Monday, September 30, 2019

Symbolism in The Jade Peony Essay

Symbolism is used in this story. Such like the wind chimes, the jade peony and the cat. The most significant symbol in this story is the white cat, with its red eyes, that appears outside the house. This â€Å"cat† symbolizes that grandma’s time has come, and that she must move on to her next life where she will be reunited with â€Å"the juggler†. This cat bring backs memories and old feelings she had for her lover, and is therefore a significant symbol in this story. At the end of the story the cat revels that he is the symbol of grandma’s old lover. Grandma said that the cat’s eyes were pink, and the pink was also the color of her spirit. She thought the cat was sent by her old lover to take her back. The cat was also the symbol of death. After grandma saw the cat, she was already prepared to die and refused to go to the hospital, because she was a very traditional person, the cat was to bring her back, so there was no way to stop her from dying. The symbolism also shows that the tradition of grandma. Wind chime is a symbol of freedom for the family, who together searched to find the pieces to put it back together. It represents something that can be passed down through the generations and symbolizes their Chinese culture. For example, before grandma died, she and the author made a wind chime and grandma told the author that hang it on the window, so the family will know that when she is coming back and visit the family. Grandmother treasured the jade peony, because she had lived the majority of her life in China and to her it would always be home. In addition, to the Chinese, the peony was regarded as a national flower. The same applied to jade that the historically prized was above gold and silver in Chinese’s mind. So grandmother might regard them as a symbolic reminder of their Chinese heritage and cultural roots.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Reflective Draft

Through the activities was undertaken in class about negotiation, I realized that different negotiation tactics have crucial impact on negotiation in the workplace. In the activities, I was assigned to play the role of manager (Dale Williams). I need to persuade two of my subordinates to wear safety glasses. I use pressure to told Taylor she should allow the principle of company, if she doesn’t wear safety galsses, she will be fired. I give her pressure. she wants keep her job, finally, we were got a deal. And she is unhappy. In the second turn, I changed my way of talking to Chris Johnson.First I show my care of her, I asked her do u have problems of your eyes. Then I tell her experience of J. B. Harris. J. B. Harris was suffered a serious accident in another division. And she missed six weeks of work after an eye injury. If don’t wear safety glasses when work, it is easy to have risk to hurt eyes. Finally , we got a deal, and she is happy this time.. contrast these sa me situation but different experience and different tactics I used. I realized that the first time I used of fear to evoke a desired response from Taylor.It is nor effective. when I want to negotiation and get a deal. the better way and easy way is show my sympathy and worry first . it is easy let people can accept. KNOW:::From the aactivity, I know effective and good communication is an essentially significant source of negotiation power. A good communicator can manager a group or an organization easily. At the same time, it also can improve the pproduactivity of work.. on occasion, good communication is not easy. It needs people who . In fact, from this role play, I also know listening is very important.For example, Obama is good at motivation , when listen his speech, I always full of energy. And willing to accepet what he present. I realize the barriers existed in the process of negotiation. In this process, my parten is from indonisia as Pat Taylor. but I come from Chian. When we communicate, we have language barri. She have been this comapy for 20 years, More than me. She is the informal leaders of the group of more experienced employeers. I wanna she can tell me more about her experience. But she The tutor teach us types of influence tactics.Power used well achieves effective communication and positive results. Negotiating power is the ability of the negotiator to influene the behavior of another. What actions do you plan to take based on what you learnt? did you discover that a particular influence tactic is more/less effective and therefore are you likely to use this tactic in future negotiations? What did you learn about your natural preferences for influencing tactics based on? the aactivity? you might have felt more comfortable using ‘rationality’ and less comfortable using one or more other tactics.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Some firms have been forced out of business with the earthquake Essay

Some firms have been forced out of business with the earthquake. Although, this was an extreme event, it raises a very important - Essay Example Now the question arises is it possible to do long term business planning? Or are we victims of the external environment? This paper aims at analyzing the extent of the ability of the organizations to plan for the future by taking into account all the external factors? Is it possible to predict all external factors affecting the business in the long term and plan accordingly? Can we predict natural calamities such as earthquakes and plan accordingly? Discussion Uncertainties in the environment are unavoidable. Dealing with these uncertainties in the environment requires inclusion of scenario planning in the strategy formulation. The traditional ways of strategy formulation can further be strengthened by inculcating scenario planning in the process by assessing the evolutionary changes in the environment. External environment analysis provides the company with the unique insight into the changes and its implications for the organizations and enables the company to prepare for them, by for example developing the technology and techniques required to understand and respond to these changes. One such technique is scenario planning which studies the relationship between strategy, environment and performance in context of business scope and resource commitment. Organizations can better plan for the future with the help of PESTEL (political, economical, social, technological, ecological and legal forces) analysis, internal resource analysis and the scenario planning. This model helps managers and planners develop a model of external environment in which the business may operate and helps in creation of strategy through which business may retain in its competitive advantage in the changed environment (Fahey, 2000). The theory about formulation of strategy by organizations can be divided into three forms or modes. They are called entrepreneurial mode, adaptive mode and planning mode. Entrepreneurial mode is generally found in the writing of some classical economist and m anagement theorist. According to this mode one bold and risky action by a strong leader on behalf of the organization is strategy. Adaptive mode is the ability and the decision of the organizations to take small steps and adjustments according to the changes in the external environment. Finally the planning mode which is propagated by management science and policy science involves explicit planning for the business based on formal analysis with the aim of integrating strategies for the future. All these modes if combined together and alternatively used by managers according to the changes in the environment can result in a powerful and effective strategy for the business. (Mintzberg, Strategy Making in Three Modes, 1973) There is consensus among all researchers of the theory of organizational behavior and strategic management that changes in the external and external environment results in the ambiguity within and across the organizational structure and hence increases the probabili ty of strategic error. It may even result in economic collapse of the organization. Mintzberg believe that managers within an organization need to develop a CE strategy that top level mangers not only formulate keeping in view the concept of the organization but should also promise minimization of strategic error. The leadership and management of the organizati

Friday, September 27, 2019

The Second World War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Second World War - Essay Example    Beyond its national borders, however, democracy was on the decline with countries such as Imperial Japan, Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany either threatening or actually dominating neighboring countries2. France and Britain, on the other hand, were doing what they could to avert the occurrence of another major war in Europe. During this time, the US had a policy that forbade it from interfering with other countries that engaged in conflicts as outlined it its Neutrality Acts. This policy with time became bothersome as it clashed with the public opposition to the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939. The United States under President Roosevelt lifted its non-interference foreign policy and pledged massive support to the Allied forces but itself opting not to engage directly in the war. However, with Japan’s attack on the Pearl Harbor in 1941, the country saw it necessary to take arms and engage fully in the war3. The US contributed a lot of resources during the war, some of which included ammunition, technology, food, money, petroleum, military personnel and technological innovations. As a result of this, the war, there was a massive rise in the country’s Gross Domestic Product, monumental export of supplies, and an end to unemployment. Most of those who were previously unemployed, retired or engaged in low productivity occupations at this time moved into active labor, the working hours also being significantly improved4. The amount of work to be accomplished as much and many people gave their best for the sake of patriotism. The Second World War saw the US for the first time ever use its nuclear weapons against a country - Japan. Following the war, the country lost over 400,000 military personnel and spent a lot in terms of resources.  Ã‚  

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Sir Edward Lutyens Background and analysis of the work of this 20th Essay

Sir Edward Lutyens Background and analysis of the work of this 20th Century Architect - Essay Example Lutyens was responsible for many notable buildings. He designed the Art Gallery in Johannesburg, the British Embassy in Washington, both Oxford and Cambridge University buildings and the Irish National War Memorial in Dublin, among many others. He quickly demonstrated a mastery of Baroque architecture, often embracing classical styles of design as well as the design of New Delhi. Many of his works can still be visited today. The 19th and 20th centuries were a part of a very important era in architecture. One of the great architects of today use the works that were created during this era as inspiration for their own work. Many of the buildings that are seen through out America as well as other countries comes from the influence that this era has had on architecture as a whole. One of these very influential architects that are so often used for inspiration today is Sir Edwin Lutyens. He is often noted for this his contribution to building design for his and other eras to come. Sir Edwin Lutyens was a prominent architect of the late 19th and early 20th century. In fact, he may have been one of the most important English architects of the early twentieth century. He was influenced greatly by traditional styles and building methods. Sir Edward Lutyens was brought up by bohemian parents in the village of Thursley, West Surrey. As a child, Lutyens was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and was not able to attend school or to play with the other children. It could be argued that this is one reason for his fascination with children. At the age of 16, in 1885, Lutyens was enrolled at the Royal College of Art to study architecture. He later studied Architecture at South Kensington School of Art, London from 1885 to 1887. After college he joined the Ernest George and Harold Ainsworth Peto architectural practice. In 1889, at the age of 20, he set up an independent practice in London. He initially built his practice designing houses for the villagers who couldn't afford estate homes. His first commission was a private house at Crooksbury, Farnham, Surrey. Lutyens was often described as a whimsical person who was often very playful, even on solemn occasions. He was also seen as a passionate advocate for the state of "childhood". In dedication to this passion, as one of his 20th century works, Lutyens proposed a circular nursery for a client's home because he felt that only such a shape could ensure that no child would ever be made to stand in the corner. He often used circular shapes in his architecture as a sign of equality in society. In addition to his own works, Lutyens contributed to another childhood icon by creating the fairy-tale characters Nana, the governess dog and the ticking crocodile in the Peter Pan tale. Lutyens' talent was publicly recognized with his election as Associate of the Royal Academy in 1913. Five years later, on New Years Day 1918, he was knighted in recognition of his work in Delhi and for his free services to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In 1921, Lutyens was awarded

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

The Effectiveness Of Different Training Methods Commonly Used To Lab Report - 1

The Effectiveness Of Different Training Methods Commonly Used To Increase An Athletes Speed - Lab Report Example In The following pÐ °per I will be discussing different trÐ °ining methods thÐ °t Ð °ssist Ð °thletes in increÐ °sing their speed of running Ð °nd discover their nÐ °turÐ °l potentiÐ °l. Besides discussing the trÐ °ining methods, I will emphÐ °size the importÐ °nce Ð °nd subtle elements of Ð °thletes speed. The term ‘Ð °thletes speed’ describes the speed required for Ð ° pÐ °rticulÐ °r Ð °ctivity. For exÐ °mple, the type of speed required for tennis differs from thÐ °t needed for Ð ° 200 metres trÐ °ck sprint (BÐ °echle, 1994). Most teÐ °m Ð °nd individuÐ °l Ð °thletes require good Ð °ccelerÐ °tion. However, if we ignore trÐ °ck sprinters for the time being, the greÐ °t mÐ °jority of teenÐ °gers will only ever sprint over distÐ °nces less thÐ °n 30 metres during competition. This meÐ °ns thÐ °t mÐ °ximÐ °l speed will rÐ °rely be reÐ °ched, Ð °nd thÐ °t Ð °ccelerÐ °tion plÐ °ys the most importÐ °nt pÐ °rt in speed Ð °nd must therefore receive speciÐ °l Ð °ttention in speed trÐ °ining. Two Ð °spects significÐ °ntly contribute to Ð °ccelerÐ °tion: first-step quickness Ð °nd correct body position. First-step quickness is the Ð °bility to move in Ð ° certÐ °in direction Ð °s quickly Ð °s possible. Often, significÐ °nt speed improvements over ten metres cÐ °n be mÐ °de by eliminÐ °ting Ð ° fÐ °lse step. This is commonly seen when Ð °n Ð °thlete, wishing to run to his or her right, either rocks bÐ °ck on to his or her left leg, or, even worse, tÐ °kes Ð ° step bÐ °ck with his or her left leg, before then beginning to run to the right. By teÐ °ching the Ð °thlete to run immediÐ °tely in the intended direction, with Ð ° low, fÐ °st first step, time-wÐ °sting movements Ð °re Ð °voided. Ð s different open field sports require vÐ °rying stÐ °rt positions, it is essentiÐ °l thÐ °t most Ð °thletes cÐ °n stÐ °rt sprinting from either foot. (BlÐ °zevich, 2005) Body position for Ð °ccelerÐ °tion is different from the body position necessÐ °ry for mÐ °intÐ °ining mÐ °ximÐ °l speed running. While mÐ °ximÐ °l speed running

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Short Answers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Short Answers - Essay Example Because of the vast territory, there emerged a more global culture within the city-states which integrates their artistic styles into a single art form which we now call Hellenistic art (Greek Art 1). The classical period has emphasized the shift from depicting gods and goddesses with their ideal forms into human beings in their natural state. This has been continued in the Hellenistic period yet "the artist of the Hellenistic era expanded his formal horizons with dramatic posing, sweeping lines, and high contrast of light, shadow and emotions" (Greek Art 2. From the simple depiction of Poseidon or Zeus in the classical era, the Hellenistic art comes up with more dramatic masterpieces such as the sculpture of Antinous which imparts deeper emotion. It should also be noted that the "subtle implications of greatness and humility of the classical era are replaced with bold expressions of energy and power" (Greek Art 3). The classical period's Charioteer of Dephi even though recognized for the severity of movements is relatively static when compared to the Hellenistic period's Boy Jockey which highlights tension. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are considered the three greatest thinkers in Greece.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Shewin Memorandum 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Shewin Memorandum 2 - Assignment Example She has worked for The Blabber, a newspaper in Atlanta for a period of 10 years. She started working for the organization as an entry-level researcher and after two years, she was promoted to the position of junior-level reporter. Two years letter, she rose to senior-level reporter, a position that she has held for a period of six years. For the first eight years of her employment, Shewin worked under the supervision of George Doright. However, in the last two years, Blabber underwent reorganization and Doright was transferred to another division in the organization. After the reorganization, Shewin started to report to Arthur King, the senior editor of the company. After the reorganization, two editors were retired and Shewin applied for the position but she was denied the opportunity of assuming the positions. Actually, she was interviewed for one position but was not offered the jobs that she believed she had met their qualifications. In the past month, she applied for a position of junior editor because her qualification matched with the requirements of the advertised job. However after the interview with Mr.King, she was not offered the position. ... According to Shewin, there are several factors that may have played a key part in her failure to secure promotions despite the fact that she had good qualification and extensive work experience. For instance, only three women hold positions in upper management levels and were promoted before the reorganization. Her new manager, King was not involved in their promotion decision and seems to be against the female gender. This is further compounded by the fact that he had been making sexist comments that were offensive to a number of women and some men. For example, he was on record abusing a pregnant reporter. King tried to seduce Shewin, but she declined the overtures and believed that it might be the reason why she did not get the jobs she applied for. Further, he predicaments could be attributed the fact that there are only five African Americans top manager hence bringing about the issue of race in job promotions. Before reorganization and the transfer of Mr.Doright, Shewin filed a complaint against some of her male workmates who had the habit of discussing explicitly about their personal weekend romantic adventures on Monday mornings. Although the conversation did not address her, they were offensive and after she reported to Mr.Doright, he warned the employees to stop the habit. However, when Arthur King became the senior manager, the old behavior of her male colleagues reverted and even after Shewin reported the irresponsible conversation to King, he took no action and seemed to approve it even though he did not participate directly in the conversation. However, Shewin seems to be worried of her age and fears that at forty, she may never get a promotion. This is further

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Critique on against gay marriage Essay Example for Free

Critique on against gay marriage Essay The modern world is experiencing transition in all aspects of life. This change is being experienced in marriage whereby some people are moving a way from the belief that marriage should only take place between people of same sex. They have gone to an extent of pushing for marriage between people of same-sex to be accorded the same treatment and recognition just like the case with the heterosexual marriage. Some people believe that marriage should be heterosexual while others believe that even homosexuals have a right to marry and live with their partners just like a husband and wife in opposite-sex marriage. This paper presents a critique in support of gay marriage. The society especially in the current state is crippling with many social problems emanating from heterosexual marriage. One of these problems is unwanted pregnancies which arise from irresponsible relationships. This is an incident which can only happen in a marriage between two people of opposite sex. Embracing same-sex marriage would offer a remedy to this problem because there is no chance of pregnancy in a marriage between gays and lesbians. This would also help in reducing the high cases of deaths and abortion which are being witnessed in the society today. Incase homosexuals decide to adopt a child, the possibility of neglect is very low as this would be a decision between two independent people. Same-sex marriage reduces the dominance by one partner which is associated with union between a man and a woman. For fear of victimization, most gays and lesbians are forced into heterosexual marriages against their will. However, they still continue to live their homosexual lives by secretly relating to other homosexuals while staying in the same-sex marriage. Therefore, accepting same-sex marriage will help reduce this unfaithfulness and promote marriage to one partner (Sullivan, A. , 2004). Since the society allows all kinds of people and groups to marry including murderers, thieves as well as marriage between people of different races. Condemning same-sex marriage is discrimination of the minority who are supposed to be protected by the constitution just like any other group. As opposed to what Bennet believes, it would not be the first time that the institution of marriage is experiencing change; Marriage between different races which are happening today never happened several years ago (Bennett, J. W. 1996). The strong position against homosexuality which is adopted by the church is an intrusion into private business. This is because marriage is a personal commitment between the two people involved in the relationship. This marriage therefore hurts no one who is not part of the relationship (Bennett, J. W. 1996). Every element of the society is transforming hence disregarding same-sex marriage is simply refusing to accept the natural changes in the institution of marriage. The acceptance of homosexuality as evident among school pupils is an indication that homosexuality is a thing of the current generation hence nature should be allowed to take its course. Bennet should not argue against adoption by gay and lesbian couples as this would be better that single parenting. The long-term repercussions of same-sex marriage talked about by those against gay marriage are baseless and coming out of fear of the unknown; accepting same-sex union would only serve to create more choices concerning marriage and people would be guided by individual choices. (Bennett, J. W. 1996). Conclusion From the accounts given above, same-sex marriage should be allowed and homosexuals do not deserve the harsh criticism and victimization that they are undergoing in the society. Legislation and rules governing marriage only needs to be adjusted to provide for same-sex union. Reference Bennett, J. W. (1996). Gay Marriage: Not a very good idea. The Washington Post. OP-ED; Pg. A19 Sullivan, A. (2004). Same-sex Marriage, Pro and Con: A Reader. New York: Vintage Books.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Acknowledging Female Stereotypes in Much Ado About Nothing Essay Example for Free

Acknowledging Female Stereotypes in Much Ado About Nothing Essay Women in the Elizabethan age were extremely repressed and discriminated against. Most would not have gone to school or received any type of formal education. They were not allowed to vote, own property, or freely voice their opinions. They were seen as the property of a man, subject to his wants, needs, and not allowed to have their own; men held extremely stereotypical views of their female counterparts that helped them justify the way they treated them. Shakespeare exposes many of these injustices and biases in his stage plays, which are still commonly read and performed today. In Much Ado About Nothing, Claudio moves from seeing women (specifically Hero) as goddesses and wives to adulterers, and then back again to his original views. Claudio initially views Hero according to the established stereotypes, in Act 1, Scene 1 as property. When first speaking of Hero, he refers to her as the â€Å"daughter of Signor Leonato;† while this appears to be simply for identification purposes, he actually relinquishes the power of her name to her guardian (1. 1. 119). Instead of calling her by her given name, Hero, Claudio names her in relation to her more powerful male owner. He goes on to ask Benedick if she is a â€Å"modest young lady,† not wondering only if she is sweet, but if she is literally a virgin (1. 1. 121). A womans virginity was extremely valuable in Elizabethan England, and determined her worth as a potential wife. This outright inquiry into her purity foreshadows the later scandal surrounding it. Benedick asks Claudio if he would buy her, and Claudio responds with a seemingly noble hypothetical question: â€Å"Can the world buy such a jewel?† (1 1 134). While his question seems to imply that she is so valuable that the entire worlds money could not purchase her, it still perpetuates the stereotype that women are pieces of property, albeit very beautiful and expensive ones. Later in the same scene, Claudio demonstrates Elizabethan men’s views of women through Shakespeare’s thematic messages. He remarks that â€Å"in mine eye, [Hero] is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on† (1 1 139). This introduces a reoccurring theme of Much Ado About Nothing of seeing and perception. Here, and later on in the play, Claudio bases his opinions of Hero on her outward beauty and appearance of piety. In addition, the words â€Å"mine† and â€Å"I† stress the importance of Claudio himself, the important, powerful male in the situation. One notes Shakespeares wordplay in the pun implied when â€Å"eye† and â€Å"I† sound interchangeable when spoken aloud. Another theme surfaces in the use of the word â€Å"sworn† in line 144 of Act 1, Scene 1, whereby Claudio makes evident that his honor depends on peoples perception of him and, by proxy, his future wife, Hero. Also notable is the hope he expresses that Hero would â€Å"be [his] wife†, in that he uses language again pertaining to himself; where he could have wished that Hero would â€Å"marry him† or something similar, he instead wishes her to become his property. Claudio reveals that he has had an interest in Hero for a while before their present conversation about her. He admired her before he went away to war, but more pressing, important, masculine issues took his mind off her. This implies that matters of the heart were less valued by men than duty and honor, and that his current infatuation with Hero is sort of an afterthought, something to pursue as he is now bored. This distant, material admiration for Hero quickly turns to contempt when he thinks that Don Pedro has taken her for himself in Act 2, Scene 1. When Don John and Borachio tell him about his friends betrayal, Claudio seems to be angrier with Hero than with the man who stole his prospective bride. He claims â€Å"beauty is a witch, against whose charms faith meltheth into blood† (2 1 135-6). This demonstrates the stereotype that Elizabethan men held of women being easily turned to adulterers – it seems to be her evil beauty that lured Don Pedro into supposedly winning her over for his own. This is again an insult to Claudios pride; Don John and Borachio use forms of the word â€Å"swear† when recounting Don Pedros supposed conquest of Hero, calling to mind how Claudio swore to marry her in the first act. Claudio denounces Hero, and wishes Don Pedro â€Å"joy of her,† once again suggesting women to be objects of personal property, solely existing to fulfill the desires of man. When it is confirmed that Don Pedro was indeed just performing his friendly duties, Claudio instantly reverts to his view of Hero as a perfect, virginal, almost goddess-like potential wife. He says to Hero: â€Å"Lady, as you are mine, I am yours: I give away myself for you, and dote upon the exchange† (2 1 233-4). Claudio acknowledges that Hero is now his property, and as that is an accepted custom in Elizabethan England, it is therefore deemed heroic that he gives himself to her, as well. Using the word â€Å"exchange† suggests a formal transaction of property, which is what is really transpiring between Claudio and Leonato. Claudio expresses his anticipation for the wedding, as time moves slowly â€Å"till love have all his rites† (2 1 269-70); the two meanings of rites as the actual ceremony and rights as a husband provide insight into this. He feels a necessity for their union to be official, as legally marrying Hero will give him legal ownership of her, and her property. Though he claims to love her, his affection could ultimately be seen as a want of her dowry. Claudio shows his opinions of women in his comical description of Beatrice’s love for Benedick in Act 2, Scene 3. He describes her grief over her unrequited love in a ridiculous way, saying that she threw a savage fit. This implies Beatrice, and by extension all women, to be controlled and weakened by their emotions. Claudio says that Hero had told him that Beatrice would surely die if her situation with Benedick progresses in any direction, again poking fun at womens irrationality. He suggests she wear herself out by talking to someone about her love, as though she were a small child throwing a temper tantrum. Like most men of his time, Claudio appears to believe that womens perceived lack of control of their emotions made them less worthy of esteem. His view of women again turns cynical again when he receives news in Act 3, Scene 2 that leads him to believe that Hero has had an affair with another man. Don John uses the word â€Å"disloyal† to describe her actions, and Claudio repeats that word in outrage and confusion about this blow to his honor (3 2 76). Being â€Å"disloyal† seems worse than most other things, in that it has wounded Claudios pride and reputation. The prefix â€Å"dis† is extremely negative and poignant. He emphasizes that if he sees anything with his own eyes, he will believe these accusations. He describes the issue as â€Å"mischief strangely thwarting,† and extends that description to all women in general; here he shows that he has moved from seeing women as wives and goddesses to adulterers and shrews. At their wedding ceremony in Act 4, Scene 1, Claudio spitefully and ironically addresses Hero with all sorts of virginal, innocent, pure language like â€Å"maid† (4 1 19). He again describes her as property in calling her a â€Å"rich and precious gift,† yet this time it is with an air of contempt and scorn (4 1 23). Continuing the theme of perception and sight, he calls Hero â€Å"but the sign and semblance of her honor,† implying that she merely put on a facade of virginity and purity (4 1 28). He asks the attendees of the wedding and, by extension, the audience, to acknowledge that her innocence is merely a show. Claudio accuses her girlish blush to be truly that of guilt and shame. Where previously he has referred to Hero as a maid, here he calls her only â€Å"like† a maid; this literal comparison emphasizes his change of feeling toward her and her sex. He facetiously describes her as the goddess of chastity and the moon, Diana, and of an unopened flower bud virgin in appearance only. Then he compares her to Venus, goddess of sexuality, and even to mindless beasts that act only on impulse and instinct. In the line â€Å"Marry that Hero, Hero itself can blot out Heros virtue,† he proclaims that women are the source of their own downfall (4 1 75). Where her outward appearance was that of a virtuous young lady, her perceived actions lead Claudio to believe her to be a whore. Although one could argue that Claudios view of women was that of all Elizabethan men, including Shakespeare himself, the development of Benedicks opinions show that this is not true. He begins the play disliking the idea of marriage and especially marriage to Beatrice, yet, through the dramatic action, he learns to love and appreciate her for her previously detested intelligence and wit. Benedick learns to value women for the humans they are, and yet Claudio still sees them as property at the end of the play. This suggests that Shakespeare realizes that, although he can bring attention to the issue of gender equality in his works, he cannot expect the audience to fully accept his ideas. Claudio constantly moves between stereotypes in his views of women in this play: he alternatively sees Hero as wife, goddess, adulterer, and everything in between. Shakespeare’s specific word choice and themes revealed in Much Ado About Nothing provide insight into how women were actually thought of and treated in Elizabethan England, and how the author himself believed they should be. Today, the centuries-old fight for gender equality is far from over. But, like Shakespeare, we can hope that all women will eventually be respected as equals, like Beatrice. Works Cited McDonald, Russ. The Bedford Companion to Shakespeare. Boston: Bedford, 2010. Shakespeare, William. Much Ado about Nothing. Ed. Mary Berry and Michael Clamp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Conflict Theory and Terrorism

Conflict Theory and Terrorism PUBLIC POLICY TOWARDS TERRORISM Basic Principles of Conflict Theory: Conflict theory is the principal alternative to functionalism. The Conflict Theorists shared numerous significant assumptions to view the world with different angles. Conflicts theorists perceive and arena in which crowd seeks influence, where functionalists glimpse interdependence and consensus. According to conflict theorists the control of conflict generally means the ability of one group suppressing the opponent group temporarily. The functionalists believe that societies will progress through the social mechanisms to deal with the social conflict. Conflict theorists observe civil law is a technique of defining and holding a particular social order than benefits some at the expense of others. While Functionalists see civil law as a way of increasing social order. Conflict theorists emphasize on the shifting power between competing groups. Where as Functionalists focus on interdependence and equilibrium. It can be sub divided into Marxism and Neo-Marxism. Social scientists are bel ieved to have moral duty to critique society. It cannot be objective of refusal to separate analyst from the judgment or fact, and also believes in that society can be constructed in such a manner where there is no chance of conflicts and Weberian Conflict Theory. Conflict cannot be separated from the social life, rejects the objection of the ideas of social science, with the intention to establish a scientific social science. According to Marxism an entirely contemporary theory ruins as many sociologists work and it is an integrated perspective. According to Neo-Marxism, where as economic sub structure is concerned the culture and ideology are its reflection. And contemporary Sociologists views the importance of superstructure is in its own right. The cultural factors play their own role in maintaining inequalities among class as per the eyes of European Neo-Marxists. C. Wright Mills, sociologist had combined a conflict perception with a tough critique of the social order. According to him there is threat in future, believe that that there is immorality in political and economic systems of U.S., in consideration of political parties are manipulative and craziness, they put their services themselves and calling it as free research value. For him the major issue is the relationship between bureaucracy, isolation and the centralization of power more in a ‘power elite. Now a days media plays a significant role by communication about terrorism and focusing on how to react, how public should take that and how to ‘fix terrorism, overwhelmingly the fact that terrorism is not a new thing while it has been around for years and more highly, ignoring the enormous amount of study and publications starting the different theories of terrorism. As per the terrorist act is concerned, terrorism is nothing but it is a sort of frustration which may create in the mind of persons due to misguidance, illiteracy or unrealistic and the conflict is antagonistic behavior resulting from individual frustration, aggression or pugnacity. Subsequently they use violence, they also believe that unless we do this violence we will lose an existent power struggle, therefore it now regarded that terrorism is a tool of the weak. First they do not have the resources such as money, people and political power to wage an actual war. Second, terrorist used hostility as a means, not a goal, while the main goal is to agitate, expose and emphasize the weaknesses and inability of the government and civil machinery to achieve their direct political objectives. Some of the most highly regarded terrorist profiles are Timothy McVeigh, Theodore Kaczynski, Osama bin Laden. Terrorist Activities: In the present scenario the number of states getting affected by terrorism is increasing day by day. Terrorist activities became an integral part of guerrilla warfare, the kind of political violence which are facing is relatively a new one. This is considered as a significant and distinct mode of armed conflict. It is only an aggrieved group has sufficient means to maintain violence on its own without bear from other states. Few states provide moral support to such group which might sound tiny way from being neutral, but valuable moral support from states that promote the political objective. The acts done by the aggrieved groups can be classified as Frivolous actions: Perus electricity poles in Lima city being blown up consecutively for 4 years during the New Years Eve. Indiscriminate Bombings and killings act of disruption and creating atmospheres of fear and insecurity. Hijacking of planes and taking hostage became one of the problems into the international prospect. In order to tackle the situation against the terrorist keeping Public policy in mind, the governments are taking appropriate actions such as killing the terrorists quickly as the best deterrence available is to kill the terrorist. Gathering information and getting cooperation from national as well as international intelligence organizations. Some of them include Organizations such as Interpol, FBI, Europol, etc. â€Å"FBI/CIA/Europole†is regarded as world intelligence agency.. Dehumanize, demonize, terrorist. Actions against money laundering, is also regarded as best means to control supply of money, to the terrorist. There is a difference to face and terrorism. The decision part will be in the hand of the political leaders here. In hijacking and hostage operation the decision lies on the political leaders. There will be involvement of several international organizations and concerned states for such problems. It decision depends on several things so government should have a proper agenda to face these type of situations. Complying laws with human rights is also necessary. Or else terrorist will use this to voice their protest more and change the sensitive minds set of youngsters. All the theories meant will give basic guidelines about the system and the problems in the system and it is up to the policy makers to use those theories to enact perfect laws that can curtail the problem. References: 1. Conflict theory, December 22, 2007. 2. David J. Whittaker,( 2004), Terrorists and Terrorism in the Contemporary World. Routledge, New York, Pp: 63. 3. Khan, A. (1987) ‘A legal theory of international terrorism, Connecticut Law Review. pp 945-972. 4. J. Paul De B. Taillon, Hijacking and Hostages: Government Responses to Terrorism. Praeger, Westport, CT. Publication Year: 2002. Pp: 159 5. J. Paul De B. Taillon, Hijacking and Hostages: Government Responses to Terrorism. Praeger, Westport, CT. Publication Year: 2002. Pp: 49 6. Tay Kok Siong, D., Yong Wee, F. and Kien Meng, W (July 2001), Terrorism and Game theory.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Frogs :: essays research papers

Frogs   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Frog is the common name for a species of amphibian that also includes toads. A very common question is â€Å"whats the difference between frogs and toads?† , the answer: none, except for the fact that toads lack the powerful legs that frogs have. â€Å"Where can frogs and toads be found?†, one might ask. They live in all parts of the world, except for Antarctica, but are mostly found in tropical areas. Frogs are small animals with smooth moist skin, and big eyes that can see in almost any direction. Most species have webbed feet and powerful legs making them good jumpers, and excellent swimmers. A frogs tongue is attached to the front of it’s mouth instead of the rear, and most frogs are very vocal, especially the male frogs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As a frog grow, it goes through many changes. Starting out as a tadpole, and morphing into a frog. Most frogs lay their eggs in water. Others will lay their eggs some where safe, then carry them to water where they hatch into tadpoles. At this stage they have gills, no legs, and a tail. As they mature, their gills and tail disappear, and they develop lungs and legs. This period of tadpole life can be divided into three stages. The first stage, called â€Å" premetamorphosis,† lasts about 50 days (Patent 54). The second stage, in which the hind legs grow, is called â€Å"prometamorphosis,† and lasts about 21 days. When the legs are about as long as the body, the third stage, which is called â€Å" metamorphic climax,† and takes place very rapidly, begins. During this last stage, which lasts about a week, many great changes occur. They lungs complete their development, and the gills disappear. The skin gets thicker, nostrils form, and the tail is completely resorbed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Most frogs prefer moist regions, and many kinds live in the water. Because frogs absorb oxygen in water through their skin, they can stay underwater for long periods of time. A frogs body temperature depends on it’s surroundings, and during cold weather, frogs dig burrows in mud and hibernate. During hibernation, the frog needs little oxygen and no more food than is already in it’s tissues. During intense heat, a frog might estivate, or in other words, lie in a state of torpor during the heat, after burying themselves in sand and clay.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Frogs are carnivores. They eat just about anything smaller than then that moves. A frog thinks like this: If it’s smaller than itself and moves, eat it. If it’s the same size, mate, or attempt to mate (this gets some frogs

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

free america :: essays research papers

free americaa  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Is freedom really free? We all say we live in a free society, but if you walk across the street with out a cross walk you could be arrested! How can that be freedom, when you look at it that way It dosent really seem free. There has been major achievements in history to make our world free with out question. We the American people have strived for centuries to keep America free we fought the British to be free and create a beautiful country , we fought for the freeing of the slaves in the Civil War, also the nazi’s in World War Two who where trying to put a fascist government rule on Germany and the world. (The exact opsite of freedom).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  They say that Freedom comes at a price ; why a price on freedom dosent that defeat the purpose? Wont that negate freedom if you have to give something up for it? Freedom seems to me to be something that is with out price, unexchangeable for anything ,any reason, any objective. Its irreplaceable in all expressive senses it possesses and represents. It retains and upholds liberty, independence, privilege, and license to be and to live your life as you see suitable. Freedom is open to anyone who will fight for its existence if that fight is only to say that they yearn for it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On the most part we see freedom as free, if we want to go out at 3:00 a.m. in the early morning for ice-cream and shotgun shells we are â€Å"Free† to do just that.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We as American citizens are accustom to many freedoms that we sometimes take for granted such as the freedom to speak out against anyone who is trying to infarct upon our civil liberties, the right to choose who will represent us to the rest of the world, and the freedom to make and change any rule set forth if it does not apply.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Estimation of Production Function of Public Sector Banks

Project| Estimation of Production function of Public Sector Banks | | | Contents 1. INRODUCTION3 2. Methodology4 2. 1General Approach:4 2. 2Data Collection:4 2. 3Data Processing:5 2. 3. 1Nature of Banks:5 2. 3. 2Nature of Variables:5 2. 3. 3Assumptions in the treatment of Variables:5 2. 4Data Analysis:5 2. 4. 1Objective of the Analysis5 2. 4. 2Production Function Relationship:5 2. 5Limitation8 3. Data analysis and Results9 4. Conclusion15 5. Bibliography16 1. INRODUCTIONThe structure of the banking industry has undergone sweeping changes in the past two decades. In response to heightened competition from non-bank financial firms enabled by technological progress among other factors, banks have been expanding both the scale and scope of their operations, largely through consolidations. This merger wave coincides with extensive deregulation, which has removed restrictions on product offerings and interstate banking. These changes have motivated many studies. The estimation of bank prod uctivity and returns to scale is of particular nterest because of its broad practical applications and important policy implications The Banking Sector is characterized by multiple inputs and outputs that are associated with various attributes, such as different types of deposits, loans, number of accounts, classes of employees and location of branches. Transformation in terms of moving from high operating cost, low productivity and high spread to being more efficient, productive and competitive has been an important challenge for the banking sector in India.Recent years have witnessed substantial research efforts that have been devoted to measuring the efficiency and productivity of the banking industry. However, assessment of performance of banks has been a problematic one because of the unresolved questions concerning inputs and outputs. In the absence of any coherent definitions, researchers have used a variety of inputs and outputs, mostly based on an intermediation or producti on approach. The study of the Indian banking sector is of special interest for multiple reasons.Besides being one of the fastest-growing emerging economies of the world, India has one of the largest state-owned banking systems and generates employment of around 1 million people. Secondly, the vast network of around 70,000 commercial bank branches provides the base of the finance-led growth and development process in India. Thus the issue of efficiency and productivity of banks in India is particularly important. In the aforementioned context we define productivity as a concept that involves the transformation of resources into final goods and services.Production function is a function that specifies the output of a firm, an industry, or an entire economy for all combinations of inputs. It indicates the highest output that a firm can produce for every specified combination of inputs. This function is an assumed technological relationship, based on the current state of engineering kno wledge; it does not represent the result of economic choices, but rather is an externally given entity that influences economic decision-making. Almost all economic theories presuppose a production function, either on the firm level or the aggregate level.In this sense, the production function is one of the key concepts of mainstream neoclassical theories. In micro-economics, a production function is a function that specifies the output of a firm for all combinations of inputs. 2. Methodology 1 2 3. 1 General Approach: This section describes the general approach taken for the analysis of the Production function of the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India. A bank for its operation takes several inputs and generates several outputs. For e. g. the typical inputs are Employees, Capital for operation, Reserve & Surplus, number of Branches, number of ATMs of a bank etc.Its output is typically the Loan (Advances), Interest Income etc. Since Multiple Regression is used so the production outp ut is taken only one at a time. Also, only two input variable at a time is used, though several regression analysis have been done for different combinations of input and output to get the most reasonable and best approximate relationship. However, a bank uses any number of variables as input simultaneously. A bank measures its performance among other parameters on how much Loan or Credit it has disbursed in a fiscal year or how much Deposit it has collected from the customers etc.Though such data in isolation may not be a true estimate of the efficiency of the business because unregulated disbursal of loans may cause Non Performing Assets (NPAs) which will lower the Retained Earning of the Bank but since the report is concerned only with the Production function of the PSBs hence no comment will be made on this aspect. Similarly how competitively the Deposits have been taken will not be a subject matter of this report. The Methodology of the report is to be first gather relevant inp ut/output data from authoritative source.The data so obtained are processed and any assumptions made for their subsequent analysis is clearly defined. In the next phase the data analysis is done wherein suitable regression technique is used to generate the relationship between the input variables and the Production output. Finally the Interpretation is done to assign the meaning to such endeavor. 3. 2 Data Collection: The data for the Public Sector Banks (PSB) in India for the following variables have been collected from the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) official website for the fiscal 2004-05 to 2008-09: Deposits * Capital * Loans & Advances * Labour * Interest Income 3. 3 Data Processing: Nature of Banks: All the 20 Nationalised Banks including IDBI as well as all the Associate Banks of the State Bank of India have been considered for the study. Thus a total of 27 banks has been focussed from the fiscal 2004-05 to 2008-09 for their Production output vis-a-vis different inpu ts. Nature of Variables: For the Banking Sector there are few variables which are clearly treated as input variables and output (production) variables.Example includes Labour and Loan (Advances) as input variables and Interest Income as output variables. But their are variables like Deposits which are ambiguous in their treatment as either input or output. It is input because to disburse loan which is an output the bank requires deposits. It is this deposit which is finally disbursed as loan. However, Deposit is treated as Output because the performance of a Bank is measured among other parameters by how much Deposit it has been able to generate in a fiscal year. For our analysis we treat Deposits as Output/ Production variable.Assumptions in the treatment of Variables: 1. It is assumed that the cost of per unit Labour is constant and same across all banks. Thus we may take the Labour as a quantity across all banks as an input variable, without bothering about the variable wage rate for each labour i. e the Cost of Labour is a linear function of the quantity of Labour. 3. 4 Data Analysis: Objective of the Analysis The report wish to obtain the following objectives: * To establish a mathematical model of Production Function for PSBs in India. * To analyze the regression coefficients obtained vis-s-vis the PSBs’ input and output. To analyze the regression coefficients for specific banks over five years Production Function Relationship: To estimate the one variable Production output function for an economic entity the Cobb-Douglas Production Function is widely used. For the Banking industry the report establishes the relationship between the following input variables and the Production output variable: (A) For all the 20 Nationalised Banks (including IDBI) along with the Associate Banks of SBI, the following Regression Analysis is done across all the years starting from the fiscal 2004-05 to 2008-09. S.No| Input Variable1| Input Variable 2| Production Outp ut| Across Time Period| Banks| 1| Labour| Capital| Deposit| 2004-05 to 2008-09| All PSBs| 2| Labour| Capital| Advances| 2004-05 to 2008-09| All PSBs| 3| Labour| Capital| Advances + Deposit| 2004-05 to 2008-09| All PSBs| 4| Labour| Capital| Interest Income| 2004-05 to 2008-09| All PSBs| The number observations made = Number of Production Functions * Number of Fiscal Years for which the observation is made = 4*5 =20 (B) Specific to the Largest Nationalised Bank as per capital viz. State Bank of India (SBI) and the Smallest PSB as per Capital viz. State Bank of Indore (SBIndore) were taken for regression analysis separately. The merger of  State Bank of Indore, the smallest associate bank of State Bank of India (SBI), was completed in the last week of August 2010, ut for our analysis we still continue to treat its data as separate from that of SBI. S. No| Input Variable1| Input Variable 2| Production Output| Across Time Period| Bank| 1| Labour| Capital| Deposit| 2004-05 to 2008-09| S BI| 2| Labour| Capital| Advances| 2004-05 to 2008-09| SBI| 3| Labour| Capital| Advances + Deposit| 2004-05 to 2008-09| SBI| 4| Labour| Capital| Interest Income| 2004-05 to 2008-09| SBI| 5| Labour| Capital| Deposit| 2004-05 to 2008-09| SBIndore| 6| Labour| Capital| Advances| 2004-05 to 2008-09| SBIndore| 7| Labour| Capital| Advances + Deposit| 2004-05 to 2008-09| SBIndore| 8| Labour| Capital| Interest Income| 2004-05 to 2008-09| SBIndore|The number observations made = Number of Production Functions * Number of Fiscal Years for which the observation is made = 8*5 =40 3. 5. 1. 1 Multiple Regressions: For modelling and testing of multiple independent variables (or predictor variables), Multiple Regression is used. Since it is for only single dependent variable (or criterion variable) hence Multiple Regression is not a multivariate test. The model for a multiple regression takes the form:   y  =  ? 0  +  ? 1Ãâ€"1  +  ? 2Ãâ€"2  +  ? 3Ãâ€"3  + †¦.. +  ? And we wish to estimate the  ? 0,  ? 1,  ? 2, etc. by obtaining   ^ y1  =  b0  +  b1x1  +  b2x2  +  b3x3  + †¦..Where the  b's are termed as the â€Å"regression coefficients† and ? is the error or residual value. For 2 independent variables we fit the data for a plane. The beta values are used in measuring how effectively the predictor variable influences the criterion variable. R2, in multiple regression is the square of the measure of association which indicates the percent of overlap between the predictor variables and the criterion variable. 3. 5. 1. 2 Cobb-Douglas Production Function: The Production of an economic entity may be defined as a function of its inputs. In a general mathematical form, a production function can be defined as: P= f(X1,X2,X3,†¦Xn) Where: P = Production or output quantityX1,X2,X3,†¦Xn = Input variables such as Labour, raw material, capital etc. f() = function defining the relationship. This function may be a L inear Function of all input variables. It can also be a Product Function of all the individual variables with each variables weighted for a corresponding exponent. The Cobb-Douglas Production Function follows the latter approach and is as follows: P = A. L?. K? Where, P = Production or output quantity L = Labour (the number of employees) K = Capital (the monetary worth of all machinery, equipment, and buildings) A = Total factor productivity, a variable which accounts for effects on total output not explained by chosen inputs. ?, ? are the output elasticity of labour and capital, respectively. These values are constants. We assume ? , ? ;lt; 1 so that the firm has decreasing marginal products of labour and capital. The Multiple Regression is to be done using the Cobb-Douglas Production Function, then the said function needs to be in a the linear form. To achieve linear scale the exponential Log of the Cobb-Douglas Production Function may be taken. Thus the following function is bein g used in the report for regression: Log (P) = a0 + ? *Log(L) + ? *Log(K) Thus the Input 1= Log(L), Input 2 = Log(K) and Output = Log(P) and Model Coefficients = ? , ? 3. 5. 1. 3 Return to Scale:Returns to scale refers to a technical property of production that examines changes in output subsequent to a proportional change in all inputs (where all inputs increase by a constant factor). If output increases by that same proportional change then there are constant returns to scale (CRTS). If output increases by less than that proportional change, there are decreasing returns to scale (DRS). If output increases by more than that proportion, there are increasing returns to scale (IRS). To summarise, it is as follows: ? + ? | Returns to scale| =1| constant| ;lt; 1| decreasing| ;gt; 1| increasing| 3. 5 Limitation * The correlation between labour expense and production across banks may be limited if the business model of the bank varies.For example banks who primary operate in larger   ci ties can produce more with a smaller workforce because of greater labour utilization while labour in far flung remote branches might be under utilized and may not contribute to production that efficiently. Hence we assume a linear utilisation of labour. * This correlation is limited because as technology is increasingly substituting labour in banks so a bank with smaller workforce but superior technology can still produce more. Different PSBs may differ on this aspect of technological implementation vis-a-vis their labour. * Our analysis has restricted inputs and outputs to very few variables. There can be other variables although the report has included the most important ones for the study. * In analysis of SBI and State bank of Indore we have taken only 5 data points for 5 years. This may limit the authenticity of analysis. We have chosen only two input case to estimate the production while other inputs are collectively taken in intercept. * There is an assumption that the produc tion function follows Cobb-Douglas Production estimation. Other Production estimation methods like Olley/Pakes and Levinshon/Pertin functions are not considered. * In the regression model, we have not factored in any smoothing techniques. * In the analysis of bank over the years the data may be misleading,banks over the year may with better technology produce more with lesser input this effect will lower their economies of scale in the given analysis, this is a wrong conclusion 3. Data analysis and Results We referred the website of RBI to get the data needed for our analysis.A total of 27 banks were taken for analysis and the data for these banks from the period 2004-05 to 2008-09 have been used for the analysis. We used the Cobb Douglas Function for the models, wherein Q = A * (Input1^ ? 1) * (Input2 ^ ? 2) The production functions thus attained provides us a view of the overall sector as a whole for the following the outputs. 1. Deposit 2. Advances 3. Deposit + Advances 4. Intere st Income Further, we focussed on two banks, State Bank of India and State Bank of Indore, the largest and smallest in the sector in terms of capital, to understand the applicability of the product functions attained in the above study.Here, the data across the five years in the consideration were used to obtain the production functions for each of the input-output combinations mentioned above. The results have been summarized in the Table 1 below for the four different models taken for all the banks across five years and Table 2 for all the four models for 2 specific banks: Table 1: Case| Year| Intercept| ? ( Elasticity of Labour)| ? (Elasticity of Capital) | R2| Model 1:Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Deposits| 2004-05| 0. 6431| 0. 7257| 0. 2440| 0. 9596| | 2005-06| 0. 8010| 0. 5535| 0. 4239| 0. 9802| | 2006-07| 0. 8944| 0. 5655| 0. 4017| 0. 9731| | 2007-08| 1. 2448| 0. 4426| 0. 676| 0. 9707| | 2008-09| 1. 2768| 0. 3591| 0. 5694| 0. 9685| Model 2:Input1: Labour Input2: Capi tal Output: Advances| 2004-05| 1. 0543| 0. 2347| 0. 6749| 0. 8900| | 2005-06| 0. 9721| 0. 1998| 0. 7609| 0. 9372| | 2006-07| 0. 9495| 0. 3228| 0. 6367| 0. 9448| | 2007-08| 1. 2994| 0. 2608| 0. 6275| 0. 9544| | 2008-09| 1. 2154| 0. 2486| 0. 6746| 0. 9641| Model 3:Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Deposits + Advances| 2004-05| 1. 2041| 0. 4583| 0. 4768| 0. 9416| | 2005-06| 1. 2145| 0. 3679| 0. 5987| 0. 9695| | 2006-07| 1. 2331| 0. 4450| 0. 5174| 0. 9662| | 2007-08| 1. 5742| 0. 3575| 0. 5422| 0. 9663| | 2008-09| 1. 5500| 0. 3101| 0. 6157| 0. 9683|Model 4:Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Interest Income| 2004-05| -0. 1461| 0. 5320| 0. 4036| 0. 9584| | 2005-06| -0. 0207| 0. 2972| 0. 6656| 0. 9610| | 2006-07| 0. 0246| 0. 3640| 0. 5843| 0. 9733| | 2007-08| 0. 3381| 0. 3250| 0. 5629| 0. 9639| | 2008-09| 0. 4347| 0. 2483| 0. 6411| 0. 9711| Table 2 State Bank of India| Case| Intercept| ? ( Elasticity of Labour)| ? (Elasticity of Capital) | R2| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Deposits| -3. 03105| 0. 978999| 0. 77501| 0. 976381| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Advances| 2. 773811| -0. 31806| 0. 972634| 0. 93499| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Deposits + Advances| -0. 37579| 0. 453894| 0. 852554| 0. 64079| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Interest Income| -3. 36783| 0. 872917| 0. 74153| 0. 996843| State Bank of Indore| Case| Intercept| ? ( Elasticity of Labour)| ? (Elasticity of Capital) | R2| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Deposits| 1. 693202| -0. 37172| 1. 310855| 0. 985134| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Advances| -3. 03629| 0. 124397| 2. 214496| 0. 938827| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Deposits + Advances| 0. 119414| -0. 21134| 1. 712892| 0. 966654| Input1: Labour Input2: Capital Output: Interest Income| 5. 081366| -1. 73671| 1. 552713| 0. 993676| The macro-economic factors in India definitely affect the performance of the banks.The various parameters like inflation, GDP affect the sentiment of the market in general, while the regulatory measures taken by RBI through changing CRR, SLR, repo and reverse repo rates effect a shift in the business outlook of the bank. Since these parameters keep on changing from time to time, we decided to have separate product functions for every year. This guards us against the negative impacts making an assumption of Ceteris Paribas in determining the product functions, where we might have a few more variables. But the correlation of those factors with the performance of the banks is not the motive of this study, and hence not in its scope.Also, while analyzing the performance of the banks, we have to keep in mind that, being in the public sector, their focus is not always on profit maximizing. Rather, the goal is often carrying out the social responsibilities like providing banking facilities at places where the venture might not be profitable, and hence not a feasible for the private sector to open branches at those places. Analysis and Results for the different models Model 1: Input variables: Labour (L), Capital (K) Output variable: Deposit The first graph below captures the variation in output with respect to change in labour and the second with respect to change in capital. A strong similarity in graph indicates that labour n capital can be almost perfect substitutes. If the graphs differ then they are not good substitutesDeposit is essentially an intermediate variable, here treated as an output. As expected, we see some variation in the results across the years. An interesting observation here is that the elasticity of labour decreases along the period under study. This is in keeping with the redundant labour created by the technical innovations of the operations reducing the productivity of labour. The policies of the Public sector bank do not allow them to reduce the input of labour suddenly. Also, the higher elasticity of capital for 2008-2009 indicates the mood of the market during the recession, where the safety of t he bank deposits looked better when weighed against the risks and lower outputs of other avenues of investment.The high values of R2 point at the stability of the regression through which the production functions were attained. As the sum of Output Elasticity’s of Inputs (Labor and Capital) as ? +? value is close to unity, it implies that the Indian Public sector banks are in Economies of Scale. This is consistent with the earlier economic researches which imply the banking sector in general is in Economies of Scale (Increasing returns to scale). Model: 2 Input variables: Labour (L), capital (K) Output variable: Advances Here, again, we see that the R2 values are high indicating higher stability in the production functions. An interesting phenomenon that can be noticed in these results is in the relative stability of all three parameters across the years.The relative variation of the coefficients across the years is relatively low. Model: 3 Input variables: Labour (L), capita l (K) Output variable: Deposit Advances Here, again, we see that the R2 values are high indicating higher stability in the production functions. An interesting phenomenon that can be noticed in these results is in the relative stability of all three parameters across the years. The relative variation of the coefficients across the years is relatively low. The economies of scale ? +? value is again close to unity and signifies that for all the different outputs there is an increasing scale of return. Model: 4 Input variables: Labour (L), capital (K) Output variable: Interest IncomeAgain, we see a clear trend of declining elasticity of labour across the years, validating the observation made in case 1. The relatively higher elasticity of capital in 2008-09 indicates the stability and optimization of performance of the Indian banks in turbulent global scenario. For each of the banks under study, the income under both the heads, Interest and other, showed a steady rise. Analyzes for Spe cific banks: State bank of India and State bank of Indore All the above mentioned four models of input and output parameters where analyzed for State bank of India and State Bank of Indore for period of 5 Years . The below graphs are a couple of sample graphs of the analysis . All the graphs of the analysis are attached below.We must note a very interesting trend in the economies of scale (ie the sum of alpha n beta) in our result. The economy of scale for almost all the cases in the initial four analysis is slightly less than or almost equal to 1 but it is greater than 1 both for SBI and State bank of Indore respectively. This means that when we look at the overall sector the banks of larger size have almost proportionally large output as compared to their input but both in SBI and State bank of Indore the increase in output is disproportionally larger compared to increase in input. The Data used for the analysis and detailed regression analyses are attached below:The complete set of graphs created for all the models are as well attached below: 4. Conclusion The study focused on modeling the Production Function for public sector banks. The regression curves obtained from all the banks that were considered for production functions for Deposits, Advances, sum of Deposits and Advances and interest income. The coefficient of variation was above 90% in most of the cases which reinforces the assumption that the level of capital and labour count significantly explains the variation in output level. The sum of ? and ? , the parameters of the system, is nearly unity. This indicates that the industry has a production which exhibits constant returns to scale.For the analysis done on individual banks (SBI and State bank of India), the values of negative value of alpha  and beta indicate that the increase in labour or capital (as the case may) decreases the overall output of the bank. We have seen constant or slightly decreasing economies of scale across banks in any gi ven year whereas SBIs have shown increasing scale of economy (;gt;1) over the years. To explore this issue further we had done a few more regression for some more banks for 5 years (5 data points). The analysis has thrown up very interesting conclusion, the economy of scale fluctuates by huge degree across various banks and overall it is negative. This happens when the bank is already utilizing more than the needed labour or capital for its given capacity and any further increase in it decreases the overall production .It can be concluded from this analysis that although overall it may not be desirable to have a large size bank, it is desirable to increase the size of both SBI and State bank of Indore as here the incremental return will outmatch the incremental investment as they have economies of scale greater than unity. Our results have been consistent with the previous research findings which state that banking industry has economies of scale i. e. output more than doubles with doubling of input. It was also observed that sum of output elasticity’s of factor inputs (? +? ) was greater for certain banks like SBI and State bank of Indore. 5. Bibliography * Microeconomics, 7th Edition. Robert S. Pindyck, Daniel L. Rubenfield, Prem L. Mehta. * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Banking_in_India *

Monday, September 16, 2019

Performance Management at Jet Food Services Essay

It is now the end of Sampada’s first year as regional manager for Jet Food Services. As regional manager, Sampada supervises a total of ten districts, each of which has a manager responsible for sales and service to customers in that area. Jet Food provides contract food services for hospitals, schools, colleges, business firms, and other institutions that need meals prepared on site but that do not wish to be responsible for operating such services. Jet Food Services hires all necessary kitchen employees, purchases all supplies, and prepares meals in accordance with specifications agreed on with customers. The district manager is responsible for coordinating all customer activities. This includes planning, budgeting, hiring and supervising Jet`s on-site representative (customer service manager), customer satisfaction, and contract renegotiations. Sampada was recruited after years of experience as director of food services for a multicampus university. In that job, she had oversight responsibility for the food services at several campuses. The Jet Food position offered an opportunity for continued growth and advancement. In her first year, Sampada has concentrated on getting to know the district managers and the customers with whom they work. She spent more than a week with each district manager and visited each customer with him or her. At this point, she feels comfortable with her job and the knowledge she has gained of both operations and personnel, and it is time to appraise the performance of the district managers and to schedule review meetings with these employees. Sampada`s assessment of Ranjan: Ranjan is the longest term district manager in Sampada’sregion. He completed less than one year of college, held several short term jobs, and then joined Jet as a shift supervisor of the company`s services at a large college. At present, he is completing twelve years of employment with Jet. He has been a district manager for three years. In working with Ranjan, Sampadahas observed his strengths, along with some problems. Ranjan has a talent for working with people, Jet employees and customers alike. In fact, in his years with Jet, no customer he worked with has ever switched to a competitor. Many on-site supervisors recruited, trained, and supervised by Ranjan have gone on to become managers of other districts.On the other hand, Ranjan’s unhealthy eating habits – despite doctors` warnings – have contributed to some serious medical difficulties. During the past year, Ranjan was out of work for three months with gallbladder and heart problems, attributable in part to obesity. And Ranjan’s behaviour towards others can be overbearing. Sampada kept track of her phone calls from district managers during the year, and there were more calls (or messages) from Ranjan than from the other nine district managers taken together – calls to promote or advertise his own efforts. Although Ranjan can be charming, he has started to be loud and rude with regional personnel whom he perceives as excessively rule – oriented. All in all, Ranjan’s style and appearance have become entirely different from what Sampada is accustomed to in colleagues and employees.Further, it has been announced that Sampada’s region is going to be expanded and that a new position, that of assistant regional manager will be created. Ranjan has made it clear that as Jet`s longest tenured district manager in the region, he feels entitled to this promotion. However, Sampada does not feel she could work with Ranjan as the assistant regional manager. She feels that their management styles are too different and that Ranjan’s behaviour might irritate regional and corporate personnel. As Sampada looks over Jet`s performance assessment and management instrument, she realises that her honest assessment of Ranjan’s performance in his current job is generally excellent. She glances at the last page of the assessment and management form and the overall ratings from which she will have to choose. Jet`s overall rating system is on a 1-10 scale, with 10 as outstanding; 7-9, different degrees of excellent performance; 5-6, satisfactory; 3-4, below average; and 1-2, unacceptable. Sampada is uncertain as to what overall rating to assign. If she gives Ranjan too high a rating, he will expect to be promoted. If the rating is too low, Ranjan will doubtless be angry, feeling that an injustice has been done. Ranjan`s Self-Assessment and Management: Ranjan sees himself as different from the other district managers. An outgoing, gregarious type, he loves to visit his customer locations and work with his company`s personnel. His idea of a successful day is one spent teaching a customer service manager a new operating procedure or management technique. In fact, Ranjan is known to roll up his sleeves and teach Jet employees a new recipe or how to improve an existing dish.Ranjan has worked for several district managers and has always liked to keep them informed about his activities, sometimes phoning two or three times a day. From discussions with Sampada, he is aware that she thinks many of these calls are not necessary, but he wants her to know how things are going with his employees and customers. He is also aware of Sampada’s views regarding his ignoring medical advice. Ranjan is proud of his career and of what he has been able to do without much higher education. He feels he is qualified to become a regional manager, and he looks forward to the possibility of promotion to the new assistant regional manager position as a step toward this ultimate goal. Ranjan’s Assessment Rating: In reviewing the situation, Sampada decides to give Ranjan an overall rating of 6. She feels justified, given that Ranjan did miss months of work as a result of neglecting his health. She knows that Ranjan will expect a higher overall rating, but she is prepared to stand behind her evaluation. Sampada then goes back to considering the separate ratings she will assign and to making plans for their feedback review. Questions:1 How would you describe Sampada’s approach to the assessment and management of Ranjan’s performance? 2 Are Sampada`s concerns with Ranjan’s performance legitimate? Will Ranjan have justifiable reasons for feeling dissatisfied with the assessment and management results?

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Shale Gas

Shale gas is natural gas formed from being trapped within shale formations. Shale gas has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States over the past decade, and interest has spread to potential gas shale's in the rest of the world. In 2000 shale gas provided only 1% of U. S. natural gas production; due to rising oil prices gas prices have also been affected by the rise therefore there was big demand for gas in the US which in 2010 it was over 20% and the U.S. government's Energy Information Administration predicts that by 2035 46% of the United States' natural gas supply will come from shale gas. I would like to mention that Chesapeake energy is the leading US company in producing Shale gas with a market cap of 13. 6 Billion US $ (which I think it’s a good choice of adding it to your investment portfolio). Starting as early as 2017 the USA will start to export LNG to other world markets.Recently a company called Freeport LNG Development LP, which opened a facility on the Gulf Coast to import liquefied natural gas four years ago, signed a 20-year contract with two large Japanese power companies (Osaka Gas Co. ; Chubu Electric Power) to export natural gas from it instead. Freeport LNG is in advanced talks with Royal Dutch Shell PLC for a similar export deal that would allow the energy giant to ship out natural gas to foreign end customers. The emergence of vast new supplies of natural gas from dense shale rocks has upended expectations that the U.S. would become a major importer of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from overseas. Now, many industry officials believe the U. S. could emerge as a major exporter, a development that could have a significant impact on the U. S. trade deficit. Drilling Shale Gas wells is not an easy task thanks to introducing new technologies like the Horizontal drilling technology which is used to drill the shale gas wells, with lateral lengths up to (5,000 m) within the shale, to create maximum boreh ole surface area in contact with the shale.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

How Far Would You Agree That ”Animal Farm” Is, As Orwell Himself Described It, A ‘Fairy Story.’

Five down. A word that is used in dermatology. 6 letters. That's a tough one†¦what's dermatology? Itches†¦that doesn't fit. Scratch†¦I don't know. I was pondering whether I should go over to that old man who was leaning against the fence. He had been there, in the same position, smiling and nodding at me for the last half an hour. Perhaps I should tell him to get a life? I sighed; I was so bored. Perhaps this is what waiting does to you? Why was I doing this stupid crossword? I should be on the train now, on my way back to Cardiff; there I would be getting drunk out of my mind. What was I going to say to Rob? â€Å"Sorry mate, couldn't come to your stag do, the train came late?† What a lame excuse. When would that stupid train come? The guard over there was looking happy, probably because he was enjoying watching all us commuters suffer. Perhaps I should show him what it's like, missing out on pints of free beer, strippers AND my best mate's stag do. Paranoia had set upon me. I had already started to think everyone was out to get me, and perhaps I was right? No, I hastily corrected myself, they don't even know me. Why on earth was I paranoid? I mean, I used to take this journey everyday when I was a kid†¦but things change. I was far more aware of everything now. At my feet, lay my briefcase; normally my portfolio would lie there, with all its sketches depicting life. For a brief second, I wished I could go back in time, and no longer feel the intensity of adulthood: having to work to survive, owning a house etc. I closed my eyes wearily. The train still hadn't come. Frustrated, my instincts told me to just wait, but, ignoring them, I marched over to the guard, and demanded to know when the train would arrive. He gave no verbal answer, and simply gestured at the electronic board above his head. He then walked off, presumably to help some old dear carry her luggage. Not. The notice board told me that my train would be delayed indefinitely. Estimated time of arrival was at least 4 hours away, if not more. I slumped back down onto the red plastic, cheap station seating, and resigned myself to a long wait. I got out my mobile, and began to text Rob, apologising for not being there. My text contained many words of crude language. As I began to text, I stopped. I remembered that I was at a station; where better to observe human life? Here, I could capture normal life, without having to draw forced behaviour. I looked across the crowded arcade. Businessmen, old people, women with severe hair-dos, punks, anarchists, goths, Asians, Africans†¦ no one out of the ordinary. I didn't know quite what I was looking for, but I knew they would stand out. Just as I looked past the Sainsbury's outlet, a woman burst in through the door from the high street, almost colliding with the ‘Welcome to Paddington' sign. She was drenched to the bone, although I didn't know how; it wasn't even raining. She had a peculiar look on her face, one of worry and exhaustion, yet somehow triumphant. She ran towards the platform, skidding several times, and ran straight to the guard. I could see her lips moving, but all I could hear was the crackly interference on the intercom. The guard walked off while she was still talking, and she was left standing there, alone. I had never seen such a unique woman in my life. She had auburn hair, naturally highlighted in streaks with a dull ginger colour, bright green eyes almost like a cat, which were opened wide as if she was annoyed†¦ Her eyebrows lowered as I saw her eyes scan across the timetable. What train was she waiting for? I told myself I wouldn't get involved. She was beautiful, but I already had a girlfriend: a kind generous one at that. No, I didn't love this woman, but was just enthralled by her. As she sat down, drips of water ran off her hair onto her top. She sat herself down on the adjacent bench to mine, and reached for her handbag. Her hand delved deep inside, and things went flying everywhere. Tissues scattered themselves all over her skirt, leaving bits of white fluff, which contrasted horribly with her blue and burgundy-striped skirt. A lipstick gracefully went sailing out of the bag, flew through the air, until it landed back on the platform. It then slid itself underneath the barrier, on the very edge of the platform. The woman flung more things out of the bag; the Vaseline came out, the lid fell off, and the contains went everywhere; a purse hit an old woman sitting near her who then started mumbling; photos of children and other people; tickets for buses and trains; receipts for petrol, shopping and clothes; a calculator fell out and made a crack sound; a film, mint wrappers, pens†¦anything you can name was in there. Unfortunately, still more things came out. A mirror went flying through the air, straight towards an old man. He looked up just before it struck him, and caught it. I presume he then made a comment about 9 years bad luck as he handed it back, though I couldn't hear him, as the intercom was going on about cheap luggage cases at G&R Cases. Finally, she pulled out, with relish a mobile phone and a hairbrush. She began to brush her hair vigorously using the mirror. She placed it back in, then looked around in horror, at the scene of destruction that she had created. Annoyed (it seemed), she went around this part of the station, picking everything back up. I wanted to help, but I dared not; something was rooting me to the ground. Fear. The woman finally replaced the lipstick back in her handbag, and looked around. Seeing the shops, she walked off towards them. I followed. As I walked towards the commercial side of the station, I made up a cover story. If she noticed I was following and asked me, I would say either a) I thought you were someone else, or b) I need to get some apples†¦wait, but why would I need to go to all the same shops as her? I decided I would only use option a) if asked. She walked into Boots, and I followed. Why was I following her? I had no idea, but this woman interested me. Under the pretence of looking for a toothbrush, I watched her buy some Nurofen, shaving cream, Lynx deodorant, and a razor. Why did she need that? It was ‘guy' stuff. Finally, she meandered over to the cosmetics area, where she dithered over buying a plum-coloured shade of finger paint stuff. What was it called again? Oh yeah, nail varnish. After about 45 minutes in there, she paid up using her card, and left. ***** During the next 11/2 hours, she went to the luggage shop, Woolworths where she purchased a large bag of pick ‘n' mix, Sainsbury's to buy some pasta, and a florist. After coming out of the last shop with a bouquet of irises, she went back to the red plastic bench, and sat down. I waited for a while, and then followed suit. On my way back to the bench, I looked up at the notice board. Two hours before the train arrived. The woman seemed to be getting nervous. She was straightening her skirt, getting rid of every little crease or dent. She sat there, looking agitated for a while. She sneezed suddenly, and looked around, cringing apologetically. Then a train pulled up into the station. This was the 19:56 train pulling in, and she stood up, and ran towards the barrier. People filed out, and the noise level in my head slowly grew, but I could not make sense of it. All I could hear was endless jumble; babbling, talking, but one conversation indistinguishable from another. I could hear this in the background, but in the foreground there was silence, spare her breathing. A friendly old lady was trying to question me, but I could neither see nor hear her clearly. I was looking at her, but yet not seeing her. It was the same with the rest of the passengers: they had no features in my head. All I could see were faces, with one face standing out: the woman's. Her face had features: exquisite ones, which appeared perfect to me. Everyone else was the same, blank, just going. Her face told a story, one that I was trying to learn. I had become very overwhelmed by this woman. I watched her stand by the rail, lean over, clasping her hands with the rail between them. She stood on the lowest bar, held the bar with both hands and swung. She then leaned completely over the bar, got off it, and just held it with one hand. As the stragglers among the passengers filed out, the train emptied, and her face began to express anguish. As the doors on the one side closed, and the boarding passengers got on, she looked distraught. She ran from one direction to another, trying to find a way to get to the other side of the bar, trying to find a guard. But there was no one to help her. As the train departed, confusion came upon her face. She then slowly sat back down on her seat, and, with a look of determination, looked like no one could make her move. The train left, and the station became emptier. Most people had got on the last train, which had left for Greenwich. My train, however, was still conspicuous by its absence. I should now be at the club with Rob and the rest of his mates, getting more and more drunk by the moment. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the woman getting out her mobile. It was quite an old model for a person her age: I thought she would have a 3310 at least, since she looked about 23. But no, she had a Sony, with a pullout aerial and tiny screen. She was hitting the keys at a moderate speed, obviously texting. I could just about make out the words ‘Where are you' from where I was sitting. Then she hit one button hard, and sat back. I heard a faint beep; obviously the message had been sent. The time kept ticking away on the big blue electric clock. The second hand seemed to almost be slowing down, though I doubted that. The timetable kept saying that my train would arrive in one minute less time than last minute, until it said my train would arrive in 45 minutes. However, by that pint, I dared not raise my hopes, as it had said that so many times before I no longer believed it. Time seemed to almost be coming to a standstill, when I heard a sharp horn go, and another train slowly came round the corner into the main station. The woman ran towards the bar again, a fresh look of happiness on her face, but in the corner lay a hint of dread? I wasn't sure. Her irises in her hand, she stood on the rail, leaning over. Her free hand had nothing to do: it darted from the rail to her pocket to her skirt, and then it held the irises, then back to the bar. The passengers again stopped leaving, and the train was once again emptied. Through the windows a few silhouettes remained, so she looked like she still had a bit of hope. The final three passengers came out, and she fled from the bar, flinging down the irises onto the floor. From my seat, I could see her head held between her hands, and her chest was heaving gently: was she sobbing? She rummaged in her bag for a tissue, and, after wiping her tears away, gently picked up the irises from the ground, and held them in her arms. An old woman, who had seen the plight of the woman and her irises both of which had begun to wilt forlornly, walked over to her, started talking to her about the plight of the rails nowadays (I was now within earshot) and gave her a vase of water for the irises. As she left, the woman began to smile again, seeing the flowers perk up. After two more trains had come and gone, the woman's spirits had fallen almost irretrievably low and various texts, I saw her call someone, possibly the person who she was waiting for. She was muttering ‘Pick up, damn you, pick up', and when the answer phone came on, she almost burst into tears. She left a heartrending message, and I saw her visbly choke back tears a few times. Then she hung up, and waited. The woman's skirt was now crumpled, her top tearstained, the flowers dying, but hope of the person arriving kept a brave smile on her face. However, the smile was not for me, actually, it seemed almost everyone but. She didn't seem to even notice I existed. Then I heard a message on the intercom: ‘We are very sorry for any delays, but the 19:56 train and the 17:56 trains have been combined. They will shortly be arriving. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Please forward any complaints to the Railtrack Office in Cornwall. Thank you for your patience.' Finally! My train was actually going to arrive! What's more, in only a few minutes! But one thing almost scared me: it had combined with the woman's train. Was it coincidence? Or sheer chance†¦ However, I had no chance to ponder this question as the train pulled in at that moment. The woman ran over to the rail, as I queued to get aboard. From my place in the queue, I was at a good vantage point to see whom the woman was going to reunite with, and the happy event itself. A man got off the train, and the woman was waving at him madly. However, he looked around hurriedly, didn't appear to see her, and beckoned another woman off the train. At that point, my woman started to look confused, as if feeling why hadn't he seen her? She was almost at the point of climbing over the rail. The man who had got off the train, and woman with him grabbed each other, and kissed passionately. My woman looked aghast, shocked, and distraught all at once. She then took a sharp intake of breath. The man looked round and saw my woman looking distraught. The woman looked around, and caught my glance. For an instantaneous second we understood each other, then it stopped. I heard him trying to explain, but it was all for nothing. As I boarded the train, I saw the irises hit him in the face, the shopping hit the other woman, and my woman walked off into the darkness, in the direction of the oncoming trains. However, I had no time to find out what happened next, and the train slowly began to accelerate away. I realised that I had been staring at her unashamedly for the last 4 hours, and I felt I knew her; but all she knew of me was a second. The last thing I heard before the sound of the train blocked out everything else was a screech: was it a scream, or simply the doors closing? I realised I would never know, and concentrated on looking forward to the journey: who knows what might happen?

Friday, September 13, 2019

A League of Their Own

The film begins with the commencement of the second world war and female baseball players are drafted into the All American Girls Baseball League, in the attempt to save the sport. With the induction of this league, the girls obtained the chance to show how women deserve an equal chance in sports, an opportunity to show their hard work and perseverance, and free themselves from the clutches of lower class life through success in the sport. The value of family was portrayed throughout the film and became a top priority for some of the players. In achieving a spot on a team the girls also had to conform to the rules and requirements that the owners of the league were demanding. To give this league the popularity it needed, the girls needed to work hard to be the leagues top players in every team. They all acquired the chance to go to training camps and try out for teams that would be placed into the league. The amount of work they displayed to get placed on the team showed that they wanted to earn the respect of the country and show that women could do more than just care for kids or be in charge of the kitchen. They worked extremely hard to show that women could play the sport as easily as men could. For example, this hardworking value was best portrayed by Kit, one of the individuals who played for the league. She got her sister to play because that was the only way they would take her and she did not want to stay on a farm for the rest of her life. Her persistent attitude helped her reach her goal and she became one of the top players of her time just like her sister. The family values are expressed greatly throughout the film by all the characters, but particularly by Dotti. Many of the women on the team had spouses in the army or back home. Dotti was the protagonist who was a girl with beauty and love of the sport like no other girl. What was different about her, besides being extremely skillful in the sport and never having a bad game, was that in her mind she was only playing while her husband was in the war. She loved the game, but her husband and family were always more important for her. The conflict between winning and her sister’s loyalty ended with her realizing that being friends with her sister was far more important than winning or playing in a baseball league. The women dealt with external conformity within the league because of the rules and regulations that the owners had placed on apparel and style of play. The women were required to wear a skirt outfit and makeup while they were playing. They were all forced to take etiquette classes and learn how to act like â€Å"ladies†. The women were upset with this because they had joined the league to play the sport they loved not to go out on the field and model for the fans. This movie was used to display that women were not inferior to men and to show how the game of baseball was used as more than publicity. The hard work and perseverance gave women in the united states a sense of hope and desire to succeed in a male dominated world.

Discussion questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Discussion questions - Essay Example 2007). The above data sources act as indicators of financial outcome of a project in hospital which is meant to improve the services of patients and in the long run increase their financial benefits to continue improving the hospital and even expand their services. These records in various sections of the hospital will serve as an indicator of the financial outcome essential for evaluation. The best evaluation design would be the pretest and posttest design with follow-up. This is because this evaluation design measures the project before it begins and at the end and this provides effective results that act as a baseline for comparison. The comparison is essential to indicate whether the project has achieved its set objectives or not and which objectives have not been achieved which is the basic essence of evaluation. The sampling strategy effective is the quota sampling. The hospital can be divided into quotas which depend on the services (like pharmacy, outpatient, and inpatient) and the evaluation can be carried out on each quota. This would also enable for comparison to be done on the (Melton et al. 2007). In order for an organization to compete successfully in the market, the quality of its goods and services must increase and this will require organizational structure of that organization to act. There may be more role allocation and role specificity in a bid to ensure that employees are producing their best in terms of goods or services production. In hospital for example, the nurses may be required to work in specific wards or handle specific cases to ensure increase in quality and standards of treatment and overall care for their patients (Borkowski 2005). Organizational structure of an organization is determined by the set goals and objectives of the organization. These same goals and objectives are centered on an increase in production of goods or services being offered in that organization. This therefore means that the two

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Advanced HealthCare Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 7

Advanced HealthCare Management - Assignment Example Quality improvement in healthcare organizations is faced by a number of controversies. This emanates from the fact that there tends to be certain challenges associated with the implementation of QI and CQI in healthcare (Burns et. al, 2012). The first notable challenge in the implementation of QI and CQI in healthcare encompasses the inability to measure the quality with a lot of accuracy. There may be some management, as well technical issues that may create a barrier to the use of quality measures in a healthcare setting. For example, managers in a healthcare organization may not have the necessary knowledge on what they should do with the measures of quality in an organization. Most managers tend to lack the skills needed for the implementation and use of quality measures in an organization. This is despite the fact they may be having some knowledge on how to handle issues such as those related to finance (McLaughlin & Kaluzny, 2006). Managers lack knowledge on how to implement quality measures in a healthcare setting because they do not have the adequate training needed to implement the measures. In most cases, managers in healthcare organizations do not go for training that would enable them implement quality measures with a lot of ease. As a result, the improvement of quality in an organization may become problematic. Managers may also lack knowledge of implementation because they have limited knowledge about the actual delivery of healthcare services to patients. This is compounded by the fact that managers in a healthcare organization do not have a direct link to patients. The second challenge to the implementation of QI and QCI includes the nature of the quality measures, which the organization wishes to implement. This is because most measures of quality in an organization tend to be based on the validity, as well as the reliability that can be placed on such measures. In most cases, it becomes challenging to evaluate the