Effective Diversity strategic management Essay

When the two important and big companies merge takes place it is necessary to understand the level of conflicts that will arise. So to avoid the conflicts its necessary that they companies create a diverse atmosphere for all the workers. Mapfre is a Spanish insurance company which is based in Majadahonda, Madrid. The name comes from the old mutual origin of the company (but the company now only refers to itself as MAPFRE. It is the leading insurance company in Spain and the largest non-life insurance company in Latin America. The company purchased Webster, Massachusetts-based Commerce Insurance Group, a major provider of motor insurance, for over â‚ ¬1.5 billion in October 2007.MAPFRE was listed in the Fortune Global 500 list on its 2008 edition. Rafael Nadal is officially sponsored by the company. The IT field person explained he is undergoing different kinds of racial discrimination’s so due to which he is not able to grow and develop himself fully in the company. The que stions that I would like to ask in the interview are:- 1) That how does the IT person will tackle culture difference in MAPFRE 2) Any way he would like to bridge the gap 3) Or he would like to be quite with everyone so as to increase the differences? 4) Will cultural difference impact his working 5) How will he try to adapt in this new culture While taking the interview of the person I understood the company basically lacks the diversity in the work place criteria, (Harvey, Carol P., 2012). Diversity in the work place means that there are many types of groups to which the employees belong and these groups are not limited to things age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, wedded status, armed experience, parental status, religious attitude, work knowledge, and job organization. A primary goal of  analyzing diversity in my workplace is to check the strengths, identify all the weakness and maximize the most value for human capital as well. As I work in a bar the most there important strength on which their diversity depends is the kind of ambiance and services they provide. The ideal way to judge diversity in our bar is to have looked at the employees, looking at potential customers and setting the place according to them (Mayhew, , 2009). Effective Diversity strategic management can be created for our bar by contributing to achieve its set goals and targets effectively. The bar tenders are to proper trained, and reduction in employee dissatisfaction. If there will be diversification in the work force than there will reduction in an employer’s risk for discrimination or other kind of harassment lawsuits. The bar mangers should make programs so as to attract, recruit and have programs from different back grounds, cultures, companies etc so as to increase the production and creation of innovative solutions so as to meet all the different challenges of bars. Having different people together will create a positive atmosphere and many more customers will be attracted towards the bar. Making proper communication among the employees and motivating them to give their best will also help in developing diversity in the work place (Mayhew, , 2009). Having effective strategic managers recognize the capability to work in a global market. The workers must be able to feel that they are working in a safe and productive environment. The managers must take proper steps so as to establish business conduct and makes and regulations so that they don’t face any kind of harassment or any kind of discrimination. The management needs to act more constantly and moderately so that the employees learn from them and become more loyal , committed and focused towards their jobs.bar is a kind of place where different types of people come , some people who can create fuss for small things which can hamper the working atmosphere for the bar . So to avoid all this its necessary that management keep proper security etc so that proper peace in the working place is maintained. Thus by doing the above mentioned there can be proper diversity in the bar and  all the employees will be more dedicated towards their work. The organizational responsibility within any organization is to keep the environment clean and healthy. They should not use such things which have effect on the community services and degrade the society, (Harvey, Carol P., 2012). The company should follow the corporate social responsibility which aims to see the company actions and also encourage a positive impact on the activities of environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders etc. it’s the duty of the organizations it operated directly with people who are affected by the business activities. An organization main responsibility is to support the public interests or have minimized the negative impact on the surroundings of ht community as well. An organizations become responsible to the community can promote the charitable acts by the employees and also minimize the risk of pollution as well. The individual Responsibility within a community is that he should be complete in control regarding his actions and deeds taking place in the community. He should keep the environment clean and friendly so that his nearby surrounding are effected and the community over all becomes a better place to live in. thus the individual responsibility is to check his actions whereas the organizations responsibility to take care of all the things which are effecting the environment due to them. The project manager is the one who should be able to control and see what the areas that tend to see the conflicts are arises. The first task for the project manager is to understand himself that what project planning is needed. He needs to make the process of change information which will be distributed and interested by the staff in many ways, (Harvey, Carol P., 2012). In this process there will be importance in managing the expectations and also dealing with the confusions which people will have regarding the new work. He will need to understand that what policies and procedures are to be change. The employees are not responsible to manage the changes , the employees responsibility and for which there are different for all the persons depends n the variety of factors like health,  maturity, stability, experience, personality, motivation, etc. the responsibility for managing the change in any processes which are made in the organization. The manger has the responsibility to make and facilitate and enable changes which are applied within the statements and which are needed to understand the situation (ric k, 2011). The change management is only possible when there are proper measurements which are to be considered in the planning of change and before any actions which are to be undertaken, (Harvey, Carol P., 2012). it will be completely successful when the change management plan helps to motivate the employees so as to perform their desired new activities. There should be measurement of the work which helps to provide the guidance towards goal achievement of the firm. In this case installation of a new company-wide computer system, but also the implementation of new processes is the current goal for the project managers. There are many types of conflicts which arise in the organizations. When there are managerial expectations than there tends to arise conflicts. It’s the job of the employees so as to meet the expectation are to be misunderstood, conflicts which can arise, (Harvey, Carol P., 2012). Managers need to make more communication with their goals to employees and also than which there confirming the goals in writing. A manger should be also to encourage her employees so as to ask the questions regarding the goals and also the regular meetings of the goals and also how to best so as to reach them. If the department requires information from the department in order to complete a job than the other department must respond to the request for the information, (Cox, Jr., Taylor, 1991).Some interdepartmental also disagree regarding the non responsive attitude which creates problems only. Another way of creating this sort of conflicts are to give a circular response which are to be under the review. When the people of departments are very late in responding to the request than there could be problems in the organizations so to avoid this communication is very necessary , (Harvey, Carol P., 2012). REFERENCES:- Mayhew, , R. (2009). How to analyze diversity in the workplace. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/ rick, T. (2011). change managment. Retrieved from http://www.torbenrick.eu/ Harvey, Carol P. (2012). Understanding and Managing Diversity. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. pp. 51–55. ISBN 0-13-255311-2. Cox, Jr., Taylor (1991). â€Å"The Multicultural Organization†. Academy of Management Executive, 5(2), 34-47.

Is Shylock a Victim or a Villain? Essay

Shylock: Victim or Villain? With close reference to at least three scenes examine Shakespeare’s presentation of Shylock. Is a villain someone who lends money to help others but then charges interest? Intending to receive a pound of human flesh resulting in certain death if a promise is broken, surely this is somebody who is viewed as a villain. The same man who has experienced prejudice and discrimination all his life only because of his religion, which would be unimaginable in modern day, has this man now turned into a victim? Shakespeare a play writer of the 16th century, so much more creative, sophisticated and knowledgeable then the Elizabethan audience he wrote this play for whom would have perceived Shylock as a Jew a villain, presents Shylock in a more complex way. Jews were thought of by Christians as stubborn non-believers and were accused of poisoning wells and spreading the plague. Shylock was shown to be treated as all these things were true, yet he had a complexity about him as an audience today, against discrimination and accepting other religion and cultures, would feel pity, sympathy and put him towards the victim category. However trying to murder someone for revenge, this is clear villainy to anybody now or thousands of years ago. Throughout the play we ask ourselves, is Shylock a villain or a victim? Shakespeare intends this as he gives Shylock emotive speeches about inequality, which contradicts Shylock as being a villain. Shylock as a character represents the Old Testament, Judaism, which is the belief of justice, retribution and following the law by the letter. Shakespeare gives a clear message about Justice against Antonio for all that he has done towards Shylock; he wants to get his revenge within the law hence the bond. Shylock talks about the Old Testament with Bassanio and Antonio in Act 1: Scene 3, â€Å"This Jacob from our Holy Abram.† Christianity, the New Testament, follows mercy and forgiveness. The Duke and Antonio both show mercy towards Shylock when he has shown none. Shakespeare first introduces Shylock in Act1: Scene3. With no stage directions we have to decipher what a character is like only through what they say. â€Å"Three thousand Ducats-well.† His first line is about money. Shakespeare instantly gives us the impression that his only interest is money. This is also the case when he is at home with Jessica, his daughter and away from work. He explains how he dreamed of money bags yet does not acknowledge his daughter or show her any affection. However we later find out that money is not the only thing on his mind but his longing hatred for Antonio. Shylock hates him for he is a Christian but more because he lends money with no interest. â€Å"I hate him for he is a Christian. But more, for that low in simplicity he lends out money gratis.† Antonio’s hate is reciprocated as he compares Shylock with the Devil and other animals like dogs. In the ring plot involving Portia and the caskets the first Prince is from Morocco, who was black, chose the gold casket but it was not the correct one. The complexion of a Devil in the eyes of An Elizabethan audience was black. Furthermore he has been associated with the devil by his own daughter and also Salerio and Salanio referred to him as the devil in Act 3: Scene 1. This hatred between them is introduced only to grow throughout the play. Shakespeare is very clever and drops hints about Shylock’s character and the actions he will take at the start of the play. Shylock mutters â€Å"Cursed be my tribe, if I ever forgive him.† He will show no mercy towards Antonio and he does not in the trial scene in Act 4: Scene 1. It hard to decide whether Shylock is a victim or villain when he is first introduced as we learn about what he has had to put up with, being called a â€Å"misbeliever†, â€Å"cut throat dog† and others spitting on his beard for the reason that he is a Jew. We feel pity and sympathy for the things he has had to endure which means we cannot cling to a unique view of Shylock as a villain. He wants people to respect him and like him yet he cannot show any affection or respect towards his own daughter. He shows the same hatred back towards Antonio and if he catches him out, â€Å"If I catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.† he will take his revenge. Coiling up all the hatred he has inherited has caused him to pass on the mistrust and hatred to others without being totally aware he is doing so. Moments later he talks about being Antonio’s friend and charging him no interest. This sudden change of feeling and thought gives the audience a suspicion that he is planning something. We no longer think of him as a victim alone, he has shown us through his speech and actions that he has a villainies way about him. He hates him for he is a Christian just as the way Antonio hates Shylock for he is a Jew. Should we now feel sympathy for Antonio? We don’t and I think Shakespeare has decided to portray Shylock as more as a Victim in this scene is to capture the Elizabethan audience alone. A victim is the opposite of what they would have thought of him yet Shakespeare is trying to send a message. They would have though of him to be a stereotypical villain yet he is not Shakespeare has added complexity to his character. A relationship between father and daughter is surely the most precious, the relationship between Shylock and Jessica. However we soon learn a totally different story about the hostile environment when they are together and the deeply buried hatred of Shylock from his only Daughter. Act 2: Scene 3 is where we first meet Jessica, we learn how unhappy she is willing to leave her home town and convert to Christian in order to be with Lorenzo and away from her father, â€Å"I have a Father, you a Daughter lost.† Jessica is also ashamed to be her Fathers child. Again we hear comparisons between Shylock and the Devil: ‘Our house is hell, and thou, a merry Devil’. Shylock has not noticed Jessica’s odd behaviour, too caught up with his own problems and obsession with money. This shows us that although he may love Jessica he does not show it, he is not perceptive and can’t read his own daughter’s unhappiness. Act 2: Scene 3 when we first learn about her willingness to escape to Act 2: Scene 6 when she leaves with Lorenzo for Belmont. The inevitable happens but was this, the turning point for Shylock. Was his daughter running away the point were Shylock would go as far as attempting to kill a man for his revenge? At least before he had someone who looked up to him, loved him and looked after him, or so he thought. The shame would have overwhelmed him, his own flesh and blood turning into a Christian. I think he feared the most what others would say; they would mock him even more once this news had spread. Shylock, his only child that he has bought up single-handed has fled, leaving him totally alone as he has already been widowed. He is evidently controlling over Jessica, â€Å"Do as I bid you, shut doors after you. Fast bind, fast find.† This controlling manner could also be attributed to the over protective nature of a loving single parent. Shakespeare has intended for us to think of Shylock as the victim and we sympathise with him but at the same time we sympathise with Jessica. In Act 2: Scene 5 we see Shylock and Jessica alone. At the start Shylock speaks about money indirectly once again, he is preoccupied and cares more about material things than his only daughter. Shakespeare also portrays the relationship as an awkward one with Jessica not saying a great deal but when she does it is a lie: â€Å"His words were ‘Farewell Mistress’ and nothing else.† When, in fact, they had been talking about Lancelot. A Christian. She is reluctant at first: â€Å"Call you? What is you will?† but by the end she is letting her emotions and true feelings out: â€Å"Farewell and if my fortune be not crossed, I have a Father, you a daughter lost.† Shylock does not know his own daughter yet holds something over her, which makes her scared and a little ashamed to betray him. Through Jessica we see Shylock as an old, cruel man. Devil, hell, blood, ashamed and tediousness are all words that Jessica related to her father. In the 16th century daughters should have respected their fathers, even to this day they still seem a little extreme. These words don’t show respect, only hate. In Act 2: Scene 8, Shakespeare has decided to play this scene so we hear the information second hand. Salerio and Salanio are gossiping about how they have seen Lorenzo and Jessica on a Gondola escaping. The two characters could play this scene in a laughing manner full of jokes. I think this is how Shakespeare intended it to be played. Doing it like this would mean as an audience we would also be influenced by the joking atmosphere and therefore feel less sympathetic towards Shylock. The Elizabethan audience would have loved this, as they would be in the shoes of Salerio and Salanio, mocking Shylock about his loss. We would feel dramatically more sympathetic if Shylock had spoken this speech by himself. However in this scene Shakespeare portrays Shylock as a villain in the way he talks about the flight of his Daughter. A single parent loosing their only daughter should have been the worst possible outcome imaginable. Turmoil, distress, depression and anger should have been the things that were felt. They were but not for his daughter Jessica, but Shylocks money, jewels and wealth. Our sympathy grows as Shylock is portrayed as a victim but is stripped away when we learn he is more interested in his precious stones and jewels that have been taken: â€Å"My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! †¦ And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones. Stolen by my daughter. Justice! Find the girl!† these are definitely not the words of a warm hearted, doting father. Did he really love his daughter? Or did he only use her to take his aggression out on that he had built up from all the discrimination he had received. He also loses our sympathy in Act 3: Scene 1 when he finds out that Jessica has run away with a Christian. He treats Jessica merely as another possession and when he learns of her flight he is more anxious of the whereabouts of his treasures and precious ducats: â€Å"I would my daughter were dead at my foot†¦and the ducats in her coffin.† These are not the words of a loving Father, it proves that Shylock would not mourn Jessica’s death or disappearance and the only thing he is interested in his wealth and status. This backs up the points said on Act 2: Scene 8 but this time we read and listen to Shylocks words from his mouth. Salerio and Salanio are here once again but this time mock him directly. They claim Jessica is a better person for converting and that they are not nearly related: â€Å"There is more difference between thy flesh and hers, than between jet and ivory; more between your bloods, than there is between red wine and rhenish.† Shylock has been discriminated on and betrayed by others all his life but when his own daughter does the same, is this the point when he decides to take his revenge and relieve is anger? Shylock claims that Salerio and Salanio knew about his daughter going to flee, he blamed them but how can this be when he lives with his daughter yet did not notice or acknowledge her unhappiness and disconnection with him. Shakespeare is taking us on a roller coaster of emotions towards shylock. We feel sympathetic for him in this scene because he is being mocked for his loss but we then feel hostile towards him only minutes later when he proves he is no better than the Christians who mistreat him. This is the scene when he decides to take a stand and follow through with his unimaginable bond. Well its unimaginable to everyone else but necessary for him, to him he is only giving back what he has taken in the past. â€Å"†¦He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what’s his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?†¦ the villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.† This is one of Shakespeare’s most famous speeches but why does he give it too Shylock, the villain of the play in the Elizabethan audience’s eyes? It gives him a different dimension and makes him seem more human. He stands up for himself and is not as in control or as noble as he was previously. He lets his emotions out many of the ideas used have been taken straight from the teachings of the Christian church. He is using the Christian’s own arguments against them. Shakespeare illustrates Shylock as being intelligent and is no longer a stereotypical villain; he has true, strong feelings that cannot be argued against by anyone. In this scene we also learn the scale of Jessica’s betrayal when she gambled his ring that he had given to Leah when he was a Bachelor for a monkey: † One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.† A pit in his stomach is what he would have felt yet it was quickly filled with the thought of Antonio’s misfortune and finally having a chance to take revenge against Antonio within the law. When talking to Tubal about Antonio’s sunken ships he uses a lot of repetition that could mean he has other things on his mind such as how and when he is going to take this inevitable revenge: â€Å"I thank God, I thank God†¦Is it true? Is it true?† Act 3: Scene 1 is one of the most important in the play but also has the most unusual layout. The scene follows the layout of the whole play and also Shylocks emotions. It starts calm, Bassanio trying to take Portia’s hand in marriage, Shylock is doing his job and Salerio and Salanio are just gossiping. It then advances to irritation ad revenge. Shylock decides to take his revenge and in the ring plot Portia and her maid trick both their husbands. Furthermore it reveals all the relationships that Shylock is involved in, his relationship with his daughter, Christians and Tubal who is a Jew. The last time we meet Shylock and the scene that the whole play has been moving towards, the Trial scene. Wanting to go as far as killing a man for revenge is what Shylock wants to do. He is the only being in the court room that believes what he is doing is what he deserves.. He wanted to get his revenge within the law, which is exactly what he is about to do. The duke of Venice greets Antonio and expresses pity for him, calling Shylock an inhuman monster who can summon neither pity nor mercy. The duke of Venice greets Antonio and expresses pity for him, calling Shylock an inhuman monster who can summon neither pity nor mercy. This shows just how biased on others religion people were in the 16th century. The duke, a man of the law has already taken Antonio’s side. However at the same time we get a sense that the Duke is also frightened that Shylock might well go through with his promise inevitably killing Antonio. With words such as inhuman wretch, incapable of pity and stony adversary the Duke turns the audience against Shylock from the start. In addition he says: â€Å"Call the Jew into the room.† They are reminded that he is only a Jew not a human being worthy of credit. Although Shylock is portrayed in a poor light by the other characters, Shakespeare give him intelligence in what he says. â€Å"You have among you many a purchased slave Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts Because you bought them. Shall I say to you ‘Let them be free, marry them to your heirs. Why sweat they under burdens?. . . You will answer ‘The slaves are ours.’ So do I answer you. The pound of flesh which I demand of him Is dearly bought. ‘Tis mine, and I will have it.† Shylock is not attacking the Venetian law just wants to be treated the same and to be allowed to share in it. This is not something a stereotypical villain would say and we can take this view and relate to it yet for us is does not excuse the killing of another human being. Again, in this passage, we find Shylock cleverly using Venice’s own laws to support his very own revenge. He abides by the law by the letter as his religion of Judaism teaches. Furthermore Shylock asks many questions making people think if they were in his shoes would they not do the same: â€Å"What wouds’t thou have a serpant sting thee twice?† every time he makes a point he justifies it and compares it to the Christians around him. Throughout the play Shylock is reffered to as animals such as dogs, wolves and the Devil. This has been from Antonio because he has been higher in society and power than Shylock but not in this scene. Shylock compares Antonio cats, pigs and rats. Just as some Christians hate cats, pigs, and rats, Shylock hates Antonio. The tables have turned and he is so near to his revenge and Antonio is now so helpless under Shylocks new power. Just as some Christians own slaves with their power, Shylock owns a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Shakespeare shows Shylock to be a new, triumphant man that can show no mercy towards Antonio. In the trial scene, we can see the conflict of idea of judgment of two religions. According to Judaism (Jews religion), justice means punishing the bad people. So, Shylock feels that he has suffered and he must get an eye for an eye. On the other hand Christianity believe in mercy and forgiveness. Mercy is an apparent theme in this scene. It is first mentioned by the Duke, then by Portia who delivers another one of Shakespeare’s speeches. â€Å"The quality of mercy is not strain’d, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Portia states first that the gift of forgiving the bond would benefit Shylock, and second, that it would take Shylock to an improved status. Lastly, Portia warns Shylock that his quest for justice and revenge without mercy may result badly and to his own diadvantage. Rather than a trial scene this scene is more like an interlectual argument between Judaism and Christianity. Once again the two religions are against each other. Shylock decides to unwisely ignore Portia’s speech. Shakespeare creates tension here as it is almost inevitable that he will be allowd to take Antonio’s life and Shylocks greed and blindness has alone portrayed him as a villain. Furthermore he is offered twice the amount in money but he replies: â€Å"If every ducat in six thousand duats were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them, I would have my bond.† He explains clearly that he only wants his bond. All his l ife it has been about his money, stones and wealth. It had driven away his daughter and his job involving money was one of the reasons he had been mistreated all these years. Shylock always put money first, if he had only done this once more he could have saved himself and his religion. Yet he was so intent on getting his revenge and this clouded his judgment. Shylock is still relishing his revenge just before the final moment: â€Å"O noble judge, O excellent young man.† He is thanking Portia but little does he know he is about to have his life and religion taken from under his feet. We feel resentful towards Shylock for the actions that he is going to take but when Portia reveals he can no longer do so we feel reeif. This does not last for long though as when we hear the punishments and consequences we cannot empathise. In a society today it would be unimaginable for someone to be forced to be taken from their religion. in the 21st centruy we respect others and the religions that they follow, we judge a pearson by their actions. Not their religion. which is what Shylock experienced. As a modern audience we feel sickened when we think and watch this happening yet to the Elizabethan audience this would have only greatly added to the humour of the play. The tables have trned and now after Shylock showed no mercy he is now made to plead for it. as Christians they show it to him. We have to remember that this play is a comedy. A comedy in which the baddy, Shylock the Jew, is punished and the goody, Antonio the Christian, is saved. In this case Portia was the one who restored the humour for the Elizabethan audience by restoring justice against Shylock. There are many themes in this play that link all characters. Bonds that exist between people, revenge, the sea and law versus justice. The bond of hatred that existed between Shylock and Antonio was a central element of the play. It leads to the actual bond of the pound of flesh being signed. They are bound together with Antonio’s life being in Shylock hands but then at the end Shylocks life in Antonio’s hands. Futhermore in the casket plot when Portia marrys Basanio she makes him vow never to give his ring away. This is a tight bond but is broken when Bassanio gives it away in appretiation, in the same way as when Antonio broke his promise in having 3000 ducats available to pay back Shylock back in the given time. Another is the sea. Had Antonio’s ships sailed to saftey Shylock would not have been able to demand revenge. The Elizabethan audience would have also enjoyed this familiar sea lore. The link between the law and justice is one that came up often and is explored in depth by Shakespeare. Through the behavior of Shylock towards Antonio, Portia when punishing Shylock and showing no mercy after she asks Shylock to show it, Antonio when insisting Shylock converts to Christianity and the Duke letting events follow the law. We learn the law in Venice is not capable of providing fairness and justice. Finally, the theme of revenge, which appears in two plots in the play. Firstly when Portia and Nerissa trick their husbands then watch them suffer and try to redeem themselves. Secondly Shylock attempts to kill Antonio for all he has done, then Antonio shows mercy but then takes his revenge by making Shylock convert to Christianity. To Shylock this may have been a worse punishment, did he want to live an empty life with no meaning or direction, betraying his own God? This play, Merchant of Venice, was written for an audience and Shakespeare creates suspense extremely well. He does this by switching between plots and locations at vital points in the play. He never spends too much time on one that we forget about the others. For example, in Act 1: Scene 2 we learn that Portia must marry whichever man chooses the right casket. At the end of the scene the arrival of Prince Morroco is announced, but we have to wait whilst Shylock and Antonio agree a bond before we are taken back to learn the outcome. Switching between plots this way is even used today particularly in soap operas. For audience advantage, Shakespeare makes them ahead of the characters, such as in the episode with the rings. On anther occasion the audience do not know something untill the characters themselves see it, as in the choice of the caskets. By varying these techniques, Shakespeare is able to develop dramatic tension and ultimately humour. â€Å"The quality of mercy is not strained.† Or is it? Shylock found it impossible to show mercy but can we blame him? His only daughter deserted him then sold his preciouse ring. The very same one that he had given to the love of his life when he was a bachelor. She left with all his wealth, money and stones to be with a christian. Shylock had lost the closest person to him but also the most important thing to him, his money. He has been spat upon and called names such as â€Å"cut throat dog† all his life, mocked at and laughed at by every other. He should not then be expected to show mercy to the very same people who had caused him all this pain and misery. Afterall mercy was not an aspect of his religion, Judaism, but justice. However in the end his own religion is what let him down. If he had turned, only for a second, from his religion and showed a llittle mercy he would have been able to hold onto his religion and wealth rather than having it stolen away. He was portrayed as a victim from the start and we sympathised with him when we hear the discrimmination he had to put up with. â€Å"†¦ lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likness of a Jew.† To an Elizabethan audience Shylock would have only been viewed in the light of a villain and a Jew going through misery would have just added to the humour for the Christians watching. Shakespeare plays to this when he gives Shylock a menacing turn. He tells us how Shylock hates Antonio: â€Å"I hate him for he is a Christian.† But then, in contrast, Shakespeare shows us that in fact, Shylock wants to be Antonio’s friend: â€Å"I would be friends with you and have you love.† Has this been done on purpose? Or has Shakespeare done this too confuse the audience and portray him as a vitim with potential to become a villain? There are no rules to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain, only interpretations. Shakespeare has given Shylock a complex character with mixed emotions that many producers and directors have interpreted for their purposes. In the film version, with Albaccino, Shylock was portrayed as a vulnerable victim who was easily sympathised with. With such an intelligant, crafty play writer who included deeper meanings, no-one will ever truly know if Shakespeare intended Shylock to be a victim or a villian. Maybe this was his intention, you decide whether you sympathise with him because all he has been through or you may think he is a man that has crossed a line with bad intentions. People to this day have acted because of the way they have been treated or how they have been bought up. Remember, Is a villain someone who lends money to help others but then charges interest? Intending to receive a pound of human flesh resulting in certain death if a promise is broken, surely this is somebody who is viewed as a villain. The same man who has experienced prejudice and discrimination all his life only because of his religion, which would be unimaginable in modern day, has this man now turned into a victim? Shakespeare fills your mind with suspicions, theories and questions but only your emotions and thoughts can decide whether Shylock was a victim or a villain. Or maybe he was neither.

Three paragraph character sketch essay on Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is an old, African American, runaway slave. This was a woman that was very brave and fought for her rights/freedom. She just didn’t want freedom for herself; she wanted it for all African Americans. I would also have to say that she was a very smart woman. I say that because she carried a gun around with her, so if any of the other runaways wanted to go back she would threaten them with the gun because she knew that the masters would end up finding Harriet and the others, she also decided to run away on a Saturday, so that gave her and the others an extra day to get away because flyers could not be printed until Monday.The masters was already aware that a man named Moses was helping the slaves get away , so they had to keep an extra eye on all of the slaves. The masters woke up on that Saturday they were surprised to find out that some of their slaves were gone. Harriet knew someone that could help them and his name was Moses. In the text it says ‘As they walked along she told them stories of her own first flight, she kept painting vivid word pictures of what it would be like to be free.’ This tells me that one of Harriet’s character traits were encouraging. I say encouraging because she is telling them stories of happiness and of what their life could be like. In the story it also says ‘She managed to dispel their fear of pursuit, so that they would not become hysterical, panic-stricken.’ She was also encouraging them in this line, to continue their journey, and their fight to freedom.

Emotionl Litercy Interventions In the Prevention of Bullying Within Essay

Emotionl Litercy Interventions In the Prevention of Bullying Within the Pstorl System of School - Essay Example This essay stresses that emotionÐ °l psychologicÐ °l trÐ °ining wÐ °s implemented to reduce bullying in pÐ °storÐ °l clÐ °sses. The support teÐ °ms were Ð °n outgrowth of Olweus's progrÐ °m thÐ °t recommended collegiÐ °l support groups for teÐ °chers thÐ °t Ð °re designed Ð °s Ð ° forum for teÐ °chers to discuss bullying dilemmÐ °s, to shÐ °re experiences, Ð °nd to leÐ °rn from their successes or fÐ °ilures. This paper makes a conclusion that the bully prevention treÐ °tment progrÐ °m is Ð °n effective intervention for increÐ °sing teÐ °chers' knowledge of bullying intervention skills, use of bullying intervention skills, Ð °nd teÐ °chers' personÐ °l self-efficÐ °cy Ð °nd teÐ °chers' self-efficÐ °cy relÐ °ted to working with specific types of children, Ð °s well Ð °s reducing the Ð °mount of bullying in the clÐ °ssroom Ð °s meÐ °sured by teÐ °cher disciplinÐ °ry referrÐ °ls. These findings contrÐ °dict the proponents of Ð ° whole school community Ð °pproÐ °ch, suggesting thÐ °t efforts to reduce bullying behÐ °vior will be effective only if Ð ° whole school community Ð °pproÐ °ch is the intervention progrÐ °m of choice. PerhÐ °ps the teÐ °cher-trÐ °ining component of Olweus's progrÐ °m is the effective component of his work. Therefore, implementing Ð ° teÐ °cher-tÐ °rgeted psychoeducÐ °tionÐ °l progrÐ °m, Ð °s opposed to Ð ° schoolwide bully pr evention progrÐ °m, mÐ °y be more precise, cost-effective, Ð °nd time efficient. This suggests thÐ °t exposing teÐ °chers to Ð ° bully prevention trÐ °ining progrÐ °m mÐ °y be Ð °n efficient Ð °nd effective meÐ °ns not only to reduce Ð °nd prevent bullying but, more importÐ °nt, to creÐ °te Ð ° sÐ °fer leÐ °rning environment for students Ð °nd teÐ °chers.

Choose one Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Choose one - Essay Example Parents should show their children the value of improving the innate talents. Children have different mindsets and temperaments since some are shy while other display self-confidence. According to the ethical principle of common good, parents should allow their children to attain both spiritual and human flourishing by encouraging the development of innate talents (Gill 98). The society should also allow each human being to fulfill his vocation by offering an enabling environment for the development of talents. For instance, Josh Waitskin started playing chess at six years and won the first championships at age of age. Josh followed his innate talent and his learning process. Josh’s mother never discouraged his child to start playing Chess despite his young age. According to Josh, parents should encourage children to express their own unique individual personality. Parents have the ethical duty to instill confidence and assist their children develop the talents. According to t he principle of distributive justice, every human being in the society should be accorded human dignity and respect notwithstanding his quality of judgments. Parents should allow their children the opportunity to learn from their own experiences (Gill 110). Sadly, Josh Waitzkin lost his passion for Chess at 19 years due to pressure to meet other people’s expectations. Josh advises school authorities and parents to encourage children to listen to their â€Å"own natural voice and help the kids to develop their innate gifts (Josh, Waitzkin YouTube video)† On the other hand, opponents assert that parents should control the choices of their children regarding the development of innate talents. They argue that children have no ability to make informed decisions thus lack the right to choice. Parents should make decisions on the choices of their children regarding the development of innate gifts. Parents should set high and realistic goals for their

Marijuana Legalization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Marijuana Legalization - Research Paper Example Although, Marijuana was maximally consumed for recreational purposes, when its medicinal properties were discovered, it started to be used for therapeutic purposes as well. Certain components of Marijuana like THC, cannabinoids, etc., are proven to treat or even lessen the complications arising out of various diseases and health problems. Because of these beneficial properties, there are calls to legalize Marijuana for medicinal purposes, so the needy patients can get access to it without any hassles. Currently, it is illegal to possess and consume Marijuana (with only few states giving exceptions) and so the authorities are implementing extensive and tough measures to impede its movement. These measures are resulting in high costs for the government, and quite contrastingly, certain studies showed that controlling measures are in-turn leading to more crimes, thus validating the need for legalization. When the purpose or use of Marijuana is viewed from an opposite perspective, it pro vides a slightly negative picture. That is, consumption of Marijuana could cause even more serious health problems for the users (more that its’ therapeutic purposes), thus raising calls against legalization. ... However, as the cons against legalization can be managed, this paper after discussing both sides of the legalization argument, will favor legalization of Marijuana. Pros for Legalization Marijuana has been used, as part of medicinal practice, from early centuries and it was only around 1850's, it was embraced by the Western medical practitioners. (Millhorn et al., 2009). It was part of the United States' pharmacopoeia as one of the prescription drugs till 1941, treating both minor as well as major complications. However, with the passing of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1930s, the practitioners were impeded from prescribing it. (Gunnlaugsson & Galliher, 2010). In the present context, although there are severe restrictions in the use of Marijuana for medical purposes, various studies are going on, which proves the efficacy of it against many health complications, thus necessitating the legalization of it. The medicinal value of Marijuana particularly its components THC and cannabinoids can help in the treatment of various diseases and also the complications arising out of those diseases. â€Å"An alternative literature suggests that cannabis may have medicinal value for addressing a wide range of various medical diseases, though smoked product may be harmful, the active ingredients in cannabis, most notably THC/dronabinol may have medicinal value† (Johnson et al., 2008). Even if it is not able to fully treat the diseases, Marijuana can play an effective role in minimizing the physical pain and other complications that are associated with those diseases. Marijuana's main medical application is as a pain reliever. â€Å"The use of marijuana relieves pain, which results from side effects of

An Investigation of the impact of change on Sotheby's Research Paper

An Investigation of the impact of change on Sotheby's - Research Paper Example 5 Changes in Auctioneering Process†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦. 6 Impact of Technological Changes to Sotheby’s Company †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 7 Impact of Technological Changes on Buyers and Sellers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 8 Financial Policy Changes†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦ 8 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 9 Recommendations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦... 10 Bibliography†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.... 12 Impacts of Changes to Sotheby’s Company Introduction and Background Sotheby’s is a multinational corporation that has its origin in Britain, but is currently headquartered in New York. It is one of the world’s largest brokers of decorative and fine arts real estate, jewelry, and collectibles (Innovation, Theories of Art, and Sotheby’s Company 2011, 63). The company divides its operations into three segments. These include finance, Dealer and auction. Among other products and services, the company deals in a range of services including Private Sales to Corporate Art Services. Traditional operations of Sotheby†™s Company make it the fourth oldest auctioneering company in continuous operation in over 40 countries and with 90 locations worldwide (Gus 2012, 44). By December 2011, the company boasted of 1446 employees worldwide. Sotheby’s is arguably the world’s largest art enterprise with global sales that totaled up to $5.8 billion in 2011 (Gus 2012, 44). Relative success of the company can be attributed to its efficient mode of operation that it established right from its inception in 1744 in London. The company has maintained a culture of management that looked at the business in three distinct dimensions. The company viewed and treated the business as having the categories of finance, auctions and finance. Sotheby’s is a master at managing timing during biding struggles among wealthy buyers. This is a unique piece of art the company has learnt to perfect and preserve over the years. Auctioneering capabilities of the company has made it become a marketing timer as w ell. In November 2013, the company’s shares were trading just below the highest level hit in two years. The company announced reviewing its finances and capital allocations in a bid to determine the best options it has of returning capital to shareholders. Terms of reference This report focuses on intricate analysis of the procedures the company uses to acquire and sell the products it involves in. Additionally, the research places emphases on financial changes that the company has developed and how it is expected to change the future of the company. Other than considering the changes that have taken place from the earliest years of the company, the research puts into account dynamics in the design of the business to the latest plans the company has. It is aimed at providing academic reference to academicians and general audiences who have the interest in knowing the development of Sotheby’s as it embraces changes over the decades of its existence. It was compiled and presented on 15, November 2013. Procedure In order to determine the effects of change on the operations of Sotheby’s Company, the research took an analytic assessment of publications concerning the

Economic Effects of Birth Control Technology in China Essay

Economic Effects of Birth Control Technology in China - Essay Example This essay discusses the topic of population explosion that has been one of the main concerns in developing countries, such as China and India. Traditional values, ignorance of birth control technology, and labor intensive farming all play a role in population explosion. After the realization that the continued population growth will have a drastic impact on economic and social systems, many developing countries have adopted population control policies. Today, China is a country with the largest population in the world. Though China has a huge population, it has a weak economic foundation with inadequate per-capita resources. In fact, China is facing many contradictions and problems of economic and social development that are closely associated with the issue of population. The researcher discusses several initiatives taken by Chinese governmen to control population. In conclusion, the researcher mentiones that this is not only good for accelerating rural economic development, increa sing peasants' income, and improving their living standard, but it can also make them realize from their immediate interests the benefit of having less children, gradually changing their attitudes towards fertility, increasing their awareness and enthusiasm for carrying out family planning. An abundant labour supply, combined with relatively small shares of younger and older dependents, not only helped to make China become the world’s factory in the 21st century, but also contributed to increasing the standard of living.

Analyse wellness strategy at M&S Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Analyse wellness strategy at M&S - Essay Example Considering the case of Mark and Spencer (M & S) Company with many stores across the UK and 82, 000 employees, there is evidence the welfare of the employees is very important to ensure that the company grows. The company used to provide important service and meals to its employees to maintain their health. According to the company’s belief, a strong connection exists between employee welfare and the success of the business. Wellbeing is one of the things that impacts greatly on the employees’ engagement and the company’s productivity according to Arnold et al. (2010). The company gives health information to its employees through the companys website and advises them on lifestyle issues, and the employees’ wellbeing is on the top priority list. However, the company experienced a decline in sales and other technical challenges leading to losses. The company concentrated too much on the employees’ wellbeing regarding their health and nutrition and neglected other important areas such as employee performance in delivering the goods to the customers. Their understanding of the wellbeing was misplaced, as there are very many factors that constitute the wellbeing of employees other than just health. The problem could be due to less supervision of the employee especially in the online business on matters concerning distribution. The employees spent most of their time concentrating on their wellbeing and reading health matters on the internet rather that concentrating on the company’s activities. The retailer’s distribution centre at Castle Dominion, Leicestershire caused most of the delays and customers raised many complaints in the social media. The intervention by the company to the delivery problem was slo w showing that despite the company ensuring that the employees were comfortable; there was little employee engagement in various issues. The company focused so much on the physical, social, and psychological issues of the employees and less on

The Effects of Humor and Incongruence on Word Recall Essay Example for Free

The Effects of Humor and Incongruence on Word Recall Essay Fifteen undergraduates from the University of California, Los Angeles participated in this experiment. There were 8 men and 7 women, age ranging from 19 to 30 years old. All 15 participants were enrolled in a research method class and they participated in the experiment as a part of a course requirement. Design A 2 x 2 (Type of sentence x image) within-subjects factorial design was used. The two independent variables were the type of sentence and the type of image with the respective to the italicized word in the sentence. The two levels of the type of sentence were humorous and nonhumorous sentences. The two levels of the type of image were matching or nonmatching images respective to the italicized words in their sentences. Matching images depict the italicized word in their corresponding sentences. Nonmatching images did not depict the italicized words. The dependent variable was the number of italicized words correctly recalled. Materials Sentences. Two sets of 20 sentences obtained from Schidmt (1994) were used. At the humorous sentence level, the 20 sentences had the mean rate for humor ranging from 3. 08 to 4. 0. At the nonhumorous sentence level, 20 other sentences had the mean rate for humor ranging from 1. 25 to 2. 86. The intensity of humor was determined by participants using a 5-point Likert-type scale where 5. 0 was the highest humor rating. Using these two sets of sentences, four lists were created, each with 20 different sentences. Random assignment was used to determine the placement of the sentences on the lists so that the serial positions of the sentences across the four lists are different from one list to the other. The words that will be used for recall were always italicized across the four lists. Pictures. 20 Microsoft Word Clip Art images were used for the matching conditions. The images were obtained using the key words of the italicized words. For the nonmatching condition, 10 neutral key words (i. e. , sun, flower) were used to obtain the 10 images from Clip Art. The nonmatching images were randomly assigned to the sentences. Each of the four lists has the same type and number of nonmatching images. Within every list, an image only appeared once. All images were 261 pixel by 159 pixel. All images were presented centered and below its respective sentence. PowerPoint slides. Computers with Microsoft PowerPoint program were randomly assigned to show one of the four types of sentences to participants. Four different lists each with 20 sentences and 20 images were obtained. Each list has 5 humorous sentences with matching images, 5 humorous sentences with nonmatching images, 5 nonhumorous sentences with matching images, and 5 nonhumorous sentences with nonmatching images. I counterbalanced the lists to control for order effect so that the serial positions of the 20 sentences are random within each of the four lists. To control for specific item effect, I use a balance Latin square to ensure that each of the 20 italicized words from the two sets of sentences appear in each of the four experimental condition. PowerPoint slides were used to present all the instructions, lists of words and pictures, and the first five math problems. Response sheet. A 8 1/2 in. by 11 in. paper were used to write the italicized words that the participants recalled. Distractor test. 10 arithmetic math problems were used as a distractor test. The first five math problems were presented in a PowerPoint slide and the next five math problems were presented in a 8 1/2 in. by 11 in. piece of paper. The reason why the distractor task was divided into both a PowerPoint and regular written exercise was to reduce as much of the demand characteristics of the experiments as possible. Participants write the answer to all 10 math problems on the paper. Procedures Participants were randomly assigned to a computer with one of the four types of lists. The experimenter told the participants to follow the instructions on the packet of paper given to them on how to access the presentation lists and the instructions presented by the computer. The experimenters made sure that all participants got to their respective lists before telling them to begin. Participants all started together. The instructions on the computer directed the participants to look the following 20 slides and try to remember as much information as they can about the slide. Each slide was shown for 7 seconds, one after another, and a blank screen was shown for 2 seconds between each slide. After all 20 slides were shown, a new slide informed the participants that they now have five minutes to solve both the five math problems presented in the slide and five math problems on the sheet next to the computer. The experimenter announced that time was up and told the participants to stop what they were doing and were to look back at the computer for further instructions. The final slide appeared on the screen and instructed the participants to write down as many italicized words as they can remember on the recall sheet. The recall test was an unexpected recall test because the participants did not expect that they need to remember the italicized words of the sentences rather than images or the content of the sentences. In the process of counting the number of italicized word correctly recalled, I used a lenient scoring criteria. If the main meaning of the correct italicized word was written if not the exact word, it would still be counted as a correctly recalled word. For example if the correct word was cheap but cheaply was written, it would be counted as one correctly recalled word.

Stereotypical Ideas Of Australian Identity English Literature Essay

Stereotypical Ideas Of Australian Identity English Literature Essay One such example of a text that can be identified as Australian due to its use of the stereotypical ideas of Australian identity is Clancy of the Overflow, a poem by AB Banjo Paterson. This text is written from the point of view of a city-dweller who once met the title character, a shearer and drover, and now envies the imagined pleasures of Clancys lifestyle, which he compares favourably to life in the dusty, dirty city and the round eternal of the cashbook and the journal. The title comes from the address of a letter the city-dweller sends, The Overflow being the name of the sheep station where Clancy was working when they met. The poem is based on a true story that was experienced by Banjo Paterson. He was working as a lawyer when someone asked him to send a letter to a man named Thomas Gerald Clancy, asking for a payment that was never received. Banjo sent the letter to The Overflow and soon received a reply that read Clancys gone to Queensland droving and we dont know where he a re The imagery that is used within the poem allows us to see the landscape that we now except to be Australian, the language used also allows us to appreciate the behaviour that we have come to adopt as our own Australian way. For example In my wild erratic fancy visions come to me of Clancy, Gone a-droving `down the Cooper where the Western drovers go; As the stock are slowly stringing, Clancy rides behind them singing, For the drovers life has pleasures that the townsfolk never know. The real question is, without these so called Australian images would we be able to recognise the text as an Australian one? The answer is no, Australian texts cannot afford to let their setting be ambiguous. Australia has few attributes that separate it from mediocrity and its setting is one of them. As well as Australias aesthetic attributes it also has its behavioural attributes that can be referred to as individual. Australian is renowned as being a masculine society, in which the sporting arena is worshiped; now this occurs other countries but this aspect of Australian life adds to overall individuality of Australian society. Bruce Dawes Life Cycle is an example of this obsession that Australians have with sport in our masculine society. The diction in the poem plays the largest role in creating the ideas and the sense of obsession. The ability to create a poem which covers a life-cycle of a person through the game of AFL would not be possible without the choice of diction. For instance in the line For possession of a Rusk: Ah he is a little Tiger! It uses particular words like possession, which would be a term used in a game of AFL, or Tiger, the name of a team. Ideas are also conveyed through the word choice, for instance You bludger and the covenant is sealed- creates the sense that the poet is saying AFL is almost a religion. People live their life according to the success of the team they follow. The word covenant being a commonly used religious term portrays ideas of religion. The word choice and words chosen prove the obsession as they bring in direct ideas and terms from AFL, and relating them to many stages of life and deeper ideas such as religion. Australia being the young nation that it is has not forged its own identity fully as yet, although many different sources contribute to the countrys social amalgam. It is possible for different understandings, representing different starting points, to be grafted onto a common stock of images and beliefs. And we see this done within Dawes poem, which we identify as an Australian text. Perhaps Australia suffers from these deeper identity issues because of the relatively ignoble cause of European settlement in this country. No tales of Pilgrim Fathers escaping from religious persecution for us. Instead there is the ball and chain and the ignominy of a convict settlement consciously designed to house what were considered to be the dregs of another society. Or perhaps the difference lies in the fact of the ease of our attaining self government and independence. Whatever the case, we do know that Australian texts are recognised by their unambiguous imagery and setting. There are very few texts that show this better than Peter Allens Tenterfield Sadler. The highly stereotypical imagery that is used throughout the song is the kind that separates Australia from mediocrity and allows the text to be viewed as a unique Australian text. Some examples of this are, 52 years he sat on his verandah, made his saddles, and if you had questions about sheep or flowers or doves, you just asked the saddler, he lived without sin, There building a library for him These words used are typically Australian, meaning that they appear nowhere else in the world, the use of these words, i.e. verandah indicates the uniqueness of the Australian lifestyle and also the individuality of Australian texts. The typical Aussie has been described as male, easy going, fair and democratic, having a healthy disrespect for authority, and a dry laconic humour. In the song, Peter Al len describes his characters as these types of people. The problem with defining Australian identity is that there are so many different sources contributing to the countrys social amalgam. This in itself does not cause an insuperable problem. It is possible for different understandings, representing different starting points, to be grafted onto a common stock of images and beliefs. And perhaps the matter is more simply explained as an absence of time since settlement coupled with such rapid change that there has been no opportunity to generate an Australian identity that can be consciously articulated and shared by all. We could argue all day about what the Australian identity should be but in the end the identity that we have, in the eyes of those who look in from the outside, is the well known stereotypical, clichà © identity. And yes, any text that you read that is Australian will be identified so, due to the unambiguous fashion in which the setting and images have been constructed. The suit this stereotypical identity we have acqui red. Clancy of the Overflow, Life Cycle and Tenterfiel Sadler are all examples of how Australian texts use the things we have, and the things we do to separate us from the rest of the world.

Home Automation Project Development

Home Automation Project Development Introduction Technology In saying Necessity is the Mother of Invention to conclude that man since the dawn of history has sought to facilitate his creativity to invite tools that helped him to live from Stone Age to Cooper, Bronze, and Iron Ages that each age developed the following age. He built growth of the ancient civilizations such as Egyptians that invented and used many simple machines and other ancient civilizations that improved many technologies for example Greek invented watermill which was the first human-devised motive force. The industrial revolution in Britain which is individuated by the promotions in the areas of textile manufacturing, mining, metallurgy and transport driven by the development of the steam engine. That changed the whole course of mans life and the subsequent revolution in electricity, electronics and communications led to the development of technology. Technology has transformed the lives of people world over, has saved us loads of time and has made life easier for all of us. Automation The idea of remote control that controls machines after the World War 1 in Germany gave birth of automation. Automation can be defined as the use of control systems, Human activities and applications in all areas of life has rapidly expanded from the combination of automated devices with mathematical and organizational tools which created complex systems that have been used in industrial, commercial, economic, and social ranges of mans life. The evolution of controllers and automation has been developing and still continue to develop to these days. What is Home Automation Home is the word that refers to relaxing and rest after a long day of work, that when you get home you need all the reasons of relax, in the past man was coming home and was finding hit wife had created the comforts for him, but then women choose to be mans partner in all areas of life, so to find technology took the rule and start to create comfort for both man and woman at home. The first appearance of home automation was the TV remote control and then inventions followed one another. Home automation is a system in which user can control his home subsystems using an interface provided by the system to achieve the purpose of home automation. The idea of home automation came from modern home which filled with electronic apparatus and appliances -which are the home subsystems foundation- to make life easier at home, more secure, and more comfortable that the user can control his house while he is relaxing or working. When the user leaves his home to go on holiday, he loses all control over the functions of the house while he is away and cannot tell whether someone has punctured the security or whether he had left the living room light on. If the alarm has been triggered at his home, there is no way that the user can become aware of this unless he returns to his compromised home. In order for the system be useful, the appliances must be able to be moved around the house and still retain their ability to communicate with the system. A degree of automation is needed in a house so that certain functions in the house occur automatically, for example the outside light can turn on when it becomes dark outside. There is a need for a reliable, secure and interactive system that exercises full control over the electric and electronic aspects of the house, with the potential to be accessed from across the globe. A home control system controls the users whole house, triggering routines and events involving Home Subsystems. An automation system controls a collection of â€Å"Home Subsystems†. A Home Subsystems includes light fixtures, the heating-cooling system, security components, entertainment, as well as devices like motorized drapes or any other condition that the user selects. Is a system that even when operating automatically provides benefits to the system user. A home automation system puts two or more Home-Subsystems under the control of one central controller which is PIC microcontroller and the user interface attached to the controller for example touch screen, key pad, handheld remotes, or a PC which we will describe it later in this chapter. The Smart House system would adjust the power supplied to each appliance according to need. Each appliance is provided with sufficient power to provide for its peak use. In addition, the Smart House controllers could schedule the operation of heavy power consuming appliances (such as dishwashers, electric water heaters, and air conditioners) to take maximum advantage of off-peak electric rates. These adjustments could result in lower utility costs. http://www.connectedhomemag.com/HomeControls/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=22609 Features that provided by Home Automation Home automation system can provide many benefits that make home safer, more comfortable, by employing sensors and control systems to monitor home and provide services. The home automation system can make the user be able to control his own home while he relaxing sleeping even while he is working. The home automation system makes the user be able to control lighting that he can change light with his mode and requirement. Security is one of the important benefits that can be provided by home automation system even during the absence of the user, that if there someone trying to breach house the system can release the alarm, lock all the exits until the user comes and reset the system. The home automation system can provide a system prevent fires by smoke sensors that senses for smoking if there the system release the alarm and the water sprinkles start spraying water. Home automation system can control the temperature of house by controlling AC. There is a large unexploited potential for using home automation for energy savings and comfort improvements. Home Automation Components Central controller which is an inelegant device connected with the whole system, its job is to manage, process, and control the home automation system, it can be a PIC microcontroller, PC .etc. User interface in which user can control the home automation system and choose the mode he need in any appliance of the system, it can be a touch screen, GLCD, remote controletc. Appliances which are the devices that controlled by the system and it can be any device such as clean machine, AC, lighting as a sub system..etc. Connection which is the type of connection between systems and it can be wired or wireless. Wired vs. Wireless Home Automation The medium through which communications occurs is crucial to the feasibility of a home automation system. So the types of home automation systems are: 1. Wired System Traditionally, wiring consists of wires that get snaked through the walls. There are three wired systems: electricity, telephone, TV cable. Which have been earned by the home automation and the user more agree with, because it is provide reliability, it connect each appliance with central controller, signal between sent between devices is travelling through a physical medium . Wired system provide reliability, but it is difficult to install, and it not easy for error detection and resolving, unless there is a smart central device and advanced physical medium and connections. 2. Wireless System Each appliance is connected with a device as a receiver or transmitter that depends on the function of the appliance and what does it need, and for each sensor there is a transmitter and receiver device. Transmitter device send a signal such as RF signal and the receiver receives the signal moves it to an intelligent device which detects if the signal for the device that connected with, if yes the intelligent device makes the attached device to act the suitable action for the situation. The main difference between wired and wireless system that the communication between system components and devices in wired system using physical medium, but in the wireless system the signal is generated as Radio wave signal -for example- travels on the air and cached by receivers. Theoretical Back Ground The Purpose of the Project The main purpose of the home automation project briefly is to make life easier. To achieve the main purpose we need to design a control system for home appliances, the user can control real loads by a single touch on the touch panel , away from the traditional bush buttons remote control the user will use his finger to select any option on the touch panel whether it is a on/off button or next/previous command. The user can choose the right arrow to select between the appliances (light, door open, door close, heater) then he will use the on/off button to toggle the load status. 3. Method To achieve the goal of this project the touch screen must be chosen so it can be interfaced to the microcontroller (PIC microcontroller) , the resistive touch screen can be used since the microcontroller has it own build in analog to digital converter, The microcontroller will convert the output of the touch screen to digital value (x-position ,y- position) then it will decide the press location on what button (the buttons is drawn on a graphical LCD which is under the touch screen ) so the user will feel as if he press the button itself After this the microcontroller will execute a certain routine to toggle the corresponding load depending on the pressed button. As shown in figure above we have proposed a block diagram to achieve the project goal, the configuration and the connection of each components can found in the datasheet, for example the datasheet of the GLCD and the touch screen requires the use of PIC microcontroller so both of them must be connected directly to the PIC in the appropriate way. Also the web site. http://www.mikroe.com/en/tools/ provides learning kits with a full document and schematic diagrams for those kits, which was an addition information source to know how we can use the graphical LCD and the touch screen The real loads driver circuit will take the command signal from the microcontroller so it also it will be connected directly to the microcontroller, Description of the main blocks PIC microcontroller PIC microcontroller ,which will be the brain of the system Why to use pic16f877A At first any pic microcontroller that has portB and portD can be used to interface the graphical LCD, but since we will use a touch screen in the project and the output is analog voltage so we also need a pic microcontroller with a build in analog to digital converter, those specification can be found in the PIC16F877A Graphical LCD idea and background Graphical LCD , at which the graphics will be displayed The GLCD module is specially designed for microcontroller programmers who like an extra dimension in the projects. This module has a 128 X 64 pixel graphical LCD with touch screen, This LCD is controlled by KS0108 LCD controller via two segment drivers. LCD backlight color is yellow-green. Touch panel , which will respond to the touches and convert it to analog voltages. Driving circuit which will take the control signal from the microcontroller and drive a real 220V ac loads. interfacing circuit: this circuit will take the four wires from the touch screen and fed the microcontroller with the analog voltage (x,y) 4. Working plan first step is to buy the needed components start testing interfacing the components as follows connect the graphical LCD and display some pictures using the pic microcontroller connect the touch screen and test the output voltages when pressing on it, we will use the regular voltmeter to test the output voltages on each corner and it should be as follows design the output driving circuit to drive the real 220V loads by apply 1 5V on the input Software implementation Since we are using a pic microcontroller then we need to use a compatible compiler and the easiest one is (MIKROBASIC) because it has a built in libraries for the graphical LCD also the used language is BASIC. 6. Why to use the mikrobasic instead of assembly (mp lab) Using the graphical LCD in the project requires a lot o work in signaling the graphical lcd, so each picture or graph must be sent to the graphical lcd pixel by pixel which is a long work without any advantage because the mikroelctronica compiler (mikrobasic) comes with a built in libraries that support both (LCD, and graphical LCD) so the time needed for doing the libraries can be used to add more features to the main project. 6.1 Features MikroBasic allows the user to quickly develop and deploy complex applications: Write the BASIC source code using the built-in Code Editor (Code and Parameter Assistants, Syntax Highlighting, Auto Correct, Code Templates, and more†¦) Use the included mikroBasic libraries to dramatically speed up the development: data acquisition, memory, displays, conversions, communications†¦ Practically all P12, P16, and P18 chips are supported. Can be used to Monitor the program structure, variables, and functions in the Code Explorer. Inspect program flow and debug executable logic with the integrated Debugger. Get detailed reports and graphs: RAM and ROM map, code statistics, assembly listing, calling tree, and more†¦ Introduction to Project Management For planning any project, you must manage it. The whole project is divided into three major elements: tasks, resource and time. Each elements work affects the others, means they are related. Project Tasks Means what each piece of project component will achieve and the hardware connection between these components, some tasks may include: Programming Microcontroller. User interface â€Å"GLCD†. Project documentation. Project Resources Means anything used to achieve the goals of project, which can be: People as who has experience with the home automation they can be users or experts. Machinery which used to develop the project components. Money. 1.5 System Requirements 1.5.1 System Hardware Micro controller (PIC): to control the whole system. Graphical LCD: as the user interface. Driving CKT: to connect loads with the PIC. 1.5.2 System software Micro Basic for programming PIC. Following chapters will be more detailed for each part.

The Great Levittown Impact Essay -- Urban Sprawl Urbanization Essays

The Great Levittown Impact The third listing for the definition of sprawl in the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is as follows: â€Å"to spread or develop irregularly†. Unfortunately, this is the pattern, or lack thereof, with which America’s development is following. Every single day the world population rises, and these new babies have to live somewhere. Due to the fact that the birth rate is larger than that of the death rate in America (http://www.bartleby.com/151/a24.html), new homes and communities must be developed to accommodate all of the incoming people. This fundamental concept is coupled by another very powerful driving force prompting people to live in the suburbs of America, and that is greed. The economy makes available to the country a degree of ownership never before matched in our history, and people are taking advantage of it. This idea drives people to move from the congested, smoky, and frantic cities to the serenity of the countryside, where they have t he opportunity to own much more land and live a more peaceful life. For a time this worked very nicely as portrayed in the incredible success of the communities created by William Levitt. Levittown was a dream of William Levitt, which encompassed the idea that all Americans can afford a home in the country. It was a success in the time of its creation, but we are beginning to see the dangers that this type of super growth brings along with it. Urban sprawl is an issue that will require much attention in the future, to prevent the negative effects that are already taking their toll. Expansion has been the trend of human civilization developments ever since agriculture allowed man to settle into permanent communities. The cast... ...gether to create economic and environmental prosperity. Bibliography: Business 2.0, â€Å"The sultans of Sprawl†, Ed Brown, http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,4887,FF.html, 1999 Levittown at Fifty, â€Å"Growing Pains†, Geoffrey Mohan, http://www.lihistory.com/specsec/hslevtwo.htm, 2002 Bartleby.com, World Fact Book 2001, â€Å"Birth Rate†, http://www.bartleby.com/151/a24.html, 2001 Florida Sustainable Community Center, â€Å"The Historical Roots of Sprawl†, Joseph Smyth, Excerpted from "The Economic Power of Sustainable Development: Building the New American Dream", a chapter in Sustainable Cities: Concepts and Strategies for Eco-City Development, Eco-Home Media, http://sustainable.state.fl.us/fdi/fscc/news/world/rtsprawl.htm, 1998 Environmental Protection Agency OMS Fact Sheet #3, â€Å"Automobiles and Carbon Monoxide†, http://www.epa.gov/otaq/03-co.htm, 1993

What’s in a Name? :: essays papers

What’s in a Name? I have always been very proud of everything that I have accomplished in my life. I am proud of one thing more than anything else; my heritage. Ever since I was a child I was told all about my grandparents and their trek from Denmark to the United States. I was curious what their homeland was like, but it never seemed to be a topic of discussion. My grandmother boasted the Danish flag in her home, and displayed little trinkets that said â€Å"velkomen† on them. My knowledge was limited to these few things I saw when I was a child. Since both of my grandparents had passed away, I started my research by picking up the phone and calling my father. My father, Larry Jensen, didn’t know very much about Denmark either. He knew a few names from his family and their birth dates, so I started from there. I hit the internet with my newly obtained knowledge and I searched for anything that could link me to my past. I did not find anything about any of my specific relatives, but I learned about how and why I got my last name. Apparently, Danish people did not have last names until the late 19th century when new laws were introduced forcing them to take on a surname. The common people of Denmark didn’t use family names to identify themselves. Before it was required to have a last name, people used patronymics, meaning they took on their father’s first name with an ending to make their last name. It was also common for people in a town that was large to use their occupation or place of residence as a last name. Many of the girls would get the father’s first name with â€Å"datter† or â€Å"dot ter† attached to it (meaning daughter of.) The boys would get their father’s first name with â€Å"sen† or â€Å"son† attached to it (meaning son of.) In Denmark, â€Å"datter† and â€Å"dotter† meant the same thing, just as â€Å"sen,† and â€Å"son† were the same thing (Origins of Danish Names). The name Jensen, meaning â€Å"son of Jens,† has many different spellings. The Dutch forms of Jensen are Jans, Johansen, Janse, Jansen, Janssen, Hoensen and Janzen. The root of all of these names comes from the stem or the variation of a stem, which is Jan.

A response to the great Gatsby Essay

â€Å"The Great Gatsby† by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a widely considered masterpiece of American literature. Set in Long island, 1922, The Great Gatsby portrays a time in which massive war-born wealth and cheap liquor give birth to the great American party period, where booze and bobbed hair reign supreme in newly rich New York. This sets the scene for the tragic love story between † The golden girl†, Daisy Buchanan and war hero, James Gatz (Gatsby). The Great Gatsby is an interesting novel due to the ideas it presents that our society can still relate to today. Media manipulation, money before love and fame because of nothing more than wealth, are all ideas presented in the novel and they are all ideas that our society is notorious for today. Daisy and Gatsby were pre-war lovers that become separated by the war and the overbearing difference in social class, Gatsby was poor and believed he was unworthy of Daisy, determined to make something of himself Gatsby leaves. Daisy is madly in love with Gatsby, but marries Tom Buchanan, the richest man in east egg, straight after she gets a letter from Gatsby, asking her to wait until he becomes a rich man so they can be wed. Scott Fitzgerald uses this situation to portray a major ideology in the novel and of the time; that enough money can buy love. This is still relevant today as we constantly see Hollywood’s rich and famous will marry not out of love, but out of the desire for publicity and money. Gatsby, now a rich man who hosts extravagant parties every weekend but barely reveals his identity, is likely the most talked about person in New York, yet almost no one knows anything real about him. Throughout the novel our bank of information surrounding Gatsby grows, as we know nothing of him at the beginning, wild rumors spread around by the city folk New York are the only prior knowledge we have of Gatsby. â€Å"Well, they say he’s a nephew or a cousin of the Keiser Wilhelm’s, that’s where all the money comes from† This quote from minor character Catherine, shows how little most people know about Gatsby, and how willing and excited they are to spread false rumor. Fitzgerald deliberately presents Gatsby as a man of mystery and intrigue to show us how known, yet unknown he is. This is effective in creating uncertainty in the reader about Gatsby’s character, as we start to feel as if no information received about Gatsby, even from Gatsby’s own mouth, can  be trusted. It’s the same case today with the media’s tendency to manipulate and exaggerate, combined with possibly edited and misleading sources of information such as photographs and video, separating the real from the fake becomes almost impossible. The Great Gatsby is unique in the sense that it was not written as Gatsby’s own experience, but the experience of character who’s role in the plot is more to observe than to intervene. Nick Carraway is Daisy’s cousin and was a solider of the Great war who, after the conflict, joins the bond business and later moves to West Egg becoming Gatsby’s Neighbor. Nick becomes the bridge between Gatsby and Daisy, having connections to them both, yet not interfering with their lives in the sense a character like Tom does. We read the entire novel out of his experience and this allows us to view a completely separate perspective to that of the true main characters, and unlike a third person writing style, we are also given the opinions, biases and thoughts of the man who is â€Å"Within, and without.† The purpose of using this writing style is to show us insight in to the lives of all main characters, while still delivering a story in a first person perspective. This technique is effective in making the reader feel connected to the text and in reading of Nick’s experiences putting you in the situation whist still showing Gatsby’s and Daisy’s life as opposed to a restrictive first person perspective following only one. The Great Gatsby was a definitive novel at the time of its publication, and is just as relevant today. Gatsby was in the end, a celebrity only due to his large wealth and even larger parties, but when misunderstanding holds him to blame for a horrific car accident, people lose interest in the man they once found fascinating. Gatsby is very relatable to a modern day celebrity: he was famous because of wealth, had his relationship ended because of money, was subject to public rumor, scandal, and in the end forgotten, and replaced by the next rich man to host a big party. When Gatsby dies at the end of the novel, the only one to attend his funeral is our narrator, Nick Carraway. Fitzgerald does this to show that, Gatsby; a man with hundreds of acquaintances and thousands of followers, had in fact only one true friend, only one person who knew anything at all about him and  still cared after his death. Celebrities, the Gatsbys of today, may think they have hundreds of friends, even millions amongst fans, but hardly any truly know them, and those who do, like Daisy, usually care more about wealth and status than friendship.

An Overview on Federal Budget Situation of the Year 2001

The summary provides an overview on federal budget situation of the year 2001, with emphasize on federal debt over the previous years, and with reference to historical data, budget structure, its management, economic uses and future evolution. The report deals with a temporary positive turn of situation over the time period 1998-2001 regarding the state of federal budget. Previously, U. S. economy had confronted with a severe recession. Government had run a budget deficit of $168. 1 billion in the fiscal year 1988, $152. 1 billion in the fiscal year 1989, $220. 4 billion in 1990 and a $288 billion deficit in fiscal year 1991. The economic decline reached its lower limit in the fiscal year 1992, when US Government ran an alarming $293. 2 billion deficit. However, the next years brought about the long awaited change. Thus, the economic situation set out to recovery as lower deficits started to be achieved: $254. 9 billion in 1993, $233 billion in the fiscal year 1994, $164 billion in 1995, $107 billion in 1996 and $22 billion in the fiscal year 1997. After more than 30 years of repeated deficits (the last budget surplus had occurred in fiscal year 1969), the situation finally seemed to turn for the better as the U. S. Government ran a budget surplus of $69 billion in fiscal year 1998, $125 billion in 1999, and $236 billion in fiscal year 2000. For the fiscal year 2001 the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated a $281 budget surplus whereas estimations up to $5. 6 trillion have been made regarding the cumulative budget surpluses over the next 10 years. Nevertheless, in spite of all optimistic anticipations, budget surpluses kept authorities waiting, as they stubbornly refused to measure up to CBO's expectations. Not only that, but economy plummeted once more into depression, only months after it was believed to be on the right track to full recovery. Nonetheless, the worst did not happen and, even though budget surpluses are yet to be achieved, at present economy fights its way out of depression. For all that, analysts remain skeptical about this so called recovery. Several arguments have been brought to support this idea: firstly, it is considered that since the economy increase is not based on job growth or significant investment in productive capacity, it is not viable and long -lasting. Secondly, analysts argue that economic growth is due to unsatisfactory job creation. Thus, new jobs are largely non-union, and paid considerably less than those that have been down-sized. In addition, job creating averages 188,000 per month since November 2004 and taking into consideration that the economy needs around 150,000 jobs just to keep pace with new workers entering work force market, this is a sign of stagnation. Thirdly, living and working conditions have become worse for millions of Americans which is an indicator of a phony economic growth. Finally, Bush's administration has more cuts in view, which will lead to further degradation of quality life. Tax cuts and increased military spending have deepened even more the hole in the budget deficit. Thus, the U. S. Government ran a record $113. 94 billion deficit in February 2005, surpassing the $96. 70 billion deficit in February 2004. The total deficit for the fiscal year 2005 is estimated at $427 billion. Statistically, this means that the U. S. must borrow $1. 2 billion daily to clear off the debt. Moreover, the total national debt is as high as $7. 7 trillion and this means well over $26,000 per U. S. citizen. Because this is money that has to be paid back with an interest, analysts argue that within the next ten years the U. S. Government will no longer be able to borrow enough money as to keep up with expenses. In addition, the trade deficit has increased by $500 billion since 1993. In 2004 the trade gap set a new record of $617. 1 billion, whereas predictions for fiscal year 2005 are even gloomier. Moreover, inflation and interest rates indicators are all pointing to an unstable economic situation in which the tiniest shock can tip the balance for the worst. Thus, perspectives on U. S. economy are bleak and demand for immediate responsible action. Looking back to 2001 predictions, we may conclude that analysts of the time have considerably fed on air. Had it not been for their lack of realism, perhaps the current crisis would have been avoided. Nevertheless, economic predictions are extremely difficult to make with any precision as they often involve contradictory data.

Managing Cultural Diversity Essay

The following paper brie y debates the rhetoric of managing diversity and considers whether managing diversity is a distinct approach to managing people or a means of diluting equal opportunities in UK organizations. With respect to the realities of the concepts in UK organizations, empirical data from a survey of sixty UK human resource professionals and general line managers is presented. We pose a number of cautionary questions, including what does it matter and to whom? By doing so we intend to encourage further critique and challenges in respect to the concept of managing diversity in organizations. Keywords: Managing diversity, equal opportunities, HRM/D, rhetoric, reality Introduction Today the workforce does not look, think, or act like any workforce of the past, nor does it hold the same values, have the same experiences, or pursue the same needs and desires (Jamieson and O’ Mara 1991). The composition of today’ s workforce has changed signi cantly in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, education, disabilities, and values. Running parallel to these changes is the shift in thinking by human resource theorists and practitioners with regard to addressing equality in the workplace (Cooper and White 1995; Liff and Wacjman 1996). This shift is underpinned by the emergence of the business case argument for equal opportunities, as opposed to the persuasive debate for social justice or equal opportunities as ‘ correcting an imbalance, an injustice or a mistake’ (Thomas 1990). There is now a view that, after twenty years of the ‘ stick’ of legal compliance (which has achieved little), the ‘ carrot’ of underpinning the business case for equal opportunities will perhaps achieve more (Dickens 1994). The business case argument for equal opportunities in organizations is often termed ‘ managing or valuing diversity’ , but, as with most contemporary Human Resource Development International ISSN 1367-8868 print/ISSN 1469–8374 online  © 2000 Taylor & Francis Ltd http://www. tandf. co. uk/journals 420 Peer-Reviewed Articles anagement issues, the underlying principles and interpretation of this concept are open to mass interpretation, criticism, and indeed misunderstanding. D. Miller (1996) argues that the significant widening of the meaning of equal opportunities has brought with it more complex and confusing messages for employers and practitioners. By drawing on literature and empirical data, we consider whether man aging diversity is a distinct approach to managing people or a means of diluting equal opportunities in UK organizations and pose a number of cautionary questions, including: what does it matter and to whom? By doing so, we intend to encourage further critique and challenges in respect to the concept of managing diversity in organizations. What is managing diversity? Thomas (2000) argues that, with the growing number of mergers and acquisitions, workforce diversity will become more of a priority for organizations and, therefore, in the future, people will become clearer on what diversity is and how to manage it. As with the debates surrounding de nitions of human resource management and development (HRM/D), managing diversity as a concept means different things to different people. It can relate to the issue of national cultures inside a multinational organization (Hofstede 1984); it can relate to the further development of equal opportunities or to a distinct method of integrating different parts of an organization and/or managing people strategically. Much of the literature regarding managing diversity relates to the US experience, where the concept is particularly popular; a re ection perhaps of the more pronounced diversity of workforce composition (Cassell 1996). In a recent report 1999), a Department of Education in America described managing and valuing diversity as a key component of effective people management, arguing that it focuses on improving the performance of the organization and promotes practices that enhance the productivity of all staff. Their dimensions of diversity include gender, race, culture, age, family/carer status, religion, and disability. The de nition provided also embraces a range of individual skills, educational quali cations, work experience and background, languages, and other relevant attributes and experiences which differentiate individuals.

Key Drivers Essay

Given that the development of new systems can be fraught with problems and delays, what drives organisations to develop systems? The most important drivers come directly from the needs of the business and are often not related to technology, but require technological solutions. There are a number of possible triggers for the need to develop a new system including users identifying a need, organisations needing to grow or acquire other companies in order to extend their market share, the need to reduce staffing costs or an organisation needing to keep up with competitors. A few more drivers are considered here: Need for growth Sometimes businesses can become stagnant. This means they are not growing (gaining new business and exploring new opportunities) or they are shrinking (losing business). Eventually, businesses that do not have any movement or change will begin to decline, although this can take some time. Most organisations want to advance – they want to expand, become involved in new markets and increase profits. They need to grow to survive and for this they have to have a strategic plan. This is where the company decides what it wants to do and what direction it wants to take. As part of this process, its systems will be examined to ensure that they are capable of supporting the proposed growth. If this is not the case, then the organisation has time to address the issues. Company acquisition It is not unusual for one company to buy out another. For example, the media company Telewest was purchased by the larger group NTL a few years ago. Since then, it has been sold again – this time to the Virgin Media Group. An organisation may well buy another company for any one of or combination of the following reasons: To access new markets: A company selling sports equipment, for example, buys a sports clothing company so that it can add products and services to its portfolio that it feels will interest its existing customers. Alternatively, an organisation might purchase a company active in a completely different market sector so that it can get involved in new different activities. To increase market share of existing business: One supermarket chain buys out another supermarket chain, thus having more outlets and business overall. To acquire particular assets: Sometimes the acquisition is because one company needs to purchase the assets of another company so that it can use them itself. An example might be a car manufacturer buying an advertising company so that it can reduce its marketing and advertising costs. If one organisation acquires another, it can do one of two things: Allow the systems to continue running separately for each company Find ways of integrating systems so that organisations can work together Which route is taken will depend very much on what managers intended when they purchased the company. If the acquiring company does not intend to keep its acquisition, for example, there would be little point in integrating the systems. Need to increase productivity When systems have been in place for a period of time, they are said to decay. This means that they become less and less useful to the organisation. At implementation: System will be heavily used – there will still be debugging activity and training needed. During general use: System is working as it should and is being used effectively. Start of decay: Inefficiencies are found that affect organisational productivity What causes decay? These are a few examples: New technology becomes available that would help increase productivity by improving efficiency. Capacity needs increase because sales have improved and productivity output does not match demand. The activities of competitors demand that the organisation improves its ability to respond. More users working on the system can slow it down, thereby making the system less productive overall. Legal requirements At times an organisation has no other option but to respond to changes in the law. Responding to and implementing required changes in health and safety legislation is essential if an organisation is going to continue to operate within the law. The one advantage of changes in legal requirements is that they are usually anticipated. It would not be fair if changes needed to be made immediately that would disadvantage one company over another. When new laws, or changes in existing laws, occur, companies usually have a grace period of time to prepare prior to the law coming into force.