Performance Management Essay

â€Å"Talent now gravitates to an organization that is flexible, has strong values and a robust performance ethic (Bhal, 2002).† In any organization no matter the size performance management is a critical element in regards to the human element that is the foundation of the organization. In order to effectively place, manage, and develop personnel a performance management plan is an essential part of the development process. In accordance with the previous recommendations for the Bollman Hotel’s planned expansion into India, the following information will be in regards to the alignment, job analysis, measurement, philosophy, and feedback of a recommended performance management plan. Alignment According to Bhal, many of the organizations in the India market have not focused on the human resource aspect of the business module (Bhal, 2002, p. 141). This has left a hard task to overcome for those companies looking to expand into the area. India has seen the need for a transformation in the Human Resource department, in terms of their treatment and beliefs in the management of their personnel. According to Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, and Von der Embse there are four major areas that are said to be under renovation (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, & Von der Embse, 2000, p. 61). The four areas are listed as: first, â€Å"high performance work systems have been shown to be crucial to sustaining global competiveness and they rely upon objective, adequate PA processes†, second â€Å"the productivity of work cultures in Indian organizations is jeopardized by employee PA practices that appear biased, ad hoc and non-integrated into a globally competitive HRM system, third â€Å"Indian managers have been criticized for not involving employees in the PA process†, and lastly â€Å" managerial values that are national culture-based, organizational culture-based and firm ownership-based can enhance or inhibit individual and organizational performance satisfaction† (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, & Von der Embse, 2000, p. 61). These are the misconceptions and obstacles of that must be overcome for any organization venturing into India. Organizational Performance Philosophy Company philosophy must integrate the Indian culture as the expansion of the Bollman Hotel expands. According to Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, and Von der Embse, studies have shown a low expectation of Indian workers as it relates to empowerment, effiecency, and development (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, & Von der Embse, 2000, p. 65). This should be a strong focal point as Bollman looks into the expansion into this country. By ensuring that all of the employees feel they are valued and entrisical to the operations and success of the organization it will help the overall morale of the organization. As described by Cascio the treatment and philosophy of that employees ascribe to an organization is called employee relations (Cascio, 2010, p. 548). These are essential considerations in the development of the performance plan for the expansion of the Bollman Hotel. Job Analysis In the HRM field job analysis is defined by Cascio as â€Å"the process of obtaining and information about jobs† (Cascio W. , 2010, p. 163). In order to properly define a skill or job needed in the new market you must first look at the attributes and skill sets desired for each job function. Employees are the foundation of the organization and to develop and establish a good employee brand is an essential function of any organization. This task will not be a daunting task for the already prevalent Bollman Hotel. However, there will be a need for fine tuning and aligning the merging culture and socio-economics with the current Bollman brand. Measurement Procedures Cascio describes a performance management plan as a form of compass for the employee and employer (Cascio W. , 2010, p. 330). In establishing and assessing performance there must be established goals for each employee and an established measurement of each goal for that employee. In the instance of the Bollman Hotel, set measurements could be established based upon  customer complaints per 10 customers for example. Another measurement could be the number of return business clients per quarter. Skill Gaps and Delivering Performance Feedback By establishing a firm expectancy and goals for each employee and defined job descriptions this will help to ensure a quality performance plan. India employee pool is looking for an organization that will promote from within and place an emphasis on the development of each employee. The assessments need to be a formal integration into the policies and performance system in order to avoid skill gaps and performance gaps. A strong training, coaching, and integration process is essential to ensuring each employee is aware of their expectations and receive proper training for each desired job function (Bhal, 2002). In the Indian culture by making biased decisions and not giving a fair appraisal to each employee with the necessary feedback is a critical mistake that has plagued the Indian human resource arena (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, & Von der Embse, 2000). India has seen a strong acceptance of open discussion in terms of feedback from employees during appraisals. This will help to foster a rapport a mutual understanding of expectations and goals listed for each employee. This also gives the manager the opportunity to establish a form of relationship with the employees and allows for a free flow of information up and down the chain of command. However, by doing this the manager need to ensure that the respect and communication is respectful and mutually beneficial (Bhal, 2002). Cascio has listed some useful feedback methodologies. The goal of each appraisal feedback session should look to improve and provide the employee with valuable information needed to advance and excel within the organization (Cascio W. , 2010, p. 341). Appraisals are also in compliance with the Labor Relation Laws of India and the documentation required to terminate an employee if need be. The use of comparisons or ranking systems may be a negative reinforcement system in terms of feedback per the India cultural and socio-economic systems in place (Bhal, 2002). This will also add to the divide of the cultural systems currently in place. Conclusion In essence a formal and detailed performance management system is essential to building a strong foundation for Bollman Hotel’s to flourish and thrive. In knowing the driving force behind the culture and what problems lay in waiting that could be the potential downfall of the hotel. By having strong communication and a good feedback system in place it will ensure that to break the stereotypical human resource conceptions and establish a strong foundation work force for Bollman. References Amba-Rao, S. C., Petrick, J., Gupta, J. N., & Von der Embse, T. J. (2000). Comparative performance appraisal practices and management values among foreign and domestic firms in India. Int. J. of Human Resource Management, 11(1), 60-89. Bhal, K. (2002). Perceived Role of Human Resource Management in Indian Organizations: An Empirical Study 1. Global Business Review , 3(139), 139-152. Cascio, W. (2010). Managing Human Resources. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies . Cascio, W. F. (2010). Chapter 14 Procedural Justice and Ethics in Employee Relations. In W. F. Cascio, & 8th (Ed.), Managing Human Resources (pp. 546-575). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies.

Daniele Mariani

Europass Curriculum Vitae Personal information First name(s) / Surname(s) Address(es) Telephone(s) E-mail Nationality Date of birth Daniele MARIANI Via Augusto Sindici, 5 – 00155 Roma +39 062288549 [email  protected] it Italian 20 SETTEMBRE 1985 Mobile: +39 3426467377 Work experience Dates Occupation or position held Name and address of employer Type of business or sector 2005 leaflets Gruppo Interclub – Via Plinio 44 – ROMA SRL Education and trainingDates Title of qualification awarded Principal subjects/occupational skills covered December 2009 – February 26, 2013 Degree in Electronic Engineering (Vote 99/110) Course of study lasting two years, with in-depth professional training in specific fields Electronics Engineering with specialization in Optoelectronics, with main subjects Electronics for Photovoltaics, Optoelectronics, Nano-electronics, Organic Organic Electronics, Electronic high-frequency electronics space , electronic devices and sensors Tit le of the thesis (field of nanoelectronics): â€Å"Electron-phonon interaction in nanoelectronic devices† Supervisor: prof.Alessandro Pecchia Should you wish to check my references, please contact the following people Prof. Alessandro Pecchia – University of Rome Tor Vergata Email: [email  protected] uniroma2. it University of Rome Tor Vergata – Course in Electronic Engineering Degree Level 2 Name and type of organisation providing education and training Level in national or international classification Dates Title of qualification awardedOctober 2004 – November 26, 2009 Degree in Electronic Engineering (Vote 89/110) Page 1/2 – Curriculum vitae of MARIANI Daniele For more information on Europass go to http://europass. cedefop. europa. eu  © European Communities, 2003 20060628 Principal subjects/occupational skills covered Three year course in Electronic Engineering. Thesis title: â€Å"Verification and validation of a control system of railway vehicles nosing† Supervisor: prof. Giuseppe Fazio.Supervisor: Ing. Danilo Longo. Collaboration with the company RFI (Italian Railway Network SpA) for the provision of data for the development of the thesis University of Rome Tor Vergata – Course in Electronic Engineering Degree Level 1 September 1999 – July 2004 Scientific maturity (Vote 92/100) – High School Diploma Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, English, Computer During the school years I have represented my school at the Olympics in MathematicsName and type of organisation providing education and training Level in national or international classification Dates Title of qualification awarded Principal subjects/occupational skills covered Name and type of organisation providing ITIS Giovanni Giorgi – High School for Science and Technology – ROME education and training During secondary school characterized, compared to traditional high school science, lack of education Latin re placed by ‘computer. Other language(s) Mother tongue Self-assessment European level (*) Italian UnderstandingListening A2 Elementary level B1 Reading Intermediate Speaking Spoken interaction Spoken production A2 Elementary level A2 Elementary level B1 Writing Intermediate English (*) Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Social skills and competences Ability to work in a team gained during my college career: the relationship with other graduates has always been of profound respect and full co-operation with maximum availability and to give than to receive explanations, in a perspective of teamwork. From my thesis supervisor was profound for my work.Good ability to communicate effectively, by formulating judgments independently, contributing innovative design may Full cooperation in the management of activities and projects, according to the deadlines and targets. The main goal is customer satisfaction. WORD, POWER POINT, EXCEL (MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE). Software: PARAVIEW, TIBERCAD (for the simulation of modern nanotechnology and optoelectronics) and basics of MATLAB (in the context of the thesis) Browser: IE, FIREFOX, CHROME Programming languages: C + + (basics) FORTRAN 95 (basics) Programs for data manipulation and plotting graphs: XMGRACE, VEUSZOrganisational skills and competences Technical skills ,Computer skills and competences Driving licence License category â€Å"B† secondary schools Additional information During the degree course, in his spare time I have given tuition in mathematics for students of I authorize the processing of personal data pursuant to Legislative lgs. 196/03 Page 2/2 – Curriculum vitae of MARIANI Daniele For more information on Europass go to http://europass. cedefop. europa. eu  © European Communities, 2003 20060628

Nature and Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nature and Technology - Essay Example This means that historians study human actions, what determines actions, and what actions bring about. What determines action has usually been considered to be mental phenomena such as beliefs, hopes, and desires, whereas what results from human activity has typically been taken to be artifacts and further activity. The focus of history, as a result, has emphatically been human beings. Apart from environmental determinists and historical ecologists or environmentalists of various stripes, nature has largely been ignored. Technology, moreover, has been almost universally construed as a means for furthering human ends, as artifacts people produce, together with the skills and knowledge these artifacts require and engender, so as to facilitate their lives. According to this way of thinking, technology, unlike nature, is part of history. It is so because it shapes, facilitates, and is brought about by human activity. Whatever is part of history has a history. On the standard line of thinking, consequently, there is a history of technology but not of nature. The history of technology is simply that slice of the total realm of human activity that is tied to technology. In addition to technological objects, this slice includes the actions that generate, use, or result from technology, the knowledge and skills technology requires and engenders, and, it should be added, the complexes of these matters that are given such designations as computer networks, assembly line manufacturing, medical practices, and scientific investigation. Nature, by contrast, is not, on the standard view, part of human history. Hence, it has no history. Or rather, any conception of nature as a historical entity or realm-such as those of Whitehead, Alexander, and contemporary biological evolutionary theory-works with an expanded notion of history that does not attribute to generic history any particular connection to humans a nd human history (for example, history as events in time, as development, or as contingency). On these wider conceptions, the history of nature simply is, or pertains to, the temporal course or development of nature. There is no history of nature as something peculiarly related to humans and their history. At best, nature and its history form a backdrop against which (human) history takes place. A variety of developments has begun to chip away at the hegemony of this general conception of (human) history. Most centrally, its subversion is part of the general reconsideration currently underway of the relationship between society and nature. It has become tenuous, theoretically, to construe this relationship either reductionistically or oppositionally. This development, in turn, challenges the opposition between history and nature that is a facet of the venerable concept of history and that parallels, and maybe depends on, the society-nature opposition. (Mitcham, 233) It should be stressed that activity remains crucial to history on this expanded conception of its domain. In the first place, actions, as the moments of practices, are absolutely central to practice-arrangement nexuses. More deeply, one condition of the existence of history qua the development of the social site (or, for that matter, qua the course of activity) is the historicity of the individual lives bound up with it. By the historicity of

The Subjectivity of Storytelling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Subjectivity of Storytelling - Essay Example The Subjectivity of Storytelling Due to this, it is difficult for any reader to distinguish which among the stories are taken from real-life experiences, and which are products of the imagination. The result is a mixture of doubt, entertainment, and intrapersonal questioning towards any narrative included in the book, particularly when the characters involved contradict themselves in the different stories (Heberle 87-8). Mixing facts with fictions is the author’s way of expressing his concept of giving more weight to the act of storytelling than the objective truth it contains. It can therefore be said that the book is not written for the purpose of recounting wartime tales and historical events, but of exploring the ways of narrating stories about war that could either engage or put off readers. It makes readers realize that the subjective viewpoints of the soldiers, the impact that war have in their lives, and their emotional reactions towards different situations are more significant than focusing on the o bjective angles of the story (Heberle 219-21). How to Tell a True War Story This short story backs the very idea mentioned above. O’Brien talks about the ugliness of the war in such a reflective manner that it does not require explanations or factual details anymore. He begins the tale with the statement â€Å"This is true,† (Calloway 249) and even if this statement does not establish the narrative as factual, it makes readers understand that at least the idea is true especially for the one narrating the story. The subjective truth that O’Brien explores on is usually contrasting to the usual glorious and heroic tales associated with wars (King 182). For example, in this particular account, O’Brien talks about Kiley, a soldier who exerts effort to write to Lemon’s sister. Lemon is one of the members of the Alpha Company who died while playing with a smoke grenade (Calloway 249 and King 182). The usual heroic wartime tales would most likely involve a good exchange of letters between the soldier friend and the sister, trading good thoughts and sad memories shared before with the one who died. But in this tale, the sister never responds, and Kiley calls her â€Å"dumb cooze.† (Calloway 249) This paints a picture of ugliness in the circumstances surroundings these soldiers. However, this is the most significant aspect of O’Brien’s narrative. His tale does not try to provoke false sentiments among readers by sugarcoating events and words, but to expose the truth in the event. The story declares how storytelling should be done. There is both a correct and incorrect way to do it. The author dislikes telling stories in a tear-jerking fashion to create an emotional appeal. He also does not agree on its opposite of telling stories in a macho fashion. This particular narrative serves as a guide to the overall style used in the book. O’Brien shares to readers what he perceives to be true by making readers aware of the concept of subjective truth through telling stories that may or may not have actually happened. On a general view, O’Brien teaches the readers that aside from having correct and incorrect methods of telling tales, there are also correct and incorrect ways of perceiving these tales. On a deep political perspective, O’Brien teaches the readers to be aware of the fact that there will always be trustworthy and

Critical Writing (multiple assignments) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Critical Writing (multiple assignments) - Essay Example ed and identifiable nuclear region such as prokaryotes like bacteria apart from the fact that eukaryotes are relatively bigger than prokaryotes is the eukaryotes’ ability to connect and interact with other neighbouring cells to perform even more complex functions such as working together to become internal organs such as the liver or heart, or external organs such as the fingers or eyes. Eukaryote cells also have cellular parts which are separate from one another and covered in a membrane, much like how animals have separate internal organs which have different functions from one another, while on the other hand the cellular parts of prokaryotes are not covered by a protective membrane and is mixed thoroughly with one another, similar to a bowl of creamy soup. Examples of eukaryotes or eukaryotic organisms are minute and one-celled organisms that can only be seen under a microscope such as parasites that cause intestinal diseases like the amoeba, or these can be many-celled an d form complex organs such as a plant’s leaf or a dog’s eye, as well as complete living organisms such as an earthworm or an entire human being. This line graph is effective in showing interested readers on the trends in religious affiliations worldwide. A reason for this would be the use of colourful lines in the graph which are very distinct from one another and the proper labelling of figures, thus it would be easier to see the trends of each religion included in the graph’s legend. However, the line graph’s purpose in this case is to show trends and not the current or actual statistical figures, thus for people who are interested in finding out the world populations for each religion, additional in-text information must be provided. This bar graph shows the yearly growth rate in major religions in the west, and readers can easily deduce it through the percentages shown beside each major religion in the y-axis. The labels are also properly-placed and can be read with ease, even

2.In the past the body was seen by managers simply as a tool of Essay

2.In the past the body was seen by managers simply as a tool of labour, whereas more contemporary approaches see workers bodies and emotions as largely aesthetic resources. Discuss - Essay Example omoting the organizational culture and principles that enhance the management and the production in the part of labor force (Anderson 1999, P.58). In the past management have been viewed as fully impacted for managers to implement the processes of management which to some extent have, added as the object of only inculcating the labor as a tool of production. This has shrunk the workforce in the organizations, as they do not have an open platform to express their views in an open and amicable way. The collective bargaining power and the ability to set a binding agreement by the management have been paralyzed. However, despite the above challenges the improvements, which are sound and amicable with the sense of improving the welfare of the workers, have been put into place. This serves to be the primary liaison with the various employees union to make the daily running of the organizations’ to be in the right context and sound order. The emotion running of an organizational setup brings a mixed perception of the organization as this brings the subjective of the biological and the psychological reactions of the individual’s mental health. Emotion being is a conscious experience that drives an individual’s way of reaction depending on the presented situation. The emotional setup of an individual drives the mood and temperament of a person and the emotion largely determines the personality of a person. The behavioral and the emotional aspect of a person help to determine the specific functional role carried by an individual in the management of the organization. The issue of the many companies lacking the human resource management department leads to the organization allocating a wider range of responsibilities to the managers. The aligned duties to the mangers to carry out the peoples management activities brings a mixed reactions since the workload depends on a single individual who can inject perso nal

New Products Adoption in the Contemporary Market Essay

New Products Adoption in the Contemporary Market - Essay Example Because of such differentiation, a bifurcation has been observed in the process of buyer behavior related theoretical development. Although beneficial for the purpose of teaching and planning, according to the author, such divergence has prevented the development of theoretical structures that act as generic to both forms of buyer behavior. Although traditionally consumers are distinguished from organizations particularly in case of buying behavior due to the implicit understanding that while the consumer as an individual decision maker tends to be whimsical and responsive to sudden bursts of irrationality, organizations do not and professional organizational behavior is bound to be rational as it is the result of joint decision making in the presence of constraints like set objectives and priorities which prevent irrational and indulgent choices, the author argues against such distinctions pointing out the individual buyer although does not have to abide by constraints faced by professional organizations, has to make choices always being constrained by being a part of another organization – society. The differentiation is disagreed with by questioning the assumption that same individuals act differently under organizations that are contextually different, one being a professional organization while the other is the society the individual is embedded in. It is posited that theoretical enrichment is to be derived if buyer behavior is studied without differentiating between consumers and organizations. That in spite of consumers and organizations exhibiting different motivations and patterns in buying at times there are significant overlaps which lead to enhanced perceptions regarding the necessity of development of a general theoretical framework that can elucidate the differences of buying practices which are observed in different contextual settings.

Difficulties to Be Prepared for Online Classes Essay

Difficulties to Be Prepared for Online Classes - Essay Example This is especially true for online classes where there isn’t a teacher there to bother you about your assignments every day. No matter what I always do the assignments immediately and allow plenty of time in case I need help. If I have any trouble with my assignments or with the class in general I know I can go to the instructor. I never hesitate to ask my instructor questions when I have problems. If the instructor is unavailable I have classmates I can go to for help as well. It is also important that I buy the instructor recommended books so that I can follow along in class and learn from my experiences. In conclusion, the best things I can do to prepare for class are to take time out of my day to concentrate on my studies, do all of the assignments quickly and thoroughly, and ask for help when I need it. There are many other ways to do well in class and practice good classroom skills, but these are the main ways that I have found work best for me in the past, and will cont inue to use.

Health Care Reform Reaction Paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Health Care Reform Reaction - Term Paper Example Language barrier also influences delivery of health care as the inability to comprehend instructions from health care providers diminishes people’s abilities to receive preventative and curative care. Ethnic and personal beliefs also influence the delivery of health care as some people prefer home rem dies to hospital medication. Geographical factors also influence access to health care as people in rural areas encounter barriers such as poor transportation, which impede access to hospitals. Conversely, nursing practice is influenced by factors such as nurses’ work environment and advancement opportunities and legislation (Ellerbe & Regen, 2012). This paper will examine such legislation, discussing its impact on nursing practice. Health Care Reform In 2010, President Obama ratified the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The purpose of the federal statute is to provide a regulatory overhaul of America’s health care system by enhancing access to he alth care by increasing the quality and affordability of health coverage, thereby reducing the price of health care for Americans (Ellerbe & Regen, 2012). ... These gaps are the primary deterrents to the effective delivery of health care for all in the US. With regard to access to care provision, the Act eliminates discrimination practices that hamper access to health coverage (Ridge, 2011). The Act also enhances funding for care delivery programs and locations, including nurse-managed health clinics. On the quality of care, the Act requires all care givers to ensure that their care is effective, patient-centered, safe, equitable, efficient and timely. Consequently, the Act promotes support systems aimed at the improvement of care and the work environment, for instance, by creating opportunities for enhanced nursing leadership and research (Ellerbe & Regen, 2012). The Act builds on the provisions of the Public Health Service Act, which offers federal backing for nursing development and education. On the other hand, with regard to cost of care, the Act provides for consumer protections to ensure basic health coverage to all Americans and le gal residents. Educational and Practice Consideration for Nursing The discipline of nursing must address various practice and educational consideration to keep up with the demands of the Affordable Care Act. Firstly, nursing practice should be to the full extent of training and education. This is because the core of PPACA is the provision of quality care by care givers who have sufficient training and education to meet health care service demands. In addition, it is essential for all nurses to attain higher educational levels and intense training through an enhanced educational system, which advocates flawless academic development. This means nursing professionals should enter programs such as bridge

Group Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Group Analysis - Essay Example The work environment also teems with groups, either of friends or groups put together to facilitate the achievement of a specific organizational goal. The next stage in life is to form families of their own which are also groups with the cycle beginning all over again. Almost all activities carried out by people are done in groups, making them a core element of study with relation to understanding human behaviour. According to Forsyth, groups have long been the subject of interest to both researchers and scholars (2006). Extensive studies have been carried out with regard to how groups are conceived and how they are later dissolved; this includes how they are transformed and how they are used to either realize set aims, or how they can be used to execute offenses (Forsyth 2006). This paper discusses group dynamics and communication within a group of first year undergraduate nursing students’, participating in a peer-led team learning group. I participated in a peer-led team le arning group in my first year as a nursing student; therefore, this assignment is an overview of my observations of the group. The use of peer learning is a practice that has been adopted in many universities worldwide, as a means to improve students understanding of concepts through supportive discussions that take place in small groups, and where the discourse encourages as many questions as there might be, from students (Peer-Led Team Learning 2013). It is a fact that most students feel free around their fellow students, rather than around their lecturers and professors. This makes them more inclined to discuss concepts and questions with other students, than with a lecturer or professor. Peer-led team learning holds the strengths of being a method that enhances student engagement and motivation in learning, as well as overall performance (Centre for the Study of Higher Education 2002). This is due to the fact that in the process, students learn to communicate effectively as they work in teams, while peer leaders gain self-confidence, learn a number of group management skills, and how to teach. In this context, students were requested to band themselves into groups of four. Two peer leaders (i.e. group leader and assistant group leader) for each group were then selected from third and fourth year students, who had displayed exemplary performance in class. As a way of equipping them with the necessary skills, the peer leaders were taken through brief training mainly focussed on how to handle groups. When this was set, each group was given a structured problem to solve. According to the guidelines, each group was required to meet twice every week, and members were given the privilege to choose the best time for their discussions. Description of Peer Leaders and Group Members Characteristics and Behaviours 1. Tom (Group leader) He is a fourth year nursing student. He is firm, confident, and resourceful. His resilience and optimism helps him conquer complex pro blems. He also has a very open minded approach to things. He is however quite poor in time management since he often comes late for the discussions, and is usually late to meet deadlines. His lack of respect for time and set deadlines is at times considered as lack of respect towards the assistant group leader and group members. 2. Olivia (Assistant group leader) She is a third year nursing stud

Inferior quality Essay Example for Free

Inferior quality Essay Group decision making is a valid procedure that most of the times ensures that the answers and decision provided are of high quality as compared to individual decision making. It nevertheless is highly dependent on the technique of group decision making that was applied. The obvious assumptions to support this claims is that many people have the ability to bring more information to the table and explore various alternatives from different perspectives therefore living little room for mistakes. The end product of their critical evaluation of information more often than not results to creative ideas. In fact the more diverse the group is the better the ideas (Viteles 1953, 7). Mostly group decision making comes in to play when the option available necessitates inputs and opinions from more than one person. Even then it should be noted that as much as the answers from a group may be of high quality there no two groups that will function similarly while in the decision making process. The implication is therefore that one group may be proactive and others might require a facilitator in order to function effectively (Kerr King 1984, 17). The process is therefore a complex one and is achievable through various methods: Authoritarian Style The authoritarian style functions like a dictatorship. In this method the power to make the ultimate and final decision rests on one person. This person usually dictates the entire process and has the greatest say in the final outcome. Mostly this method is applied in cases where a powerful person and a key decision maker in the company is present. As much as the final answer may be of high quality many people are usually against this method especially those whose ideas were not incorporated in the final outcome. The minority control method has often been used to try and counter the negatives of this style (Rollison 2008, 14). Brainstorming Another method that a group can use to reach a quality decision is by the use of brainstorming. The method is mostly useful when the decision making process is starting from scratch. It mostly entails creating a variety of options and then weighing them before choosing the one that best fits. It is a popular method because of the fact that it gives each member of the group complete freedom. In some cases brain storming sessions have facilitator who has the function of ensuring that the group does not deviate. The facilitator also has the responsibility and the freedom to start the discussion, probe, and even provide some useful hints subtle (Griffin 1993, 56). This method of group decision-making is very effective because it puts value on every participant’s point of view and the final outcome is usually by consensus. Voting based method The voting based technique is often used when a group is presented by a set of defined alternatives and yet they are required to pick one that they think will ensure maximum value. Participants in this case are given the option of choosing the alternative they think is best. Unlike brainstorming this style puts little value on each individual’s opinions (Gordon 1983, 32). Basically the quality of the answer provided in a group discussion is also highly dependent on the style the group used to make their final decision. The assumption is that the authoritarian style may not provide the same quality of answers as brainstorming and voting. But generally a quality outcome is to be anticipated because the members are able to combine their individual strengths while offsetting their weaknesses. A set of different competence and skills is applied on the problem at hand before a solution is reached (Hogan 2003, 15). The group process also eliminates the chances of a biased answer as would be the case in individual decision making. Group decision making additionally embraces and evaluates an idea from broader perspective which is a result of the various unique perceptions of individuals in the group. In the case of an individual, the final outcome may easily be an influence of a preconceived idea or notion. It is therefore difficult for the person to be able to single handedly critic his views and therefore change direction because he already has a fixed picture in his mind of how things should be done. The wrong option therefore may be for example based on religious affiliation, cultural differences, or social status and therefore the outcome may in fact not be rational (Schwarz 2002, 53-52). Individual’s answers most of the time occur by default and no other alternatives are usually brought in to play for evaluation before the conclusion is made. The surrounding circumstances additionally tend to influence the final outcome therefore events will sometimes overpower the person’s ability to make a rational decision. This probably may not have great implication when for example you want to buy cologne but may mean a lot of deficits if the decision to be made is meant for a commercial entity. Decisions made by a lot of individuals are of quality because they have a higher chance of being implemented than individual decisions especially when it comes for example at the company level. This is simply because as the group discusses the individuals are able to comprehensively grasp the weight of the decision and understand the course of action needed to implement it. It is also the result of the boosted team spirit brought about by the consideration of each person’s idea and therefore greater commitment to achieve the goals is gained (Kroon 1995, 10-12). Gordon (1983, 37) observes that the results of a group can be homogeneous depending on various factors. In the case of a multi cultural group for instance the answers are bound to be of even better quality considering that the individuals have different diverse backgrounds therefore the strategies for decision making will definitely be different. Conflicts may arise because of the different perceptions but the group in itself has the power to look for means to deal with those conflicts and thereby presenting an appropriate and quality decision. Additionally members in the group that is making a decision are usually interested in making an appropriate decision and have little consideration for the kind of relationships that exist between the individuals. Furthermore compromise that occurs during the whole process may serve to enhance the coming up of creative solutions. But the decision making in highly cohesive groups may not necessarily result into a quality decision. This may be first and foremost because of groupthink. Groupthink describes the tendency of people in a group that is highly cohesive to seek consensus so strongly such that their ability and willingness to critically evaluate each others ideas is lost or weakened. Groupthink is mostly a result of the group collective rationalization or overestimating its ability to make decisions in the face of extraordinary risks. With such a mindset it becomes very hard for the group to spot or identify any loopholes in the answers given during their discussion session. The other cause for groupthink could be the closed mindedness of the group. This is because while they are making an effort to conform they assume that their exists inherent morality. Therefore conviction that all the decisions made will be correct is developed making them less conscious of any questionable ethical outcomes of their answers. Moreover groupthink can simply be the result of the pressure to ensure uniformity is achieved. This pressure could be direct on dissenters to force them to conform maybe with a consequence of a reward or punishment. Mind guards also force members to uniformity because they discourage members from taking different perspectives and basically filter what is right and what is wrong for the discussion (Straub 1999, 73). Additionally the urge to maintain their status aspirations and social status may make a highly cohesive group to make very irrational and therefore not quality decisions. The two are very important ingredients for any group and may influence the level of their integration into the society. And as a matter of fact the members that feel that they are of a lesser status may perceive the views of those members with a higher status in society as ‘rational’ even though they might harbor doubts concerning the outcomes. Additionally still some of the ‘classy ‘members may discredit the views of others or better still a member with inferiority complex may shy away from giving his opinion that would have greatly assisted in making the appropriate and effective decision. In conclusion a group decision-making process may only guarantee limited rationality and quality in outcomes. From the discussion above it might be quiet unrealistic to expect total quality of answers. This is because among the other issues there are a lot of emotions involved before a consensus is made and therefore some people views might have to be compromised yet their could be a probability that the forgone perception could have led to a better answer. Word Count: 1487 References list Gordon, J. , 1983, A diagnostic approach to organizational behaviour. Allyn and Bacon, United States. Griffin, R. , 1993, Management. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. Hogan, C. , 2003, Practical Facilitation: A Toolkit of Techniques. Kogan Page Publishers, United Kingdom. Johnson, D. Pierce, F. , 1991, Joining together: group theory and group skills. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Kerr, K. King, H. , 1984, Procedures for meetings and organizations. Taylor Francis, United Kingdom. Kroon, J. , 1995, General management. Pearson, South Africa. Rollinson, D. 2008, Organisational behaviour and analysis: an integrated approach. Financial Times Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Schwarz, R. , 2002, The skilled facilitator: a comprehensive resource for consultants, facilitators, managers, trainers, and coaches. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

CMS Detector at the LHC: Calorimetry (EM, Had, Forward)

CMS Detector at the LHC: Calorimetry (EM, Had, Forward) CMS structure: Solenoid: Most particles are stopped by the detector except for few, such as muons, neutrino. Main difference between ATLAS and CMS is that CMS has solenoid on the outer layer, so it bends the trajectory of the muons again in an opposite direction (opposite pointing magnetic field). Depending on how much the trajectory is bent, we can deduce the momentum of the particle. Tracking system and both EM and Hadronic calorimeters fit inside the superconducting CMS solenoid, which generated Magnetic Field of 3.8 Tesla (100 000 that of the Earth). Tracking detector (measures momentum, charge, decay) – silicon detector is the inner most layer. The CMS tracker records the paths taken by charged (not neutral) particles by registering their positions at various key points. The tracker can detect the paths of high energy muons, electrons and hadrons, as well as tracks coming from decays of very short lived particles such as b quark used to study the differences between matter and antimatter. (WEB: http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/tracker-detector). The tracker is very lightweight and precise, so it has minimal effect on the paths the particles take. Each position measurement is accurate to 10 micrometers. The tracker material is selected to withstand high levels of radiation, since it is the inner most layer and so receives the highest volume of particles. CMS uses silicon strip sensors (detectors) in shape of rods, covering area of 206 sq.m. (wiki), adding up to 25000 silicon sensors. Also used silicon pixel detectors, which are in principle very similar to silicon strip sensors, but have a segmentation of pixel diodes instead of strip diodes. The 65 million pixels (each generating ~50 microwatts) are mounted on the cooling tubes form the 3 inner most layers. Silicon microstrip detectors then stretch out in a 130 cm combined radius barrel with inner and outer endcaps to close off the tracker. Calorimeter (an apparatus to measure energy of the particle AND particle identification) – scintillating crystal (EM calorimeter made of lead tungsten, a very dense material that produces light when hit), and then sampling calorimeter for hadrons. The ECAL is sandwiched inside the solenoid after the tracking system and before the HCAL. EM calorimeter is used to measure energies of electrons and photons, because they are likely to be produced in reactions for Higgs and other new physics. LHC collides bunches of high energy protons every 25 ns, so the calorimeter material is required to have very specific properties. PbWO4 – lead tungstate is the crystal of choice for the following reasons: 1. the material is high density and has heavy nuclei (explain why is this good); 2. the oxide crystal is transparent and scintillates, emits a small flash of light(well-defined photon bursts), when electron or photon pass through it. This means the calorimeter system is very precise an d very compact; 3.lead tungstate is relatively easy to manufacture from readily available raw materials. Each crystal is equipped with a photodetector (specially designed to work in a high radiation levels and strong magnetic field) that registers the scintillation light which is converted into an electric signal, amplified, and sent for analysis. The ECAL made in a barrel shape (to fit inside the solenoid, of course) with two flat endcaps (one closing off each side of the barrel). The barrel part consists of 36 supermodules, each containing 1700 crystals, adding up to 61,200 crystals in total. The endcaps are made up of almost 15000 crystals. There are 75,848 crystals in ECAL. Each crystal (volume 2.22.223 cm in the barrel; 3x3x22 cm in the endcaps) weights 1.5 kg, each crystal took 2 days to grow, in total it took 10 years to grow all crystals. The crystals were manufactured in Russia and China, where appropriate facilities already existed. Issues: The yield of light in the crystal depends strongly on temperature, so a sophisticated cooling system is required to keep the crystals at constant temperature. Also, the light signal needs to be converted into an electrical signal (via photodetectors) to be recorded, and since the initial signal is relatively weak, amplification is required. Photodetectors: Avalanche photodiodes (APD) for the barrel and vacuum phototriodes (VPT) for endcaps (because the radiation is too high to use silicon photodiodes), as these can operate in strong magnetic field and high radiation. Lead tungstate crystals (though fairly radiation resistant) suffer limited radiation damage – the crystal structure is disturbed, hence the optical transmission decreases. This effect is accounted for during the operation of the detector and appropriate corrections are included in the data analysis. The crystals are probed by light monitoring system to register the optical transmission. The radiation damag e can be reversed (anneal) when CMS is not operating. In room temperature the atoms within the crystal return to orderly positions. Each crystal is identified with a unique barcode, registered in a database, and measured (light transmission and scintillating properties in ACCOS machine). Cut to micrometer precision. Getting the material right was only one of the challenges for the ECAL team; each crystal had to be cut, machined, polished, tested and given a photodetector. Groups of crystals were then assembled side-by-side in glass-fibre or carbon-fibre â€Å"pockets† to form larger structures known as â€Å"supercrystals†, â€Å"modules† and â€Å"supermodules†. The crystals arent pure, but doped to improve their properties. Each crystal is cut and polished to a precise size, so that all pass the light the same way. There are 34 categories of crystal, 22 slightly different varieties of capsules with an attached photodetector. For barrel the crystals are first grouped into sub-modules: 10 crystals per lightweight glass fibre box. 40-50 sub-modules then make up a module, and 4 modules m ake up one of the 36 supermodules. Endcaps are constructed from 25 (55) crystal blocks, or supercrystals. Monitoring and cooling systems as well as final electronics are added to the supermodules before they are placed inside the experimental cavity. To ensure stable and equal operation of the crystals, the cooling system keeps all crystals within 0.1 oC of the optimum temperature. What is scintillation? Scintillation detectors are one of the most often used particle detection devices (Leo 157). Scintillators are made of specific materials that emit a flash of light when struck by a particle or radiation. The emitted light signal is amplified by photomultipliers and converted into an electrical signal which is then analysed. In ECAL electron or photon collides with the heavy nuclei of PbWO4, generating a shower of electrons, positrons and photons. These shower particles penetrate the scintillator further, colliding with more nuclei and producing more shower particles. Atomic electrons take fraction of energy from the passing particles and enter excited states. When they de-excite back into a ground state, the atomic electrons emit a photon of blue light, i.e. a scintillation. The blue light is picked up by photodetectors. The lead tungstate crystals produce a relatively low yield for each incoming particle, so the signal needs to be amplified. (transmitted to t he photomultiplier, converted into a weak current of photoelectrons, and further amplified by an electron multiplier system LEO 158). The total generated light signal is linearly proportional to the energy of the incident particle. Photodetectors? All photodetectors are glued to the crystals. Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) are made of silicon with a strong electric field applied to them. Scintilation photons knock an electron out of an atom, and the electron accelerates in the E field, striking more electrons from silicon atoms. The latter also accelerate and knock out more electrons (the number increases exponentially), hence creating an avalanche. This method allows producing a high current in a short period of time. The amplified and digitized signal is transported away by fibre optics cables away from the radiation area for analysis. A different kind of photodetectors is used in the endcaps due to much higher radiation levels than in the barrel. Vacuum Phototrides (VPTs) contain three electrodes within a vacuum (hence the name). When the scintillating photon strikes atoms in the first electrode, released electrons accelerate towards the second electrode (positive anode) and knock out more electrons. The latter accelerate towards the third electrode (dynode with a higher electric potential than the anode) and again knock out more electrons. This method also produces a strong current form a weak light signal, which is carried away from the high radiation zone via optic fibre cables (what kind of optic fibre cables). http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/crystal-calorimeter The region in the endcaps must was designed to distinguish between closely spaced particle pairs (such as for example in case of a short lived neutral pion decaying into two closely spaced low energy photons that might be mistaken for one high energy photon from Higgs decay). A special ECAL preshower is located in the endcaps before the EM calorimeter crystals. It is the made of two lead panels followed by silicon sensors (6.3cm x 6.3cm x 0.3mm). Each silicon sensor is divided into 32 strips each 2mm wide. Compared to 3cm wide scintillator crystals the preshower sensor resolution is better (5% precise energy measurement Ph.Bolch). The photon passing through lead sheet produces a shower containing e e+ pairs which are measured by the silicon detector strips. The silicon detectors are kept at temperatures between -10 oC and -15 oC for optimal and long-term performance. The outside of the preshower is heated to temperatures of the ECAL, since the crystals performance Muon chamber, muon detectors which are inside the return yoke of the magnet (Track, muons identification). To identify muons and measure their momenta CMS uses three types of detectors: Drift tubes DT (in barrel position measurement), cathode strip chambers CSC (in endcaps position measurement), and resistive plate chambers RPC (in barrel and endcaps trigger). Energy measurement: calorimetry- by creation and total absorption of showers, either EM (light ammount) or hadronic (penetration depth). Social Work Provisions for the Elderly: History and Politics Social Work Provisions for the Elderly: History and Politics In this paper, I aim to discuss the historical and political context of social work provision for the elderly. By using and reviewing the views expressed in previous work on the elderly in our society, I hope to demonstrate the context in which social work and social care operate. One of the concerns of this essay is the impacts of discrimination and oppression on the elderly. I will discuss how listening to the views of service users is crucial to developing effective methods of providing social care. In the last two to three decades, a fairly wide body of academic work has become available, approaching the issues of ageing and of care for the elderly, within the discipline of Social Policy. Social Policy is an interdisciplinary field born from, and derived upon, other social sciences economics, politics, sociology etc. (Tinker:1992:3) Within this field, the specific discipline of gerontology the study of ageing has developed in recent decades because the elderly population has increased so sizeably in the last 50 years. Cherry Rowlings wrote in 1977 that while in 1951, just 13% of the British population was of retirement age, by 1977 this had increased to 17.3%. (Rowlings:1981:27) Since the 1970s we have seen this trend continue. This change can be attributed both to comparatively low birth rates, and the increased life expectancy. Businesses, the professions and the media are finding now that pensioners form one of their biggest markets. (Tinker: 1992: 3) Rather than using medical and biological models, social gerontology focuses on the ways in which social and cultural factors influence peoples experiences of growing older. Tinker writes that the elderly are unusual in that they have been labelled a special group in our society, and yet the only think that marks them out is their age unlike groups seen as deviant they are normal people and we all expect to join this group in time. (Tinker:1992:4) However, although not labelled deviant, the elderly have nonetheless been constructed as a problem, as Jacki Pritchard writes: An elderly person is thought to be of no use once they reach retirement age, probably because they are not seen to be producing anything for the society in which they live. They are considered to have had their life.' She notes that this differs from other cultures, in which capitalism is less advanced. (Pritchard:1992:16) And Nicholas Bosanquet has noted that the rate at which the elderly population is growing causes great anxiety in society. He cites Professor Sir Ferguson Anderson as saying in 1976, Britain faces social disaster because of the rate at which the proportion of elderly people is rising. (Bosanquet:1978:7) He goes on, The emphasis has come to be more and more on the elderly as a burden even as a threat to the standards of service or opportunity enjoyed by the rest of the population. (Bosanquet:1978:79) Changes in medicine have made illness and disability a problem particular to the elderly. Diseases that effected the young in previous centuries, have been controlled or wiped out in this country, and now children and young adults can expect to be in good health. Similarly, disability from birth is relatively rare; and blindness, deafness and mobility problems are impairments by far most commonly experienced by the elderly. (Bosanquet:1978:21) The medical model of disability has traditionally seen disability as naturally and inevitably arising out of a physical or mental impairment. The more contemporary social model, however, has argued against this, in saying that whilst a person may have a natural impairment, it is societys failure to accommodate people with this difference to the norm, which disables them. For example, though a person may be unable to walk and require the use of a wheelchair, this does not inevitably make their life so very different from the life of an able-bodied person. Rather, it is a lack of easy access to public buildings and transport, poor adaptations in housing and so on, which turn this impairment into a striking disability. In the case of elderly people, because ill health and disability is now so much restricted to the oldest generations, it is seen as natural and inevitable that older people will lead very different lives from younger adults, and that the quality of their lives will decrease. However, this can be seen as only a construction, as many of the problems faced by older people could be altered by changes in public provisions and social care. Bosanquet notes that mental health, most significantly depression, are as great a problem as physical health for the elderly. He writes that this is because the most important factors people attribute to their happiness at all stages of life, are ones which elderly people are least able to take for granted. These include: oHealth oFamily life/friends. The elderly will almost inevitably face bereavement, but also having decreased transport/mobility, and fewer places to go where they can meet and make friends, both increases their sense of isolation and decreases their independence. oFinancial/ home stability. The elderly live on pensions. The decrease in their health can lead to them losing their home. (Bosanquet: 1978:10) The elderly are increasingly separated from the rest of the population. They suffer great isolation. But policy has been seen only as pension policy. Nicholas Bosanquet argues that the Government needs to intervene not only when the elderly person has no relatives, but even in addition or instead of care from family. He stresses that policy must increase choice and opportunity, as the elderly find themselves unable to decide and control their own futures. (Bosanquet:1978:75-77) One of the most fundamental issues facing the elderly is the problem of housing. Bosanquet reports that since the 1970s, governments have been concerned with designing special flats for the elderly. These solve some housing problems and give people the opportunity to form small communities with others in their own age bracket. (Bosanquet:1978:92) He writes that this is not a new idea; in the Majority Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Law I 1909, there is mention of special housing for the elderly. However, the views of what elderly people require from housing has been deeply flawed, due to a failure of policy makers to listen to the ideas of the elderly, about what they need in day to day life. After the Second World War, there was great interest in building small housing for the elderly. However, reports of the time did not view it as necessary to provide many special features or fittings for the elderly. The post-war Rowntree Report stated that bungalows were the preferable type of housing; two-story houses provided problems for pensioners with impaired mobility, and the elderly often did not like living in flats, as they were not considered private or independent enough. The report stated that houses for the elderly people must be built with easy access to local shops, close to the persons family and friends, and near housing for younger generations so that the elderly did not feel cut off from the rest of society. The report did state that flooring and any stairs in the property must be designed for safety and ease of manueverability. This would mean using non-slip materials on flooring, and ensuring that stairs were neither too steep or built around awkward angles. However, these precautions aside, there were no provisions made for wardens or for providing a safe environment for those with health problems. (Bosanquet:1978:95) Subsequently, between 1945 and the early 70s, a good number of small flats were built, but these were not reserved exclusively for pensioners and many housed younger adults. Very few were built with any special design features which would have made them safer and more convenient for the elderly. More recently the idea of sheltered accommodation has grown up, though many people see this simply as a compromise before the nursing home. (Bosanquet:1978:97) Bosanquet concludes that the elderly need schemes which help them find a new lifestyle and to decrease their sense of isolation. Luncheon clubs, good neighbour schemes, day centres and holiday schemes are essential provisions in his view. He believes that these services are more important than simply focusing on income support; however policy makers have tended to see this is a luxury, rather than one of the essentials of government spending plans.(Bosanquet:1978:97) He argues that services should increase their focus on the over 75s. Younger retired people are more likely to still be living with spouses and in their own homes. More years after retirement, however, and any savings the person may have had will likely have run out, and pensions become increasingly inadequate whilst the cost of living actually increases, as for example the elderly person needs to spend more on maintaining their health, in heating bills and medicine/doctors fees. (Bosanquet:1978:124) While this and many other books on the subject of elderly people outline the historical, political and economic factors in pensioners lives, they do not all cite the opinions of elderly service users themselves. Very often social policy and research is based on accounts given by social workers, or by representatives of a vulnerable group for example the families of children or in this case elderly people. To address this, Jacki Pritchards book The Abuse of Elderly People includes a great deal of anecdotal evidence and transcriptions of interviews with elderly people. By focusing on cases of actual abuse, the book may appear to be dealing with an extreme aspect of poor care for the elderly it may not be expected that abuse is a concern of the majority of older people. However, the principles of the book are useful as it outlines some of the ways in which older people are discriminated against, and how many of their needs and interests are oppressed. Pritchard is keen to stress the d ifferent areas in which elderly people may be abused 1. Physical, which includes medical maltreatment and neglect. 2. Psychological abuse, including threats of abuse, humiliation, harassment, emotional neglect and threats of any kind of abuse. 3. Legal abuse, including material and personal exploitation. (Pritchard:1992:21) Elderly people are not always given othe right to choose othe right to privacy othe right to independence. Pritchard considers it vital that if a person is mentally sound, and chooses to stay with their family even when the professional considers the family to be abusive, then the social carer must do no more than offer the elderly person support and inform them of their options. However, of course, there are different standards over what is mentally sound, and even what to do if someone is not. She is also keen to point out the difference in practices between the various professions involved in an elderly persons life. Very often, the policies of the doctors, care home nurses, and social workers arein direct conflict, and the normal policies of one may seem unacceptable to another. Subsequently, what is important returns to ensuring the rights listed above are honoured, and judgement of whether or not this is done can be made only by the elderly persons own experience. (Pritchard:1992:25) Pritchard reports that carers are more likely to become abusive, when they themselves are denied adequate support. The carers sense of isolation, their resentment towards the tasks they undertake, and their lack of external support, leads to an increase in abusive behaviour towards the elderly person being cared for. As a common sense measure, therefore, policy must be adapted to provide support and respite for carers, in the interests of all parties involved. (Pritchard:1992:33) In conclusion, it has been seen that many of the problems that elderly people face could be significantly diminished by improvements in social care. Rather than being natural effects of ageing, these problems are more frequently caused by discrimination in society against older people. As society has placed most significance on the needs of younger adults, there have not been adequate provisions made for the elderly for housing, health care and social integration. In response to these needs, social work needs to take steps to reduce the oppression of older people. This will involve maximising elderly peoples ability to make independent choices in their lives, and to enjoy the same standard of life as younger adults. Above all, social workers and researchers should listen to service users as they explain what services they need. Bosanquet, Nicholas (1978) A Future for Old Age: Towards a New Society. Temple Smith: London. Pritchard, Jacki (1992) The Abuse of Elderly People: A Handbook for Professionals. Jessica Kingsley Publishing: London. Rowlings, Cherry (1981) Social Work with Elderly People. Harper Collins: London. Tinker, Anthea (1992) Elderly People In Modern Society, Third Edition. Longman: London and New York.

Transformational transactional and autocratic leadership styles

Transformational transactional and autocratic leadership styles This section has contrast and comparison of transformational, transactional and autocratic leadership styles. Transformational leader motivate and inspires his team to perform tasks and to achieve the desired goal. On the other hand transactional leadership portrays direct and effective leadership style, the direct authority given to the leader with regards to punishing and rewarding team members depending on the results of the project. On the contrary, autocratic leadership is characterized by individual control over all decisions and little input from group members. It is also known as authoritarian leadership. Autocratic leaders typically make choices based on their own ideas and judgements and rarely accept advice from followers. It involves absolute authoritarian control over a group. Transformational leadership is a commitment to a vision and empowering others to achieve that vision (burns, 1978).It is a primary style of leading .Efficiency and motives are mandatory for transformational leadership include a commitment to a change as a process, ability to reconceptualize systems, to build networks and tolerance to complexity. In contrast to transformational leadership, transactional leadership is aimed at maintaining equilibrium or the status quo, by performing work according to the policy and procedures, maximizing self interests and personal rewards, emphasizing, interpersonal dependence and routinizing performance. Authentic transformational leadership is grounded in moral foundations that are based on idealized influence by developing a vision, inspirational motivation by creating high expectations, intellectual stimulation and individualized considration by giving personal attention to followers (bass and avolio, 1994).Apart from that involvement of team members encourages reciprocal clarification of objectives and specification of mutually helpful work process. Transformational leadership is particularly relevant for complex and complicated environments such as healthcare where change is essentially the norm (plsek and greenholgh, 2001). According to burns transactional leader approaches followers with an eye to exchanging one thing for another, but the transformational leader recognizes and exploits an existing need or demand of a potential follower, and looks for potential motives in followers, seeks to satisfy higher needs and engages the full person of the follower. On the flip side, autocratic leaders always promote the one sided conversation that restricts the creative and leadership skills of employees which can affect the outcomes of project. It is also believed that an autocratic leader hinders socialization and workplace communication, which can cause disagreements and conflicts. The most effective factor of the leadership is that a leader should be more energetic, enthusiastic and passionate about his work, concerned and involved in the process and also focused on helping the group members to get success. It is true that great things have been achieved through perfect and accurate leadership. In the process of leadership such leaders become strong role models and encourage followers to emulate them. In transformational leadership, leaders and followers make each other to advance to a higher level of moral and motivation (burns 1978). The major policy of transformational leader is to impart a strong vision that inspires followers to change expectations, perception and motivation of work to accomplish the goals. Transformational leaders are said to engender trust, admiration, loyalty and respect amongst their followers (Barbuto, 2005).It is also based on self reflective changing of values and beliefs by the leader and their followers. Transformational leaders are people who can create significant change in both followers and the organization with which they are associated (griffin, 2003). They lead changes in mission, strategy, structure and culture, in part through a focus on intangible qualities like vision, shared values and ideas, and relationship building. Transformational leaders also find common ground that allows them to enlist followers in processes of change. As every leadership style has both positive and negative aspects. The positive feature of transformational leadership is that, it is very useful in health care area like hospitals and NHSs. It can be very helpful for fresher staff on practice and also for students on training. Transformational leaders provide guidance, motivation and encouragement about their practice which can assist them to enhance their perception regarding workplace and advanced care work. The leaders create an environment where they can feel comfortable and facilitate them to communicate their concerns about practice and also articulate their viewpoints which can be obliged in research practice. Leaders have ability to generate enthusiasm and draw people together around a vision through self confidence(Fisher, 2009). The negative part of transformational leadership is that, some leaders may have narcissistic inclinations, flourishing on power and manipulation. Moreover, some followers may have dependent characters and form strong and unfortunate bonds with their leaders (stone, Russell and Patterson, 2003). It can create conflicts between the leader and followers which can affect the results. The morality of transformational leadership has been questioned, especially by libertarians and organizational development consultants (Griffin, 2003).A key criticism is that within it transformational leadership has potential for the abuse of power (Hall, Johnson, Wysocki and Kepner 2002). In transactional leadership, the leader pursues a cost benefit, economic exchange to met subordinates current material and psychic needs in return for contracted services rendered by the subordinates (Bass). As exactly said by Bass the transactional leaders work within the organizational culture as it exists; the transformational leader changes the organizational culture. Transformational leader trusts that people rise higher and learn more through positive inspiration than negative inspiration. In autocratic leadership, autocracy thoughts mostly come from great man theories of leadership. This approach stresses the greatness and authority of the leader that inspires subordinates. Transactional leaders bond the target to rewards, provide mandatory assets, illuminate expectations and provide different kinds of rewards for their victorious performance. They set specific, assessable, achievable, practical and appropriate goals for their subordinates. The leader actively observes the wo rk of subordinates, monitor for divergence from rules and standards and take suitable action to prevent mistakes. The autocratic leadership has also been some positive and negative traits. It can be more beneficial in some instances, such as when decision need to be made quickly without consulting with a large group of people. Some projects require strong leadership in order to get things accomplished quickly and efficiently and when leaders power has been challenged by the followers. It is also the fact that decision making becomes more fast and simple in autocratic leadership, as the leaders dont have to convince or discuss with anybody. In such circumstances, people always favour the ability to be told what do next. According to Money Zine, In fact, in times of stress or emergency, some subordinates may actually prefer an autocratic style-they prefer to be told exactly what to do, the autocratic leadership style is very effective when times are stressful. For an example, in hospital practice area, in emergency situations doctor needs to take appropriate action to save the life of patient. At that time the whole responsibility is of the doctor and he should have all the qualities of an autocratic leader by which he can provide the suitable command to his team and protect the precious life of patient. In many work settings long discussions have no place and this form of leadership limits arguments. It allows subordinates to have one task and work on it, by which employees can get proficiency to develop the company. The negative attributes of the autocratic leadership is that the leader usually prefer one side conversation and act as Hitler to order the work assignments. As the leader has all the power there is a chance that he can use his employees. This leadership style can create an environment of fear, offence and absenteeism. According to Money Zine, The communication style of an autocratic leader is usually described as one way. They tell u exactly what they want done. The pleasant work environment is very necessary, where everyone is friendly. According to leithwood, transformational leadership is that which facilitates of a redefinition peoples task and vision, a renewal of their commitment and the reorganization of their systems for goal accomplishment. It is a relationship of mutual stimulation and altitude that converts followers into leaders and may converts leaders into moral agents. Transformational leadership promotes capacity expansion and obtains higher levels of personal obligation amongst followers for organizational purpose. Transactional leaders use different type of rewards to swap over followers and this compliance only develop followers extrinsic motivations and extrinsic contingent rewards probably decrease the intrinsic incentives. Whereas transformational leaders who motivate followers based on social exchange and use economic exchange to complement leadership practices develop followers intrinsic and extrinsic motivations (Cardona, 2000). Moreover transformational leaders use flexible authority, strate gies as inspirational appeals and ingratiation, as well as hard tactics, such as barter and power, is more useful in motivating subordinates than transactional leaders use only hard plans. Meta-analytical evidence supports the generalizable findings that transformational leadership is more effective, productive, innovative, and satisfying to followers than is transactional leadership (Lowe, Kroeck Sivasubrahmaniam, 1996). The transactional leaders are very effective in providing guidance on competency resolutions which are intended to improving productivity and cutting costs. The relationship of transactional leader with their followers inclined to be temporary and not based on affecting bonds. On the opposite the transformational leaders encourage followers by tempting to strong emotions in spite of the definitive effect on the followers and do not inevitably attend to the positive moral values. The transactional leadership works in most of the cases where its provided and the subordinates are motivated by rewards. If the leader of the hierarchy has a strong personality and proficient enough to make important decisions, this verified compliance policy works best for them. For example, subordinates in clinical practice under the transactional leader, work efficiently to get rewards and in the race of getting rewards their skills might be improved. Rewards could be of any type like increment of wages o r extra bonus or emotional encouragement etc. Private notes of congratulation to successful followers can also help foster self confidence (Eric, 1992) The autocratic leadership style is quite different than transformational and transactional leadership. The autocratic leadership style works well during group projects. Many group projects are inclined to fail because members of the group depend on each other to take decisions; here the autocratic leader takes appropriate resolution in the favour of organization. Otherwise this leadership style always criticized by the followers. Some of the autocratic leaders who have caused fear in peoples mind because of their dangerous activities are: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Martha Stewart and Howell Raines. On the other hand, transformational leadership lacks the checks and balances of countervailing interests, influences and power that might help to avoid dictatorship and oppression of a minority by a majority (Bass, 1997). Apart from that a powerful transactional leader always found everything favourable to his way. And when people get used to doing things just the way the y are told, what and only as much they are told, their thinking and imagination power stopped working. It will be tough to find new leaders from the lower starters of power hierarchy and it can create stressful work settings. Output can be maintained but originality and breakthroughs will be hard to find. The transformational leadership style is similar to the charismatic leadership, because these leaders are very active and encourage their subordinates with lot of passion towards the goal. Transformational leadership is a part of the new leadership concept, which gives more interest to the charismatic and affective fundamentals of leadership. Transformational leader have an excellent power of influence that helps followers to achieve more than the leader expect from them. For example, Gronn(1996) remarks on the close relationship between charismatic and transformational leadership while pointing out the absence of notions of charisma in some work transformational leadership (Crawford, Gould Scott, 2003). There is an argument that transformational leadership is facilitative of change because it contributes to organizational development, success and institutional culture (Barnett, McCormick Conners, 2001).It is said that To bring about change, authentic transformational leadership pr omotes the moral values of integrity, devotion and fairness, as well as the end values of justice, equality, and human rights (Griffin, 2003, p. 8). Moreover, both transactional and transformational leaders are conscious about the correlation between an attempt and remuneration, their leadership is approachable and its basic concept is to dealing the present issues and leadership is depend on the leaders authority to support followers for their achievements. Besides it, the transactional leadership focuses on situational power, politics and benefits. It include principles, but characteristically those are essential for successful swap connections (for example, mutuality, honesty). According to Jim Barrett, In any situation the leader is the one who is the initiator. The advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership are understandable for certain circumstances. For example, organization needs a strong leader to make fast and right decision in emergency conditions. Though, in less stressful situations, it may be better to discuss on topic before taking action. Sometimes, autocratic leaders have better ideas and adopting this leadership style can lead to the success of the company. However, in most cases it has some undesirable effects like, it is said that autocratic leadership is only accepted when need emerges and these leaders cannot remain popular for more time among their followers. Consequently, autocratic leadership frequently leads to increased absenteeism and staff turnover, which can decrease the productivity and progress of company. In addition to it, transactional leaders inspire followers by alluring to their own self- interest and transformational leaders encourage the followers to transcend their own interest for the group o r company. According to burns (1978), transformational leaders motivate followers to move beyond their self interest and to contribute to the overall vision and success of the organization. By doing so, the followers then meet their need for finding meaning and purpose in their work and may become leaders themselves. There are some implications about the transactional theory that transactional leaders overstress the short-term goals, rules and procedures. This type of leadership may work well where the organizations have simple and clearly defined problems. The only contract between the leader and followers is the money which followers obtain for their compliance and endeavours and after the completion of contract there is no relationship between the leader and followers. Odom and Green (2003) argue that principles of transformational leadership applied to ethical dilemmas faced by leader offers the prospect of less litigation and better ethical outcomes than the more common transactional approach to ethics. The transactional leadership is not a true leadership style it focus on the short-term goals and limited the innovative work of subordinates. In comparison to transformational leadership, transactional leadership is looking unsatisfactory but not bad, in prospectively developing the leadership. It provide basis for grown-up connections but leaders should not practice it entirely otherwise it can produce an environment pervaded by authority, position, politics and bonuses. While transformational leaders reveal a wide range of proficiencies, contain both technological and people skills. They are forward looking visionaries, expecting potentials for the organization. At the end we can say that transformational leadership style is best than autocratic and transactional styles. Through great inspiration, vision, charisma and intellectual stimulation transformational leaders prospectively promote the concert beyond expectations and effect vast changes within subordinates and organization. This leadership style is well-suited to the present issues like ambiguity, universal and organizational instability. . As Carlson and Perrewe (1995, p. 834) observe, major changes in the organizations mission, strategies and level of follower commitment are likely to emerge as a result of transformational leadership.

The Theme of Dehumanization in Breakfast of Champions Essay -- Breakfa

The Theme of Dehumanization in Breakfast of Champions "Dear Sir, poor sir, brave sir: You are an experiment by the Creator of the Universe." (Vonnegut 259) Imagine if this was addressed to you. What an awful feeling of betrayal and loneliness you would no doubt get. But what if next you heard this? "You are the only creature in the entire Universe who has free will. You are the only one who has to figure out what to do next-and why. Everybody else is a robot, a machine." (Vonnegut 259) Surely you would feel like your entire existence was a big joke, one at your expense. You would feel desensitized, remote, and detached from all human feeling. You would be a poor victim, someone taken hold of by the cold grasp of dehumanization. The American Heritage Dictionary defines dehumanize as "To deprive of human qualities or attributes" or "To render mechanical and routine". This certainly does a grand job at describing the callous, inhuman, and cold feeling you get when reading the novel Breakfast of Champions. In his book Breakfast of Champions , Kurt Vonnegut Jr. uses bold motifs, complex characterization, a plot of mundanity and shallowness, elementary diction, and satirical style to emphasize his main theme of dehumanization. In 1922, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Edith Vonnegut and Kurt Vonnegut Sr. At the age of 18 he graduated from Shortridge High School and pursued a degree in chemistry at Cornell University. (Bonner, par. 1) However, he left college in 1943 to serve his country in World War II. Upon return, Vonnegut continued his studies at the University of Chicago in the field of anthropology. (Encarta, par. 4) In 1950 He left his job and started writing full-time. Vonnegut's other works include ... ...his main theme of dehumanization. He does this using bold motifs, complex characterization, a plot of mundanity and shallowness, elementary diction, and satirical style. He shocks and confuses us with his style of writing, leaving us floundering with questions. Through all this he makes the human race seem empty and alone. But he is right in doing so, because we in fact are. 1 n : an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates 2 adj. : placed side by side often for comparison; "juxtaposed pictures" Bibliography: Vit, Marek. Home Page. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/champions.html Bonner, Stephanie E. Home Page. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/alter_ego.html Anonymous. Encarta. http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=76157250 Vonnegut, Kurt. Breakfast of Champions. New York, New York: Dell Publishing. 1973.

Catcher in the Rye :: essays research papers

Catcher in the Rye Author Information :   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jerome David Salinger was born in New York City in 1919. He attended and graduated from a military acedemy, then shortly attended two colleges. He has written some of the most influencial American literature in the twentieth century. Some of his short stories originally appeared in the New Yorker magazine and were later published as in the book, Nine Stories. However, Salinger has not published anything since 1963. Analysis :   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I have chosen to do symbolism. The symbols are clearly made evident by Holden’s constant repetition of their importance. The symbols are so important and their symbolism are directly related to the major themes of the novel. Allie, Holden’s young brother who died some years earlier, was a key symbol through out the story. When Holden remembers incidents from his past involving Allie, his attitude changes, like as when he writes the composition about Allie’s baseball glove or when Holden broke his hand after punching all of the windows after Allie died. He feels that Allie was one of the few people who were not phony in a world full of phonies. But more importantly, Allie represents the childhood that Holden strives to find through out his multi-day journey. In Holden’s opinion, Allie represents the purity that Holden looks for in the world. Holden admits that he admires Allie more than he admires Jesus. Allie is Holden’s role model, whom he judges the rest of the world to. When Allie dies, it creates heartache in Holden’s life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another symbol is when walking through New York City, Holden arrives at the Museum of Natural History. He remarks about the museum that he likes the glass cases that the museum officials place all of their exhibits in. He wishes he could place parts of his life in glass cases because they won’t change. In the end, he decides not to go into the museum. He likes the museum because he used to go there in his childhood, a time that he remembers with happiness. Since the glass cases inside the museum don’t allow anyone to change anything, it would be the one place for Holden to go if he wanted everything to be as it was during his childhood. However, he elects to remain outside because he is afraid that there is a chance that the museum might have changed. Jane Gallagher changed since his childhood and Holden thought that was unbelievable, so if Jane could change, perhaps

The Contribution of George and Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby Essay

The Contribution of George and Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is about the rise, the promise and the failure of American Dream. Some minor characters such as George and Myrtle Wilson have contributed to the development of the novel by providing us a contrast of their society that they are living in to the richer society in Long Island as well as a contrast of ideas in terms of modern American Dream. First of all, George and Myrtle Wilson are husband-and-wife who lives in the Valley of Ashes, as depicted in Chapter 2. They are the by-products of the corruption of the American Dream. As a result, their lives – bordered on hardship – can only be described as sustainable. In contrast, people such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan and Gatsby are the ones who have benefited from the corruption of the American Dream. This is clearly portrayed in Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 respectively on the lavish, excessive and careless lifestyle and the grandeur of residence that the Buchanans and Gatsby possess. The Wilsons’ barely sustainable lifestyle is clearly shown in the beginning of Chapter 2 whereby the type of place that they are living in is described as â€Å"a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens and the interior of their house is depicted as unprosperous and bare. On the contrary, the Buchanan’s house is narrated as à ¢â‚¬Å"a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay, the lawn started at the beach and ran towards the front door for a quarter of a mile, jumping over sun-dials and brick walls and burning gardens†, while Gatsby’s house is illustrated as â€Å"an imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower o... ...ney and fame as she struggles to escape from her poor vicinity. However, this is not done through the hard and honest way as she chooses to associate herself with the rich people in an attempt of gaining wealth. The fact that the still physically-intact marriage of the Wilsons symbolises that both the corrupted and true values of American Dream are co-existing together. By pairing up two people with opposite personality as a couple, Fitzgerald has allowed us to understand and compare the ideas of American Dream through the Wilsons’ personality. To conclude, Fitzgerald has intelligently given various important roles to certain minor characters such as George and Myrtle Wilson so that comparisons and similarities can be made out and understood. This will allow us to make our own judgement and most importantly, to fully understand the underlying themes and intention.

Arguments of the death penalty Essay

Is death the justification of a murder or are we merely subduing ourselves by performing the same heinous act? This argument had been debated for many decades and although some feel that death is the answer to a murder, there are others that find it completely barbaric. Through a careful analysis between Edward Koch’s â€Å"Death and Justice† and David Bruck’s â€Å"The Death Penalty†, I believe Koch had the better argument in claiming that death is the justification of a murder. I feel that if someone were to kill another person, we have all rights to sentence them to a death penalty to guarantee such a horrific crime would not happen again. If someone had the courage to take the life of another then he/she should have the courage to face the consequences. Although many believed that the death penalty is barbaric, I believe if it is not done, it would hinder America’s goal in working toward a country that possesses the least crime rates. In Koch’s essay he compared cancer with the death penalty. â€Å"Today we are faced with the choice of letting the cancer spread with†¦methods that considered barbaric†¦But to give up†¦would certainly delay the discovery of an eventual cure.† (Koch, paragraph 6) What Koch tried to convey to us is that certain methods of reducing cancer symptoms may be found barbaric but it is because of these methods we will find an eventual cure. This applies to the death penalty as well. Although someone may believe the death penalty is barbaric, they can still support it because if we create a society that does not tolerate the injustice of murder, incidents of murd er will decrease. In Bruck’s argument he attacked back by stating that the death penalty was applied in a discriminatory manner through a man by the name of â€Å"Ernest Knighton†. â€Å"Knighton had killed a gas station owner during a robbery†¦Why was Knighton electrocuted when almost everyone else who committed the same offense was not? Was it because he was black? Was it because his victim and all 12 members of the jury†¦were right?† (Bruck, paragraph 10) He’s stating the jury was racist to Knighton because he was black and the death penalty does not serve justice. I believe that his isn’t so because the appeals for each murderer are long and accurate. Our courts are made so that each case is handled effectively and thoroughly to bring forth justice in the case. Koch stated â€Å"It is not justice to exclude everyone from the penalty of the  law if a few are found to be so favored. Justice requires that the law be applied equally to all.† (Koch, paragraph 11). It is not a racial matter because the appeals process is long and elaborate for every individual and a person will not be given any less attention due to their race. The death penalty served justice to people who had abused it. It will ensure a safer society because potential murderers would be afraid to kill because if they did, they would be executed as well. If we do not continue to practice this then murder rates would steadily increase. It is also not a racial issue because each case is observed with the full extent of the law. I believe the death penalty should continue to be instated because it will provide for a quicker progression to a murder-free America.

ICT and Education Essay

skill and Communication technologies (ICTs) be invalu commensurate in the raising of young person people today. The cyberspace is the most recent ICT schooling that is best-selling(predicate) with the young generation and groundwork consequently be a very most-valuable tool in the pedagogics of the young people. lucre-based instruction and course rejoiny is accessible since it makes education more meaningful, responsive, reliable and relevant. nurture technology has embraced the internet both for didactics and acquisition since it is a paradigm condemnation out that enables both beginning cypher level, undergrad or elementary level, and the advanced computing level, for graduates to be more reliable and responsive. A digital native refers to those people who be born in deposits where digital technologies- ICT, much(prenominal)(prenominal) as computers, mobile phones and the internet already thrive.The ICT will at this juncture be less important to the educatio n of such(prenominal) young people as comp atomic number 18d to those who had no access to ICT earlier at home plate therefore have to learn and withdraw ICT later in life (Anderson & station 2003). This term is used to refer in the main to young people in the twenty-first degree Celsius who are in act in the digital age as compared to those born before this period. ICT will be invaluable to digital natives, also cal guide the millennium learners, as they are well indue with the necessary skills required for one to be in tandem with the dynamic pedagogy method and learning techniques.ICT is signifi green goddesst to education in a number of ways such as Facilitating faster access to varieties of learning resources that will enhance teaching and learning, leave alones speedy feedback from people who are remote of distance, provide authentic and updated information, learning can beat back place at any time of the day or night, facilitates multimedia education approach, p rovides on termination libraries and even caters for children with disabilities (Linn, Davis & Bell 2004).Students are able to actively contribute to the construction of intimacy since the internet promotes cooperative learning sequence at the same time the students can receive immediate feedback from the teachers. The internet has led to a redesigning of course features such as online resources, syllabi, practical(prenominal) classrooms, online discussions, interactive learning and few lectures (Roxanne & Turoff 2007). Learning is shifted from teacher centered to learner centered as a direct of the internet which caters for the needs of the students more adequately and is self-regulated by the students.In addition, the learners develop fine thinking skills, interpersonal skills, better wisdom and better management skills. Virtual classrooms are the simulated and computer based environment where there is real time teaching of students from different locations all over the p ublic as if they were at one place at the same time. Instructions are de equalred remotely via the internet in these virtual classrooms to teach at high schools, colleges and university to deliver distance education Kariuki & Louis 2004).This method is shape upively fitting popular with students who can flat learn from the comfort of their homes and is therefore becoming a major component for education mostly in the developed nations give care Britain, the United States, China and Germany. Interactive learning has been developed through the use of engines and programs corresponding face book and twitter where students can chat with their tutors and class mates live to get reading materials, instructions, submit their perfect tasks to their tutors and receive immediate feedback on their progress (Plank et al 2009).The internet is therefore an invaluable tool that has significantly impacted to the development of teaching and learning in line with the dynamic world. Reference Ka riuki James & Louis total heat (2004), The myths about e-learning in higher education, Taylor & Francis capital of the United Kingdom Anderson T. & Garrison R, (2003), E-learning in the 21st century a framework for research and practice, Routledge, London.Starr Roxanne & Murray Turoff, (2007), gentility goes digital The evolution of online learning and the novelty in higher education, Routledge Publishers London. Plank D et al (2009), Emerging Web Technologies in Higher Education A causa of incorporating blogs, podcasts and social bookmarks in a mesh programming course based on students learning styles and technology preferences, Taylor & Francis London. Linn M. , Davis E. & Bell P. (2004). Internet environments for science education, Routledge New York.