is served to the masses within cafeterias across the nation. For many of these schools and some colleges, the food served is neither of the highest quality, nor the most satisfying available. Across the country, millions of schools every year are serving below average meals which do not meet health standards necessary for growing students, meals which are also dissatisfying to the student in both taste and qua... ... distribution of frozen entrees. Better lunches begin with fresh produce, whole grains, and fruits. By way of these five recommended solutions, surely there can be one valid enough to make precedence for the future and allow a better, healthier America. Works Cited http://www.healthyschoollunches.org/reports/report2008_intro.cfm http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-school-food.html http://news.health.com/2009/03/04/school-lunches-fatty-sugary-critics-say/ http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/pyramid-full-story/index.html http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/product.jsp?id=32491 http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/07/01/health.lunch.reut/index.html http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36023553/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6430258/ http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_1952.cfm

The Four Contexts of Motivation

Malcolm Knowles’ research in adult motivational learning produced four â€Å"distinct contexts†; Practical, Personal, Experiential, and Idealistic. The Practical context is motivated by a direct desired benefit result received from the learning such as a specific employment position, for financial wisdom and gain, or to apply the learning towards greater competency and confidence in making life decisions in situations anywhere from family to work, or even building that dream house that may have previously thought to be unattainable.The Personal context involves motivation directed by self fulfillment goals to overall better oneself and therein the quality of life. An adult student may for example want to learn in this context to increase self worth. Experiential learning differs from the other contexts in that one draws from real-life and past experiences motivated by a desire for renewal by consolidating with more current and forward ideas with the goal of improving an d refreshing their experience.The final Idealistic context motivation attracts those who just desire to continuously learn for the sake of the ongoing discovery of knowledge and new ideas throughout their lifespan. Learning wine tasting may be a venture for this type of learner. My learning motivation is Experiential. Professionally I have experienced a long career in the Human Resources field and held BA degree positions despite the fact that I did not have one. I do have my PHR but have learned mostly in a hands-on context. I have experienced both successful and unsuccessful situations during my career.I started my college education years ago and have procrastinated about returning for many years. I finally came to the realization that I need that degree and everything it offers in order to become more competent and confident in my business decisions. The unsuccessful situations I have experienced were due to my lack of a solid educational background. When I lacked the educational background to perform some of the tasks I was assigned I became panicked, stressed and found it necessary to be reactive.My motto during those times became ‘‘fake it until you make it! †. That attitude eventually caught up with me and forced me to face what I was missing. It took my losing a couple of positions to overcome the denial I was in. I know that I need this degree to enhance my performance and definitely for organizational development. I am know on a serious mission to complete this goal and believe attending Ashford University will give me the competency, knowledge and confidence I need to be successful resulting in a much happier and less stressful lifestyle.

Poetry comparison essay- ‘Poem’ and ‘Sonnet 19’ Essay

For my assignment I am going to compare two sonnets, written in early-mid 1590 and the second in 1990s, by popular poets William Shakespeare and Simon Armitage. I will be writing about their content, meaning, structure, style, rhyme pattern, persona, imagery, language and the tone set in each piece of writing and comparing how each characteristic is similar and different. In the early-mid 1590s, William Shakespeare wrote a sonnet, in his own style – Shakespearean – in the traditional context: love. It was vaguely called ‘Sonnet 19’, which suggests he is displaying that perhaps he was not completely connected, emotionally, with the sonnet. However, this fact could be contradicted in the way that all his sonnets were simply identified with a number, this particular one not being different. The sonnet itself is written as a persona; it is meant to be perceived as coming from a character, possibly from one of his plays? It is about the loved one of the persona, aging with time, and the narrator pleading to ‘devouring’ Time (time, in this case, being classed as a noun) that He shouldn’t age his loved one. In this sense, it is a traditional sonnet; it is about love. Consisting of fourteen lines, and a structure of an octane, followed by a quatrane and then a couplet; it is a typical Shakespearean sonnet. This poem has a rhyme scheme of ABAB, CDCD, EFEF for the first twelve lines of it, however for the final couplet; a simple GG is used instead. This rhyme scheme gives a rhythm to the sonnet, and creates a less drastic and eerie atmosphere when reading; because the rhythm is more bouncy that that of a poem without the use of direct, full rhyme. Also, the iambic pentameter present in the sonnet gives out a more flowing beat when reading the poem. It also makes the sonnet seem a little less dark and tense, as it releases ease for the readers. The ten syllables on each line are important to the poem, to increase flow and to possibly give the audience a little humor; whether or not this was purposeful we don’t know. But we do know Shakespeare mean to include ten syllables in each and every line of ‘Sonnet 19’. The first octane introducing the problem the persona is faced with: in this case the fear that the one he loves will be negatively affected by time. This tells the reader what the person the poem is directed from, is possibly quite shallow- due to the fact he pleads with ‘Devouring Time’ not to ‘carve with thy hours [his] love’s fair brow’. This means that he doesn’t want time to have an effect on his loved one’s appearance, which brings out a hint of arrogance from the ‘writer’. However, this point can be disregarded by the time the reader gets to the couplet at the conclusion of the text. The persona comes to the compromise that, even if time does eat away at his loved one, the beauty and youth will exist forever in his writing; ‘[his] love shall in [his] verse ever live young’. Referring back to the first eight lines of the sonnet, lots of imagery is used in the introduction. At first, the imagery creates slightly more stubborn and fierce images; as if the persona is ordering Time to not touch his loved one. However, on the ninth line, ‘O carve not with thy hours my love’s fair brow’ gives the reader the impression that the persona is suddenly changing his attitude, and possibly realising the harder sense that was given off in the first octane. It paints an image of him almost begging, given the ‘O’ put as the opening to the line softens his tone sufficiently to create an imagery that puts the persona in a much less dominant place. Imagery in the first octane includes more angry phases, as he is almost demanding an answer for Time’s cruelty to the Earth, and to people and animals. This is shown through lines such as, ‘[Time] plucks the keen teeth from the tiger’s jaws’. This is saying that Time makes a tiger age, and therefore be drawn to less youthful features; loss of teeth, sufficiently less strength etc. But instead of saying this, a harsh image of somebody ferociously pulling the set of a tiger’s teeth out is created to add the effect of anger which has overcome the persona. The text itself is about love- along with the majority of other traditional sonnets. However, the poem is believed to be addressed to a man, however this doesn’t indicate a homosexual relationship between the persona and the subject. It is believed that Shakespeare may have been gay, but it will never be known for sure and this is just one interpretation of his writing. The second sonnet I am going to compare is one of which by Simon Armitage and is called, yet again- vaguely, ‘Poem’. Already, a similarity is appearing between the two sonnets with just the name and the appearance of a poor connection between the poet and the actual piece of writing. The sonnet was written in the 1990’s and so will be much newer than that of Shakespeare’s, but there are in fact many similarities between the two, despite the time difference. Once again, the same structure has been used; first an octane, then a quatrane and a couplet to end with. The eight lines and the last two serve the same purpose as the ‘Sonnet 19’ does; to introduce, and the couplet to conclude. However, the quatrane between the two simply continues the first octane in more detail- introducing the situation. Within this structure, yet another pattern was used; speaking in three lines about a positive part of the situation then including one negative fact, before returning to a lighter tone for three more lines. Also, the iambic pentameter is also used in this sonnet- and was likely to be purposeful to lighten the mood slightly, maybe to enhance the slight use of humour in some parts of the poem. However, the rhyme scheme; ABAB CCCC DDDD and EE, also makes the text more rhythmic and upbeat. Although, because the rhymes are mainly just half-rhymes (not full ones) we can’t be sure that the rhyme scheme was purposeful, and if they were, whether they were purposefully just half. Half rhymes generally, if used in deliberate format, dampen any humour included in a piece. This is because rhymes usually make it easier to read and more happy, or upbeat, but when reading ‘Poem’, you get a sense that a deliberate darkening to the mood was put into the text. The actual poem itself is not about love, unlike ‘Sonnet 19’ and many other traditional poems; it is thought to be an obituary. It speaks about somebody’s life, and also as if this person has passed away, or been removed from society. This also adds to the eerie feel, yet speaks of his life with a slightly humorous side. The imagery created in the positive lines of the poem develops a happier phase in this person’s life in each stanza. Phrases such as, ‘he praised his wife for every meal she made’ give off an impression he was a very kind man, and that he was also family-orientated. It tells us he was appreciative of others- showing a kinder, softer side to him. However, the fourth line of each phase cuts out the happier tone and surprises the reader with the fact that he one punched his wife ‘in the face’ for laughing. This immediately develops a cold image of this man and the reader recognises that he had a dark side as well as a good one. It also makes him out to be a violent and possibly incontrollable man. The use of slang is present in this poem, joined by many other of Armitage’s pieces, in the way he uses the word ‘slippered’ when describing the way he punished his daughter for lying. This is not proper English and perhaps was deliberate to create a picture of this man being very common, down-to-earth and possibly just your everyday person. This constantly switching of imagery soon develops a balanced view in the reader’s mind; that perhaps this man represents any normal person- for having both good and bad inside us is in everybody’s mannerisms. In the final couplet of this sonnet- which also includes a half-rhyme, instead of full- Armitage concludes the poem, saying the man the first twelve lines painted of was considered to be normal, and when people ‘looked back’ at his time, their thoughts were ‘sometimes he did this, sometimes he did that’. This tells us that his moods changed, along with his attitude and that he did both good and bad in his time. The way the final couplet concludes is the same as Shakespeare’s finale; and they both end the poem in a generally lighter tone. I believe that the two sonnets compared in my coursework are very similar, despite the change in times. Poetry clearly will not differ over time, and the similarities between the two indicate that sonnets- if kept traditional- will always be very similar.

The Factors that Contribute to the Effective Use of iPads with PMLD Pupils. The WritePass Journal

The Factors that Contribute to the Effective Use of iPads with PMLD Pupils. Description The Factors that Contribute to the Effective Use of iPads with PMLD Pupils. ): Develop research questions. Phase 2 (August 2012): Conducted critical review of relevant literature. Phase 3 (September 2012): Conduct classroom observation. Disseminate questionnaire to second school. Phase 4 (October 2012): Conduct semi-structured interviews with teachers. Phase 5 (November – December 2012): Data collation and analysis Phase 6 (Early 2013): Review, question and action. Disseminate research findings to interested parties. There will be several issues with this study and the implementation of these teaching methods. For instance it is important to individually assess the needs and strengths of each pupil in order to provide them with a personalised experience which meets their needs (Handy, 2000). If the technology is used without first assessing the needs of the pupil then it may be of little benefit, and it is important that the teachers understand the aims and logic behind these teaching methods so they can implement them correctly and assess any development and success (Florian and Hegarty, 2004). These potential issues will be factored in to all research. Rationale Despite the rapid advances in the field of special education over the last few decades children with PMLD have continued to present a challenge to teachers and teaching methods. In the 1980s teachers developed the intensive interaction methods of trying to improve the communication skills of those with disabilities and learning difficulties, which has proven to be effective in some cases. (Lovell, 1998). The use of iPads build on these methods by providing an interactive experience which will engage the pupils. If this is successful the Apple iPad can provide a one-to-one learning experience while minimising the number of carers required, promoting a more productive teaching method (Davis and Florian, 2004). This could go a long way to revolutionising how those with disabilities and learning difficulties are taught and could not only improve the educational system but also the individual lives of those affected. Technology is already implemented in some specialist schools as a tool for teaching. It is believed that Information Communication Technology can be used to support specialised needs in mainstream as well as specialist environments (Condie, Munro, Seagraves Kenesson, 2007). Ofsted have also reported that technology has been used effectively to overcome learning barriers (Ofsted 2005; 2004a) and a project to provide technology aids to pupils was well received by both parents and pupils alike (Wright et al., 2004). The personalised environment provided by educational technology will improve the pupils quality of life and take demand away from the education system. Literature Review I will lead my research by conducting a full and detailed literature review into the previous and current studies surrounding this topic. This will include analysis of Census data and Ofsted reports regarding PMLD children and the use of technology in classrooms. Existing reports and articles will also be reviewed to determine how successful studies have been so far. For instance several studies have been conducted into the importance of visual and interactive learning environments. A study by Sparrowhawk and Heald (2007) suggested that educational software should be colourful, interactive, accompanied by sound and provide the pupil with a challenge as well as constant feedback, in order to stimulate the mind and interest. Foyle (2012) supports this theory by stating that pupils are most motivated when supplied with sound, music and a reward system. Flo Longhorn and Penny Lacey also advocate a sensory approach to learning after working with PMLD pupils for over ten years. I expect my examination of the field to further support the theory that iPads will improve the learning of pupils with disabilities. Conclusion As pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties have impairment in communication and cannot function in what would be considered a normal learning environment, steps must be taken to improve their learning experience. Studies have proven that support can be successfully provided through the implementation of technology in order to provide an individual experience based on the pupils needs. This gives the pupils a safe method of communicating with the world around them. The Apple iPad has the greatest potential to meet the requirements of PMLD pupils due to its interactive, portable and user-friendly nature. References Condie, R.,   Munro, B.,   Seagraves, L. Kenesson, S. (2007). The impact of ICT in schools – a landscape review. Becta. Davis, P. Florian, L. (2004). Teaching strategies and approaches for pupils with special educational needs: A scoping study. Department for Education and Skills. Available at education.gov.uk/complexneeds/modules/Module-1.1-Understanding-the-child-development-anddifficulties/All/downloads/m01p010c/II.teaching_strategies%20including_aspects _of_II.pdf. (Accessed 03.08 2012). Florian, L. Hegarty, J. (2004).  ICT and Special Educational Needs (Learning Teaching With ICT). 1st Edition. Open University Press. Foyle, A. (2012). Switched on to education. SEN Magazine Online, January 2012. Available at: senmagazine.co.uk/articles/378-switched-on-to-education-the-use-of-ict-in-sen.html (accessed 29.08.2012) Lacey, P. (2011) . Online Available at: senmagazine.co.uk/articles/396-designing-a-curriculum-for-pmld-a-profound-challenge.html (accessed 29.08.2012). Longhorn, F. (1998). A Sensory Curriculum for Very Special People. London: Souvenir Press Ltd. Lovell, D.M., Jones, R.S.P. and Ephraim, G. (1998) ‘The effect of Intensive Interaction on the sociability of a man with severe intellectual disabilities’, International Journal of Practical Approaches to Disability. Vol. 22, Nos 2/3, 3-9 Mills, G. E. (2006).  Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher (3rd Edition). Prentice Hall. Ofsted (2004a), Report: ICT in schools – the impact of government initiatives: School Portraits – Eggbuckland Community College. London: Ofsted Ofsted (2005,) Embedding ICT in schools – a dual evaluation exercise. London: Ofsted. Porter, Ouvry, Morgan, Downs, Interpreting the communication of people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, Volume 29, Issue 1, pages 12–16, March 2001 Reason, P. Bradbury, H., (2002). The SAGE Handbook of Action Research. Participative Inquiry and Practice. 1st Edition. London: Sage Sparrowhawk, A.   Heald, Y. (2007).  How to Use   ICT Effectively With Children With Special Educational Needs. Edition. Learning Development Aids. Waters-Adams, S. (2006). Action Research in Education. Faculty of Education Plymouth. Wright, J, Clarke, M, Donlan, C, Lister, C, Weatherly, H, Newton, C, Cherguit, J and Newton, E (2004). Evaluation of the Communication Aids Project (CAP). London. Available at: DfES. dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR580.pdf (accessed 14.08.2012).

An Introduction to Virtue Ethics

An Introduction to Virtue Ethics â€Å"Virtue ethics† describes a certain philosophical approach to questions about morality. It is a way of thinking about ethics that is characteristic of ancient Greek and Roman philosophers, particularly Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.   But it has become popular again since the later part of the 20th century due to the work of thinkers like Elizabeth Anscombe, Philippa Foot, and Alasdair MacIntyre. The Central Question of Virtue Ethics How should I live?   This has a good claim to being the most fundamental question that you can put to yourself.   But philosophically speaking, there is another question that perhaps has to be answered first: namely, How should I decide how to live? There are several answers available within the Western philosophical tradition:   The religious answer:  God has given us a set of rules to follow. These are laid out in scripture (e.g. the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, the Koran). The right way to live is to follow these rules. That is the good life for a human being.Utilitarianism: This is the view that what matters most in the world in the promotion of happiness and the avoidance of suffering.   So the right way to live is, in a general way, to try to promote the most happiness you can, both your own and that of other people– especially those around you–while trying to avoid causing pain or unhappiness.Kantian ethics: The great German philosopher Immanuel Kant argues that the basic rule we should follow is neither â€Å"Obey God’s laws,† nor â€Å"Promote happiness.† Instead, he claimed that the fundamental principle of morality is something like: Always act in the way that you could honestly want everyone to act if they were in a similar situation. Anyone who abides by this rule, he claims, will be behaving with complete consistency and rationality, and they will unfailingly do the right thing. What all three approaches have in common is that they view morality as a matter of following certain rules. There are very general, fundamental rules, like â€Å"Treat others as you’d like to be treated,† or â€Å"Promote happiness.† And there are lots of more specific rules that can be deduced from these general principles: e.g. â€Å"Don’t bear false witness,† or â€Å"Help the needy.† The morally good life is one lived according to these principles; wrongdoing occurs when the rules are broken. The emphasis is on duty, obligation, and the rightness or wrongness of actions. Plato and Aristotle ‘s way of thinking about morality had a different emphasis. They also asked: How should one live? But took this question to be equivalent to What kind of person does one want to be? That is, what sort of qualities and character traits are admirable and desirable. Which should be cultivated in ourselves and others? And which traits should we seek to eliminate? Aristotles Account of Virtue In his great work, the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle offers a detailed analysis of the virtues that has been enormously influential and is the starting point for most discussions of virtue ethics. The Greek term that is usually translated as â€Å"virtue† is arà ªte.  Speaking generally, arà ªte is a kind of excellence. It is a quality that enables a thing to perform its purpose or function. The sort of excellence in question can be specific to particular kinds of thing. For instance, the main virtue of a racehorse is to be fast; the main virtue of a knife is to be sharp. People performing specific functions also require specific virtues: e.g. a competent accountant must be good with numbers; a soldier needs to be physically brave. But there are also virtues that it is good for any human being to possess, the qualities that enable them to live a good life and to flourish as a human being. Since Aristotle thinks that what distinguishes human beings from all other animals is our rationality, the good life for a human being is one in which the rational faculties are fully exercised. These include things like the capacities for friendship, civic participation, aesthetic enjoyment, and intellectual enquiry. Thus for Aristotle, the life of a pleasure-seeking couch potato is not an example of the good life. Aristotle distinguishes between the intellectual virtues, which are exercised in the process of thinking, and the moral virtues, which are exercised through action.   He conceives of a moral virtue as a character trait that it is good to possess and that a person displays habitually.   This last point about habitual behavior is important.   A generous person is one who is routinely generous, not just generous occasionally. A person who only keeps some of their promises does not have the virtue of trustworthiness. To really have the virtue is for it to be deeply ingrained in your personality. One way to achieve this is to keep practicing the virtue so that it becomes habitual. Thus to become a truly generous person you should keep performing generous actions until generosity just comes naturally and easily to you; it becomes, as one says, â€Å"second nature.† Aristotle argues that each moral virtue is a sort of mean lying between two extremes. One extreme involves a deficiency of the virtue in question, the other extreme involves possessing it to excess. For example, Too little courage cowardice; too much courage recklessness. Too little generosity stinginess; too much generosity extravagance. This is the famous doctrine of the â€Å"golden mean.†Ã‚   The â€Å"mean,† as Aristotle understands it is not some sort of mathematical halfway point between the two extremes; rather, it is what is appropriate in the circumstances. Really, the upshot of Aristotle’s argument seems to be that any trait we consider a virtue as to be exercised with wisdom. Practical wisdom (the Greek word is phronesis), although strictly speaking an intellectual virtue, turns out to be absolutely key to being a good person and living a good life. Having practical wisdom means being able to assess what is required in any situation. This includes knowing when one should follow a rule and when one should break it. And it calls into play knowledge, experience, emotional sensitivity, perceptiveness, and reason. The Advantages of Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics certainly didn’t die away after Aristotle. Roman Stoics like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius also focused on character rather than abstract principles. And they, too, saw moral virtue as constitutive of the good life– that is, being a morally good person is a key ingredient of living well and being happy.   No-one who lacks virtue can possibly be living well, even if they have wealth, power, and lots of pleasure. Later thinkers like Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) and David Hume (1711-1776) also offered moral philosophies in which the virtues played a central role.   But it is fair to say that virtue ethics took a back seat in the 19th and 20th centuries. The revival of virtue ethics in the mid-late 20th century was fueled by dissatisfaction with rule-oriented ethics, and a growing appreciation of some of the advantages of an Aristotelian approach. These advantages included the following. Virtue ethics offers a broader conception of ethics in general.  It doesn’t see moral philosophy as confined to working out which actions are right and which actions are wrong. It also asks what constitutes well-being or human flourishing. We may not have a duty to flourish in the way we have a duty not to commit murder; but questions about well-being are still legitimate questions for moral philosophers to address.It avoids the inflexibilities of rule-oriented ethics.  According to Kant, for instance, we must always and in every circumstance obey his fundamental principle of morality, his â€Å"categorical imperative.† This led him to conclude that one must never tell a lie or break a promise.   But the morally wise person is precisely the one who recognizes when the best course of action is to break the normal rules. Virtue ethics offers rules of thumb, not iron rigidities.Because it is concerned with character, with what kind of person one is, virtue ethics pay s more attention to our inner states and feelings as opposed to focusing exclusively on actions. For a utilitarian, what matters is that you do the right thing–that is, you promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number (or follow a rule that is justified by this goal).   But as a matter of fact, this is not all we care about. It matters why someone is generous or helpful or honest. The person who is honest simply because they think being honest is good for their business is less admirable that the person who is honest through and through and would not cheat a customer even if they could be sure that no one would ever find them out. Virtue ethics has also opened the door to some novel approaches and insights pioneered by feminist thinkers who argue that traditional moral philosophy has emphasized abstract principles over concrete interpersonal relationships. The early bond between mother and child, for instance, could be one of the essential building blocks of moral life, providing both an experience and an example of loving care for another person. Objections to Virtue Ethics Needless to say, virtue ethics has its critics. Here are a few of the most common criticisms leveled against it. â€Å"How can I flourish?† is really just a fancy way of asking â€Å"What will make me happy?†Ã‚   This may be a perfectly sensible question to ask, but it really isn’t a moral question. It’s a question about one’s self-interest. Morality, though, is all about how we treat other people. So this expansion of ethics to include questions about flourishing takes moral theory away from its proper concern.Virtue ethics by itself can’t really answer any particular moral dilemma. It doesn’t have the tools to do this. Suppose you have to decide whether or not to tell a lie in order to save your friend from being embarrassed. Some ethical theories provide you with real guidance.   But virtue ethics doesn’t. It just says, â€Å"Do what a virtuous person would do† which isn’t much use.Morality is concerned, among other things, with praising and blaming people for how they behave.   But what sort of character a person has is to quite a large extent a matter of luck.   People have a natural temperament: either brave or timid, passionate or reserved, confident or cautious. It is hard to alter these inborn traits. Moreover, the circumstances in which a person is raised is another factor that shapes their moral personality but which is beyond their control.   So virtue ethics tends to bestow praise and blame on people for just being fortunate. Naturally, virtue ethicists believe they can answer these objections. But even the critics who put them forward would probably agree that the revival of virtue ethics in recent times has enriched moral philosophy and broadened its scope in a healthy way.

Treaty of Paris 1898

Treaty of Paris 1898 The Treaty of Paris (1898) was the peace treaty signed on December 10, 1898 by Spain and the United States that ended the Spanish-American War. The terms of the treaty also ended the age of Spanish imperialism and established the United States as a world power. Key Takeaways: The Treaty of Paris The Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898, was a peace agreement between Spain and the United States that ended the Spanish-American War.Under the treaty, Cuba gained independence from Spain, and the United States gained possession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.Marking the end of Spanish imperialism, the treaty established the United States’ position as a world power. The Spanish-American War The 1898 war between the United States and Spain came after three years of fighting by Cuban rebels to win independence from Spain. Happening so close to the coast of Florida, the conflict in Cuba transfixed Americans. Concerns for U.S. economic interests in the region, along with the American public’s outrage over the brutal tactics of the Spanish military spurred public sympathy for the Cuban revolutionaries. With tensions between the U.S. and Spain growing, the explosion of the U.S. battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898 brought the two nations to the brink of war.   On April 20, 1898, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution acknowledging Cuban independence, demanding that Spain abandon its control of the island, and authorizing President William McKinley to use military force. When Spain ignored the U.S. ultimatum, McKinley implemented a naval blockade of Cuba and called for 125,000 U.S. military volunteers. Spain declared war on the United States on April 24, and the U.S. Congress voted to declare war against Spain the next day.   The first battle of the Spanish-American War was fought on May 1, 1898 in Manila Bay, where U.S. naval forces defeated the Spanish armada defending the Philippines. Between June 10 and June 24, U.S. troops invaded Cuba at Guantanamo Bay and Santiago de Cuba. With the Spanish Army in Cuba defeated, the U.S. Navy destroyed the Spanish Caribbean armada on July 3. On July 26, the Spanish government asked the McKinley administration to discuss terms of peace. On August 12, a cease-fire was declared with the understanding that a peace treaty must be negotiated in Paris by October. Negotiations in Paris   Peace negotiations between representatives of the United States and Spain began in Paris on October 1, 1898. The American contingent demanded that Spain acknowledge and guarantee the independence of Cuba and transfer possession of the Philippines to the United States. In addition, the U.S. demanded that Spain pay Cuba’s estimated $400 million national debt. After agreeing to Cuban independence, Spain reluctantly agreed to sell the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million. Spain also agreed to pay back the $400 million Cuban debt by transferring possession of Puerto Rico and the Mariana island of Guam to the United States. Spain demanded that it be allowed to retain possession of the Philippines capital city of Manila- which had been captured by U.S. forces hours after the August 12 cease-fire had been declared. The United States refused to consider the demand. Representatives of Spain and the U.S. signed the treaty on December 10, 1898, leaving it up to the two nation’s governments to ratify it.   Pages 8 and 9 out of 19 pages comprising the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War. Spain relinquished Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States in exchange of payment of $20,000,000. Spain also agreed to assume the $400,000,000 Cuban debt.   Corbis Historical / Getty Images While Spain signed the agreement days later, ratification was strongly opposed in the U.S. Senate by senators who viewed it as instituting an unconstitutional policy of American â€Å"imperialism† in the Philippines. After weeks of debate, the U.S. Senate ratified the treaty on February 6, 1899 by a single vote. The Treaty of Paris took effect on April 11, 1899, when the U.S. and Spain exchanged documents of ratification.  Ã‚   Significance While the Spanish-American War had been short in duration and relatively inexpensive in terms of dollars and lives, the resulting Treaty of Paris had a lasting impact on both Spain and the United States.   While it suffered initially from the terms of the treaty, Spain eventually benefited from being forced to abandon its imperialistic aspirations in favor of focusing on its many long-ignored internal needs. Indeed the war resulted in a modern Spanish renaissance in both its material and social interests. The post-war period in Spain saw rapid advances in agriculture, industry, and transportation over the following two decades.   As Spanish historian Salvador de Madariaga wrote in his 1958 book Spain: A Modern History, â€Å"Spain felt then that the era of overseas adventures had gone, and that henceforth her future was at home. Her eyes, which for centuries had wandered to the ends of the world, were at last turned on her own home estate.†Ã‚   The United States- whether intentionally or not- emerged from the Paris peace talks as the world’s newest superpower, with strategic territorial possessions stretching from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Economically, the United States profited from the new trade markets it gained in the Pacific, Caribbean, and the Far East. In 1893, the McKinley administration used the terms of the Treaty of Paris as partial justification for annexing the then-independent Hawaiian Islands. Sources and Further Reference â€Å"Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898.† Yale Law School.â€Å"The Spanish–American War: The United States Becomes a World Power.† Library of Congress.McKinley, William. â€Å"The Acquisition of the Philippines.† U.S. Department of State.de Madariaga, Salvador (1958). â€Å"Spain: A Modern History.† Praeger. ISBN: 0758162367

Burberry Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Burberry - Case Study Example However, in 2005, General Universal Stores divested their stake in 2005. The current CEO of the group is Angela Ahredts, who replaced Rose Marie Bravo. (Burberry Official Website, 2010) From its inception, the brand has experienced massive growth and now owns thousand of outlets and franchises throughout England. The company specializes in menwear, womenwear, childrenwear and non-apparel garments. Out of these, the largest share of its revenue comes from womenwear. Burberry is also a household name in the international market. This feat was achieved with the recent trend of globalization and this is where the company pays most attention. The company has no distinctive mission statement. However, reading on from their annual reports it can be seen that the company wants to maximize its revenues in order to increase the business profitability. This is what the entire team and the management of Burberry plc works for and for many years now. In order to achieve their mission of maximizing revenue the company is trying to streamline their operations by moving towards focused collection. Although, this is a generic term but it implies that the company is moving toward more balanced collection in terms of design, style and quality. The company is doing this through constant innovation strategies. They have increased the frequency of new designs coming to retail outlets. The brand also aims to achieve its objective by increasing productivity, streamlining store operations, by adopting a policy of quick expansion and by making use of the latest technology to make their operations more and more efficient. (Burberry Annual Reports of 2008, 2009) From our discussion about Burberry plc Group, we can see that it has been doing brilliantly since its inception. However, in the recent years, the firm is facing some challenges in the form of recession and fierce competition in the industry due to entry of a lot of new firm in this market to cater the needs of the consumer. In the next part of this report, we are going to look at some of the strategies that Burberry has adopted to counter these challenges. Burberry has been greatly affected by the ongoing recessionary phase in which we find global economy in. Economic recession has affected Burberry indirectly in an adverse way. As a result of economic recession, people's purchasing power has been deteriorating and now they have to think twice when buying a luxury item like Burberry. As a result of this, Burberry's profits are fast falling and irked the top management of the company for sometimes now. One example of how Burberry is been affected by continuing recession can be seen in the Burberry Group's income statement for the year which shows a profit of 99.8m as compared to 170.9m that were earned a year before. This was decline of approximately 41%. This shows how badly the firm is affected by the current recessionary wave that the world is experiencing. Another thing that worries Burberry's management is the structure of supply-chain of the company. The company finds that in few of the firm's product categories, it relies on small number of supplier. As a result, these suppliers command more authority over Burberry and this over reliance on few suppliers can cause a lot of trouble to Burberry. However, the only way the situation can be improved is by restructuring the supply-chain management of the company, which the company is trying to undertake with some success. Similarly, most of the firm's

Evaluation report of NLA and Work Based Learning Essay

Evaluation report of NLA and Work Based Learning - Essay Example I believe it is very essential and undeniable for everyone as well as for me that educational qualifications and continuous self-assessments help in grooming and developing ones perspective as well as refining his/her understanding regarding the possessed potentials when defining their career plan. Undoubtedly, this course has played a pivotal role in structuring and polishing my knowledge substantially, helping me to redefine my career goals and plans further. Overall, it guided me to have a great career ahead. In context to the above-mentioned points, the main objective of this essay is to evaluate the importance of the Negotiated Learning Agreement (NLA), contributing to my abilities and critical understanding. The essay also emphasises the value and the importance of the work base knowledge in my career. It also reflects the way the education and the career goals have changed my viewpoints towards life in the competitive job market environment as well as in the employer organisation as well. Ultimately, it can be asserted that the course has helped me to review and access my performance throughout the NLA process and during my placement process. To be noted in this regards, the work-based learning program, in lieu of the placement process has helped me to overcome many problems and issues about which I lacked previous understanding, further helping me to clear the interview mitigating the gaps between the requirements of the employer and my competencies. Nevertheless, it has helped me t o notify the gaps, which may arise in the future related to my career and take preventive measures accordingly. It also clarifies my doubt of how to develop my CV and to build a better career. I am a marketing management student. It was owing to my passion towards organisational management that I ultimately decided to select this management course. I believe that it will help me to meet the criteria that are needed to build a strong career in the field of

Leadership Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 7

Leadership - Research Paper Example Personal principles and skills acquired in development by a leader will determine the ability to show others the way. In most public sector administrations, the leaders take control of what the junior workers do in their jobs or even what the customers want. Some of them are full of corruption in making vial decisions (To Kill a Mocking Bird 01:41:03). Most of the leaders in this sector also consider their directive to be the best and employee should not in any way do the job in another way. Such practices have made junior employees to lose touch with the management hindering collaborative work design. There is always a barrier between management and junior employees in the workplaces. In addition, most of those finding themselves in the public areas are not motivated in doing their work. Most do the work because of the salary and economic security. This kind of practice cannot allow most of the employees in the public sector to become productive. It also affects the relationship between employees of different units and ranks. As Howard places it, a relationship in the work place is better than the profit. The public servants should also consider serving their customers betternot only by valuing the returns they get. In solution for these cultures in the public administration system, several leadership changes have to take place in the work place. Most of the changes might involve deviation from the current practices like the way Howard Behar changed the management of Starbucks. To change these practices top leaders in the public administration system should take initiative in leading as an example. Developing these leadership skills might seem easy but practicing them proves to be hard for most of the leaders. Working at the middle level management in a public service comes with many challenges. In reality,one person may give orders to some

Implementation Controls and Executive Summary of Massives Marketing Essay

Implementation Controls and Executive Summary of Massives Marketing Plan - Essay Example Political stability, positive economic growth, technological capability, strategic geographical location and business friendly conditions would be the criteria that will govern what country to choose. Japan, which suffices all the criteria, would be the most likely candidate. An alternative would be India due to its booming Information Technology industry and its strategic geographical location in the Asian region. This move would also help in attaining or even surpass the targeted number of partnerships. The company is currently charging a minimum of $30,000 for its software licenses. The company also charges 20% of the license fee for annual software maintenance and $25,000 for its web auditing services. The decrease would result to $1,500 cut for licensing, 10% cut on maintenance and $2,500 for auditing services (Massive Network, 2006). Reducing prices, all the while assuring product and service quality, provides a competitive edge the company can bank on. Although this translates to losses in revenue in the short run, it provides an attractive choice for future clients and assures continued patronage. This reduction will apply to future as well as present transactions. The acquisition of Massive by Microsoft has provided the means to acquire the necessary funds to conduct research and development to widen product and services range ( Wash, Microsoft Acquire Massive

DQ 1SD and KW DQ2 Responses W10 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DQ 1SD and KW DQ2 Responses W10 - Essay Example I agree with you that the use of leverage is advantageous for the person holding the leverage. Leverage can also be used by individual investors in the stock market to increase their purchasing power through the use of a margin account (Sec, 2009). When companies are able to reduce taxes and depreciation as they use leverage firms gain an advantage that allows them to achieve better operating results. For example two companies have the same pretax income. One firm uses leverage and has interest tax deductions, while the second company does not use leverage. The company that uses leverage will have a higher net income due to lower taxes. As you mentioned in your response leverage is often used by corporations in order to achieve growth. Successful multinational corporations such as McDonald’s and Starbucks would not have been able to achieve their tremendous level of growth and success without the use of leverage. I agree with you that the value of a project is highly dependent on the present value of the cash flows the project is supposed to generate during its

Implementation Controls and Executive Summary of Massives Marketing Essay

Implementation Controls and Executive Summary of Massives Marketing Plan - Essay Example Political stability, positive economic growth, technological capability, strategic geographical location and business friendly conditions would be the criteria that will govern what country to choose. Japan, which suffices all the criteria, would be the most likely candidate. An alternative would be India due to its booming Information Technology industry and its strategic geographical location in the Asian region. This move would also help in attaining or even surpass the targeted number of partnerships. The company is currently charging a minimum of $30,000 for its software licenses. The company also charges 20% of the license fee for annual software maintenance and $25,000 for its web auditing services. The decrease would result to $1,500 cut for licensing, 10% cut on maintenance and $2,500 for auditing services (Massive Network, 2006). Reducing prices, all the while assuring product and service quality, provides a competitive edge the company can bank on. Although this translates to losses in revenue in the short run, it provides an attractive choice for future clients and assures continued patronage. This reduction will apply to future as well as present transactions. The acquisition of Massive by Microsoft has provided the means to acquire the necessary funds to conduct research and development to widen product and services range ( Wash, Microsoft Acquire Massive

ECG Compliance Officer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

ECG Compliance Officer - Essay Example According to the paper leaders also tend to think outwards on how their policies and ideas impact the society in the sense perspective. Managers on the other hand focus on things. For example, the major concern of a retail manager is whether the merchandise is moving and not about the people doing the work. They also have a myopic view of attaining the targets set and do not have the bigger picture. In terms of goal setting, leadership entails the articulation of the organization’s vision. The purpose of leaders is to give their followers a reason to do something and show the followers the way to the future. Essentially, leader sees the bigger picture and rallies the followers in an effort to attain it. The role of a manager is to execute plans and strive to improve the present situation in the organization. Simply put, a manager is focused on the present situation and sees the tree rather than the forest. The type of governance that is implemented also shows remarkable differ ences between leaders and managers. A manager uses authority to govern the people that he/she manages. They use their position to get things done. Also, managers avoid conflicts in their organization since they feel conflicts threaten their power. In handling issues, a manager is bound to act in a responsible manner. On the contrary, leaders use influence to govern people. In fact, leaders do not need a title in order to execute their plans. Leaders use conflicts to create tighter bonds with their followers and move forward in unison. When matters of concern arise, a leader acts decisively to solve the issue immediately with the information available. Employee relations are a pointer to whether a person is a leader or a manager. Managers aim to control the staff that they are in charge of and consider them their subordinates. As previously indicated, managers are title oriented and thus endeavor exercise authority at all times. Managers tend to specialize in directing and coordinati ng the people they are in charge of. This paper highlights that the hallmark of leadership is empowering people to do their work. Leaders recognize their followers as colleagues and they commit to developing relationships of mutual respect and trust with them. The other unique role of leadership is to create change. Leaders are tasked with ushering people they lead into new realms of uncharted territories. To achieve this, leaders learn to do the right things as the world of change is full of uncertainties. Also, leaders serve the people they lead by putting the interests of the followers ahead of theirs. Managers run their operations by perfecting the skill of managing change. Their role is to do the right the right things after they have been given a brief. The managers endeavor to serve the wishes of their superiors at all times to ensure that their bosses are happy and satisfied at whatever costs . The organization is about to go public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) a nd acquire a new company which will lead to the creation of a new department.  

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef Essay Example for Free

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef Essay Marine life has always been one of the greatest wonders in the world. For the longest time, both marine plants and animals have peacefully inhabited the bottom of the sea, and contributing much to the beauty of the environment. Two of the most interesting reefs in the world are the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and the Lakshadweep Reef in India. Although these two ecosystems are similar in numerous ways, their way of living and the inhabitants found in each still differ, making them unique and extraordinary from each other. Considered as the largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is composed of an estimated 2,900 corals that also serves as home to numerous plants and animals. The smallest to the largest animals are said to inhabit the said reef, with their existence serving as the distinctive mark of the Great Barrier Reef. One of the famous inhabitants is the Dugong (CRC Reef Research Center, n. d. ). Also known as the Sea Cow, the Dugong is a vegetarian mammal found mostly in the waters of the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, the Red Sea, and Australian sea beds. These endangered mammals are large in size, and are said to swim through the different flora found in the seabed. Before heading for the surface, Dugongs can last a total of six minutes underwater. They are mostly seen in pairs, and are often seen gathering in groups, also known as herds. Similar to humans, Dugongs only carry one calf during pregnancy, which lasts for a year. After birth, young Sea Cows stay with the mother for a year and a half, before embarking on their own. Because of their immense appearance, the Dugong becomes a primary target of illegal fishermen and hunters. The meat, oil, skin, and other parts of the Dugongs body may be sold individually for a huge amount of money. Unfortunately, these factors have contributed much to the increasing number of demand for the said endangered animals (National Geographic, Society, 2009). Aside from animals, a wide variety of plant life also exists in the sea beds of the Great Barrier Reef. Like the plants on land, marine plants play an important role in the existence of marine animals. These plants are normally employed as food for the marine animals, and are also used the main habitat of numerous animals. One of the most abundant types of marine plants in the sea beds of the Great Barrier Reef is the Algae (Facts Monk, n. d. ). Different types of marine algae exist in the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef. These include the red, blue, brown, and green algae. Although these floras are simple in consistency, they play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature and the ecosystem. The existence of algae in the Great Barrier Reef has a great impact on how living creatures were able to co-exist with each other. Because of the human disturbance witnessed by the Great Barrier Reef for the last couple of years, some of the marine animals have become endangered, if not extinct. However, the growth of algae in the bruised corals in the seabed has become beneficial in the growth of corals, which also contribute in helping balance the ecosystem (CRC Reef Research Center, n. d. ). Moreover, the Lakshadweep in India was another site to marvel at. The whole area is said to contain numerous species, all extraordinary in their own kind. Each species also contributes to the beauty of the said ecosystem, making sure that balance between all living creatures is maintained. In addition to this, the appearance of the said ecosystem has attracted numerous tourists because of the impressive sight. The Lakshadweep in India is comprised of 36 coral islands spanning an estimated 200-400 kilometer radius. Known to many as a â€Å"tropical paradise†, Lakshadweep never fails to impress the interest of many (South India Tour Travel, n. d. ). In addition to this, the Lakshadweep was also considered to be protected by the government. In this manner, the said ecosystem would be improved in all levels possible, without the difficulty of having to hurt anyone else. Similar to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Lakshadweep ecosystem in India comprises of different kinds of marine plants and animals. These include different kinds of algae, clams, corals, sea cucumbers, and starfishes of every kind. These floras also serve as the primary food and habitat of the marine life occupying the said ecosystem. Accompanying the flora is a wide variety of marine animals unknown to mankind. One of the most famous animals found in this ecosystem is the dolphin (WWF India, n. d. ) The dolphin is one of the most famous mammals in the world. Often seen in the ocean, dolphins have a way of attracting the people in numerous ways. Unknown to many, dolphins are unique and have impressive intellectual skills. In this manner, they are able to make the existence of each species in the ecosystem worthwhile. From everything that has been said, it is evident that ecosystems have different strategies. Although both the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Lakshadweep in India are home to thousands of species, they too have their own goals to practice. The Great Barrier Reef is a clear example of how we, as people, should care for the environment. In so doing, the Lakshadweep in India also serves as a haven of hope for people all over the world. The said ecosystem was damaged, and almost erased from the map, but with much hard work and dedication, everything was being restored to how they used to be. Now all living creatures, both humans and animals alike, would have hope that a better future is still attainable. References CRC Reef Research Center. (n. d. ) Coral reefs. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www. reef. crc. org. au/discover/coralreefs/index. html National Geographic Society. (2009). Dugong. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://animals. nationalgeographic. com/animals/mammals/dugong. html Facts Monk. (n. d. ) Great barrier reef plants. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www. factsmonk. com/Great_Barrier_Reef_Plants South India Tour Travel. (n. d. ) Marine life in Lakshadweep. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www. southindiatourtravel. com/lakshadweep/travel-to-lakshadweep/marine-life. html World Wildlife Foundation India. (n. d. ) Biodiversity and status of coral reefs/ecosystems. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www. wwfindia. org/about_wwf/what_we_do/marine/projects/coral_reef_monitoring/results. cfm

Analyse The Factors Contributing To Language Maintenance Education Essay

Analyse The Factors Contributing To Language Maintenance Education Essay In countries of significant migration, like Australia, newly arrived settlers from non-English speaking countries need to become bilingual, adding to fluency in their own language at least some fluency in English. With the passage of time, perhaps generations, families may find that their ethnic language becomes lost to them. Many consider that this loss is not only a loss for families and individuals, but that it is also a loss for the community at large. For the purposes of this essay, the term language maintenance is used to refer to the ability of ethnic communities, families and individuals to maintain their own language while adapting to the language of their new country. This essay will consider the factors which appear to influence the maintenance of a language, focusing on some of the more powerful social and psychological forces which propel individuals towards the continued learning and maintenance of a minority language. There seems to be little doubt among the researcher s that attitudes influence language maintenance. In fact, attitudes towards the minority language and culture appear to underlie the other relevant factors, which include sense of ethnic identity, motivation and family support. These factors will be dealt with in turn in this essay. There is a considerable body of evidence that attitudes to the ethnic language and culture influence language maintenance. In order to consider attitudes towards a language, one needs to consider what makes a language valuable. According to Edwards (1985), greater possibilities of employment and acceptance by the community that speaks the language are some valuable qualities. Factors that devalue a language would include the embarrassment some children feel about parents use of the minority language in public when the children want to conform. Gardner (1985) has produced and reviewed studies attempting to establish a relationship between attitudes towards a language and culture and motivation to practise the language and participate in that culture. He concludes on the basis of the research that attitudes are fairly consistently related to achievement in a language. Political issues obviously affect attitudes and Romaine (1989, p. 42), in dealing with the effect of ties with the home land on language maintenance, wrote that refugees often reject the language of the oppressive regime and try to assimilate to the new culture as quickly as possible. An individuals and communitys sense of ethnic identity appears to have a profound influence on language maintenance. Issues of identity are extremely personal and often emotional, interwoven as they are with personality. One expects the extent to which a person identifies with his/her ethnic background to influence the motivation behind maintenance of the ethnic language. Some studies (e.g. Bentahila and Davies, 1992) have disputed this expectation. It appears that it is possible for a speech community to value its ethnic background and language highly though not passing it on to their children, possibly for utilitarian reasons. Or language may not be considered a core value of ethnic identity, as with the Dutch community in Australia, which tends not to maintain the Dutch language over generations (Clyne, 1982). The Dutch community in Australia, according to Smolicz and Secombe (1979), is a group that does not consider it very important to retain its own culture as distinct to that of the dominant majority. Poles and Greeks, however, are language-centred cultures, in which language is considered an important and defining aspect of group membership. These communities, according to Clyne (1979), do maintain their languages well. It thus appears that a strong sense of ethnic identity is an important factor contributing to language maintenance as long as language is considered an important part of that identity. Research indicates that motivation is also strongly related to the successful learning and maintenance of a language. A great deal of work has centred around the distinction between integral and instrumental motivation. Integrative motivation (for example interest in and liking of the language and those who speak it) derives from positive attitudes towards the target language group and the desire and potential for integrating with that group. Instrumental motivation involves utilitarian feelings like knowing that the language may improve ones opportunities for employment. Most researchers suggest that integrative motivation is a more powerful factor in promoting language maintenance, but Clyne (1979) points out that acceptance of a language as an examination and/or school subject is a major factor in German and Dutch language maintenance, and one can assume that this has been an important factor in maintenance of the key languages indicated by the National Language Policy of 1987 for teaching in the Department of Education. It seems clear that motivation of both types play a role in language maintenance. Perhaps the most fundamental issue to be taken into account when considering language maintenance is family support for the continued use of the ethnic language. Dennison (1977 in Edwards 1985) noted that the most direct cause of language loss is lack of transmission to children. According to Fantini (1985, p. 197), Language is the childs passport for entry into a social group, or a cultural community. Two languages permit the child to enter into and acquire the world views of two communities.For these views to exist in harmony rather than in conflict, favourable attitudes on the part of those who surround the child are essential to permit him to grow up a well-adjusted individual, comfortable in either community. Gardner (1985) distinguished between the active and passive role played by parents. The active role includes parental encouragement to succeed, monitoring of performance and reinforcement of success (negative active roles would include agreement that a language is a waste of time or an intrusion on more important subject areas). The passive role involves parental attitudes toward the second language community, reinforcing or weakening the integrative motive. Gardner concludes that passive supports, these parental attitudinal reactions to the language community, are what are remembered most when children reflect on parental encouragement to maintain and learn a language. The support of parents should definitely be taken into account when considering language maintenance, since the fundamental cause of language loss or attrition is failure to pass it on to the next generation. In summary, it appears that the underlying factor determining language maintenance is attitude towards the language and ethnic community. These attitudes appear to be closely related to sense of ethnic identity, motivation and, in particular, parental support. There is considerable evidence and weight of opinion that they are all important factors which could determine whether or not individuals or groups are likely to keep a minority language alive in themselves and/or in the community.

The Soliloquies of Shakespeares Hamlet - To be or not to be Soliloquy

The â€Å"To be or not to be† Soliloquy in Hamlet      Ã‚  Ã‚   One soliloquy stands out above the others in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Of the seven soliloquies by the protagonist, the â€Å"To be or not to be† soliloquy is universally recognized as superior to the others. This essay considers this most famous soliloquy.    Marchette Chute in â€Å"The Story Told in Hamlet† describes just how close the hero is to suicide while reciting his most famous soliloquy:      Hamlet enters, desperate enough by this time to be thinking of suicide. It seems to him that it would be such a sure way of escape from torment, just to cease existing, and he gives the famous speech on suicide that has never been worn thin by repetition. â€Å"To be, or not to be . . .† It would be easy to stop living.    To die, to sleep; No more. And by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to . . .    But Hamlet has never succeeded in deceiving himself, and he cannot do so now. . . . [He] will not . . . be able to kill himself. He has thought too much about it to be able to take any action. (39)    Considering the context of this most notable soliloquy, the speech appears to be a reaction from the determination which ended the â€Å"rogue and peasant slave† soliloquy. In fact, in the Quarto of 1603 the â€Å"To be† speech comes BEFORE the players’ scene and the nunnery scene – and is thus more logically positioned to show its emotional connection to the previous soliloquy (Nevo 46). Lawrence Danson in the essay â€Å"Tragic Alphabet† discusses the most famous of soliloquies as involving an â€Å"eternal dilemma†:      The problem of time’s discrediting effects upon human actions and intentions ... ...evin, Harry. â€Å"An Explication of the Player’s Speech.† Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Rpt. from The Question of Hamlet. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1959.    Nevo, Ruth. â€Å"Acts III and IV: Problems of Text and Staging.† Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Rpt. from Tragic Form in Shakespeare. N.p.: Princeton University Press, 1972.    Rosenberg, Marvin. â€Å"Laertes: 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   

Boat: Symbolism in Never Let Me Go Essay

Most people have dreams of becoming astronauts, doctors or painters but Hailsham students grow up knowing that they won’t get to live a normal life. They will donate organs until they die. Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Never Let Me Go is about a dystopian society in Great Britain. It breeds cloned children for organ donations. Ishiguro uses a unique style of storytelling in which the protagonist Kathy narrates her memories of childhood at Hailsham to Adulthood and becoming a â€Å"carer†. While describing the unique incidents, Kathy simultaneously narrates details about donations, donors and relationship, but manages to keep a sense of mystery throughout the story. In the 19th Chapter, the reader understands that the characters are organ donors and will inevitably die soon. Kathy, Tommy and Ruth take a road trip to see an abandoned boat after which the three have an emotional talk and face their fears. The boat is a powerful symbol that represents Hailsham, the lives of the donors, their past and future. To understand the symbolism in the novel, this essay will focus on the themes of death, ignorance, belief system and free will. Hailsham’s students are ignorant, and taught to ignore their fears. The boat represents a broken life, a life in which you are only permitted to dream, whereas your future is decided. The boat symbolizes the mystery of origin of the donors. Students at Hailsham are trained not to be inquisitive. Their lessons are planned and the main issue of organ donation was never emphasized enough. They are distant to feelings and brainwashed â€Å"told but not told† (74). Ishiguro’s style of writing was casual when discussing donations and life after Hailsham. Hailsham an institution run by private funding is very similar to the boat. Tommy compares the boat to Hailsham which is now closed. â€Å"Maybe this is what Hailsham looks like now† (205). It is segregated, stands alone in the marshlands just like Hailsham; Hailsham protects the students from outside world which believes that the clones are not human beings, â€Å"All around the country, at this very moment, there are students being reared in deplorable condition, conditions Hailsham students could hardly imagine† (238) just like the boat protects the sailor from the oceanic forces. A human belief system is a product to complement their respective comfort zone. Even though the girls knew that the â€Å"secret guard† is not real, they believed in Ruth  and played along, just for the sake of excitement. Ruth’s lying or Tommy’s belief in deferrals and the emotions he went through when he understood that deferral was just a myth â€Å"If the rumor was never true, then why did you take all our stuff away? Didn’t the Gallery exist either?† (237). This is symbolized by the boat; The abandoned broken boat represents a broken life, hopelessness; broken by the forces it is subjected to. All the donors are very obsessed to find their â€Å"possible†. â€Å"†¦you could tell people were fascinated –obsessed, in some cases- and so it (subject of ‘possible’) kept coming up usually in solemn arguments†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (127). Kathy’s character in the story is emotionally reserved. She finds it difficult to make decisions, and she does not speak openly about what she actually feels. Th is characteristic helps her not to think about the short life and the bleak future. She lives life with some short lived happiness. Kathy has a very original personality unlike Ruth’s, who tries to impress and act like the veterans do. Ishiguro does not discuss Ruth’s death immediately after the 19th chapter but rather lets the reader focus on Kathy’s and Tommy’s sufferings. Ruth’s death is emotional and it would overshadow Kathy’s and Tommy’s struggle. Like the donors the boat went through a lot of struggle perhaps even saved lives, yet the origin of the boat is a mystery, just like the donors who probably saved lives but no one cares about them, their origin is a mystery. The boat was once a life saver and guardian but now it is wrecked and is of no use. The donors too will face the same fate of the boat; they will save lives and die alone. Perhaps that’s why it is very popular object among the donors. The boat is a powerful symbol in the novel because even though it represents protection, and survival, if broken and abandoned it becomes a symbol of loneliness, no one cares about it, its origins becomes a mystery- even unnecessary and the forces it has faced in the ocean become meaningless. The boat represents the lives of Kathy, Ruth and Tommy. It is also Hailsham their protector in the sea; it is Tommy’s hope for survival- his absolute belief in the deferral system; it represents Kathy’s search for a possible, the boat’s origin is also a mystery. The boat projects their future that no matter how hard they try and dream- their fate is sealed. They are helpless once exposed to the ocean. They are going to die, left abandone d like the boat. No one is going to care about them.

Monkey: Journey to the west Essay

Monkey: Journey to the West is a story of an adventure for enlightenment to India in order to find ancient Buddhist scriptures. The story consists of Chinese legends, tales, and superstitions. Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism play a huge role throughout this story. Monkey: Journey to the West is a story that discusses religion, and moral issues. The monkey acts the way he does due to underlying religious themes played throughout the story. At first understanding why the Monkey acts the way he does may seem difficult. However, after reading deeper through the story one learns that social satire in the Monkey is what gives him his rebellious personality. The end of the story reveals the hidden spiritual meaning behind the monkeys change in actions. Monkey: Journey to the West is told in three major parts. The first being the monkeys early life history and spirit, and the second about Tripitakas family and history before leaving to obtain the religious Buddhist scriptures. The remaini ng section has to do with his three animal spirit disciples, monkey, pig, and a fish. The story of the Monkey shows the struggles of educating oneself on a spiritual path. The characters are representations of religious figures in Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The Monkey represents restlessness and powerful energy, which has to be under control before the journey to the religious scriptures can start. After a while he becomes worried about the thought of death and reincarnation. Buddhists believe in cycle of birth, life and death in order to achieve what they call Nirvana. One must release their self desire in order to obtain the ultimate goal. The Monkey desires to be immortal, however Confucianism recognizes death to be one of the most important times in ones life. Monkey decides that he must explore the ends of the world in order to find a way to get around death and reincarnation because he is not happy with the ways on the three religions. His journey leads him across oceans and over mountains to the Cave of the Slanting Moon where the immortal Patriarch lives. Monkey decides to become a student of the Patriarch in order to gain his knowledge on becoming immortal. Monkey abuses the situation and he is let go by the patriarch due to his extremist actions. When Monkey learns ways of being immortal he returns home and he is more greedy than ever. Greed is looked down upon in Buddhism, Confuscism, and Taoism. Monkey then continues his journey to the dragons and takes their treasures in an ungrateful manner. He uses immoral and threatening actions  to obtain his goals, which are clearly looked down upon. At this time the Monkey is beginning to upset a lot of people, and even the Jade Emperor of Heaven is becoming upset. Monkey totally disgregards everyones feelings and continues to act in such a rude and immoral manner. Monkey still has a desire for more so he eats the immortal fruits, drinks the immortal wine, and he even takes Lao Tzu’s special pills. At this point heaven is becoming even more angry over the Monkeys actions. The Monkey returns home and Heaven implements another attack on him. This attack was successful, Heaven defeated the monkey with the help of Buddha and Lao Tzu. In conclusion Monkey is imprisoned for 500 years. At the end of they story the Monkey has a huge change in mind set due to some help.. The Monkey changes when Hsuang-tsang gives him a second chance to prove himself. Hsuang-tsang stays within the same morals and values of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. The qualities of forgivenes are in each path to reaching great peace. Monkey realizes the way he acted before being imprisoned was not suitable for his pilgrimage he set out on. Monkey becomes a student of Hsuang-tsang and joins his journey to India. The Buddha shows the Monkey. He explains to him how his spiritual mind has opened his inner soul to help interpret and accept forgiveness from others. Thus, helping Monkey reach his own spiritual purpose.

Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo Essay

Both novels, the Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and the El Filibusterismo, (The Filibuster) inspired by the patriotic ideals of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, depict the abuses suffered by the native indios at the hands of Spanish tyrants. The Noli paints us an ugly, yet clear picture of the so-called â€Å"social cancer† that deteriorates the society. The first of those two masterfully-crafted works, the Noli lays the most liberal, realistic and fearless view of the country’s well-being during the 300-year Spanish regime. It illustrates the rotten system of governance, the illicit ways of the church and the unfavorable trade of the privilege class. The Noli also relates how the government, the church and the privilege class manipulate the people. The government deprives the youth of education and how they use the people’s ignorance to their advantage. The treacherous friars by means of God and faith controlled the people, making them dummies of all sorts. On the other hand, the privilege class used their elite status to get ahead of everybody, by hook or by crook — employing the â€Å"me first† attitude. In the Noli, the weak and disposed seemingly lose hope resulting to unfortunate deaths (as the case Pilisopo Tasyo) and sometimes insanity. (as the case of Sisa) Hence the oppressed formed a brotherhood that hopes to liberate the country by use of force. To no avail, due to disorganization and lack of arms, each and every attempt at resistance failed. In Noli, the character of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra was introduced, an intelligent and promising young man who has high hopes of changing the course of the country.

Business Ethica(BA Business Management ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business Ethica(BA Business Management ) - Essay Example It is important to respect others and to be tolerant of differences. Also essential to have good manners and avoid bad language at all costs. Also, essential to understand others feelings and not to hurt or hit others but work on dealing with issues in a more respectful and peaceful manner. c) Responsibilities: To be responsible, it is important to be perseverant, and to always give in the best for everything. Also, having self control and being self disciplined along with being accountable for choices and to think before acting, with a complete consideration of all consequences. d) Fairness: It is important to work based on rules and to share with others. Also important to be open minded and should be able to listen to others. It is also essential not to take advantage of others and to be very careful before blaming anyone. It is essential to also note that control systems need to be in place for effective ethics programs. Companies can use two types of control systems these include, a) Based on compliance, and b) based on values. The compliance based help in creating a more orderly behaviour and also ensures that the legal aspects are taken into account and complied with. The value based is more supported by the shared values and here the company can focus more on the company’s values rather than rules and regulations (Weston, 2010). Together with the control systems and the above mentioned points companies can build well developed ethics programs. There have been a number of arguments for and against the social responsibilities. Firstly, considering the arguments for social responsibility, include, creating better environment, considering the public expectations, and the long run profits, considering the ethical obligations, and public image. Social responsibility also allows a balance between responsibility and power and helps keep up with the shareholders interest and the possession of the resources. This also permits

The Warmth of Other Suns Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Warmth of Other Suns - Essay Example Trotter writes about the closeness of Isabel Wilkerson to the subject and her deep involvement in the stories which provide a new understanding as to why the Southerners opted for the new life in the strife-torn cities far away from their homes. The book contains more than one thousand two hundred real life stories of trials and tribulations of black individuals, the untold stories of American history. Gene Dattel in the review of the book discusses this serious issue from a slightly different perspective. He quotes from the book, â€Å"We’re the ones that killing ourselves.† (493)When about six million black people migrated to the North, it created a national level problem, not the regional one. The picture was not rosy for the migrants. Many of the top black leaders were disappointed by the attitude of blacks and their involvement in the dark sides of life. According to the observation of Ida Mae Bandon Gladney, one of the migrants to the North, â€Å"Chicago’s black ghetto had become a cesspool of crime, drugs and dilapidated neighborhoods. It was also Chicago that frustrated Dr. Martin King Jr.’s attempt to bring the civil rights movement to the North in 1966.† The author advocates introspection for the blacks and opines that they are in a way responsible for their plight. The book connects well to the volatile social conditions in America, of the 1960s and throws light on the tensions within the relationship of blacks and whites. But the author is unable to provide tangible solutions to the century old problems confronting the blacks, though they get full legal protection under the American

Voting in the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Voting in the United States - Essay Example Originally, the Constitution of the United States did not have specific definitions for the people that were eligible to participate in the voting process. It is believed that in most of the states, Caucasian males were given the right to vote; these people had to be owners of property and had considerable amounts of taxable income. For women, they were only allowed to take part in the voting process in New Jersey, provided they met the set requirements effectively. Currently, democracy in the United States has grown and developed significantly, with many people getting eligibility to participate in the voting exercise, which is meant to give the country new leaders to steer its economic growth and development. However, despite these constitutional provisions, sections of people have not been participating in the voting process in many of the years when elections have been held. This trend has been growing, which is something that has prompted research into some of the possible cause s in the developing trend in some of the Americans.

How, in your judgment, can one evaluate the ethical nature of an act Research Paper

How, in your judgment, can one evaluate the ethical nature of an act - Research Paper Example Nature of ethics has three main features that are worth examining. The first feature is that the nature of ethics is closely correlated with duties, which are generally the other side of morals and moral rights. For instance, an individual’s right to work implies that the government has a duty to ensure that jobs are available for people (Gotsis and Kortezi, 2010). Secondly, ethics gives people equality and autonomy in the pursuit of their interests. The last main feature of the nature of ethics is that it provides a basis for justification of an individual’s actions and for invocation of aid or protection of others (Gutmann and Thompson, 2006). Over the years, there has been increased concern over the need to find ways of evaluating the ethical nature of organizations including non-profit organizations, private association, or government agency. Since ethics is such an important aspect in any organization, there has been heightened need in recent years to evaluate the ethical nature of organizations in order to ensure that they derive maximum benefits from adherence to valuable ethics (Cooper, 2012). It is against this background that this paper will discuss how one can evaluate the ethical nature of a government agency: The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA). It will create a format for the systematic evaluation of the agency’s ethical commitment. Nature of Ethics and Government Agencies It is commonly accepted that ethics is an essential part of operation of government agencies. Unethical behaviors can have very devastating consequences for any given government agency, while sound ethical behavior can greatly facilitate effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services within a particular government agency (Hayden, 2005). Acknowledgement of the importance of ethics requires commitment and establishment of an organizational ethical capacity in a structured and concerted way. Therefore, it is important that gover nment officials be competent in managing of the ethical dimensions of the government agencies. In order to produce sustainable ethical behavior, there is need to cultivate an ethical organizational culture or an ethical way of thinking and ethical behavior (Gotsis and Kortezi, 2010). The officials of the government agency need to set specific ethics objectives for their respective agencies, as well as designing and implementing a strategy that is geared towards achieving these objectives (Cooper, 2012). In addition, they need to institutionalize ethics, monitor and report on the ethical performance of all the employees of the agency. When looking at ethics in the government agency domain, ethics is a prerequisite for the improved performance and reputation of the government agency and therefore should be the foundation element in the government agency’s operations strategy (Gutmann and Thompson, 2006). Effective management of ethics in government agencies requires that there is a comprehensive evaluation of the nature of ethics in those agencies. The government officials of respective government agencies should engage in a concentrated effort of establishing mechanisms and criteria of

Cheap Escape v. Haddox and Tessman Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cheap Escape v. Haddox and Tessman - Case Study Example This case was brought before the Franklin County Municipal Court, State of Ohio. The municipal court awarded a default judgment, in favor of Cheap Escape. The municipal court denied Tessman’s motion to vacate. Tessman appealed. Judgment was reversed by the appeals court and remanded for dismissal (p. 1, 2). Issues Presented or Questions of Law Does the municipal court have jurisdiction over subject matter when relevant events occurred outside the county (Cheap Escape Co., Inc. v. Haddox, L.L.C., 2008)? Arguments or Objectives of the Parties Appellant argues that â€Å"the municipal court has subject-matter jurisdiction over any statutorily prescribed action, regardless of where underlying events occurred. Conversely, Appellee argues that the phrase (original jurisdiction within its territory), limits subject-matter jurisdiction to those actions which occurred within the territorial limits of the court† (p. 3). Holding/Rule of Law â€Å"R.C. 1901.18(A) limits municipal court subject-matter jurisdiction to actions or proceedings that have a territorial connection to the court† (p.6). â€Å"The parties admittedly did not have territorial connections to the Franklin County Municipal Court†, (so) the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction† (p. 6). Judgment of the municipal court is void for lack of jurisdiction and the holding of the court of appeals is affirmed (p. 6).