Remembrance Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Remembrance - Personal Statement Example She was extremely intelligent and graduated at age sixteen, much before the other children in her class. I, on the contrary, was forced to attend seventeen schools from the fifth grade through twelfth; always playing catch up in school. I never establish a foundation of good educational skills. In spite of the pit, falls I found myself somehow graduating on time. 7 The love of music I inherited from my mother. My mother an accomplished pianist, taking lesson from age four, played Carnegie hall at a very early age. I remember her telling stories of practicing two to three hours a day and attending the Julliard School of music in New York City. As an adult, she continued to play and even taught my older siblings to play the piano. However, when her mother died she stopped playing and never played again. Therefore, she never taught me to play the piano. I am assuming that her mother was the driving force behind her piano accomplishments. Although I never learned to play the piano, I love music, especially classical music. 12 Traveling became a large part of my adolescents. By the time, I reached age twelve my mother had remarried, and we began to travel up and down the East coast. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Stamford Ct., and then we moved to Florida, back to Connecticut, then to New Hampshire, and Virginia and landed in Biglerville Pa.

Bentham and Kant Essay Example for Free

Bentham and Kant Essay Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher and political radical. He is highly known and respected today for his moral philosophy, primarily his principle of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism evaluates actions based upon their consequences. Bentham is most famously known for his pursuit of motivation and value. Bentham was a strong believer in individual and economic freedom, the separation of church and state, freedom of expression, equal rights for women, the right to divorce and the decriminalizing of homosexual acts. During his time he helped with the abolition of slavery, the abolition of the death penalty and the abolition of physical punishment, including children. Bentham was born in Houndsditch, London in 1748 to a very wealthy family who supported the Tory party. He was very intelligent and bright minded. When he was a toddler he was found behind his father’s desk reading the history of England and at age three he began studying Latin. He obtained his masters degree from Oxford College in 1766, where there after he trained as a lawyer but never practiced. Instead, Bentham decided to write about the law. One of Bentham’s major influences was Joseph Priestley. Bentham read Priestley’s work and had quickly changed his mind about the conservative political views that he had grown up in. One statement in particular from The First Principles of Government and the Nature of Political, Civil and Religious Liberty had a major impact on Bentham; â€Å"The good and happiness of the members, that is the majority of the members of the state, is the great standard by which every thing relating to that state must finally be determined. Bentham was also heavily influenced by the philosopher David Hume. In 1798 Bentham wrote Principles of International Law where he argued that universal peace could only be obtained by first achieving European Unity. He hoped that some for of European Parliament would be able to enforce the liberty of the press, free trade, the abandonment of all colonies and a reduction in the money being spent on armam ents. One of Bentham’s most famous works was Constitutional Code in 1830. Here Bentham shares many of his ideas and beliefs on political democracy. Bentham argues that political reform should be dictated by the principal that the new system will promote the happiness of the majority of the people affected by it. He also argues about universal suffrage, annual parliaments and vote by ballot. Bentham believed that there should be no king, no House of Lords and no established church. In Constitutional Code Bentham also includes his view that men and women should be able to vote. Bentham also addressed the problem of how government should be organized and suggests the continual inspection of the work of politicians and government officials. Perhaps Bentham’s most famously noted for his work with Utilitarianism and is noted as the founder of modern utilitarianism. His work can be found in his book The Principles of Morals and Legislation. Utilitarianism is defined as â€Å"a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, specifically defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering. † Bentham examined the concept of punishment and when it should be used as far as whether a punishment will create more pleasure or pain for society. He believed that the legislation of a society is vital to maintain the maximum pleasure and the minimum degree of pain for the greatest amount of people. Jeremy Bentham passed away on June 6th 1832 at the age of 84. Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant was born, lived and passed away in his home town of Konigsberg. He lived from 1724 to 1804. He studied at the local university and later returned to tutor and lecture students. It wasn’t until he met an English merchant by the name of Joseph Green that Kant learned of David Hume and began to develop his ideas of morals and values. Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason (1781) is believed to many to be his greatest work. Kant’s was known mainly, however, for his moral code The Categorical Imperative. Immanuel Kant was a follower of Deontology, or duty ethics. Deontology is a theory holding that decisions should be made solely or primarily by considering ones duties and the rights of others. One of the most important implications of deontology is that a persons behaviour can be wrong even if it results in the best possible outcome. And, an act can be right even if it results in a bad outcome. In contrast to consequentialism, a philosophy infamous for its claim that the ends justify the means, deontology insists that how people accomplish their goals is usually, or always, more important than what people accomplish. Kant’s moral philosophy is based on the categorical imperative, good will, and duty. According to the categorical imperative, it is an absolute necessity, a command that humans should accord with universalizable maxims to treat people as ends in themselves and exercise their will without any concerns about the consequences or conditions of their actions. This concept can also be expressed in systematic terms by the two following formulations. The first form of the categorical imperative prescribes that we must act only according to that maxim whereby we can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. The second one states that we ought to treat humanity, whether in our own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means. In order to obey the categorical imperative, people have to act on a maxim that can be universalized. For instance, Kant argues that a lying promise is bad since it does not pass the universality test. Whenever a person makes a promise knowing that he will have to break it, he violates the first formulation of the categorical imperative. He intends to make use of another man merely as a means to an end which the latter does not likewise hold. In other words, Kant does not believe that lying promises are bad due to the fact that they generate bad consequences but because they result in a practical contradiction. According to him, people can’t lie since they can’t act for the results. Considering the second formulation of the categorical imperative, we have the need to have others working for us limited to some morality principles without treating them merely as a means. Kant believes that even though we have the ability to create our own ends, we can’t use people for our own devise. If we interfere with others to pursue their end while pursuing our own end, we violate their autonomy. We can’t have double standards for ourselves and for others. It is morally obligatory for us to respect others since people are rational agents. We must respect everyone in the exact same way and treat them as autonomous. As rational beings, humans are systematically united through common laws within the Kingdom of Ends. We belong to this kingdom as a member when we legislate in it universal laws while also being ourselves subject to these laws. According to Kant, everyone, no matter who they are, should be both the legislator and the follower of moral laws. Overall, Kant’s theory emphasizes that no one is an exception to moral laws, that people must act on strongly held beliefs or duties that are not in their own interest, and that we should never use people.

Hamlets Anger and Morality in William Shakespeares Hamlet Essay

Hamlet's Anger and Morality in William Shakespeare's Hamlet In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet is faced with emotional and physical hardship. The suffering that he endures causes his character to develop certain idiosyncrasies. Morality has a significant importance to Hamlet. At the beginning of the play, Hamlet possesses a strong sense of morality. A sense that is stronger than all other characters. Hamlet's actions and feelings are controlled by his morality. His morality grows weaker as the play progresses. Hamlet's opinions toward the characters within the play are determined by his moral standpoint. As the play goes on, Hamlet's tendency of thinking too much causes him to become mad. Hamlet's focal problem is his madness. As the play progresses, Hamlet's moral perspective on life begins to alter. The first change in his morality occurred following Hamlet's first visit from the ghost. Hamlet is told by the ghost to avenge his father's murder. If Hamlet's morality was as strong as it was in the beginning of the play, he would have immediately opposed the ghost. However, he did not oppose the thought of murdering his father's murderer. Hamlet will have a continuous struggle whether to carry out the ghost's deed or to act morally throughout the play. If, throughout, Hamlet is prevented from enacting his revenge by the discomforting ratios that his literary imitations generate, he is equally prevented from repudiating his revenge by his inability to emancipate himself from his father, to be other than an imitation of what has generated him(Kastan 204). Toward the end of the play, Hamlet has abandoned the strong sense of morality that he once possessed. He no longer debated the morality of his every action. His true ... ...aertes killed him physically. Bibliography: Bloom, Harold. Hamlet. New York: Chelsea House, 1990. Elliott, G. R.. Scourge and Minister. New York, New York: AMS Press, Inc., 1965. Hazlitt, William."Character's of Shakespeare" Hamlet. Ed by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1990. Jones, Ernest. Hamlet and Oedipus. New York: Norton, 1949. Kastan, David Scott, ed. Critical Essays on Shakespeare's" Hamlet. New York: G.K. Hall, 1995. Chapter: "Hamlet and Our Problems" Kastan, David Scott, ed. Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Hamlet. New York: G.K. Hall, 1995. Chapter: "Hamlet and the Imitation of Revenge" Lidz, Theodore. Hamlet's Enemy. Madison, Connecticut: International Universities Press, Inc. 1975. Luyster, Robert W. Hamlet and Man's Being Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1984.

Blood Brothers by Willy Russell :: Blood Brothers Essays

â€Å"Blood Brothers† by Willy Russell Blood Brothers seems to have been set in the 1970s/80s around Liverpool. There is a lot about striking and major redundancies in it. Also about people moving "out of Liverpool" into the "country" ( Skelmersdale ), in order to provide better housing and better prospects for everyone. The social climate of the working class appears to highlight the differences between working and middle classes. The contrasts between the personalities and characters of Miss Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons are clearly shown throughout the play but these characteristics are mirrored within where each character resides. There is a clear and distinct line between the two social worlds is obvious as Miss Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons are shown to live at opposite ends of the social scale, Mrs. Lyons in a respectable area with everything money can buy, and Miss Johnstone in a rundown semi on a council estate. This becomes even clearer when Mickey says â€Å"up in the park† which seems to suggest that it is above the Johnstone’s status and that it is attractive and open in comparison to the estate. It also seems that neither parent wanted their children mixing with each other and also seemingly, boys from a different social class. Mrs. Lyons states â€Å"You see why I don’t want you mixing with boys like that! You learn filth from them,† after Eddie swears at her. It seems to confirm her stereotypical views about the nature of people who were less well off than her, which obviously includes how she sees Mickey to be. There is also a clear difference in the language and vocabulary that is used by both different sets of people. For example Eddie refers to his mother as â€Å"my mummy† which seems to be a rather mummy’s boy thing to say and a bit soppy and girly and also something a somewhat posh child would say. In comparison Mickey, who lives in a rougher environment, refers to his mother as â€Å"me mam† which is a rather typical thing for someone living as a child in working class Liverpool. He tends to be more colloquial and use more informal and slangy language where as Eddie tends to abbreviate his words and pronounce them all in the proper way. Mickey doesn’t enunciate the ends of his word (for example he says â€Å"Yeh† instead of â€Å"Yes†) whereas Eddie has a much more formal way of pronunciation. Another big part of language which is used by both boys, eventually, is the matter of swearing. When Edward meets Mickey he is very polite and rather innocent but upon being introduced to Mickey he begins to Blood Brothers by Willy Russell :: Blood Brothers Essays â€Å"Blood Brothers† by Willy Russell Blood Brothers seems to have been set in the 1970s/80s around Liverpool. There is a lot about striking and major redundancies in it. Also about people moving "out of Liverpool" into the "country" ( Skelmersdale ), in order to provide better housing and better prospects for everyone. The social climate of the working class appears to highlight the differences between working and middle classes. The contrasts between the personalities and characters of Miss Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons are clearly shown throughout the play but these characteristics are mirrored within where each character resides. There is a clear and distinct line between the two social worlds is obvious as Miss Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons are shown to live at opposite ends of the social scale, Mrs. Lyons in a respectable area with everything money can buy, and Miss Johnstone in a rundown semi on a council estate. This becomes even clearer when Mickey says â€Å"up in the park† which seems to suggest that it is above the Johnstone’s status and that it is attractive and open in comparison to the estate. It also seems that neither parent wanted their children mixing with each other and also seemingly, boys from a different social class. Mrs. Lyons states â€Å"You see why I don’t want you mixing with boys like that! You learn filth from them,† after Eddie swears at her. It seems to confirm her stereotypical views about the nature of people who were less well off than her, which obviously includes how she sees Mickey to be. There is also a clear difference in the language and vocabulary that is used by both different sets of people. For example Eddie refers to his mother as â€Å"my mummy† which seems to be a rather mummy’s boy thing to say and a bit soppy and girly and also something a somewhat posh child would say. In comparison Mickey, who lives in a rougher environment, refers to his mother as â€Å"me mam† which is a rather typical thing for someone living as a child in working class Liverpool. He tends to be more colloquial and use more informal and slangy language where as Eddie tends to abbreviate his words and pronounce them all in the proper way. Mickey doesn’t enunciate the ends of his word (for example he says â€Å"Yeh† instead of â€Å"Yes†) whereas Eddie has a much more formal way of pronunciation. Another big part of language which is used by both boys, eventually, is the matter of swearing. When Edward meets Mickey he is very polite and rather innocent but upon being introduced to Mickey he begins to

Premarital Sex: A Morally Issue

Pre-marital sex, young Catholics know it is wrong. So why do they do it? Most teenagers have heard or coined the phrases â€Å"everyone†s doing it.† â€Å"If you loved me you†d do it† and also â€Å"It†s okay I have a condom.† Sex before marriage can be harmful to your body, your future, but the scariest of all your eternity. In this paper we shall look more into the Catholic point of view on pre-marital bliss. The purpose of sex is to unite a married couple as one loving body in consummating a marriage, to leave the possibility of procreation open, and to and to educate a child. The purpose of sex is to unite a married couple as one loving body. This is because God†s intention in creating the first man and woman was for them to love and create more men and women. To do so a married couple must join as one loving body or to have sexual intercourse. In having intercourse the first time in a marriage you are consummating the marriage therefore making the marriage official in the eyes of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: â€Å"the union of man and woman in marriage is a way of imitating the flesh in the creators generosity and fecundity: ‘Therefore . . . and they become one flesh† (Gen4:24) All human generations proceed from this union† (Catechism 2335). Sex is meant for mature individuals who are prepared to face the consequences of sex. Two of the biggest fears in premarital sex are STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and unwanted pregnancy. A married individual normally does not have to deal with such problems. This is because at the average age of marriage most STDs are not common. Second, in a marriage a couple normally wants a child to care for. However, teenagers do not want these responsibilities. Which leads to common use of contraceptives in teen sex. Sex is meant to leave an opening for procreation. Contraceptives are commonly used in premarital sex. These are used to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs. How can one use a condom and leave an opening for a child to be conceived? The Bible says â€Å"God blessed man and woman with the words: ‘Be fruitful and multiply†Ã¢â‚¬  (GS 50). Condom, the most popular choice for a contraceptive, is a latex cover for the male phallus, which prevents the sperm from entering the vagina and making it†s way to the egg. In humans sexual reproduction is done through intercourse. When the sperm meets the egg. When a condom does fail there is a high risk of catching a STD or having an unwanted pregnancy. In the chance of a pregnancy there are alternatives such as raising the child on your own, giving it up for abortion, and the sinful way out, having an abortion. Abortion is a mortal sin because it is the death of an unborn child. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: â€Å"By its very nature the institution of marriage and married love is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and is in them that it finds their crowning glory† (1652, 460). Raising a child on your own is not impossible however it is not easy. Finally, Sex is meant to aid in educating a child. Without sex there is no child. In the cases of teen-parents, it is not probable that the child will grow up with the proper education. This is most probable because the teens themselves are still learning. In the instances of single parent parenting, the education can be very tedious. It would be tedious because the single parent would have to play the role of the mother and the father as well. Such examples prove that sex inside of marriage is the simplest choice. One would not have as many issues to face and will be able to raise a family almost problem free. In parenting there will naturally be problems too, however when an adult is there to help their children they have the personal experience and moral guidance needed to lead the offspring off on the right foot. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: † Parents are the principle and first educators of their children. In this sense the fundamental task of marriage and family is to be at the service of life† (1653, 461). When your child comes to you and tell you that their boy/girlfriend is pressuring them for sex you can be able to tell them to abstain. â€Å"Abstinence is the only safe and morally correct form of contraception†. In conclusion, sex is meant to unite a married couple as one loving body in consummating a marriage, to leave the possibility of procreation open and to and to educate a child. The previous information has shown sex to only be moral and truly worry free in a marriage. â€Å"Let the Hebrews marry, at the age fit for it, virgins that are free, and born of good parents. But if the damsel be convicted, as having been corrupted, and is one of the common people, let her be stoned, because she did not preserve her virginity till she were lawfully married; but if she were the daughter of a priest let her be burnt alive† (Pastor David, Virginity/Marriage, 1)

Spending Time with Goran essays

Spending Time with Goran essays He stood there staring intently at me. I smiled apprehensively, unsure of how to approach him. My eyes traced over his frail body, his oversized clothes, his lopsided glasses and the slight drool on the side of his mouth. I was scared. How should I introduce myself? Does he even know I am standing here? How would he react? Slowly I bent down to eye level with him and awkwardly held out my arms to him. Slowly but deliberately, I said, "Goran, my name is Stephanie...we will spend the next few days together to chat and play." His eyes keenly studied the contours of my face, but he remained motionless. The seconds ticked by, though it seemed like a lifetime. Finally, he flashed me a goofy grin which melted my heart and broke the ice between us. Spending time with Goran gave me the most profound experience of my life. He is a mentally handicapped ten-year-old boy with barely the IQ of a three-year-old. Unable to take care of himself or perform simple tasks, he is helpless in our society. With constant asthma attacks and frequent nosebleeds due to dehydration, Goran's daily life is one of never-ending struggle and frustration. Yet despite the adversities he faces daily, his optimism and spirit have not been dampened. Goran has a keen sense of compassion and immeasurable capacity to love. He shows this through his warm hugs and the way he offers his hand for me to hold. He has even mastered the skill of blowing fly kisses. Spending time with Goran made me respect him for who he is and made me realize that in spite of his inadequacies, he too is a human being, capable of crying, laughing, and of feeling joy and sadness. The happy moments I spent with Goran were vividly etched in my mind. Through sharing experiences together, I gave him the feeling that he was wonderful and loved, and he taught me how to strive under adverse situations, to create and cherish happy moments in life. I remember one experience when we made a kite out of c...

Release the geek! - Emphasis

Release the geek! Release the geek! Below are the correct and incorrect versions of some of the most commonly misspelt words. Can you unmask the criminal mistakes? They’ll get away with it if not for you meddling kids. Go on, let your inner geek out to play. Share this link and challenge your colleagues to a spell-off. You know you want to 1. neccessarynecessaryneccesary 2. separateseperateseprate 3. receivedrecievedreceeved 4. occuredoccurredocurred 5. definitelydefinately6.grammergrammar7.predjudiceprejudiceprejujice 8. minusculeminiscule 9. occasionoccassionocassion 10. proffesionalprofessional 11. accomodateaccommodateaccommadate 12. religeousreligiousreligous 13. harrassharass 14. questionnairequestionairrequestionnairre15. occurrenceoccurranceoccurence 16. mischiefousmischievousmischievious 17. embarrassembarassembarras 18. connoisseurconnoiseurconnoissouir 19. cemetarycemeterycemetry20.changeablechangablechangeible Once you have your score, why not leave us a message in the comments section below to let us know how you got on? And if you have any spelling tips youd like to share, such as mnemonics, wed love to hear them.

Hesss Law Definition - Chemistry Glossary

Hesss Law Definition - Chemistry Glossary Hesss law states that the energy change in an overall chemical reaction is equal to the sum of the energy changes in the individual reactions comprising it. In other words, the enthalpy change of a chemical reaction (the heat of reaction at constant pressure) does not depend on the pathway between the initial and final states. The law is a variation of the first law of thermodynamics and conservation of energy. Importance of Hesss Law Because Hesss law holds true, its possible to break a chemical reaction into multiple steps and use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the overall energy of a chemical reaction. Standard enthalpy tables are compiled from empirical data, usually acquired using calorimetry. Using these tables, its possible to calculate whether or not a more complex reaction is thermodynamically favorable or not. Applications of Hesss Law In addition to calculating the enthalpy of a reaction rather than directly measuring it, Hesss law is used to: Find electron affinities based on theoretical lattice energy.Calculate heat change of phase transitions.Calculate heat change when a substance changes allotropes.Find the heat of formation of an unstable intermediate in a reaction.Find the lattice energy of ionic compounds. Sources Chakrabarty, D.K. (2001). An Introduction to Physical Chemistry. Mumbai: Alpha Science. pp. 34–37. ISBN 1-84265-059-9.Leicester, Henry M. (1951). Germain Henri Hess and the Foundations of Thermochemistry. The Journal of Chemical Education. 28 (11): 581–583. doi:10.1021/ed028p581

Comair's information systems and information technology Essay

Comair's information systems and information technology - Essay Example In this section I will present a brief overview of the Comair. This company is a regional airline carrier based in the US. This is very well reputable Air Line Company that consists of nearly 7000 airline professionals who, collectively, manage and operate more than 1100 daily flights carrying 30000 passengers. Throughout its history, Comair has been an award winning leader in the regional carrier industry (Case Study). Conair is running the AirCrews operations and scheduling throughout a legacy system. This system is just about 2 decades old. There are lots of predicaments linked with this system on the subject of management of the on the whole organizational operations. Comair has an expected implementation of the new SABRE software package in the end of the 2005, but currently Comair was still using the SBS legacy system, now divided into two modules so that pilot schedule changes and flight attendant schedule changes each have monthly limit of 32,000. Comair is also monitoring the volume of transactions more carefully (Case Study).. The main problem is regarding the handling of this system. This system is developed in FORTRAN in 1950s. As a result the basic working of this system is console based. There are also problems regarding the better user interface and working facilities of this system. Next main problem that has emerged is SBS legacy system capacity of the transaction handling. This system is developed to handle pilot schedule changes and flight attendant schedule changes to a monthly limit of 32,000. The business of the Comair is emerging day by day. The need and capacity of the transaction handling of the Comair requires more effective a big capacity system of the handling of future enlargements. This system was fully crashed on 25th due to overall processing of the changes. This problem happened due to the 32,768 changes in a month. This problem has really affected the organizational overall profit and lot of flights has canceled (Case

The Power of Determination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

The Power of Determination - Essay Example A person realizes ambitions and goals when he or she is determined to work towards them at whatever cost. One cannot realize full potential lest he or she has the willpower to exert always as much effort as required to accomplish the goals. This exertion will also require the person to toil past the numerous hardships that will emerge along the path of this ambition or goal (Andrews 34). Having determination offers a person the physical and mental strength necessary for enduring all costs incurred during this endeavor. Even when one feels like he or she can no longer put up with these difficulties, just knowing on must be strong should offer one that additional nudge in the correct path.  Urgencies are a necessity for an individual with determination, recognizing the rank of significance in every choice one makes. Ranking goals in one’s life assist in monitoring one’s ambitions and simultaneously makes them simpler to realize. A person’s determination drives hi m or her to accomplish ultimate victories in life (Andrew 44). With the support of a decent set of urgencies, one can overcome and surmount dismissals coming from people or groups of people with a negative attitude. For instance, co-workers or even family members who may consider your ambitions â€Å"overambitious† or unreasonable, the determination can enable an individual to triumph over these dismissals.  Throughout history, all pronounced achievers have given much credit to their determination while they endured the many hardships that existed between them and their goals (Andrew 45). History is sold proof of the power of determination and its key role in success paths and stories. Many of these achievers did not just awaken and complete life’s most difficult and demanding tasks. However, a person can awaken and only choose to work towards a particular goal. At some point, every task is underway. With the power of determination, this task merely becomes an accomp lishment in time.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Paper Research

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - Research Paper Example According to Cleverly, Song, & Cleverly (2010), there are five generally accepted accounting guidelines or principles that are related to accounting for health, namely money measurement, valuation, duality principle, stable monetary unit, and accounting entity. In this paper a discussion will be made on these five generally accepted accounting principles related to health care. Money Measurement Money measurement principle calls for effective recording of all cash flows and revenues that are coming to the organization as well those leaving the organization. Money measurement refers to the measurement of debt obligations and revenue resources accurately so that there is no discrepancy in the accounts of the health care institute. The intent behind this accounting principle is to secure and measure all the incoming and outgoing cash flows of a firm. It is essential to measure the movement of money inside and outside the organization because it is the most basic building block of accoun ting. This particular accounting principle is related to health care field as the flow of money in a heath care facility is quite fluid and money changes hand quickly in the health care industry. ... The reason for valuing assets and costs at historical prices is that it is the only method that provides an objective value of assets and costs (Cleverly, Song, & Cleverly, 2010). Other alternatives of valuation lack the objectivity which the historical cost valuation method provides. The intent behind this accounting principle is to provide an objective account of the values of acquisition cost of assets. In the field of health care this accounting principle is vital to calculate return on investment (p. 187). Also there is no second hand market of assets that are used in the health care industry and therefore it is difficult to estimate a market value for such assets. This is the relevance of cost valuation accounting principle to the field of health care. Principle of Duality Principle of duality is a generally accepted accounting principle that refers to the basic equation that is commonly used in accounting (assets = liabilities +owner’s equity). The principle of duality also refers to the dual effect of every transaction. The effect every transaction is recorded in a way that assets equals the total liabilities and equity of the firm. This principle is forms a very basic pillar of accounting. It provides guidance as to how to account different transactions. The intent of this principle is to make sure that transactions are recorded in way that satisfies the basics of accounting. The principle of duality is the basic pillar of accounting and therefore has relevance to accounting of health care institutions. The basic equation of assets, liabilities, and equity should always be balanced when accounting in the field of health care. In health care field transactions are regularly recorded and therefore to avoid any mistake it is essential to keep this

The Emergence of Euro Companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Emergence of Euro Companies - Essay Example This is quite astounding, particularly in regards to the United States, as the U.S. has, for quite some time now, been considered and known as being the most profitable and economically stable nation in the world. The issue of the emergence of Euro Companies as being significant global economic entities over the past few years is one which is of incredible importance and significance, and in order to be able to better understand about this matter overall, there are several factors that need to be thoroughly addressed and discussed. The aim of this paper is to not only discuss the issue of Euro Companies, what they are and their primary purpose, but as well to discuss the fact of how they emerged and became considered as being significant global economic entities, particularly over the past few decades. Therefore, here being discussed will not only be the topic of how Euro Companies have emerged and become significant global economic entities, but as well in regards to how operating a cross European culture and institutional boundaries may constitute as both a challenge and an opportunity for such organizations, as well as any and all other key and related issues. This is what will be dissertated in the following. In order to understand about Euro Companies in regards to any issue, you need to first recognize and understand about what Euro Companies actually are. Basically, and quite simply, a Euro Company is a company that is located or was begun in Europe or surrounding areas of Europe, and although they certainly do have many similarities to those companies that are in other areas of the world, particularly North America, there are many differences as well, of which are just as important, if not more, to take notice of. There are two constitutional principles in particular which are reflected with Euro Companies, which are subsidiarity and integration in the European Union, which clearly force the system overall to be one of jurisdictional competition. One of the core elements of the structure of European Company law consists of disclosure rules, and these rules are quite clearly dominant in European Company law in general, whether that is speaking in regards to accounting law, the law of capital markets, or in traditional EU Company Law Directives. The structure of Euro Company law is incredibly important to the issue of how these companies in particular have emerged as significant global economic entities however there are many other reasons that need to be taken into consideration as well. One incredibly important and significant issue that needs to be raised here is that of European oil companies in particular, as they have had a great impact on the overall emergence of European companies in general. Especially with the war in Iraq which has been going on for the past few years now, there has been an increasing need for oil, and it has been European companies more than any which have been able to produce this. North America particularly by far has been more in need than any other area in the world, as they have suffered the most from this lack of oil, and thus they have been creating a popularity with the Euro Companies because they have needed to import their oil from here. Global market forces in general, in fact, have truly created a dynamic and

Political World Leaders of World War II Research Paper

Political World Leaders of World War II - Research Paper Example The paper tells that both leaders have left significant different memories, one of which is the unforgettable holocaust initiated by Fuhrer Adolf Hitler and a successful giant leap of economic redemption of Singapore from a Third World country to become another Asian Tiger country within the three decades of Lee Kuan Yew’s rule. Each leader delivered significant changes that they now deserve to be called great icons in the history of world leaders. Adolf Hitler who was the reason for the outbreak of World War II and Lee Kuan Yew who transformed Singapore from a Third World country to another Asian Tiger country, have been chosen and juxtaposed to learn the similarities and contrasts of their qualities and styles as leaders as well as how their reigns brought impact to the world.   Credited to Hitler’s achievements were as follows: â€Å"awarded the Iron Cross, First Class in December 1914†; â€Å"annexation of Austria and Sudetenland†; wrote the book â⠂¬ËœMein Kampf’ where it was an anti-Semitic, anti-Communist diatribe outlining his strategy for remaking Germany and becoming a conquering power throughout Europe†. â€Å"By 1938 Hitler had made Germany the most powerful and feared country in Europe (and perhaps in the world)†. â€Å"Majority of the German people supported him because they saw during his early leadership to his credit how unemployment virtually disappeared, the rising prosperity of the masses, the new social institutions and the increase of German prestige in the 1930’s.’s. All these achievements of Hitler were unparalleled in the histories of other modern totalitarian dictatorship† (Hitler, A. 2011). On the other hand, achievements credited to Yew include: redemption of Singapore from a Third World Country to become an Asian Tiger country now aligned with other rich Asian countries like Japan, Hongkong, and Taiwan. Singapore is now an envy of many neighboring Asian countrie s. Of Lee Kuan Yew’s outstanding achievements in redeeming Singapore, eradication of corruption was best recognized and envied by many ASEAN nations because ‘Corruption’ has alwaysbeen considered a systemic problem commonly found and associated with Third World nations (underdeveloped countries) including most Asian countries. Other Yew’s achievements include the substantial â€Å"increase in the living standards (Loh,K. 2011)† in this country: â€Å"As Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew presided over an exponential increase in Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from US$704 million in 1960 to US$38 billion in 1990. This figure currently stands at US$222 billion, or over 300 times its level in 1960. Adjusting for cost of living differences, Singapore's GDP per capita was ranked 3rd

The Emergence of Euro Companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Emergence of Euro Companies - Essay Example This is quite astounding, particularly in regards to the United States, as the U.S. has, for quite some time now, been considered and known as being the most profitable and economically stable nation in the world. The issue of the emergence of Euro Companies as being significant global economic entities over the past few years is one which is of incredible importance and significance, and in order to be able to better understand about this matter overall, there are several factors that need to be thoroughly addressed and discussed. The aim of this paper is to not only discuss the issue of Euro Companies, what they are and their primary purpose, but as well to discuss the fact of how they emerged and became considered as being significant global economic entities, particularly over the past few decades. Therefore, here being discussed will not only be the topic of how Euro Companies have emerged and become significant global economic entities, but as well in regards to how operating a cross European culture and institutional boundaries may constitute as both a challenge and an opportunity for such organizations, as well as any and all other key and related issues. This is what will be dissertated in the following. In order to understand about Euro Companies in regards to any issue, you need to first recognize and understand about what Euro Companies actually are. Basically, and quite simply, a Euro Company is a company that is located or was begun in Europe or surrounding areas of Europe, and although they certainly do have many similarities to those companies that are in other areas of the world, particularly North America, there are many differences as well, of which are just as important, if not more, to take notice of. There are two constitutional principles in particular which are reflected with Euro Companies, which are subsidiarity and integration in the European Union, which clearly force the system overall to be one of jurisdictional competition. One of the core elements of the structure of European Company law consists of disclosure rules, and these rules are quite clearly dominant in European Company law in general, whether that is speaking in regards to accounting law, the law of capital markets, or in traditional EU Company Law Directives. The structure of Euro Company law is incredibly important to the issue of how these companies in particular have emerged as significant global economic entities however there are many other reasons that need to be taken into consideration as well. One incredibly important and significant issue that needs to be raised here is that of European oil companies in particular, as they have had a great impact on the overall emergence of European companies in general. Especially with the war in Iraq which has been going on for the past few years now, there has been an increasing need for oil, and it has been European companies more than any which have been able to produce this. North America particularly by far has been more in need than any other area in the world, as they have suffered the most from this lack of oil, and thus they have been creating a popularity with the Euro Companies because they have needed to import their oil from here. Global market forces in general, in fact, have truly created a dynamic and

Transmittal of Project Report on Flextime Strategy Research Paper

Transmittal of Project Report on Flextime Strategy - Research Paper Example Solutions and its impacts on both the employers and employees of the company. Various factors included in this research study were about the different types of flextime policies implemented by some of the well reputed business firms in the world and its impact on the organization. Primary research was also performed through questionnaires designed to survey the employees of Health Tech. Solutions. Based on the findings and analysis of the research study, it is recommended that Health Tech. Solutions should consider implementing a flextime policy for its employees that includes 4-day work week with 4 out of 10 working hours every day available as flexible time according to the choice of the employees. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions associated with the project report or if you need any kind of additional information. I will try to assist you in every way possible. Enc. Project Report TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 OVERVIEW 7 TYPE S OF FLEXTIME 9 IMPACT ON EMPLOYER 11 Advantages 11 Disadvantages 12 IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE 12 Advantages 13 Disadvantages 13 FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS 14 Secondary Research and Analysis 15 Primary Research and Analysis 17 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY 20 CONCLUSION 21 RECOMMENDATIONS 22 REFERENCES 22 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Table – 1: Preference for 4-day or 5-day work week 19 Table – 2: Preference of 8-hour days as working hours 20 Table – 3: Preference of 10-hour days as working hours 20 Figure – 1: Employees favoring work from home 19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Flextime strategies have received a renewed attention in many of the companies all around the world. Health tech. Solutions is also thinking of implementing a flextime strategy in their company as suggested by many of the employees in the company. This research study deals with the problem statement about the various merits and demerits of a flextime strategy being implemented by an organization and its various impact s on both the employees and employers of an organization. Both secondary and primary research methods have been employed in order to conduct this study successfully. The different types of flextime strategies followed by five of the well reputed companies have been included in this study. Those companies include Pricewaterhouse Coopers, KPMG, Sun Microsystems, etc. Primary research has also been performed which included a questionnaire survey of the employees of Health Tech. Based on the research it has been found that the flextime strategies adopted by most of the companies have proved to be very much advantageous for them. It has resulted in increased performance of the employees and reduction of the employee turnover rates. The information collected from the questionnaire survey suggested that employees had greater interest in having flexible working hours in their work schedule. Hence it is recommended that a flextime strategy should be implemented in Health Tech. Solutions. The flextime policy should include four days 10-hours day per week work schedule and would include 4 hours as flexible working hours for the employees. It is suggested that implementation of flextime strategy in Health Tech. Solutions would prove advantageous for the company since the performance level of the employees would increase and the company would be able to save significant amount of turnover costs. OVERVIEW The concept of flexible timing in work

Interpret Marketing Trends and Developments Essay Example for Free

Interpret Marketing Trends and Developments Essay The aim of this report is to determine if potential alternative hub airports to service the growing of Australasian and Pacific markets by researching and identifying considerable inroads into this large market for expanding and growing opportunities for Virgin Australia’s potential abilities Methods Used A questionnaire (Appendix 1) was distributed to students attending Metropolitan South Institute of Tafe (MSIT) as well other data conducted to research preliminary and secondary data from the Tourism Australia market profile. As well as conducting Risk Analysis from other countries in the Pacific and Australasian countries, which includes airlines and traveller statistics and performances. When undertaking the questionnaires, the data was distributed and collated by answering question on what students preferred as their haul destinations. As a result the analysis was conducted that most of the students preferred Fiji in category 1 while category 2 the students preferred Malaysia that has the highest percentage of students followed by Vietnam and Philippines as their hub destination. Students preferred its natural beauties of its countries rather that its infrastructure, and rich heritage. As well as its scenic views and luckily 23 students have travelled internationally while 4 students said they never travelled at all. From the students conducted in this questionnaire students were around 21 to 30 years old more than the rest of the respondents in this demographic. Sources Other than the questionnaire, this report did not use any other sources but analysing a risk matrix of countries whether the profile status was able to be a hub destination or not. Scope This report looks at the opinions of students attending MSIT Mt Gravatt, and investigations of countries in the Pacific and Australasian regions for strategies to conduct major airlines services. Background From this report it will be investigated by the following elements of regional analysis in Australasia and the Pacific. It will also look at the trends from the landscape of aviation analysis and the main key airlines that each countries support on using as its carrier. Demographics will also be analysed by the market performance of the country in each category and its destination ports and statistics. Establishing a performance on its international routes will be the key priority in building successful and stronger platforms for the future.

Nigerian Construction Industry Performance

Nigerian Construction Industry Performance Chapter Two of this research comprises a comprehensive review of literature relating to the Nigerian construction industry and its performance, Value Management and its application in the construction industry. It is noted that much of the literature relating to Nigeria is dated, however this can only add to the value and relevance of primary data collected in this research and it provides a background and historic basis from which progress in the industry may be measured. 2.1 THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY The construction industry the world over is often perceived to be the life wire of its respective economy as it cuts across all aspects of human activities (Ayangade, 2009) and the Nigerian construction industry is not an exception to this. Its contribution ranges from enabling the procurement of goods and services to the provision of buildings and other infrastructure, thereby providing employment opportunities to its labour force while contributing immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to Ayangade (2009), the contribution of the Nigerian construction industry is yet to measure up to those of the western world like the UK and Australia due to its developing nature among other reasons discussed below. As noted by the same researcher (Ayangade, 2009), whereas the construction industries of other developed countries are responsible for about 22% of their respective GDPs, the Nigerian case is different as it contributes slightly below 16% to its economy. However, this could be said to be complemented by the relatively higher employment (20%) it provides for its whooping 140 million citizens compared to the 12% as in the case of developed countries. Mbamali (2004) attributed this to relatively lower use of mechanization within construction in Nigeria and the high dependency of the Nigerian economy on the oil sector. Obiegbu (2005) noted that the construction industry, unlike other sectors, is a complex one and requires articulate professionals who are ready to live up to its clients expectations. Clients in the construction industry may either be private individuals including corporate bodies or public organisations which include the government. In Nigeria the federal government is often seen to be involved in the most complex projects with about 38.4% of the market (Ayangade, 2005). This is followed by the state government which is responsible for about 19.2% of the projects in the industry, though there is still some form of partnering between different classes of clients. The players in the industry are a disparate group of individuals often assembled into temporary teams and may comprise of quantity surveyors, architects, Engineers, Estate surveyors Valuers, project managers, contractors and sub-contractors, suppliers, labourers and artisans. Activities in the construction industry are carried out on a project basis and could be within an organisation or part of a programme (..reference). The Project Management Institute (PMI) (2004) defined a project as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. The product, in the context of the construction industry, may be a building, services installation or other infrastructural project. Hence the relevant mix of professionals is often assembled together with the aim of achieving this goal. This group of professionals is expected to possess the relevant skills, knowledge, tools and techniques to achieve the project goals. The application of these variables, skills, knowledge, tools and techniques, with the aim achieving the required objective is referred to as project management (PMI, 2004). According to Obiegbu (2005), the contractual procurement strategy, which he defined as a basis for clients action in defining the procedure to be followed fr om the inception of the project to handover, plays an important role in the performance of the industry. Some of the contractual arrangements which are often referred to as procurement routes may include, but are not limited to, the following: Traditional procurement route Design and build Management contracts 2.1.1 Nature and Performance of the Nigerian Construction Industry the economic resources often wasted in cost and time overruns, substandard work and shoddy workmanship, client-contractor-practitioners acrimonious relationships and non-performance of projects as envisaged by clients and end users Olatunje (2009) The above quote highlights the perception of the Nigerian construction industry presented by Olatunje (2009) highlights issues researched by other authors such as cost and time overruns (Aniekwu and Okpala, 1998, Oyedele Tham, 2007, Dlakwa Culpin, 1990), project abandonment (Sonuga et al, 2002, Adams, 1997) and both client and contractor dissatisfaction (Olatunje, 2009). The quote also echoes findings from Egans (1998) research into the UK construction industry. The Egan report has been formative in the UK construction industry but also for the Nigerian industry, which is fashioned after the UKs (Mbamali, et al., 2005, Oyedele Tham, 2007). The Nigerian construction industry has similar contractual arrangements as the industry in Britain which has been found to be more unsuitable for developing industries like Nigeria than it is for its own industry (Edmonds Miles, 1983, Sonuga et al, 2002). The most common procurement route used in the Nigerian construction industry is the traditional route (Ayangade, 2009). This implies that much risk is placed on the Architect to deliver the project as he is left to advise, organise and lead other project consultants to conceive and develop the project design. This procurement route has faced a lot of criticism including the separation of the design stage from actual construction. Wells (1986) found that the divorce of design from construction and the use of competitive tendering, which is based on lowest cost, are noted constraints that affect the performance of the Nigerian construction industry. Aniekwu and Okpala (1988) referred to these as systemic issues in the industry which result from the application of contractual arrangements unsuited to the Nigerian industry. Some of these issues may be accommodated by appropriate conditions of contract but these factors are considered to be withholding the development of the industry. Aniekwu and Okpala (1988) also identified some of the structural issues affecting the industry to include access to finance and lack of proper communication among consultants, contractors and the client at the early stages the project and during construction. Oyodele and Tham (2005) noted that lack of proper communication in the industry, boosted by its high level of fragmentation, has left it awash it with delay, cost and time overruns in addition to the disturbing rate of fluctuation in the prices of materials offered by the economy. The findings of the Building Research Establishment associated more than 50% of the construction defects with mistakes in project drawings and documentation due to inadequate interaction among the proj ect professionals. This is in line with the recommendation of the National Economic Development Office (1987) on the need for more accurate designs in the industry as this is responsible for nearly two-thirds of poor quality work in the industry. 2.1.2 Project Management in the Nigerian Construction Industry Odusemi et al, (2003) found that Project Management is still in its early stages of development in the Nigerian construction industry. The service is offered but only alongside other consultancy services. This is not assisted by the fact that PM is learned experientially and is not represented by established professional bodies, although many consultants are members of the Association of Project Management (APM) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). This has left the industry struggling with the challenges of satisfying the needs of its clients and the public as a whole. As noted by Oyodale and Tham (2005), the complexities presented by the industry can only be tackled by its professionals. Aibinu and Jagboro (2002) concluded that, considering the contribution of the construction industry to its nations economy, improved services in the form of greater efficiency and timeliness would certainly yield a positive impact. The research called on the need for innovative research that will improve management skills and ability, buildability, design quality, integration and communication and client focus so as to deliver value for money. 2.2 VALUE MANAGEMENT 2.2.1 Value Concept Historically, value is viewed from an economic perspective, hence its expression as a ratio of costs to benefits (Kelly et al, 2004). The concept of value is based on the relationship between satisfying needs and the expectations and the resources required to achieve them (British Standard, 2000). The above statement implies that for value to be correctly defined there ought to be some needs that are desired to be satisfied; which are then weighed against the required and available resources to achieve them. This however does not equate reduced cost to enhanced value. For instance, as illustrated in figure 2.1 below, a project manager may decide to commit more resources in the short run (which would obviously increase cost) with an intention of increasing his revenue (improved value) in the long run. Value can thus be increased when the clients satisfaction increases and the cost in terms of resources either diminishes, or increases to a lesser extent (Tassinari (1985, p37). Figure 2.1 showing the relationship between resources and customer satisfaction. (Adapted from British Standard, 2000) A need is that which is desired or necessary to perform a particular function and will differ depending on the nature of the client or the perspective from which it is defined (British Standard, 2000). This explains why value is often seen to be a subjective term (Thiry, 1997). According to Kelly et al (2004) producers and dealers may both view value as the price of a physical object while the consumers or users would see value from its performance perspective which changes with time. McGeorge and Palmer (2002) illustrate this using a modern home which has a little battery operated radio in addition to internet, phone, and television. Of course, the small radio would be perceived to have little or no value until a snow storm cuts the house off from the electric power supply which will render the radio as the only source of communication. The above example by McGeorge and Palmer (2002) shows the effect time and innovation can have on a clients interpretation of value and how it can change given a particular situation. The small battery operated radio was initially of very high value when it was the only available option but diminished with the invention and/or acquisition of internet, phone and television by the household. However its appreciation changed when the situation change. According to Zimmerman and Hart (1982) as cited in Thiry (1997), if a design has not changed in 18 years, the product is either excellent or management has failed to improve it. However one knows that neither of these two conditions mentioned in the above statement is obtainable in the present construction industry due to its highly competitive nature. Most times clients interpretation of value is when it meets or exceeds their expectations. Kelly and Male (2007) described this using the Kanos model as shown in figure 2.3 below. Figure 2.2 Kanos Model, reproduced from Kelly and Male, 2007 As shown on Kanos model above, there are three levels of satisfaction factors; basic, performance and delighter, each having some effects on the quality characteristics including customers satisfaction. According to Kelly and Male (2007), Kanos model (figure 2.2) does not only portray the importance of achieving a clients immediate expectations from a project but also the need to go the extra mile to improve it beyond the clients expectations as this gives them a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"delighter satisfaction. The possible benefit from this is that projects would not become obsolete within a short period of its completion as its performance would still exceed the customers demand, thereby assuring the client of continued good value for his money. Kanos model also creates room for improved projects through innovative services and products as what was once a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"delighter over time goes down to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"basic and forms a baseline below which the client becomes dissatisfied. Acc ording to Harty (2009) one of the driving forces behind the value management concept is that it encourages innovation through research which is in line with the recommendations of Egan (1998) to improve the performance of the construction industry. 2.2.2 Defining the Client Value System Clients in the construction industry have been described as a heterogeneous group made up of private or public organisations operating in different environments with diverse reasons for their existence (Kelly et al 2007). Some of these are multinational organisations competing at the global level who already have reputations to protect while some are small upcoming organisations who are still very much profit driven. Viewed from another perspective, some of these clients are more experienced than others irrespective of their sizes or the sector in which they operate. It then follows that clients are unique in their own ways and have individual, respective requirements which determine their needs and hence what is of value to them. This is referred to as the client value system. Harmonizing and prioritizing these diverse views of stakeholders in a particular project at the project briefing stage sets the clients value system and ensures that value for money (VfM) is achieved, (OGC, 20 07). The client value system is thus seen as a basis for making decisions as to the allocation and use of resources available for a project, thereby addressing the usual mismatch between the clients actual intent and his capability (Thiry, 1996). According to Kelly et al (2004, p157) one of the most important considerations of value management is the recognition of the uniqueness of each clients value system. This creates demand for the construction industry as it is focused on the customers by making explicit what value means to the each individual client. Sequel to this, Kelly et al (2004) identified some measurable criteria which form a typical construction client value system to include time, capital costs, operating cost, environment, exchange, flexibility, esteem, comfort and politics. 2.2.2.1 Time Refers to the period from when the project was conceptualized to the period when it is completed and absorbed into the clients organisation. Often time is assessed on a continuum from when it is of essence to the point where it could be compromised (Kelly et al, 2004). For instance a project to build a sports bar for the 2010 world cup delivered just a day past the commencement of the tournament, may drastically affect its value. Hence it is necessary to determine what time means to the client. 2.2.2.2 Capital expenditure (CAPEX) Are those costs associated with the capital cost of a project, measured on a continuum between the budget being considered tight and not able to be exceeded to there being flexibility in budgeting (Kelly et al 2004). Simply put, CAPEX is what it cost to put a project on ground, from inception to handover. However, Elinwa and Joshua (2001) stated that it is sometimes difficult to separate the capital costs of some projects from its operating costs due the platform on which it was procured. For example a primary health centre to be procured through PFI, it may not be so easy to pin point the capital costs as it forms part of the total lease package. 2.2.2.3 Operating expenditure (OPEX) Spending on construction projects is not one off expenditure as the building requires to be operated, maintained and repaired throughout the life span of the building. According to Kelly et al (2004), OPEX can be defined as those costs associated with operation and maintenance of a completed project as it becomes a part of the clients organization; measured by the extent to which it is minimized to its point of being flexible. This depends on the use to which a building is being put to. For instance where the building is for residential purpose, the operating costs may include utilities, cleaning, repairs, maintenance, caretaker and security. This may be expanded to include photocopying and internet facilities and other office services for a commercial development. 2.2.2.4 Environment This defines how important achieving an environmentally friendly project is to the client. Kelly et al (2004) defined environment as the extent to which the project results in a sympathetic approach to its immediate and extended physical environments in terms of energy consumed in putting it up and in operating it. The yardstick here is the level to which the project complies with the Kyoto Agreement and Agenda 21 issues including other environmental regulations. This explains a clients interest in having a sustainable development which is resources conscious. 2.2.2.5 Exchange or resale This refers to the monetary value of the project were it to be sold, rented or valued as part of an organisations assets. Where the project cannot be traded on the open market value or there is no intention to resell ab initio, this will be indicated in the organisations value system (Kelly et al, 2004). The continuum here is between the returns from the project being of importance to the returns being of not of much or no importance to the client. 2.2.2.6 Flexibility As recommended by Egan (1998), there is a need for construction projects to be at a par with improvements in technology and changes in market demand. Hence flexibility as a value criterion is the extent to which a project parameter has to reflect this ever changing environment at its design stage (Kelly et al 2004). For instance, the nature of the healthcare industry involves constant improvements in technology and hence healthcare facilities must be compatible with the incorporation of these changes. However, flexibility depends on the nature of the project and is measured between being very easy to change its function to being impossible. 2.2.2.7 Esteem This refers to the amount of immediate resources that a client wants to forgo for attributes like prestige, aesthetic and appearance rather than performance (Thiry, 1996). Some projects may not be viable based on other value criteria but of high value to the client on esteem grounds. For instance, some projects undertaken by some countries could be just aimed at creating awareness and putting the countrys name on the map as in the case of the worlds tallest building in Dubai. 2.2.2.8 Comfort In the context of a building this refers to the physical and psychological comfort of the building as a place for working and living with its influence on human performance (Kelly et al 2004). Simply put, it refers to the ease with which the project supports the business carried out in it or other uses to which it is being put. 2.2.2.9 Politics This is external to projects and refers to the level of resources that the client wants to commit to the community, popularity and good neighbour issues which often determines how important they are to him (Kelly and Male, 2007). This is measured by the motive to be popular with the local community or not having any concern with them at all. In a study conducted to determine clients assessment of architects performance in Nigeria in terms of delivering value for money, Lukmon et al (2007), identified a set of 28 similar but correlated criteria which they grouped under quality of project, buildability, client focus and management skills. 2.2.3 Historical Background of Value Management A project is defined as an undertaking aimed at achieving a specific objective usually measured in terms of performance, budget and schedule, (Morris and Hough 1987). Hence project is an investment undertaken to add value to the core business of a client (Kelly et al, 2004). Value Management, as a management technique, offers the most logical approach to delivering VfM to clients (Shen and Liu 2003); Kelly and Male, 2007). Its strength may be attributed to its approach of identifying and/or verifying a clients value system among the relevant stakeholders at an early stage of the project, so that these may be reflected in the project design. According to Thiry (1996) the origins of VM can be traced back to the 1940s in what he described as more for less in the USA manufacturing industry. During World War II Lawrence Miles, an Engineer with General Electric, was faced with some strategic problems in producing some components which were easily produced in the past. As a way around this Miles, who before then has been dissatisfied with the cost of production in the industry, came to realise that most times circumstantial innovations result in better performance and reduced cost. This prompted Miles to ask what function does this component perform and how else can we perform that function (Dallas, 2006). Miles questions gave rise to the concept of function analysis which was aimed at identifying and analysing the intended functions to determine if the materials for the proposed solution can be substituted with less expensive ones. Not long after, people started to adopt the technique of focusing on the intended function not the process which soon developed into what is today referred to as Value Analysis (VA). In many cases people perceived the technique as a cost reduction technique at the expense of improved functionality which is a total misconception of the technique (Kelly and Male, 1993). However, the technique was so successful that in less than 10 years it was adopted in the US Department of Defence to deliver VfM and from then on other industries in the USA have adapted it for application at different phases of their projects. Value Management (VM) as it came to be called, refers to a structured management of the total value equation throughout all stages of the project (Kelly et al; 2004). Figure 2.3 shows different stages and segments of the development of value management. Figure 2.3 The metamorphosis of Value Management, adapted from Dallas (2006) As illustrated in figure 2.3, Miles action in the 1940s was focused on getting alternative materials or components to perform the required function which was the beginning of value management. This was later perceived as a cost cutting technique before the adoption of a holistic structured approach to improving value (Kelly and Male, 1993). Following the development and positive impacts of value management in the US manufacturing sector, the technique was adopted into the US construction industry as a means of delivering VfM to its clients in the 1960s. Fong and Shen (2000) noted that VM was first introduced in the US construction industry in 1968 and its application in the Chinese construction industry is recorded to occur 10 years later (Shen and Liu, 2004). According to Kelly et al (2004), the value management technique was first used in the UK 30 years after it was introduced in the US manufacturing industry at the Xerox headquarters, an American company. From then on VM has grown to become widely accepted in different parts of the world as a logical means to achieve value for money (Fong, 2004; Kelly et al, 2004; Ellis et al, 2004) including in Africa (Bowen et al, 2008). 2.2.4 Benefits of Value management Value management is a proactive, problem solving service, which maximizes the functional value of a project through a structured team which makes explicit the clients value system and weights further decisions against the value system.(Kelly et al, 1998). VM aims to justify the place of a project in a clients organisation at an early stage and develops a strategic plan against which it is built on to deliver value for money. VM is often misconstrued to being a cost reduction exercise, hence seen to be synonymous with value engineering. According to Dallas (2006) cost reduction, which is an obvious output of a value management exercise, cannot after all be seen as its main motive. As illustrated in figure 2.4 below, VM incorporates value engineering and value analysis in its value definition exercise and so could be perceived to be a universal set for the three concepts. Figure 2.4 shows the relationship between Value Management, Value Engineering and Value Analysis, adapted from Connaughton and Green (1996) VM looks at a project from a holistic point of view (time, whole life cost and performance) in the context of its usage which properly fits in the definition of value for money (). Connaughton and Green (1996) identified the following benefits which a properly executed Value Management exercise can yield: The need for the project is made explicit and verified by available data. The project objectives are identified and discussed openly to reach a consensus. Rational, explicit and measurable decisions are guaranteed after alternatives have been considered. Project designs are developed from the agreed framework, which are evaluated on the basis of the agreed performance criteria. There is greater participation from stakeholders which guarantees their buy in. There is improved communication and teamwork spirit throughout the project. Improved innovation with better quality definition in the project. Unnecessary cost is eliminated which may lead to a reduction in cost. Properly executed, value management when employed at the early stages of a project can help eliminate unnecessary cost to the tune of 10% to 25% savings on the proposed capital cost of project (Ellis et al, 2004). This is considered to be reasonable compared to the actual cost of the VM exercise, which is estimated at about 0.5% to 1% of the projects cost (REF). 2.3 APPLICATION OF VALUE MANAGEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Any construction project should be only commissioned following a careful analysis of needs since failure to think through project requirements will almost certainly cause problems for subsequent design and construction stages. For that reason, the Construction Industry Board recommends that value management be incorporated as an integral part of the construction process (Baldwin 1998). The value management approach may differ between countries depending on the nature of their construction industry or the chosen procurement route in a particular project. However, this does not dispute the fact that the VM technique can be gainfully applied at any stage of a construction project, as clients/contractors are often faced with the challenge of finding an optimum balance between cost, time, quality and performance criteria (Fong 2004). In the UK, the USA, Australia and other countries where the value management technique is well established, VM is applied through a process referred to as the value management study (British Standard, 2000) or value management process (Kelly et al; 1998) via a workshop approach facilitated by value manager or experienced team facilitator. A value management study, as defined in BS12947, involves the application of value management to a particular business case identified within a VM programme. Baldwin (1998, as cited in Kelly et al, 1998) noted that VM is not a question of brainstorming and problem solving, rather it requires a structured methodology in order to have the required outcome. Figure 2.5 overleaf depicts a simple VM study plan developed for the European Value Management standard (British Standard, 2000). Figure 2.5 shows a simple VM study plan, adapted from the British Standard (2000) The VM study plan represents a systematic approach to ensuring that appropriate techniques and skills are utilized in the value study. According to the British Standard (2000), as shown in the VM study plan above, a VM study should aim to achieve the following objectives; Identify the objectives and targets the intended study is set to achieve; as this may differ from the project objectives. Formulate the relevant approach needed to achieve the objectives, including team selection and training (where necessary). Identify the relevant functions which will lead to the achievement of the objectives. Identify some basis for measuring changes in performance and use of resources. Set targets for performance and use of resources for the above identified functions in a way peculiar to the organisations. Identify innovative ways of arriving at the targets through the application of the above methods. Evaluate the proposal for improvement. Implement the proposal which have been chosen by the decision makers Monitor and measure the outcomes in relation to the target. Feedback results for continuous improvement of VM programme. There are different approaches to value management studies in different countries with regards to team compositions and workshop procedure. For instance in the American construction industry, VM studies are typically carried out by an independent workshop team who will have to sell their ideas to the project team later on. This is different from the UK practice where the existing project team is fully involved in the study. In a benchmarking exercise carried by Kelly et al (1998), the use of an existing project team in conducting value management studies appeared to be the preferred approach due to the following advantages accruable to the project; Cost of the study is relatively minimized Time spent project briefing the study participants is reduced Waste of resources on previously considered but failed ideas are eliminated Offers better opportunity for developing project teams during the workshop More opportunity to explore all available options Implementation is more guaranteed as team members have already accepted ideas which they generated as a team, thereby reducing the development period. However, generic VM workshop strives to add value to a project by considering the project on its whole life basis. Kelly et al (1998) who were in support of this view identified the five key value opportunities at which VM technique can be employed to include pre-brief workshop, proper workshop, sketch design workshop, final working design and implementation workshop. 2.3.1 Pre-brief workshop The Value Manager or Facilitator meets with the project sponsor/client to clarify the place of the project in his organisation or programme. This will give the two parties a better understanding of the functional expectations of the project so as to help form a basis for the project briefing workshop and the clients value system. This may yield solution/s to the clients problem, for example, whether a new building is needed or renovation of existing one will achieve the same objectives. 2.3.2 Proper workshop Proceeds from the identified solution in the pre-brief phase and aims to identify the clients value system. This workshop offers an opportunity to facilitate the project team, understand their dynamics and guide them to achieve the desired goal. Though it is expected that the workshop has an agenda, this should not be too detailed, thereby making the timings tight, as this may divert the focus from achieving the objectives of the workshop to exhausting the items on the agenda. The tactical skills of the Facilitator are very much needed at this stage of the workshop if its participants are to be productive and should be as brief and focused as pos

Contemporary History in Anil’s Ghost Essay -- Literary Analysis

There is always a problem of historical inaccuracies in fiction. When certain historical events become a part of the narrative (especially when these events are controversial), it is important to understand what they mean in the author’s conception of history and reality in general. Far more important is to understand their place in this conception when we see that the author’s depiction of facts is unusual and what he does seems to be not the reflection of existing reality but the deconstruction of a different one. Terrorism, civil war, separatism – it is hard to remember the themes that would be more complicated and controversial in the modern world, because questions like these never have a certain answer. Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost is a good example of a novel that deals with the most important problems of contemporary history. Anil’s Ghost, first published in 2000, and is dedicated to events of Sri Lankan Civil War. Michael Ondaatje claimed in interviews that his book is not â€Å"just about Sri Lanka; it could be Guatemala or Bosnia or Ireland† (Scanlan 302) – so it can be suggested that the author is trying to describe not this particular conflict, but the situation in general. In another interview Ondaatje says: â€Å"Anil's Ghost is a more faithful or more nonfictive version. It's a fiction. It is a novel, and it is also a point of view† (Coughlan). Sri Lanka is mentioned as one of the places in which the war â€Å"always seems to be there, and nobody goes to it anymore† (Champeon). The conflict that still takes place is set between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a separatist group. Different issues state that at the moment the number of victims is about 80.000 people. The action takes place at the end o... ...every country with the similar circumstances and not only in Sri Lanka. The experience of civil war is reconstructed in destinies of main characters – everyone of them has his personal tragedy and deals with it the way he can. And when neither the executioner nor the victim can be identified, it becomes important to give the identity to at least one of the murdered. It has to be named, and the problem has to be named, too. Through the historical situation the author tries to show us the necessity of personal choice in the times when there is no choice for the nation or the whole country. Anil’s ghost is many different ghosts – ghost of innocent people, who disappeared or died, ghost of the past, which has to be dealt with; ghost of Sarath, who finally becomes a martyr. And these ghosts don’t seem to be Anil’s only. In some reasons they belong to each other.

Oppressiveness of Society Exposed in Emily Jane Brontes Wuthering Heights :: Emily Jane Brontes Wuthering Heights

Oppressiveness of Society Exposed in Emily Jane Bronte's Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights, the creation of Emily Jane Bronte, depicts not a fantasy realm nor the depths of hell. Rather, the novels focuses on two main characters' battle with the restrictions of Victorian Society. Societal pressures and restrictive cultural confines exile Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff from the world and then from each other. The story commences in the desolate moors of Yorkshire, home of the estate Wuthering Heights. True to its setting, the novel develops Catherine and Heathcliff as mischievous children who wander the isolated bogs, separating themselves from the activities of Wuthering Heights. Catherine^s childhood exile stems from her lack of compliance with the rules concerning the conduct of a Victorian lady. As a child, her father was too ill to reprimand the free spirited child, ^who was too mischievous and wayward for a favourite.^(33). Therefore, Catherine grew up among nature and lacked the sophistication of high society. Catherine removed herself from society and, "had ways with her such as I never saw a child take up before; she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day;...we had not a minute^s security that she wouldn^t be in mischief. Her spirits were always at high-water mark, her tongue always going--singing, laughing, and plaguing everyone who would not do the same. A wild, wicked slip she was--"(37). Catherine further disregarded social standards and remained friends with Heathcliff despite his degradation by Hindley, her brother. ^Miss Cathy and he [Heathcliff] were now very thick;^(33) and she found her sole enjoyment in his companionship. Catherine grew up beside Heathcliff, ^in the fields. They both promised to grow up as rude as savages; the young master [Hindley] being entirely negligent how they behaved,^(40-41). During her formative years Catherine^s conduct did not reflect that of a young Lady, ^and one of their chief amusements [was] to run away to the moors in the morning and remain there all day,^(41). Thus, Catherine^s behavior developed and rejected the ideals of an oppressive, over-bearing society, which in turn created an isolation from the institutionalized world. The two existed on their private island unchecked until Catherine suffers an injury from the Linton^s bulldog. Forced to remain at Thrushcross Grange, the Linton^s home, after her injury, isolates Catherine from Heathcliff and her former world of reckless freedom. Living amongst the elegance of the Lintons transforms Catherine from a coarse youth into a delicate lady. However, sublimation into Victorian society does not fit her

Environmental History Essay

During the last ice age, around 13,500 years ago, a number of people from other continents came to North America to find food. They have been able to walk across the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia and Alaska. This was likely possible because during that period the sea level were lower that it is today. The melting of the glaciers has cleared some passage for the Alaskan to spread and colonize areas throughout South America within the period of 1,000 years. In their conquest, these people had a major impact on the ecology and wildlife to which they have been destined. Studies on the archeological findings stated that prior to the coming of the early North Americans, the lands were covered with lush vegetation and large species of mammals and birds. The herbivores even included 3 species of elephants such as the woolly elephants, the giant mammoths and the mastodons. Such animals which are common were giant animals like bison, ground sloths, armadillos, beaver and tortoises. Giant predators also are preying on different herbivores. Such predators were the cheetahs, saber-toothed tigers, lions and giant wolves. Most of these large predators have migrated from the boreal forests of Canada to live in the forest of North America. Animal remains of these unimaginable sizes and power of these animals have been found but where and why these species have vanished is a questionable issue. Tim Flannery’s book The Eternal Frontier: An Ecological History of North America and Its Peoples concluded that during the coming of the early North Americans there was what he call the â€Å"Pleistocene Overkill†. He hypothesized that during the colonization of humans and reaching far across the continents, they almost wiped out large herbivores through hunting. Large animals were more noticeable thus making them prime targets. Their low reproductive rates cannot compensate for the losses because of frequent hunting. When these animals became extinct, their predators became extinct as well. The extinction of the predators made an impact in the extinction of large scavenger birds. Only animals which can prey on and frequent the oceans did not suffer high extinction rates during this time. (Moyle & Orland, 2004). There are also evidences that the early North American people has manipulated their surroundings and that they have modified their environment as based on observation of settlers from Europe. The settlers have documented that Indians shaped their environment through the use of fire especially during the late summer to minimize the valley’s underbrush and reduce the number of trees. This is to facilitate hunting and do their gathering. While the American Indians are moving across seasonally while using fire for easy game hunting, the European settlers made themselves fences and farmhouses as well and bringing with them domesticated animals and crops. The Europeans however, have influenced some of the Indians to properly control or stop the use of fire and introduced to them the proper use of land use and establishing properties and boundaries for their domain (Northwest, 1998). Eyewitness accounts from the early European explorers, trappers, soldiers and missionaries affirmed that prior to their settlement the wilderness were not pristine but rather the product of remains of thousands of years of usage and management by Native Americans. The Native Americans’ management also has consequences on their ecosystems and one example is the extinction of most large mammal species in North America between 10,800 and 10,000 years ago. This is probably the result of hunting practices of Paleo-Indians as previously mentioned and with the effect of rapid environmental changes. Once again the setting of fires for hunting, land clearance, warfare and signaling as well as forest fires contributed to the degradation of forest and ecology in the pre-modern American era (Bonnicksen, 2000). Based from The Ecological Indian: Myth and History by Shepard Krech III, the Paleo-Indians had a great role in the extinction of animal species in North America. Krech believe that Paleo-Indians played great role in the Pleistocene extinctions about 11,000 years ago when many indigenous animal species in North America vanished. Severe climate changes however were also contributory to the extinctions of such animals. Krech uphold that there was actually human intervention in the exploitation and extinction of animals in that period because of two important evidence. Such were the findings of Paleo-Indian artifacts with the remains of extinct animals and the fact that there was already the extinction of animals before the arrival of European settlers in North America. Notably, the use of fire by the North American Indians was widespread as an important method for their subsistence. Fire is also used for communication, aggression and travel. Notably, vast tracts of forest lands were burned so that animals may move out and go to a place where they could be easily hunted. These aboriginals thus destroyed the habitats of elk, deer, buffaloes, wolves and beaver thus killing them for their meat and fur (Orton, 1999). At the time of the arrival of the Europeans, many Indians were already farmers. Farmers in the East and Southwest were raising corns, beans, pumpkins and squash which are necessary for their subsistence because five thousand years ago, agriculture was already a practice in America. By 1500, millions of acres of were already cleared and planted crops by the indigenous people. Furthermore, there was a constant set of fire to more hundreds of millions of acres to improve game habitat, clearance for travel, reduce insect pests and to enhance conditions to grow berries. Vast areas of forest landscape in the West and East and park-like open spaces are usually smoking with low-intensity fires. Even in New England, Indians burn their woods twice in a year. The frequent burning of forest has created wide open grasslands which were formerly forests. Such indication of human disturbances and alteration in the ecological system were the proliferation of game animals such as the wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, ruffled grouse and other species commonly live only on forest edges and openings. By the end of the early 1600s, bison were roaming the prairies in the south and reached as far as Far East (Maccleery, 1999). The migration of early European settlers to North America, however, has introduced the barter and trade practices with the Native Americans. One of the most earliest and important industries in that period was the fur trade. The fur trade industry has played a great factor in the development of America and Canada for more than three centuries. The trade began in the 1500’s as an exchange of goods between Indians and Europeans and other tools and weapons as well. The Beaver fur was the most valuable of all the furs being traded. The earliest traders of furs in North America were the French explorers and fishermen who came to a place which is now Eastern Canada. With the scarcity of fur-bearing animals particularly the beavers, North Americans and Eskimos set traps as far as Canada. British and French empires were set in America because of fur trade in the early 1600’s. The prospect of wealth with this venture has brought Europeans to the New World thus the establishment of many trading posts in the wilderness. As settlements grew, states were established and later became such major cities as Detroit, New Orleans, and St. Louis. While in Canada, Edmonton, Montreal, Quebec and Winnipeg were also established. Because of its promising wealth venture, the fur trade has created a conflict between France and Great Britain in the American land. There were rivalries over trading and alliances between Indian tribes and other traders. Hostilities however, were shown by other Indians toward white settlers because the settlers prevented the Indians from clearing the forest with burning thus preventing the production of fur-bearing animals. With such disproportionate conflict, border between the United States and Canada were formed. But in the 1700’s, the fur trade started to decline in the Eastern United States as a result from the clearing of large tracts of lands for settlement. As the clearings grew wider, fur-bearing animals increasingly became scarce as well which hurt the trade in the Western America and Western Canada. Silk was found to be an alternative for clothing and accessories when fur-trading was stopped by 1870’s (Stuart, 2007). In conclusion to this, as stated by Shephard Krech III on his Reflections on Conservation, Sustainability, and Environmentalism in Indigenous North America, he has his own debate if really the old North Americans are environmentalists, ecologists or conservationist. As he has mentioned other facts rather than being in assuring, enough evidence must be drawn to come up with more solid proof that indeed they were. However, there is more information and evidence that showed generally, they have not been properly treated their environment in the proper perspective because what they all need in that period was to survive in the midst of a dark and forested land. The American Indians of today, however, are one of the most visible groups in rallying for the preservation of their land, their domain and their culture as well.

Paradoxical Thinking: Maintaining Stability in Changing Environments Essay

Abstract Post-recession business trends show companies that survive and continue to develop; apply agile business models that respond quickly to external change. Traditionally linear approaches to problem solving such rational goals models or â€Å"cause and effect† thinking were standard in the workplace during the first quarter of the twentieth century. Is â€Å"cause and effect† thinking going to generate the type of results needed to survive with today’s post-recession business dynamics? Complexities of the workplace today require Master Managers to think both creatively and critically to drive results. When leadership applies paradoxical thinking supported by the Competing Values Framework, organizations have opportunities to thrive. Introduction / Definition Change and flexibility are seen as essential components of successful organizations in turbulent environments with strong competition and may be even more important in times of tumultuous crises. Organizations need to run  fast to keep up with the numerous and intensive changes taking place in their environments (Steinkellner and Czerny, 2010) Post-recession business trends prove that companies that survive, develop, and grow use agile business models that respond quickly to external changes. Traditionally linear approaches to problem solving such rational goals models or â€Å"cause and effect† thinking were standard in the workplace in the first 25 years of the twentieth century. Is this approach the most effective use of management’s resources today? Complexities of the workplace require Master Managers to think both creatively and critically to drive results. Paradoxical thinking is the ability to reverse, manipulate, combine, and synthesize opposites† (Ravi , n.d.). What exactly is a paradoxical thinking? It’s the act of considering two seemingly inconsistent or contradictory concepts then harnessing the opposing forces to produce new possibilities. Paradoxical thinking, if applied effectively, can produce innovative solutions to meet and possibly exceed organizational goals. While organizational leaders are expected to stabilize systems, they are also challenged to adjust the existing structural arrangements and patterned behaviors and to ask frame-breaking questions. Managers must send consistent messages and align strategy with structure, but must never allow the organization to settle into complacency. As soon as â€Å"balance† is achieved, it must be destroyed. Managers must have the cognitive complexity and behavioral flexibility that will allow them to shift from one paradigm to another and thus to effectively manage paradoxes and optimize performance (Belasen, 1998). For example, managers want their organizations to be flexible and adaptive, yet integrated and stable. They want higher internal efficiency and profitability and also higher employee commitment and morale. The art of managing and leading organizations today lies in embracing incompatible forces, rather than choosing between them. (Belasen,1998). The Competing Values Framework (CVF) is a powerful integrative model that is rooted in the contradictory criteria of effectiveness that describe managerial leadership. Hence, mapping out the repertoire of leadership roles essential to dealing with paradoxes, and assessing and developing requisite managerial competencies are important strategic human resource goals. Assessing current managerial competencies  and future organizational needs is an important strategic staffing function that can enable top managers to align organizational capabilities with business strategy. The CVF is a powerful theoretical construct with applications that feat ure supervisory roles and competencies, (Quinn, R. E., Faerman, S. R., Thompson, M. P., and McGrath, M. R., 1996). Example of a company that demonstrates paradoxical thinking I work for a global biotech company that develops rapid point-of-care diagnostics. Their products focus on cardiology, infectious disease, toxicology and diabetes. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) audited the company. The FDA found Quality system violations in manufacturing and issued the company a warning letter. In response to this external threat, the company’s leadership went full throttle to defend the organization. During the most intense parts of our remediation efforts, the experience seemed chaotic, however with the new understanding of paradoxical thinking, its clear to me that leadership’s directives were strategically managed. â€Å"Cause and effect† thinking was not complex enough to respond to the FDA’s demands. The work climate internally was intense as we closely followed leadership’s vision. Our organizational shift moved from mainly a Compete quadrant focus, to integrating all four quadrants of the Competing Values F ramework (Collaborate, Control, Compete and Create). Most of our energy was understandably was expended between the Control and Create quadrants. The company’s management energized employees as new cross-functional teams emerged and strove to deliver on new internal and external campaigns to unify us globally. Leadership developed and effectively communicated a new vision framed around shared values of meeting the FDA’s requests, responding to the letter, and releasing quality product back on the market to the patients that needed them. The new shared-vision helped everyone focus on the new, while paradoxically repairing the old. Old processes were scrutinized, evaluated, challenged, and re-evaluated. We had to maintain control of what we were doing correctly while paradoxically implementing new changes. Management also dealt with the economic paradox of not being able to sell viable product while needing to spend on hiring new talent to research, repair, and remediate the findings in the warning  letter. Although the company is still recovering, new internal processes for validating the manufacturing line were eventually implemented and product returned to market. Organizational change, obviously, is often imperative in response to emerging customer demands, new regulations, and fresh competitive threats. But constant or sudden change is unsettling and destabilizing for companies and individuals alike. Just as human beings tend to freeze when confronted with too many new things in their lives—a divorce, a house move, and a change of job, for example—so will organizations overwhelmed by change resist and frustrate transformation-minded chief executives set on radically overturning the established order (Price, 2012). Can one learn paradoxical thinking? Yes, as long as one is open to change and committed to learning new ways of thinking. Embracing the paradoxes can be uncomfortable: it’s counterintuitive to stimulate change by focusing on boundaries and control when a company wants to stir up new ideas. Yet the act of trying to reconcile these tensions helps leaders keep their eyes on all their spinning plates and identify when interventions are needed to keep the organization lined up with its top priorities (Price, 2012). Acceptance involves viewing both sides of competing demands as simultaneously possible, even if they are inherently in conflict. By accepting paradoxical demands, leaders recognize them as an opportunity and â€Å"invitation to act,† rather than as an obstacle (Smith, W.K., Besharov, M.L., Anke, Wessels, A.K., Chertok, M., A, 2012). Paradoxical thinking as a skill related to intelligence. Why is it least used? Paradoxical thinking breaks norms and pushes the limits of complex reasoning and logic. Being able to integrate opposing lines of reasoning to synthesize one common result is a high art. Paradoxical thinking is counter-intuitive and results of this thinking bring change. Barriers to change include fear of mistakes or failure, intolerance of ambiguity, judging or being judged. How management and leadership can utilize paradoxical thinking to improve the organization Once management has determined how to apply paradoxical  thinking, a shared vision needs to be created and conveyed to the organization to give employees a path to follow to reach collective goals. Once individuals grasp a common picture of a desired future everyone can move towards that improved future-state in unison. A shared vision is â€Å"a vision that many people are truly committed to, because it reflects their own personal vision. Shared vision is vital for learning organizations because it provides the focus and energy for learning.† (Senge, 1990). Within the Competitive Values Framework, management can take the opportunity to improve the organization by motivating employees, engaging them in new activities to improve performance and reward them for contributions to change. Leadership can re-structure and revise business process for improved outcomes for customers’ pro ducts and services. Paradoxical thinking can literally re-invent the organization to compete in the modern economy. Leadership must cope with the paradoxical relationship between stability and change to improve the organizations. Conventional management’s approach to paradox are characterized â€Å"by tendencies which encourage polarized, black/white, good/bad thinking†. From an analytical perspective four different modes to cope with the paradoxical relationship between stability and change can be found to (1) accept the paradox, keep stability and change separate and use the paradox constructively, (2) separate the poles of the paradox to different locations or levels, (3) temporally separate stability and change, and (4) advance new conceptions through introducing new concepts or a new perspective. Compared with traditional modes, the paradox of stability and change may intertwine and instead of negating and displacing one another, they can mutually reinforce each other in a process of renewal (Steinkellner, P.F., and Czerny, E. J., 2010). Conclusion â€Å"Cause and effect† thinking hinders mastery as it’s linear approach is not complex enough to delve into the dynamics of today’s organizational environments. Using paradoxical thinking one can taking two seemingly inconsistent or contradictory concepts then harnessing the opposing forces  to possibly exceed organizational goals. Placing paradoxical thinking into the Competing Values Framework gives organizations the opportunity to explore new alternatives and innovate. Innovation is the key to growth in the business environment. References Belasen, A. T., 1998, Paradoxes and Leadership Roles. Retrieved from http://www8.esc.edu/ESConline/across_esc/forumjournal.nsf/wholeshortlinks2/Leadership+Roles Price, C., 2012, Senior executives will better balance people and priorities by embracing the paradoxes of organizational life. Retrieved from http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/organization/leadership_and_the_art_of_plate _spinning Quinn, R. E., Faerman, S. R., Thompson, M. P., and McGrath, M. R., 1996, Becoming a master manager: A competency framework. Retrieved from http://www8.esc.edu/ESConline/across_esc/forumjournal.nsf/wholeshortlinks2/Leadership+Roles Ravi, K. R., Paradoxical Thinking. Retrieved from http://www.krravi.com/paradoxicalthinking.pdf Senge, P., The Learning Organization. 1990 Retrieved from http://infed.org/mobi/peter-senge-and-the-learning-organization/ Smith, W.K., Besharov, M.L., Anke, Wessels, A.K., Chertok, M., A Paradoxical Leadership Model for Social Entrepreneurs: Challenges, Leadership Skills, and Pedagogical Tools for Managing Social and Commercial Demands. Retrieved from http://www.buec.udel.edu/smithw/Smith,%20Besharov,%20Wessels%20and%20Chertok_Social%20Enterpreneurship%20AMLE_2012.pdf Steinkellner, P.F., and Czerny, E. J., 2010, Educating Managers for a Paradox World – Duality and Paradoxes in Management. Retrieved from http://www.iff.ac.at/oe/media/documents/Paper_38_Steinkellner_Czerny.pdf