Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Organisation and Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organisation and Behaviour - Essay Example Due to presence of such divergence in leadership effectiveness in different organizational context, in the next section, the study will dig deep in the topic in order to gain meaningful insights. Task 2 2.1 Compare the Effectiveness of Different Leadership Styles in Different Organisations Armstrong (2009) and Yukl (2009) defined leadership as the systematic or intuitive initiatives of particular individuals to inspire and motive other organizational members to hollow the direction of the particular individual which can help the entire team to achieve organizational objectives. On contrary, consideration of research work of Rees and French (2010) reveals the fact that leadership is personal characteristics of social or organizational members blended with certain skills such as charismatic personality, interactive and engaging communication styles, interpersonal skills, decision making capabilities during contingent period, showing empathy towards team members problems, team building approach and knowledge sharing capabilities. In such context, the study will compare the leadership style in British Telecom as against leadership style in Apple. ... In most of the occasions, organizational leaders in British Telecom use the transformational leadership styles in order to achieve the change objectives such as develop the global IP platform which can work in effective manner, being number 1 in terms of customer services across 170 countries of operation and increase responsiveness throughout the value chain operation (Ukwon, 2008). In such context, leaders of British Telecom used transformational leadership style by involving the employees during contingent decision phases in order to deploy change initiatives such as, 1- implement new internal trading model, 2- develop new organizational structure, 3- integrate a global business operation model, 4- implement faster re-engineering process, 5- extend worldwide 21CN IP platform and 6- develop knowledge sharing collaborative culture within organization (Ukwon, 2008). As part of transformational leadership culture in British Telecom (BT), a team has been developed to measure Organisati onal Culture Index (OCI) while as part of transformational leadership in BT, sub-leadership styles like aggressive defensive, passive defensive and constructive were adopted by managers. In case of transformational leadership style in British Telecom (BT), leaders shown some common characteristics such as encouraging team members to communicate with each other for knowledge sharing, delivering customer focused solutions, encouraging best practice, identifying strategic priorities (Ukwon, 2008). On contrary, in case of Apple which one of the largest Consumer electronics company in the world, the concept of leadership very person specific. Steve Jobs being considered as pioneer leader for the rise and growth of Apple Inc. For Apple,

Monday, October 28, 2019

Cultural Diversity Essay Example for Free

Cultural Diversity Essay Cultural diversity is a big part of the community I was raised in and apart of today. Many people spend their whole lives surrounded by one race or culture, but I grew up surrounded by many. Having been raised in a society influenced and shared by so many different races, I had very little idea about what or why racism existed in the world. Having never been taught and seeing very little racism growing up I believed benefited me, today and benefited my future. Today being in the Marine Corps I am surrounded by different races and knowing one day my life could rest in their hands I respect them for who they are not what color they are. Martin Luther King once said â€Å"Men hate each other because they fear each other, and they fear each other because they dont know each other, and they dont know each other because they are often separated from each other.† If the rest of the country had been raised in a military lifestyle then I believe racism would be all but extinct in the United States. Sadly racism is not only intertwined with the United States past but also with its present and its future. Racism has been part of the history of the United States, and helped create this country as we know it today. Racism not helped shaped the United States and infiltrated every aspect of American society while showing no signs of decreasing. Many people view racism as an evil minded treatment of one individual to another. This is not a correct assessment though, and would be more easily understood if it was viewed more accurately, an institutional ideology. The reason racism is allowed to subsist because governments and institutions foster and maintain racism. Even when these governments and institutions determine that the practices of a particular group of people are racist, individuals at the top of these hierarchical organizations are hard pressed to bring about change. To understand how racism relates to us in the United States today, one must understand the real definition of racism. â€Å"Racism is the belief that one group of people with a particular biological make up is superior to other groups with a differing biological make up.† So one could infer that the groups deemed superior gain economic and social dominance over the other cultural groups that are deemed inferior, even with the many strides that have been made over decades to mend the situation. An excellent example of a country that has made those strides and still lack racial reconciliation is the United States. From the bus boycotts in the fifties, to the sit-ins and marches in the sixties one could assume that these would be the starting steps to improvement. While the United States was mending the hatred and racism between black and whites another type of racism was creeping its way into American society. Today racism has taken a new face, one that has become multi-coloured and multicultural. To be able for the United States to keep a culturally diverse appeal new legislation and laws are being written against discrimination. Affirmative action has been taken to allow equal opportunity for employment, housing, and even in the military. Television and movies have had to change their format and even some of their characters in order to obtain political correctness. Even with so many fighting for change, there will always be the ancient invisible barriers blocking the few who are looking to main the status quo. Even with so many people trying to seek improvement for this country, it cannot happen unless every individual is working to abolish racism. There is racism in every facet of life no matter who someone hangs out with, or who someone even works for. Being in the Marine Corps I see different races every day, and work with different races every day. Mission accomplishment is the number one goal of the Marine Corps, so when a job needs to get done every one does their part of their job and race is not an issue. That is the way my career has gone so far, so when I read an article about racism in the Marine Corps it shocks me. New websites and social networking sites are being created all the time. A new social network website was created with the logo â€Å"online community for whites by whites†, so it was a social website for only white people. Out of the many number of people who have made a profile there have been about forty personal profile that have listed the military as their occupation. Out of those forty a number of them are wearing their military uniforms in their profile pictures. Even more disturbing a number of the military members have poster racial slurs and racial propaganda. One member states that he hate(s) illegal immigrants with a passion and feel(s) every true red-blooded, white American should do whatever it takes to stop the foreign invasion. While another lists The Turner Diaries, which is a white supremacist novel, as his favourite book. It is important for members of the armed forces to not participate in these types of websites or groups. The first reason not to participate in these organizations is the Pentagon has regulations in affect that prohibit active duty members form participating in extremist groups. The second reason is those racial extremists who serve in the military could be inadvertently training future domestic terrorists, and the United States does not need any more terrorist on her soil. A solution for this problem would be senior military members mentoring their junior service members on the dangers of becoming involved in these organizations. Being in the United States Marine Corp I have many close friends that are from different countries in the world. One of my close friends is from the Philippines, and has a very strong accent when he speaks. Sometimes he gets his words confused and does not make any since when he speaks. Marines tend to point out these faults, not just with him, but with many other Marines that are from different countries and have trouble speaking English. My friend does not believe that his fellow Marines are being racist, but are just having a friendly poke at him. Marines do not mess with only a few Marines, or the Marines from other countries, but every Marine. It is not because we are racist, or are a mean group of people, but picking and jibing on one another is just the way that Marines bond with each other. When my friend says that he is getting picked on, yes it sometimes hurts, but in the end it makes him feel like he is part of the family. If Marines are not being picked on they are usually secluded and out of the Marine Corps family. Racism is wrong and should not be used for any reason, even to bring people together. Racism may start with a good reason, but the final product will fester into an infection that could spread and destroy a family within a short time. Racism is in this world to stay whether people like it or not. Individuals believe that if they spread the word about the dangers and negatives of racism then it will cease to exist, but that is not the truth and will never happen. As long as we humans exist and have emotions, the knowledge of right and wrong, and pride there will be crimes. Whenever a person graduate’s high school as valedictorian or an athlete becomes the fastest man on the planet, stereotypes will follow. Crimes, education, athleticism all turn into a stereotype and stereotypes are a form of racism. Racism is one of the things that drive our great country, and create some of our countries greatest works. Racism is what helped form and mold this country into what it is today. Without racism then this country could be one of a single culture, there would be no freedom to branch out and try new diverse things. The dangers of bringing so many different cultures into one space are there, but I believe the good thing we bring to the table References Vardell, M. (1998). Cultural diversity. Retrieved from http://www.markvardell.com/quotes.htm. Associated press (2009). Congress asked to address racism in military. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31854789/ns/us_news-military/t/congress-asked-address-racism-military/#.Tr3ZM4LSRkY AllAboutPopularIssues (2011). The History of racism. Retrieved from http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/the-history-of-racism-faq.htm

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Importance of Dr. Kevorkian case for Medical Ethics :: Medical Ethics Assisted Suicide Essays

Importance of Dr. Kevorkian case for Medical Ethics The Dr. Kevorkian case is important for medical ethics, because it brings up the issues of physician-assisted suicide and physician-assisted death. Physician-assisted suicide is where the doctor is assisting the patient in suicide, but the patient actually performs the act. Physician-assisted death, also known as euthanasia, is when the doctor does the act to bring about the patient’s death based on the patient’s request. This brings up the limitations of beneficence. Does a doctor have the right to end a patient’s life to relieve their suffering? We can use the principle of double effect to analyze this case. There are four criteria for an act to be ethical according to the principle of double effect (Garrett et al., 2001): 1) â€Å"The action itself must good or morally indifferent. 2) The person must intend only the good effect and not the bad effect. 3) The bad effect cannot be the means to the good effect. 4) There must be a proportionality between the good and bad effects† Killing or assisting in suicide is not a morally indifferent act. Dr. Kevorkian says, â€Å"My intent was only to relieve their suffering, an act that inevitably killed the person.† He justified his acts, because most of his patients had Lou Gehrig’s Disease and could not feed or care for themselves (Murphy, 1999). Although only the good effect was intended, the bad effect (death) was the means to the good effect. The proportionality between the good and bad effect must be analyzed for each specific case. Dr. Kevorkian’s acts violated at least two of the principles of double effect, so they are not ethically justified. Importance of Dr. Kevorkian case for Professional Standards A profession involves the following elements (Garrett et al., 2001): 1) â€Å"a dedication to a particular way-of-life, supportive of a particular expertise 2) a deep involvement in activities important to the function of society

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Canterbury Tales Essay - Quest for Power in The Wife of Bath :: Wife of Bath Essays

The Quest for Power in The Wife of Bath The Wife of Bath is a very envious women, who desires only a few simple things in life. She likes to make mirror images of herself, through her stories, which in some way reflects the person who she really is. This is all proven through the many ways she portrays her characters. The Wife of Bath desires the obvious in life, but what she most desires above all is being more powerful than her man, her spouse, and her lover. In a relationship, she wishes to be the dominant of the two. The one who has the last say. The one who is in control and decides all of the matters in the relationship. This is shown in her tale when the knight fulfills his task to her."'...a women wants the self-same sovereignty over her husband and her lover. And master him: he must not be above her. This is your greatest wish...' In the court not one that shook her head or contradicted what the knight had said..." (lines 164-170) The knight had spoken and fulfilled his quest, he found what women what the best. No women in the assembly disagreed with the knight's reply and certainly not the old hag. So it must be true power is what women what the most. There is another example of the desire of power for the women it the relationship. The old hag, after marrying the knight, gives him a choice. For her to either stay ugly and be faithful or to become beautiful and wonder. " 'My lady, my love, my dearest wife, I leave the matter to your wise decision. You make the choice yourself, for the provision. I don't care which; whatever pleases you suffices me.'" "'Have I won the mastery?' she said 'Since I am to choose and rule as I think fit?'" "'Certainly, wife, that's it.'" (lines 310-318) Consequently, the hag became beautiful, but yet still faithful. This example shows how happy the women became when she was given the power. So happy that she rewarded her husband by becoming beautiful. " 'And may Christ Jesus send us husbands (that are) meek and young and fresh in bed. And grace to overbid them when we wed.and-Jesu hear my prayer!- cut short the lives of the those who won't be governed by their wives.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Analysis Of “Lidl” Essay

Introduction Lidl is a German discount supermarket, operating a chain of over 9000 stores across Europe. In Germany Lidl has an upmarket image attracting the middle class. However, Bulgarian consumers perceive Lidl to be down market retailer attracting low income families. History of the company Schwarz Beteiligungs GmbH is the holding company of the Handelshof and Kaufland store chains and Lidl Stiftung & Co KG, a wholly-owned subsidiary which owns supermarket Lidl. The company was founded in Germany in the 1930‘s by the Schwarz family as a wholesale foods company under tha name Schwarz Assorted Wholesale Foods. The business was then destroyed in 1944. After ten years the business was rebuild and the first Lidl store opened in 1973. By 1977 the Lidl chain comprised 33 discount stores. Today Lidl operates approximately 9000 stores across 20 Europeans countries. In Bulgaria, Lidl opened the first store in 2010 and now services 64 stores across the country. The latest history of the company Lidl was clouded by the observation scandal in 2008. The company was accused of observing their employees. This scandal damaged their image. Lidl has appologized for the incident and has assured that they would promote immediate moves to prevent such incidents to happen again in the f uture. Retail market in Bulgaria Retailers in Bulgaria currently hold a market share of 35% and it is likely to reach 50% in 2014.At the same time, according to the Bulgarian Retailer‘s Association, the market has shrunk with one billion Euro for the last few  years due to the declining consumption. While in 2008 the market was estimated at 12 billion leva, in 2010 it was estimated at 10.7 billion leva and 10.5 billion leva in 2011 (source: ICAP consultancy). Competitors: Top three retailers in 2013 are Metro Cash&Carry, Kaufland and Billa. The largest chain continues to be Metro. However, in 2013 it showed 12% lower sales although it has very good profitability of 9.5%. Kaufland makes every effort to take over the leading position although their profitability is behind the leader with 2.36%. It made more sale due to the new outlets. Billa ranks third (profitability of 2.48%). Its profits decreased substantially. The second group of chains is those which are relatively new on the market. Slovenian Mercator (Roda Market) has 4 outlets (two in Stara Zagora) and plans a new one in Sofia. The retailer operates at a loss and does not plan to make a profit although the strategy is to become at least the 5th largest retailer in Bulgaria. Penny Market entered the country together with Lidl and they became true competitors. In 2010, the chain is on 12th position with 100 million leva (51.1 million Euro) sales. German HIT also registered a decline in sales. Maxima (T-Market) works at a loss due to opening of new stores, and plans to open 15-20 new outlets. A third group consists of smaller local chains. In most cases, they were acquired by larger retailers. Kaleia became a part of T-Market, and Verde was sold to a new owner in 2011. Increasingly, independent stores rebrand under the brands of larger retailers. Lidl currently differentiate themselves in the market by offering quality products at a low price. However, the main reason why Lidl is not among top three retail companies in Bulgaria is that the company is perceived by the Bulgarians as being low quality and low price. Existing brands and strategy of Lidl Lidl stocks very few market leading brands and mainly stocks their own unfamiliar captive brands, which encompasses food and non-food products. Many ranges focus on the ethnic origin of products. Its Italian brand Combino covers everything from dry pasta to pasta sauces; El Tequito signals Mexican food. Lidl offers also a fair trade brand, Free Globe, which provide  Lidl consumers with an ethical alternative. Captive brands are in line with Lidl‘s operating strategy as a discount retailer. Own label, captive brands are cheaper than branded label products as Lidl controls the costs and production thereby ensuring higher profit margins. Competitive Advantage Consumers like private labels due to their price/quality ratio which is almost always good. Lidl tries to cover the full range of consumer products under their private label lines in order to attract as large number of consumers as possible. Private labels also bring benefits to local food manufacturers which are the usual suppliers. Lidl offers small local manufacturers the chance to sell their private label products abroad as well as in the country. Overall, however, these advantages remain underestimated by food producers. Most are still trying to maintain own brands but admit that the price difference for the same product under the own brand and under the private label is almost double, and the cost of keeping own brands grows so significantly that it becomes unaffordable for smaller companies. Ultimately, Lidl is more competitive, ensures a higher image, achieves a greater turnover, makes cost savings, achieves higher revenue and profits and creates customer loyalty through thei r private labels. Social Responsibility In the matter of the important topic Corporate Social Responsibility, Lidl started a project called â€Å"ECO2LOGISCH†. This project is about building stores that are energy-efficient and sustainable. This is a new store generation. For example the new stores will be 100% heated using the waste heat from the refrigerated sections. Lidl plans that from 2010 on all Lidl-stores should be build â€Å"ECO2LOGISCH†. With this project Lidl is the first food retailer which sets sustainable building services engineering as a standard. Another important social activity is the Green bus line â€Å"Vitosha†. This line is financed by LIDL Bulgaria and transports citizens and guests from the National stadium â€Å"Vasil Levski† to Zlatnite mostove in Vitosha for free. The bus is in harmony with nature and everybody experiences positive emotions. Organisational strategy Lidl’s no frills approach to retailing enables them to eliminate all extra  costs such as carrier bags and customer services. It avoids expensive flooring, furnishing and uses basic fixtures such as pallets and simple shelving. Lidl do this in order to keep their operating costs as low as possible which allows them to maintain low product prices and offer their customers value for money. It also has a narrow product assortment, offering one or two items in each category. Therefore, the company is able to buy large amounts of stock achieving economies of scale, enabling Lidl to offer quality products at a low competitive price. PEST analysis Political factor: This factor determines on what degree the government intervenes in the economy. This can affect supermarkets such as Lidl in a number of ways. For instance, the minimum wage in Bulgaria is 340 leva. Not only does it affect Lidl, but also it affects the low-skilled workers. The reason is that the company would prefer to employ fewer workers because of the minimum wage. Taxation in Bulgaria also affects the company. The higher the income tax, the less disposable income consumers have. Therefore, Lidl makes less sales. Generally, the government plays a big role in the economy. Economic factors: The economic factors that influence Lidl include interest rates and cost of living. The interest rates affect the company‘s cost of capital, which determines whether it can grow or not. Lidl is stimulated to invest in Bulgaria by a favorable fiscal policy, flat corporate tax of ten per cent (lowest level in the European Union) and low operational costs. Nevertheless, the country is still ranked as the lowest income member of the EU. As revealed by Eurostat data, the GDP per capita in Bulgaria expressed in Purchasing Power Standards stands at 40% of the EU-27 average based on latest GDP data. That is one of the reasons for the declining consumption in the country. Social factors: It is very important for Lidl that consumers spend more money in their stores. However, according to Industry Watch, private savings have increased with 30% during the last few years as a result of the economic crisis, which has threatened the financial security of many citizens. Households prefer saving in this difficult time and they cut largely on their consumption. Families are more conservative. Another problem is the demographic crisis in Bulgaria. The population has been increasingly declining for the last twenty-four years. Political: Government policies Current legislation Tax policy Employment legislation Economical: Interest rates Fiscal policy Cost of living Social: Education Consumer attitudes and opinions Private savings Major events Technological: Innovation Communications New technology SWOT analysis Sthrengths: Weight: 1. Has private labels and a good range of other branded products too. 2. Strong online presence and online selling. 3. Placement, they build in deprived areas where cheap food is required. They sell reasonable food that appeal to all incomes. 4. Open on Sundays and holidays. 5. Has over 9,000 stores across Europe 0,35 0,26 0,22 0,12 0,05 Total: 1 Weaknesses: Weght: 1.Still relatively small as compared to other brands 2. Hasn’t been able to impact globally as there are a few other chain stores 3. Observation scandal 0,67 0,22 0,11 Total: 1 Opportunities: Weight: 1.To gain a further strong hold in European markets 2. Expanding into growing economies like Africa, Asia etc 0,6 0,4 Threats: Weight: 1. International expansion of other brand would increase competition 2. Price war with other retail chains brands 0,5 0,5 Five forces model Buyer power There is one important change in the consumer’s behaviour to which the retailers have to respond to. Nowadays the importance of health gets bigger and bigger. The convenience food becomes less important and consumers are more interested in fresh and healthy food. Another important fact is the price. Because there is a wide range of large retailers in Bulgaria, the consumer faces no switching costs and thereby the retailers have to have an attractive price scheme. All in all the buyer power is moderate. Supplier power The big Bulgarian retailers often have a large range of suppliers. With this  strategy the retailers ensure stability. They avoid possible delays in deliveries and price fluctuations. In addition to that some large retailers have started to sell own brand products. These two facts weaken the supplier power in the Bulgarian food retail industry. Generally, the supplier power is moderate. New entrants It is not easy for new entrants to enter the market because of the aggressive marketing and pricing schemes of the large retailers in the industry. Nevertheless there are low entry and exit costs in the food retail industry and the changes in consumer’s behaviour gives new entrants a possible niche to enter the market successfully. Besides the low growths rate makes the industry not that attractive to new entrants. In conclusion the threat of new entrants is moderate. Substitutes The only real substitute to the food retail is the food service represented by fast foods restaurants, sit-down restaurants and delivery services. But for consumers the food service is more a complement than a substitute. A more direct substitute are individuals and families who cultivate their own food. This is no longer used nowadays but in the long term it is possible because of the changes in the consumer’s behaviour and the threat of economically and politically instability. The threat of substitutes is therefore weak. Rivalry A high competition in the food retail industry exists. The main reasons for this are not the existing switching costs for the consumers. The similarity in the basic products of the large retailers pushes them into a competitive pricing scheme. This leads the price wars. These are encouraged by the consumers who are now comparing more and more. They have a look on special offers and the lowest price. The Bulgarian food retail industry has a lot of competitors. Therefore, rivalry is strong in this industry. Conclusion The financial crisis has a negative impact on shopping in Bulgaria. Therefore, Lidl needs to be able to compete on more than just price in order to retain more affluent consumers in the future. Thus, the company‘s personality should be distinct from its competitor‘s offerings. Lidl‘s brand personality reflects an outdated and cheap product range, which is negatively perceived by some consumers. In Bulgaria, Lidl‘s products lack symbolic meaning and have few strong associations with the company. In order to gain more market share, Lidl should be presented as honest and trustworthy, offering quality and fresh products at competitive price. Resources: www.icap.bg http://www.capital.bg/klasacii/kapital_top_100/2013/07/16/2103477_k100_riteil_edna_malko_po-dobra_godina/ Retail market report (from 2012, prepared by Mila Boshnakova)

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

USING GRANTS FOR OTHERS AS WELL AS SELF

USING GRANTS FOR OTHERS AS WELL AS SELF A significant part of my income over the years came from grants, either ones I’ve written or projects I’ve been a part of. I’ve learned a few things about writing them, what grant committees look for and how to search out appropriate grants. I’ve also had proposals rejected. The competition, especially for grants in the creative arts, can be stiff, and sometimes there isn’t enough money to fund every project. The first major grant I won was a California artist-in-residency grant. For three years, it provided enough income for me to teach creative writing in a continuation school while allowing time for my own writing. I also wrote a Healthy Start grant for the school. It was accepted and they received $100,000 to set up an onsite nursery and offer healthy living classes for teen parents, a gratifying experience to see under-privileged students receive help to finish high school. I also spent seven years going into California state prisons teaching poetry and creative writing to inmates as part of the William James arts-in-corrections project. They were some of the best students I’ve ever worked with. I’ve written grants for organizations and arts groups, which have supported workshops and readings. A number of smaller grants allowed me time for writing that I might not have otherwise been able to. This past year, I received what, for me, was the creme de la creme. In March, 2011, I was awarded a Fulbright for a writing project, â€Å"The Language of Place† and spent six months in northeastern India on a creative writing project about environment. As part of it, I began a blog, Cloud and Mountain, which I have continued to maintain since returning to the U.S. The most important step of preparing a proposal is to study the organization and successful grants. Ask a granting agency to send you copies of grant proposals they’ve funded. Some make samples available online. This gives you a chance to see what types of projects have succeeded, but more importantly, you get an idea of the tone and language preferred. Some other tips: Keep your proposal within the stated limits. If it says proposals should be three to five pages, don’t send in two pages, don’t send in six. Keep your objective narrow and realistic. People who read proposals have a keen eye for projects that promise too much. Make your language positive. Focus on what you can do and show how your past experience will help you achieve your objectives with this grant. Do a very careful proofreading! Spelling or grammatical errors are a sure way to get your grant rejected. Even if you have a dynamite proposal, if the writing is sloppy it suggests you don’t care enough about it to bother with basic mechanics. An equally important step is to state how your project can benefit others. The Fulbright is a diplomacy program, so they seek projects that will contribute to a cross-cultural exchange with a host country. However, all grants will likely have a service component. Don’t just think about what you want to get out of your project, but what is its place in the bigger world? Will you be offering something that goes beyond yourself? In fact, this is not a bad philosophy for life! Here are few links that might be helpful: Getting a Fulbright Scholarship in Creative Writing Funds for Writers National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Writers:The Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Foundation Fulbright International Exchange of Scholars Grant Seekers Cafe:a blog with a lot of good information on applying for grants Grant Seekers Guide: This site from Penn State Extension has some good articles on applying for grants and information for both Pennsylvania and nation-wide funding sources

Monday, October 21, 2019

journal article summaries Essay Example

journal article summaries Essay Example journal article summaries Essay journal article summaries Essay Journal Article Summaries The Importance of Human Resources Management in HealthCare: A Global Context is an article that gives a comparative evidence of varied views concerning the performance of human resource management in healthcare. The article evaluates diverse literature work and derives implications for health care professions, policy makers and managers in the sector of healthcare. It examines the recent views about human resource management in healthcare and their performance. In addition, it includes the previous views about human resource in healthcare. The article uses various methodologies, findings and recommendations and the focus of human resource management in healthcare. The findings of the article reveal that there is a relationship between the various practices of human resource, guiding principles and the performance. A little research finding explores the link between human resource and healthcare even though it is an essential for human resource professions. The article gives an insight of implications of research in the health sector (Kabene, Orchard, Howard, Soriano and Leduc, 2006).Recent research findings that were done indicate that the practices of human resource associated with the outcomes of patients yielded little information through which human resources affect the performance of health workers and that of the patients. The article reveals different methodologies that were used to obtain the information about the understanding of health professions and their experience in the health sector. For instance, the procedures through which human resources affected the performance were examined. It was found that human resource plays essential roles in the performance of healthcare. The article indicates some increasing sovereignty for healthcare associations in the United Kingdom. In addition, the article gives alternative methods of research and practices in light of present research methodologies that can lead to a better performance in the health sector. The article, Human Resource Management and Performance in Healthcare Organizations addresses the importance of human resource management in the global perspectives. It addresses their roles in the healthcare organization especially their contribution to the better outcomes and delivery of services in healthcare. The article reveals how human resource management is crucial to any healthcare organization and how it can lead to a better performance in the healthcare system. It provides various methodologies such as the use of secondary data to develop new strategies effective for improving healthcare services. The article examines the case studies from different countries such as Canada, Ghana, the United States and many others with suggestions on how to overcome the problems that face healthcare sectors globally. It gives proper implementation techniques that human resource managers should practice to promote efficiency management in healthcare. The article examines human resource issues globally and raises questions on them (Harris, Cortvriend and Hyde, 2007). In addition, it analyzes the impact of human resource as well as identifying the trends followed to transform the health sector. The article concludes that proper human resource management in the health sector is essential because they contribute to a high quality of services in healthcare. The article reveals that human resources are the key to the success of the organizations. This is because they help the organizations to meet their objectives and it is easy to identify goals through them. Therefore, resource managers should be involved at all levels of planning. They ensure that issues that affect health workers are raised and well addressed through active engagement in policy planning at all levels. The authors of this article reveal that there should be a strong understanding between health workers and human resource managers for the success of healthcare programs. The authors recommend that more research and involvement of human resource managers on policy formulation lead to a better performance in healthcare organizations. References Harris, C., Cortvriend, P., Hyde, P. (January 01, 2007). Human resource management and performance in healthcare organizations. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 21, 448-459. Retrieved from emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1621867show=pdf Kabene, S. M., Orchard, C., Howard, J. M., Soriano, M. A., Leduc, R. (January 01, 2006). The importance of human resources management in health care: a global context. Human Resources for Health, 4. Retrieved from human-resources-health.com/content/4/1/20

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Computer Simulation Essays - Simulation Software, Free Essays

Computer Simulation Essays - Simulation Software, Free Essays Computer Simulation WARSIM 2000 is simulation software, used by the armed forces. Extensive, thorough, and tiring work has been done on thgis program. It covers almost all aspects and situations required for realistic, meticulous and a complete simulation. Information Technology has lead to the advancement of the tools required to build the simulator. Information Technolgys guideleines and technolgy have reinforced this creative simulator General Description of Operational Capability. WARSIM 2000 will increase the effectiveness of commander and battle staff training by dramatically increasing the realism and the scope of the available training environment. In conjunction with other services' simulations, WARSIM 2000 will provide a complete operational environment with scenarios drawn from the entire operational continuum to support Army, joint and coalition force training distributed across the globe. a. The WARSIM 2000 simulation system will use a computer-based simulation and associated hardware to support the training of unit commanders and their battle staffs from battalion through theater-level as well as to support training events in educational institutions. Designed and built using modern computer technology, modern software engineering techniques, and validated algorithms and databases, it will allow units world-wide to train using their organizational equipment. A key feature of the system will be its use of technology to minimize the total Army's overhead associated with supporting training. The system will be designed to meet emerging Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) standards and protocols to facilitate linkages with DIS compliant simulators and live training events. b. The WARSIM 2000 simulation system will consist of, or use, several components: (1) Computer-based battle simulation models that portray the joint and combined environment needed to support Army training events. (2) Software modules for linking WARSIM 2000 to other simulation models to expand the training environment for joint force training exercises. (3) Databases. (4) Computer systems to run the simulation models and support the databases. (5) Technical control systems/workstations for use by personnel in an exercise support function e.g., simulation controllers, analysts, and opposing/ surrounding forces role players. (6) Flexible and responsive terrestrial/satellite communications gateways and media for transmitting voice, data, facsimile, and video between different elements at remote locations involved in supporting a training exercise. c. WARSIM 2000 will meet the Mission Need Statement's (MNS's) requirement for providing a training environment that will allow unit commanders and battle staffs to focus their warfighters and systems in countering threats across the operational continuum. WARSIM 2000 must provide an environment that presents problems to stress and stimulate commanders and their battle staff to assess the situation, determine courses of action, and plan and issue new orders in a timely manner, all while using their organizational equipment and procedures. d. Logistical support for WARSIM 2000 will be based on a government- owned contractor-supported system. The government will own necessary hardware, have all proprietary rights to the developmental hardware and software components, and full license rights to the non-developmental software components of WARSIM 2000. Contracted logistical support will provide for the maintenance of government-owned computer hardware at all times. e. The acquisition and development strategy for WARSIM 2000 must abide by several constraints. (1) The WARSIM 2000 acquisition must build upon the successful infrastructure of current simulations so that the training community (Army and international) can train in an evolutionary progressive yet consistent manner. The Army has invested significant resources into developing its training simulation systems, linking them with other service simulations via the Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol confederation, and proliferating them throughout the Army and the international community. While these systems have shortcomings that must be fixed, they provide a training environment and representations of combat that have been accepted by the training community world-wide. The WARSIM 2000 acquisition must allow the confederation of simulations structure to evolve in a manner that allows current users (Army and international) to maintain access to the confederation without having to make a substantial near-term investment in resources. (2) Meeting the WARSIM 2000 requirements will demand significant technological innovations. However, there are many existing and developing systems that could and should be part of the overall solution. The acquisition strategy must ensure that developers optimize the investment of each service in existing systems (instead of starting from a blank sheet of paper) and insert echnology into the training

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework - Assignment Example The article is an epitome of how theoretical framework supports conceptual framework when conducting a qualitative research. The author uses conceptual framework to explore and exhibit the correlation between variables in his study. This is particularly evident in his ethnographic approach in conducting the qualitative analysis. The author’s choice for conceptual framework for the study was particularly appropriate because it provides the means to explore specific relationship between study variables. The conceptual framework enables the author of the article to develop a crucial concept that allows him to incorporate essentials fields in his study. Employee involvement is one of the major success or failure determinants in any organization, public or private (Berman et al., 2009).The success of public offices revolves around the empowerment of employees and how well this power is oriented towards attaining the goals and objectives of the organization. Employee involvement ref ers to the process of authorizing employees to participate actively in the decision-making process of the organization and improving organizational processes within their scope (Bolden, Gosling, Marturano & Dennison, 2003). Employee involvement greatly influence hiring and promotion process in Public Agencies by ensuring that the agencies only employ people who are fit to hold vacant position. Employees can be used as referrals during recruitment

Friday, October 18, 2019

Semantic Web and Implications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Semantic Web and Implications - Essay Example This paper stresses that you would also like to know how long the respective shops are open that day, hence, you start surfing the various websites of dealers and compile gathered information in a list. Although, the websites of the various dealers are designed very differently, it is still easy to gain information such as at the opening times of a branch. Gathering the list is a bit cumbersome, but an intellectually easy task to be accomplished. It is difficult to automatically retrieve content from various web shops, such as information like sales price are all formatted differently and embedded in different places. The Semantic Web helps to unify this complicated data in the background, without changing the layout. According to the discussion Semantic Web Semantic Web is the extension of current web which is better at enabling the computers and individuals to work in cooperation. User locates the information on the internet with the help of two main tools, search engines and catalogues. Catalogues were designed by humans who were accurate in terms of results but search engines were designed to elsewhere. Search engine skims the internet websites and searches for changed pages and mechanisms of indexing. The catalogues store the information on the basis of the usage of the words. The inability to comprehend the words and identify the relationship while searching for query is the drawback identified in search engines due to which semantic web is taking place. Anyone who enters the phrase sequence "Sales for Siemens in Germany in 2005" into a search engine receives all possible outcomes. However, no accurate answers are ever retrieved. Be it Altavista, Yahoo or Google - no search engine today is a ble to "understand" such a query. Search robots react to hidden tags on websites called metadata. If they do not properly classify it comes to "irrelevant results" or to a "too large outcome space†. Dissatisfied users complain about search engines, according to market research firm Jupiter Research, "Dr. Know", the all-knowing oracle of Steven Spielberg's "AI (Artificial Intelligence)", today's world of search is still far away. In the science fiction film, the protagonists asked a question, and if "Dr. Know" did not have an answer right, they simply asked again and marginalized by the context of the question further and further. Semantic technologies allowed computers to process the content of music, images and videos in a better way. Semantically means that content does not only have a meaning, but is also related to other meanings, thus forming hierarchical classes. Future of Semantic Web and Challenges The concept is regarded as an impractical concept presented by the Web Specialists.  

The U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights Research Paper

The U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights - Research Paper Example Initiatives for the Constitution In 1787, on May 14, the Federal Convention assembled in the Independence Hall in Philadelphia in order to revise the articles of confederation. Since the delegates were in a minority meeting was adjourned for a day awaiting the arrival of the rest of the states. This adjourning continued for eleven days when on May 25 seven states joined in with the delegation for the purpose of taking a mutual decision (World Digital Library, 2012). However, the debates continued between the states until mid of June that the jury reached a conclusion that the terms could not be amended rather it called for a fresh effort and a total change in the articles of confederation. Thus, the first mutual decision between the gathered delegates was to draft a new structure in order to give a direction to the government (World Digital Library, 2012). After continuous secret debates among the delegates, a constitution was proposed and submitted to the state for an approval. Alth ough the vote was sealed in some states, the constitution was finally sanctioned. A new Federal government came into existence in 1789. In accord with the constitution the government was established that exists till to date in the U.S. The Bill of Rights During the debates for the constitution the delegates constantly mentioned that there should be a law that would protect the citizens against violation of rights. The opposition party argued that if the constitution was established without considering the citizens it will become a tyrannical rule by the central government. During the revolution, the British had violated the civil rights. This was a fresh memory for the opposition party and a mitigating factor that brought the Bill of Rights into existence. In accord with the arguments of the opposition party, there should be rules that were required to be spelled out in order to protect the citizens against any violation of rights (The Charters of Freedom, 2012). Nevertheless, on Se ptember 25, 1789, the Congress of United States proposed to the State legislatures 12 amendments to the constitution. These amendments were deduced after the argument by the opposition party. Bearing in mind the argument of the opposition the Congress deduced amendments; these considered the representation of the constituents and the compensation of the congressmen. Thus, in order to guard the rights of the citizens, George Mason had composed the Declaration of Rights, which was approved by the Virginia assembly on June 12, 1776. However, on June 8, 1789, James Madison of Virginia presented amendments to the Constitution. The Federalists honored their word and on September 25, 1789, the First Federal Congress of the United States approved twelve amendments to the Constitution to be submitted to the states for ratification. Today the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights (The Charters of Freedom, 2012; The U.S. Bill of Rights, 2012).

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Image of nursing Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Image of nursing - Annotated Bibliography Example The article analyses relevant literature published between 1980 and 2011 with an attempt to understand the situation of nursing image. According to the media, nursing profession has suffered from invincibility and poor communication since majority of nurses have been women lacking effective communication skills with the media. Nursing is seen to be a female job suffering from gender issues, thus it is difficult to recommend to a male student the profession. Nursing profession organizations have attempted to shape the image of nursing through implementation of ethics and codes of conduct as governing principles to the profession, nevertheless, this has not been efficient in ensuring sufficient resource allocation, remuneration and prevention of violence against the nurses. The unsatisfactory image of nursing has been a leading factor in low staff recruitment, shortage in nurses, and lack of public trust in nurses as well as job dissatisfaction among the nurses. However, well-coordinat ed mechanisms for improving nursing image are projected to be crucial for improvement of the nurses’ attitude towards performance, as well as increasing public trust on

Nespresso Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nespresso - Research Paper Example In accordance with Davids (2009) one of the most important advantages of Nespresso compared to other similar products is the high range of the blends available; moreover, it seems that each of these blends is different (Davids 2009); from this point of view, Nespresso offers to the consumers the ability to choose among the blends available, a chance which is not given to other products, such as the Metodo iperEspresso (Illy) which has only three blends (Davids 2009). Apart from the above characteristic, Nespresso is distinguished from other products of this type in terms of quality. Each of the Nespresso blends has been produced using roasted coffee from different areas of the planet; in accordance with Davids (2009) the blends of Nespresso are produced using coffee elements from Africa, Brazil and Colombia (Davids 2009). In this way, a unique combination – in terms of the aroma and flavor of coffee – is achieved. ... uite a long; the firm’s name has been particularly related to food for infants; the impression that all the firm’s products are of high quality can be easily developed – an assumption that, actually, it would be valid. The differentiation of Nespresso from the other – similar – products in the market is also highlighted in the article of Sharp (2007), published in the Independent. In accordance with Sharp (2007) Nespresso could be characterized as one of the most profitable products of the specific category bringing to its initiators a profit of approximately ?500 annually. The reasons for the success of Nespresso are analyzed by Sharp (2007) as follows: At a first level, it is noted that the firm that produced Nespresso, the Nestle, has been well known for the quality of its products. This fact has significantly helped the particular product to be welcomed by consumers internationally. However, in practice, it has been proved that Nespresso has a s eries of additional advantages, such as: its name: the name given to the product defines precisely its characteristics; there is no threat of misunderstanding in regard to the type and the general characteristics of the product; furthermore, its name is memorable, being distinguished from other similar products, the names of which are difficult to be remembered (Sharp 2007). The involvement of Nespresso in daily meals – as promoted by the firm’s marketing team – is also characterized as another significant advantage of Nespresso compared to the similar products of rivals. More specifically, Nespresso is offered, as an after-dinner option, to well – known (but not expensive) restaurants, such as Sketch and The Fat Duck (Sharp 2007); in this way, the product is made known to the public as an after-meal

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Image of nursing Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Image of nursing - Annotated Bibliography Example The article analyses relevant literature published between 1980 and 2011 with an attempt to understand the situation of nursing image. According to the media, nursing profession has suffered from invincibility and poor communication since majority of nurses have been women lacking effective communication skills with the media. Nursing is seen to be a female job suffering from gender issues, thus it is difficult to recommend to a male student the profession. Nursing profession organizations have attempted to shape the image of nursing through implementation of ethics and codes of conduct as governing principles to the profession, nevertheless, this has not been efficient in ensuring sufficient resource allocation, remuneration and prevention of violence against the nurses. The unsatisfactory image of nursing has been a leading factor in low staff recruitment, shortage in nurses, and lack of public trust in nurses as well as job dissatisfaction among the nurses. However, well-coordinat ed mechanisms for improving nursing image are projected to be crucial for improvement of the nurses’ attitude towards performance, as well as increasing public trust on

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Richard P Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Richard P - Essay Example 6. This book has lots of details about the remarkable people who were inducted into slavery forcibly but subsequently asserted their independence. 7. Assimilation of the ethnic minority/black race into the American Mainstream society cannot be achieved though legal provisions only. All-round efforts at every level are required. 8. African culture is the intangible heritage of humanity and suitable steps need to be taken to preserve it. 9. The intrinsic value of the traditional/holistic medical practices need to done on scientific basis. 10. The white race should give up the concept that they are the superior race. All men are created equal by god. Order#: 522517 Topic: Richard P What, if any are the lessons to be learned by students of history from Price's book? An anthropologist is a great investigator. Just as a sculptor removes piece by piece from a stone block, to chisel ultimately a perfect statue, an anthropologist scores the achieves, sieves through the records, travels extens ively, drafts questionnaires and gets the answers from the expected and unexpected quarters, and comes to his conclusions. His vision and mission is to find out the truth about the subject of his investigation. The geographical area chosen by Richard Price for his long and arduous task is Saramaka Maroons of Suriname, one of the most difficult places on Planet Earth. He has the harvest of mythologies relating to the tribes inhabiting in this place. His mentor and guide for his four decades of research is Tooy and he has covered three centuries of African exile and resettlement in America. To put the anthropological material in the narrative style is a tough asking. One has to be an anthropologist, historian and a fiction writer all molded into one. Richard Price is one such personality. Social imaginary of African American societies is unique. The common African-American citizen, men, women and children have played a historic role to build this country, without their being aware of it, and without being given any designated role or project. I have no hesitation to conclude that this is no ordinary travelogue in the company of a fellow-traveler Tooy, who is a local man. Price has a passionate commitment to the main subject of his research—Saramak Tribe. He gathers transcripts, writes field notes and presents before the reader, who feels that he is actually travelling with Richards while turning the pages of the book. One comes to know the dominant impact of ethnicity on Nationalism. This book provides great backgrounder information about the difficult process of assimilation of the tribes into the mainstream of American society. One important historical fact that I have learnt from Richard’s researched findings is the incredible role played by the rebel slaves. Though brought for slave labor against their will and with brutal force, some brave amongst them (tribal leaders?) had the guts and foresight to establish their own colony in the depths of the forests and they protected their culture, nurtured it, transmitted to the future generations and stood by their traditions. Perhaps African traditional divine powers wished to make the history of the region available to humankind which Richard tackled during the course of his adventurous research. His finding Tooy, a priest, philosopher and healer, I consider, is one such divine intervention. He must have facilitated Richard’

Motor Learning and Coaching Notes Essay Example for Free

Motor Learning and Coaching Notes Essay The study of relativity permanent changes in motor skills and capabilities that come with practice or experience. This includes: †¢Investigating how elite athletes become experts †¢Studying the best way for a teacher or coach to structure a practice environment for maximal potential †¢Methods of practicing motor skills oHow often oHow long oGroup size oEquipment What is a Skill? A complex movement or sequence of movements, which are smooth and coordinated. These movements don’t require conscious thought and have predetermined results. A learned skill is one that can be repeated. A performance may be a fluke and is only performed once. Motor Skill: physical skills that require body movement and rely on motor control Classification of a Skill: Based on: Where- the environment of the skill Closed: †¢predictable, constant environment †¢Work at own pace- internally paced †¢Replication/ repetition of same skill †¢Examples: swimming in a pool, archery, shooting Open: †¢Changing environment †¢Pace dependant on other people/ factors Detecting stimuli Deciding Processing Acting Responding appropriately Evaluating Feedback Cues †¢A stimulus perception †¢In learning used to obtain information to perform and improve †¢Used in the demonstration and explaination of a skill by a coach †¢Can be both internal and external †¢Sight, hearing, and propreoceptive cues are most used

Monday, October 14, 2019

Bartleby the Scrivener Life in the Iron Mills

Bartleby the Scrivener Life in the Iron Mills English Exam – II Bartleby the Scrivener Life in the Iron Mills The two books up for analysis are Herman Melville’s Bartleby the Scrivener and Life in the Iron Mills by Rebecca Harding Davis. Neither work can be called a Novella, as both are short stories. Explicit similarities and differences highlight the superficial aspect of both stories. The more implicit ones underline the actual meat of the stories. Both works were produced at around the same period of the late 19Th century, and both feature plots both engrossing, yet unconventional, but contemporary (in the case of Bartleby, the Scrivener). In order to write a comparative analysis, required are comparisons between Bartleby and Hugh as workers, their working conditions in their respective jobs, and the moral responsibility of other characters in the stories towards the respective two protagonists. To begin with, the setting of both the stories plays an important part in explaining the job and the working conditions each protagonist faces. Herman Melville’s story takes place in the bustling New York City, which is still up-and-coming during the 19th century.[1] The setting in Life in the Iron Mills was influenced by the mills nearby in Wheeling, Virginia on the Ohio River during the factory world. Another major influence is the ongoing Industrial Revolution.[2] Life in the Iron Mills tells us the story about Hugh Wolfe, a young labourer in the Iron Mills of Wheeling.[3] Hugh is a poor Welsh descendent who turns pig iron into wrought iron by a process called puddling.[4] Along with several other labourers, that’s his main job there. But, Hugh is also highly gifted in the art of sculpting, and in his spare time, sculpts a woman out of Korl, the refuse from iron smelting. His cousin, Deborah-who loves him dearly-brings him dinner every day, forsaking her own meal. She is a hunchback, and the other workers make fun of her relationship with Hugh. Hugh’s working conditions weren’t exactly too habitable. As was the ‘custom’ during the Industrial revolution, immigrants working in factories and warehouses would be exploited by the owners. Low paying jobs, horrible living conditions just contributed to their misery. Hugh’s life in the Iron mills was no different. He had to toil day in and day out, with barely any time to even eat. In all the ‘darkness’ surrounding his life, the only source of ‘light’ was his Korl figure, which distinguished itself from his other creation, the crude, dark Iron from the smelter. Bartleby’s world is New York City circa 1860. And in utter contrast, though, during around the same time as Life in the Iron Mills, he works for a lawyer on the booming Wall Street of Manhattan. The difference between Bartleby’s and Hugh’s working conditions is so substantial, that, at first look, it’s almost ludicrous how Bartleby refuses to do a lot of work tasked to him, in spite of his grade-A working conditions. Bartleby is a scrivener, a copier, who, at first completes his task with utmost dedication. His eating habits are peculiar. He just eats snacks-specifically Ginger-nut cakes- and skips dinner and lunch altogether. His polite refusal to do a small task intrigues the lawyer, and he gradually discovers that Bartleby’s work rate diminishes to the point where he literally doesn’t do any work, and just sits around the lawyer’s office. One point which can be made exclusively for the comparison of both stories is the American Dream. Though it’s not the main theme in either of the books, I can’t help but define Hugh’s actions to be solely for the purpose of achieving the American dream, to be wealthy, to make a name for himself. As for Bartleby, he works in the city of endless opportunities – New York. It’s Ironic that the American dream is closer within his grasp than it is in the case of Hugh in the Iron Mills, and yet he does naught about it. But then again, that can be explained too, after the revelations at the end of the book. Both are completely different kinds of workers. Hugh, a hard-working yet unsatisfied one, whereas, Bartleby a mentally affected one, which makes his work sloppy as time passes. Endings of both stories are quite similar. Both end on a morose note, and that’s where a major point of comparison comes into light. Bartleby, due to being a liability on the author is arrested and jailed. The lawyer isn’t exactly too excited to have put him behind bars, but he did it anyway to protect his business. At the end of the story, the lawyer visits Bartleby in jail for the second time, only to find him dead. One can perceive his death to be induced by the lawyer’s actions, and the same can be said about Hugh Wolfe. Deborah steals a wealthy man’s wallet while he is visiting the Iron mills and hands it over to Hugh. Not knowing what to do with it, he eventually succumbs in his greed for money. When the man finds out about the theft, he has Hugh arrested and jailed. This causes Hugh to slash his wrist one day, and commit suicide. In my personal opinion, the deaths of the protagonists in both stories would not be directly, and intently because of the actions of other character. And as such, I would believe that Hugh’s death was caused by his own greed, or selfishness. Although Deborah was the one who stole the money, Hugh had a choice to either take it, or refuse. He took the check, and his dream of having a better life, of being in a better social standing caused his greed to get the better of him. Considering that a large sum of money was stolen, Mitchell obviously wouldn’t allow that to go unnoticed and unpunished. His moral obligation towards Hugh is little, or none. It is only fair that he wished to see Hugh punished for the theft of his money. Though, if only he would have known that Deborah was the one who stole the check, then probably he would have been wrathful towards her instead of Hugh. The only error Mitchell committed was the misdirection of his finger. Maybe, the story would have ended differently if the theft would have been thoroughly investigated. In the case of Bartleby, I would think that the lawyer was not responsible for his death. As the story tells us, Bartleby had started to become a burden on the lawyer. He spent all of his time, quite literally too, in the lawyer’s office doing nothing. His customers remarked upon that, and the lawyer realised that Bartleby was bad for business. And that is only fair of him. He has no moral obligation towards prioritizing Bartleby’s well-being instead of his business. He shifted his office, but the workers still complained of Bartleby, and finally he had to-albeit reluctantly-turn him in to the police. Bartleby died in the jail. The lawyer hears a rumour about Bartleby having worked in a dead letter office, and maybe Bartleby was mentally affected due to the extremely sad nature of his work there. And maybe that does justify his actions in the lawyer’s office, but at the end of the day, the lawyer’s business was at stake. I would believe that the lawyer was in no way morally responsible for Bartleby’s death. To analyse, are three literary works – The narrative of Henry David Thoreau, Frederick Douglass and the Scarlet Letter. All three works highlight their protagonists in various ways, using different themes and settings. They were written in around the same time period as well, the late 1840s and 50s. The main protagonists have an unconventional livelihood for some part of their life, and this is most often reflected in their stories. In the case of Frederick Douglass and Henry Thoreau, this unconventional life of theirs forms the basis for their narratives. After reading all three books, the readers can make out the fact that all three protagonists disagree with some aspects of their society, and it’s this disagreement that forms the basis for this analysis. Henry Thoreau is repulsed by the materialism in the society then, and Douglass strongly disagrees with slavery and its social, economic and moral effects, whereas, Hester Prynne is shunned, or deemed as an outcast by the society. This is the major similarity between all three protagonists Isolation from conventional society. Frederick Douglass’s narrative is set in the America of the early 19th century. Before and during the American civil war, when slavery was rampant the country. Douglass was probably the son of Captain Anthony, a white slave owner, who was also his first owner. Throughout his life as a slave Douglass is looked down upon as inhumanely as possible by his white slave masters. He is inhumanely treated, beaten, and deprived of the basic necessities in life. From his very birth, he is labelled as a ‘slave’, throughout a long period of his life, he remains one. He is a unique character in his story, as he doesn’t fit in the regular description of both the social standings at that time – The slaved blacks, and the free citizens. He is not free only in his mind, and not physically. And he takes an interest in reading and writing, after he learns from Sophia Auld. He takes it upon himself to continue reading and writing after Sophia cruelly stops teaching him. Most slaves weren’t literate then, and that’s what set him apart from them. The constant mistreatment he suffers sets off a spark in him, a spark of deep hatred against slavery, it leads him to devise plans to escape, to find his way to more liberal parts of the country. He creates his own opportunities. Opportunities to create, and increase awareness about anti-slavery. He becomes an eloquent writer and orator, recording his life in his narrative, his beliefs and his thoughts about the evils prevalent in the society. Douglass, exercising his new-found skill becomes actively involved in the abolitionist movement, doing what his deepest wish was to. When comparing Douglass to Hester Prynne and Thoreau, the readers can notices that there is no physical restriction applied to the latter two protagonists. It’s rather social and psychological. But like Douglass, Hester Prynne too does not fit in the society. She married an elderly man in England who sent her to America, where she lived in a puritan settlement in Boston. The reason why she is held like an outcast in the society is because she had an affair with a young minister – Arthur Dimmesdale, and had a child out of wedlock. The society frowned upon this incidence and Hester Prynne was an outcast, who was punished for her sin and secrecy. She had to wear a Scarlet coloured letter ‘A’ on her breast. It was a symbol of adultery, one which she bore throughout her time in the society. She was never a regular citizen, and lived her life in isolation in small cottage with her daughter Pearl. When her husband surfaced in the puritan society, he was malevolent towards her former lover Dimmesdale, which eventually caused them to plan to flee to Europe and settle there as family. But before they could do so, Dimmesdale kills himself due to the anguish caused by Chillingworth (who wanted revenge against him).[5] Hester and Pearl do escape the society, but only after Chillingworth’s death a year later. As a result of her experiences in the puritan society, she becomes a kind and compassionate figure, caring the poor and wounded. Her charity work eventually makes her a mother-figure in the society, and when she returns back to Boston from Europe, the scarlet letter which she still wears is no longer a sign of shame. Like Douglass, Hester contemplated about the evils present in the society, the treatment of women in general, and the society’s outlook towards her. She made a better person out of herself as a result, and forged a better future for herself and her daughter just like Douglass did. Henry David Thoreau lives an isolated life for two years. Similar to Hester Prynne, he is fairly cut off from civilization in Walden Pond, except for the occasional visitors (and the fact that concord is of walking distance). The reason why Thoreau went to live in this recluse of his is because he wanted to experience more of his life. Unlike, Douglass and Hester Prynne, his isolation wasn’t inflicted on him due to societal norms and conventions. He chose to live in isolation to find a new side of the society. Henry’s beliefs were mostly critical towards the then modern society. The materialism present in the society thoroughly irked him, and he considered tangible assets and money to be the evils in the society. He believed that every material muse was a burden for the society and that a life in recluse was the purest form of contact with the nature. His almost biased criticism was not only limited to money and wealth, but also to technology. The main similarity between the three protagonists is their shared beliefs towards the societal ills. Although, their issues are different, they point towards a better version of a society in their mind.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

The Amistad Essays -- American History Essays

The Amistad The Amistad was a Spanish ship built in Baltimore for the purpose of transporting slaves. For three years, it sailed the high seas delivering its cargo to various locations. But in August of 1838, a scandalous injustice was uncovered after the ship was seized by an American vessel, the USS Washington, a coast guard ship under the command of Lt. Thomas R. Gedney. Lt. Gedney and his crew towed the Amistad into a New England harbor in Connecticut where soon many controversies amounted and drama would unfold. For 63 days, the Amistad had been drifting toward the American shoreline. As conditions deteriorated aboard the vessel, it's inhabitants at the time, Africans, sick and dying, were in need of food and water. Desperate, they took a chance, anchored the ship and went aboard land in hopes of trading with natives, the ships cargo for needed supplies. On land, they were confronted by two sea captains, one of whom was named Henry Green. Green convinced the Africans that he would help them sail back to Sierra Leone. Having an ulterior motive, he intended to get a hold of the ship, sail it into port and claim it's cargo for salvage. However, before Green could carry out his plan, the USS Washington arrived, boarded the ship, took the Africans captive, and towed the vessel into New London, Connecticut. Two Spaniards, Montes and Ruiz, were found aboard the ship and told their side of the story. They claimed the Amistad was traveling with their property of 53 African slaves to Cuba from Havana, when on the fourth day of their voyage the slaves escaped their chains and took control of the ship. Fearing death, they bargained with the slaves promising to return them to Africa, when in fact, they purposely steered the ship ... ...with the aid of Lewis Tappan and his missionaries, money was raised and the Africans traveled home. In conclusion, I think it is important to note that during the last trial, it was brought out that the Spanish government was aware, as well as, involved in the illegal slave industry happening on her islands. Also, that Montes and Ruiz were well aware that they had purchased the Africans illegally, as all of their dealings were done under the cover of night. Furthermore, that once the Africans returned to Africa, many left the missionaries and returned to their villages and their native ways. Bibliography Cable, M. Black Odyssey: The Case of the Slave Ship Amistad. New York: The Viking Press, 1971. Jones, H. Mutainy on the Amistad: Thje Saga of a Slave Revolt and Its Impact on America, Abolition, Law & Diplomacy. New York: Oxford University Press, 1987.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

The Big Bang(personal Account) (tragedy) :: essays research papers

The Big Bang   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My lesson about playing with fire was a hard one learned. That one summer day so long ago was one of the longest days in my life. The morning was a normal one. The afternoon was when things started to heat up. That night was one I thought would never end.That morning was one just like any other summer day. The sun was bright and warm. We also had family in from Colorado. My Aunt and Uncle were there with my two cousins. They were planning on staying with us the entire summer. My parents had just installed a 4 1/2 foot above ground swimming pool for all of us to enjoy that summer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  That afternoon every body was up and busy doing their own things. My brother and I were out in the neighborhood playing with our friends. When we came home for lunch my dad asked us to unload his truck and put everything in the shed. My parents, aunt and uncle were leaving to go out for the evening. They were leaving us in the care of my cousins who are several years older than us. After we had lunch and my parents had left, my brother and I started to unload the truck. I grabbed the first load and headed for the shed. I was in the shed putting things away for about ten minutes. My brother was still not back there with another load. I went around the front of the house looking for him when I saw a flash. As I reached the driveway I saw my brother just as he was throwing another match on the driveway. When the match hit the concrete a flare of fire leaped up about five foot and was gone just as fast as it appeared. I immediately forgot about unloading the truck and joined my brother. He explained to me how it worked. He handed me a five-pound can of gunpowder and told me to pour a small pile out on the driveway. After I did and back away he tore out another match from the pack, struck it and threw it on the pile of powder. Again the flash leaped from the driveway. We continued this way, with me pouring and him throwing the match, until we were down to the second to last match. We had to figure out a way to continue before we were out of matches. The Big Bang(personal Account) (tragedy) :: essays research papers The Big Bang   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My lesson about playing with fire was a hard one learned. That one summer day so long ago was one of the longest days in my life. The morning was a normal one. The afternoon was when things started to heat up. That night was one I thought would never end.That morning was one just like any other summer day. The sun was bright and warm. We also had family in from Colorado. My Aunt and Uncle were there with my two cousins. They were planning on staying with us the entire summer. My parents had just installed a 4 1/2 foot above ground swimming pool for all of us to enjoy that summer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  That afternoon every body was up and busy doing their own things. My brother and I were out in the neighborhood playing with our friends. When we came home for lunch my dad asked us to unload his truck and put everything in the shed. My parents, aunt and uncle were leaving to go out for the evening. They were leaving us in the care of my cousins who are several years older than us. After we had lunch and my parents had left, my brother and I started to unload the truck. I grabbed the first load and headed for the shed. I was in the shed putting things away for about ten minutes. My brother was still not back there with another load. I went around the front of the house looking for him when I saw a flash. As I reached the driveway I saw my brother just as he was throwing another match on the driveway. When the match hit the concrete a flare of fire leaped up about five foot and was gone just as fast as it appeared. I immediately forgot about unloading the truck and joined my brother. He explained to me how it worked. He handed me a five-pound can of gunpowder and told me to pour a small pile out on the driveway. After I did and back away he tore out another match from the pack, struck it and threw it on the pile of powder. Again the flash leaped from the driveway. We continued this way, with me pouring and him throwing the match, until we were down to the second to last match. We had to figure out a way to continue before we were out of matches.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Germany during and after World War II Essay

The Second World War was a global war that was fought between 1939 and 1945. The war essentially begun when Nazi Germany together with other members of the â€Å"axis† went on the rampage and were seeking ways of spreading their occupation on other countries. Such countries like Great Britain, Australia, Denmark, Canada, and later the U. S felt threatened and formed what would be known as the allied powers with the sole purpose of defeating the fast advancing Nazi Germany. (Weinberg G. L. 1994) On 1 September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, it marked the beginning of the Second World War and Poland’s allies in the West that included Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand declared war on Germany on September 3. The allies were later to be joined by such countries as Canada, France, South Africa and many others. The U. S joined the War later after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. (Weinberg G. L. 1994) The War is rated as the most expensive war that has ever been fought with an estimated cost standing at about 1 trillion U. S Dollars worldwide as at 1944, and is also rated as the most deadly conflict with an estimated loss of 60 million people. Of these Countries, Germany suffered the most severe devastation to be ever witnessed in the country’s history. It suffered greatly politically, socially and economically especially after its humiliating defeat by the allies and its eventual surrender on 7th May 1945. (Weinberg G. L. 1994) This paper is going to discuss some of the impact that the War had on Germany and how quickly it recovered. Political Impact Adolph Hitler was the undisputed leader of Nazi Germany who had the ambitious plan to expand the Third Reich to occupy the whole world. This expansion idea is what led to the eruption of the Second World War. The expansion strategy had obvious implication of the strength of the leadership in the occupied areas. However when the Allies’ closed in on the Germany Forces, Hitler committed suicide on 30th April 1945 and Germany was left without a leader. This led to the occupation of Germany by the Allied forces who divided the country into four occupation zones between 1945 -1949 these zones included The American zone of occupation, British zone of occupation, Soviet zone of occupation, and the French zone of occupation. However, tension grew between the west and the Soviet Union, which led to the merger of the American, French, and British zones on one hand and the Soviet Union zone on the other. Germany was now divided into two zones of East Germany under the Soviets to form the German Democratic Republic and West Germany under the commonwealth to form the Federal Republic of Germany. Economic and social impact During the War Germany was heavily bombarded by the Allied Forces who concentrated their bombing on the on the industrial parts of Germany. The exercise was aimed at incapacitating completely Germans sources of revenue, which was fueling the War. Between 1940-1942 the English RAF, concentrated much of the bombings on such industrial facilities like oil, aluminum, transport and aero-engine plants. By the end of the war therefore the countries economy was totally dilapidated and the infrastructure had totally collapsed. In total in Dresden alone, with approximately 1300 raids and about 3900 tons of highly explosive bombs there were heavy losses where the cities were completely shattered and many lives lost. By the end of WWII Germany alone had lost approximately 600,000 people who included civilians alone. (Coleman, P. 1999) Coincidentally the war was taking place when the holocaust in Germany and the occupied states was at its highest. Hitler sought to cleanse the areas he occupied of all the Jews and other races that he considered inferior; this alone was to cost the region approximately 6 million lives. There high number of lives had a great impact at the social and cultural front because most of those who lost their lives were young and energetic men that the country would have needed to recover. (Coleman, P. 1999) Recovery Although Germany suffered great losses and the devastation was complete the recover was equally fast and dramatic. This fast recovery was witnessed especially in West Germany, which had now become The Federal Republic of Germany. (Kitson A 2001) The fast recovery was termed an â€Å"economic miracle† by the Times Magazine and was attributed to the United States’ economic aid to Germany and the Marshal plan that was instituted by the Allied countries. However the fast recovery was witnessed because of the currency reforms of 1948, which saw the replacement of the Reichsmark as the legal tender with the Deutsche Mark. The later reason was an effective means of ensuring that runaway inflation was contained once and for all. (Kitson A 2001) By 1990, the west and the East German united and worked together and by December 2nd 1990, there were elections for the first time. Today German has been the center of the European union. It is also rated as the third richest economy, which is set to continue growing. The aftermath of the World War II helped Germany rise economically and unite with other European countries like France. (Kitson A 2001) REFERENCE Coleman, P. (1999) â€Å"Cost of the War,† World War II Resource Guide: Gardena, California: The American War Library Kitson, Alison (2001): Germany 1858-1990: Hope, Terror, and Revival: Oxford University Press Weinberg, Gerhard L. (1994): A World at Arms: A Global History of World War II: New York: Cambridge University Press.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle

THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Why is living a healthy lifestyle important? Better lifestyle habits will reduce your risk of heart attack, you will feel better, have more energy and reduce your risk of illness. Living healthy also elevates your mood, helping you to feel happy and have more self confidence, which results in a better quality of life. Take an active approach to living healthy and improve you health. Living a healthy lifestyle is very important due to the increase of obesity in the United States. If you are not doing everything you can to improve your overall health you are jeopardizing the quality of your life.Today you can gain knowledge on the best foods for you, the best exercise routines for you and further information you need to help on your way to a healthier lifestyle. Today you will learn the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Healthier living is becoming more important for people all over the world. Currently, more than 66% of US adults are either overweight or obese. The greatest increase is in the body mass index. Roughly 59 million American adults are in this group, which is the greatest health risk.Living a healthy lifestyle is very important in older people and is positively related to a reduced risk and a delay in the deterioration in their health. It slows down the aging process and helps the older generation stay strong and healthy. Living a healthier lifestyle also slows down the disease development and contributes to a longer life. The importance of a healthy lifestyle in children has grown tremendously. Obesity in children is increasing in all countries. Because of this factor it is more important than ever that we educate our children on the importance of a healthier living.They need to learn to eat healthy foods and they need to be put on a daily or 3 times weekly exercise schedule. Let your children know the health risks involved in being overweight. If we teach our children the pros of living a healthier lifest yle they will carry this knowledge throughout their lives and become more productive and happier adults. Health issues associated with overweight children are diabetes and heart disease. These are the two most common side effects of childhood obesity. Any problems your child may have with obesity could and probably will be carried over to their adult life.Therefore, teaching them the importance of a healthy lifestyle at a young age is of utmost importance. The importance of a healthy lifestyle in the prevention of disease is widely understood and most people know that lifestyle changes and choices can be critical in determining their health and lifespan. Yet less than 5% of the population in the United States practices a healthy lifestyle. Living your life in a healthier manner will help create a strong body, strong mind and higher self-esteem: You need to drink lots of water, have regular physical activity, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and protein.DO NOT smoke, drink or put a ny chemicals in your body that would cause your body harm. Nutrition is a key factor in the living of a healthy lifestyle. You need to look at what you eat now, lower your calories, make healthier choices and get educated. Another factor in the importance of living a healthy lifestyle is exercise. Muscle burns fat and therefore we must feed the muscle through good nutrition and build the muscle through healthy exercising. Protein stops muscle loss.It not only helps build your muscles when you are exercising it helps you keep your muscle in the times when you are unable to exercise. On your road to living healthier you could include protein bars and protein shakes as well as other sources of protein. What do I mean about healthy exercising? Well, some people tend to go overboard and lose track of the word healthy. They want to be thin fast and they get so obsessed they never see themselves as thin so they over exercise and actually cause injuries to their bodies. Exercise at a pace y our body can handle and slowly work up.The slower the weight comes off the more likely you will be to keep the weight off. I cannot stress enough the importance of living a health lifestyle, educating yourself and treating your body with the respect it deserves. You can do all of that right here. We have everything you need to learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. You will find articles, recipes, exercise information, and various other things to help you take steps to learning the importance of and start living a healthier lifestyle today! http://fit4lifefriends. com/topic/93444/1/

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Will be given Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Will be given - Essay Example Many questions remain unanswered in this mysterious collapse of the financial market and slump it the Kaisa shares overnight. Critical evaluation of this article offers an insight into the concepts that support sustainable economic growth and financial security of the market. China is noted as having ambiguous legal structures that fail to disclose the reality of existing market trend to foreign investors. Besides, cases of corruption and unclear source of the wealth of Guo Yingcheng explains the sudden collapse of this firm. There are several lessons that are learnt from this scenario. For a multinational like Kaisa which deals in such capital intensive investment, integrity and reliability of its founder is paramount. In the case of Kaisa and the financial curse that befell it, a combination of the government weak policies on corruption and the firm’s internal legal and ethical structures contributed to the tragedy. The concept of overcapitalization against diminishing demand can equally be attributed to the claims against Kaisa as explored in this article. It is therefore important to undertake m ultidimensional approach while establishing investment

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Women Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Women Studies - Essay Example The author would like the reader to walk away from reading this book with an understanding of feminism, that is not just local or national but international as well. She takes "the perspective that cultural diversity must be respected but that it must not be used to excuse the maltreatment of women" (p.5). She wants the reader to understand that although what a woman in one culture might take for granted as a right might be something a woman in another culture is still fighting for but it does not make it any less of an issue under feminism. Burn wants to "give you some overall sense of the varieties of issues affecting women and the variety of their response, and how both these are affected by culture and women's roles as reproducers" (p.5). 1. The study of lesbianism is important to the topic of women across cultures because almost every country in the world has a lesbian sub-culture living somewhere in it, whether they want to admit it or not. The consequences of proclaiming yourself to be lesbian can be emotionally trying especially in societies that have very strict social roles that are to be maintained. Numerous countries deny having any problems with lesbianism because they have laws that outlaw it so it cannot possible exist.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Education as Initiation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Education as Initiation - Assignment Example Peters (1965) presents the idea of education as initiation. In his book, he describes the teacher as an initiator of education and the students as aspirants. His work revolves around the process of being initiated into a given tradition whereby the values of this tradition are passed along. In addition, the author elaborates several education criteria depending on nature of students: Firstly, a state of mind that is desirable develops a valuable aspect that must be initiated. Secondly, education implies that one is being brought into the light because he or she possesses the appropriate skill or knowledge in a manner that involves some degree of understanding. Thirdly, education will always involve seeing everything that is happening in a broader perspective. This implies a cognitive awareness that relates to other fields; knowing what and how. From Plato’s point of view, the goal of schooling is simply to enlighten the mind. Induction prepares a learner by providing brief ideas about the covered information in a particular field. In addition, Plato believes that schooling imparts the knowledge of reality to learners. Learners are always taught what is real or rather the things they will face in the major task. For Instance, when an induction is performed for students in a mathematics class, it gives them an outline of the things they should expect during the entire course. This is outline is real as it is a forecast of the entire subject. Lastly, schooling inculcates the relevant values to students. Learners, irrespective of the level or field of study, obtain the societal values. These values are acceptable in the society as they prepare the students for future or rather initiate the learner into his or her place in the society. Therefore, all these are related to the concept of schooling for induction as it prepares the students for what is ahead.

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Consumer behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Consumer behavior - Essay Example A manager has to come up with a strategy that will ensure that the sales promotion efforts put in place are profitable and achieving the set goals by the company. In the case of the first problem of increasing the sales volume of the company, a manger should make an analysis of the previous sales levels before the sales promotions and the new sales volume achieved after the sales promotion strategies. The aim of sales promotion is to increase the sales volume. Therefore, if the promotions will have no effect on the sales volume, then it would be appropriate to scrap off the sales promotions. Sales promotions are usually the capital intensive, therefore, the management should ensure that benefits outweigh the costs. That means that a high pricing strategy should be formulated to ensure that the high prices compensate for the increased costs. The sales promotions should also be tailor made for the target market and regions that the company has not ventured in. that will ensure an incre ase in the market share of the company. In the problem of the issue of the promotions being profitable as expected, a company can list down the profits against the costs of the company. The strategies formulated should be aimed at increasing profits and the market share of the company. In such a situation, the company can set a relatively higher price and aim at increasing the sales volume (Feinberg 281).The manager should ensure that efficiency is maximized to cut down on the costs of the company.

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Issues that Patients Complain about in Regards to Managed Care Essay

Issues that Patients Complain about in Regards to Managed Care - Essay Example The patients generally, do not view gatekeeping as favorable and complain that its actual purpose is not to improve the quality of care but to reduce costs that managed care organization incur for providing specialized services to patients (Estes, Rodriguez, 2003, p.383). The providers working in managed care networks see more patients in a day than other providers. Thus, patients complain that they face huge delays before they are able to see the doctors (Woodard, 2000). Another concern is the volume of documentation. Multiple pages of forms are required to be filled in by patients detailing personal information. Patients are concerned about access controls to this documentation (Holmes, L., n.d.). Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconsolidation Act (COBRA) was passed by United States government in 1986. It is an amendment to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act (US Department of Labor, 2006). COBRA states that employees, who would otherwise lose their group health coverage due to certain events, would still be able to continue their health coverage. Prior to COBRA, the health care coverage was allowed only up to the time the employee remained in service. In order to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, following three requirements must be met: COBRA is applicable to both private sector and government employers offering group health care plans. But as per the Act's requirements, the company size should be at least 20 employees (including permanent and temporary employees both) on 50% or more business days during the previous year. Qualifying Events Qualifying event refers to the occurrence of an incident that causes the employee to lose the group health plan. The COBRA continuation coverage takes into account the type of qualifying event in determining the beneficiary for continued coverage and the minimum length of the time the coverage should be continued. Following are the qualifying events for employee: Loss of jobs for reasons other than gross misconduct Reduction in job hours Similarly, other qualifying events have been defined by the Act for spouse and or dependents. Qualified Beneficiaries This defines the beneficiary who can remain a beneficiary of the health plan even after the qualifying event has occurred. COBRA specifies who can become qualified beneficiary and under what circumstances. 2. Employee Retirement Income Security Act Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was passed in 1974 and "provides a comprehensive federal scheme for the regulation of employee pension and welfare benefit plans offered by employers" (Purcell, Staman, 2008). Although ERISA regulates the operations of a pension plan and health benefit plan; but it does not mandate employers to provide these plans to their employees. There are four main parts of ERISA. These include: Protection of employee benefit rights This section requires employers to provide employees with the details of their benefit plans; and protects employee benefit rights by disallowing health plan to invest more than 10% in employer's securities. Internal revenue code provisions Some amendments were made in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The detail of amendments is beyond the scope of this paper. Jurisdiction, administration, and enforcement This section