Westecs Bd Essay Example For Students

Westecs Bd Essay Background of Westecs ®: Westecs ® Ltd. is the largest chain clothing store in Bangladesh. This company started its journey since 1987. There are nine branches of Westecs ® among which six stores are in Dhaka, two are in Syhlet and one in Chittagong. There is one chairman in Westecs ® who regulates all the activities from its head office which is located in Tejgaon. There is one director in each branch who controls the work of the outlets. Each of the stores has 1 or 2 managers motivating their employees in various ways. More than 300 employees are working in the organization. Their competitors are Eastasy, Rex, and other fashion houses and boutique shops. But their main competitor is Pretex. This company is divided into two portions- one is administrative and another one is sales. The administrative sector controls the overall working process of the branch manager, sales manager, and accountant and finance manager. The sales department totally depends on the accountant’s effort and this portion is controlled by the head office. Westecs ® mainly manufacture the brand items such as suits, blazers and official Shirts. We will write a custom essay on Westecs Bd specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The backup of their brand items are imported from different countries. They also sell casual wears of gents, ladies and children. These readymade garments are collected from various sources such as the garments that could not be exported to the foreign countries due to shipment or time difficulty. All the branches of Westecs ® are well festooned and the environment is comfortable and rich. Westecs ® provide a special importance to the customer satisfaction. Almost all kinds of wear that the customers need are found here. They have a future vision to extend their business by exporting their garment products abroad. The hierarchy of management in Westecs ® Ltd. can be illustrated as below: Fig: Organogram of westecs ® Ltd 1. 0 Problem Assessment The executive development process of a company starts with the assessment of the company’s current problem. This assessment of problem is needed specially when there is a discrepancy between some current state of affairs and some desired state, requiring the consideration of alternative courses of action. Westecs ® Ltd. is one of the largest chain clothing stores in Bangladesh. To get this achievement they have maintained certain management policies and practiced some theories to make it an effective and efficient organization though Westecs ® do not have any formal Human Resource department. In spite of all plans and strategies there are some loopholes in every organization. Westecs ® is running their business in somewhat successful manner but there are many problems especially with the Human Resource management such as productivity, skills and personal attributes, employee morale, innovations and training and development- in which sectors they have a lot of opportunities to improve. Here are some problems of Westecs ®, which are effecting in different aspects. These problems are related to recruitment and selection process, productivity, motivation, pay for performance, absenteeism, turnover, organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction, skills, training and development etc. Development in these sections may lead Westecs ® to better productivity and success. 1. Productivity An organization meant to be productive when it achieves its goals and does so by transferring inputs to outputs at the lowest cost. This productivity also implies a concern for both effectiveness and efficiency. By effective, we mean making the right decision and successfully implementing them. The organizational goals that Westecs ® have are- These goals are not specific and difficult rather they are more generalized. Westecs ® is somewhat successful in achieving these general goals, so it can be said that Westecs ® has the effectiveness from such context but to succeed in long run they should have some specific goals which will lead them to higher performance. A company is efficient when it uses its resources wisely an in a cost effective way. To measure the efficiency level, there are some other factors needed to take into account, such as absenteeism, turnover, organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction etc. 1. 2 Absenteeism Absenteeism is the failure to report to work and it causes a huge cost and disruption for the employers. In Westecs ® the absenteeism rate is relatively low. The employees are given altogether 30 days of leave in a year. Though absence have a negative impact on the organization, but Westecs ® consider the situation when employees do not come for illness, fatigue or excess stress. If it is within the allowed 30days leave a year and the employee feels sick Westecs ® does not pressurize their employees to come to the job if they feel sick or excess stress. Because the management of Westecs ® believes that a sick or stressed person can not put his/her 100% attention to their job rather they perform poorly, which in turn may bring poor service to the customer and increase customer dissatisfaction-that finally will impede the image of the organization as a whole. So Westecs ® is efficient enough to manage their absenteeism. 3. Turnover Turnover is the voluntary or involuntary permanent withdrawal from an organization. Westecs ® faces a relatively high turnover rate. This high rate of turnover results in increased recruiting, selection and training cost. In addition, this high rate of turnover also disrupt the efficient running of an organization when knowledge and experienced personnel leave and replacements must be found and prepared to assume positions of responsibility. Westecs ® failed to efficiently manage this high turnover rate. 4. Organizational Citizenship Behavior Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) is a discretionary behavior that is not a part of employee’s formal job requirements, but that nevertheless promotes the effective functioning of the organization. To become a successful organization, it needs employees who will do more then their usual job duties and provides performance that is beyond expectations. But in Westecs ®, there is no such employee who performs this Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB). So it is important for Westecs ® to increase the number of employees who will perform Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) for the betterment of the organization. . Job Satisfaction Job satisfaction is the collection of feelings that an individual holds toward his or her job. It represents the attitude of an employee rather than behavior. The satisfied employees are more productive than dissatisfied employees. It is a legitimate objective of an organization. In Westecs ® the top level managers and the mid lev el managers have their job satisfaction but the problem with the lower level employees; they encompass relatively less job satisfaction. 6. Empowering People In successful organizations, managers are going considerably further by allowing employees full control of their work. By empowering employee managers are putting employees in charge of what they do and in so doing, managers have to learn how to give up control and employees have to learn how to take responsibility for their work and make appropriate decisions. But managers in Westecs ® do not empower their employees. Thus the employees are incapable of showing responsibilities and making suitable decisions. 7. Stimulating Innovation and change Successful organizations must foster innovation and master the art of change. So to exist in comparative business environment organizations should maintain their flexibility, continually improve their quality and beat competitors with a constant stream of innovative products and services. To do so organizations need managers and employees with high conceptual skills and innovative ideas. But there is lack of such managers and employees in Westecs ®. The managers of Westecs ® also face challenges and unable to stimulate their employees’ creativity and tolerance of change. 8. Coping with Temporariness Today’s management functions became more versatile than ever before for the fast change in globalization, expand capacity and advances in technology. So for the best benefit managers and employees should work in a climate best characterized as temporary. But there is no evidence of temporariness in Westecs ®. Here jobs are not being continually redesigned, tasks are being done by individuals rather than teams, and there is no scope for part time jobs. 9. Pay for Performance Pay for performance is the rewards that are allocated on performance criteria. Westecs ® do not give rewards to their employees on the basis of performance rather they give a general yearly increment to all the employee on the basis of position. Westecs ® also provide two bonuses to their employees. If this pay for performance is introduced, individuals should perceive a strong relationship between their performance and the reward they receive if motivation is to be maximized. Pay for performance can be best applied to the operation workers such as factory workers 10. Recruitment and selection The recruitment and selection process of Westecs ® is very ordinary and simple. News paper is the only medium to advertise for the recruitment. In the advertisement thy only mention the job title and age limit and ask for educational qualification, and experience. For the selection purpose the management conducts only face to face interview and no written test. To select potential people Westecs ® need to develop their recruitment and selection process. 2. 0 Evaluation of the traditional management function: 2. 1 Instituting plans, policies and procedures Westecs’ decision making regarding plans, policies, and procedures is centralized as it is concentrated at a single point in the organization which is its Head Office. .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 , .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .postImageUrl , .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 , .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7:hover , .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7:visited , .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7:active { border:0!important; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7:active , .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7 .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5d0940ae22721c5f2db204fc416f4bb7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: I think that today's society is a half version o EssayIn Bangladesh, there are nine branches of Westecs and every branch has got about 15 to 20 employees. There is a Director, a Manager and an Assistant Manager in each branch who motivate their employees to carry out their activities efficiently. The measure of organizational efficiency includes return on investment, profit per amount of sales, output per hour of labor etc. Westecs’ planning process, policies and procedures are strong enough that enable their activities to be carried out efficiently. Westecs has a superior sales policy of its own. It follows fixed price policy so that customers do not have to bargai n. The company gives several sorts of sales for the customer’s favor as well as to reduce the stocks such as summer sale, winter sale, and special sale and so on. Westecs also provides good service to maintain good relationships with the customers. The personnel in the showrooms show well behaviour and good manner. It offers changes of clothes and refunds of money within 3 days. Westecs sells branded official shirts of its own and as well as blazers and readymade garments and became most successful in these segments and earned huge revenues on sales. Westecs have almost 200 factory employees from whom the company gets efficient output in due time. With their plans, policies and procedures, Westecs Ltd. is successful to carry out the activities efficiently. 2. 2 Organizing job description and understanding the responsibilities The job description lists the duties of a job; the job’s working conditions, and the tools, materials and equipment to perform it. Job content is necessary to develop appropriate selection method and job-relevant performance appraisal system. But Westecs Ltd. has no prescribed job description for the subordinates. After the employees have been selected for the outlets and the factories, they get familiar with the job content through practical experience. The director and manager play a great role to improve the performance of the employees. How the new employees will approach to the customers, how they can help the customers in purchasing things, how they will act when the customers face problems regarding their bought products and the like activities are taught from the observation of the activities of the existing employees and also from the recommendations of the branch director and managers in the outlets. In the factories also the labors learn their responsibility from the senior labors and the factory manager and the supervisor. Though Westecs have no official job description, the new employees are able to find it out not in an effective manner but through observation and practice. 2. 3 Selecting competent employees Westecs’ selection process is quite straightforward. The company offers job in the newspaper for the job applicants. The advertisement consists of the position the company is offering, educational qualification and the experience of the candidates for the managerial positions. For example, this company needs at least a degree for the sales manager. For the outlet personnel and factory workers no job requirement is mentioned specifically. No part-time job and temporary system is available in Westecs. Job candidates appear on a physical interview in the selection process. At first, they face supervisor’s interview for the preliminary selection. There is no written test for them. This interview is based on the IQ of the candidates and some sort of situational basis questionnaires. The company requires those candidates who have good spoken capability in English for the outlets. For the factories, they need experienced or capable workers. After the primary selection, the candidates sit for another interview with the chairman and branch directors for the final selection. Not all the candidates that Westecs selects and recruits are adequately oriented and trained. There is no systems approach to training for developing the performance of the employees. The employees learn from their practical works and the observation of what other employees do. In the factory, there are machine operators who instruct the new workers in operating the machine. By this way workers are getting trained in Westecs which is not an efficient and adequate way. 2. 4 Fair and equitable pay rates Westecs strictly maintains International Labor Law in terms of paying the wages. They pay the salary to the employees within the month and no dues occur. The outlet staffs and factory workers get a good starting salary which is around tk. 3000 to tk. 4000 and there is a year to year increment. The branch manager, sales manager, finance manager all get a reasonable salary. In addition, all the employees get yearly tk. 5000 for medical expense. They also obtain incentives which include festival bonus two times a year. Women are given 66 days maternity leave with pay. From these extra benefits and advantages which the employees are getting, they feel that their pay rates are equitable and fair. But Westecs does not increase the salary of the employees on the performance basis. It rather focuses on seniority. 2. 5 Leadership role of managers Leadership is the ability to influence a group toward the achievement of goals. Brach managers, factory managers, supervisors and other associated managers of Westecs serve as a leader towards achieving the goals of the organization. The managers advise many potential and useful instructions that the employees carry out efficiently. The employees have to stay almost all day long in the outlets that becomes no longer challenging for them. It increases boredom and reduces motivation. Thus the job turns into a dull and uninteresting one for the employees as they suffer from overroutinization of their work. There is no real arrangement of amusement for the employees in the organization. For example, there is no opportunity of job rotation for the employees. The periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another is job rotation. There is also a lack of job enlargement and job sharing in Westecs. Job enlargement is increasing the number and variety of tasks that an individual performs results in jobs with more diversity and job sharing is an arrangement that allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hours-a-week-job. These handfuls opportunities are ignored in Westecs which would facilitate the employees with great deal. But employees are given tiffin two times a day-a little tiffin in the morning and heavy one in the afternoon. Westecs also assures transportation to facilitate the women employees. 2. 6 Interpersonal relationship among employees Interpersonal relation in organizations can be a primary source of need satisfaction for many people. For people with a strong need for affiliation, high-quality interpersonal relationships can be an important positive element in the workplace. People who support one another and who work well together can accomplish much more than people who do not support one another and who do not work well together. Another outcome is conflict- people may leave an interpersonal exchange feeling angry or hostile. These all can occur during the communication between people in the organization. Westecs’ decision making is centralized and all the decisions regarding plans, policies, procedures, selection, recruiting and so on that are to be accomplished are decided centrally in the head office. For that Westecs holds a meeting among its chairman, directors and managers on monthly basis. It lifts up the interpersonal relationship of the top management. Oral communication, which means face to face conversation, telephone calls and other situations in which the spoken word is used, occurs in Westecs in terms of interpersonal communication. The employees state their problems and other things to their boss through telephone or conversation. There is no process of written document for communication. 3. 0 Development Needs Motivation is one of the most frequently researched topics in OB; it leads the employees’ performance. Though Westecs ® established in 1987, but it cannot retain its employees for longer periods of time for its dysfunctional motivational program. ? Motivation through job Design-it is a key determinant of individual motivation and ultimately organizational success. Westecs ® have to shift their form of boring, tedious job to the form of an interesting job, so that employees can add zest and meaning to their professional life. To do this, top management has to impose job rotation, which will motivate through diversifying the employee’s activities. Here the employee will rotate to another job, usually at the same level. It will be benefit for the organization, because a wide range of skills give management more flexibility in scheduling working and adapting to changes. Job enrichment can be another effective way to increase the employee’s freedom and independence, provide feedback so an individual will be able to assess his or her own performance. By establishing direct client relationship with their employees and internal client as well as external, expanding job vertically and last but not least, opening feedback channels will motivate the employees of Westecs ®. Thus the employee’s skill variety, job feed back, autonomy and task significance will be upgraded. ? Motivation through rewards- rewards and benefits are a significant portion for motivating employees. Job performance and satisfaction can be improved by properly administered rewards. Though Westecs ® is providing some rewards to its employees that ensure equitable distribution, but it does not foster positive expectations which work as a barrier to its path of the improvement. ? Pay-for-performance- Pay-for-performance is a practical application for motivating employees. .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 , .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .postImageUrl , .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 , .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2:hover , .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2:visited , .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2:active { border:0!important; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2:active , .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2 .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u07db2421b45f0020295e5fedc75a11e2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Feng Shui EssayFrom expectancy theory we know that, an individual will give maximum effort and upgrade performance, if his or her performance appraisals lead to organizational rewards. Thus besides giving annual salary and two yearly bonuses, they can introduce sales commission, skill-based pay, merit pay. Hence the employer has to make sure that those who give a little extra get a little extra. They have to shift their compensation plan on nonperformance factor, such as- seniority or job title to performance factor. These will encourage employees to work harder and smarter that will enrich the company’s productivity. Motivation through Employee participation- If em ployees participate on the goal setting process, decision making as well as designing and implementing organizational changes, employee turnover will be low and productivity will be high. By implementing quality control circles, open book management (sharing key financial data and profits with employees who are trained and empowered). Though this OBM is a bold break from traditional management, but through this employees will know how company’s action affect its success and bottom line, learn to interpret reports and how to control costs. In addition, then employees can make changes for success of the firm. In today’s globally competitive industrial environment, employer must focus on their employees’ performance management. To improve Westecs ® performance management process, it has to set goals, monitor and feedback ongoing performance. ? Assign specific goals- according to goal setting theory, we know that employees who are given specific goals usually perform better than those who are not. Westecs ® have to translate their organizational and departmental goals into specific goals for each employee. Their goals should include target dates or dead lines and quantitives terms. ? Ongoing performance monitoring- Westecs ® can use computer based systems that measure and then email progress and exception reports based on the previous progress towards meeting his or her performance goals. ? Ongoing feedback-employees of Westecs ® have to include face to face and computer based feedback regarding progress towards goals. The turnover rate in Westecs ® is comparatively high, especially middle and low level employees. Thus firms have to take some initiatives to reduce it. Flexible Work Hours-Flexible work hours can be an effective way to cut of this problem. In this process, employees have to work a specific numbers of hours a week but they are free to vary the hours of work within certain limits. It will allow employees some degree of freedom. By introducing part time facility, firm can increase productivity, eliminate tardiness and reduce over time expense. ? Job Sharing-Job sharin g can be another way of reducing turnover. It allows two more individuals to split a traditional 40 hours a week job. To implement this, Westecs ® have to introduce part time facility in its firm. It increases flexibility. Thus employees will motivate to work, their satisfaction will be increase as a result the rate of turnover will be decreased. Empowering: In Westecs ® employees have no full control in work – related problems. To improve their empowerment Westecs ® has to create some following steps. They are- ? Task significance: In this case Westecs ® has to assign more works to the employees and increase the responsibility of the manager. Decision making should be pushed down to the operating level, where the workers are being given the freedom to solve work related problems. They should empower their employee through decentralization and self- managed training. ? Managers should encourage their employees to participate in work- related decisions. Stimulating Innovation: WESTECS ® has no stimulating innovation process. But they have to provide these techniques for the flexibili ty, continually improve their quality and beat their competition to the market place with a constant stream of innovative products and services. The challenge for the mangers is that they have to stimulate their employees’ creativity and tolerance for change. †¢ Process reengineering will be appropriate to solve this problem, because it requires managers to undergo training to learn new technical skills and redefines job. As result managers of different branches can reconsider how work would be done . they will be able to evaluate every process. As a result, it wills hence creativity, productivity of the employees. Temporariness: In WESTECS ® there is no temporariness that means no part time employees are not work here. For this reason people skills are decrease and no experience people are not get a job. So WESTECS ® has to create temporariness that is helpful for the workers that they update their knowledge and skills continually to perform new job requirements. They have to follow the following steps- ? Workers should need to update their knowledge and skills to perform new job. ? Westecs ® should employ more part time employees than full time employees. Communication: Communication is the transference and understanding of meeting. The interpersonal communication of WESTECS ® is oral communication. They meet to each other monthly, quarterly or yearly. They have no written communication. In oral communication the message has to be passed through a number of people and it is the distortion of the message. ? So WESTECS ® has to create a written communication which includes memos, letters, fax transmissions, electronic mail, instant messaging, organizational periodicals, notices placed on bulletin boards. It is tangible and verifiable. ? In oral communication they should meet each other once in a week. WESTECS ® follows a chain communication network which means that the main decision made by chairperson and then the decision are coming through step by step employees. It is time consuming. WESTECS ® has to follow the all channel communication network that save the time and any employee can connect to each other solve the problems. 4. 0 Replacement Needs RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS: Recruitment is the first step to finding the appropriate job candidates. Through newspaper advertisement they recruit people. In every advertisement job description (document outlining role expectations and requirements for a specific job) should be written. While constructing advertisement Westecs ® have to specify job description. The employment interview has a central role in the selection process. Then do not follow any specific rule to select the candidates. By following below steps they can increase their efficiency in selection process. ? From unstructured interview they have to shift t heir interview process in structured form, where the process will based on job duties, requirement critical for job performance. To find ideal candidates, employer should based four types of questions- situational questions, job knowledge requirements, worker requirements questions and job sample questions. ? For higher level positions, they can include written test and performance. Written tests include tests of intelligence, aptitude, ability, interest and integrity. Behavioral description interview(BDI) is more effective executive for general managers and executive positions ? The two best known performance- simulation tests are work sample tests and assessment centers. Work sample tests creating a miniature replica job to evaluate the performance abilities of job candidates. An assessment center is a set of performance- simulation tests designed to evaluate a candidate’s managerial potential. Training and Development: WESTECS ® does not give any training to the employees. They have to provide a training and development program. Training, which tend to be more narrowly focused and oriented toward short- term performance concerns. Development, which tends to be, oriented more toward broadening an individual’s skills for the future responsibilities. Training and development is the combination of activities used by organizations to increase the skill base of employees. WESTECS ® has to create some training skills that improve their employee’s performance. They are- †¢ Basic literacy skills: They have to provide basic reading and math skills for their employees. †¢ Technical skills: This skill is important for two reasons- new technology and new structural designs. †¢ Interpersonal skills: This includes learning how to be a better listener, how to communicate ideas more clearly and how to be a more effective team player. Problem- solving skills: This would include activities to sharpen their logic, reasoning and problem- defining skills as well as their abilities to assess causation, develop alternatives, analyze alternatives and select solutions. It also introduces self- management teams or implement quality- management program. †¢ Ethics training: It would be effective because it help employees to re cognize ethical dilemmas and to become more aware of the ethical issues underlying their actions and it reaffirms an organization’s expectations that members will act ethically. WESTECS ® has also provide some training method which is classified as formal or informal and on- the- job or off- the- job. †¢ Formal training is planned in advance and has a structured format. †¢ Informal training is unstructured, unplanned and easily adapted to situations and individuals for teaching skills and keeping employees. †¢ On- the- job training includes job rotation, apprenticeships, understudy assignments and formal mentoring programs. But it often disrupts the workplace. †¢ So in that case company has to invest in off- the- job training. Another effective formal training should be individualized to reflect the learning style of the employees. It includes reading, watching, listening and participating. CHAIRMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR Manager Production div. Manager Marketing div Manager Administrative div Manager Finance Accounting div. Staff/ Assistance Staff/ Assistance Quality Control Manager Sales Mgr. Sales Mgr. Marketing Mgr. 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IR Term Paper Essays - Control Theory, Feedback, Productivity

IR Term Paper Essays - Control Theory, Feedback, Productivity The industrial relations system model proposes that external inputs from the environment (e.g., legal, economic, political, etc.) impact the actors of the IR system (e.g., labour, management, government) and that through a series of conversion mechanisms (e.g., collective bargaining, third-party interventions, etc.) the parties convert the external inputs as well as the internal inputs (e.g., the goals and values of the actors) into both organizational (e.g., management and union rights) and worker-oriented (e.g., wages, due process, etc.) outputs. These outputs can then, thorough a feedback loop, influence the actors (Hebdon & Brown, 2012). Strikes are both conversion mechanisms and outputs of the IR system. As such, the industrial relations system model indicates that a strike (when used as conversion mechanism to achieve union goals) impacts the outputs of the IR system (e.g., wages, etc.) More specifically, the model suggests that strikes would impact the worker-oriented output of employee affect. Since strikes are an output of the IR system, they can also impact the actors of the system via the feedback loop. A feedback loop is through which the outputs flow directly into the industrial relations system itself and also into the environmental subsystem itself and also into the environmental subsystems. The outputs, which flow through the feedback loop, can shape the subsequent goals, values and power of the actors in the industrial relations system as well as influence the actors in other environmental subsystems whose activities may be affected by certain outputs. The feedback loop shows how the output of satisfacto ry wages can positively effect worker morale (i.e., affect) and productivity, the feedback loop can be used to show how the output of a strike can positively, or negatively, impact worker reactions towards their union and employer. The systems model provides the foundation that strikes (whether they are seen as conversion mechanisms or outputs) impact worker affect (Hebdon & Brown, 2012). Striking teachers also face economic impacts from strikes as they are not receiving a pay check and have limited access to funds, with the exception of strike pay. However, employees are faced with more than economic factors after a strike. It is possible that strikes can negatively impact workers employment experience and psychological well being. A strike can cause several organizational changes and these changes may significantly impact the employment relationship once workers return to their jobs. For example, labour disputes may bring about workplace changes, which in turn, may create a different relationship between management and employees (Hebdon & Brown, 2012). .

Analog electronic Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analog electronic - Lab Report Example A D.C. voltage of +15 and -15 volts is required to bias the circuit where the application of input voltage is done and the output measured on the DSO. The experiments done were linear operations of the op-amp, where the output is a linear proportion of the voltage difference at the input, up to the saturation point. These were inverting operation, non-inverting operation, differentiation and integration. Before the development of digital electronics technology, computers employed voltages and currents representing numerical quantities to perform calculations electronically. A varying voltage can represent a physical system’s force or velocity. Success of the inverting and non-inverting experiments would determine whether these amplifier configurations could be used to simulate the physical processes by electronically performing mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in electronics such as calculators and computers. Reactive properties of capacitors were studied in the integration and differentiation experiments to determine whether they can be used to simulate variables that are related by calculus functions. Flow of current through a capacitor is a function of the rate of change of voltage and such a function is designated as differentiation in calculus. This is important in analog computing where for example in simulating a mechanical system, the voltage across the capacitor would stand for an objects’ velocity, the capacitor’s current representing the force to accelerate or decelerate the object and the capacitance of the capacitor being the mass of the object (The "operational" amplifier. 2015). The experiments are also important for the op-amp applications in signal processing, instrumentation and solid-state analog control systems. The capacitor in the forward path and feedback path enables real time differentiation and integration of signals respectively in these systems. Successful

Leadership Approach of Habermas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Leadership Approach of Habermas - Essay Example The essay "Leadership Approach of Habermas" talks about the leadership theories that comprise of all the factors that are helpful in making a good leader and particularly the Habermas Approach. The main subject matter of the Great Man theory is that the leaders have inherent qualities of leadership from their birth and those qualities can not be injected into any ordinary person. The term ‘Great Man’ is used because at that time it was mainly referred to the male military leaders and it portrayed them as mythical heroes. The trait theory of leadership have few similarities with the previously discussed Great Man theories, it emphasizes on certain qualities that a leader possess. Those qualities are the factors that make a good leader and they are identified from the behavior and personalities of great leaders. The theory had limitations in explaining the fact what if any ordinary person possesses those qualities but he is not a leader. The contingency theory of leadership has its focus on the specific environmental variables which determines the leadership style according to the circumstances. The theory emphasizes that there is no particular style of leadership which can suit in every situation so; the leaders have to be flexible in their style to tackle various situations. The situational theories of leadership emphasize on the choice of action by the leaders which best suits the present situation. Though different leadership styles can be more appropriate in a case of some specific decision makings.

Profane and anodyne language Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Profane and anodyne language - Essay Example In other words, even to swear a person has to follow at least some of the rules for example subject predicate agreement. While indeed, some forms of swearing allow a greater freedom on grammar such as rejection of changes that occur when a verb is used in third person singular, but it is obvious that a sentence that contains profanity must be grammatically correct. The next obvious similarity between profane and anodyne language focuses on the use of historical grammar. Thus, the rules which were invented at a certain time are applied to all areas of the language, regardless of whether it is commonly used one or not. In addition to that, as grammatical rules change they are simultaneously projected onto profanity as well. In other words, these two areas of language do not develop separately. Finally, just like many aspect of grammar of anodyne language is conditioned by traditions, for example the forms of politeness, certain elements of profane language are conditioned by traditions as well. In other words, a particular nation in the course of its development did not only pay attention to one area of the language, but also was developing, maybe even unconsciously, a different area of it which is not commonly acceptable. Therefore, the peculiarities of grammatical usage of profanity are influenced by the same external cultural forces that influenced anodyne language. However, it must be noted that there are significant differences that can be identified between the above mentioned areas of language.

The Impact Of Culture On Healthcare Nursing Essay

The Impact Of Culture On Healthcare Nursing Essay Culture is one of the most important determining factors in healthcare preferences and practices. Thus, the need for transcultural nursing is undeniable. Transcultural nursing requires sophisticated assessment and analytic skills and the ability to plan, design, implement, and evaluate nursing care for individuals, families, groups, and communities representing various cultures (Andrews and Boyle, 2008, p.4). In order to effectively practice transcultural nursing, one must first understand the need for cultural competence. It is vital for nurses to have a desire to become culturally aware, culturally knowledgeable, culturally skillful, and to seek cultural encounters. Cultural desire is the stimulator in the eruption of the process of cultural competence and the nurse must seek and be open to learn and accept others, understand the process is lifelong, and set aside personal feelings to effectively treat unique patients (Campinha-Bacote, J, 2003). The Giger and Davidhizar (2002) Tran scultural Model is a helpful tool that addresses and effectively treats patients who have different cultures. The model takes into consideration 6 important phenomena. Communication keeps culture alive by verbal and nonverbal means; it is one of the biggest obstacles in healthcare. Nurses ask questions to determine patients views on illness, causes, and possible treatments. They listen and interpret their patients level of understanding and ability to follow through with treatment. Also, nurses interact with the patients family. Communication varies from culture to culture. Americans are expected to speak Standard English; however, it varies based on region, ethnicity, and social class (United States, 2001). Americans use a variety of nonverbal communication. Eye contact, which is viewed as a sign of trust and honesty, between patients and healthcare professionals is the norm. Expression of emotion varies in American culture. Americans use a combination of verbal language, body language, and gestures. Americans are often straightforward and rather demanding. Unlike Americans, Asians rarely complain. Silence and withdrawal may be the only indication of a problem. Asians tend to not ask for anything, accept pain, and remain stoic (Fernandez V. K., 2008, Asian Community). Many Asians dont engage in eye contact with powerful persons; the avoidance of eye contact shows respect and reverence (Non-Verbal Communication, p.4). Asians speak more than 100 languages; they vary based on the geographic regions they descend from (Asian Americans, p. 2). Arab Muslims usually cooperate by answering questions, listening, and following directions until they see improvement. They believe their expression, such as pain, should be quickly met with response (Fernandez V. K., 2008, The Middle Eastern Community). The Arabic language uses devices that outmatch reality and is not very direct or explicit (Ayish, 2003). Hispanics are very emotionally expressive. Effective communication with Hispanics is not based on just speaking their language; cultural rules allow for certain discussions with certain people (Fernandez V. K., 2008, The Hispanic Ameri can Community). Eye contact is expected on the nurses part but will not necessarily be reciprocated (Andrews Boyle, p.25). Nurses, if available, should undergo cultural competency training. Berln and Fowkes LEARN Model can assist; LEARN, represents the process of listening to the patient, explaining your view, acknowledging differences and similarities, recommending and negotiating a plan (Campinha-Bacote, J.,2003). Nurses should enlist the help of trained interpreters, preferably of the same gender, mature, and of no relation to patient; if there is no interpreter, the following but not limited to, is necessary: politeness, slow and concise speaking, simplicity, pantomime, validation of understanding, and instructions in the proper sequence (Andrews Boyle, p.29). Space is also important when dealing with various cultures. Nurses are required to interact with patients, often invading personal space. Giger and Davidhizar (2002) state: Territoriality refers to feelings or an attitude toward ones personal area. Each person has their own territorial behavior. Feelings of territoriality or violation of the clients personal and intimate space can cause discomfort and may result in a clients refusing treatment or not returning for further care. (p. 185) Americans tend to require a need for personal space. When family and friends are near, Americans tend to be relaxed; however, when a stranger or mere acquaintance invades space, it can become uncomfortable. Asians prefer a great amount of social distance. Many prefer minimum physical contact with acquaintances; excessive contact is viewed as inappropriate. Unlike Americans, who believe touch is a sign of friendliness, Asians view the head as a personal area that contains the seat of the soul and it should not be touched. Arab Muslims seem to require the least amount of space. It is not uncommon for people from the Middle East to stand closely when conversing. However, gender can play a role; Muslim woman may become distraught when a male, even a healthcare professional, stands or sits near her; Arab Muslims expect females to tend to females and males will care for males. Hispanics, unlike Americans, are use to standing or sitting near people they are not well acquainted with (Non-Ver bal Communication, p.3). Hispanics and Arab Muslims may unintentionally invade nurses space as a means of getting closer and more comfortable (Andrews Boyle, p.26). Nurses should take the patients lead; if the patient seems to gravitate towards you or initiates touch, then it is acceptable to do the same. At all times respect the patient and boundaries. When dealing with patients, there must be consideration of social organizations or what role the patients culture plays in his or her life. Family members are often the providers of a patients eating habits, sick role behaviors, and medications used. Americans view family as a vital part of their healthcare plans. It is common for Americans to be visited and supported by family; they often discuss and make important decisions. Asians are concerned with family interdependence over independence; family usually likes to assist with patient care. In some Asian cultures, some members, such as men and elders, dominate and consider women and children inferior (Galanti, 2005). Arab Muslims regard family as the foundation of their society. The husband answers questions, makes all major decisions, and gives consent. Often times, Arab Muslims dont believe in divulging family history. The family cares for the ill. (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics have large families who visit for long h ours as a way to demonstrate their love and genuine concern. Often times, decisions are made by the entire family or designated members (Galanti, 2003). Religious and spiritual beliefs are important factors during illness, recovery, and death. In the United States, most people consider themselves Christians; Catholics singly dominate, but the Protestant groups combined outnumber them. Americans include religious practitioners such as priest, ministers, and rabbis as well as nontraditional leaders during health related situations. Americans include religious objects, such as the Bible, and also rituals, such as communion. Death and end of life choices are also influenced by religion and practices; typically, Americans consider death a sad and somber time. Asians are host to numerous religions; Christian, Muslim, Buddhism, and Hindu are just a few. Many Asians believe in bad spirits; infants attract them and induce death. If the illness is thought to be caused by spirits, healers are sought (Asian Community). Arab Muslims are usually of the Islamic faith and pray 5 times a day to the Holy Land, Mecca. Muslims recharge their spiritual battery during the month of Ramadan; fasting from dawn to sunset accompanies. Arab Muslims often read from the Al Quran (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics are usually Catholics with the recent emergence of Pentecostals. Shrines and religious objects are common in practice. Health is viewed as Gods gift and should be revered (The Hispanic Community). Nurses must be accommodating to patients families and the value placed on family within cultures. Nurses must be sensitive to religious beliefs or practices and must not impose personal beliefs. Seeking knowledge is essential. However, exposure to diverse cultures is one the best learning mechanisms. Understanding a cultures notion of time elapsing, specific periods, and clock time are necessary for effective healthcare. Cultures may be past, present, or future oriented. Americans use time to provide order. Americans expect care at designated times; appointments are a prime example. Americans are future oriented; they believe they can manipulate the future by taking certain actions. Americans tend to be proactive; the focus is optimism, coping strategies, and preventive measures. Americans often demonstrate this orientation through self examinations, check-ups, and staying informed about healthcare advances. Asians tend to have a past orientation. They prefer to adhere to traditional methods and treatments; they are apprehensive about new innovations. Recently however, Asians are shifting towards future orientation (Galanti, 2004). Arab Muslims are present oriented and are neglectful of preventive measures. They may be late or not attend appointments at all (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics also focus on the present. They believe the future arrives in its o wn time and thus the notion that one cannot be late exist (Galanti, 2004). Nurses must explain the importance of time regarding life processes while being respectful and mindful of cultural views. Nurses should try to refrain from making time oriented promises that cant be kept. Environmental control or the attempt to control nature affects patients health practices, values, and the definitions of health and illness (Giger, Davidhizar, 2002). Americans believe nature can be controlled. Americans equate the body to a machine; if its broken, allow healthcare professionals to fix it (Galanti, 2004). Americans conform to the Western biomedical model which defines health as the absence of disease or the signs and symptoms of disease. The holistic paradigm exists in Asian cultures; it deals with the concept of yin and yang, in which forces of nature must be balanced to produce harmony (Andrew Boyles, 69). Asians tend to view people as part of nature. The land is a resource used to treat disease; herbal remedies are common (Galanti, 2004). Arabs believe the key to good health is personal hygiene and a healthy diet. They place a high value in modern Western medicine and have confidence in the medical profession (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics believe nat ural forces are not in their control and preventative measures are not often taken. (Galanti, 2004). Their system, the Curanderismo, combines spiritualistic, homeopathic, and scientific elements; curandero or holistic healers are utilized (The Hispanic Community). Nurses should become familiar with factors. Nurses should not dismiss patients view of their power and accountability or lack thereof. Biological variations exist between races; some groups are sensitive to certain medications, have metabolic differences, and are prone to certain diseases or factors that can affect healthcare. African Americans are three times more likely to get tuberculosis than whites; they also have higher rates of hypertension. Sensitivity to cardiovascular effects from Propranolol occurs more in Asians than Whites. Ethnic minorities, such as Hispanics, have higher HIV rates (Giger and Davidhizar, 2002). Middle Easterners or Arab Muslims have a lower percentage of sweat chlorides (Andrews Boyle, 54). The list of variations is broad and extensive. Accurate assessment and evaluation of clients require knowledge of normal biocultural variations among healthy members of selected populations (Andrews Boyles, 49). Nurses must acquire skills that will allow the recognition of variations. A nurse must always remember that the focus should remain on the patients well being and recovery. It is necessary to understand that individuals will never be the same. A patients health status and treatment is directly influenced by their culture and it is this reasoning, which has been proven through testing and the development of theories that has led to the conclusion that culture cannot and will not be ignored. Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival (Dubos). Healthcare will not suffice without negotiation, adjustment, and respect of differences. Transcutlural concepts in nursing care have made cultural competency an expected standard and it is the duty of every nurse to help maintain this standard.

Two Conceptions of Freedom or Two Appearances of a single Conception? E

In his essay "Two Concepts of Liberty," Isaiah Berlin distinguishes between two conceptions of freedom, namely negative and positive conception of freedom. Basically he defines negative liberty as the absence of coercion. He states: "To coerce a man is to deprive him of freedom" (121). According to him, coercion is the intention to interfere in the freedom of an individual. Thus, absence of coercion is absence of deliberate, intentional coercion. For him, negative liberty requires an immune area, away from the obtrusive action of other people. For the accomplishment of freedom "[s]ome portion of human existence must remain independent of the sphere of social control" (126) However, achievement of negative liberty, creation of the immune area from coercion, is contingent upon the authority to be kept at bay. Therefore, the position of authority, which entails coercive powers, should be controlled in order to make them accountable to the people, whose fre edom, immunity from coercion depends on. Positive liberty, on the other hand, is, not freedom from coercion, but freedom to determine one's own destiny: it is self-determination. In this sense positive liberty is a necessary condition of human being, right to choose, right to determine ones behavior. Berlin maintains that the negative and positive concepts of liberty are "at no great logical distance from each other," but in reality they are profoundly divergent, in fact irreconcilable,...

Two Countries Possess Two Different Educational Sytems

Is Another Country’s Educational System Better? Doubtlessly, different countries may have different educational systems but who knows which of them is better. I am an international student who came from Malaysia, a country which is located in Southeast Asia then came to the United States, a country which is far apart from my home country, to pursue a higher education. Many of my friends often ask me whether Malaysia or the United States is better but I could not answer them with certainty because I think each country is inimitable.Although the duration that I have been to the states is not long, I discovered that the education systems are distinct between my home country and the United States. Thus, each country has its own peculiarity as there are certain dissimilarities in the educational system in terms of rules and grading systems that exist between two nations. First of all, the contrast of regulations in educational system is one of the factors that lead the country into the current position in the world today. Undeniable, most of the schools in Asia, such as Malaysia, have tougher rules than in the United States.For example, school uniform and restrictions on hairs are mandatory for pupils during their student career. This motivation is because the government thinks that pupils will look more organized and professional as in the appearance. In the contrary, students in the United State are much more unrestrained as they are permitted to wear any type of clothing that they enjoy wearing. Both of the guidelines in each country are correct but the one which is using in my home country will affect the cogitation of the students because of the restriction on selection that they were accustomed to.Not only that, pupils have no rights and is not allowed to converse while the lecturer is instructing because it is considered as an interruption if you intent to speak to anyone. While in the United State, students always inquire the instructor regarding to t he hesitation they have in mind immediately, unlike the students in my country. They are encouraged to exchange their own opinions with teachers. In short, the rules and regulations in both countries are different, but it is not up to us to make a judgment if one nation is superior over another because they are unique in their own way.Moreover, apart from school’s ordinances, these two places use different approaches in the assessment system. Unquestionably, most of the Asia countries focus on the examination more than the students’ participation in the class. For example, students can still receive an outstanding grade even if they do not submit their homework according to the schedule that the instructor, as long as they study for the examination. As a matter of fact, this system is not equitable for those pupils that participate in the class as they only achieve the equal result with the students that do not engage in the class.Furthermore, in one essay, it was stat ed that teachers nowadays focus on teaching the materials that were based on the test which can help students to achieve better scores, but would cause a decreasing level of knowledge for this generation’s students. On the other hand, the scoring system in America is a reverse version of my home country. It is unthinkable for students here to attain an â€Å"A† even when they score wonderful marks for all of their tests because the system here concentrate more on the participation of students, but not just the scores.Unlike Malaysia, lecturers in America help pupils to obtain and absorb knowledge which can benefit themselves in the rest of their lives. Hence, these two regions possess distinct grading systems, but is the reason why they are incomparable. In conclusion, the education system that each country is having now makes them unconventional; we could not decide whether it is wrong or right. Irrefutably, without doubt, some people would think that the system in Am erica is better because of its current status in the world today but nobody can determine it.On the opposite side, the system in my home country, which is Malaysia, is more rigorous than where I am studying now. However, I could not tell which of them is better because both of them possess its own weaknesses and strengths. Even though we do not like some of the systems in education, we should adapt and acquire knowledge in the way it is formulated as. Every nation has a different educational system, but nobody can decide which of them is better.

Is the Ecological Crisis the Human Rights Concern of the Century Essay

The ecological crisis has now become an important topic throughout the years. Even so, toward the end of the last century, the issues of such crises became a focal talking point of governments, international organisations and scholars. This most likely is, as Leigh (2005) discusses, an increasing acceptance that such ecological disasters affecting mankind has been one of â€Å"the most critical turning points† that the world has ever encountered. Such crises are experienced when our environment is modified in ways which undermine our continued existence. As the environment and its ecosystems are in a constant state of being damaged, its quality is vastly ruined and this has major effects on the lives that are dependent on it. Magdoff and Foster (2011) suggest that for the ecological crisis to be understood, it must be looked at in the sense of the boundaries of the planet. They go on to indicate that ultimately the Earth has several thresholds which it must remain in in order to preserve the gentle conditions that the Earth has experienced in the past century. These thresholds include loss of biodiversity, climate change, a depleting ozone layer, world-wide freshwater and chemical pollution. Unfortunately, the planet has already passed two of these, including loss of biodiversity and climate change due to our damaging activities that cause environmental disparities. Until recently, the ecological crisis and its subsequent effects have been discussed mainly in the scientific disciplines as merely an environmental issue. It has also been made into an economic concern. However, it is now more than ever in the 21st century being debated and referred to as a subject for human rights. This essay seeks to examine the issue of the impact of the ecological crisis, its human rights implications, and how it has come to be considered the human rights concern of the century. The Ecological Crisis The end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st has seen a remarkable increase in the number of environmental catastrophes that the Earth has experienced. These disasters have not been just limited to one eographic region but they have affected nearly every single part of the planet. Some have included climate change, which in turn has been affected by the greenhouse effect and gases ; the advent of peak oil; loss of biodiversity and therefore diminished quantities and quality of food supplies; plus deforestation, chemical pollution and oil spills. These in turn have had a knock-on effect on the way of living for man and caused such issues as rising sea levels, floods, reduced food resources, droughts, and polluted air and water supply. As mentioned, the Earth’s threshold for climate change and biodiversity loss has been passed and this has already been causing irreparable harm to the planet’s ecosystems and the environment. It is still possible, however, to stop such effects from permanent harm to the environment, which is why the ecological crisis has become such an important matter for discussion today. Climate Change â€Å"Of all the environmental issues that have emerged in the past decades, global climate change has been the most serious and most difficult to manage† (Dessler and Parson, 2006). Like with the above quote, it is thought by many scientists and scholars that climate change is and will be the biggest threat to the environment mainly because of its potential to bring about such brutal destruction. Oxfam International (2008) stated that some of the 23 richest countries in the world (comprising Canada, Australia and USA) where just fourteen percent of the entire world population inhabits, produced almost sixty percent of the planet’s carbon emissions since the 1800s. The Earth’s climate is changing. In fact, it has always been varying from time to time. However, the degree of change is now the big worry. The Great Warming (2006) defines climate change as an alteration in the â€Å"long-term climate† of a particular area. It is further stated that humans contribute to this climate change by discharging greenhouse gases and sprays up into the atmosphere while also modifying the land we live on. Dessler and Parson (2006) debate the forecasts for climate change in the 21st century are more or less unclear, nonetheless, this uncertainty can work either way in that the climate may increase or decrease. The prospect of such unknowns makes this question a lot graver. Many of the activities that individuals carry out on a daily basis has contributed significantly to the greenhouse effect, the depletion of the ozone layer, and therefore climate change. As The Great Warming (2006) put it, the inhabitants of the Earth are constantly burning fossil fuels for heating of houses, for production of electricity and to run machines and vehicles. All of these activities have been adding to the warming effect on the atmosphere. The UNDP (2007) report on fighting climate change established that since the start of the industrial age, the temperature of the Earth has risen by about 0. 7 degrees Celsius and this increase seems to be speeding up with time. The report went further in determining that if a threshold of 2oC is broken, we hazard the idea of greater irreparable damage to the environment. Magdoff and Foster (2011) quotes the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stating that by the end of the century in 2100, the most probable temperature increase worldwide will be in the 2. to 4. 6oC range. This, we can see, is far higher than the previously mentioned threshold of 2oC, and as the authors mention, is a major cause for concern and panic. Such drastic climate change can ultimately lead to ice caps melting, sea levels rising, droughts, forced migration of peoples, a reduction in food produce, and danger to coastal regions. This can lead to reduced health and welfare of the population while also causing serious issues with atmospheric pollution. Other forms of the Ecological Crisis Climate change has not been the only crisis the environment has faced. There has also been widespread degradation with other human-driven activities. Goodhart (2009) explains that the ecosystem has been affected by severe exhaustion of its resources. This includes deforestation which has led to erosion and land slippage and thus pushed people out of their habitat. Oils spills have been a major source of concern, according to Goodhart, which has threatened the survival of certain oceanic species that are a vital source of food for man. The ecological crisis will affect the entire world population if nothing is done to stop the effects of all these contributory factors. This has led international organisations such as the United Nations (UN) to establish various agencies and protocols that will guide international actors in dealing with the crisis. These include the IPCC, as well as the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. The UN has also held several conferences over the years to tackle the problems including the Earth Summit in Brazil and the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) . As will be seen in the next section, some of these mechanisms have begun placing more emphasis on and framing the environmental issues as human rights concerns. Relationship between the Ecological Crisis and Human Rights â€Å"As the world marks the 60th anniversary of the UDHR, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay points out that a wide range of universally recognized rights including food, life, water and adequate housing are under a direct threat as a result of climate change† (OHCHR, 2008a). The destruction of the environment and its consequent effects on humans is leading to grave human rights concerns. In its resolution on climate change, the UN Human Rights Council stated their concern for climate change posing a direct danger to communities in the world, further suggesting that this ecological crisis has consequences for the â€Å"full enjoyment of human rights† (HRC, 2008) . Framing of the issues in human rights terms has been a very useful tool for creating greater awareness of its impacts and ensuring that the subject reaches new actors and activists, ultimately influencing the process for the better. Human rights are now frequently referred to as â€Å"universal and indivisible†. For this reason, Hawkins (2010) suggests that every human being is â€Å"entitled to every basic right by virtue of their humanity†. As climate change is possibly the biggest ecological concern of late, many scholars refer to it the most when focusing on the human rights implications. However, there are still very deep human rights concerns for the other contributors to the crisis. Depledge (2007) mentioned that there are, at present, no organisations such as the UN that blatantly suggests a right to a healthy environment. Nevertheless, he proposes that the human right to health covered under the UDHR directly implies a link to the environment. This is because the way in which the environment is kept can and does affect the security of people. Therefore, we see truth in Commissioner Navi Pillay’s words in mentioning these rights. Hunter (2009,p. 7) also suggests that climate change can have an impact on the right to self-determination. One example of the effect of the crisis on this right is that of the Inuit people of Alaska who in 2005 submitted a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights suggesting that their â€Å"way of life† was being hindered by climate change which in turn influences their continued existence and culture. Climate change, if continued on its current path will increasingly raise the Earth’s temperature. This will further affect the water sources, our food, and cause major disease outbreaks. These activities are bound to result in significant human rights violations under the various charters and treaties. Firstly, the right to health will see a drastic rise of malnutrition in children. There will also be a threat of major increases in droughts and flooding around the world (Oxfam, 2008). Another right that needs to be preserved during this process is the all-important right to life and security. Article 3 of the UDHR asks for the â€Å"right to life, liberty and security of person†. These rights are in serious danger of being breached from the issues of the ecological crisis. Goodhart (2009) maintains that the depletion of environmental resources like clean water and oil has â€Å"been a cause of violent conflict in several areas around the world† and this is of extreme distress because of the occurrence of, say, peak oil. Climate change can greatly affect the security of people around the world. As a result of the rising sea levels, the increased temperature and therefore the damage to land, inhabitants of the Earth will experience more flooding, droughts and fires, heat waves and higher occurrence of storms. All of these can ultimately lead to death and an increase in numbers. Another important right affected by this crisis has been the right to food as stipulated in Article 11(1) of the ICESCR . Current trends are not a good sign for people’s right to food under this treaty. Oxfam (2008) suggests that any further warming of the planet is bound to expose fifty million more people to hunger by the year 2020. Within another 30 years in 2050, that number could vastly increase to 132 million. These are extremely high numbers that would be detrimental to the survival of many regions and populations. The Oxfam report cites the case of Africa, where land for cultivation is being reduced by climate change causing the season for growing crop to decrease thereby producing less crop for food. The International Council on Human Rights Policy (ICHRP) categorically mentions that climate change creates violations of human rights due to the constant harm that we are inflicting on the environment (ICHRP, 2008). The most serious effects of the ecological crisis will usually and unfortunately be experienced by the people whose rights and protections are currently not being respected and so occurrences like climate change, tar sands, and pollution will have a greater impact on the more disregarded populations. This includes the poor and usually indigenous peoples around the world. As Havermann (2009) put it, the indigenous peoples around the world are some of those that are most susceptible to these crises while being the ones who have the smallest responsibility for them. For example, the oil and gas expansion by multinational corporations around the world is having severe effects on climate change and the environment, leading on to issues for human rights particularly with indigenous peoples. As Karliner (1991) noted, oil and its excavation has an overwhelmingly negative effect on the economic stability of these groups. Also a huge concern, as a result, is their health which tends to suffer from these activities. The problems faced by many countries with deforestation have also been exacerbating the situation for the realisation of human rights around the world. Many of the forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. The boomerang effect is thus a reduction in the all-important biodiversity that the forests contain and that is necessary for the continued livelihood and survival of those dependent on it. This includes, according to ICHRP (2008), the over fifty million tribal inhabitants of forests around the globe who are constantly affected with their food safety harshly curtailed. If the present rates at which such deforestation and the previously mentioned rises of climate change, oil spills and pollution continue, it is thought that a majority of the rainforests on the Earth will have vanished even before the 21st century has ended. Concern of the Century? Many environmentalists and human rights defenders have framed the ecological crisis as one with a human rights dimension. This is because most see it now as a serious inhibitor to development, to the daily living of man and to fulfilling the rights that have been laid out in the various international instruments. The ecological crisis has seen a large number of environmental problems over the years and its effects are now being debated fiercely on the world stage. Some world leaders, scientists and the general population are all trying to engage in finding solutions to the problem while others still question and underestimate the gravity of the phenomenon. The issue has become a major concern, not just for the planet physically, but also in a human rights context because the ecological crisis single-handedly affects a range of different human rights as seen above. In many instances, its effects can breach more rights than some of the other current rights violators. In addition, while most abuses of human rights can generally be halted voluntarily, if these environmental problems are allowed to linger untreated then at some point in time the destruction of the environment would have become irreversible. This in turn would result in more human rights violations. As Hawkins (2010) argues, the resources of the planet are limited and so to continue with the existing trend will place humanity in peril. Also, the atmosphere cannot distinguish between the greenhouse gases that affect climate change by the region it comes from (UNDP, 2007). Climate change, for example, is non-discriminatory and unlike other rights violations being perpetrated around the world, it can affect just about anyone. This is why such a huge international human rights advocacy process has now been implemented. In a statement in 2007, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon referred to climate change as â€Å"the greatest emerging humanitarian challenge of our time† which is â€Å"menacing the whole human family†. As the UNFCCC acknowledged in the framework, the universal reach of the effects of climate change requires the â€Å"widest possible co-operation from all countries† (UNFCCC, 1992). It is evident that the human rights implications of the ecological crisis is a great concern for many people especially in the recent efforts by NGOs to publicise the matter, while a number of measures have been put in place by international organisations such as the UN to tackle the problems – through summits, conferences and protocols like the Kyoto protocol. In 2008, a resolution was passed by the Organisation of American States (OAS) on human rights and climate change (ICHRP, 2008). The commitments set forth in the 1997 Kyoto protocol are soon to end in 2012. Neglecting to meet these obligations will cause us to reach even closer to further crisis. In December 2011, Canada officially pulled out of its commitments to the protocol (Carrington and Vaughan, 2011). The backlash and criticism from world leaders and actors was astounding and this showed the level that the ecological crisis and its implications for human life have reached in this century. Conclusion Going forward without confronting this global challenge that is the ecological crisis with the seriousness that it deserves will result in countless human rights violations around the globe. The climate change, deforestation, oil spills and rising sea levels will cause a massive increase in the destruction of habitats, reduced water supply, island and coastal regions vanishing, and greater health concerns. These in turn are destabilizing many peoples’ rights to food, health, security, life and livelihood. It is imperative that the principles and norms of human rights are continuously applied to these crises so as to halt the irreparable destruction of the environment and the future of humankind. As noted by the UNDP (2007), the 20th century saw leadership disasters resulting in two world wars in which masses of people suffered. In this the 21st century, the destructive nature of the ecological crisis has become the new and preventable disaster.

59 Essays - Creative Works, Literature, Novels, Free Essays

59 Essays - Creative Works, Literature, Novels, Free Essays Huckleberry Finn: Controversy Paper Huckleberry Finn: Controversy Paper Huckleberry Finn sets each reader back in a time when we as humans where inhuman. All the faults of the world was just beginning to show through and some of the right was being shifted to the side. Just as in Huck Finn, we are reminded of the race relations that we all still face. Mark Twain does his best to show the reader the love for one another and the as people and the compassion we all have hidden inside of us. Ralph Ellison said, "The Negro looks at the white man and finds it difficult to believe that the "grays"-a Negro term for white people- can be so absurdly self-deluded over the true interrelatedness of blackness and whiteness". What are we too think of when we hear this? In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain brings out the obvious interrelatedness that we all share with each other. This book is in the hands of many intelligent readers and it should not be underestimated by the power that it may hold. Although, it must hold to its meaning, we can not allow it to steer us to the wrong's of the world today. Shelly Fishkin suggests Mark Twain has "obscured" the African American roots when writing Huck Finn. Jim, as suggested by Fishkin, has been plagued with a dialect that should not be represented by the African American race during that time. The question is raised by Fishkin as to if Huck Finn was black? This in turn would take away from the whole basic outcome of the moral lesson that we are all so desperately wanting to hear about. I found it almost appalling to see how one author could so easily turn the goodness of a young white boy and basically call it a lie in the eyes of Mark Twain. It is up to us as the reader to close our eyes and open our minds to the whole heartedness of a man kind. English

Self Career Planning Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

Self Career Planning Report - Essay Example As a graduate student, I believe that in today’s competitive world, it is very imperative for individuals to understand and evaluate themselves personally, as one cannot survive in this globalized world by applying ostrich’s approach that results in career plateau (Allen, Russell, Poteet, & Dobbins, 1999). Thus, this paper will focus on my explorations about my own self and aspects of my personality that will play a considerable role in decision-making process during my life. The following section of this paper will include results of Myers’ Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test (Bayne, 1997) and analysis on its different indications about my personality. I will put efforts in presenting the results of the test in such a manner that the reader will be able to create a general picture of my personality. Furthermore, it will be my aim to relate results of MBTI test with different aspects of my life that have already happened in the past. The next section of the paper will focus more on identification of my career goal on the basis of analysis of the test results, as well as my personal observations. This section will include brief description and discussion about the field in which I intend to have my career and its correlation with the results. The following section will shed light on requirements, information, specifications of the particular job, as well as its field and/or industry that will be helpful in understanding the probability of my highest achievement in that specific career. The fifth section will include discussion on challenges or barriers related to the identified job and field/industry, and the gaps that exist between my current profile and the identified job. More importantly, it will include the steps that will help me in reaching closer to my vision and target achievement in life. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test is an outcome of efforts of Isabel Myers

Treaty of Versailles and change of diplomatic history Research Paper

Treaty of Versailles and change of diplomatic history - Research Paper Example This left Great Britain and Russia. The latter was not mostly contented with the territorial settlements coming from the peace agreement2; however, in any case Russia’s national issues and exclusion policy prevented her from fulfilling a European function of any importance.3 Great Britain, the only nation which could have been capable of playing a dynamic role, was more interested with her colonial or imperial relations, which implied that she favored to perceive the activities of Europe with subtle apathy4 when it was in her interest to do so. Therefore, the question is why did the United States refuse to shoulder the European responsibility and redirect the future of Europe? The involvement of the United States in the war and the ambitious plans of Woodrow Wilson for Europe originally bode favorably for the future. However, the United States was afterward to fulfill a vague function in the European affairs. She declined to approve the Treaty of Versailles, refused to promote the League of Nations, deserted the support for Europe with virtually rude haste, and turned down recommendations to connect inter-allied war liabilities and compensations.5 Furthermore, even though the United States recognized a belief in the vitality of the resurgence of Europe, her economic strategy frequently contradicts the interests of societies in Europe, for instance on subjects of financial, immigration, and tariffs regulation.6 It is a fact that the attitude of the United States towards Germany was more indulgent or relaxed than that of France or Britain, yet this merely functioned to provoke France since it tendered modestly in the issue of defense against a disobedient and wayward Germany.7 The isolationist policy of the United States towards Europe should be understood within the framework of her political system. In April 1917, the United States had joined the war hesitantly.8 After the end of aggressions there was a series of protests against hostilities and military actions, alongside a reluctance to intervene in the affairs of other nations which could result in more hostilities.9 This mainly explains the reason United States discovered herself in an inferior form of martial vigilance at the occurrence of World War II. Nevertheless, the Versailles Treaty, even though regarded as a failure, remains one of the most important events in history that radically changed the development of diplomacy. This essay will discuss in detail the above premise. Woodrow Wilson and the Versailles Treaty Of all the problems connected with the peace of Versailles, the figure of Woodrow Wilson looms as the object of the most enduring controversy. From the Fourteen Points to the minutest traits of his personality, Wilson has been intensively subjected to both critical and sympathetic scrutiny10 A vast number of people still believe that the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations are two distinct mechanisms. This, apparently, is inaccurate. The League of Nat ions Covenant was integrated as Section I in the Versailles Tr