Estimating Risk and Return

1. â€Å"Why is expected return considered forward-looking? What are the challenges for practitioners to utilize expected return? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 246). Expected return is â€Å"forward-looking† in the sense that it represents the return investors expect to receive in the future as compensation for the market risk taken. The challenge is that practitioners cannot precisely know what the future holds and thus what the expected return should be. Thus, we create methods to estimate the expected return. 2. Describe how different allocations between the risk-free security and the market portfolio can achieve any level of market risk desired. † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 246). An investor can allocate money between a risk-free security that has zero risk (? =0), and the market portfolio that has market risk (? =1). If 75% of the portfolio is invested in the market, then the portfolio will have a ? =0. 75. If only 25% is invested i n the market, then the portfolio will have a market risk of ? =0. 25. The first example (? =0. 75) might be taken by a less risk averse investor while the second example (? 0. 25) illustrates the portfolio of a more risk averse investor. By allocating the investment money between 0 and 100% into the market portfolio, an investor can achieve any level of market risk desired. 3. â€Å"Compute the expected return given these three economic states, their likelihoods, and the potential returns:† Economic StateProbabilityReturn Fast Growth0. 3040% Slow Growth0. 5010% Recession0. 20? 25% Expected return = 0. 3? 40% + 0. 5? 10% + 0. 2? -25% = 12% 4. â€Å"If the risk-free rate is 6 percent and the risk premium is 5 percent, what is the required return? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 47). Required return = 6% + 5% = 11% 5. â€Å"The average annual return on the Standard and Poor's 500 Index from 1986 to 1995 was 15. 8 percent. The average annual T-bill yield during the same period was 5. 6 percent. What was the market risk premium during these 10 years? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 247). Average market risk premium = 15. 8% ? 5. 6% = 10. 2% 6. â€Å"Hastings Entertainment has a beta of 0. 24. If the market return is expected to be 11 percent and the risk-free rate is 4 percent, what is Hastings' required return? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 247).Use the capital asset pricing model to calculate Hastings' required return. Hastings’ required return = 4% + 0. 24 ? (11% ? 4%) = 5. 68% 7. Calculate the beta of your portfolio, which comprises the following items: (a) Olympic Steel stock, which has a beta of 2. 9 and comprises 25 percent of your portfolio, (b) Rent-a-Center stock, which has a beta of 1. 5 and comprises 35 percent of your portfolio, and (c) Lincoln Electric stock, which has a beta of 0. 2 and comprises 40 percent of your portfolio. (Adapted from Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, p. 248. ) 0 . 25? 2. 9 + 0. 35? 1. 5 + 0. 40? 0. 2 = 1. 33

World Religions Report: Catholicism

What is Catholicism? Catholicism is considered similar to Christianity with slight differences, such as having the Pope as the head of the church and a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. Basically, Catholics believe that their Church was founded by Jesus Christ. In addition, Catholic beliefs are specifically mentioned in the Apostles' Creed. Catholics also have sacraments which are received throughout the course of life. They give primary importance to Baptism, which makes them an official member of the Catholic Church. Generally, Catholic belief is based both on Scriprture and Tradition. The Holy Bible that contains scriptures are divided between the New and Old Testaments. â€Å"The original language of most of the Old Testament is Hebrew or Aramaic, but several books or portions of books were written in Greek. The New Testament was also written in Greek† (Christianity Portal, 2006). Moreover, sacred traditions are ones carried over from the earliest Church practices. These are handed down through scriptural teachings. They are guided in life by the Ten Commandments, that are believed to be given by God himself through a prophet named Moses. These commandments include honoring one's parents, not taking the name of God in vain, and honoring Sabbath day (Sunday), among others. The commandments are based on love of God and mankind. Based on the commadments, Man is also forbidden to kill another or steal from others. Committing against the commandments is considered a â€Å"mortal† sin and can condemn one to hell. On the other hand, following the commandments and being good towards others promises heaven and eternal life. Furthermore, prayer is important in the life of every Catholic. However, this is not an obligation. They have various forms of prayer towards God, special prayers to saints and patron saints, ad prayers according to intention. In addition, there are Catholics who have established devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. They pray to her for intercession, basing on the belief that whatever is asked through her to Jesus will be granted. These, however, depends if it is God's will. They pray the Holy Rosary, which consists of repetitions of the Hail Mary, a prayer for Mary. During the rosary, they recall the life of Christ in the form of four mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Light Mysteries. Catholicism believes in one God and sees Him as â€Å"eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing and omnipresent†(Christianity Portal, 2006). Catholics believe that God know all man's thoughts and sees all his actions. Catholics believe that there are three persons in one God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. â€Å"The faith of the Church and of the individual Christian is based on a relationship with these three Persons of the one God† (Christianity Portal, 2006). Name, Location Review of the Site The interview with Danford Cabinatan was conducted in The Saint Rita's Catholic Church in Waianae, Hawaii. It is located in 89-318 Farrington Highway, Nanakuli. The church can be easily identified as Catholic as there are three big crosses on top of it. Inside are statues of Mary, angels, and saints. Most noticeable is the statue of the crucified Christ on the cross. There is a rectangular table by the altar where the priest officiates the Holy Mass. The said table faces wooden pews, where Catholics sit/kneel during the Mass. Based on Saint Rita's official website, their schedule of Masses are held everyday. However, confessions are held by appointment. In addition, matrimony should be scheduled at least 6 months ahead of the actual wedding date. Saint Rita conducts religious educational activities for the youth and for adults. They conduct Bible Studies and Scripture Sharing. Interview Summary Ten questions about Catholicism were prepared for this interview. Danford Cabinatan willingly answered all these questions. He was baptized Catholic and was raised as one by his parents. Baptism, as he said, prepares adults to receive other sacraments such as Reconciliation and Confirmation. As a Catholic, he attends Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, confesses his sins, receives the Holy Communion, and observes the days of fasting and abstinence. Some of the important and traditional Catholic holidays are the Holy Days of Obligation, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, The Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Feast of the Assumption of Mary, All Saints Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas or the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Catholics differ from other Christians as they celebrate the Eucharist. In contrast to Christians, the Catholic Church is overseen by the Pope, and has devotion to Mary and the Saints. The Christia Bible also differs from other religious books as it has the Old and the New Testaments. All Christians use the Bible, however they differ in versions and translations. When asked how has his religion shaped his life, Cabinatan answered â€Å"Religion is/will always be part of my life and shaped me to what I am today. Believing and having faith In God. Believe in the Ten Commandments and life will be good to anyone. One just needs to recite the Apostles’ Creed. † He also denies questioning his faith at any point of his life. The Catholic Church is involved in the community lot of social programs and ministries throughout the world. They include shelters, hospitals and schools. The ministries like the Catholic Relief Services and Charities help the poor, families, sick and elderly. The Catholic Church have organizations world wide like the Daughters of Charity and the Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus visited every family who had lost family member/members in the 9-11incident. In addition, the Knights also assisted and donated huge amount of money to the families affected by the 9-11 attack. Cabinatan is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Eucharistic minister. He also is an Extra Ordinary minister at the hospital where he visits the sick and administers the Eucharist every 5th Sunday. Catholism versus Buddhism There are significant differences between Catholicism and Buddhism. Among which are beliefs, faith, traditions, and practices. One of the major differences is the entity worshipped. Catholics, as Christians, primarily believe in Jesus Christ while Buddhists believe in Buddha. Jesus Christ was the son of Mary, who conceived Christ through Immaculate Conception. Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama, who was the King of India. Christ claimed he is both man and God, who died and rose again, â€Å"establishing a unique and everlasting covenant with man† (Clark, 2008). On the other hand, Buddha is believed to be one of the many to come in different ages â€Å"to teach man that life is an illusion and to strip away human desires and attachments†(Clark, 2008). Christ said that he is â€Å"the Way, the Truth, and the Life† while Buddha teaches that â€Å"every person must find their own path to enlightenment, or nirvana, the extinction of self†(Clark, 2008). Jesus taught â€Å"God wishes to share His divine life, given through the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit while Buddha taught individuality must perish and that everything is One† (Clark, 2008). On faith, Buddhists do not believe in a god. Buddha was a human being â€Å"who attained full Enlightenment through meditation and showed the path of spiritual awakening and freedom† (Fisher, 2005, p. 134). With this, Buddhism is said to be a religion of â€Å"wisdom, enlightnement and compassion† while Catholicism is a religion of God. Catholics believe that the Church is the Body and Bride of Christ, the seed of the Kingdom of God, and the conduit of God's grace and mercy in the world† (Clark, 2008). Catholics rely on faith in God when difficulties and trials come in life. Meanwhile, Buddhist teaching suggests that the only way to escape these difficulties is non-existence. In the light of sufferings and problems, Catholics see these as something to bring them closer to God. They see these as part of everyday life and takes these as a reason to maintain devotion to God. In other words, sufferings and sacrifices unite them with him. On the other hand, the Buddhists see suffering as something to be escaped from. They are â€Å"not concerned with whether or not God exists, nor offer worship. Instead, seek after non-self (anatman)†(Clark, 2008). Buddhists also believe that it was during meditation under a bodhi tree that Buddha was suddenly enlightened. He was enlightened with the doctrine or â€Å"dharma† of â€Å"Four Noble Truths†. These are: (1) life is suffering; (2) the cause of suffering is desire; (3) to be free from suffering we must detach from desire; and, (4) the â€Å"eight-fold path† is the way to alleviate desire. The eight-fold path includes having right views, intentions, speech, actions, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. The final goal of Buddhism is not merely to eradicate desire, but to be free of suffering. (Clark, 2008) On practice, the Catholics celebrate the Holy Eucharist every Sunday. They attend the mass on Holy Days of Obligation: Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas Day. Catholics have various prayers that are prayed at any time of the day. Catholics also have traditional prayers such as the Our Father, that is believed to have been taught by Jesus Christ himself. Any conversation with God is considered a form of prayer. At times, they meditate and keep silent, since they believe that God speaks in silence. Buddhists, on the other hand, do not pray to a higher power as Catholics do, but they recite mantras and meditate. Buddhists meditate to gain clarity of thought, power of concentration and insight into the true nature of reality. Similarities noted between these two religions is the practice of prayer and the desire to reach a good and peaceful state. According to the Ignatius in Sight website, â€Å"External similarities, including monks, meditation, and prayer beads, seemed to indicate a newly discovered closeness between the followers of Christ and Buddha† (Clark, 2008). Conclusion It appears that Catholicism is a religion while Buddhism is more of a way of life. Catholics observes rules based on the commandments and morals that guide their way of life. However, this is not in a strict sense. Some opt to be non-practicing Catholics. These are ones who were baptized in the Catholic church but do not attend the Mass or receive any other sacraments. Catholics may do good in the name of God and mankind but with the fear that failing to do so will make them sin and go to hell. Also, they aim to do what the Catholic Church teach, for fear of immorality. Based from the interview of Danford Cabinatan, his inclination in the Catholic faith was instilled right after birth. He was baptized as a Catholic and accordingly brought up as one by his parents. When he was asked how he deals with the impulses of the secular world, he exclaimed â€Å"I tell everyone to stay close to the church and life will be good to you! Don’t let life pass you by! This is why Cabinatan is an active member of the Church and a true practicing Catholic. The impression is Cabinatan appears contented and happy being a Catholic all his life. He even remarked that he has never doubted the Catholic faith. He did not consider converting to any religion. Just like any job, relationship, or status, one's religion can be freely chosen. What matters is what works f or the person and what makes him live a healthy productive life. For Cabinatan, Catholicism is beneficial, as he appears contented and confident in the Catholic belief.

Modern History Germany 1918-1945

To what extent did the weaknesses in the Weimar Republic account for the growth and rise to power of the Nazi Party to 1933? The Weimar Republic was created in 1919 with the abdication of Wilhelm II. The new government was the body that signed the Treaty of Versailles, and to many, this was a betrayal. The consequences of Versailles were severe to Germany, and many were looking for someone to blame, the government was the ideal scape goat. Communists and the right saw an opportunity to create a state that they wanted, and were prepared to challenge the new republic for this.Many richer Germans had lived well under the Kaiser, and distrusted the new government. This began a long line of challenges that would become the Weimar Republic’s weaknesses and would later on, lead to their defeat and the growth and rise of the Nazi Party. From the start, the new Weimar government faced opposition from both left and right. The Left wing Spartacist group, lead by Luxemburg and Liebknecht, admired the new Russian Communist political system, and with the fall of the Kaiser, saw an opportunity to attempt to place Germany into a similar system.In January 1919 they revolted, and tried to take control of Berlin, with the support of the USDP they proclaimed a new revolutionary government. However, Ebert had already won the support of the military with the Ebert-Groener pact, and the troops suppressed the revolt. This pact was significant, meaning the government had associated itself with the right, and perhaps this early incident is one of the factors which would convince the government to appoint Hitler Chancellor in 1933. The Right, were next to revolt and in 1920 the Kapp Putch revolt occurred.Monarchists seized government buildings in Berlin; and this forced the government to flee to Stuttgart. The rebels however, surrendered on March 17 as unions declared a general strike. Yet again the government had had another close escape. At this stage the political instability w as through the roof thanks to the financial implications of the Treaty of Versailles. By 1921, the level of reparations had been fixed to 132,000,000 gold marks. And it was clearly evident that Germany was so weakened by this, that it would not be able to pay.By January 1923, the French were angered at Germany's poor lack of payment, and occupied with force, the Ruhr region. The citizens of the Ruhr began to hate the French who were exploiting them, and so again, the people needed someone to blame. Of course this being the same people who had agreed to pay reparations, their government. By November 1923, the situation of hyperinflation had skyrocketed, as small firms collapsed and were bought out at prices far below their real value. Ownership of the German economy became concentrated into the hands of a small few powerful interests.Money was becoming more and more worthless by the day. Burnt constantly, as it became cheaper then firewood itself. The middle classes had their savings devalued considerably, and there was general discontent all over. The Treaty of Versailles was signed by the new government, and this treaty was causing great anguish. The people of Germany had no one to blame but the government, the majority of the country were angered, and it could be considered that with universal criticism, and perhaps some hatred, the new republic was doomed to fail.The extremist Nazi’s had only 12 seats in 1928, and had little or no voice in national government. The socialists were in control with 153 seats and had a steady recovery in progress, with no radical changes planned. The government it's self had progressed from an imperial autocracy to a democratic republic. Universal suffrage came about; meaning their head of state could be changed every seven years if the people became unhappy. From the uplift during the late 1920’s there was optimism for the republic, the economy, and the German culture.This optimism was rudely interrupted however, by the devastating world depression and the heavily impacting Wall Street crash which meant that â€Å"anyone who bought stocks in mid-1929 and held onto them, saw most of his or her adult life pass by before getting back to even†. With this, social breakdown followed, with an increase in crime. Many women turned to prostitution to feed their families and shortly after, Berlin became the centre for experimental artistic movements as well as Nightclubs, cabaret, and Cafes that became notorious for immorality.After this, investment was withdrawn from the economy, causing German to go into decline once again. Unemployment then reaches record levels of six million. With this many people began to turn to Hitler, who preached employment and greatness and promised major improvement. This was reflected in the Nazis then gaining 107 seats in the 1930 election. Showing that people were looking for a proper extremist solution. There were thousands of demonstrations against the governme nt from most political groups throughout but these were overpowered by the 1,300 Nazi demonstrations that took place during 1930 alone.Bruing then relied on decrees to keep order. The depression created the very situation that Hitler had been waiting for. The Nazi's believed that only a national catastrophe would see them win power, and they were correct. The Nazi's stirred up opposition to the government and republic, by linking the government to Versailles, and linking Versailles and the Weimar Republic to all of Germany's problems. As Hitler had such a wide political appeal, the Nazis then began to blame other political groups, especially the communists.Hitler was an excellent orator, and had a strong personality which promised greatness for the German people. He became attractive to the modern day worker and the middle classes as he promised secure employment at a time when people were distrusting of their own current government. Hitler also promised that he would act legally an d with order. Another appeal which gave peace to the German people. However, the elections of 1932 saw the Nazi's lose two million votes at the expense of the communists, the KPD. The country was showing signs of splitting into two.But the one thing that both groups had in common was that they wanted to change the system of government. This did not sit well with the Weimar republic. By now it was clear that the country was going to go one way and the republic was doomed. There was a great fear of civil war amongst the people, and they had to choose who they wanted to prevent this, and unite the country once again. By March 1933 it was clear that more people had turned to the Nazis, who gained 92 more seats, and the communists lost 19.The Nazi revolution was beginning. By this time, the Reichstag saw a Nazi majority and was headed by a Nazi Chancellor. Key Nazi points were soon introduced as law. Point 25 of the Nazi 25 points, Centralisation, was evident when Hitler subordinated the local governments. By May, trade unions were banned, the S. D. P was dissolved, and by June, the Nazi party was the only legal party. When Hindenburg died a year later, Hitler appointed himself Fuhrer, and the Weimar republic came to an end.From the very start, I gained the perspective that many believed that the weak foundations in which the republic was built on, combined with the roles of the conservative elite's in German society as well as the Great Depression were the strong influences which lead to the downfall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazis. Clearly the Weimar republic faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. This created potential for the reintroduction of a monarch, or even a communist state, and several attempted revolutions occurred.The public blamed their problems on the Treaty of Versailles, and in turn, blamed the government that signed it. I think we can agree that from the 1930s the Weimar Republic was surely doomed, when the co untry was splitting into two groups, the left and the right, with both wanting an end to the republic, and a change to another political system, communist or Nazi. The Weimar was a rushed and often referred to as a ‘mistaken democracy, with a dysfunctional nature, that aided in the rise of Nazism. ’ The Weimar republic started in chaos, spent much of its short life in chaos, and dissolved without putting up much resistance. But although it was weakened by these many evolving issues, I believe that the Weimar Republic was not the only factor to Hitler’s rise as his use of aggressive and persuasive propaganda with the backup of violence, brainwashed many people into believing that he was the only option for Germany to follow. I believe that no one factor was responsible for the collapse of the Weimar republic, but it being a combination of factors and circumstances that lead to it's down fall and the growth and rise of power that was then passed to the strategic an d overbearing Nazi Party lead by Hitler in 1933. Freya Young, Year 12 Modern HistoryBibliography and Referencing Internet A quote from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Wall_Street_Crash_of_1929 â€Å"Anyone who bought stocks in mid-1929 and held onto them saw most of his or her adult life pass by before getting back to even. † Quote by Richard M. Salsman http://www. oppapers. com/essays/Rise-Nazi-Party/15442 Books The Weimar Republic, Written By Detlev J. K. Peukert From Weimar to Hitler (Germany 1918-33) Author: E. J. Feuchtwanger Excel HSC, Modern History, Author Ron Ringer

Clinical Supervision Reflection and Action Plan Essay

Clinical Supervision Reflection and Action Plan - Essay Example Other fields have also embraced the concept of clinical supervision with a variation of the same though under a different name altogether. This paper is going to focus on the various aspects of clinical supervision. It will begin with a brief background of the concept. A definition of the concept will be provided for purposes of understanding what clinical supervision is all about. It will then look at what happens in clinical supervision including the various stages involved. It will then provide a reflection of the good things that I encountered during clinical supervision before also looking at the bad things in clinical supervision. The paper will then look at some of the key issues in clinical supervision outlining their importance and how to improve on them in the future. This will then be followed by a discussion of some of the challenges that I faced and the mechanisms that I put in place to overcome them. The paper will conclude explaining why clinical supervision is important in nursing and the difference that it makes in the entire profession. Clinical supervision There has been a longstanding assumption in the medical field that nurses and midwives for that matter â€Å"learn on the Job† but in true sense there have been very few mechanisms that are put in place to ensure this aspect happens (Bryant, 2010, p. 36 ). Clinical supervision is an aspect that was introduced way back in the early 1990’s to describe a systematic structure for professional development for nurses and midwives. This concept was seen as a means of bringing together the aspect of reflection, development, individual responsibility and accountability within a framework that offers support and promotes safe practices (Gordon, 2000, p. 27). The overall intention of introducing this concept is to be able to promote safe practice and help in identifying the wilful bad practices that are exemplified nurses at the workplace and how these can be avoided in future operations (Bryant, 2010, p. 37 ). The NMC viewed the practices by nurses as individual responsibility an d therefore in 1993 they put forward a code that stated â€Å"As a professional you are personally accountable for actions and omissions in your practice and must always be able to justify your decisions.† This showed the aspect of individual responsibility and accountability (NMC, 2008). The council later on realized the importance of clinical supervision as being essential to accountable nursing practice and therefore endorsed its adoption in every branch of nursing. However the implementation of this aspect was essentially left to the practitioners in the individualized or local situations (Jeremy & Suresh, 2007, p. 412). The council still supports the aspect of clinical supervision but believes that it is better developed at local levels in line with the local needs of the population (Bryant, 2010, p. 39 ). Clinical supervision is therefore described as â€Å"regular protected time for facilitated, in-depth reflection on clinical practice aimed to enable the supervisee t o achieve, sustain and creatively develop a high quality of practice through the means of focused support and development.† (NCNM, 2008, p. 2) Brunero & Stein-Parbury (2008, p. 87) define clinical supervision as â€Å" a process of professional support and learning in which nurses are assisted in developing their practice through regular discussion time with experienced and knowledgeable colleagues.† It is evident from this that the principle of discussion is used in clinical supervision. Discussion or reflection is used to assist the nurse’s figure out what happened in a given situation and what

Analysis of the Financial Position of the Company Essay

Analysis of the Financial Position of the Company - Essay Example In line with the positive changes in Company D’s income and expense levels during Year 8, its Income Before Tax Return on Equity has increased from 27.20% in Year 7 to 30.79% in Year 8. This rate of return identifies Company D as one that delivers a much higher rate of returns as compared to the other companies in the industry, which have accordingly generated the return on equity rates of 8.1%, 17.2%, and 29.7%. This capacity of the company to earn more than the average member of its industry constitutes a valuable strength. The same is true with the company’s Gross Margin Ratio and Income Before Tax Margin Ratio which, at 31.09% and 10.08%, respectively, turned out to be higher than their Year 2007 counterparts. In consonance with the company’s relatively high Return on Equity when compared with those of the others in the industry, its Gross Margin Ratio – an indication of what the company's pricing policy is and of what the true markup margins are – turns out to be higher than the 27.3% industry average and its Income Before Tax Margin Ratio, which reveals the profit generated by the company using the money invested by its shareholders, is a lot higher than the 3.4%, the industry’s average. Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that Company D is among the best performers in its industry in terms of profitability. Meanwhile, the company’s comparative balance sheets for Years 8 and 7 showed that its current assets increased during Year 8 only by 15.01% while its current liabilities increased by 24.55%.

Campbell Soup Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Campbell Soup - Case Study Example The company’s management should have paid attention to the issues affecting their employees. For example, the Campbell Soup Company should have raised the minimum wage of the workers and provide benefits such as health insurance and other benefits that would have made their life secure (Barger & Reza, 1994). Second, the company should have mediated earlier. It is essential to act as soon as the workers concerns become apparent. This is because, as witnessed, the issues may heighten. The living and working conditions of the migrant farm laborers was appalling. A large number of them resided in overpopulated areas, without sufficient toilets, clean drinking water, and electricity. Campbell Soup Company should have improved their living standards so as to prevent criticisms from the Farm Labor Organizing Committee. Third, the company should have researched the workers’ issues in person. Researching the workers’ concerns would have assisted in getting accurate inform ation regarding the living and working conditions of the workers and helped management deal with the issues. It was Farm Labor Organizing Committee that highlighted the inequitable labor activities (Barger & Reza, 1994).... They also continued to endure harsh conditions because it was the responsibility of the growers to determine their conditions. Second, Campbell Soup Company employees working conditions enhanced (Barger & Reza, 1994). This is because they were included in labor organizations and could take part in collective bargaining. Third, executives of Campbell Soup Company had to raise wages and enhance their workers working conditions. They also had to change to mechanical harvesters. Fourth, independent growers had to improve the working conditions of laborers due to pressure from FLOC. Fifth, FLOC got support from significant organizations and leading national agencies to advance its activities. Sixth, the ombudsman advanced the accessibility of schooling facilities and guaranteed that the workers’ children went to school in the school period. Seventh, protesters continued with their protests until the company addressed some of the worker’s issues (Rosenbaum, 1993). Finally, mi grant workers children stopped accompanying their parents to the farms and started attending classes in the school period. Question 3 The most appropriate ethical approach applicable to this situation is the utilitarian approach. The utilitarian approach examines an act in terms of its outcomes or consequences, that is, the total costs and benefits to every stakeholder on a personal level. The utilitarian approach attempts to attain the largest benefit for the largest number of people while generating the least degree of damage or thwarting the largest degree of distress (Barger & Reza, 1994). The approach asserts that everyone’s concern should be looked at in a similar manner during the decision making process, and this incorporates

Intermediate Microeconomic problem set section A & B Coursework

Intermediate Microeconomic problem set section A & B - Coursework Example It is only possible to have dominant strategy equilibrium as Nash equilibrium, and not Nash equilibrium as dominant strategy. A dominant strategy is a special case of Nash equilibrium since there can be a tie of the strategies made by the players, therefore, resulting in Nash equilibrium. At that point, no player is capable of making any move since any move made by any player makes them worse off. They can only make a move if the dominant player makes a move (Kelly, 2003). 5. What are production externalities and how can they be eliminated through a merger? Explain, also with the aid of an example illustrated by a diagram. Production externalities are costs or benefits to a party other than the producer. Production externalities can either be positive or negative. Positive production externalities are the benefits that ensue from production or the construction of a production unit in a place. The benefits are to the society. These benefits result from production externalities that co me about as a result of production by companies and industries. The costs that come about as a result of production sum up to negative production externalities. ... Industries emit harmful gases into the atmosphere through the various processes of production. Such gases pollute the environment and more so, the air people breathe. This results in respiratory diseases when inhaled and also destroys the ozone layer leading to changes in climate. Setting up of industries also involved creating space trough cutting down of trees. Planting and having such trees takes ages and this is a cost to the society. Another externality is that traffic jams ensue as industries take up more space for industrial construction. Positive production externalities are the benefits to other third parties other than the producer. Such benefits are enjoyed by third parties. The producer does not enjoy them. An example is where producers provide jobs to the community in which it is set up and provides sponsorships and produce quality and safe products to the society. Have to be charged for emission of gases or harmful substances into the environment. They also pay for poll ution permits in order to produce. Industries also pay taxes to the government which acts as a revenue. While society benefits from this, it is a cost to the producer. A merger is where industries come together and represent both industries as one. For example, when there is a fishing firm a manufacturing industry that emits sewerage to the water that the fish firm depends on. The fish firm may decide to buy the manufacturing firm so it becomes one company, so that it is able to control the pollution of the water resource. Thus, by merging the two industries, the costs of the production externality are controlled and reduced (Quiggin and Chambers, 2001). S=maginal social costs(MSC) S=marginal private costs (MPC) Price P* P B D=marginal social benefits (MSB) Q* Q Quantity The difference

Alternative Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper

Alternative Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Research Paper Example The classic symptoms of RA are swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints. [1] Characteristics RA is characterized by inflammation of the synovium, progressive bone erosion, joint malignant, and destruction of surrounding tissues and muscles. Quality of life Some factors that effect the RA patient’s quality of life are endemic to the disease. This helps to rule out the possibility of other disease. Patients rarely have RA as their only medical problem. It is estimated that seventy percent of the RA patients who are on DMARDS (disease-modifying ant rheumatic drugs) have at least one other disease. The combination of the RA and another co-existing disease ultimately leads to a higher rate of mortality as compared to healthy people. In other words, RA patients age faster than healthy people. This may or may not be the result of the initial onset of RA or whether the premature aging precedes the onset of RA. Statistics 2.1 million Americans (0.5% - 1.0%) are affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Women are twice as likely to have the disease as men. The onset of RA occurs between thirty to fifty-five years of age with a median age of fifty-five years. Forty-nine billion dollars is spent annually for direct medical and lost wages and productivity. This amounts to $8500 per RA patient per year as the average cost of pharmaceutical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis which amount to 9 million physicians’ visits and 250,000 hospitalizations per year. [2] Alternative Therapies Yoga Yoga is an alternative therapy that has its roots in ancient India. It was used by the Indian culture as a sort of psycho-spiritual treatment for various diseases. Yoga is considered to have a positive effect on mental and spiritual health. The National Health Interview Survey of 2002 on Yoga use in the United States discovered certain traits endemic to people who where regular practitioners. It found that yoga users were primarily Caucasian (85%) and female (76%) with a mean age of 39. 5 years. [3] In this study, it was found that the practice of yoga has a â€Å"modulating effect on physiological and neurophysiologic symptoms.† [4] Some of the documented effects of yoga practice found in this study were; decrease in resting heart rate, increase in baro- reflex sensitivity in healthy elderly patients in addition to significant blunting of heart rate and blood pressure. Other benefits included decreased symptoms of stress, enhanced quality of life, and normalization of mean daily cortical levels in patients with prostate and breast cancer. Yoga is used to treat depression, improve muscle strength, increase endurance, improvement of balance and flexibility. It has also been shown to reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis of the hand, osteoarthritis of the knee, carp tunnel syndrome and localized lower back discomfort. RA patients reporting depression and anxiety disorders saw significant improvement in their mental health. By decreasing disease activity, the RA patient has a decreased perception of pain. It was concluded that a yoga program may slow the progression of the disease, enhance physical function, and decrease the risk of falls. Exercise Exercise can be defined as a planned regime of physical activity with the aim of having the outcome of a positive health benefit. [5] Regular exercise is crucial in the battle against RA. The

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer - Research Paper Example In most cases a combination of inhibitors is necessary to maximize the efficacy of the drug treatment. The possible side-effects associated with these drugs is still under investigation. Thus at present the prognosis for colon cancer associated with obesity has been found to be poor, however the combinational use of inhibitors could change the current prognosis. Keywords: colon cancer, obesity, insulin, adipokines According to recent surveys colon cancer is the third most commonly occurring cancer in males and second in the case of females associated with a mortality rate of 608,700 (Chen, 2012). About 1.2 million people are diagnosed with this type of cancer every year (Whitlock, Gill, Birch, & Karmali, 2012). There are many causative factors involved in the pathogenesis of colon cancer which include environmental factors such as a high-fat/ low-fiber dietary intake, genetic factors such as inherited or cellular genetic mutations, life style changes such as smoking, physical inactiv ity and obesity (Chen, 2012; Ma, Yang, Wang, Zhang, Shi, Zou, & Qin, 2013). Studies have shown a strong link between obesity and the incidence of colon cancer. Obesity, which is measured as the body mass index, is on a rise over the past few decades all over the world. The World Health Organization estimates show that about 10% of the world population is clinically obese (Whitlock, Gill, Birch, & Karmali, 2012). Obesity is associated with an increased risk of type II diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and heart disease. These conditions increase the serum levels of cancer risk factors such as insulin, insulin-like growth-factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, interleukin-6, 17 (IL-6, IL-17), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and decreases serum levels of adiponectin which is considered to indirectly protect against cancer (Chen, 2012; Van Kruijsdijk, van der Wall, & Visseren, 2009). The role of insulin and IGF-1 in the carcinogenic process has been supported by clinical studies. These factors in turn activate multiple signal pathways which can induce tumor growth. For example increased secretion of insulin and IGF-1 stimulate cancer growth by binding to their specific receptors and activate pathways that inhibit apoptosis and stimulate cell proliferation. IGF-1 stimulates the proliferation of cells by activating the signal pathways phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Ras/Raf mitogen activated protein kinase systems and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathways (STAT 3). IGF-1 is also involved in cell migration and invasion which favors cancer progression and metastasis (Chen, 2012; Van Kruijsdijk, van der Wall, & Visseren, 2009; Frezza, Wachtel, & Chiriva-Internati, 2006). Adipose tissue dysfunction in obese individuals plays a major role in promoting carcinogenesis by affecting important biochemical mechanisms such as insulin resistance, and production of adipokines and cytokines involved in inflammation. An increased leptin level which is secret ed by the adipocytes in obese individuals is associated with the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. The leptin hormone is known to promote mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and inflammation and inhibit apoptosis (Van Kruijsdijk, van der Wall, & Visseren, 2009; Frezza, Wachtel, & Chiriva-Internati, 2006). Obesity is also associated with decreased levels of adipone

Toyota way Essay Example for Free

Toyota way Essay With a market capitalization greater than the value of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler combined, Toyota is also, (by far), the world s most profitable automaker. Toyota s wellknown secret weapon is Lean production the revolutionary approach to business processes that it invented in the 1950s and has spend decades perfecting. Less well known are the management principles that underlie Lean production, Lean product development, and all of Toyota s business and service processes. Today businesses around the world are attempting to implement Toyota’s radical system for speeding up processes, reducing waste, and improving quality. But are they getting beneath the surface of Lean tools and techniques to the real foundation of Toyota s success? The Toyota Way, explains Toyota’s unique approach to Lean management the 14 principles that drive Toyota s quality and efficiency-obsessed culture. You will gain valuable insights that can be applied to any organization and any business process, whether in services or manufacturing. You will discover how the right combination of long-term philosophy, processes, people, and problem solving can transform your organization into a Lean, learning enterprise the Toyota Way. Foreword When I joined Toyota after 18 years in the U.S. automobile business, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. But I was hopeful. I knew that I wasn’t comfortable with the direction that American automobile manufacturing was taking, and I felt Toyota might be different. In no time at all I noticed a fundamental difference between Toyota and my previous employers. At a Toyota/GM joint venture plant in Fremont, California, called NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing), I witnessed the transformation of a workforce from one of the worst in the General Motors system to one of the best in any manufacturing facility in the United States. The difference was the Toyota Way. In this book, Dr. Liker explains the management systems, thinking, and philosophy that form the foundation of Toyota’s success, providing the reader with valuable insights that can be applied to any business or situation. While there are many books that provide insight into the tools and methods of Toyota’s Production System (TPS), Professor Liker’s book is unique in its explanation of the broader principles at work in the Toyota culture. The Toyota Way is not the Japanese Way or the American Way or even the Gary Convis Way of managing. It is the fundamental way that Toyota views its world and does business. The Toyota Way, along with the Toyota Production System, make up Toyota s DNA. This DNA was born with the founders of our company and continues to be developed and nurtured in our current and future leaders. The Toyota Way can be briefly summarized through the two pillars that support it: Continuous Improvement and Respect for People. Continuous improvement, often called kaizen, defines Toyota s basic approach to doing business. Challenge everything. More important than the actual improvements that individuals contribute, the true value of continuous improvement is in creating an atmosphere of continuous learning and an environment that not only accepts, but actually embraces change. Such an environment can only be created where there is respect for people hence the second pillar of the Toyota Way. Toyota demonstrates this respect by providing employment security and seeking to engage team members through active participation in improving their jobs. As managers, we must take the responsibility for developing and nurturing mutual trust and understanding among all team members. I believe management has no more critical role than to motivate and engage large numbers of people to work together toward a common goal. Defining and explaining what the goal is, sharing a path to achieving it, motivating people to take the journey with you, and assisting them by removing obstacles those are management s reasons for being. We must engage the minds of people to support and contribute their ideas to the organization. In my experience, the Toyota Way is the best method for fulfilling this role. However, readers of this book should understand that each organization must develop its own way of doing business. The Toyota Way is the special product of the people who created Toyota and its unique history. Toyota is one of the most successful companies in the world. I hope this book will give you an understanding of what has made Toyota successful, and some practical ideas that you can use to develop your own approach to business. Gary Convis Managing Officer of Toyota and President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Preface In 1982 when I first arrived as a new assistant professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the automotive industry was in serious turmoil in the midst of a national recession. The situation seemed dire. The Ford Motor company was seriously flirting with bankruptcy. The Big 3 were losing market share fast. There was a lot of debate at the time over the root cause. The party line among Detroit auto executives was that the cause was the Japanese invasion. Japan, Inc. had banded together with industry and government colluding to set up trade barriers to prevent American cars from being sold in Japan and artificially lowering prices of Japanese cars in the United States. Of course, in the minds of U.S. companies, as long as the root cause was unfair business practices, there was no need to seriously change the way they built cars. Instead, political channels would right the wrongs. Around this time I was fortunate to be invited by David Cole and Robert Cole (two University of Michigan professors who were leading the study of the Japanese quality movement) to work on a U.S.-Japan automotive study. This research was an effort to help U.S. companies learn from the Japanese automakers. My project focused on how automakers worked with their suppliers on new product development in the U.S. and Japan. The numerous studies that made up the overall U.S.-Japan auto study covered many aspects of the industry, and all the studies collectively pointed to a single conclusion. Whatever was going on with Japan s government and the value of the yen and other macro-economic factors, Japanese auto companies were very good at engineering and building cars. They were not necessarily financial or marketing whizzes. They were not the leaders in advanced manufacturing technology, at least not in complex automation. They designed in quality and built in quality at every step of the process, and they did it with remarkably few labor hours. Not only were Japan s automakers good, their top suppliers were also world class in engineering and manufacturing, and they worked together as a team. But even in these early stages of my introduction to the auto industry in Japan, there were indications that Toyota was different from the other Japanese automakers. While the basic product development process seemed similar across the three automakers, and the top tier suppliers were all integrally part of the product development process, there was a sense of partnership between Toyota and its suppliers that we did not see as strongly in the keiretsu of Mazda and Nissan. Later, in 1991 John Campbell and I received a grant to create the Japan Technology Management Program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, which I am still directing. The goals of this program are to learn about the practices that have helped the best Japanese companies become strong globally, teach what we learn to our students and industry, and encourage technically oriented students to learn about Japanese language and culture through courses and internships in Japan. This research program allowed me to continue my studies of the Japanese auto industry, and I chose to focus more intensively on Toyota, in particular its product development process and the Toyota Production System. The U.S. government grant focused on transfer of learning so I began studying Toyota’s efforts to transfer its practices to its U.S.-based subsidiaries and American companies efforts to learn from Toyota. By the early 1990s all of the Big 3 auto producers had woken up to the reality of Japanese quality and concluded that Toyota was the company to beat. They were all actively studying Toyota and creating their own versions of Toyota’s systems. They benchmarked the company on its production system, product development system, and supplier relationship management. Their great interest in Toyota’s systems has given me an opportunity to teach about Toyota’s production system and product development process, and get my hands dirty consulting to implement these systems. I have had opportunities to work in America, the United Kingdom, and Mexico in industries including automotive, paint manufacturing, nuclear fuel rod assembly, ship building, ship repair, an engineering professional organization, and lawncare equipment. I have taught lean change agents from over one thousand companies worldwide, and my participation in lean transformation has given me a deeper understanding of what is involved in transforming a culture and learning from Toyota. My studies of U.S. companies working to implement versions of the Toyota Production System led to a book I edited called Becoming Lean: Experiences of U.S. Manufacturers (Liker, 1997), winner of a Shingo Prize (in honor of Shigeo Shingo who helped create the TPS) in 1998. Articles I co-authored on Toyota’s product development system and supplier management in Sloan Management Review and Harvard Business Review also won Shingo Prizes. But it was not until I was invited to write The Toyota Way that I had an opportunity to pull together in one volume 20 years of observations of Toyota and companies learning from Toyota. Reading this book might give you the impression that I am a strong advocate for Toyota. As a professor and social scientist, I work at being objective, but I will admit I am a fan of the Toyota Way. I believe Toyota has raised continuous improvement and employee involvement to a unique level, creating one of the few examples of a genuine learning enterprise in human history—not a small accomplishment. Much of the research behind this book has come from 20 years of visits to Japan and interviews in Toyota facilities there and in the United States. When I was asked to write this book, I immediately asked Toyota for support through additional interviews specifically focused on the Toyota Way. They graciously agreed. As it turned out, they had just launched their own internal version of the Toyota Way to keep the â€Å"Toyota DNA† strong as they globalize and entrust international team members to run subsidiaries. This was the pet project of Fujio Cho, President of Toyota Motor Company, who learned the Toyota Way from one of its inventors, Taiichi Ohno, and he agreed to a rare, personal interview. I asked him what was unique about Toyota’s remarkable success. His answer was quite simple. The key to the Toyota Way and what makes Toyota stand out is not any of the individual elements. But what is important is having all the elements together as a system. It must be practiced every day in a very consistent manner—not in spurts. Over a one-year period I was able to interview over 40 Toyota managers and executives from manufacturing, sales, product development, logistics, service parts, and production engineering. I gathered over 120 hours of interviews, all transcribed. Included in these interviews were several former Toyota managers who left to apply what they learned to U.S. Companies and several suppliers to Toyota. I visited many Toyota plants, supplier plants, Toyota’s sales offices, a parts distribution center, a supplied parts cross-dock, the Arizona proving ground, and the Toyota Technical Center. I have thought about what impact I would like to make on readers of The Toyota Way. First, I have had a special opportunity to get inside the culture of a unique and high performing company and wish to share my insights. Second, Toyota is a model to many companies throughout the world so I wish to provide a different look at what makes Toyota so successful. The fundamental insight I have from my studies of Toyota is that its success derives from balancing the role of people in an organizational culture that expects and values their continuous improvements, with a technical system focused on high-value-added â€Å"flow.† This leads to my third and more challenging goal: to help other companies learn from Toyota and themselves so they can continuously improve on what they do.

Evaluating Effectiveness of Performance Management System

Evaluating Effectiveness of Performance Management System INTRODUCTION Performance management can be explained as the measures or systems put in place to ensure that the organization and all its subsystems i.e. departments, processes, teams, employees, etc. are working together in an optimum way towards achieving their goals and the results desired by the organization (Jackson, 1999:143). This field can be broken down into two components; one looks at the performance of a company as a whole evaluating the effectiveness of top management in reaching company goals while the other is a system of evaluating employees to help them reach goals that help them develop and ensure the company performs better. This paper will look at the later type of performance management. Performance management of individual employees involves setting of goals, planning work, giving feedbacks and reviews, providing opportunities for improvement and appraisal systems for well performing employees (Scullen, Bergey. Smith, 2005:28). This paper will focus on the case study, Perfor mance management at Network Solutions Inc. to give an informed review of performance management systems and their effectiveness. This will be achieved by providing detailed responses to four critical thinking questions emanating from the case study. It will begin by giving a review of the case study and proceed to evaluate the questions presented. REVIEW OF THE CASE STUDY The necessity of performance management system Network Solutions Inc. had been using more that 50 different systems of performance measurement in the company. Despite this huge number of systems, it was found that many employees did not receive a review, fewer than 5% of all employees received the lowest category of rating, and there was no recognition program in place to reward high achievers (Aguinis, 2009: 19). There was clear indication that the employee performance management systems that were coming at a high cost were ineffective in addressing the required issues. Being in the business of computer hardware and software, the company found that quality initiatives were driving change in a wide area of the company. It was therefore decided that such quality initiatives could be applied to improve people quality. Further, it was seen that linking each employees goal to the organizational goals would greatly help the company in achieving its objectives (Aguinis, 2009: 21). How the system works Due to the above mentioned needs, the company decided to adopt a forced distribution management system in which each employee would be classified into a category depending on comparative performance e.g. a rating of 1 to the top 20% of performers; a rating of 2 to the middle 70% of performers; and a rating of 3 to the bottom 10% of performers (Aguinis, 2009: 24). This system would be implemented by a global cross-divisional Human Resource team. Their plan was to begin by showing that business goals would be easily met by carrying down organizational strategy to team contributions which are translated to individual goals. This system would raise the bar on the companys performance management by focusing on the development of all employees. This would result into raised performance for all employees, talent identification and retention, and improvement of performance expectations for all employees. Company support To effectively manage this system, the team sought support from the companies top managers who were required to remain committed to the plan. They were required to stop using any other system of performance management and ensure that top leaders understood and accepted it. They were required to engage employees in talent management training in line with the new system. The result of the plan is a performance management system that revolves around a joint year round responsibility of employees and managers developing the planning phase of the system (Aguinis, 2009: 21). Managers schedule meetings which are prepared and finalized by the employees. Lowly rated employees are given time for performance improvement after which depending on their performance they could leave the company or continue with the plan. Average and best performers are given appraisals in form of salary increases, stock options and bonuses depending on the level of performance. The next part will use four questions to evaluate how the system at Network Solutions. compares with the ideal performance management system and give an assessment of its advantages, disadvantages and expected outcomes. OVERLAP BETWEEN NETWORK SOLUTIONS SYSTEM AND AN IDEAL SYSTEM Question 1: Overall, what is the overlap between Network Solutions system and an ideal system? To answer this question, this section will look at the extent to which the performance management system at Network Solutions corresponds with the ideal system. It will look at the process that it follows in terms of phases. Phase 1 Â ­- Performance planning. This is the stage where managers in the firm meet with the employees for discussion on the planning of the performance appraisal process. They define the behaviours and competencies expected of the employees and there is statement on what the person will achieve in the next twelve months. These goals are closely linked to the individuals development plans. As such, the manager automatically earns the right to hold the employees accountable at the end of the year (Simmons, 2002:86). Network Solutions have exhibited this phase by calling on all the senior managers to implement such measures. Phase 2 Employee Performance Execution This is the phase where employees display the actual performance that is subject to evaluation at the end of the year (Winstanley Stuart-Smith, 1996:66). Network Solutions displays this phase which is in accordance to the ideal system where there is a performance period of one year. In this period there are regular meetings to assess progress like they do at the company. The meetings are planned by the managers in conjunction with the employers who carry out the actual execution of the developments. In the meetings there is seeking of guidance and feedback in various issues (Rector Kleiner, 2002: 43). Phase 3 Employee Performance Assessment Senior managers assess how the employees in their departments have undertaken their duties and how much of their objectives they have fulfilled. They fill the various forms and paperwork intended for these purpose and forward them to the relevant team in readiness for individual appraisals based on performance (Molleman Timmerman, 2003: 95). At Network Solutions, the assessment is comparative with the rating being based on the performance level, e.g. a rating of 1 for the top 20% of performers, 2 for the middle 70% and 3 for the bottom 10% Phase 4 Employee Performance Review In this stage, the employee performers appraisal form that was prepared by the manager is reviewed together with the individuals self appraisal (Lawler McDermott, 2003:56). There is an honest assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, successes and areas needing improvement in the past twelve months. It is at this stage that the course of action to be taken in the next year is decided. In the case of Network Solutions, a low performer would consult with the managers to decide on the modalities of the performance improvement plan. From this assessment, it is clear that the performance management system at network Solutions overlap with the ideal system as has been demonstrated in the timeline approach taken. FEATURES IN THE SYSTEM Question 2: What are the features of the system implemented at Network Solutions that correspond to what was described in the chapter as ideal characteristics? Which of the ideal characteristics are missing? For which of the ideal characteristics do we need additional information to evaluate whether they are part of the system at Network Solutions? To supply an answer to this question, the paper will identify the aspects that are characteristic of the ideal performance system and for each identify if it is present or lacking in the Network Solutions system. Standardization: The ideal performance management system requires that the aspects of performance measured are uniform and there is a constant level of strictness (Scullen, Bergey and Smith, 2005: 27). This is meant to ensure that employees do not lack faith in their mangers and the system that might result from variations. The system at Network Solutions exhibits this aspect when the team ensures that the managers drop the previous systems and they offer training so that they can understand and apply it uniformly. Validity and conciseness: this means that the performance management system only measures what is valid at hand. The evaluation criterion therefore makes sure that employees are evaluated only in issue that regard their line of work (DeCenzo and Robbins, 2010: 214). In this case, the team of performance managers ensures that this is done by asking senior leaders to tailor new programmes applicable in their divisions. Hence the evaluation procedure in say the HR department is not the same as that in a technical field. Due process: this means that there are set guidelines that determine how measures are taken after the evaluation. In the case of network solutions, employees who are lowly rated are a given a specified time period to improve their performance (Fisher, 1995:55). If they do not improve, they can choose to leave the company with a severance package or take up a performance improvement plan. If this does not improve their performance they leave without a severance package. There is also set guidelines that dictate the appraisal of good performers with high salary increases, stock options and bonuses. ANTICIPATED RESULTS FROM IMPLIMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM Question 3: Based on the description of the system at Network Solutions, what do you anticipate will be some advantages and positive outcomes resulting from the implementation of the system? The real value purpose of employee performance appraisal in the organization is not only to transform the management of employee performance from an annual event to an ongoing cycle but also to harmonize the organizational goals with those of member employees (Cardy, 2004:128). The performance management system that the company adopts is fully geared to achieve this end. The systems will therefore yield immense advantages and positive outcomes. These will include the following: Goal setting: the system helps employees understand the link between their responsibilities and the overall objectives of the organization. The habit of goal setting is inculcated in both the managers and employees. This results into greater efficiency and provides a good tool of analysis (Luecke Hall, 2005:100). Communication: the system that the company adopts will encourage good communication between managers and employees. The communication about work performance creates a sense of security for the employees and helps the company in retention efforts. It provides ample time for all employees to learn and grow throughout the year. This fosters an organizational culture (). Motivation: the appraisal system acts as tool of motivation since employee rewards are tied directly to performance. This enhances the companys productivity and efficiency. Employees who know that their presence and contribution is valued may feel more committed to the job and the organization as a whole (Pulakos, 2009: 212). POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES AND NEGATIVE OUTCOMES Question 4: Based on the description of the system at Network Solutions, what doe you anticipate will be some disadvantages and negative outcomes resulting from the implementation of the system? The following are the possible disadvantages associated with this system of management performance: Risk of Internal Competition: this system might encourage employees to compete with each other for job status, position and pay (Molleman Timmerman, 2003: 101). Teams might be broken down by backstabbing and misleading employee communication due to strong rivalry which would result to dysfunction and underperformance within the team. Expenses and time: this system requires that employees are given rigorous training to equip employees with skills as required by the plan. This requires the use of extra resources and time in the extensive training, retraining and career development workshop for every division and employee division (Scullen, Bergey and Smith, 2005: 34) Favoritism: due to the rating of employees, there emerges individuals who are viewed as key and they are increasingly entrusted with new job roles and duties as team leaders. This creates dissent and distrust among the team members which might adversely affect the morale and satisfaction ((Luecke Hall, 2005:108).

Importance Of Ability And Personality Of Applicants Commerce Essay

Importance Of Ability And Personality Of Applicants Commerce Essay The linear approach is the one approach that was involved in the case of career development of the person. This approach is the best one to the person in order to decide his career path and goal. This linear approach provides the guidelines to the person in order to achieve his goal and his career development in his life. It also concentrates to the person in the case of improving the strength of the person and it focus the strength and weakness of the person. This approach was involved in the case of providing the step-by-step process to the response of the person thats why person can be motivated positively. The person can get his career options without any interruption. References Tricia Jackson.(2000). Career Development. British Library publications of Data. 2. Importance of ability and personality of applicants The applicants were selected primarily on the basis of ability and the personality fit in order to obtain the enhancement of organization. These both elements are deciding the concentration and the strength of the application in the organization. The management requires the better ability and the personality from the applicant thats why applicant can fit for accessing the organization. The better ability and the personality both concepts are necessary in the case of resolving the critical situation in the organizations. The applicant can also manage the products and services of the organization. The ability and personality provide the new technical ideas and concepts to the applicant in order to improve the profits of the organization. References Heller, D., Judge, T. A., Watson, D. (2002). The confounding role of personality and trait affectivity in the relationship between job and life satisfaction.  Journal of Organizational Behavior. 3. Advantage and disadvantages of seniority layoff The laying off employees on the basis of seniority is taking some process in order to provide the sense of fairness to the workers. The advantages are keeping experienced workers, showing employee loyalty. Keeping the experienced workers refers the laying off workers that were based upon the seniority most experienced workers in order to maintain the organizational products and services. This will provide the better level to the organization. Showing employee loyalty is the advantage to the organization that shows sense of loyalty to the organization. The employee loyalty can improve the worker morale in the organization. The disadvantages are limiting improvements and keeping highly paid workers that are giving the poor products and services to the organization. Keeping experienced workers, employee loyalty and keeping high paid employees are the alternatives to the seniority. References Ricky W. Griffin.(2005). Human Resources Management. DreamTech Publishing. 4. Career development of organization The modern organizations are flatter and offer fewer opportunities for advancement. The career development is the one that involves developing the key strategic asset of organization. The careers must develop the excellence and goal of the organization in order to provide the innovations to the organizations. They must encompass the vertical issues including the upward mobility and promotions. The careers must deal with the fundamental nature of relationship among the work and employee in the organization. The career must be developed the empowerment in the case of expressing the demands of organization. The career development program must be implemented by careers in order to provide the organizational innovations. References Jonathan E. DeGraff (21 February 2010).  The Changing Environment of Professional HR Associations.  Cornell HR Review. 5. Training and career development The training and the career development are having some differences in the case of improving the organizational activities. The training is the desired outcome in the case of improving the skills of individual and productivity. The productivity includes the personnel professional activities. The training can lead the development of individual in the organizations. But the career development is the measurement in the course time and that develops the long term process of organization. The career development concerns the nature and development of personal attitudes and it includes plans for potential employee and management. Training must provide the better skills and knowledge to the employees that will lead to employee turnover. The career development must develop the employees, senior management to improve retention. References Diane Arthur (1995). Training and Development.  Managing Human Resources in Small Mid-Sized Companies. 6. Challenges of post- traditional family The several challenges occur to the organization by the post- traditional families and they impact the organizational functions. The post -traditional families are giving the challenges to the organization in the case of health insurance and the life insurance coverage. These are the major challenges to the organization in the case of mitigating the employee benefit problems. The health insurance and the life insurance were having the trouble to give the employee benefit by the post traditional families. The organization is having the pleasure to provide the better mitigation techniques to meet these challenges. The organizations are making the employee benefit strategies to face these challenges in order to make the value to life insurance and health insurance coverage. References Charles Handy.21 Ideas for Managers: Practical Wisdom for Managing Your Company and Yourself, First ed San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000 Print. 7. Employee motivation The training is the better solution in order to improve the employee motivation. The training expands the high level responsibilities to the employees and they are providing the new types of jobs to the employees. The authority is provided to the employee in order to make the decisions by the training and the training is inviting the employee in order to contribute for making more planning. It also provides more access to significant meeting for the participation of employees. The establishment of goals, measurements and priorities can be provided by training in order to improve their motivation. The training can be used to assign the head up projects to the employees for providing the motivation. References Fishbein, M.; Ajzen, I. (1975),  Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: An introduction to theory and research, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley 8. Human Resource Management The HR management is having the pleasure to hire and eliminate the employees in the organization. According to HR management, the unqualified employees will be eliminated from the organization and because of unqualified employees are making the less experience and waste of time for managers. HR management must make the solution for this problem. The HR management must hire the employees that are based upon the effectives of employees. Additionally, HR management must consider some factors when hiring the employees that are training, development, career planning, performance evolution, compensation, collective action and personnel control. These factors will give the solution for those problems. References Wright, Patrick.  The 2011 CHRO Challenge: Building Organizational, Functional, and Personal Talent. Cornell Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies (CAHRS). Retrieved 3 September 2011. 9. Organizational commitment Watkinss company have done something to make her see the whole picture and gain an understanding of commitment to know the work of organization. The company must explain the importance of software documentation and commitment of organization in order to teach the wok and abilities. According to this case, she is affected by lack of knowing the things and she doesnt know how to contribute to the whole thats why company must make the better awareness to her. The company must clarity her doubts then only she can able see the picture and know the things about the commitment and works of organization. The company must involve her in the case of practically oriented things. These things the company must have done to make her see the picture and the organizational commitment. References Meyer, J P and Allen, N J (1991). A three-component conceptualization of organizational commitment: Some methodological considerations,  Human Resource Management Review, 10. Managing Survivors The organizational manger would have about the surviving workforce after the layoff in order to mitigate the organizational risks. Then the manger must concentre to restructure the organization, increase the organizational efficiency, make cost-cutting efforts, and reduce the demand of products, implementing the mergers and acquisitions. These are the primary concerns that associated to the managers in order to make the decision. HR management supports to the survivors of layoff. HR management implements several strategies that are used to provide the support to survivors of layoff. Re-emphasizing the mission, vision and the goal of survivors can give the major supporting points to survivors of layoff by HR management. Recreating the work environment is the best one to remove the survivors in organization. References Henry Mintzberg (1981). Organization Design: Fashion or Fit  Harvard Business Review  (January February). 11. Importance of training The conflict resolution training method is the one that is the approach to the organizational conflicts. This is the suitable training in order to mitigate the organizational conflicts. This training provides the better communication to maintain the organizational relationships. The lack of role in organization is the causes of conflict in organization and this training improves the organizational role by assigning corresponding work to the organizational roles and hence the organizational conflict will be reduced. This training is also used to address the leadership problem in the organization and because of leadership problem is the causes of conflict in organization. The leadership problem will be avoided satisfying the requirements and the expectations of the organizations thats why this training is the best one to mitigate the organizational risks.

Gay-Consumer-Capitalism :: Essays Papers

Gay-Consumer-Capitalism Politics of a subject-action-object formula have meaningful terms insofar as the terms relate to each other. This holds at several levels beyond the strict sense that the triad requires three parts. It can also be the case that the three parts are all expressions of one, or that all three are parts of some absent presence. In Nicola Field’s criticism of a Queer Valentine’s Carnival in London in 1993, and of gay identity and lifestyle as bases for politics in general, a Marxist analysis reduces the subject and action to properties of the object against which they act. At this level, the theoretical move has little justification but the strategy employed at a lower level. However, understanding an argument at this level opens the critical possibility of both disturbing the tendons holding together fixed relations to the object and exploring the ability of the object to bear the weight of the other two terms. I will deploy this criticism in the instance of Field†™s Over the Rainbow, specifically in â€Å"Identity and the Lifestyle Market†, but the argument presented therein exceeds the methodology I have identified and I intend to reinforce the constructive thinking that takes place, but still in the context of this paradigm for (counter)criticism. Field’s argument in â€Å"Identity and the Lifestyle Market† simultaneously takes ‘capitalism’ too seriously and fails to take constructed identities seriously enough, but still raises significant points for political encounters with capitalism, (homosexual) oppression, and identity itself. To begin with, Field’s argument runs a familiar Marxist course from capitalism as historical or present source of all problems to a tool of politics (used against that problem) back to the tool’s association with capitalism. Capitalism causes oppression and identities of sexuality, thus using identities of sexuality endorses capitalism because it is from capitalism. â€Å"The politics of identity are about bypassing the roots of oppression and concentrating on the symptoms† (Field 51). While the phrase ‘roots of oppression’ does not appear in every paragraph, a reference to the â€Å"real causes† of â€Å"the problem† is woven through every significant political argument of the article. This strategically obfuscates what â€Å"the problem† really is by seeming to refer so much to â€Å"it† that Field’s never elucidates a full understanding, except to mention those instances of oppression that support her argumen ts. What about cases of oppression, pain, and suffering other than worker’s exploitation?

Israel: The Vanguard of Middle East Stability Essay -- International G

The Middle East is a power keg about to burst. There are countries in the Middle East where their national stability is in question due to various terrorist and malicious attacks while others promote the inhalation of nations. If these fuses are allowed to spark, it would lead to a cataclysmic array of international consequences including skyrocketing oil prices, increased acts of terrorism, and even WWIII. But, there is a hope to quell this situation. The country of Israel has safeguarded the complete collapse of the Middle East to violence and chaos. It is the last country standing between relative peace to Total War. But, this country will not be able to combat the dread knight of chaos forever; it needs international support. The United States has always kept a keen eye on Israel and has allowed it to continue its heavy load. Without the United States financial support, Israel will certainly collapse, and the Middle East will become as unpredictable as the shifting sands of its d eserts. Due to the crisis in the Middle East and the potential escalation to World War, America needs to continue funding to Israel. As Israel fights the hydra of destruction, it does not have to look far to see the snarling teeth of Iran. Iran, more so than any other country, has the most turbulent and fragile relationship with Israel. This shaky peace is apparent as Israel and Iran had never had formal diplomatic relations since the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979 (Farrar-Wellman). This lack of communication has not only led to increased skepticism between the two countries, but also the severe hatred of each other. The sub-human perspective of Iran about Israel was expressed when current president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadi... ...ifferent regions of the world, the situation will be dramatically worse without the military power of Israel. Without Israel, the terrorists will have a safe heaven by which to stage and plan terrorist attacks across the Middle East. This increased level of attacks will lead to increased levels of instability within the other countries, and eventually lead to the overthrowing of other democracies in the region. Works Cited Brad, Mitchell. â€Å"U.S Aid to Israel.† Jewish Virtual Library. January 13, 2010 (Updated). Codedesman, Anthony H., and Nerguizian, Aram. â€Å"The Gulf Military Balance in 2010: An Overview.† Center for Strategic and International Studies. April 23, 2010. â€Å"Country Reports on Terrorism 2008.† U.S. Department of State. April 30, 2009. Chapter 2. Farrar-Wellman, Ariel. â€Å"Israel-Iran Foreign Relations.† Iran Tracker. April 8, 2010.

Nymphs Reply to the Shepherd

The nymphs reply to the shepherd is a pastoral poem about how a nymph responded to the love being asked by a shepherd. This is in reference to an ideal world which the nymph requires for them to be able to love each other. All throughout the poem, the nymph’s response to the love being given by the shepherd was all about reject. She could have loved the shepherd, if only they’d be in a different situation that what they are in that time. It is a poem about hope, yet in the end, the shepherd would just lose hope, as the nymph requires a very ideal setting for their love to flourish. One aspect which was emphasized in this poem is the inevitability of change, with reference to aging and death. Here, the nymph tells the shepherd that their love could have been possible if it would be eternal, and would exist all throughout time. However, just like the fading of flowers, the fancy of spring and sorrow of fall, things between them would surely change. The shepherd would grow old whilst the nymph would remain young with nature. At the end of the poem, the nymph directly stated that if only youth could last and love would still breed, as well as joy would not fade and none of them will age, then the nymph could stay with the shepherd and be his love. The poem uses the iambic tetrameter, wherein each line contains four iambs or two syllables which are the units of rhythm. The first syllable of this unstressed while the second syllable is stressed. Instead of using metaphors, the poem uses similes to describe one thing or attribute it to another. This is effectively used to describe the constraints why the nymph could not love the shepherd back.

The Language of Mistrust and Fear

From the beginning, Bram Stoker makes it clear that Count Dracula should be viewed as The Other, a psychological distinction that has been used to describe the way people view the world in â€Å"them† and â€Å"us†. Stoker uses the concept of The Other to show how different Dracula is from the English and to create an underlying tension between the remaining characters and the vampire. He also uses the psychological distinction as a means of preventing the characters from determining the nature of the vampire earlier as they are aware that they have societal differences from the count.The characters choose to overlook many of the first warnings of the oddness of the Count because they were afraid they were acting out of a misunderstanding about the cultural differences. Stoker manages to establish Count Dracula as the other easily within the first chapter of the novel. In the first chapter, the impressions we have of Count Dracula all come from Jonathan Harker’s journal and Stoker establishes early on that Harker is uncomfortable with his surroundings.â€Å"The impression I had was that we were leaving the West and entering the East; the most western of splendid bridges over the Danube, which is here of noble width and depth, took us among the traditions of Turkish rule† (Stoker, Chapter 1). Even in his writing, Stoker decides to play up the strangeness of the land with the strange spelling of Budapest as Buda-Pesth. He establishes immediately that Harker is leaving the civilized world and going to a completely different land.He uses the lure and the mystique of â€Å"the East† to establish the difference all within the first paragraph of the book that Count Dracula is different from everyone else. As Harker travels inland, we learn that the count is from the edge of Hungary near the Carpathian Mountains, â€Å"one of the wildest and least known portions of Europe. † (Chapter 1) This is another attempt by the author to establish that Dracula is weird, and unlike the other characters. By claiming that he is from a wild and unknown region, Stoker is relying on the themes of Romanticism to imply that he is potentially evil and dangerous.And just a few paragraphs later he tells us that â€Å"I read that every known superstition in the world is gathered into the horseshoe of the Carpathians, as if it were the centre of some sort of imaginative whirlpool; if so my stay may be very interesting. † (Chapter 1). These lines establish clearly that Harker believes the people of Hungary to be less educated and different from the people of England. Furthermore, by establishing that he has heard they are a superstitious folk, he can justify their odd behavior to himself and not question the decisions that he is making (going alone to the Count’s castle despite their warnings).Throughout the novel, Stoker relies on the concept of the other to isolate his main characters from the world around them an d never is this as evident as in Harker’s initial journey to meet the count. All along the way, Harker is the tourist, intrigued and yet critical of local population. â€Å"The women looked pretty, except when you got near them, but they were very clumsy about the waist. † (Chapter 1) He describes the traditional dress and the more rotund nature of the populace as â€Å"clumsy about the waist† emphasizing the fashion of the time in Britain to be very thin with corsets cinching the waist in even farther.And, to the men, he is even less generous. The strangest figures we saw were the Slovaks, who were more barbarian than the rest, with their big cow-boy hats, great baggy dirty-white trousers, white linen shirts, and enormous heavy leather belts, nearly a foot wide, all studded over with brass nails. They wore high boots, with their trousers tucked into them, and had long black hair and heavy black moustaches. They are very picturesque, but do not look prepossessin g. On the stage they would be set down at once as some old Oriental band of brigands.They are, however, I am told, very harmless and rather wanting in natural self-assertion. To the average reader at the time of this writing, Stoker’s words about the people of Europe would have been strange and more than a bit fearsome, driven by the fear of the unknown. The author, realizing this, includes that very observation in Harker’s journal, when he hastens to explain that despite the many odd things in his journal, he had not overindulged in either food or drink, going so far as to list what he has eaten.There too, Stoker attempts to make the reader revile the locals with a comparison of their dinner to the â€Å"simple style of the London cat's meat! † (Chapter 1). Having established the physical differences between the inhabitants of Eastern Europe and those in London and draw attention to their different manner of dress and food, Stoker is ready to cut the last tie w hich might bind the two groups together: religion. On the eve of Harker’s approach to Dracula’s castle, the innkeeper’s wife attempts to prevent him from going.She relays the fear that something untoward will happen to him at the Castle and begs him to take her crucifix. I did not know what to do, for, as an English Churchman, I have been taught to regard such things as in some measure idolatrous, and yet it seemed so ungracious to refuse an old lady meaning so well and in such a state of mind. She saw, I suppose, the doubt in my face, for she put the rosary round my neck and said, â€Å"For your mother's sake,† and went out of the room. I am writing up this part of the diary whilst I am waiting for the coach, which is, of course, late; and the crucifix is still round my neck.(Chapter 1) In this short passage, Stoker firmly establishes that the Hungarians are not like the English, establishing them firmly as The Other, but he also manages to establish the ir humanity. When the woman asks him to take the crucifix, â€Å"For your mother’s sake†, Stoker overcomes the barrier between them, pointing to a common bond among all humans, the love of a mother for her child. This is done for two reasons: first, to illustrate to the reader that the oddities of the count are in fact unnatural and second, to begin to create a mood, to explain the beginnings of the fear that Harker feels as he approaches the castle.The reader is meant to feel that Harker’s observations about his trepidation as he approaches the castle at midnight are justified, that he is not merely some frightened little boy who starts at the darkness. This concept that the fear might be justified is building all along Harker’s journey to the castle and might have built more if he had understood the languages his fellow passengers spoke, Stoker writes, again playing to the classical definition of the other as someone outside our normal understanding, se parated by culture, religion and sometimes, by language.Then, in a subtle criticism of the Carpathians, another form of creating distance between groups, Harker observes that the roads and rough and that the driver seemed to â€Å"fly over it with a feverish haste. † (Chapter 1) This observation is meant to again set the people apart from the English who, it is implied, would never think of driving at such a pace and would have most certainly kept the road in better repair. â€Å"I was told that this road is in summertime excellent, but that it had not yet been put in order after the winter snows.In this respect it is different from the general run of roads in the Carpathians, for it is an old tradition that they are not to be kept in too good order. Of old the Hospadars would not repair them, lest the Turk should think that they were preparing to bring in foreign troops, and so hasten the war which was always really at loading point. † (Chapter 1). Even in his discuss ion of the fear of the Turks, Stoker is driving a wedge between the English and the Hungarians, as the British never feared invasion from aggressive neighbors thanks to the fact that they were on an island.This is just another means of driving a stake between the two cultures. For the normally reserved British, the thought of strangers giving Harker gifts along the way also helps to establish the difference between the cultures. â€Å"One by one several of the passengers offered me gifts, which they pressed upon me with an earnestness which would take no denial. These were certainly of an odd and varied kind, but each was given in simple good faith, with a kindly word, and a blessing, and that same strange mixture of fear-meaning movements which I had seen outside the hotel at Bistritz– the sign of the cross and the guard against the evil eye.† (Chapter 1). This passage actually plays on English attitudes in two matters: First, it would have been unconscionable to give a random gift to a stranger and make him feel that he must accept it. Second, the fact that they were actively demonstrating their religion and superstition was an act the British of the time would have found completely unacceptable. The British largely believed that church, the Church of England, was something you did when you went to services and not something to be practiced at any other time.Furthermore, the concept that you would let someone catch you making a hex sign of any sort was simply unbelievable. The British would simply be too polite to have anything in common with these heathens, further establishing them as The Other. In the end, Stoker’s work is masterful at clearly establishing the differences between class lines and cultures and creating The Other on numerous different levels. He establishes that Mina and Jonathan are the others when compared to Lucy and her well-to-go friends, both of them having been raised with next to nothing.He establishes Renfield a s the other via his madness and his actions during his fall to Dracula’s control and even Lucy is somewhat established in this manner, being the least learned and scientific of the group. Stoker made each of the characters unique and bound them to one another, but also invested in making clear divides between them to create an additional tension and confusion in the book that is just complicated by the arrival of Count Dracula. Upon the count’s arrival in London, he is regarded as exotic and interesting, a facet as completely a portion of The Other as the fear and trepidation.Often we are fascinated by those things that are different from us and we desire to see them, to learn more about them and even to imitate them while still holding them at a distance, knowing that they are not like we are. The fact that Stoker felt it necessary to establish this extreme difference when Dracula could easily have become the other certainly by virtue of being a creature of the night implies that Stoker was perhaps attempting to force the scholars that would read his novel to recognize a certain xenophobia within their culture.His depiction of the Eastern Europeans as highly different, almost medieval compare to the bustling and modern London can hardly be considered accidental. Stoker clearly had some thoughts about the way that the British observed the world around them and made Harker the extreme viewpoint of that British charm. Harker had to be an extreme, the most British of British subjects in his observations for stoker to force his audience to see how absurd such characterizations could be. Works Cited Stoker, Bram. â€Å"Dracula† Accessed at http://www. literature. org/authors/stoker-bram/dracula/chapter-01. html, December 9, 2007.

Witness 1985 Short Story

Carter didn’t recognize the room he had just woke up in. Confused he sat up and looked around, his eyes only taking a moment to adjust to the dimly lit surroundings. The room was very plain and almost completely bare aside from a white desk he sat behind and single light bulb that hung low from the ceiling. Seeing a door out of his right eye he went to move for it, only then noticing the handcuffs restraining both hands to where he sat. â€Å"It must be cemented to the ground†, he thought, because no amount of wriggling on his behalf could move it even an inch. â€Å"Goddamit! Where the hell am I?† he shouted at the cement wall in front of him, scanning the room for anything that might give away his location. He didn’t appear to be hurt apart from a dull throbbing at the back of his head –the likely source of his unconsciousness – and a small cut on his lip that filled is mouth with the taste of salt and rust. His police badge was still clipped to his shirt and it too appeared undamaged. â€Å"Hey, somebody help me! Can anybody here me!† he yelled. â€Å"Keep it together, Carter, he thought. The last thing I need to do right now is panic. What had happened? His memories before had woken up here were nothing but a haze. Closing his eyes tightly, he tried to picture where he had been before he had woken up here. The memories started to trickle through the darkness of his mind, gradually forming shapes and images until it finally washed through him like a wave and he could remember. It had started with a phone call â€Å"Did you deliver the kid’s interview to Shaefer?† the John had asked from the telephone. It was the middle of the night and the call had been a rude awakening for Carter. The Amish boy had been the only witness to a police officer’s murder, but Carter didn’t know why the interview was so important. â€Å"Nah I didn’t get around to it,† said Carter sleepily, stifling back a yawn. â€Å"What’s goin’ on man? â€Å"I haven’t got time to explain,† came Book’s exasperated voice. â€Å"I want all the paperwork on the Lapp case to disappear. I need it done tonight, do you understand?† â€Å"Do you know what you’re telling me to do, John?† he asked, shocked and now very much awake. â€Å"Just do it, man,† retorted Book. â€Å"I’m gonna disappear for a couple of days†. â€Å"What’s going on, man?† asked Carter alarmed. â€Å"What is happening?† â€Å"I’ll call you when I can,† said Book. â€Å"And be careful. Schaefer’s in this too†. Book hung up leaving Carter utterly astounded. It was one thing for McFee, an esteemed narcotics detective, to be involved in this drug scheme as well as the murder of a fellow officer, but now their Chief of Police as well. What was he going to do? He went to the station that night to get the files. The file room was deserted but that didn’t stop him looking over his should every three seconds. The paper shredder was waiting in his study when he got home. To Carter it looked more like a dangerous weapon he was about to commit some awful crime with. â€Å"What the hell am I doing?† he said under his breath â€Å"This is against the law.† How much was he risking for Book and the Lapps? Going to prison, certainly, but perhaps something even worse? He couldn’t help but think what Schaefer and McFee would do if they found out. At that moment Carter looked down at his badge. Even upside-down he could read the brass coloured motto engraved into it. â€Å"Protect and serve,â€Å" he said firmly. After a brief pause Carter turned on the shredder. â€Å"You owe me one, man,† he muttered to himself as he pushed the files into the machine. The next few days at the station were spent with his head down. Luckily, without his Book around, Carter was busy with both of their cases, giving Schaefer only a couple of brief opportunities to interrogate him. Each time Carter had played dumb, Book had up and ran without telling him anything. Three nights after receiving the call from Book, Carter was called out for duty. The alley was dark and deserted as he walked along; littered with broken glass and old newspapers that fluttered in the cold evening breeze. Carter pulled his coat tighter around his body, but I could do nothing to keep him from shuddering. A drop of rain landed silently on his nose. He had live in Philly long enough to know a bout of thunder and lightning would soon follow, but he was too preoccupied with the storm raging in his own mind to take much notice. He had been called out to investigate one of the slum-like apartments that filled the alleyway: a possible homicide perp. An automated light switched on as he stopped outside the apartment, bathing him in its brilliance. It distracted him enough so that he did not notice the figure that step out from the shadows behind him, hearing only a whoosh of air as something heavy was brought down on his head. Clack! Clack! Clack! Carter’s eyes flew open as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. The door opened, and in walked Schaefer followed closely by Mcfee. He expected them to be behind his kidnapping, though he thought they probably had some hired crony knock him out. Neither men were smiling and Carter could feel their eyes shooting bullets at him. Mcfee was holding something heavy in both hands, though looking into the shadows Carter could not make out what it was. Schaefer approach the desk and looked down on Carter with an exasperated expression. â€Å"You knew you couldn’t avoid me forever,† said Schaeffer, slowly circling Carter. â€Å"Why don’t you tell me where he is, Sergeant? â€Å"You know, don’t you?† Carter stared forward, hardly daring to breathe. â€Å"I just want to talk to him: make him see sense,† continued Schaeffer. â€Å"I know he’s with the Amish. God, I’d do anything to see him now. Can you imagine John at a prayer meeting?† he said, chuckling. â€Å"Go to hell,† spat Carter. â€Å"I was afraid you might say that,† replied Schaefer. â€Å"Mcfee, bring it over hear†. Mcfee did has he was told and brought the object over to the table, setting it down with a dull thud. Carter’s stomach fell when he saw what it was. It was a car battery. He was full of terror once more at the sheer thought of being tortured. He had to do something, anything, to escape this fate. He did his best to keep his composure. â€Å"It’s called a â€Å"picana† and it can deliver twelve thousand volts of electricity†, explained Schaefer. â€Å"It is very painful, you can trust me on that, so just tell me where he is so we don’t have be unpleasant.† Carter said nothing, instead looked him straight in the eyes, noticing that Schaefer failed to meet his gaze. â€Å"Lost the meaning, did you, Paul?† said Carter. â€Å"What,† responded Schaefer. â€Å"Isn't that what you used to say about dirty cops?† explained Carter. Somewhere along the way they lost the meaning? John told me about it. He also told me that you taught him everything about being a cop. I guess you can’t teach someone how to be a scumbag.† In that instant, Schaefer could see Book sitting in front of him and he was brought back ten years when John had been fresh out of the academy and where he still lived for the law. But those days were over. Schaefer leaned over the desk towards Carter until his face was only a foot away, blocking out the light, so that Carter could see every wrinkle on his aging face. â€Å"You can, believe what you like about your precious hero, John Book, but he’s no better than the rest of us.† This could be my chance thought Carter. He looked at Schaefer for a moment and then spat a round ball of saliva into his eye. â€Å"You’re not a man,† said Carter. You’re nothing but a worthless piece of garbage. Carter could see that his comment had hit home. A look of pure loathing entered Schaefer’s face and, like lightning, he pulled out his gun and pull the trigger. In the split second it took for the bullet to hit him, a million thoughts rushed through Carter’s head, but is felt the hot fire in his chest and the darkness closing in, one overrode them all. He had done his duty. He looked up at Schaefer and saw the regret in his face at what he had just done. â€Å"Protect and serve,† he whispered finally, and closed his eyes. Composition Questions 1. Which task option did you choose? I chose the insertion of incident / episode; 1. (i) Describe the setting(s) (ii) How is the setting made significant? The story is set, for the most part, in the room of an old warehouse. The setting is significant because it is very separate from the rest of the world, just like to Amish and the corrupt police force. 1. Describe the character(s) – no more than three main characters (advise one or two characters) by: 1. Sergeant Carter 1. Authorial description: a honourable cop who is looking to protect and serve the innocent and defend anyone against the corruption of the police 2. Dialogue: Carter’s dialogue will reveal that he is a self-assured, confident policeman who will stick up for what he believes in 3. Action and interaction: the way Carter acts when he is captured will show that his is courageous is the face a danger and will do anything to fulfil his duty. 4. Other characters opinions of the person: The conversation between Book and Carter shows that Book trusts his partner whole-heartedly even with the whereabouts of his hiding place. Paul Schaefer on the other hand respects Carter’s integrity but at the same time loathes him for the fact that he has not become corrupted. 1. Narrative elements: 1. Establishment: The establishment takes place after Carter wakes up in the warehouse. It shows the call from Book 2. Complication: Carter finds out that Scahefer was involved with Zenovich’s murder and must destroy the Lapp families file so they can not find them or Book 3. Conflict: After avoiding Schaefer at the station he is called out at night to a fake perpetrator and is then knocked unconscious 4. Climax: McFee and Schaefer come to the warehouse to question and torture Carter in order to find the whereabouts of Book. 5. Resolution: Carter realises he will betray Book and the Lapps if he is tortured so he find a way to anger Schaefer enough so that he will kill him first. He manages to do this a dies at peace knowing he has done the right thing 5. How did you use description in the story to create a dominant impression? Giving a description of the room in which Carter had been imprisoned as well as the dark alley in which he was assaulted help create a dominant impression. 6. How did you use foreshadowing by: reactions, sentence and phrase length, motifs, images or symbols? I primarily used the motif and symbol of the police badge and police motto to create foreshadowing. Carter didn’t know if he do what he required to be law, or what he was required to do as a police officer. Then he looked at his badge and saw that he needed to protect and serve. He could have chosen to save his own life by turning book in, but the audience knew this would happen after he looked at the badge. There was also some dialogue use in which he ask rhetorically what Schaefer ad Mcfee would do to him if they found out. When he is walking down the alley, it is cold and about to storm which is a foreshadowing that he is about to be captured but also shows the helplessness of his situation. 7. What is the invited reading of your story? How do you use story elements (incident, statements, actions, reactions, motifs) to make the reader interpret an idea, a person or an event favourably, or less favourably? I invited the reader to look less favourably upon the theme of police corruption by using the phone call event between John and Carter as well as implying that Schaefer has tortured people before. 1. Which point of view narration did you develop (first person central; first person limited; third person limited; third person omniscient)? Which difficulties did you encounter in trying to produce this point of view? For almost the entirety of the story I used a third person limited narration, or at least it seemed I did; however at the end I give a brief perspective of Schaefer that make to story third person omniscient. It was difficult to change the perspective from one person to the other, as it seemed to give too much information to the audience. 1. Which purpose did direct speech serve in the story’s effect? Some of the dialogue was very strong and it was used to highlight the drama of certain scenes as well as the over all story. 1. Where have you used crosscutting and/ or flashback? The story starts off when Carter wakes up and realizes he has been captured. He then tries to remember what has happened the last few days and it flashes back to a phone call he had with Book. It then describes the events that lead up to him being captured and the cuts back into the scene in which he is captured. Schaefer has a brief cross-cut when he remember Book when he started on the force 1. Give examples of your use of pathetic fallacy. The room in which Carter is bare and dark, which shows the mood of that he is in at this point. When he is walking down the alley, it is cold and about to storm which is a foreshadowing that he is about to be captured but also shows the helplessness of his situation. 1. Have you settled on one incident or episode (see task options) in which flashbacks are used, including one or more voices conveyed by reported thinking or by direct quotation? Yes I decided to insert a episode in which the murder of Carter takes place. I use the reported thought of Carter and Schaefer as well as the dialogue of Carter, Book and Schaefer. 1. Did you unify the parts of the story by motif, symbol, event or juxtaposition? The symbol of the police badge and the motif of the police motto, â€Å"protect and serve†, run through the story. There is also a constant juxtaposition of light and darkness in respect to the good and bad cops.