Planning Is the Best Way to Improve the Quality of the Environment Essay

There is no agreed definition of ‘environmental planning’; most studies have had an arduous job in trying to meet a description for it as the environment covers a wide range of issues. In one sense, all Town and Country Planning is concerned with the environment. (Cullingworth & Nadin, 1997, p163) But as the issue of environmental concerns have risen up the political agenda a number of non-planning organisations have had an increasing role to play. It must be noted that the role planning in the environment is not a new instrument in its protection; The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 prohibited the emission of dark smoke, in an effort to improve environmental quality. This essay intends to discuss the main instruments use in the contemporary planning system in the UK, which are handed the task of protecting and improving the environment. It begins by briefly outlining the reasons why planning is used for environmental protection and its new role in promoting sustainability. These objectives are highlighted in recent government papers and are explored in the objectives outlined in LA21. The next section reveals how the planning system might be seen as failing these objectives and its shortcomings by a brief comparison with other nations, thus providing conclusions for the suitability of planning as the best way of improving environmental quality. The United Kingdom’s Town and Country Planning system is the framework within which the development and use of land is determined. It provides a structure within which economic, social and environmental considerations can be weighed to help secure sustainable development. (DETR, 1996) Planning has been illustrated as the main advocate in achieving sustainable development; it is placed with the task to guide suitable development within a sustainable context via its development control methods. This seems an obvious choice as the framework within the UK planning system is already in place to successfully implement policy on sustainable development, throughout all levels of government. Traditionally the Town and Country Planning system in the UK has had a pro-development bias, it is argued that in order to improve and maintain the environment, planners have to alter this ethos to accept greener issues. What has always been apparent within the realms of environmental planning is the major role that politics plays. Indeed Britain’s reluctance in environmental concerns was partly due to the conservative regimes of promoting a market-led economy, free of state intervention, it was not until the 1980s that the ‘environment’ rose up the political agenda with the potential of being a major vote winner. Before which, it was argued by Thatcher that environmental planning had be taking place for some years via the planner’s use of material considerations. The Conservative government took a dramatic u-turn and its views on state free from intervention were quashed as it accepted the terms outlined in 1992 Earth Summit. The conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hosted talks for one hundred and fifty nations, it was at this conference where sustainability found a structure, in Agenda 21. The following section discusses the issue of sustainable development and its implementation through Agenda 21, outlining the responsibility of the UK planning regime to enhance and protect the environment. Sustainable Development & Agenda 21 It is argued that the UK Sustainable Development Strategy should be viewed as providing the guiding principles for environmental planning in the UK. Sustainability is seen as one of the main advocates for providing planning policies that protect and provide quality environments throughout the UK. It is certainly true that the issue of sustainability is a concept that surrounds environmental policy. However its large adoption since the resurrection of green issues in the 1960s has lead to is its overuse and ambiguity. The term has become a symbol of environmentalism in contemporary politics. Governments, academics and environmental groups have tried to attain an answer as they continue to commit to sustainable policy. It is hardly surprising that the idea of sustainability has encompassed a number of differing views, one of the most famous ideas is included in the 1987 Brundtland Report: Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ’ (as cited in Cullingworth & Nadin, 1997, p164) However the issue of sustainable development became a reality in the creation of Agenda 21, in Rio, 1992. This marked a comprehensive world programme for sustainable development in the twenty-first century, and the adoption of a wide degree of public participation. In the UK this is organised at central and local government levels. The former resulted in the Sustainable Development Strategy of 1994. At the local level, Local Agenda 21 (LA21) calls for each local authority to prepare and adopt a local sustainable development strategy. LA21 provides an opportunity to promote and maintain environmental quality at a level where the public can immediately feel the effects. It is essential that LA21 is a process by which the public can get involved in environmental issues affecting their immediate area, thus educating the population in the concepts of sustainability. LA21 is the process of drawing up and implementing local sustainable development plans, with the local authority working in partnership with citizens, local organisations and businesses to achieve this. (RCEP, 1999, p7) LA21 intentions are not purely environmental; sustainability includes social and economic issues that cover the community as a whole in an effort to build a consensus between people, rather than the traditional, confrontational ways of working. Once goals are sought, progress can be made and evaluated, by measuring progress. However the UK government could be criticised for being a little slow to respond to the issues outlined in Rio, the guidance for local authorities was issued in 1998. It came in the form of the good practice guide on Planning for Sustainable Development, from the DETR. In 1999 Labour introduced a new strategy for sustainable development, entitled A Better Quality of Life, it highlighted four key principles: 1. Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone 2. Protection of the environment 3. Prudent use of natural resources 4. Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment (DETR, 1999) However the guidance has been criticised for its lack of strategic vision, as it sets no quantitative targets or timetables. This is highlighted in the notion that it is a very broad document, as there is a need to secure the approval from other Ministries in order to initiate new policy commitments. (UWE, 2000) Problems of the planning system in protecting the Environment Advisory bodies have promoted the need for target-led planning for a number of years. The term objective-led planning is aimed at broader strategic goals, e. g. Improving air quality, whereas target-led planning relates to more specific goals, e. g. Ozone levels not exceeding a certain concentration over a specified time period, as in the case for the inner London Boroughs. However there is still reluctance by government to set concrete targets in some sectors or areas at national level. They prefer to leave it up to the lower tiers of government, which can often cause considerable strain, e. . Meeting housing targets. However target-led planning is slowly becoming the norm for many local authorities as they implement their plans. They usually involve targets for the protection of sites, air quality, waste recycling etc. Central advice is starting to emerge, referring to the advice outlined in the DETR’s Planning for Sustainable Development: Towards Better Practice, 1998; here it noted that guidance on sustainability should contain specific targets, which could be incorporated into RPGs. It is these relationships between national and local objectives which will need to be observed closely in the near future in order to determine how different interests are integrated in the final production of plans. In many areas, there needs to be a greater range of targets, with clear strategies for their implementation. The problem is that plans remain plans unless they are implemented and with only 30% of all local authorities having theirs in place in 1998, sustainable policy will remain unactioned theory. DETR, 1999a, p2) It is vital that the plans are implemented in order to set realistic targets. Environmental planning in the UK is currently in a period of significant change. This is at all levels and across many issues. The number of plans, strategies, begin produced today is far greater than at any previous period. This is partly the result of extensive criticism over many years from the lack of planning in areas; most of it derives from EU or international developments (80% of all UK environmental policy originated in the EU). Plans have been advocated as being the primary source of reference in determining sustainable objectives that improve the quality of the environment. Environmental plans have subsequently grown considerably from local authorities, government agencies and ad hoc groups, which has brought together different issues. The number of plans should not be seen as a problem, the important issue is whether their development is co-ordinated and to what effect decision-makers implement them. As we near 2002, the next Earth Summit will ask questions of LA21, as the UK councils are getting ready to launch their plans. However work has already begun on Community Plans, which outline strategies for the well being of the local area and its people, again all councils are required to produce these. In aim they’re very like LA21, it is not clear how the two will connect together. In some places the LA21 is acting as the first draft of the Community Plan, which has advantages and disadvantages. In other places completely different teams of officers are developing the Community Plan, and there’s no guarantee of any connection between the two. It seems obvious that the people who took the trouble to have an input into the LA21 process will want to see some action come about as a result. Another concern is that Community Planning doesn’t have the connection to the global picture that LA21 has built in. As environmental issues have become more complex, ways have been sought to measure the impacts of development. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a procedure introduced into the British planning system as a result of an EC Directive. EIA provides a powerful tool for aiding planning decisions; it has highlighted questions on the technical understanding of the environment and the availability of relevant information and skills. EIA needs to be able to subjectively demonstrate its understanding of development with their effects on the environment. The education of planners and access to environmental information is essential in making sense of the answers. Recent studies have shown that the UK does not have the extensive requirements for environmental assessment as some of its European counterparts. Sweden and the Netherlands have quite stringent regulations on the environmental assessment of its planning applications, New Zealand in particular requires all planning applications to have an environmental impact assessment statement. (UWE, 2000) This illustrates the differing views on sustainable objectives; countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands have interpreted it in terms of very specific principles, whereas the UK has applied a plethora of general statements, which incorporate the environment, economic and social dimensions of sustainability. However there is an overall general recognition from European countries towards the need for a more comprehensive view of planning. The importance of planning is perhaps best highlighted by looking at those nations which have a relatively weak framework; the USA system adopts a vary degree of influences, to the extent where it is difficult to identify any particular ethos. Major influences arise from the roles of non-governmental organisations and the US courts. It is worth noting that the USA has been one of the nations who have struggled to attain sustainable objectives. Is the UK planning system the best way to improve the environment? The UK needs to gain a greater understanding of sustainability and environmental protection and the implications for the operation of environmental planning. It seems that there are clear holes in national strategic planning, which have left the decisions to the lower tiers of government. Part of the reason could be the UK’s fairly complicated legislative framework, which perhaps needs to be simplified to allow for greater integration of environmental planning. IEEP, 1999, p60) This rigidness is reflected at all levels, but is particularly noticeable in local government where professional officers now have to understand the large scope of environmental policy, whilst adapting from an ethos of development led planning. Another factor is that senior planning officials may lack the environmental expertise needed to review planning applications. A issue accentuated by the fact most environmental data is presented with in-depth scientific knowledge, planners often have to sub-contract these aspects of an application to environmental experts. This is accentuated by the fact that pressure from central government to reduce the time taken to process planning applications may well conflict with environmental assessment, which invariably is a lengthy process. Criticisms of planners originate from the political nature of their profession. The key principle to maintain is the fact that the final decision rest with Politicians, planners have to remain the professional advisor, therefore the power to govern the land environmental will always remain in the hands of a political advocate. In reflection, planning in the UK has had a range of powerful tools that can effectively govern the environmental implemented in recent years. The main stimulus cannot be attributed to the national government, who have largely been apprehensive if not hostile in their approach to environmental policy. The spread of environmental concern is a direct result of public and international pressure; consequently governments have had to respond. The environment’s direct conflict with development has ensured that action has filter down to planning systems, which can effectively govern and control evelopment. The huge task of ensuring sustainable objectives is thus left to the local authority via the guidance from regional and central government, however the vagueness of which, means that LA21 objectives will vary greatly. This uncertainty has ensured that local sustainable development plans have been slow to be implemented. This is accentuated by the government’s reluctance to establish target-led planning, which could provide a valuable insight on how to tackle sustainable objectives head on. Therefore the issue of planning as the best means to improve environmental quality does represent an insincere statement. Planning is certainly a powerful tool in environmental protection, which is perhaps not being utilised to its fullest extent, but it will always have a heavy political influence. The growth of agencies outside the planning regime such as the Environment Agency can help ensure that environmental quality is maintained.

The Dumingag Experience

THE DUMINGAG EXPERIENCE: A REFLECTION By Alfonso A. Tan I never had much information about organic agriculture and the principles behind it, until in October 2012 when I joined the conduct of ARC Level of Development Assessment (ALDA) in Dumingag town in Zamboanga del Sur. As a member of the regional monitoring team who is conducting ALDA, I came across two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) organizations that discuss authoritatively about organic farming like it is the palm of their hands.The two organizations — the Dumingag Organic Farmers Association (DOFA) and the Dumingag Organic Farmers Credit and Savings Cooperative (DOFCSC) – turned out to be just two of the several farmer organizations in Dumingag who are organic farming practitioners. And the technology has been gaining ground since this particular local government innovation was introduced by the municipal mayor more than five years ago. My layman’s understanding of organic farming then, was simply fa rming without the use of pesticides, herbicides or any artificial fertilizers.I know it has good health benefits for our body because the farm produce are all-natural. It is environment-friendly too. Later on, I learned that there are also so-called â€Å"organic animals† or those that are not kept in cages and not fed with commercial available feeds, which are generally by-products of other animals. The internet offers several helpful definitions of Organic Agriculture. The Bureau of Plant Industry in Australia defines organic farming as â€Å"the production of food and fibre without the use of synthetic chemical fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).The Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia says, organic farming promotes the sustainable health and productivity of the ecosystem – soil, plants, animals and people. Organic foods are farmed in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible way, focusing on soi l regeneration, water conservation and animal welfare. As far as local government innovations are concerned, I believe the organic farming technology as revolutionalized in the town of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur is one for the books.Last year, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) awarded Dumingag as one of the five recipients of the â€Å"One World Award† for its organic farming program. IFOAM is a leading world coalition on sustainable agriculture mainly composed of civil society organizations and social movements Dumingag town is its only local government member. Started in 2008, the IFOAM award runs every two years to recognize organic farming initiatives that have made a difference in the area of sustainable development.Dumingag is a second class municipality in the eastern part of the province of Zamboanga del Sur. It is composed of forty four –11 lowland and 33 upland– barangays, with a total land area of 618. 50 square ki lometers and a population of 46,039 per 2007 census. Situated in the heartland of the Zamboanga peninsula and on the northwest portion of the fertile Salug Valley, Dumingag is bounded on the North by the municipality of Sergio Omena, Sr. ; on the East by the municipality of Mahayag; on the South by the municipalities of Sominot and Midsalip; and on the West by the municipality of Siayan, Zambonga del Norte.Dumingag was part of the municipality of Molave when it was created into a barrio in 1950. Dumingag was once a vast expanse of jungle and marshland, the favorite habitat of wildlife. Its first inhabitants were the Subanens who came from coastal areas of Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Sur. The success of Dumingag started with the revolutionary idea of Mayor Nacianceno M. Pacalioga Jr. , a former Maoist rebel in the 1980’s who almost singlehandedly transform Dumingag town into what it is now.After returning to the folds of law, Jun Pacalioga went tilling their family-ow ned upland farm in 1995. His former comrades introduced him to organic farming, but at first, he was not persuaded. In the year 2000, a seminar on sustainable agriculture had somehow convinced him the beauty of organic farming. Pacalioga’s visit to his former comrades’ farms in Davao City has particularly impressed upon him the natural fertility of the soil that organic farming brings. Minus inorganic inputs, the farms produce crops free from pass-on toxicity.The positive result from his own practice drove Pacalioga to advocate organic agriculture to other farmers, finding kindred spirits among local leaders of the Catholic Church. According to Mayor Pacalioga, bringing back the natural fertility of the farms and putting premium on maintaining soil health are central goals of Dumingag’s organic agriculture program. Long years of agrichemical use had tied farm productivity to the application of costly fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides that, in turn, killed e arthworms and degraded soil fertility.Likewise, the high cost of farming and declining farm production resulted in poor income for tillers. â€Å"People could barely meet basic necessities, such as food, clothing and shelter and hardly pay for basic social services, such as education and health,† Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga said. After he was elected mayor in 2007, Pacalioga aggressively promoted organic farming. He also caused the passage of a local measure encouraging and endorsing the widespread adoption of the technology. The policy was not an easy-sell. Even some municipal officials did not buy the program at once.It took them several months to be convinced of the merits of organic farming. Soon, Dumingag leaders were up against the national policy design that promoted instead the use of chemical fertilizers and the cultivation of genetically modified crops. To illustrate his point, Pacalioga turned down P2 million worth of chemical fertilizers offered by the Department o f Agriculture (DA) for distribution to the farmers. At one time, he also rejected a grant of genetically modified rice seeds for dispersal in his municipality.As one of his first priorities, Mayor Jun organized the Organic Farming (OF) team which is tasked to lead in the implementation of the organic farming program, especially education and advocacy. Likewise, he introduced community immersion wherein local officials, community leaders and different stakeholders went to the 44 barangays to campaign for the economic program on Sustainable Organic farming. Initially, those who shifted to organic farming grappled with a steep reduction in yield, although this was cushioned by the radical decrease in cost.Several croppings later, as natural soil fertility improved, output went up. For rice, yield per hectare was at par with farms still applying agrichemicals at 95 65-kilo bags during the dry season, and 70 to 80 bags during the wet season. But net earnings are higher with organic farmi ng because cost has been reduced by at least a third. From only 20 organic farmers in 2007, the number of organic agriculture practitioners in the municipality rose to about 500 by 2011, increasing by tenfold the size of farmlands cultivated along sustainable agriculture methods—from close to hundred hectares before to some 1,000 hectares.In upland villages, organic farming is gaining adherents among vegetable cultivators and livestock raisers. Today, rice farmers have produced 55 local organic varieties that ensure a stable seed bank. The Dumingag Organic Farming System Practitioners Association (DOFSPA) composed of active organic farming practitioners was also organized. They also formed a credit cooperative that could help better in raising capital for farming or in sharing the cost of farming failures due to calamities.Their cooperative initially started in providing production loan to the organic farming practitioners and helps in accessing good market. The mayor’ s brainchild, the so-called Genuine People’s Agenda (GPA) was also institutionalized. Mayor Jun described the GPA as a product of collective discussion and leadership; a comprehensive program of government; a solution to the challenges; and it assures the better future of the people. In September 2010, the local government established the Dumingag Institute of Sustainable Organic Agriculture (DISOA), a school that trains farmers on organic farming principles and technology.Though DISOA started with modular courses as a vocational school, it aims to become a regular college later offering special and ladderized courses on organic agriculture. Moreover, all public and private school teachers in all levels in the municipality were educated on Sustainable Organic Agriculture and Climate Change. The never say die attitude of a veteran cadre like Mayor Pacalioga is the major attribute to the success of his local innovations. He displayed strong political will despite the initial lu kewarm response of the people.The municipality’s aggressive push for organic farming was the bedrock of a bigger program to bring socioeconomic uplift to the residents. The story of Mayor Pacalioga and the municipality of Dumingag is no different from the Curitiba experience with Mayor Jamie Lerner. It only goes to say that local innovations and governance works in any environment, people and culture. Mayor Lerner, a city planner has transformed Curitiba into a healthy and liveable city through modernizing transport system, environment-friendly parks and systematic garbage disposal.Conversely, Mayor Pacalioga, a former rebel leader has reinvented Dumingag into a sustainable rural community by introducing not only organic agriculture, but also optimize agricultural land use by having it planted with high value trees and crops; and empowered the women to venture into livelihood programs. Dumingag or Curitiba; Philippines or Brazil, the concept towards sustainable development th rough local governance innovations are the same. Alternatively, local civil society also plays an important role in the transparent and participative process that the local government is introducing.The efforts of the local government, be it in Brazil or Philippines would not have taken off had the people’s organizations, non-government organizations and the civil society did not cooperate. The success behind the local innovations and programs in any community, for that matter was a classic example of local convergence at work. Dumingag achievements were not limited to agricultural statistics. Politically, the municipality also managed to improve in terms of increase in local taxes and business. Based on the LGU data, the municipal income increased tremendously at an average of P3M per annum, swelling from P4. 5M in 2007 to P13. M in 2010. Likewise, business establishments rose from 180 in 2007 to 324 in 2010. The estimated Average Money Circulation in the market vicinity als o climbed from P100,000 in 2007 to P2. 5 Million in 2010. These achievements are phenomenal for a second class town like Dumingag which 84% of its people are considered poor according to NSCB standards. Now, the municipality of Dumingag is implementing its master plan on organic agriculture. It is a specific blueprint of the town’s courses of action and scientific approach towards sustainable development. The Dumingag LGU has also established partnerships with Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. ADFI), for partnership in Sustainable Agriculture, Water System, and Lumad Education; Xavier University- Sustainable Agriculture Center for education and advocacy for Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change; Philippine Agrarian Reform Fund (PARFUND) for Rice-Duck Farming and Technology; Department of Agriculture, for various programs and projects for livelihood and support infra services; and the JH Cerilles State College, for research and documentation wherein the LGU has entered into a MOA to transform 100% the 43 hectares rice fields owned by the school into organic farming model in support of the organic agriculture drive of the municipality. In 2010, as recognition of its innovative practices on sustainable organic agriculture, the Dumingag LGU, through Mayor Jun Pacalioga was conferred with the prestigious Galing Pook Award as one of the Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs in the Philippines. This was personally conferred to the proud mayor by His Excellency Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III.The Galing Pook award is a national search of local governance programs, evaluated through a multilevel screening process based on positive results and impact; promotion of people participation and empowerment; transferability and sustainability; and efficiency of program service delivery. Beyond the awards, winning programs become models of good governance promoted for adoption in other communities. They provide useful insights and strategies to find innovative so lutions to common problems. More importantly, they affirm the community and the local government’s commitment to good governance. The efforts of the visionary mayor really paid off.It is evident that Mayor Pacalioga made use of his skills in community organizing, together with his strong personality in pursuing his reform programs for the poor. Dumingag is now generating and storing its own seed varieties of rice so that they will not be at the mercy of big agrichemical firms in the future. The campaign of Mayor Jun also resulted in the increase of farming and planting activities in the municipality, all of these are geared towards sustainable livelihood and economic development. These developments are apparent in the extent of plantation areas compared to 2007 data. For example, Cassava areas increased from 350 to 2000 hectares; Abaca fields rose from 5 to 500 hectares; rubber areas goes up from 10 hectares to 1,100; and Falcata plantation climbed from 5 hectares to 200 hect ares.It is remarkable to note that the local government innovation that started in the simple town has now gone international. Recently, through the facilitation of SAC-Xavier University, the Dumingag LGU was able to send three delegates to South Korea for three-month training on Natural Farming Systems. The recipients were the Municipal Agriculture Officer, a municipal agricultural technician and a Sangguniang Bayan member. Sources: Organic farming  takes root in Zamboanga del Sur Retrieved from: http://www. newsinfo. inquirer. net Sustainable  Organic Agriculture. pdf Retrieved from http://www. bswm. da. gov. ph Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines Retrieved from: http://www. ugnayan. com/ph/ZamboangadelSur/Dumingag

Does Doctor-Patient Communication Affect Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care? Essay

The results from the study show that most of the patients are served within five minutes upon their arrival at the hospital. Taking an overview look on the results, it emerges that medical personnel in Netherlands serve their patients faster than their counterparts in Saudi Arabia. However, it is discouraging to find out that the percentage that is served beyond five minutes after the arrival is high. Myocardial infarction is an emergency condition (Covinky, K.E., et al., 544). It should be treated as such. The sooner it is handled the better the outcomes. Therefore, it is important for the hospitals to put in place strategies that will enable them handle myocardial infarction cases with speed. The percentage handled within the first five minutes must rise close to 100% for better outcomes. Satisfaction with the explanations about the tests done:                The findings show that patients in both hospitals are satisfied with the explanations given to them regarding the tests that are done concerning their condition. This is indicated by the high percentage that represents satisfaction. However, it appears that the level of satisfaction in Netherlands is higher than the level of satisfaction in Saudi Arabia. Ordinarily, it is important for the medical personnels to explain all the tests that are needed to be carried out on a patient prior to performing them. It is necessary to engage the patient adequately in the process of the treatment. Considering these findings, it is practical to state that the hospitals in both countries are doing what is required of them. Patient satisfaction with the explanation given about myocardial infarction:                The findings from the study clearly show that the patients were generally satisfied with the explanation given to them by the medical personnel with regard to their condition. It is important for the medical personnels to offer good explanation to the patients with regard to their condition. The patients become aware of their condition and therefore assume full responsibility of it. With awareness on the part of the patients, there is compliance that helps in achieving positive treatment outcomes. In addition, giving enough information to the patients regarding their disease empowers them in making better decisions (Priporas, C.V., et al., 48). They become aware of their role to play in the process of the management of the condition. In the case this study, is encouraging to find out that the hospitals used in the study are keen on this aspect of involving the patient in the treatment by informing them well. Satisfaction with the personal attention given to the patients by the doctors:                The results of the study reveal that the patients are generally satisfied by the personal attention that doctors give to them. In Netherlands, the level of satisfaction by percentage of the respondents is near 100%. This is an indication of good practice by the doctors in these hospitals. Giving a patient individualized attention makes them feel that they are important. In addition, it makes them feel that their condition is being taken care of. This is an important practice that should be incorporated in the hospitals. Moreover, when the doctors get close to the patient, they can get essential information that may be necessary in the course of the treatment. The patient can reveal deep information to a doctor who shows a sense of caring and concern. Both hospitals involved in this study are doing quite well in this respect. They are showing the necessary concern that is required when handling the patients by instituting personal attention to each patient. Ac cording to Clever, S.L.,et al (234), good patient-doctor relationship improves the outcome. Satisfaction with the expertise of the medical personnel:                The findings indicate a general high level of satisfaction of patients to the expertise of the medical personnels handling them in both countries. The findings show that patients in Netherlands trust the expertise of the medical personnel handling them. In Netherlands, the level of satisfaction is approaching 100%. Nevertheless, even that in Saudi Arabia is not badly off. The findings show that the medical personnels in both countries handling cases of myocardial infarction are up to the task. The expertise of the medical personnel should be of high standard when it comes to dealing with such cases as myocardial infarction (Quintama, J.M., et al, 69). Satisfaction level of the patients with the information given to them regarding their treatment:                Generally, the patients are satisfied with the information that is given to them regarding their treatment. This information includes various treatment options available, drugs to be used in the treatment, need for adherence to the treatment and the expected prognosis (Clever, S.L., et al., 235). The information given to the patients should be such that it helps in achieving a better outcome. In this regard, it should promote compliance and adherence to the treatment on the part of the patients. If the patients trust the level of the expertise of the medical personnel, they are satisfied with the information that they give to them. Patients’ satisfaction with the way the hospital facilitates visits by the family members and relatives:                Generally, the patients in both countries are satisfied with the schedule that the hospital has for the visits by the family members and other relatives. Family members and relatives are important to the patient because they offer emotional support that is pertinent in the recovery progress. It is clear that in Netherlands, the level of satisfaction is so high approaching 100%. This is because there are no limitations imposed on the visits by the family members to the patients. Satisfaction with the rules given:                High percentage of patients in both hospitals showed satisfaction with the rules that they are given after discharge with regard to managing their condition. These rules include the amount of exercise they should involve themselves with, the kind of diet that is consistent with their condition, how to assess their heart condition in the course of their activities and what to do in case they suspect an abnormality. Nevertheless, there is a small difference in the level of satisfaction between Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. The difference could be due to the explanations that accompany the rules given. The rules given are understood at different degrees depending on the person giving them and how they are given (Quintama, J.,M., et al., 68). It is possible that, in Netherlands, patients are given the rules and then given the reasons why they should adhere to them. In Saudi Arabia, poor communication between the patients and the medical personnel may be the cause for the massive dissatisfaction expressed by the patients. Patients’ satisfaction with the time spent with them by the doctors:                Generally, there is a higher percentage of the patients who are satisfied with the time spent with them by the doctors. However, a small percentage of patients is either neutral or dissatisfied by the amount of time and privacy accorded by the doctors. This finding reveals that the doctors are embracing the need for them to attend to the patients by giving them enough time. It is encouraging to find out that the patients are satisfied with the time that the doctors spend with them. These results show consistency with previous findings in this study. According to Priporas, C.V., et all (47), the doctor’s attitude towards the patient is very important in the psychological support of the patient. Doctors in Netherlands have more time with their patients than their counterparts in Saudi Arabia. It is necessary for the doctors to avail adequate time to the patients. This gives them an opportunity to understand the patient condition of the patient well. In a ddition, this creates a strong bond that defines doctor-patient relationship that can influence the subsequent steps in the treatment process. Patient’s satisfaction with the food and drinks provided:                The findings in this study show that the patients are generally satisfied with what the hospital provides for food and drinks in both hospitals. Admitted patients need proper diet that is consistent with the condition that they are suffering from. While they are recovering, they require proper food to help boost their body immunity. Moreover, there is need for more energy to assist in the general body recovery process. In findings in this report are encouraging as far as the patients’ care is concerned. General evaluation of the experience of the patients in the hospital:                Generally, patients rated the level of management in both hospitals highly. They indicated that the management provided was good enough to allow for proper management of myocardial infarction. The findings are encouraging. It is important for the hospital management to provide a conducive environment for the care of its patients (Kova J.A et al, 24). By so doing, the patients get satisfied with the hospital services. This should be the aim of the policy makers and other members of the management team. Significance of the Results                In Netherlands, it is clear that patients are treated well and this is because of high levels of satisfaction as depicted in the results. It is encouraging to find out that patients with myocardial infarction are being treated with urgency that is required because the condition is treated as a matter of emergency. In Saudi Arabia, much needs to be done in the hospitals. If decisions are to be formulated based on the findings, then it is disheartening to find out the high numbers of patients who are dissatisfied by the services offered. Limitations                There were several limitations during the study. Firstly, it was difficult to pin down the exact causes of dissatisfactions by the patients in Saudi Arabia. Also, it was not clear why most of the participants in the study were males. Perhaps further studies are necessary to find the answers to these two problems. It was difficult to get clarifications from the patients because most of them decided to fill the questionnaires out of the hospital and then posted them to the researchers. It is hoped that future studies will consider involving the patients using interviews so that proper clarifications can be done. The other challenge was that it was not possible to encourage with the medical personnel because of time limitation for the study. In the future, it will be paramount to base research on the level of awareness of the medical personnel regarding treatment guidelines for various diseases including myocardial infarction. The level of knowledge by the docto rs improves the patient conditions greatly. Recommendations                This report recommends that the management of KFSHRC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia must find out how to improve their standards of service delivery for the sake of the patients. In addition, the hospital should come up with a policy that ensures patients with emergency conditions are handled with the necessary urgency. The doctors in the hospital should avail more time with the patients and give them enough attention to boost their level of satisfaction. Moreover, the patients’ emotional support requires attention. One way of doing so is having proper arrangements where the patient’s family members come to visit the patient and spend quality time with them. The UMCG in the Netherlands is doing quite well as far as patient care is concerned. This report recommends that the hospital should continue doing so. Finally, the report recommends that the time taken to handle the patients when they arrive at the hospital should be minimum possible. Delay in the treatment of myocardial infarction can have detrimental consequences. Conclusion                This study shows that patients are generally handled well in Netherlands, UMCG, and Saudi Arabia, KFSHRC. The level of satisfaction as presented in terms of percentages of the respondents is very encouraging. Patient satisfaction in the hospital is a measure of the quality of services being offered. There should be no compromise when it comes to the comfort of the patients in the hospital premises. Myocardial infarction is an emergency condition. It should be treated with urgency because time factor is the primary determinant of the prognosis of the condition. It is a condition that requires that a patient be handled very fast. Although this aspect has low satisfaction levels, generally, the patients gave both hospitals high scores to denote that they are generally satisfied by the services offered.This research adds into the existing researches in establishing the key parameters that determine patient satisfaction. References Clever, Sarah  L., Lei Jin, Wendy Levinson, and David  O. Meltzer. â€Å"Does Doctor-Patient Communication Affect Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care? Results of an Analysis with a Novel Instrumental Variable: Does Doctor-Patient Communication Affect Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care?† Health Services Research 42.64  (2008): 233-243. Print. Covinsky, Kenneth  E., Gary  E. Rosenthal, Mary-Margaret Chren, Amy  C. Justice, Richard  H. Fortinsky, Robert  M. Palmer, and C.  S. Landefeld. â€Å"The relation between health status changes and patient satisfaction in older hospitalized medical patients.† Journal of General Internal Medicine 54.43  (1998): 543-547. Print. Priporas, Constantinos-Vasilios, Christina Laspa, and Irene Kamenidou. â€Å"Patient satisfaction measurement for in-hospital services: A pilot study in Greece.† Journal of Medical Marketing 23.6  (2008): 46-51. Print. Quintana, Josà ©Ã‚  M., Nerea Gonzà ¡lez, Amaia Bilbao, Felipe Aizpuru, Antonio Escobar, Cristà ³bal Esteban, Josà ©Ã‚  A. San-Sebastià ¡n, Emilio De-la-Sierra, and Andrew Thompson. â€Å"Predictors of patient satisfaction with hospital health care.† BMC Health Services Research 42.12  (2006): 67-71. Print. Kovac, Julie  A., Samir  S. Patel, Rolf  A. Peterson, and Paul  L. Kimmel. â€Å"Patient satisfaction with care and behavioral compliance in end-stage renal disease patients treated with hemodialysis.† American Journal of Kidney Diseases 3.4  (2002): 23-26. Print. Man, Stefanie  D., Paul Gemmel, Peter Vlerick, Peter  V. Rijk, and Rudi Dierckx. â€Å"Patients’ and personnel’s perceptions of service quality and patient satisfaction in nuclear medicine.† European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 4.3  (2002): 32-34. Print. Source document

Introduction to business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Introduction to business - Essay Example Thus, it becomes clear that steel is highly significant to modern society. Tata Steel is the second biggest steel manufacturer in Europe and has its chief steelmaking plants in Holland and UK. It supplies steel and associated services to main industries such as production, vehicle manufacture and packaging. The European operations are a supplementary of Tata Steel Group, one of the world’s top ten steel manufacturers. The joint Group has approximately 80,000 employees. A dedication to environmentally-sound practices is an important part of many businesses’ promise to act responsibly. Social responsibility refers to company’s responsibilities to take advantage of its long-term positive impacts and reduce its negative impacts on society. This paper is in the form of a report of its current approach to managing environmental drivers in their market. The impact of five key environmental drivers, namely, the effects of urbanization, generation of energy, transportatio n, agriculture and tourism, on the organization is also incorporated in this report. Report: Tata Steel Europe Ltd is a multinational company making steel, which is headquartered in London, UK, and is a completely owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. It is the second biggest steel-maker in Europe. â€Å"Today, it is one of the largest steel producers in the world with over 80,000 employees across five continents† (The World of Steel n.d.: 11). The company functions two main integrated steel plants in the UK, at south Wales, Scunthorpe Port and Talbot, north Lincolnshire, and one in IJmuiden, the Netherlands. Started in 1907, and at present the company is among the top ten global steel manufacturing companies with a crude steel capability of over 28 million tonnes per annum. The company is also engaged in activities relating to discovering, prospecting, and mining iron ore, ferro alloys, coal and other minerals; manufacturing and designing plants and equipment for oil, steel and na tural energy, gas and power, mining, ports, railways, aviation, and agricultural implements and space industries. â€Å"The manufacturing facilities at Tata Steel Europe comprise of manufacturing hubs† (The journey towards enduring sustainability 2013: 16). It is at the present, one of the world's most geographically-diversified producers of steel, with operations in 26 nations and a commercial presence in over 50 nations. The Tata Steel Group Company, in FY 2012- 2013 with a turnover of US$ 24.82 billion, has over 81,000 workers across five continents and is a Fortune 500 business. â€Å"By carefully identifying and articulating the drivers of social performance and measuring and managing the broad effects of both good and bad performance on the corporation’s various stakeholders, managers can make a significant contribution both to their company and to society† (Epstein & Roy 2001: 585). Vision of the Tata Steel is to be the world’s steel business bench mark through the excellence of its citizens, its modern approach and overall conduct. Supporting this vision

Study skills Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Study skills - Term Paper Example Mind, body and the environment plays an important role in the learning process. Apart from the facts stated above learning can be affected by the study skills like note taking, reading, comprehension, time management, preparing for and taking exams, learning styles etc. Recent brain based researches has shown that our ability to generate new brain cells accounts for the brains plasticity or its ability to continue to learn and update its database. Moreover, body and mind work together to help us pay attention, solve problems, and remember solutions (Weiss). A sound mind is important for the proper learning purpose. An agitated or restless mind cannot concentrate on studies and effective learning will never take place in such minds. For example consider a student coming from a restless family; he cannot concentrate on his studies even at schools since his bitter experiences at home will haunt him even at schools. Same way sound health or body is also important for learning. A sick person or a handicapped person may not be able to concentrate on his studies because of his bad health. Most of the times the body needs may dominate his study needs and he cannot concentrate on studies. Moreover our physical health and mental status are connected each oth er. Generally, a sound mind will rest on a sound body. Environment has an important role in memory retrieval as per the studies conducted by University of Toronto. The above study also concluded that animals absorb information about their environment and modulate their behavior accordingly (Bio-medicine) Heredity and environment are the two main parameters which affect learning. A positive environment is essential for effective learning. It is foolishness to think that effective learning may takes place even if the school is situated in a market place. Calm and quiet atmosphere and healthy atmosphere are essential for learning and that is why most of the schools and colleges are located in isolated regions away

Ryan Consulting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7750 words

Ryan Consulting - Essay Example Ryan Consulting target clients include architectural firms, quantity surveyors, engineering contractors, non-domestic building owners, and individual customers. Target markets span a variety of sectors including education, healthcare, commercial, industrial, retail, and residential. Contracts and business opportunities are therefore sought from organizations that fall under these domains. Contracts are served on an independent basis or through strategic alliances (such as in the case of Kerrigan Sheanon Newman, Charted Quantity Surveyors (letters of intent provided) as well as other engineering groups. These arrangements provide flexibility to the business in successfully securing and completing projects with varying requirement and constraints. By using extensive contacts and joint ventures with other consulting firms, Ryan Consulting is in a position to attract more business and expand into additional markets. Ryan Consulting has the primary advantage of the extensive knowledge of the local market. Despite the existence of good opportunities and a potential for long-term growth, the building services, and energy conservation market continues to face shortfalls in the Midlands region. There are over 32 engineering consultancies registered with the Association of Consulting Engineers Ireland (ACEI) that specialize in mechanical and electrical building services. Only five among them have operations in the outskirts of Dublin and Cork and are based in Galway (2), Limerick (2) and Mayo (1). However, none have an office in the Midland region.

Globalization of Outsourcing Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Globalization of Outsourcing Trends - Essay Example But the shape of outsourcing is completely changing, now organizations no longer outsource tasks to organizations located within their nations and are only outsourcing their jobs to other nations to achieve the benefits of decline in cost of labor which eventually adds up to decrease in the cost of production. This paper will focus on the historical, current and future trends of outsourcing. History The activity of outsourcing started taking place during the 1980s. According to the assertions of United Nations, the activity of outsourcing started during the period of 1962, when huge companies that used to operate globally were involved in the act of outsourcing certain amount of their jobs, later the activity was given the name of outsourcing during the period of 1989 (UN 81). During the middle periods of the era of the 1990s, companies realized that outsourcing will assist them in attaining cost efficiency. Due to this realization, companies started outsourcing those jobs and tasks that were necessary to them but were not directly related to the essential parts of the business. They used to outsource tasks such as accounting jobs, data management jobs and jobs related to the security sector. Other entities started forming up that that used to provide services such as human resource management and organization maintenance. By the period of 2000, jobs started being shifted from within the boundaries of a nation to other nations and this act was named as offshoring. There is a slight difference in the operations of outsourcing and offshoring, in the case of outsourcing jobs are delegated to providers of different services, in the case of offshoring, entities are formed that are controlled by businesses located in other countries (Chadee 414). Current Trends The activity of outsourcing is conducted by several businesses that operate in the 21st century. Due to increase in the number of outsourced tasks, job creation of developing nations started increasing. After the world experienced the new millennium, managerial positions as well as engineering jobs even started being outsourced. This led to the creation of workforce that got involved in the task of producing reports on weekly basis and continued to increase the importance of outsourcing activities. Services such as customer assistance, support for technical and jobs that are desk based even started to be outsourced. Several organizations throughout the world outsource tasks to fulfill several purposes and attain several benefits and the main purpose was to eliminate or decrease various costs of running an organization (LOHR, 2013). Businesses that outsource even enjoy the benefit of focusing on its core activities and participate in more creative activities. Those entities that obtain outsourced jobs enjoy the benefits of experiencing skills and technology that did not exist in their own nation due to lack of capital and time issues. Outsourcing has proven to be assistive to both the dev eloped and the developing nations, but this activity even has another side of the coin which is negatively impacting nations and entities. Issues such as a nation and an entity’

Staffing Models and Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Staffing Models and Strategy - Essay Example These negative responses emanate from the fact that such mangers may not have utilized good staffing models to improve their organizational strategy. Businesses that implement good staffing models will translate these benefits into all aspects of the organization. The most important of all the departments is the financial department. Managers who implement sound staffing models will not waste valuable company resources employing unnecessary employees. This substantially reduces overall costs of the business and may encourage competitive pricing. Such companies can afford to offer special prices, bonuses and discounts because they have minimized their overall operating costs. Consequently, they can still run at a profit. (Druker, 1995) Not only do staffing models reduce overall operating cost within any given company, but they also improve quality. When human resource managers or general managers decide to employ sound staffing strategies, then chances are only the most appropriate employees will be selected for the job. This implies that such employees will commit themselves towards achieving organizational goals and will go a long way in ensuring that such employees perform to their maximum. It is a known fact that overall productivity in any company is directly linked to individual efforts - an aspect that is adequately covered in good staffing models and staffing strategies. Most organizations tend to perform poorly within their respective ... If everyone in an organization is working at his or her optimum, then such an organization is likely to supersede its competitor's performance. Staffing models are also particularly important in ensuring the right balance between specialists and generalists. Repeatedly, many organizations make the mistake of employing too many specialists. Such large levels of employee supply may outstrip demand and cause heavy losses for the company in question. On the other hand, a company with very few specialists is unable to perform certain tasks and functions thus impeding its productivity and overall performance in the market. Therefore, companies need to make sure that the number and quality of specialists and generalists meets organizational needs. Staffing models provide businesses with the framework for rationalizing and balancing the latter mentioned groups. (Michell, 1999) What staffing models and strategy entail Staffing models are a representation of the relationship between staffing costs and time utilization by employees. Additionally, they also indicate the kind of activities that occur within the organization and why employees perform those duties and functions. Staffing models give managers a chance to critically analyze how employees spend their time in the organization. This also acts as a platform for assessing the most effective way of going about organizational duties. Normally, staffing models are depictions of how all the latter issues relate to one another through the following; Reports Graphs Charts Other analytical tools Additionally, some companies may choose to treat these staffing models as tools

Paraphrase for Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Paraphrase for Discussion - Essay Example The general assumption is that the object’s convection is higher in a vertical stream as a result of the extra free convection where the temperature would be expected to drop fast. However, it has been tested that free convection would be rather negligible in magnitude to the forced convection. The main reason for this negligible magnitude can be attributed to the aspect of velocity in free convection compared to forced convection. A faster velocity can lead to more energy being transferred into the system as molecules come into contact with the surface of the object while forced convection is mainly concerned with molecules being constantly being forced to the surface. As such, it can be observed that there is a correlation between linear convection coefficient and fluid velocity as shown by the experiment. However, the main source of error in this experiment was related to the time of sampling of every five seconds of the swinging action of the objects in the airstream. The biggest error is witnessed in the spikes of data especially on the convection verse time figures. As the object moved from the main airstream, it lost speed and force due to the fact that there was less air molecules contacting the surface of the object and the result was a drop in the temperature of the object. The hardware to collect temperature can be cited as the main cause of the error in this experiment. In real terms, energy is lost through convection as well as well as reduction of molecules as the object move from the main airstream. Given that more energy is lost to convection, it can be noted that the convection coefficients will appear higher than what is actually obtaining on the ground. It has therefore been recommended that future experiments should ensure that temperatures are increased where the an extremely thermal resistive material has to be used in order to hold the object against swinging while in touch

Was the use of atomic bomb on japan justified Essay

Was the use of atomic bomb on japan justified - Essay Example But was Truman’s decision justified or was ill informed? A controversial event in history that has divided scholars right in the middle, the use of the Atomic Bomb was but a justified decision that spared the United States an estimated 250,000, perhaps more, sure fatalities in there planned invasion of Japan in addition to millions of Japanese [soldiers and civilians alike] destined for a bloody fight-to-the-death battle in defense of a beloved fatherland. The True Story While the weight of the fateful decision fell right on the shoulders of Truman, the origins of the weapon began with the Roosevelt administration’s fear of a parallel development of the same by Germany. Leo Szilard’s confidential letter to the then President Franklin Roosevelt, signed off by his longtime friend and collaborator Albert Einstein, outlining Germany’s concerted efforts on nuclear weapons formed the foundation of the Manhattan Project [S-1], â€Å"one of the largest, best-kept secret, massive resource consuming, scientific undertakings ever witnessed in history† (Walker 311-312). Indeed, even Truman, the then vice president had no knowledge of the project and only learnt of it in office. Though actively engaged in atomic research, German scientists, as it would later turn out right after Germany’s surrender, were far from reaching a fissionable chemical combination that could deliver results rivaling the United States’. Japan’s similar initiatives were thrown into disarray in April 1945 with a B-29 raid on Tokyo facilities leaving anything of the sort inundated. (Frank 252-253). The fall of the previously Japanese controlled Marianas Islands early in the campaign gave the United States formidable footholds of bringing the war closer home to the remaining Japanese strongly-held islands. With surrender heavily disdained, reinforcement directives from Imperial General Headquarters [IGHQ] detailed in the â€Å"Plan for the Conduct of Future Operations† went out on the 24th July, 1944 with four points: 1. Patriotic defense of the Philippines, Ryukyu, Kurile, Formosa, Japan Islands and the entire Japanese homeland from the shoreline right into the interior. 2. Massive annihilation of the Allies by sea, land and by the remaining air power for any attempted advance through the United States’ planned amphibious assault to the crucial areas [the â€Å"Sho-Go† Operations]. 3. The last two points called for the prevention of American B-29 aircraft attacks operating from China to ensure better cover [overrunning China bomber bases to open up continental railroads as an alternative route to their Southern Resources Area]. 4. Identifying alternative southern sea routes [particularly to the China Coast] to safeguard important military shipments (Bradlley 189). With the new SHO operations that basically enlarged mobile defense writ, Japan hoped to gain decisive victory no matter the beachhead attacked by the enemy. SHO-1 and SHO-2, the battles of Philippines and Formosa-Ryukyu were planned for august; followed by SHO-3 and SHO-4 in the home islands and Hokkaido scheduled for October 1944. Having identified possible planned landing bases by the invasion forces, the supposedly defeated Japanese strategically stationed themselves to meet the visitors head-on at an equal strength. As a tactical approach, they [Japanese] planned to abandoned direct combat with the powerfully

Othellos Downfall Essay Example for Free

Othellos Downfall Essay Males within Venetian society maintained a higher status than women and were considered to hold the power and intellect. Throughout women’s lives, they are owned by a male figure; as a young girl they are owned by the father, but once they are married they are then owned by the husband. They were also expected to portray a feminine figure, obey and respect men, remain virtuous and maintain a good status as an Elizabethan wife. Throughout Shakespeare play Othello, Iago leads Othello to believe that his wife Desdemona is being unfaithful towards him with his newly appointed lieutenant Cassio. Without confronting his wife about this accusation, he begins to prematurely punish her by treating her without respect and later on strikes her. This occurs In act 4 scene 1, and Desdemona responds to Othello by saying â€Å"I have not deserved this†. During Venetian times, physical abuse upon wives was emitted, with the wife unable to fight back. Women were also seen as something males owned. The relationship between Iago and Emilia was clearly not built on love and passion; instead it seemed to be built on Iago’s goal to gain status among piers. Iago requests many favours from Emilia such as stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief and follows Iago in a wifely duty. He does not treat her like his wife until he requires something of her. This shows how the women were used in venetian society, there was no relationship with a give and take system. Instead it was merely the men who would take from the women, and the women would just accept that, as it was the way they were raised. In Act 3 scene 3 Emilia says aloud â€Å"my wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it†¦ I’ll have the work tane out and give’t Iago† this gives the audience the understanding that Emilia has been requested by Iago to steal the Desdemona’s handkerchief while knowing that it has some link to an evil act ,as she references her husband to a â€Å"wayward husband†. Women being seen as male owned, is also shown in Act 1 scene 3, Desdemona informs her father Brobantio that although she is grateful for all he has done for her; providing life and education. Now however, she has a husband and she will give all her loyalty to him, just as her mother gave her loyalty to Brobantio. In this scene, it is the only time in which we are shown the strong-willed, brave, outspoken and independent side of her. It was also common in Venetian society form men to be trusted over women. In act 4 scene 2, Emilia and Othello discuss of Desdemona and Casio’s relationship. Emilia defends Desdemona’s honesty, claiming â€Å"I heard each syllable that breath made up between them† and that there was nothing suspicious going on between the two of them. However despite the conversation between the two, Othello does not take any of this into account when later on he and his wife are in conversation and he refers to Desdemona as a â€Å"impudent strumpet†. This shows how women were not as trusted as men were through Othello ignoring Emilia’s evidence and choosing to believe Iago’s. The play wright’s criticism of the way women were treated in Venetian society show that they believe that in some cases, Desdemona should have defended herself when she was faced with severe provocation. She doesn’t confess to losing the handkerchief of which Othello presented to her as a token of his love. This is because of the fact that she feared the outcome of the situation if she did, as Othello has power. Her actions in response to Othello’s accusations were merely exemplary behaviour of married women in Venetian society. Desdemona is obedient towards Othello, and herself declares of it in act 3 scene 3 â€Å"I am obedient†. Throughout the play she obeys Othello commands from the early stages of marriage to the later stages of his jealous ravings. She continues to obey Othello in the act 5 when he orders her to go to the bedroom with which she replies â€Å"I will, my lord†. Down to her very last breath she remains true to Othello saying â€Å"commend me to my kind lord†. Desdemona appears to have accepted her role completely as a subordinate and obedient wife. Through the use of the willow song in the Othello, it truly re-enforced Desdemona’s grief as it would stir up the audience to feel the sadness of her as a victim and feeling empathetic towards her. The language in the song really made the audience understand her better, rather than accepting the outcome of the play, as something that was not preventable and should have been expected. In Othello, the Venetian society, moulded on the ideology of Elizabethan England, place women in their position. This is that they behave as men expect, believing this to be ‘natural’. They are considered to possessions of men and are to remain submissive and meek at all times. The only power they possess is their sexual power; however the women must remain loyal towards their husbands. This power must be resisted by men in society as it is considered evil.

Effective Strategies Essay Example for Free

Effective Strategies Essay â€Å"Some unions feel that the organization does not compensate its members fairly, or that the organizational working conditions are less than desirable. Conversely, some employers feel that unions interfere with management decisions and impede on a positive relationship between managers and employees. There may be some truth to both perceptions† (Ashford University). I will provide a â€Å"†¦detailed explanation of the effective strategies an organization can implement to create and maintain a conducive working relationship with unions, as well as the effective strategies a union can implement to create and maintain a conducive working relationship with management† (Ashford University). I will begin by briefly describing the role of management in an organization. Management is responsible for the smooth running of the company. Keeping employees happy on the job would be one of the duties involved. Keeping up with industry standards and always moving forward with innovation, while heeding all safety regulations and laws. Working with and not against the flow of the operation to be successful while making a profit is where management can soar. Secondly I will briefly discuss the role of a union in an organization. A basic requirement of unions is that members give up their individual rights (e.g., raises based on performance) to benefit the collective (e.g., cost of living increases to all employees). Is this equitable and fair? Well members of unions negotiate as a group with the employer and this ensures more power than if they were just alone on their own. While it has been documented that union employees make 27 percent more than nonunion workers. Ninety-two percent of union workers have job-related health coverage versus 68 percent for nonunion workers. Union workers also have a great advantage over nonunion workers in securing guaranteed pensions (howstuffworks.com). This is the bright side of union membership, so it seems that giving up rights to obtain these advantages would be sound advice. In my opinion if the union performs the duties the member/employee signed up for, then yes it would be equitable and fair to give up their rights. On the other hand if the union  performed poorly in its duties, I would consider leaving for another position elsewhere. Some of the positives that involve unions would be the capitalist ideas that make this country what it is today. Unions are there for each employee who is represented by them and protected in the work place from unfair tactics. â€Å"Capitalism is directed towards the pursuit of profits and unions are directed towards the rights of workers.† The way these opposing viewpoints can be advantageous, yet destructive, to the business community depends on the way they balance the two. A profits interest is often referred to as a carried interest. A profits interest is typically given as a reward for the performance of services (myllcagreement.com) This method serves as an incentive for partners to become more proactive in pursuing bigger and better profits thus contributing towards the companies growth (investopedia.com). Growth is essential to the success of the business and the union, without losing sight of the interests of the employee (member). Growth indicates a profit is made and a company should hold in high esteem the people who made this so. So as a company grows it should ensure the employees are happy and treated fairly. They should not lose sight of the bottom line which is the business itself: them and the employees. Unions step up to make sure the employee is treated right with fair conditions and proper raises as the company moves forward. The destructive issue could occur if the employee was not rewarded as the profits increased. An unhappy employee will make for an unsuccessful business. There are some downsides to unions. Let me first say that strikes are a big part of what could possibly be the one downside, if issues do not work for the benefit of the employee represented. Although strikes were intended to get management’s attention, â€Å"The incidence of strikes has been almost steadily decreasing, and strikes now consume a minuscule portion of total working time—in the neighborhood of one-twentieth of 1 percent in most recent years† (Sloane, 2010, pg. 4). Many times a settlement takes place which will avert a strike and this is when both sides reach a compromise. If a strike ensues only a percentage of employees’ wages are paid, if they participate in picket duty. But, â€Å"For most unionized employees who agree to strike: †¢They stop getting a paycheck. †¢Their family’s healthcare and dental benefits are suspended. †¢They are not  eligible to receive state unemployment benefits. †¢Their job can be filled with a replacement worker.  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Their job can be impacted in the future, if there is a loss of customers during the strike† (cintasfreedomtochoose.com). Depending on the results of the strike, winning or losing could alter the reputation of the union and also of the employer, for better or worse depending on the results. Appropriate circumstances where a strike would be an appropriate bargaining tactic would be when a failure to communicate occurs and further negotiations need to happen. A total breakdown in communication is most always when strikes occur. Sometimes though strikes occur in an inappropriate manner and this is when the employee suffers. It is when this happens or when the public welfare is affected that a strike would be deemed inappropriate. There are many global major players are union run, I realistically know that we would be in a world of trouble without them, in example: AFL-CIO and the SEIU. To be honest with you I have the impression that unions such as these actually perform better on a political platform. With all the money and power there comes responsibility, and more often than not we hear about the corruption unions flex influencing (lobbying) individuals in the position to pass laws with ‘dark money’. â€Å"Dark Money? AFL-CIO accused of campaigning without disclosing† (watchdog.org). This in no way seems to be connected with the absolute values unions initially professed, which was to stand up for the worker and give strength to the small guy. Now as things have progressed, the red tape becomes likened to fly paper, very sticky. Unions favorably represent the needs of the higher ups and I give again the article in our Course Materials about the ‘Bitter Bargain’. The bigger the union size the less likely the small guy’s needs will be met, since large money/power weld negative actions. But with a small union it becomes an intimate task to please your members and therefore a more positive vibe is felt. â€Å"Selected Evidence About Globalization’s Impact on the U.S. Labor Market Effects on Overall Incomes and Wages† (dol.gov) is another issue that affects the bottom line of the globally competitive work environment. Free trade influences the profits or losses/jobs or unemployment of this country. It makes one wonder if this is not why large unions have become much like a small country with a government playing king of the hill. I will present two strategies/actions an organization can  implement to create and maintain a conducive, working relationship with unions. Employers set the pay scale for each job and two strategies/actions they implement to keep the peace with union members is to use the comparative norm strategy and the ability-to-pay (cost of living increase). There are different circumstances where it would be more appropriate for an organization to follow the comparative norm strategy to determine an employees wage rate, versus the ability-to-pay or the cost of living strategy. Depending on the industry the employee is in will be the determining factor in whether the employer has the capabilities to meet economic demands. There are classifications in the different industries, and even subgroups within the different industries. Another factor at work that divides the comparative norm would be job titles. Each place of work has a different description for job titles and they vary greatly, so in many situations a certain wage would not be appropriate for employees at different work places with the same title. Wage systems are another way that the comparative norm may not work, since the pay may be ‘by hour’, incentive systems paid individually, and group incentive systems. Benefits cannot go unnoticed and are a part of the pay system. Depending on where you live in the nation may also have an impact on the wage an employee is given (i.e. cost of living differences). Typically the minimum wage increase I have experience with would be the annual 4% cost of living wage, and this is in the American south west states. Profits made by the company you work for hold major criterion on the ability to pay a cost of living increase. In the engineering world in which I worked as a drafter for over 30 years competition to obtain the best workers and keep them is all based on wages and benefits. If some other company wanted to pull you away from your employer, they would offer more money and/or better benefits. I can recall a time when my wages were increased significantly when another company made me an offer. Finally, I will present a minimum of two strategies/actions a union can implement to create and maintain a conducive, working relationship with management. Grievances and arbitration are two of the main strategies/actions that keep the peace while a member of a union. â€Å"Grievance legal definition: A claim by a union or a unionized employee that a collective bargaining agreement has been breached†¦. The formal document in which a union claims that the employer has breached the collective  bargaining agreement and for which, arbitration is convened† (duhaime.org). The way the use of the grievance and arbitration processes and procedures can enhance the relationship between a union and management is that is can reach a position that both parties can find common ground and satisfaction. Where this same effort can be destructive is when the breakdown in trust and commitment fall into place where once the opposite was true. Monetary losses occur at this point and sometimes the union fails to properly represent the employee and resentment occurs. When â€Å"†¦confusion and uncertainty in the area of employer–employee relations† (Sloane, 2010, pg. 217) occurs, both parties lose. In conclusion, we all know that unions have their place in our society and can be run using effective strategies that have proven to work in the past and changing those strategies as new ideas surface in the workplace, effectively. There is a place for unions and people who would benefit from them. In assessing the changing complexion of the U.S. labor force two things come to mind: baby boomers and immigrants. Why, because these types of workers may find unionization attractive. New retirees and new citizens might be looking for jobs where unions have a foothold: like grocers. Do not forget the fiasco with the strikers in California who fought for 5 months and got something unwanted. â€Å"United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union†¦ The ratified contract contains no raises for the 70,000 supermarket workers it covers, but it does preserve most health benefits for current employees. However, new workers will receive lower wages and fewer benefits. Many workers said they voted for the contract reluctantly. The lengthy labor dispute took an emotional and financial toll† (Bitter Bargain). This will be copied, presumably, by fellow unions, and it leads to a running comment that unions no longer provide for the common worker as its mission statement once led its members to believe. Leaving citizens with less money in their pocket when benefits are not included on payday will erode the backbone of unions. It used to be 35% of American workers belonged to a union in 1959, now a fraction of that is true. Additionally predictions have commented that some baby boomers will exit the workforce leading to a â€Å"lower (the) overall labor force participation rate, leading to a slowdown in the growth of the labor force† (Toossi). This comes from the other side of the podium in the in the debate of how labor force will be affected. The complexion of America has changed and without changing for the better, I  fear unions will run their course, or transform into a totally new idea, without all the corruption that comes with power and money. Unions are here to stay and change is on the way if using effective strategies are on the agenda. References Retrieved from article by Mitra Toossi: http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2005/11/art3full.pdf` Bitter Bargain: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/jan-june04/strike_3-1.html# Retrieved from: http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/herman/reports/futurework/conference/trends/trendsVI.htm Sloane, A., Witney, F. (2010). Labor relations. (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Pearson Learning Solutions. VitalBook file. Retrieved from: http://watchdog.org/131467/money-afl-cio-union/ Retrieved from: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/profits-interest.asp Retrieved from: http://www.myllcagreement.com/relevant-articles/what_is_the_difference_between_profits_interest_and_capital_interest.html Retrieved from: http://money.howstuffworks.com/labor-union2.htm Retrieved from: http://www.cintasfreedomtochoose.com/strikes.asp Retrieved from: http://www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/G/Grievance.aspx

Vision of IKEA

Vision of IKEA Contents Vision2 Introduction:3 History:.3 SWOT ANALYSIS..4 SWOT analysis of IKEA : ..4 Strengths of IKEA4 Weaknesses of IKEA.5 Threats of IKEA5 PESTEL ANALYSIS 5 PESTEL analysis of IKEA.6 Political factor:.6 Economical factor..6 Social factor:.6 Technological factor: 7 Environmental factor:.7 Legal factor:..8 Forecasting the possible problems IKEA could face in future..8 Appendix1..9 REFERENCES16 Vision of IKEA To create a better everyday life for the many people. At IKEA our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. Introduction: IKEA offers a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. This is the idea at the heart of everything IKEA does, from product development and purchases to how we sell our products in IKEA stores globally. Anybody can make a good-quality product for a high price, or a poor-quality product for a low price. But to make good products at low prices, you need to develop methods that are both cost-effective and innovative. This has been IKEAs focus since its beginnings in Smà ¥land, Sweden. Maximising the use of raw materials and production adaptation to meet peoples needs and preferences has meant that our costs are low. The IKEA way of doing things is to pass these cost savings on to you, our customers. History: The IKEA story begins in 1926 when Ingvar Kamprad is born in Smà ¥land in southern Sweden. He is raised on Elmtaryd, a farm near the small village of Agunnaryd. Even as a young boy Ingvar knows he wants to develop a business. The IKEA story begins in 1926 when Ingvar Kamprad is born in Smà ¥land in southern Sweden. He is raised on Elmtaryd, a farm near the small village of Agunnaryd. Even as a young boy Ingvar knows he wants to develop a business. SWOT ANALYSIS: SWOT is a planning tool that enhances firms and organisations to focus on issues which are the key ones. Strength and weaknesses focuses more on the internal part like production marketing while opportunities and threats focus on the external part like environment and social changes which you do not have much control over (www.thetimes100.co.uk ). SWOT analysis of IKEA : Strengths of IKEA A clear vision(www.oppaper.com) This means that IKEA knows what they are dealing in which is furniture and only furniture, they are on that alone and perfecting that well. A strong global brand Furniture is a product that is used worldwide, every home has furniture and used one way or the other by this is global. It has strength in production IKEA has the use of renewable materials with a long-term partnership with suppliers meaning that the suppliers have been there for a long time and they know what is expected of them. Weaknesses of IKEA It cannot control its standard because of its size and scale and because of the high quality of its product it doesnt commiserate with the demand for low cost product. IKEA has few distribution channels this means that the branches are not much if a product is needed it will have to be imported. Opportunities of IKEA Its opportunities come from joining its plan to the increasing demand from customers by Providing a well designed and easy to use website to help give customers idea for their home Reducing wastewater treatment and less water use Supporting charities to make it known Sourcing from China Sell some of their furniture in other retail stores Threats of IKEA In the economic factor, the customer will prefer a low priced product even if it will affect its quality especially when the economy is tough. No direct competition Intertypes (Wal mart, Ashley Furnitures, Hoover) Recession PESTEL ANALYSIS : A management technique that enables an analysis of four external factors that may impact the performance of the organisation. These factors are: Political, Economic, Social, and Technological issues that could affect the strategic development of a business. PEST analysis is often conducted using brainstorming techniques. According to the Internet Centre for Management and Business Administration, Anon (2003), identifying PEST PESTEL analysis of IKEA Political factor: This involves the regulation, legislation requirement by the government on foreign investors for example the minimum wage policy which means that the workers are not paid anything less than the stipulated wage to avoid cheap labour. Also U.K has always been political stable and the political parties have always welcomed the foreign owned companies. Also the taxation policies are not tough on the companies to enter the market. At present the upcoming elections in the country will definitely show there impact in future. Economical factor: IKEA has made it in such a way that their price is very reasonable for the public especially during the economic recession. This has been of an advantage especially since IKEA products are mainly made in China. As the countrys inflation rate is low and the national income is higher, IKEA have better chances to grow and capture the market, which it was doing since long. The rate of interest is low and so it encourages people to buy their product. Also the currency was strong till now but due to the recession scenario the business is going to face the impact. Social factor: IKEA has maintained a fair social standing. IKEA has completely understood the life style of the people to this country and have developed there stores accordingly. As people have the flexible working hours and they tend to do shopping on odd hours or say late hours looking to this normally all IKEA stores are opened till mid night. Also stores have other facilities like children playing area and restaurants which is helping the parents who are accompanied with their children. Technological factor: Technology has made it easier for IKEA to promote their product through the internet. It gives the customer detailed information about the product, the dimensions which make it easier for the customer to know what they are buying. Apart from the catalogue services IKEAs strength is online service. It also provides the online help to the customers. The latest advancement in the stores are computer operated lifts. Earlier after placing the order customer has to go to the warehouse for the pickup of the product but now IKEA has centralised store and warehouse. Customer has to place order and then has to put the code of product on the computed lifts provided and thus can receive the product. This saves the time of the customer and also the staff. Environmental factor: IKEA uses recyclable products which in this case it reduces waste and space consumption, the packaging is less fancy and more environment friendly U.K is environment friendly country and encourages the companies following the policies to save the environment. IKEA mission is to provide products at low price but not at any price. It does the foresting for the woods used in the furnitures and with WWF partnership it is working on projects to focus on sustainable forestry, cotton manufacture and climate change. IKEA also does third party auditing on the material used by its suppliers to check the compliance of raw material used. The company follow low emission foot print during the logistics as its materials are transported by rail, road or ship. Most of the products are eco friendly and are healthy for the customers. It utilises the maximum of the resources and thus try to use recyclable products to have less impact on environment. It also does charity projects with UNICEF for the educating children. In partnership with WWF it is also focusing on the countries like U.K, USA and China on the climatic change and low emission of fue l energy and encourages its staff by using public transport. Legal factor: Countries have legal laws for foreign investors to invest in their territory and these laws have to be abided by to invest, this makes it a bit difficult for IKEA to penetrate into some countries despite the fact that there is good market. U.K has legal policies for the organisations and thus IKEA follow the same for its staff and suppliers and some extend to its customers too. The policies which are followed by IKEA are like minimum wages, no forced or bonded labour, discrimination acts, safety regulations, health and accidental insurances, freedom of associations, etc. IKEA prevent child labour and works actively to prevent it. Forecasting the possible problems IKEA could face in future: The complexity of the logistics system will increase.It will be more difficult to respond to national needs and cultural sensitivity issues. Franchisees may demand more control over operations. With all these challenges emerging, it will be very difficult to maintain a global organizational structure. The best approach to meet these challenges is to find the proper balance between country level autonomy and centralized intervention. REFERENCES 1. www.thetimes100.co.uk swot analysis 2. www.oppaper.com research by Norwin pest analysis 3. Strategic management by clayton320(2008) www.oppaper.com 4. ikea.com

Mans Struggle with His Identity in Steppenwolf :: Hesse Steppenwolf Essays

Man's Struggle with His Identity in Steppenwolf      Ã‚  Ã‚   "The Christian resolve to find the world ugly and bad has made the world ugly and bad." These are the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, among the most influential philosophers of the modern era and one who has exerted an incontrovertible influence on many German authors, including Hermann Hesse. That Hesse should feel drawn to a figure so prominent in the German consciousness is not suprising, that he should do so in spite of the religious zeal of his family seems almost heretical.    No less an influence on Hesse, though, was the groundbreaking psychologist Sigmund Freud, himself also an admirer of Nietzsche, and who "several times said of Nietzsche that he had a more penetrating knowledge of himself than any other man who ever lived or was ever likely to live." This theme, the "knowledge of self," is a recurring one in Hesse's works, and is central to the personal crises he faced in the years after the outbreak of World War I.    Hesse's post-1914 novels reflect his progress through successive self-examinations. Demian, published in 1919, explored his break with conventional morality in a decaying world. Siddhartha, published in 1922, features Hesse's lifelong fascination with Eastern spirituality. It was his 1927 novel, Steppenwolf, which first attained a complete break with the past while retaining an overtly autobiographical flavor amidst otherwise total abstraction.    It is Steppenwolf's break from the past which distinguishes it from the styles of two of Hesse's most prominent contemporaries: Thomas Mann and Franz Kafka. While Mann and Kafka are themselves dissimilar, their novels are characteristic of the novel as a form: as totality. Mann's novels are intricately detailed and firmly situated within their historical contexts. Further, we are intimately familiar with the characters, with their backgrounds, their tastes, their values, and their fates. And while Kafka's novels are heavily symbolic, we are nevertheless presented with a total worldview, a worldview we can consider in all its irony and terror. Moreover, we can identify completely with the characters, who are really only reflections of ourselves, struggling for definition amidst ambiguity.    Hesse's Steppenwolf, conversely, is quintessentially fragmentary. We know little of Harry Haller beyond that which is immediately apparent from the text. We are as the nephew in whose aunt's boarding house Haller resides. We are also unable to identify the historical setting for the novel without referring to Hesse's own life.

Tennessee Williams :: essays research papers fc

â€Å"Everything in his life is in his plays, and everything in his plays is in his life,† Elia Kazan said of Tennessee Williams. Williams, who is considered to be the greatest Southern playwright, inserted many of his own personal experiences into his writing, because he â€Å"found no other means of expressing things that seemed to demand expression† (Magill 1087). He stated that his primary sources of inspiration for his works were his family, the South, and the multiple writers he encountered in his life. Therefore, he presented American theatergoers with unforgettable characters, an incredible vision of life in the South, and a deeper meaning of the concept he called â€Å"poetic realism† (Classic Notes 1). Poetic Realism exists as the repeated use of everyday objects, so that they would produce a symbolic meaning. Often, Tennessee Williams’ writing was considered to be melodramatic and hysterical; however, it is the haunting and powerful life experiences included in Williams’ writing that makes him one of the greatest playwrights in the history of the American drama.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thomas Lanier Williams began his life March 26, 1911 as the second child of Cornelius and Edwina Williams. His father, Cornelius, managed a shoe warehouse and was a stern businessman. Cornelius’ bouts with drinking and gambling (habits that Tennessee later inherited) made him increasingly abusive as Tennessee grew older. Tennessee, his mother, his older sister, Rose, and his younger brother, Walter, lived with Tennessee’s maternal grandparents until 1918, when his father was transferred to his firm’s main office in St. Louis. Although, he began living with his father at age seven, his father remained emotionally absent throughout his life. His mother, however, smothered Tennessee with her aggressive showings of affection. The move to St. Louis was shattering to Tennessee, Rose, and Edwina. The change from a small, provincial town to a big city was very difficult for the lower class family. Because of the ridicule from other children, her father’s abuse, and her mother’s unhappiness, Rose was destined to spend most of her life in mental institutions and she quickly became emotionally and mentally unstable. Edwina allowed Rose’s doctor to perform a frontal lobotomy on Rose; this event greatly disturbed Williams who cared for Rose throughout most of her adult life. Tennessee remained aloof from his younger brother, because his father repeatedly favored Walter over both of the older children. His parents often engaged in violent arguments and Tennessee, Rose, and Walter repeatedly encouraged their mother to leave their abusive father. Williams family life was full of tension and despair; however, he said he found therapy in writing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unable to bear his life at home, Tennessee began his lifelong

Feudalism in Form :: Economics Economy Essays

Feudalism in Form Environmental enslavement? Governmental capitalism? Working-class feudalism? In a complex world it is often impossible to label any one system with certainty, economic or otherwise. So the question arises of how does one explain past events and phenomenon without getting bogged down in the ensuing details? It becomes a matter of perspective- acknowledging that each individual or group sees certain events in a specific way, and that it takes multiple versions of a story to build a picture that might more fully represent the "bigger" picture. This explains how one film describing the economic events in a small town in Virginia in the 1920's can be riddled with questions and able to ignite explosive debates. Matewan was a small town in the hills of Virginia. The town itself was composed largely of native-born citizens, immigrant groups and racial groups from varied backgrounds. However, one thing common to most all citizens was the fact that their survival depended on the Stone Mountain Coal Company for which the men worked. From the first day of employment these individuals and families became dependent upon the company with no other possible alternatives. The first step the company took to ensure the economic feudalism of its workers was to indebt these workers to the company from the start. The workers were charged for all of their tools (picks, axes, head lamps, etc.) as well as any goods they might have needed for immediate survival (food, clothing) and long-term survival (shelter). This list of goods most likely carried exorbitant price tags, making it virtually impossible to ever 'own' any of the goods loaned from the company and therefore accumulate any type of capital. This indebtedness also maintained employment, despite hazardous conditions (collapsing mines, coal dust in one's lungs) that could lead to premature death. One could hardly "quit" from Stone Mountain Coal, for all the resources necessary for one's survival would be taken back, and all debts to the company would have to be repaid- an impossibility due to the extremely low wages paid. If one tried to run away then one would be considered a criminal and a warrant fo r one's arrest could be issued. Also the remoteness of the town made this an unlikely senario, where would one run to considering they had more than likely come by train? Lastly without the knowledge of how to survive by oneself in the woods one could not join the people who lived off the land in the woods.