US HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

US HISTORY - Essay Example Schools including universities for blacks and clinics were worked during the reproduction time. Thusly, monetary advancement accomplished caused an improvement in the expectations for everyday comforts of residents. Other than financial results, social changes likewise framed piece of the reproduction period. Social liberties charge that supported equivalent benefits among America residents passed by the extreme republicans, for instance, finished dark codes that energized constrained bondage (Bodenhamer and Ely, 2008). The social equality bill started opportunity among residents prompting the production of social offices in dark networks, for example, schools, temples. It further empowered self-administration. Political changes during the recreation period changed the administration arrangement of the nation. Recreation revisions, for example, the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth changes banned subjugation, made structure of carrying southerners to the government and fortified blacks social liberties. In July 9, 1865 for example, the approval of the fourteenth amendment guaranteed that the social equality act made by radical republicans to battle for the value of residents stays legitimate (Nelson, 2009). Apparently, recreation time was an achievement in American history in view of the different social, monetary and political headways accomplished. It made establishment for advancement and solidarity inside government States after common war other than making rational soundness to dark rights. It additionally supported the production of human rights developments, for example, ladies

A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty-eight Free Essays

Daenerys Wings shadowed her fever dreams. â€Å"You don’t need to wake the mythical serpent, do you?† She was strolling down a long corridor underneath high stone curves. She was unable to look behind her, must not look behind her. We will compose a custom exposition test on A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty-eight or then again any comparable theme just for you Request Now There was an entryway in front of her, minuscule with separation, yet even from a remote place, she saw that it was painted red. She strolled quicker, and her exposed feet left bleeding impressions on the stone. â€Å"You don’t need to wake the winged serpent, do you?† She saw daylight on the Dothraki ocean, the living plain, rich with the scents of earth and demise. Wind mixed the grasses, and they undulated like water. Drogo held her in solid arms, and his hand stroked her sex and opened her and woke that sweet wetness that was his alone, and the stars grinned down on them, stars in a sunshine sky. â€Å"Home,† she murmured as he entered her and filled her with his seed, yet out of nowhere the stars were gone, and over the blue sky cleared the extraordinary wings, and the world took fire. † . . . don’t need to wake the monster, do you?† Ser Jorah’s face was drawn and dismal. â€Å"Rhaegar was the last dragon,† he advised her. He warmed translucent hands over a gleaming brazier where stone eggs seethed red as coals. One second he was there and the following he was blurring, his tissue lackluster, less considerable than the breeze. â€Å"The last dragon,† he murmured, meager as a wisp, and was gone. She felt the dim behind her, and the red entryway appeared to be more distant away than at any other time. † . . . don’t need to wake the mythical beast, do you?† Viserys remained before her, shouting. â€Å"The mythical serpent doesn't ask, skank. You don't order the mythical beast. I am the mythical serpent, and I will be crowned.† The liquid gold streamed down his face like wax, consuming profound diverts in his substance. â€Å"I am the winged serpent and I will be crowned!† he screeched, and his fingers snapped like snakes, gnawing at her areolas, squeezing, turning, even as his eyes burst and ran like jam down burned and darkened cheeks. † . . . don’t need to wake the mythical beast . . . â€Å" The red entryway was so a long ways in front of her, and she could feel the cold breath behind, clearing up on her. In the event that it got her she would kick the bucket a passing that was more than death, yelling always alone in the murkiness. She started to run. † . . . don’t need to wake the winged serpent . . . â€Å" She could feel the warmth inside her, a horrendous consuming in her belly. Her child was tall and pleased, with Drogo’s copper skin and her own silver-gold hair, violet eyes molded like almonds. Also, he grinned for her and started to lift his hand toward hers, however when he opened his mouth the fire spilled out. She saw his heart consuming his chest, and in a moment he was gone, expended like a moth by a flame, went to debris. She sobbed for her youngster, the guarantee of a sweet mouth on her bosom, however her tears went to steam as they contacted her skin. † . . . need to wake the mythical serpent . . . â€Å" Phantoms lined the foyer, wearing the blurred garment of lords. In their grasp were blades of pale fire. They had hair of silver and hair of gold and hair of platinum white, and their eyes were opal and amethyst, tourmaline and jade. â€Å"Faster,† they cried, â€Å"faster, faster.† She dashed, her feet dissolving the stone any place they contacted. â€Å"Faster!† the apparitions cried as one, and she shouted and hurled herself forward. An incredible blade of agony tore down her back, and she felt her skin tear open and smelled the odor of consuming blood and saw the shadow of wings. Also, Daenerys Targaryen flew. † . . . wake the mythical serpent . . . â€Å" The entryway lingered before her, the red entryway, so close, so close, the lobby was a haze around her, the virus subsiding behind. What's more, presently the stone was gone and she flew over the Dothraki ocean, high and higher, the green undulating underneath, and all that lived and inhaled fled in dread from the shadow of her wings. She could smell home, she could see it, there, just past that entryway, green fields and extraordinary stone houses and arms to keep her warm, there. She opened up the entryway. † . . . the mythical serpent . . . â€Å" Also, saw her sibling Rhaegar, mounted on a steed as dark as his defensive layer. Fire glinted red through the limited eye cut of his rudder. â€Å"The last dragon,† Ser Jorah’s voice murmured faintly. â€Å"The last, the last.† Dany lifted his cleaned dark visor. The face inside was her own. From that point onward, for quite a while, there was just the torment, the fire inside her, and the whisperings of stars. She woke to the flavor of cinders. â€Å"No,† she groaned, â€Å"no, please.† â€Å"Khaleesi?† Jhiqui floated over her, a terrified doe. The tent was soaked in shadow, still and close. Drops of debris floated upward from a brazier, and Dany tailed them with her eyes through the smoke opening above. Flying, she thought. I had wings, I was flying. In any case, it was just a fantasy. â€Å"Help me,† she murmured, battling to rise. â€Å"Bring me . . . † Her voice was crude as an injury, and she was unable to think what she needed. For what reason did she hurt to such an extent? Maybe her body had been shredded and revamped from the pieces. â€Å"I need . . . â€Å" â€Å"Yes, Khaleesi.† Quick as that Jhiqui was gone, dashing from the tent, yelling. Dany required . . . something . . . somebody . . . what? It was significant, she knew. It was the main thing on the planet that made a difference. She moved onto her side and got an elbow under her, battling the sweeping tangled about her legs. It was so difficult to move. The world swam woozily. I need to . . . They discovered her on the floor covering, creeping toward her monster eggs. Ser Jorah Mormont lifted her in his arms and conveyed her back to her dozing silks, while she battled weakly against him. Behind him she saw her three handmaids, Jhogo with his little wisp of mustache, and the level expansive face of Mirri Maz Duur. â€Å"I must,† she attempted to let them know, â€Å"I need to . . . â€Å" † . . . rest, Princess,† Ser Jorah said. â€Å"No,† Dany said. â€Å"Please. Please.† â€Å"Yes.† He secured her with silk, however she was consuming. â€Å"Sleep and become solid once more, Khaleesi. Return to us.† And then Mirri Maz Duur was there, the maegi, tipping a cup against her lips. She tasted harsh milk, and something different, something thick and unpleasant. Warm fluid ran down her jaw. By one way or another she gulped. The tent developed dimmer, and rest took her once more. This time she didn't dream. She drifted, tranquil and settled, on a dark ocean that knew no shore. Following a timeâ€a night, a day, a year, she couldn't sayâ€she woke once more. The tent was dull, its smooth dividers fluttering like wings when the breeze blasted outside. This time Dany didn't endeavor to rise. â€Å"Irri,† she called, â€Å"Jhiqui. Doreah.† They were there immediately. â€Å"My throat is dry,† she stated, â€Å"so dry,† and they brought her water. It was warm and level, yet Dany drank it anxiously, and sent Jhiqui for additional. Irri hosed a delicate material and stroked her temple. â€Å"I have been sick,† Dany said. The Dothraki young lady gestured. â€Å"How long?† The material was relieving, yet Irri appeared to be so dismal, it alarmed her. â€Å"Long,† she murmured. When Jhiqui came back with more water, Mirri Maz Duur accompanied her, eyes overwhelming from rest. â€Å"Drink,† she stated, lifting Dany’s head to the cup again, yet this time it was just wine. Sweet, sweet wine. Dany drank, and lay back, tuning in to the delicate sound of her own relaxing. She could feel the weight in her appendages, as rest sneaked in to top her off again. â€Å"Bring me . . . † she mumbled, her voice slurred and tired. â€Å"Bring . . . I need to hold . . . â€Å" â€Å"Yes?† the maegi inquired. â€Å"What is it you wish, Khaleesi?† â€Å"Bring me . . . egg . . . dragon’s egg . . . it would be ideal if you . . . † Her lashes went to lead, and she was too tired to even consider holding them up. At the point when she woke the third time, a pole of brilliant daylight was pouring through the smoke gap of the tent, and her arms were folded over a dragon’s egg. It was the pale one, its scales the shade of spread cream, veined with whorls of gold and bronze, and Dany could feel its warmth. Underneath her bedsilks, a fine sheen of sweat secured her uncovered skin. Dragondew, she thought. Her fingers trailed softly over the outside of the shell, following the wisps of gold, and somewhere down in the stone she felt something turn and stretch accordingly. It didn't startle her. All her dread was gone, consumed with extreme heat. Dany contacted her temple. Under the film of sweat, her skin was cool to the touch, her fever gone. She caused herself to sit. There was a snapshot of wooziness, and the profound hurt between her thighs. However she felt solid. Her house keepers came running at the sound of her voice. â€Å"Water,† she let them know, â€Å"a cup of water, cold as you can discover it. Furthermore, organic product, I think. Dates.† â€Å"As you state, Khaleesi.† â€Å"I need Ser Jorah,† she stated, standing. Jhiqui brought a sandsilk robe and hung it over her shoulders. â€Å"And a steaming shower, and Mirri Maz Duur, and . . . † Memory returned to her at the same time, and she floundered. â€Å"Khal Drogo,† she constrained herself to state, watching their appearances with fear. â€Å"Is hemdash?† â€Å"The khal lives,† Irri addressed unobtrusively . . . however Dany recognized an obscurity easily when she said the words, and no sooner had she spoken than she hurried away to bring water. She went to Doreah. â€Å"Tell me.† â€Å"I . . . I will bring Ser Jorah,† the Lysene young lady stated, bowing her head and escaping the tent. Jhiqui would have ru

How to Stop Worrying When You Have Anxiety

How to Stop Worrying When You Have Anxiety Panic Disorder Symptoms Print How to Stop Worrying When You Have Anxiety By Sheryl Ankrom linkedin Sheryl Ankrom is a clinical professional counselor and nationally certified clinical mental health counselor specializing in anxiety disorders. Learn about our editorial policy Sheryl Ankrom Updated on May 17, 2019 Russell Johnson / EyeEm / Getty Images More in Panic Disorder Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Coping Related Conditions It’s normal to worry from time to time. Given life’s many unknowns and challenges, worry could be considered a very natural response to many situations. Chronic and all-consuming worry, though, can be troublesome and interfere with our ability to function freely and calmly in our daily lives. More importantly, it can make recovery from panic disorder or agoraphobia more difficult. In 1967, researchers Liebert and Morris suggested that anxiety has two main dimensions: Worry, which covers the ruminating or repetitive thoughts that are generally focused on potential failure or some other type of negative resultEmotionality, which refers to the excessive physiological arousal, such as sweating, heart racing, etc., that accompany states of anxiety. Other researchers have studied this two-dimensional model of anxiety and generally concur with the findings of Liebert and Morris, so it’s safe to say that worry is a main component of anxiety. Worry and Fear Worry can be normal and even beneficial in certain circumstances. If you’re worried about taking an upcoming exam, you may feel a sense of anxiety. Hopefully, this type of worry will motivate you to study harder. On the other hand, chronic worry tends to do the opposite, keeping you from doing what you need to do. Worry becomes a problem when it is chronic, consuming, and leads to anxious avoidance and inhibition. In other words, worry becomes fear. It distracts you from important matters, and it can inhibit action or problem-solving. Using the above example, lets say youre worried that you wont do well on an upcoming exam. Instead of the exam motivating you to study harder, though, your worry consumes your mind, you cant concentrate on the task at hand and you are unable to prepare properly for the test. Your fear of failure now becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Are Your Worrisome Thoughts a Problem? You may have a problem with worry if you: Consistently worry about future failures, dangers, or other types of negative outcomesRuminate, or repeat in your mind, the same worry or worriesTry to stop worrying by anxious avoidance of certain situationsBecome paralyzed with worry and are unable to focus on, or implement, constructive solutions to your problems. The 7 Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

School Readiness Is An Issue Of Concern Essay - 2120 Words

Introduction In early childhood education, school readiness has been becoming an issue of concern. Early childhood educators have the responsibility to prepare the child to demonstrate certain skills, behaviour and abilities that are essential for getting them ‘ready for school’ and their ‘school-success’. Children are prepared to excel in certain key areas of learning so that they can meet certain kindergarten standards and expectations of curriculum. According to Maxwell Clifford (2004), â€Å"School readiness involves more than just children. School readiness, in the broadest sense, is about children, families, early environments, schools, and communities. Children are not innately â€Å"ready† or â€Å"not ready† for school. Their skills and development are strongly influenced by their families and through their interactions with other people and environments before coming to school† (p. 42). Interaction of children with their teachers, parents and surroundings provide enriched and learning experiences to the child that lays the groundwork for further learning and development. Although school readiness is a multi-dimensional concept that has many advantages, but it has been becoming a discourse within the field of early childhood education. There are certain fixed goals, procedures and outcomes and child is viewed as ‘incomplete’ which has to ‘become complete’ by engaging in certa in activities that enhance their learning and development. The children are classified intoShow MoreRelatedSchool Readiness Is Becoming An Issue Of Concern Essay2106 Words   |  9 PagesIn early childhood education, school readiness has been becoming an issue of concern. Early childhood educators have the responsibility to prepare the child to demonstrate certain skills, behaviour and abilities that are essential for getting them ‘ready’ and their ‘academic-success’. Children are prepared to excel in certain key areas of learning so that they can meet certain kindergarten standards and expectations of curriculum. The National Association for Young Children website (https://wwwRead MoreSchool Counselors Should Be Legal For The Equitable Treatment Of All Students1689 Words   |  7 PagesSchool counselors should be able to distinguish the differences between individual and group dissimilarities and strive to value all students and groups equally. They should advocate for the equitable treatment of all students in their school and in their community. If a school counselor wants to be successful in ensuring an equity-based program, they should consider the role of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and other factors (Curry MilsonRead MoreAction Research On Act Best Practices Essay1194 Words   |  5 Pages Action Research on ACT Best Practices Narrative Hook North Panola High School (NPHS) serves as a perfect model for improvement within its’ academic learning communities. Change oftentimes occurs in deliberate fashion, yet offers insight into the meticulous attention that must be given to achieve change. NPHS has traditionally struggled academically until recently. As recently as the 2009-2010 (SY), the school was on the state’s radar and labeled as â€Å"At Risk of Failing†. The graduation rateRead Moreimplication of maslows hierarchy of needs to educators1352 Words   |  6 Pagesimpact student performance and learning in the classroom? Schools and government agencies have long realized that if students basic needs are not met student performance will suffer. The advent of free breakfast and lunch programs were a direct result of such considerations. Unfortunately, these measures address only part of the first tier of Maslow s theory; physiological needs. Addressing basic physiological needs is still a key concern in today s classroom. Lack of proper nutrition, personalRead MoreThe Effects Of A Developmental Boot Camp1595 Words   |  7 Pagesachieve significantly higher results on the posttest leading the researcher to the conclusion that previous educational gaps in English instruction existed for participants. The author suggests that findings indicate that schools are failing to prepare students for college readiness in math and English (77). The author concludes that this study sheds light on three important factors leading community colleges to implement developmental courses; adults returning to college after many years, accessRead MoreAction Research On Act Best Practices Essay1385 Words   |  6 Pages Action Research on ACT Best Practices Narrative Hook North Panola High School (NPHS) serves as a perfect model for improvement within its? academic learning communities. Change oftentimes occurs in deliberate fashion, yet offer?s insight into the meticulous attention that must be given to achieve change?. NPHS has traditionally struggled academically until recently. As recent?ly as the 2009-2010? (SY), the school was on the state?s radar and labeled as ?At Risk of Failing?.? The graduationRead MoreEducating The Gifted Through Ability1669 Words   |  7 PagesEducating the Gifted Through Ability Grouping in Elementary Schools 1) What is Ability Grouping? How does it seek to further the educational needs of a diverse group of students in a classroom or a school? a) â€Å"Ability grouping refers to the grouping of students of the same ability or according to their demonstrated performance or readiness level† (Misset et al) (1) Using groups according to ability creates a homogenous environment for students to learn with others at a pace that matches the needsRead MoreAt Home with Homeschooling1306 Words   |  6 PagesThere is nothing a parent would refuse for their own child. Parents go to great lengths to make sure that their children are well cared for. The quality of education that children receive is among one of the greatest concerns for parents. Parents will do just about anything to make sure their children have the best education they can receive, even if this means that they choose a path of home schooling. Although to some home schooling might sound daunting and outdated, but when one faces up withRead MoreThe No Child Left Behind Act874 Words   |  4 Pages2001) educators in the public school system must raise the bar for teaching. This means teaching classroom lessons to effectively educate all styles of learning and bringing students to proficient levels of being educated. Schools are e xpected to meet these challenges by hiring qualified teachers who are well trained and educated to instruct daily assignments for students. In March of 2010, the Obama Administration sent to Congress a reform amendment of the public schools, NCLBA, to help close someRead MoreImplementing A School Wide Change1381 Words   |  6 Pagesto help implement a school-wide change. The first is â€Å"becoming informed† and this is the stage that centers on research and information gathering. The goal of the principal is to educate him/herself as much as possible so that he/she can better understand the benefits, concerns, and effectiveness of trying a new program in the building. This is also when any testing or screening would need to happen so that the principal can get a clearer picture of the needs within the school based on the current

Why I Don t Type On The Home Row - 906 Words

I hated learning to write and read, my dad would sit with me at a tiny desk in my room. He would try to get me to hold a pencil the correct way. I refused to and he would insist. Then again I would refuse and he d insist. Eventually, I wore him down and got to write my way. That same stubborn attitude is why I don t type on the home row. After I got a writing lesson it was time to read. At the time, I stumbled through pre-K learning books about Bell and the Beast. But, gradually I started to understand more. That doesn’t mean I liked doing it or was good at it. In elementary I had terrible handwriting and spelling, I got lectured about it frequently. My dad would say you should work on your handwriting it s going to count when you go to jr. high and high school, little did he know that it was the age of the computers and would rarely ever have to a hand write a paper. In Jr. high I learned the basics of within writing and literature. There was very little writing, but lots of vocab. Not much reading, but lots of testing on the parts of a story. I had to work on the vocabulary a lot in 6th and 7th grade. My dad would help me by using unfamiliar words in his vernacular. I would have to take apart the sentence to gather what it meant. It was an unusual kind of game. Junior high English was where I grasped some key concepts of literacy. Key concepts like: in order to become better at being literate it takes effort and motivation. This was also where IShow MoreRelatedTo Kill A Mockingbird1195 Words   |  5 Pagesyou go along laughin . If Mr. Finch don t wear you out, I will - get in that house, sir! When Atticus takes Calpurnia to Tom Robinson s home, she has to sit in the back seat so as not to appear as Atticus s equal. She does not eat at the same table with the Finch family although she has been a part of it since Jem was two. She is clearly loved by the family but by no means is she their equal. I said come here, nigger, and bust up this chiffarobe for me, I got a nickel for you. The wordsRead MoreWho Is The Right Decision?1202 Words   |  5 PagesBase 631. Hated it with a passion. Despising the fact that men who should have been rightly put on trial, by a licensed and competent judge, were instead brought hundreds of feet below Lancashire. Their former lives erased, along with their crimes. I could really punch him sometimes, were the words that thudded through his mind when the gun first emerged from his jacket and had been put to the face of the sick soldier, who had merely been trying to get on with his job, fulfilling his specially contractedRead MoreEffects Of Depression On Athletes And Depression1286 Words   |  6 Pagesin ten Americans over the age of 12 takes some sort of antidepressant (Campbell, 2014, p. 572.) The numbers and statistics on depression are astonishing. Throughout my education at temple I have briefly touched on the subject of athletes and depression, respectively. To further expand my knowledge on this topic I looked at multiple areas dealing with the correlation of exercise and depression, as well as, the effect depression has on athletes. These areas included topics such as: depression, the relationshipRead MoreLycidas1529 Words   |  7 Pagesmust not pass without song. I too shall die one day and want someone to sing for me. Moreover, Lycidas and I grew up and made poetry together, to the delight of many. 37–49 â€Å"But O the heavy change now, thou art gon†: nature languishes in Lycidas’s absence. 50–63 The nymphs were powerless to save him, as Calliope was powerless to save her son, the poet Orpheus. 64–76 Lycidas died young, before poetry could make him famous. Since life and fame are uncertain, why not devote oneself to the hereRead MoreThe Execution Of Willie Trottie1517 Words   |  7 PagesSeptember 1992, Willie and Barbara separated and she moved in with her family. After some time, the relationship soured. Willie threatened that he would kill her if she did not return to him. He repeated the threat regularly, called Barbara constantly at home and at work, hit Barbara, bumped her car with his own while traveling at highway speed, and once kidnapped Barbara. In March 1993, Barbara obtained a protective order against Willie. In April 1993, Willie told Barbara that he would kill her if sheRead MoreFour Entrepreneurial Principles I Learned About Success While Flying Home From Vacation1003 Words   |  5 PagesPrinciples I Learned About Success While Flying Home From Vacation By Sharon Schierling | Submitted On May 25, 2011 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Sharon Schierling My husband and I were onRead MoreMy Experience At The Worlds Support Of Operation Iraqi Freedom1705 Words   |  7 Pageslater, I received notice from the military that the unit which I was assigned to was being activated to active duty status and being deployed to Iraq, on the other side of the world in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was given seven days to present my fair wells to everyone and make plans for my departure. I informed my primary job of the situation and was told that they were very proud of me and that they would be proudly anticipating my returned. Furthermore, they assured me that I wouldRead MoreThe Bill Of Rights : The Rights Of All American Citizens1728 Words   |  7 Pagescontroversy on the raging topic of the death penalty, debating whether the death penalty is a cruel or unusual punishment and if states should allow it. Some argue that the death penalty should be abolished because it’s morally wrong and violence shouldn t be the only form of punishment. Such as in the court cases with Reginald and Jonathan Carr, Lloyd Welch, Stephanie Lopez, Andy Walters and the uncle Steven Lopez. As Gandhi once said â€Å"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind. OthersRead MoreExceptional Garden Designs Have Magazine Essay2026 Words   |  9 Pagespay attention to plants which pertain to seasons. Many plants thrive in the summer, while others do well in cold environments. Forsythia blooms, for insurance, blossom well in the spring while dogwood trees add zip to your garden the entire winter. Don t limit yourself to basic plants found at your garden store. Travel the unbeaten path and go for plants with different shapes and colorful bark, which match well to the outdoor environment during the winter. Another decision gardeners make is to makeRead More Living Standards Essay1687 Words   |  7 Pagesresidents in the area. Looking at the economical, social, and environmental criteria, it is clear to see why pe ople are living in the conditions that they do.Looking at the economical aspects of residents in an area can tell us about things like their profession. Very often criteria will include looking at the unemployment levels in an area. This would basically involve collecting the unemployment figures. I think this is a very good way to measure the living standards to an area, as it shows the percentage

Deal of Downsizing in Corporations, Businesses and Other Organizations Free Essays

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a great deal of downsizing in corporations, businesses and other organizations throughout the United States. According to the two papers noted below, the negative effects of such layoffs cannot be completely eliminated, but they can be helped or reduced moderately through specific actions such as increased communication and counseling and trust- and team-building. Amundson (2004) notes that corporate downsizing has become an important area of study due to the increasing impact on the American workforce. We will write a custom essay sample on Deal of Downsizing in Corporations, Businesses and Other Organizations or any similar topic only for you Order Now Most companies do little to prepare their employees for such negative measures. The majority of studies on this topic have focused on the victims of the layoffs; few have centered on the survivors. The studies that focused on survivors primarily used survey methods that assessed commitment, motivation, level of performance, job satisfaction, stress symptoms, and coping mechanisms and how these are related to self-affirmation, gender and organizational level, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and intent to leave the organization. In Amundson’s review of literature, he found only two related studies in which a semi-structured group interviewing format was used. Evans (1995) studied U.S. soldiers in the downsized military and Noer (1993) interviewed employees of a downsized private organization. Similar themes emerged from both of these studies: increased stress; decreased motivation; reduced performance with extra workload, distrust/withdrawal of management/leader; and experiencing the emotions of anger, sadness, guilt, insecurity, and fear. Research by Armstrong-Stassen (1998) used mail-in questionnaires to analyze the individual traits and support resources that helped 82 managers in a Canadian federal government department over a 2-year period cope with downsizing. Acknowledging that â€Å"reactions of the remaining employees will largely determine the effectiveness and quality of the services provided by the federal government in the future† (p. 310), she found managers reported a significant decrease in r job performance and commitment. To add to the literature regarding both positive and negative impacts to downsizing, Amundson (2005) interviewed 31 employees from a variety of organizations, including a federal human resources department, hospital, retailer, private employment consulting group, and two oil and gas companies. All individuals had remained in their organizations throughout the time of restructuring. Thirteen of the participants were men, and 18 were women. Their ages ranged from early 20s to mid-50s. Participants were interviewed within six months of the completion of downsizing in their organization. Participants were asked to describe, in behavioral terms, the positive and negative incidents they experienced during the downsizing period. The interviews highlighted three major questions: (a) What recent changes have you experienced in the organization? (b) What helped you to adjust to these changes (the positive incidents)? and (c) What hindered your adjustment (the negative incidents)? The responses by the interviewees of both negative and positive incidents demonstrated the mixed and sometimes confused reactions that survivors have to the downsizing experience. Participants reported both hindering and helpful aspects, regardless of gender or line of work. No event or concern was experienced as negative by everyone, although there definitely were more negative incidents. Throughout the interviews, survivors explained their experiences during the notification and implementation of the layoffs and the downsizing process and the way it was communicated. As the ramifications to downsize became clearer, workers reacted to the possible loss of their own position, changing coworker relations, organizational support programs, leadership, and the effect work changes had on their home life. The survivors cited 102 critical incidents (75 negative, 27 positive) about the restructuring process. The high participation rate, 65 percent for negative and 42 percent for positive incidents, demonstrated the survivors’ desires to be knowledgeable and part of developing the restructuring process. These individuals saw themselves playing a major role in a successful transition. Survivors felt better when involved. They felt frustrated when their input was ignored. Survivors also criticized counter-productive and wasteful processes. Nineteen survivors reported 31 negative incidents and 12 reported 18 positive incidents regarding fellow employees prior to the downsizing. The vast majority of negative incidents concerned grieving for laid-off peers. Survivors who were transferred away from their coworkers felt isolated and lonely and expressed guilt and envy. Positive incidents involved coworkers supporting each other through the uncertainty of the situation and seeking methods to communicate with one another after downsizing. Survivors also discussed the manner in which the organization treated their colleagues during the layoffs. Fair and sensitive treatment was reassuring to survivors; unfair or insensitive treatment resulted in resentment and anger. Management’s actions to facilitate or hinder the downsizing are significant. A total of 48 incidents–36 negative and 12 positive–were reported, with participation rates of 18 (58 percent) for and 8 (26 percent) respectively. Many employees were concerned about company leadership. They felt ambivalent when managers would look out for employees but, ultimately, had their own best interests at heart. Managers were perceived as untrustworthy when withholding information. Employees were angry when supervisors did not offer direction, guidance and information required by employees, but appreciated supervisors who were proactive and showed a positive attitude toward the change. Effective communication could calm fears, conflicting communication increased confusion and anxiety. Although survivors had jobs, their sense value diminished. Morale also decreased, with high incidents of people feeling angry, fear and anxiety. Although employees received support from family many experienced problems outside of work, including illness. Most employees considered the possibility of job loss currently or the future. Negative and positive critical incidents regarding job loss were reported by 13 (42 percent) and 9 (29 percent) of survivors, respectively. Survivors, found efforts to support employee mental health helped and that they would choices if they lost or left their jobs. Amundson concluded that the negative aspects of the downsize can be reduced or helped during downsizing by certain actions, since the integrity of the downsizing process can either destroy or build new loyalties: the trustworthiness of management is imperative, there is a real need for clear and open communication during all stages of the process.. The importance of support from family members is critical, as is ongoing counseling from the company in regards to the issues they face in the new environment. As Amundson finds, there are ways to help or reduce the â€Å"downs† of downsizing. Amabile (1999) decided to see how such aspects as creativity and teamwork could be improved in downsizing environments. If creativity usually declines during downsizing, the work environment plays a central role. Context encompasses all elements of the psychological climate of both the formal organization of policies and procedures and informal organization of values, norms, and interpersonal relationships. Research has shown that context can be important not only in affecting survivors’ reactions, but also in determining the impact of those reactions on job performance. A threatening situation ranks high as problematic. Threats are defined as external events or circumstances in which individuals, groups, or organizations perceive negative or harmful consequences for their vital interests. This leads to dysfunctional employees and organizations. However, studies of creativity stress the role of an organization’s environment in affecting creative behaviors. The componential model of creativity and innovation shows that five environmental components affect creativity: encouragement of creativity: autonomy or freedom in the day-to-day conduct of work; resources, or the materials, information, and general resources available for work; pressures including both positive challenge and negative workload; and organizational impediments to creativity such as conservatism and internal strife. High-creativity projects were generally higher on work environment stimulants to creativity and lower on work environment obstacles to creativity. Thus, it appears that there is indeed a relationship between the work environment and the level of creativity produced by individuals in teams. Amabile’s study (1999) examined the work environment for creativity at a large high-tech firm before, during, and after downsizing. Most creativity-supporting aspects of the work environment decreased greatly during the downsizing but increased somewhat later: The opposite occurred for creativity-undermining aspects. Stimulants and obstacles to creativity in the work environment mediated the effects of downsizing. These results suggest ways in which theories of organizational creativity can be expanded and ways in which the negative effects of downsizing might be avoided or alleviated. Although Noer (1993) suggested that survivors may not recover from the negative effects of downsizing, this research suggests the perceived work environment can improve modestly. Perhaps, some people eventually accept ongoing change within this company, as Noer suggested. However, it is also seen in his study that experienced downsizing was a less a predictor of work environment than was work group stability or downsizing. Thus, suggests Amabile, future research should focus attention here. The work group stability results are largely consistent with the theory of the need to belong suggesting that ongoing relational human bonds are a strong, basic, and pervasive motive that has long-lasting positive effects on emotional patterns and cognitive processes. The anticipated downsizing results suggest that, even if an employee’s work unit has been eliminated, the certainty of knowing the process is over leads to a generally more positive work environment than the expectation of future downsizing in a presently intact unit. That is, the anticipation of the negative event may be less tolerable than the actual experience. This study’s results suggest the possibility of adding a dynamic element to the componential model of organizational creativity. Presently, the componential model is static and specifies relationships between the perceived work environment and creative behavior at any one point in time. It does not address the dynamics of change in the work environment or how events within organizations might lead individuals to perceive their work environments as creativity-supporting or creativity-undermining. What types of events give rise to such environments, and what sorts of events lead to change in those environments? If this is so, events may prove to have a particularly powerful effect on the work environment for creativity. In future research, there could be an investigation of the mechanisms by which anticipated downsizing and work group instability might lead to degraded work environments. The threat theory could be especially helpful in guiding such studies, because it directly addresses possible changes in organizational environments under negative circumstances. Specifically, the following effects could be predicted: a centralization of control would lead to perceptions of lower autonomy/freedom, (2) a conservation of resources would lead to perceptions of less sufficient resources, (3) restriction of information flow would lead to perceptions of less encouragement of creativity from the organization overall (organizational encouragement), from one’s own supervisor (supervisory encouragement), and from one’s work group (work group supports), and (4) reliance on familiar routines would lead to perceptions of more organizational impediments to creativity, through a generally greater conservatism. Researchers may use this information to understand how downsizing and other organizational events bring about change in the perceived work environment for creativity. Most important, reports Amabile, â€Å"first, and most obviously, it is important to do it right.† Since downsizing decreases creativity, managers must first be sure that downsizing is a truly necessary. Second, when it is not possible to maintain team stability, it may be helpful to undertake team-building efforts as soon as new groups are formed–especially when high levels of creativity are desired. Finally, organizational creativity will be less apt to suffer in a downsizing if the process is concluded in a timely manner and if a downsizing moratorium can be identified for some meaningful period of time afterward. Overall, concludes Amabile, â€Å"Our study †¦suggests that corporate decision makers of the future should approach downsizing with great caution. The long-term negative effects of such actions on creativity and innovation may only retrigger the corporate woes that started the cycle in the first place.† How to cite Deal of Downsizing in Corporations, Businesses and Other Organizations, Essay examples

Impact of Climate Change Management

Question: Provide an outline on issues related to the impact of the climate change and global warming - at various levels - in relation to the environment in general and the living species (including humans) in particular. Analyse and discuss how this kind of environmental threat can be dealt with and how to minimise the impact. Your recommendations for a new sustainable environmentally friendly system should be constructed and sourced from actual data and reliable references. Answer: Introduction The current study is dealing with the environment discussion concerning the issues, and impact of global warming and sudden climate change. Furthermore, the study is also dealing with certain sector to critically analyze the issues of the environment concerning the environment as general and living species as well including the human beings particularly in United Nation (Aip.org, 2015). As it is a known fact, that there are various issues concerning the environment and therefore several measures are being taken by several nature conserving organizations of UN to overcome such issues, the study is also highlighting certain recommendation for the purpose. Issues related to the impact of the global warming and climate change In the present times, new things were slowly added to the rundown, running from the corruption of biological systems to dangers to human wellbeing. Atmosphere is frequently varying, however the development seen in the most current time are the best and are durable for a long time. Specialists in fields from ranger service to financial aspects, even national security specialists, contributed to survey the scope of conceivable outcomes (Antweiler, n.d.). It was difficult to make strong expectations given the many-sided quality of the worldwide framework, the distinctions starting with one district then onto the next, and the ways human culture itself may attempt to adjust to the progressions. Yet, by the beginning of the 21st century, it was clear that environmental change would convey genuine mischief to numerous locales some more than others. To be sure numerous sorts of harm were at that point starting to show up (Beller et al. 2010). According to Brown and Williams (2015), global warming got the consideration of the U.S. President's Science Advisory Committee. In the mean time the ascent of environmentalism was raising open questions about the advantages of human movement for the planet; smoke in city air and pesticides on homesteads were no more tokens of "advancement" however instigators of local or even worldwide mischief (Doyle and Von Windheim, 2014). Governments were currently putting a percentage of the natural development's requests into law; that made a down to earth requirement for formal "ecological effect" evaluations. Another industry of master experts endeavoured to conjecture impacts on the common habitat of everything from building a dam to managing processing plant discharges. On a more extensive scale, individuals worried about the earth connected progressively advanced experimental devices to contemplate the effects of deforestation, corrosive downpour, and numerous other huge scale exercises ( Genskow and Wood, 2011). They took a gander at effects on normal biological communities as well as on human wellbeing and monetary exercises. Evaluating the long haul effect of nursery gasses fitted effortlessly into this model. The United States coming to together with other nations and several numbers of huge partnerships, have confined ecological change settlements, it seems that anxious of profitable effects in the occasion that they need to carry out significant developments in the behaviour of working together (Hung, Wang and Shammas, n.d.). Furthermore, as more ecological change science has ascended throughout the years, several organizations are abiding with this and notwithstanding resembling their legislatures for more actions so there is quick explanation on the new standards of the distraction so they can work on with their associations. Flexibility tools were distinguished in the Kyoto Protocol as distinctive move towards to achieve emanations diminishment as a characteristic of the push to address ecological change problems. These falls into the supplementary classes: Clean Development Mechanism, Emissions Trading and Joint Implementation (Keene and Pullin, 2011). Then again, it is very questionable as were they, for the most part included on solid UN demand and to remain the US in the settlement (even though with the reality that the US in the end dragged out). More classifications of effects developed, and each started to pull in its own little band of pros. The specialists presumed that before the end of the 21st century they "could certainly expect major coastal effects, including shoreline retreat-flooding, saltwater interruption, and different financial impacts." A more broad EPA report that year anticipated that environmental change would bring "an adjustment in tenability in numerous geographic areas" insid e just a couple of decades, with conceivably "disastrous" results (Llaurado, 2011). The reasonable ramifications were that work on new vitality strategies ought to get in progress as soon as possible. A rate of the examples now under way, for instance, more sizzling nights in the midst of warmth waves and heavier impacts of storm and snoware depended upon to continue. Diverse changes will be less surely understood, and there could be astounds along the way (Millard, 2011). This extended helplessness makes making game plans for the future more troublesome. The capacity to adjust is one of our most prominent qualities as animal types. In any case, for this situation, the prescription could boost the infection. As we adjust to climatic changes officially happening, some of those practices will influence the measure of nursery gasses we put into the environment, and in this manner influence the atmosphere itself (Nature.org, 2015). Populace development expands or diminishes in air contamination, expanded capacity to buy aerating and cooling or cars, and other social and monetary changes are hard to bind decades into what's to come. This is the reason IPCC atmosphere researchers have m ade various emanations situations; every one outlines an alternate arrangement of conceivable future social, monetary, and innovative advancements for utilization in anticipating future changes in the atmosphere (Ross and Carter, 2014). In relation to the environment in general According to IPCC, it reports that that hot days, hot evenings, and warmth waves all have turned out to be more regular all inclusive in the most recent 50 years. Record-breaking warmth over the United States amid July 2006 is indicated in red on this guide from NOAA's National Climatic Data Centre . All things considered, precipitation has expanded universally in the course of the most recent century, including over the United States. Europe's 2003 warmth wave, which brought about more than 40,000 passing, was the most sultry in 150 years of present day record keeping, and potentially the most sweltering in 500 years, by a few assessments . The more precipitation/more dry season mystery is a direct result of rising temperatures permits more water to vanish from seas (adding additional dampness to the air for downpour or snow), however that warming likewise draws dampness out of the ground, exacerbating dry spell wherever it's not raining . In relation to the living species Immense swaths of woodland in Canada, Alaska, and Russia have been assaulted in the course of the most recent decade by backwoods flames, bolstered by record summer warmth and dry season. These flames include a lot of carbon dioxide, which is likewise the significant human-created nursery gas, to the environment . High-scope flames may have a general cooling impact in the long haul, as snowfall on the recently uncovered ground reflects winter daylight for a long time thereafter. As the atmosphere warms, woods are likewise moving north into area that was once Arctic tundra. These trees will act to warm the atmosphere by obscuring the surface. Some creature species are as of now moving toward higher rises or higher scopes, as warming crosses with other regular and human-delivered natural change. Pika, little rodents found in rocky parts of North America and Asia, has vanished from more than 50% of their extent in the U.S. Awesome Basin in the most recent century . Another risk to coral reefs emerges from changes in the science of sea water that make the water less basic as it ingests carbon dioxide from the air. Individuals are additionally getting influenced by sudden changes in the atmosphere and bringing about skin disease because of high temperature and over the top radiation of destructive beams . Analyzing the threats of environment There are several threats that have been rectified in the study that sheds light upon different sectors. The major threats highlighted here are: Numerous threats have been corrected concerning nature. The major threats are: Contamination and human populace- A developing world populace may appear like a conspicuous risk to the environment that goes a long ways past the easily proven wrong hypothesis of an unnatural weather change (Gupta and Innes, 2014). The greater danger is much more unpredictable and straightforwardly connected not to the dubious thought of a carbon foot shaped impression, yet to the remarkable arrangement of supply and interest. Changes of atmosphere on Earth-The last real environmental change were an ice age and the world is in the last phases of that occasion. The outcome is an ascent in temperatures and the softening of ice sheets and even the polar ice top (Keene and Pullin, 2011). Some exceptionally regarded researchers differ that a dangerous atmospheric deviation is the consequence of human-brought about contamination any more than it can bring about effective typhoons, torrents, quakes, surges, and even sunlight based flares. Deforestation-When a region loses its biodiversity; it turns out to be more powerless against other natural components. Deforestation disturbs the regular equalization of biological frameworks in the zone where the trees have been reaped and a long ways past (Nature.org, 2015). Sustenance creation can be affected because of dry spell and disintegration straightforwardly connected to the loss of woods. Corrosive Rain- Acid downpour is made by over the top sulphuric and nitric corrosive being pumped into the climate, streams, seas, and area. While some corrosive downpour is the by result of the characteristic procedures of rotting vegetation and volcanic movement, the present emergency comes straightforwardly from the blazing of fossil energizes (Millard, 2011). Water gets to be poisonous when corrosive downpour saturates the seas or lakes with an assimilation quality that cause the water to ingest soil-based aluminium and toxic substances the amphibian plant and marine life. Exhaustion of Ozone- Chemicals and chlorofluorocarbons toxins is made by industry and agribusiness. They have a negative effect the ozone layer. The absence of strict authorization of laws to keep the utilization of such toxins aggravates the circumstance (Ross and Carter, 2014). World governments that keep on allowing different contaminations into nature hinder the recuperation of the ozone layer. Discussion upon the ways to deal with the environmental issues to minimize the impact (Recommendations) By peeking over the issues faced by UN concerning the environment, there are several suggestions to overcome the issues includes: The UN must handle worldwide issues, for example, ozone layer consumption, and poisonous waste, loss of natural islands and species, and air and water contamination (Llaurado, 2011). Unless these issues are tended to, the governments together must take severe measures, as ecological misfortunes are exhausting the normal capital on which development and human survival are based. The use of toxic chemicals must also be banned from the use in order to avoid damages of the immune system and nervous system that shall cause reproductive disorder and cancer. Certain plans must be made in order to preserve the biodiversity, protect biodiversity, cleaning up the seas and oceans and disposing the waste in renewable manner (Globalissues.org, 2015). Conclusion The context of the research highlighted various issues and recommendations to overcome the issues. Furthermore, the causes of environment issues were also highlighted in the study referring to the nature condition of United Nation. References List Aip.org, (2015). Impacts of global warming. [online] Available at: https://www.aip.org/history/climate/impacts.htm [Accessed 8 Aug. 2015]. Antweiler, W. (n.d.). Elements of environmental management. Beller, W., D'Ayala, P. and Hein, P. (1990). Sustainable development and environmental management of small islands. Paris: UNESCO. Brown, E. and Williams, B. (2015). Resilience and Resource Management. Environmental Management. Doyle, M. and Von Windheim, J. (2014). Environmental Management Strategy: Four Forces Analysis. Environmental Management, 55(1), pp.6-18. Genskow, K. and Wood, D. (2011). Improving Voluntary Environmental Management Programs: Facilitating Learning and Adaptation. Environmental Management, 47(5), pp.907-916. Globalissues.org, (2015). Climate Change and Global Warming Global Issues. [online] Available at: https://www.globalissues.org/issue/178/climate-change-and-global-warming [Accessed 8 Aug. 2015]. Gupta, S. and Innes, R. (2014). Private politics and environmental management. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 68(2), pp.319-339. Hung, Y., Wang, L. and Shammas, N. (n.d.). Handbook of environment waste management. Keene, M. and Pullin, A. (2011). Realizing an effectiveness revolution in environmental management. Journal of Environmental Management, 92(9), pp.2130-2135. Llaurado, J. (2011). Handbook of Environmental Engineering: Vol. 11 Environmental Bioengineering. Management of Env Quality, 22(4). Millard, E. (2011). Incorporating Agroforestry Approaches into Commodity Value Chains. Environmental Management, 48(2), pp.365-377. Nature.org, (2015). Climate Change Impacts Threats | The Nature Conservancy. [online] Available at: https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/threats-impacts/ [Accessed 8 Aug. 2015]. Ross, H. and Carter, R. (2014). The business of environmental management. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 21(1), pp.1-4. Scales, I. (n.d.). Conservation and environmental management in Madagascar. Wood, L. (2011). Global Marine Protection Targets: How S.M.A.R.T are They?. Environmental Management, 47(4), pp.525-535.

Racism In Flags Essays - Vexillology, Flag, Swastika, War Flag

Racism in Flags Racism can be represented in many forms. Flags are on of them. Flags can be used to represent something. Many flags mean different things such as freedom, democracy and respect for something such as a country. However, some flags can been seen as something bad or something that they disprove of, but to another person it can be something they believe in. What I am talking about is racism and how it can be shown in flags. The Confederate flag is a very controversial flag. Some people see it as a flag that represents the United States' History. Other people do not like the flag because it reminds them of the time in the United States history where there was a lot of slavery, violence and hate. The flag was used by the Confederacy when fighting the Yankees in the Civil War. The flag is still used in some of the state flags of the USA. The states that use the confederate flag in their state flag are Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, and Alabama. The flag is used in the Army for ceremonies and for graduation. Some African American officers do not like to use the flag, and argue that it is stands for racism and hate. Other officers say that they use the flag just for the tradition and to keep the history. To some the flag may seem to be just a plain piece of history but to others it can be real painful just to look at because it may have caused some pain to the person personally or to their family in the past. One reason why this flag, to some people, stands for racism is because there are some hate and racist groups that use the confederate flag. Some people just want to ban the confederate flag but other people say that would be going against the first amendment in the United States, which is freedom of speech. Banning the flag may not be bad but its the principal of keeping the flag to show that we can handle this flag by having the right to wave that flag but we can show that we don't need to. I think that just because we can do something does not mean we should do it. In World War II a man named Adolf Hitler introduced a flag that he used to represent a group he made up called Nazis. The flag has a real famous symbol in the middle of it, the symbol is called a swastika, it looks like a cross (mabey he thought of it like a religion) and the ends of the cross were bent in a clockwise direction. The flag probably has the same impact it did then as it does today. When people see the swastika it almost every person will think of Nazis or the World War II and the bad things that happen in the war. The Nazi flag is still used today by hate and racist groups. The swastika used to mean the sun and good luck and many different things to other religions. That shows how something can just change so easily from one meaning to another. The flag now would never be viewed as good unless someone stood for what the swastika stands for. The flag has been shown to other countries as a bad symbol and something they do not want in there country, so the following counties banned the Nazi flag, Germany, Israel, France, and Italy. That may have been a good idea to ban them but again we have the right of freedom of speech but that does not mean we should use that swastika for anything. But then again the swastika changed its meaning so fast mabey we can change it again to something good. The use of hate flags and symbols is still around but another problem is the creation of new flags and symbols. There are also flags that are racist but not many people are familiar with them. There are flags out there people do not know what they stand for or represent. There is one flag with FAP written on it which is used by one of Germanys

How to Use the French Expression Tant Pis

How to Use the French Expression Tant Pis Tant pis  (pronounced ta(n) pee),  is an everyday French idiomatic expression that literally means so much worse. The phrase is often used as an exclamation that ranges from the mild oh well to the rude tough, depending on how you articulate it in conversation. Its a  useful phrase to know, but be sure youre comfortable using it in different circumstance or you could end up in an embarrassing situation. Expressions of Mood This expression, one of the most common in the French language, can be either fatalistic, expressing a disappointed resignation, or accusatory, indicating that whatever happened is ones own fault. In the most extreme cases, tant pis would be the equivalent of something along the lines of an angry too damn bad or tough. In most cases, though, its said with a lilt, a shrug, and even a smile suggesting oh well or never mind [its not a big deal]. A synonym in French could be Dommage,  Cest dommage,  or Quel dommage  (What a shame.). When something disappointing or sad has happened, a more likely synonym would be, Cest dur.  (Thats hard.) An appropriate  antonym of tant pis  would be good or all the better. Expressions and Usage Jai oublià © dapporter le cadeau, mais tant pis.   I forgot to bring the gift, but oh well / never mind. Cest tant pis pour lui.   Thats just too damn bad for him. Je dirais  tant pis, mais cest dommage. Id say too bad, but its just so sad. Il rà ©pond que cest  tant pis. He says thats  too bad. Si vous à ªtes jaloux,  tant pis. If you guys are jealous,  thats fine. Si tu veux pas comprendre,  tant pis. If you didnt understand it, too bad for you. Bon.  Tant pis, on y va.   All right,  so much for that. Were off. Le gouvernement veut contrà ´ler chaque sou,  tant pis  si les Canadiens souffrent. The government wants to control every penny;  never mind  if Canadians suffer as a result. Si cest impossible,  tant pis. If thats impossible, no worries [theres nothing we can do about it]. Je reste. Tant pis sil nest pas content.   Im staying.  Too bad if he doesnt like it. Tant pis pour lui. Too bad (for him). Additional Resources Tant versus  autantMost common French phrases

Islamic banking Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 19500 words

Islamic banking - Dissertation Example These research findings show that both bank managers/staff and customers perceived that there is less awareness of Islamic banking products/services. The respondents could not distinguish the difference between conventional offerings and Shariah compliant offerings; thus, they are not motivated to have an Islamic banking account. Their primary reason of using the Islamic banking is not related to profitability or religion, but it is on the perception that the system is rewarding for the life hereafter. This paper reflects two important implications. First, Islamic banks must increase customer awareness on the product/service offerings of the system through advertising in the real world and through the Internet. Second, it should increase its number of network and distribution channels to gain competitive advantage and allegiance by disseminating Islamic banking information. This research will be of interest to both conventional and Islamic banking in the Muslim and non-Muslim countri es. This paper provides fresh results on the level of awareness of Islamic banking in the UK and Saudi Arabia. 1. Introduction 1.1 Background Information Islamic banking is the new representation of financial system and it is also one of the fastest growing industries in the global financial market. It is also considered as the best solution during financial crises and credit crunch in looking for a better and fairer way of managing money and in underpinning the real financing activities. Islamic banking is following the Islamic Shariah law and Islamic financial system which are derived from the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah (Strom et al., 2007). Thirty years ago, Islamic banking existed... The intention of this study is islamic banking as the new representation of financial system and it is also one of the fastest growing industries in the global financial market. It is also considered as the best solution during financial crises and credit crunch in looking for a better and fairer way of managing money and in underpinning the real financing activities. Islamic banking is following the Islamic Shariah law and Islamic financial system which are derived from the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. Thirty years ago, Islamic banking existed only in major Islamic countries and become a profitable segment of the banking industry considering that 20 percent of the world’s population was Muslims and Islam being the third largest religion. The Islamic banks primary clients are those people that keep away from paying nor receiving interest of any form and for them to have a source of income, they established a profit and loss sharing banking system that permit them to share th e risk with client. Islamic banks are required to operate based on Islamic jurisprudence and this law inhibited them from paying and accepting interest fees (RIBA). Muslims are inhibited because it brought a lot of negative effects on human beings’ earning capacity and purchasing power, incredible poverty in the society and unequal wealth/debt crisis in the economy. However, the common banking system operates on the basis of interest which is also known as the conventional banks.

Bachelor of Business - Paper on Leadership Issues Research

Bachelor of Business - on Leadership Issues - Research Paper Example However, to be an effective leader, it is important that leaders know the boundaries of their authority. Likewise, as leaders, it is important to be able to set good examples because people tend to emulate the things that are being done by the people who are over them on the corporate ladder. Hence, the ethics of leaders come into play crucially. However, there are many interpretations of what ethics is about. Some would say that ethics is about right and wrong or about religious beliefs. Interestingly, some would say that it is about being a law abiding citizen while some would say that it is doing what is generally accepted. However, confining ethics to each of the foregoing examples may be impossible such as religion which has a very high moral standard. It may also be a problem to equate it with laws or to what is generally accepted since these may likewise deviate from what is truly ethical. Basically, ethics are about having a high standard about what is right and wrong that st ates what people ought to do. Likewise, it is also the learning process as well as the development of one’s standards of being ethical (Velasquez et al 2010). Nowadays, ethical issues pervade companies especially when there are issues divulged by employees who are unable to take in things that are going badly for the company. As such, when certain anomalies are divulged by employees or former anomalies, these become cases of whistle-blowing. It is thus important to make this distinction because it is in these cases that leaders’ ethical issues come into play since these are the things that they can directly influence. All other disclosures that are not made by employees or former employees are not cases of whistle-blowing (Sollars 2001). It is very important for leaders to ensure that issues pertaining to whistle-blowing are handle with utmost professionalism as these may easily expose the ethical standards that they posses. Hence, these will be the focus of the case i n point. What recommendations for action would you make to the senior management? Basically, the case presented a company that went from bad to worse after the initial incident of whistle-blowing that exposed major anomalies resulting to unpleasant things such as investigations and even arrests. It was an unfortunate turn that instead of having an improvement in operations, the company’s output further dropped not to mention the morale of the employees. Hence, it is important for the top management to first recognize that the business environment of today has evolved to a level that has provided a more conducive environment for whistle-blowing. The major advances in technology have tremendously improved the capability of communications enabling new channels and ways of providing and getting information in ways unimagined just a decade and a half ago. Likewise, companies must be made aware that these technological improvements have brought in a new era for businesses known as the information age effectively phasing out the industrial stage. Thus, with this new age comes a new breed of manpower known as knowledge workers. In fact, many such employees are making their way deep into the corporate world (Serrat, 2008). This only means that people nowadays know better and can communicate easier which has made disclosures of anomalies easier. Thus, it is important that the senior manage

Ethnomethodology And Interactionism

Ethnomethodology And Interactionism Ehnomethododolgy and interactionism have been two of the most emerging social theorys to come up from the 20th century. Interactionism was the one that initially started it with the emergence of Meade in the 1920s who emerged with a style of being pragmatism as its main core argument as well as analysis how we socially act with teaches other. Herbet blumer worked on Meade theory and he created symbolic interactionism through it. With their main aim of it being what is behind the subjective theory of humans, the social process and being pragmatic, this theory has then led to several divisions created throughout they include Phenomenology, Social Action, and Ethnomethodology. The view of ethno has created the biggest difference and has been viewed as analysis people everyday life and how people act which defines there social order and therefore it will be used to document to how the world works and operate unlike many other theorys not interested in putting people in separate reality o f using extreme types of cases. In addition the Ethnomethodology can be viewed as members of society must have some shared methods that they use to mutually construct the meaningful orderliness of social situations and that it differs from normal sociology as viewed what is important is the procedures over which social society is created One of the things that interactionist sociologists are different to macro sociologist such as functionalist and Marxist conflict theories. This can be viewed as the way they look at how the individuals act in situations instead of just analysing how they react to a social stimulant. In addition they tend to look at how different social actors understand the behaviour of theirs is significant as a way of understanding in the way social world constructed. One of these differences can be shown in the difference where etnomethodologist tend to be highly indifferent to subjective methods of research as not really thinking that they correctly define human behaviour in the manner they like. In terms of contrast to the normal style of sociology the ethno view doesnt attempt to make an theory or methodological appeal In addition does not view its subjective states as an individual or group of individual as well will refuse to use concept view such as value states, sentiments , goal-orientations as a way of referring to any types of actor or other actors. Therefore for an ethnomethodologistss the way in which you can fully realise social scenes is when the actual location would be under inspection. Therefore the role is to describe the personality of these activities not just accounting as just a person in a particular location but instead look at what happens , how it happens and why these moment tends be different . A difference between the two would be the use of symbols whereby interactionist tend to assume that the truth of symbols are then interpreted by various actor in social while ethno deliberately avoids these assumption to describe social scene and do not think symbol are necessarily used as constants in social scenes. One of the things that make ethnomethodology unique is the method behind its research is different as it tends to look at practical reasons and how that is different compared to the domain of talking interaction or other constituent activity system which believe are very limited and only get a small amounts of research through it . In addition they look in methodological research and how tends be viewed through either ethno-graphic or quasi-experiment which are different to the usual analysis of conversation and look at audio and video recording of on-going interaction. They believe methods of interviews are fake and dont really give the most fairest way of analysis human behaviour as also think can be based on false assumption such as camaridie in the interview which be viewed differently by the parties but it could lead to giving less accurate results. In addition one of the most important thing for the Interactions is how they analyse peoples social life , instead of the functional objective macro-organised structure of the social system where everyone has a place and just a certain role. This is important as it fits in with the interactionist philosophy of their theoretical perspective on the image of humans instead of just analysing society and viewing how that defines. Instead human are pragmatic actors who must continually change their behaviour to be able to respond to other actor and that the only way they we can adjust is because we have the power to interpret them either through symbolic ways or could be linguistic methods through those abilities able to adjust to respond accordingly. This is then enhanced by the way we can imaginatively rehearse other ways of action before to attempt to act. This is then aided by the ability to think and then react to our actions even viewing are selves at times as the symbolic objects. T herefore the interactionist theorist would view human as active, creative participants, who define and make the social world not just conformist passive players in this social world. One of the major differences would be how they both tend to view the difference in role taking It tends to be a key role in the method of interaction whereby it allows take other people views and how their actions lead us to interact in a certain way. Furthermore in other times interactions tend to look at improvisational use of rules where the social situation isnt working well which means then human change their role to try and improve the experience. However a ethno view is that they would prefer to go analyse their research through looking at different ways that people express themselves in conversation and the way that these methods are managed. In addition the way interactionist seem to learn is through participant observation whereby instead of just looking at survey and interview instead they will view that what makes it important is looking how they act in there day to day life and how being immersed in the live is the best way of being able to understand why people commit their action and how the process of the situation is communicated through the interaction. Therefor while they will be very close in terms of contact as a consequence they are explicit over how what they learned from the person can alter their views and thinking but will be objective when it comes to conducting the research One of the criticisms ethnomethodologistss have over the interactionist approach is that they believed that there tends to be an over reliance on the cognitive system approach . There logic is that normal people tend to grasp just normal situations and that is all they process, however when there is a specific event with horrific sequence they start thinking about their pre-conscious state which leads them to disrupt there normal pattern of social interaction in addition the ethno group believe that this only a temporary problem and very quickly will be to allowed to enable normal social interaction again with just a bit of work However in certain methods there tends to be certain similar aspects if you look at how they tend to be linked to a certain degree over the interactionist concern with the role of abnormality within the studies of social group and social relationships. Usually interactionist tend to look at the method of organization which stresses how positions in place work tend to be defined by its inherent informal structure. Therefore this had led to a view created by (Hughes, 1956) that beside every task division of labor rests a moral hierarchy of positions which dictate how per-sons are to relate. Therefore when usually this a study into the social organisations the interactionist will tend to look at how the social organization start with a formal structure and how that progress through a variety of different views and ideas which then as a consequence redefine those initial structures . These view on the structure complement the ethnomethodologistss which also emphasis that a formal struct ure cant be ignored and they are vital fundamental for social relationships. Furthermore ethnomethodologistss major view in this regard in this topic is that the productions of sociologist are similar to those in everyday life. They get to there point through a couple of ways, one of those tends to be tend that sociologists main concern is the affairs of the general people in the social order . Therefore when they start with their initial test they create a certain boundaries and certain rules which will define their method however during these test they will find throughout it anomalys or that the statistical test is not accurate or that what they observe does not actually fit in with their initial hypothesis or central concept . So therefore when they try to make there concept work with their hypothesis they will tend to rely on the documentary style of analysis whereby they look at there earlier view of daily interaction and look at how to help them reach a hypothesis The two views can also have fault lines in what they necessarily try to find as an interactionist are far more concerned with normal common sense question about how we live our lives , while the ethnomethodologistss tries to analysis on the meaning of the social and look at what behind what we all do . One of the major differences can be viewed between how language is differently viewed between the two ideologies as for the interactions language can be viewed as submitting signs of the person that represent the central aspect of the social life; while for the ethnomethodologistss it can be pointed to the person as a way of being the standard reality and how it is explained A criticism that has been used towards interactionism from the ehthno has come towards the Blumer approach and their assessment over how they failed to accurate describe how the social process in the vein that there was a total gloss on the usual human social interaction especially demanding that there should be a place for the minute description of behaviour especially language behaviour instead of the constant reference to mind or self , society which where conceptual goals coming from which then used the prepared account of the social life in the method of Blumer. Therefore it while there are similarities between interactionist and the ethnomethodologists especially as ethnomethodology would not be able to exist without interactionism as that is what started this brand of sociology which went against the functional sociologist style of before such as structuralism , functionalism , Marxism it started then as a new breed of sociology and ethnomethodology became a branch of it like Phenomenology did as well . Therefore whatever the difference will be there central point will always be very similar to each other .

Technical Description Sample

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION LOT-1 PCS-01-005351 A parcel of land (Lot-1, Pcs-01-005351, being a portion of Lots-165 and 166, PLS-1110, Alilem Public Land Subd. L. R. C. Rec. No. ___________) situated at Brgy. Poblacion, Mun. of Alilem, Prov. of Ilocos Sur, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the S. along line 1-2 by Guis-it St. (10. 00 m. wide); on the W. along line 2-3 by Lot-167, PLS-1110; on the N. along line 3-4 by Lot-164, PLS-1110 and on the E. along line 4-1 by Lot- 2 of the consolidation and subd. plan. Beginning at a point marked â€Å"1†of Lot-1 on plan, being S. 65?. 02’ E. , 348. 29 m. from BLLM No. 1, PLS-1110, Alilem Public Land Subd. thence N. 7? 42’ W. , 16. 41 m. to point 2; thence N. 10? 27’ E. , 30. 59 m. to point 3; thence S. 69? 49’ E. , 16. 76 m. to point 4; thence S. 10? 42’ W. , 28. 29 m. to point 1; point of beginning, containing an area of FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE (485) SQUARE METERS. All points referred to are indicated on the pl an and were marked on the ground with BL cyl. conc. mons. 15Ãâ€"40 cms. except points 1 and 4 which are PS cyl. conc. mon. 15Ãâ€"50 cms. Bearings Grid, date of orig. survey was on April-May, 1983; date of consol. and subd. survey was on October 10, 2010 executed by Engr. Edmund A. Soliven and was approved on August 11, 2011. CERTIFIED CORRECT:

How a Virus Finds a Host Essay

Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   AIDS and the bird flu have raised concerns about virus attacks in the public eye. Infectious transfer of virus also very often causes the common cold. We are able to tolerate or overcome the vast majority of viruses, but some of them succeed in causing us to fall ill, even to the point of death. Not everyone responds to a virus epidemic in the same way: some overpower the pathogen, while others succumb. A fundamental understanding of the nature of a virus can solve these apparent paradoxes; its mechanism of taking shelter in living tissue is also relevant. It is worth noting at the outset that viruses search for all forms of plants and animals as hosts. Each type of virus has a particular preference of host. A virus is versatile and can change form with ease. Basic genetic structures and systems   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A virus is a kind of bridge between a form of life and an inanimate object. All living things are made from permutations and combinations of four nucleic acids, adenine, cytosine, thymine, and guanine. Sequences of nucleic acids form genes. Genes are in turn banded together, to form chromosomes. The nucleic acids are joined together by ribose sugars. The latter has one molecule of sugar absent. The structure is entwined in the form of double helix coils inside the nucleus of each living cells. The latter are grouped together in higher forms of life to form tissues and organs. The nucleic acid structure inside each nucleus is called Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   DNA is used by life forms to produce Ribonucleic acids or RNA. RNA has ribose sugar with the oxygen molecule missing in DNA. RNA has just one strand of nucleic acids, as opposed to two in DNA. RNA has uracil instead of thymine. RNA moves out from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of living cells. RNA is used to produce proteins, which act as the materials of life forms. DNA and RNA physiology is at the heart of all life. It is a common system from unicellular life forms to human beings. Protein production by RNA and RNA production by DNA is the chemical basis of life. This is a process, which continues without ceasing from conception to death. Insidious nature   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We are now ready to look at the nature and structure of a virus. A virus has a structure similar to RNA (Lewin, 744). However, the host DNA does not produce it. It also differs from RNA in that it may have a protective membrane made of protein. A virus is a kind of imposter. It finds a way inside a cell and abuses the host’s DNA to produce proteins of its own. Since a virus has no DNA, it does not qualify as a life form in the strict sense. However, as it able to use host DNA to produce protein, and since it has the ability to replicate, it shares an essential property of living things.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The fine distinction between a virus and a living cell with a nucleus could remain in the academic domain, were it not for the deleterious ability of a virus to threaten well-being and indeed life itself. A mitigating factor is that a virus cannot survive on its own: it must take shelter within the nucleus of a living cell, and is entirely dependant on the host DNA. Cat and mouse   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Higher forms of life, such as human beings, do not surrender to virus attack without a fight, and they most often win. A virus enters a host through the medium of foreign living tissue. Bodily discharges such as sputum, blood, semen, and mucus are the most common agents of viral transfer between one living body and another. Transmission is routine if two members of a species are involved. A virus may occasionally adapt from one genus, even an order, or a phylum to another. Thus, an avian virus can infect a mammal, even a human. It can jump from one bird to another almost inevitably. Viruses know that they cannot always hope to find a host of the same species in which they currently reside (Watson et all, 1016). A virus is always on the search of a new host for its use of the present host’s DNA can be fatal for that host. The virus will have no use for a dead host, and must hence find a new life to infect. It has developed a great adaptive capability, and can adjust to the DNA of a new host, which may be an entirely different form of life in which it has existed before. A bird flu virus in a chicken would like a healthy chicken in which it can spread. Should other chickens be scarce, it will try to infect some other bird it can find. It will settle for a human if it can find no bird or other animal. It is worth repeating that the bird flu virus can move from one bird to another bird or from one bird to a human, only through oral or nasal of anal discharge from the infected and original host. Should the latter be isolated, then the virus is doomed to extinction with the death of its host. Infection is essential for viral transfer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Animal bodies, especially human beings have powerful and sophisticated systems to combat invading viruses. Should a human being touch and ingest some discharge from an infected host, the virus will gain physical entry, but the body, which it has entered, will not take things lying down. Defense systems in humans and other animals are equipped to detect that a rogue pretending to be RNA has entered the body and is trying to cheat the DNA to produce proteins for its own use.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A virus tries to read the nucleic acid sequence in the DNA of any host that it finds. It then attempts to produce proteins of its own need and choice from the DNA it encounters (Heritage, Evans and Killington, 122). We should bear in mind that a virus is essentially an imposter in the garb of RNA. It tries to adjust its RNA sequence in a manner such that the host DNA cannot see through the disguise.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Higher forms of animal life have defense cells in blood. Soldier cells try to capture foreign virus-loaded tissue as soon as it enters the host. These cells are called macrophages and they contain most invasions by literally swallowing the foreign bodies. This mechanism is not necessarily comprehensive, and some particles of the foreign bodies may escape the macrophage confrontation. The sub-microscopic size of a virus means that a few members of an infectious source may escape the host body’s attention. Virus is then free to enter living cells of the host and start interaction with the DNA. The virus can tell instantly that it now has a different DNA structure. It starts studying the new nucleic acid sequence and sees it can replicate in the changed circumstances.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is now time for the lymphocytes in the host blood to take charge (Despopoulos and Silbernagl, 68)   Lymphocytes are of two kinds, B and T. The latter specialize in fighting viruses. They recognize the production of unusual proteins, and detect the viral infection of cells. T lymphocytes kill cells infected by a virus, in a bid to contain the infection. T lymphocytes are produced in the thymus. Healthy individuals have immense capacity for defense and can ward off a majority of virus attacks. A compromise often prevails with the T lymphocytes winning the fight against a virus, though it is unable to destroy all traces of the virus in the host. Such a host then functions as a carrier, living with a low intensity of virus attack without external symptoms of any medical condition. A carrier can infect another individual who may succumb to the virus if its T lymphocyte system does not function well. Cancers of the lymphatic system and malnutrition are the primary reason for a host’s T lymphocytes to fail in protecting a host from virus attack.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We must bear in mind, for the question that has prompted this document, that a virus does not have the luxury of choosing a host. It will take any available living cell and try to adjust to the DNA sequence it finds. Nature favors the host: the virus will generally fail to break the code, or will perish with the host cell whose code it has broken. Immunity   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Though anti-retroviral therapy has now entered the realm of reality, nature provides hosts with the capability to recognize a virus and the will to destroy cells infected by viruses. Nature balances such powers by making viruses highly adaptable. They can quickly change their own sequences of acids in bids to escape detection and to survive. Viruses will also settle for sub-clinical situations in which they are able to survive without killing the host on which it depends.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It follows that immunity is a key to fighting viruses. Higher forms of life are equipped with innate capabilities to fight viruses to the extent that the species can thrive, though some proportion of every population falls prey. Hygiene and balanced nutrition are the only things that most life forms need to defeat thieving viruses. Works Cited Despopoulos, A and Silbernagl, S, Color Atlas of Physiology, Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, 1991 Heritage, J. G. V. Evans, and R. A. Killington, Introductory Microbiology, Cambridge University Press, 1996 Lewin, B, Genes, Oxford University Press, 1997 Watson, J. D. Nancy H. Hopkins, Jeffrey W. Roberts. Joan A. Steitz and Alan M. Weiner, Molecular Biology of the Gene, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. (1998)   

Core Competencie Essay Example Pdf - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1900 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Review Did you like this example? Describe the four criteria for an organisations core competence. Explain how core competencies can be identified and leveraged to develop strategies, Give example(s) to support your argument. Introduction This essay starts by briefly describing how the term core competencies was established before looking at why it is necessary to identify core competencies within an organisation. The four criteria used to identify core competencies is discussed with an analysis of each followed by an overview of strategy. This provides the pretext to discuss the role of correctly identifying core competencies and why leveraging them in strategy development is important. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Core Competencie Essay Example Pdf" essay for you Create order Core competencies Formulating strategies is a cyclical process in which an internal analysis of an organisation plays a crucial part (Introduction: What is strategy? 2006:1). This analytical process involves taking a theoretical approach known as a resource-based view (Unit 3: 5) in which an organisation objectively looks at all its resources and capabilities to see how best they can give an organisation competitive advantage. Grant has established that an organisations resources can be tangible, intangible or human and that these can be matched to its capabilities to eventually provide competitive advantage (Grant, 2008: 131). This process of exploiting the unique combination of resources and capabilities has given rise to the term of core competencies which have been defined by Prahalad and Hamel (1990: 78-90) as the ability of an organisation to coordinate all its technologies and production skills in order to deliver its strategy. Identifying core competencies Core competencies are t he building blocks on which organisations are able to strategise so it is vital to identify them correctly using four specific criteria (Segal-Horn, 2009: 169): 1) Does it provide significant value? 2) Does it allow to increase or dominate market share? 3) Is it difficult for competitors to imitate? 4) Does it provide competitive advantage? It is important to understand that these are not mutually exclusive categories therefore it is essential to meet all criteria in order to establish a core competency. Usually it is not possible for an organisation to have more than a handful of core competencies (Segal-Horn, 2008: 170). Value in this scenario is in terms of ‘perceived benefit to the end user of the product or service (Segal-Horn, 2009: 169). For instance, Vodafone became a leader in the world of mobile communications in the late nineties by providing value-adding services such as short message services and voicemail (Unit 1: 10) to their existing portf olio. The concept of value is equally applicable in not-for-profit organisations such as Crisis, a charity for single homeless individuals. One of its core competencies is achieved through its long establishment of over 40 years and its ability to provide services at a national level and this level of dedication is seen as a valuable asset. Organisations which have value-creating resources are at an advantage to those who do not, for example Vodafone who made heavy investments in their research and development to stay ahead of their competitors (Unit 1:9). It is important to understand that value is not always represented by revenue, as in the example of the charity Crisis; the value of such a service to a needy individual is priceless hence this is a context-specific measure. Markets are becoming increasingly complex and with the advent of globalisation and the internet they are not restricted by geographical boundaries so identifying competencies which can help to increas e market share are exceptionally valuable. An example of this would be the ability of an organisation to provide a service in several different languages simultaneously. Organisations whose infrastructure is such that it allows simultaneous function across continents are clearly at an advantage to those who have a lesser ability to do so. Markets are dynamic so the ability to adapt to changes in the environment due to specific capabilities can be regarded as a core competency. The third test is to see whether it can easily be replicated by another organisation; the more difficult it is to imitate, again the more value it holds as a core competence. A competitor might be able to obtain identical technology on how to build a TV but the core competence might lie in the ability to have a more efficient production line. Apple Inc. for example use an operating system which is unique to their products and sometimes reputation, an intangible resource, can be seen to be difficult to imitate especially in organisations which have been established for a significant length of time such as certain retailers. If a particular asset, (or combination of assets) has the potential to provide competitive advantage that is extremely useful in identifying a core competence. Competitive advantage is the ultimate goal of an organisations strategy (Grant, 2008: 131). Organisations with unique assets such as a patented technology immediately translate into a competitive advantage, however in many industries, competitive advantage is achieved through extremely precise combinations of resources and capabilities and the method by which an organisation exploits these assets is a core competence. Strategy development Strategy allows an organisation to deliver its vision. To develop a deliberate strategy which could potentially increase the sustainability of an organisation clearly requires the identification of core competencies but often a single strategy is not the answer. Organisations require a headline strategy to fit a brief which resonates the vision but several strategies are required over many departments such as research and development, production and marketing to deliver the main strategy. The process of strategy development is complex and methodology depends on several factors including the availability of resources and the external environment. The second step in strategy development following identification of core competencies is the process of leveraging resources so they can be exploited for maximum benefit. Strategy development is a crucial step in attaining competitive advantage but a strategy is only as successful as its implementation. The process of leveraging co re competencies therefore is vital and requires careful consideration since it forms the basis of implementation. Leveraging core competencies This is the process of exploiting core competencies in the most appropriate manner for effective strategy development because not all core competencies need to be used all the time and some may be more beneficial than others in any given scenario. Prahalad and Hamel (in Segal-Horn, 2009: 33-40) have highlighted five broad ways by which core competencies can be leveraged: 1. Concentrating core competencies effectively, 2. Efficiently accumulating core competencies, 3. Creating value through complementing core competencies with each other, 4. Conserving core competencies through contingency plans and 5. Recovering core competencies in a timely manner. Concentrating core competencies is a method which has two facets; one being convergence which reflects the overall vision most closely so all the resources ‘conver ge over time (Segal-Horn, 2009: 33) and the second being focus. By focussing the most appropriate core competencies on key aspects only it allows an organisation to meet significant short-term goals most effectively. This is most useful in situations where some departments require more development than others for example the production team may be meeting the targets set for them but the marketing department might not be on par so although all departments are working towards one goal, one or more of the core competencies are being focussed on the under-performing department. The process of accumulating core competencies refers to both organisation-specific core competencies as well as those of other organisations. Having a bank of information which has not been developed by an organisation themselves but is easily accessible can be extremely beneficial since it reduces time spent carrying out menial tasks as well as allowing the organisation to continue their learning and de velopment by borrowing resources through mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and so on. Knowledge through experience and the continual process of an organisation to learn and unlearn in order to ‘apply lessons is known as extraction. Some core competencies are stand alone resources, one example being the open culture exhibited at Apple Inc. where creative individuals are given appropriate space to develop their ideas. More often than not, organisations find that the cumulative effect of core competencies is far greater than that of exploiting them individually and this method is known as blending. An extension of this idea is balancing core competencies which ensures that different operational areas within an organisation work together in harmony and do not overshadow or undermine each other. When applying these methods to leverage core competencies it should be noted that adjustments to re-balance the status quo may need to be made periodically. Conserving core competencies is a methodology which can be divided up into three areas. Shielding which involves protecting an organisations resources to reduce risk to a minimum while simultaneously increasing risk for competitors, co-option which is a collaboration that often results in increased market share for stronger party in the collaboration and the final methodology is recycling whereby core competencies which have a proven track record in significantly contributing to maximising profits are used time and time again. The final method which is used to leverage core competencies is recovery. The faster the speed of recovery, the time taken to turn around a product from development to market saturation and back to new product development, the greater the chances of recovering investment quicker. This leverage method is particularly noticeable in the technology industry where soon as a product garners popularity, its successor is already ready to be launched. Conclusion The brief analysis above has discussed that in an attempt to develop successful strategies, the first step is an internal analysis to identify available resources and capabilities. The next stage is to identify the core competencies of an organisation using criteria to test whether they add value, increase market share, are difficult to imitate and together do they possess the potential to serve as competitive advantage. In doing so it is evident that an organisation may be capable of drawing up a list of several resources and capabilities but only a handful of core competencies will result in any one organisation. Whilst several organisations may have similar resources in terms of tangible resources, it is the existence of intangible and human resources and the capabilities to combine them which create opportunities to develop core competencies. Once correctly identified, it is vital that core competencies are leveraged most effectively to maximise their potential in attem pting to deliver an organisations strategy. Core competencies can be leveraged in one of several ways depending on the nature of the brief. In some rare instances all of the core competencies may be used all of the time but more often than not the combination used is context-specific. The specific nature of the task will determine whether core competencies need to be reserved, extracted, borrowed, converged, recycled, shielded, blended, balanced, focussed or co-opted. Whilst the work on core competencies carried out by Prahalad and Hamel has been cited extensively and used by organisations globally, it is worth noting that the research is almost 25 years old and the longevity of theory may be questionable. With markets becoming more complex and consumer behaviour changing rapidly perhaps not all of the existing methods of leverage may be completely relevant. References 1. Segal-Horn,S. (2009) The Strategy Reader, Oxford: Blackwell 2. Grant,R. (2008) Contemporary Strategy Analysis, Oxford: Blackwell 3. Segal-Horn,S. and Boojihawan,D. (2006) B820 Unit 1 Introduction: What Is Strategy?, Milton Keynes: Open University 4. Gleadle, P. and Bakhru, A. (2007) B820 Unit 3 Competing With Capabilities, Milton Keynes: Open University 5. Crisis (2014) The national charity for single homeless people, [Online], Available: https://www.crisis.org.uk [29.08.14] 6. Prahalad, C.K. Hamel, G. (1990) ‘The core competence of the corporation, Harvard Business Review, May/June, pp.78-90