Final project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Final project - Assignment Example Likewise, the change is reflected to processes, practices or methods affected by innovative management practices. This complex concept refers to a challenging concept, as balanced scorecard is widely used in corporate organizations, change is a regular feature. It is fundamental that information systems in an organization assumes that the required information is known to the user, ensures that it is acknowledged and received on a consistent basis and is also embedded in the decision making process of the organization. As per the scenario, the development of performance management system for Procter and Gamble must meet these requirements (Sachs 53-64): Procter and Gamble is seeking to construct an effective and proficient performance management system that will adhere to organization objectives into visible and measurable targets demonstrating success that is also shared among the organization’s customers and stake holders. ... 981-993) i.e. Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes and Learning and Growth. 1.1 Financial Perspective The financial perspective of the balanced score card varies for Government organizations and private organizations. As the business objectives for the private sector are generic and exemplify transparent extensive targets associated with profit based organizations operational in the commercial marketplace. In contrast, considerations for financial aspects of public limited organizations play a limited role, as financial goals are rare for being a primary objective for businesses. The Information Technology department of Procter and Gamble will incorporate financial perspective of the balanced scorecard for measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of critical information technology processes to meet business requirements within an allocated budget. By effectively monitoring key process indicators, Return on Investment (ROI) can be calculated and augmented as well. The in crease in ROI will definitely show a positive intent of the stakeholders. 1.2 Customer Perspective The customer’s perspective of the balance scorecard will evaluate the ability of the IT department for contribution in providing quality goods and services, supply chain effectiveness and satisfaction for overall customer service. KPI for monitoring Supply Chain Management (SCM) will focus on activities and processes involved in product delivery and storage. If an effective IT based SCM is operational, customers will be satisfied, as goods will be delivered on time and will have 100% availability in stores and supermarkets, even in online stores. 1.3 Internal

Progressivism and Naturalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Progressivism and Naturalism - Essay Example he main contribution was that through practical political action and innovative political theory, they reformulated the concept of a liberal state in a way that rejected both traditional liberal minimalism and revolutionary socialism (McGerr 2005). III. I suppose that the progressivism was a great leap towards democracy and social equality. As administrators and legislators, they addressed such problems as insufficient medical care, unsafe working conditions, and exploitation of women and children. Yet for all their concern with the most vulnerable among the working classes, they rejected a politics of class conflict. Many, surely a majority of those who identified themselves as Republicans, were uncomfortable with labor unions; so were most non-urban Democrats. I apply the concept of Progressivism to modern life analyzing economic and political events. Progressive leaders did so without rejecting the forces of change. Many of the progressives eagerly embraced modernity, employing its intellectual tools with zest in their bid to refashion America. Naturalism I. Naturalism is movement of thought that not only takes its name from "nature" but assigns an unqualifiedly positive valence to the fact of our being part of nature. In the tradition of the Enlightenment from which it is itself descended, naturalism was originally a reaction against religious ideas of a supernatural domain to which human beings were supposed to be somehow akin. It was also directed against philosophical systems like idealism that were thought to have much (Clark 2007). II. Contributors: W.V. Quine, Karl Popper (philosophy), Jack London, Stephen Crane, Frank Norris, Theodore Dreiser (in literature). Naturalism as a movement of opposition to the systems of belief also came to be associated, in... The movement's critical mass was in the "urban middle classes interpreting "urban" as did the census bureau to include small towns and cities, not just metropolitan America. The "middle classes" included small business enterprisers of all types, squeezed by enormous corporations, resentful of what they considered railroad rate gouging, insecure about their future livelihoods Naturalism shows how different the world we live in and we ourselves are from the standard accounts that both science and philosophy have given of such matters. Naturalism does not explain the structure of the natural world in which everything took place. These issues do remain and that chief among them is precisely this question about the unique authority of the natural sciences to determine what there is in the world. I suppose that naturalism assumes that whatever is described as being "given" or "present" must be "in the mind" in some objectionable dualistic sense of that expression. Naturalism, accordingly, rejects root and branch anything that is so described and it does so without any sense that it may thereby have cut the ground out from under its own familiarity with the world about which, after all, it has a great deal to say. I use this concept to understand everyday life and our role in the world. y argument will be that the way human beings are in the world with other entities cannot be understood on the model of physical systems.

The Impact Of Training And Development Commerce Essay

The Impact Of Training And Development Commerce Essay Human resource management plays an important role in the success of a company. Most of the companies are very keen to pay attention towards their employees. Mainly HRM (Human Resource Management) is all about managing people at work. The most important part of human resource management is Training and Development. It plays a key role in every organisation though few people disagree about the importance of training and development in the success of organisation. Appointing the right person at right time at right place needs more care and attention on the part of personal manager. A clear set of goals and well defined path should be needed for good training. Training changes attitudes, knowledge and skills of employees and also the way they work. A report published by workforce in May 2006 explains that despite focus on efficiency and cost control, companies are spending more and more on training and development. It is reflection of the fact that companies are keen about training and d evelopment to gain competitive advantages. Most of the companies clearly understand that if workers are smarter and better trained they can achieve their goals easily. In any organisation the central factor of Training and development is the human resources or the human capital. Human capital is viewed as the driving the force for the success of the organisation because of their skills, competencies, knowledge and experience (Becker, 1975; Schmidt Lines, 2002; Harrison Kassel, 2004). Background for research Area As researcher wrote in research aim and objectives and according to the topic of research the background of research is Training and development. I will focus on some critical issues regarding to training and development programmes. As Macdonalds is already a world famous food chain so they already using very well Training and development methods but still they need more and more research on training and development processes. Employees are the main assets of all companies. Every company want his employees must be energetic and effective so that the company can lead to the success. Organisational goals are always achieved by employees efficiency so it is an organisational need that their employees must be well trained. (Torrington et al, 2005). Organisations are taking great interest regarding their employees performance in these days. All organisations make sure that their employees are getting good and up to date training and development programmes. Although there are many types of training and development programmes some give more effective and energetic employees to organisation (Sun, 2003; Skinner et al, 2003; Lee 2001). Human Resource Management has a key role to play in training the employees. Cowling and Mailer (1998) suggests that basically training is given to both new employees and to employees who recently moved to a new work area. They also said that in change process training is also very necessary. Thats y training and development becomes one of the most important tasks which HRM manager has to look at. The amount and kind of training is very important for manager they should be aware of this. A manager should always focus firstly on type of training methods they are using and then it is also very important for a manager to make sure that those training methods are being put in practise through a proper channel. A proper method of training in a proper channel makes an employee more effective and efficient (Bratton and Gold, 2003). This research paper aims to identify the training needs of suggested organisation. The method of training needed and the benefit of training to the organisation will be be discuss in this paper. This report will also tell that weather organisation achieved its Goals and aim by the help of training and development. McDonalds Restaurants Limited has been selection for research because it is very easy for me to get information because the management is very friendly to academic research. And they can also learn new things from research. The Most important reason for choosing McDonalds is that I myself am the Employee of McDonalds. Company Background McDonalds is one of the famous global brands that have spread its presence over the last 52 years. The company was started in 1955 by Roy Croc with the first restaurant being opened in Des Plaines, US. This restaurant is no longer in operation now and has been turned into a museum. McDonalds brand mission is to be our customer, favourite place and way to eat. The companys worldwide operations are bounded by a global strategy called the Plan to Win which concentrates on the five basics of an exceptional customer experience, people, products, place, price and promotion. The company is committed to improving their operations and thereby enhancing the customers experience (McDonalds 2010). McDonalds is the leading global foodservice retailer that has more than 32,000 local restaurants in more than 117 countries. According to the company reports these restaurants serve approximately 50 million each day. McDonalds is one of the worlds most well-known and valuable brands. It holds a leading share in the globally branded fast-food restaurants segment in virtually every country in which they do business. The company is proud that it serves the world some of its favourite foods like French Fries, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken Mc Nuggets and Egg Muffin. The procedures followed by the company have been developed over the years. This is one area that differentiates the company from other fast-food restaurants. The attitude of the organization towards work and standards is evident from the words Roy Kroc who stated that if you have got time to lean, you have got time to clean (McDonalds, 2010). The company has procedures in place to ensure that the right candidates go through the system and attain higher positions if they can prove their abilities. It is worth noticing that the company claims that 20 out of the top 50 management staff started in McDonalds restaurants, including the CEO, Don Thompson and also 67,000 McDonalds restaurants managers and assistant managers started as restaurant staff (McDonalds 2010). This is significant considering that some take as long as 10 years to get to assistant manager position (McDonalds 2010). The organization has ensured that people with potential are spotted and retained. In hospitality and fast-food industry, the attrition rate is high and, despite this, the organization to ensure that it motivates its staff and also to keep on motivating them to put in a better performance. It is therefore of very high importance for the organization to ensure that it motivates its staff and also looks after their satisfaction with the job that th ey are doing. The company uses different approaches at different levels in the organization. The responsibility of motivating staff at the restaurant level is given to the restaurant manager and the assistant manager who use promotion as a tool to achieve this. They have to ensure that they can attain lower rates of attrition and also motivate the staff so that they are satisfied by both the job as well as the organization. This is achieved by the organization by using structured training and development programme besides the use of many other tools. McDonalds opened their first UK restaurant in Woolwich, London in 1974, today the company has over 1,250 restaurants across the UK McDonalds (UK) employs over 67,000 people, 43,000 within the company restaurants and a further 24,000 are employed by the franchisees. On average the company serves over 2.5 million customers every day. According to Peter Beresford (McDonalds 2006) people in the organization are very important, and so is their continuous development. There are different approaches that organization uses to train their staff at various levels of employment. This research has been started to identify how the staff are trained and developed at the restaurant level. The research is based in Charing Cross restaurant to conduct the research the reason for choosing these have bee mentioned in upcoming chapter. In the attempt to gain insight into the practices followed by the organization at restaurant level. Statement of Problem The core problem of this study is: Why training and development policies should be implemented by McDonalds and what is the role of the line managers at restaurant level in achieving better training for the employees? The main concern in this study is behaviour of company or an organisation which they show towards their employees. Organisation should ensure that their staffs are well trained in most aspects of their businesses (Torrington et al., 2005). Training and development of the chosen organisation is of interest with respect to the current studies. Statement of purpose As for as statement of purpose is concern the topic which writer have chose is very much interesting for me. Researcher is an employee of McDonalds and researcher really wants to search about training and development processes in McDonalds. Another reason for choosing Training and Development is because it is very important part of Human Resource and Management which is a also a subject of writer specialization and in future writer would love to research more about HRM and Training and development. In almost every organisation HRM is very important for a company so this is also a reason. Significance of the problem This topic is a very broad topic and very much important in any organisation. Every organisation admits that employees are the main assets so their top priority is to train the employees to achieve their goals. The main object of a manager is to discover a problem in an organisation and after that he decides which type of training is required for which employer. In general training and development helps increasing productivity of the employees, team spirit, organisational culture, organisational climate, quality and health and safety. Research Aim and Objectives The aim and objective of this project are as following: To identify the strategies available for training and development. To identify if there are any training and development programs in place in the organisation. Ti identify to what extent the program has been successfully implemented and if it is improving employee productivity as well as organisational productivity. To make recommendations for the future training and development programs so as to increase the benefits for the research organisation. Research questions What HRM practices are usually implemented in McDonalds Charing Cross? What HRM practices are usually implemented by other fast food in retail sector? Why training and development is important in the fast food in retail sector? What other HRM strategies could McDonald does adopt to enhance employees training and development? How employees are trained for modern technology? Chapter-2 the Literature Review Human resource management is one the major area of research in the business studies. There are many sub topics like recruitment, selection, induction, employee retention, and training and development. Training and development is the topic on which writer will research that how it is being applied in current research organisation. A discussion is raised about human resource development, organisational development, and organisational learning to understand how training and development fits into the whole picture for the success of any company/organisation in business world. Human Resource Development There are different types of HRD definition. The definition which is provided by UK Human resource development Council which is follows as Human resource development is basically a part of Human Resource and Management (HRM) which specifically deals with the training and development of employees. HRD would include training an individual after he or she is hired, providing opportunities to learn new skills, distributing resources which are beneficial for the employees task, and any other developmental activities. Human Resource Development is used for supporting employees to improve their personal and organisational skills, knowledge and abilities. HRD includes opportunities like performance management and development, employee training, employee career development, coaching, mentoring, succession planning, key employee identification, tuition assistance, and organisation development. Human Resource Development can be formal such like class room training or a college course or an orga nizational planned change effort. On the other hand HRD can be informal as a manager coaching his employee. The main focus of all aspects of Human Resource Development and training the most senior management so that organizations and individual employees can together achieve their goals in customer service (Susan et al.,2010). Many people say that there is a difference between HRM and HRD. According to them Human Resource is a major management activity and Human resource development is a profession. They might think HRM in HRD because in their point of view HRD involves in many activities to develop personnel inside of organisations, e.g., training, carer development, organisational development, organisational learning, etc. In most of the organisation the focus has moved from piecemeal training activities to more systematic human resource development. Organizations are changing their priorities. Organizations are becoming learning organizations and they are keeping them away from training individual employee. The competitive advantage of any firm comes from development of an organizations human capital. This is helping in learning experience of an employee and as a whole. According to Sloman (1994) the systematic training model depends on a series of a logical steps define as a training policy, a method for identifying training needs, the formulation of training objectives, the development of a training plan, the implementation of a planned training programme, validation, evaluation and review of training. Companies are trying to adopt high level of training model to meet their skill needs and they are linking training to strategic initiatives. Traditional training models are being rejected by many comp anies. There have been many changes in responsibility in line with the growth of HRM, delayering and divisonalisation. Training is seen as a job of line managers, with specialist trainers being used as an internal consultancy resource. The new approach needs a very effective communication system between the strategic decision makers, line managers and specialist trainers. This is now understood that employees are main asset of any organization. Bank of Montreal Chairman says employees key to maximising continued growth. 27 February 2001 Bank of Montreal shareholders were told that employees are the real key to sustaining competitive advantage and financial performance. At the banks 183rd annual meeting in Vancouver the chairman said The foundation of Bank Montreals continued growth and success, and the only way to achieve its competitive advantage is through the performance of its 33.000 people. Even there is no doubt that investments in technology, products or delivery systems can be matched by competitors, since nothing profitable remains exclusive for long. The only sure and permanent way to stay ahead of the competition is to employ the most capable people and to ensure they are given every best opportunity to do their very best work, (Camper, 2001). From this example it is very clear that the bank is confident of the investment it has made in pe ople. Human Resource Development (HRD) is a title which represents the latest evolutionary stage in the long tradition of training, educating and developing people for the purpose of contributing towards the achievement of individual, organizational and social objectives. HRD as with the title HRM are like nuts and bolts of an organisation that can be interchanged and dispensed with at will. Drucker suggested the term biological HRD to vehemence the living nature of the people with in the organisation. The scope of education is broader then the scope of training. Education has also a less immediate and less specific application than training and is often perceived as being delivered in educational institutions. Education is regarded as surrounding knowledge, skills and attitudes (Bloom et al, 1956). Distinguish between education and training could be very problematic. The example of difference between training and education is like young child coming home and saying we had sex training tod ay. Now this is a severe contrast to sex education classes that involve a theoretical rather than a practical application of learning. Frank investigated theoatical base of HRD in order to distinguish it from other fields and told that HRD is based on research and theories strained from the field of adult education and is very different from learning process that occurs in children. Frank also said that HRD is concerned with better performance within a work environment but it is not about improving peoples health and personal relation with their family. HRD also tells that how theory of change relate to an organisation and how an organisation use these theories (Frank, 1988). Human resource development is the study and practise by the help of which we can increase the learning capacity of individuals, groups, collectives, and organisations through the development and application of learning based inventions for the purpose of optimising human and organisational growth and effectiveness(chalofsky, 1992). Strategic role of HRD is increased a lot by strategic pressure and this includes accelerated rate of change, focus of quality, globalization of business, increased elasticity and reaction of organisations, increased pressure to show the involvement of human resources, new competitive structure and new technology(Graven et al, 1995).HRD contributed in many ways at all organizational levels to provide support with the help of all these pressure. In today business environment HRD is not only supporting the business strategies of organisations but it is also very useful in shaping of business strategy. HRD increase the competence of employees to fulfil the organisation present performance demand along with meeting present organisational needs (Swanson, 1995). Strategic HRD is helping organisations to respond challenges and opportunities. It also helps in telling line managers supervisors and managers their roles. The continuous assessment of learning and development and enabling them to advance their careers and supporting organisational growth. The organisational environment consist of approximately six main departments, which are shown in figure below and name as distribution, finance, human resources, marketing, production and research design. These all departments are related to one another although most of the organisation outsourced some of the elements such as distribution(John P.Wilson, 2005). Training and development is very important in every time and in every organisation weather it is small or big and Human resource and development is like back bone for any organisation because people are main asset of any organisation. Organisational development and organisational learning Organisational development has come out as a key element in the strategic management of change. OD (Organisational Development) provide focus for the cultural and organisational change which is needed a lot for continuous improvement, support systems, culture and activities to the success of organisational goals. It enables better use of financial, human and technological resources, promote a better sense of organisational purpose and it is hence more likely to bring the required performance improvement. OD is a dynamic valued based approach to systems change in organisations and communities. In simpler OD defined as a behavioural science approach to the improvement of organisational efficiency which should lead to the accomplishment of organisational objectives. In practise OD is about moving the organisation on purpose. In any organization OD create an environment which enables staff to understand and deliver the organisations objective. It support managers and staff in accomplish their aims and objectives through the condition of an infrastructure for performance and development. OD involves both hard and soft issues. Strategies, policies, structure and system are considered as hard issues whereas developing skills, behaviour, attitudes, culture and style of leadership which enable the organisation to achieve performance are considered as soft issues. To avoid conflict between goals and needs both of these issues should be addressed. A strong and successful organizational development can be not easy because it involves undertake issues related with change and service improvement. In any process of organisational development following steps should be keep in mind like establishing a central point to organize and support organisational development activities. Organisational development should within the organisational structure correctly. We should be flexible and creative in using approach to the organisational development. Organisation should take important steps to build proper organisational skills and capacity. Momentum should be keep going. Organisational development, wherever apply, attempts to improve the overall success of the organisation (Tina Buckle, 2005). Chapter Three Research Methodology Research Strategy This chapter elaborates how the research study was carried out. It is also talks about the limitation of the research and the methods used in this research. After looking at the literature available on training and development the research will look at the methodology which is use to perform the research. The research process onion (saunders et. al., 2003) is one of the most used research process structures. Using this structure we can classify different approaches, strategies and data collection method available under the different research philosophies. The research philosophy depends on the aims of the research along with its objectives. But in this case the philosophy being applied is not single and it is a mix of two philosophies. This research clearly shows a very higher influence of phenomenology in its approach to get the findings (Hussey and Hussey, 1997). This is mostly because the research does not pre define variables, but discover human behaviour in naturalistic settings , i.e., the research organisations. In this research the approach being applied is that of deduction. In good research design charts there is always a detailed research plan that how the research will be conducted . it will not only anticipate but also specify the decisions interconnected with the plan and explain how the data processing, data collection and analysis will be carried out, but will also represent a logical basis for each of these decisions (Blaxter et al, 2oo1). There are two approaches to reasoning which may result in this gaining of new knowledge, namely inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning is a theory building process starting with observation of exact instances, and seeking to establish generalisation about the phenomenon under investigation. Deductive reasoning is a theory testing process which commences with an established theory or generalization, and seeks to see if the theory relate to specific case (William, 2005). This current research looks at previous theories in relation to training and development and then sees if any or all o f these theories are applicable from organisational prospective. So we can say that this research attempts to identify the issues surrounding training and development by applying the deductive approach. We can achieve better results by the combination of research approaches. Under the deductive approach we use multiple strategies for research. For better results it is suggested to combine different approaches. It can be deduced that it is ok to mix and match approach different research strategies under the deductive approach. The strategy which we used in current research are research as an exploratory study and as a case study. The current research will be the combination of these two strategies on the basis of the information which we collected from the education sources as mentioned in the next paragraph. This current research could be ascertained to be a case study as only the study of small set of restaurants is involved which might not reflect the actual scenario in the whole organization taken in a holistic approach. This case study also allows the researcher to look at the population which might be similar in terms of jobs profile and work area, and on the basis of this the researcher could produce some overview. As exploratory research allows the researcher to address general informed questions from observation of the data collected, this type of case study is often very helpful to stimulate the further research. According to Robeson (2002), as cited by Saunders et al (2003), enquiries can be classified in term of their purposes as well as the research strategy used. Mostly the classification is used in three fold one of exploratory, descriptive and explanatory. According to Saunders et all(2003) are very common and valuable to find the proper conclusion. Hussey and Hussey (1997) define expenatery research as; it is a research which is based on looking for new ideas. Exploratory research always have great advantages so this research falls under it. The most important advantages are flexibility and adaptability to change. On the other hand explanatory research is seen to be flexible as it has a broad focus but while progressing it gets narrow. It involves in formation of original idea and not testing or confirming the existing research area it is difficult to manage in short period as in the current case. This type of research needs a lot of study and time. If we look in the current case the researcher is trying to gain insights into the variables chosen in the research organisation. This research is classed as exploratory research as it is tryingto identify the influence of training and development to an organization as well as to an individ ual and also that how it helps in development of both. The researcher felt that these two methods are ideal and suit the research question because it allows the researcher to look at the organisations working style individually and also the whole organisation by using the exploration as it main tool. Time horizons is another aspect of the onion process that should be mentioned. We will class this result as a cross sectional research because of limited time available to conduct the research. According to Saunders et al (2003) and Hussey and Hussey (1997) that such researches comes under the cross sectional studies which are studies of a particular phenomenon at a particular time. These type of researches are designed such that they look that what is happening in a particular time using a research area in research setting. Most of the researches conducted at Masters and Bachelors are classed under this category. (Turabian, 1987). Data Collection Method After deciding the research strategies the next step is to collect the data. The researcher uses the both primary and secondary data to perform the analysis and come to a conclusion. Normally secondary data are of the following types. Documentary (which is written or non written material) Survey (censuses, regular or ad-hoe surveys). Hakim (2000) defines secondary data as the data that were collected for another purpose and already exist somewhere. To find the findings of the research the researcher need to know about what has been written in same area. By using literature review the researcher can find that how their findings are similar or dissimilar to the research which was conducted previously (Easterby-Smith et al, 2002). According to Churchill (1991), the first step in any research is to collect secondary data to see whether the problem can be or wholly solved without collecting costly primary data. Similarly according to Kevin (1999) believes that secondary data provide the researcher with a source that they can use to answer or at least begin to answer the research question. Since the conducted from the organisational perspective so it is very necessary to understand the previous researches which has been conducted in the organisation and in the same industry. Hakim (2000) says that sometimes researchers may need to understand and relate previous researches that have already been performed in similar circumstances. Researcher can also use publication data which is industry specific or area specific and relates to the research question (Kevin, 1999). Secondary data was not only used as a reference frame for study but also was a channel to Chapter -6 References Work Force, May 2006, Training and Development available at http://www.workforce.com/tools/reports/WorkforceManagementSpecialReportTD.pdf last accessed on [28/01/10] McDonalds, 2010, Our Company available at http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company.html last accessed on [28/01/01] Sun,H. (2003), conceptual clarifications for organisational learning, learning organisation and a learning organisational, Human Resource Development International, vol.6 No 2,pp.153-66. Skinner, J., Pownall, I. Cross, P. (2003), Is HRD practiced in micro- SMEs?, Human Resource Development International, Vol.6 No.4, pp. 475-89. Torrington, D., Hall L., and Taylor, s., (2005). Human Resource Management, 6th ed, Prentice Hall Europe, Essex, Uk Lee, M. (2001), A Refusal to Define HRD, Human Resource Development International, Vol.4 No.3, pp. 327-41. Bratton, J., and Gold, J.,(2003)Human Resource Management: Theory and Practise, 3rd ed, Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/human-resource-development-HRD.html http://humanresources.about.com/od/glossaryh/f/hr_development.htm http://www.hrmguide.co.uk/hrm/chap11/ch11-links2.htm http://www.hrmguide.net/canada/learning/bank_of_montreal.htm http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=enlr=id=zpNc_GZIiikCoi=fndpg=PA3dq=human+resource+developmentots=o2WrtPGCk4sig=75P52YDdFEx57lEbQmXC7dhBEcg#v=onepageq=f=false http://www.city.ac.uk/sd/organisationaldevelopment.html

Topology Essay -- Mathematics Geometry Essays

Topology Topology is the study of those properties of geometric figures that are unchanged when the shape of the figure is twisted, stretched, shrunk, or otherwise distorted without breaking. It is sometimes referred to as "rubber sheet geometry" (West 577). Topology is a basic and essential part of any post school mathematics curriculum. Johann Benedict Listing introduced this subject, while Euler is regarded as the founder of topology. Mathematicians such as August Ferdinand MÃ ¶bius, Felix Christian Klein, Camille Marie Ennemond Jordan and others have contributed to this field of mathematics. The MÃ ¶bius band, Klein bottle, and Jordan curve are all examples of objects commonly studied. These and other topics prove to be intricate and fascinating mathematical themes. Topologists are mathematicians who study qualitative questions about geometrical structures. They ask questions like does the structure have any holes in it? Is it all connected, or can it be separated into parts? Topologists are not concerned with size, straightness, distance, angle, or other such properties. An often-cited example is the London Underground map. This will not reliably tell you how far it is from Kings Cross to Picadilly, or even the compass direction from one to the other. However, it will tell you how the lines connect between them, using topological rather than geometric information (What 1). Furthermore, if one figure can be distorted into another figure without breaking, then the two figures are described as being topologically equivalent to each other. Two examples of topologically equivalent figures are a coffee cup and doughnut, and groups of the letters of the alphabet. First, an object shaped like a doughnut is a torus. A torus can... ...and. New York:Oxford University Press, 1993. "Felix Christian Klein." Available Online. http://www-groups.dcs-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Klein.html. Accessed 12/4/99. Flegg, Graham. From Geometry to Topology. New York: Crane, Russak, and Company, Inc.,1974. "Jordan Curve Theorem and its Generalizations." Available Online. http://www.math.ohio-state.edu/~fiedorow/math655/Jordan.html. Accessed 12/6/99. "Marie Ennemond Camille (1838-1922)." Available Online. http://ukdb.web.aol.com/hutchinson/encyclopedia/91/M0046091.htm. Accessed 12/6/99. "What is Topology?" Available Online. http://www.shef.ac.uk/~pm1nps/Wurble.html. Accessed 12/4/99. West, Beverly Henderson, and others. "Topology." The Prentice-Hall Encyclopedia of Mathematics. 1982. 21: 577-585. Yaglom, I.M. Felix Klein and Sophus Lie. Boston: Birkhauser Boston, 1988.

Invention: History of the Internet and Wheel

From the earliest record of civilization stemming twelve thousand years ago in Kyushu, Japan, mankind has strived to make the quality of life easier, better and more convenient with each generation. Great imagination combined with science, research, skill and patience are the tools used to create remarkable inventions that allow people today to take so much for granted in life. From my point of view, the three inventions that are the most important ones to mankind are the wheel, electricity, and the Internet.The most profound invention of all time is the wheel. Not only does it provide many sources of convenience in life, but it is also essential in the success of several other inventions. Without the wheel, discovering new lands would have been impossible, as explorers needed carriages to carry supplies, people, medicines, and other essential items for journeys. Agriculture would not be anywhere near what it is today without the basic wheel. Planes would not be able to take off or l and without the wheel.People would not be able to commute long distances to and from work. Police cars, fire engines, and ambulances would not be able to get to victims with speed without the wheel. In every aspect of life, the wheel is the one invention that people cannot live without. Long gone are the days where the sun determined when a functional day would start or end. It is the invention of electricity that gives people the opportunity to read books printed in mass copies from a machine at any time of the night and gives everyone freedom to come home to a warm meal.Today, it is routine to wake up to the sound of an alarm, and turn on the coffee maker. With each step taken during the day comes the need to use more electricity. From starting a car to get to one’s destination, and listening to the radio, or watching television, and using computers to write essays such as this one, electricity is the driving force that enables man to accomplish these tasks, which makes ele ctricity one of the greatest inventions of all time.With the invention of the Internet and its implementation in society, the world as we know it has changed drastically in the last fifteen years. The idea of direct communication first introduced by the telephone has far been surpassed with online communication tools such as Skype and Facetime. The convenience of ordering everything imaginable, from groceries, to books, to clothes, to vacation packages, and making dinner reservations all with the click of a button, is a convenience that is only possible because of the Internet.Today, the entire world and answers to all questions are easily accessible and so convenient that society has become as dependent on internet, as they are to electricity and the wheel. From the discussion above, we may safely draw the conclusion that the wheel, electricity and the internet are the most important inventions that shape society. For most, living without these is an impossibility. Not only do the serve as the foundation to other inventions, but they will continue to influence inventions to come.

A Review of The Dream Society Essay

It is not easy to talk about businesses and make them appeal not only to a niche market but to all people. Most often, a book that talks about business, marketing strategies, and corporate culture is believed to be complex and even boring at some point. This I believe makes Rolf Jensen’s creatively written book entitled The Dream Society: How the Coming Shift from Information to Imagination Will Transform Your Business a deviation from the complex and difficult-to-understand image of business books. The book is about the noticeable reality emerging in today’s business cycle of how the tales and stories behind the products become essential factors that help the product sell. Jensen managed, in his insightful book, to produce an enlightening analysis of today’s business culture and predict a futuristic direction for companies without losing his readers in hard-to-understand concepts and difficult-to-memorize theories. The book revolves around the idea that more than information, imagination will be the biggest selling point of the products in the future. As time progresses and as competitions among companies become tighter and more profound, people become more and more interested on the stories behind the product than just the product itself. A book that intends to explain the flow of the market is often deemed an instructional book that offers tips and suggestions. The Dream Society is very different because it focuses on the trends and phenomena that are observable in the market but are easily missed or not looked upon twice. The book has promising value because it laid down facts along with interesting trivia and anecdotes that would not normally appear in boring business books. Jensen’s work is definitely able to capture the attention of his readers as he talks about how markets today target the consumers’ emotional needs and how some successful companies like Disney, Nike, and Rolex supply these needs by utilizing whatever tales they have that appeal to people’s hearts. Jensen, a talented and knowledgeable scholar, notices how this trend had slowly become the root of huge demands from these companies and he discusses how this marketing strategy will adamantly shape the future of business and corporate culture. Classified under the â€Å"classic Dream Society logic†, these companies are just among those who are able to understand that what the market wants are stories and appeals on their emotional side (Jensen, 2001, p. 3). Companies known as the Dream Society are predictably the ones who will be able to dominate the business world in the future because they could deliver what the consumers want. The Dream Society is actually a vital piece of work that would relate to academic, sociological, and corporate issues. It revolves around the question of what really sells today. Based on the careful research of the author, it is evident that society will give more attention to the stories behind the products and would direct its consumption towards things or objects that appeal to the heart. I felt that the author wants the book to focus more on providing its readers an outward perspective of the market because it narrates in a futuristic sense, providing all the facts of today that are in line with a potential market. The author iss able to achieve this through subtle narrations of personal experiences, analysis on how markets transform and direct attributions to organizations that make use of the consumers’ needs for emotional satisfaction. I noticed that even when the author is speaking in the first person perspective, he never lose credibility of the facts he is stating. Also, despite tackling a very sensitive topic, the book is actually written in a simple manner, organized thoroughly, and given a unique spark by the thought-provoking writing style of Jensen. These characteristics definitely set out the book differently from the others. Jensen’s work appeals to readers because of its insightful and interesting attack of useful topics. It tackles not just facts about huge businesses, but also realities about the people who work behind them. According to the book, more than IQ, EQ is also equally, if not at times, more important in making a person successful. The ability to build good relationships often brings people to the top. What makes the book more appealing is that it addresses a reality that is already being enjoyed by half of the huge organizations while the other half remains ignorant or in denial of it. Jensen’s work offers a fresher and more honest perspective of the transformation of businesses that should not be overlooked. In corporate culture, businesses that focus on being closer to the emotional weaknesses of people guarantee more support from these consumers. The Dream Society also highlights how success stories of companies surpassing adversities and odds become essential tools in dominating the corporate culture. The Dream Society highlights the value of storytelling and the treatment of emotions as commodity as a part of the future of businesses. Products that are packaged in a more imaginative way have the ability to tap the emotions and support of the consumers. The author’s concrete example in the early parts of the book about consumers wanting to buy eggs that are naturally made even if they cost higher emphasize the argument that Jensen wants to present in this book that consumers buy with their hearts and it is bound to be this way for a very long time. Jensen’s work is an understandable prediction for business transformations in the coming decades but it neither offers guarantees nor detailed specific steps of what business owners and corporate leaders should do to make their make their businesses more successful. It only narrates the facts and what influences the market but it could not be considered a guide or directional book. It is an easy, unconventional, very informative, and enjoyable book to read that addresses realities about the market and the corporate world, but it could still not be classified as a guide book on business and how businesses should be run. One of the book’s most creative lines in describing how a business is run is that â€Å"managing a company means staging a drama, daily† (Jensen, 2001, p. 134). And this drama, the strategy of commercializing emotions, and storytelling to appeal to the hearts of the people makes product sell. The Dream Society is definitely different from other business books I have encountered. The author is obviously very talented not only in writing but also in making careful analysis about the future direction of the world’s market. Understanding the needs of the consumers is one of the most basic rules in marketing strategies. Despite being unconventional, Jensen’s book should still be considered a business book because it offers insightful and important facts about the probable future of the market. Even if it is written with simplicity, this does not limit the valuable lessons and realities it shares to its readers and makes it invaluable to the world of business and corporate culture. Reference Jensen, R. (2001). The Dream Society: How the Coming Shift from Information to Imagination will Transform Your Business. McGraw-Hill: New York

THE RACE essays

THE RACE essays Over the years supercross has grow to be one of the biggest spectating sports to watch; next year can only promise the same thing. With the arrival of new stars each year, it becomes harder for the champion to keep his throne. Every few years a new king is crowned, while the other is dethroned. There are more people at an AMA motocross event then that of a NFL football game. The stadium is sold out and there are people everywhere. Some people are your average day people who you would see on the street. There are men, women, children, blacks and whites. Certainly there is no race barrier in this sport. A few years ago, no one ever saw an African-American on a dirt bike. If there was one, he was not good enough to be noticed. That it why they had to work harder than ever before in order to get their names recognized. In order to get noticed, riders have to make it to the top. Now there is a new Tiger Woods of Motocross. His name is James Bubba Stewart. He is the best in his class and is setting lap times that could make him the best of all time. Not even the Aussie (Chad Reed) or the current champ (Ricky Carmichael) set the lap times to beat him; and they are another division up from Bubba! Bubba poses sportsmanship that is hard to beat in any sport. For instance, last year during supercross season, he gave his lucky helmet away to a kid holding a sign that said I want Bubbas helmet! This appalled everyone because the season wasnt over. Maybe he just wanted to show everyone that he didnt need luck and just wanted to show everyone that he is pure talent. If there was a superman of supercross, this would undoubtedly be James Bubba Stewart. He races hard and fast, flying through the course as if he had ridden it a thousand times before. He soars through the air with grace and has an amazing amount of stamina, appearing as if he is a superhuman. ...

Free Essays on Emily Griersons Friends And Foes

Emily Grierson’s Friends and Foes Emily Grierson’s closest companion can unknowingly be her own worst enemy. Whether it is a girlfriend, boyfriend, parent, or sibling, one can never know who is trying to bestow evil on her. Emily always has enemies lurking around in the shadows somewhere and for some reason. In William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† enemies are found throughout the main character’s entire life. Emily Grierson is victimized by those who should have cared most for her. Emily’s father is the first to be misleading to her in her life. Her father thinks that â€Å"none of the young men [are] quite good enough for Miss Emily†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (7). Emily feels differently about the young men, but her father never allows her to have any boyfriend. Everyone â€Å"†¦remembered all the young men her father had driven away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (7). Therefore when Emily finally gets herself a boyfriend, she doesn’t want to let him go. Homer Barron is Emily’s first real boyfriend. No one in the town can believe she would â€Å"†¦ think seriously of a Northerner, a day laborer† (7). Homer is also someone who deceives Emily. Not only does he use her just for his satisfaction while he is in town, he lets the whole town know about it. Homer makes a mockery of Emily at the Elk’s Club with the younger men. Then the whole town believes that Homer and Emily are going to marry, until he tells everybody that â€Å"†¦ he is not the marrying kind† (8). Coleman 2 When Emily and Homer’s relationship ends, she doesn’t even have any friends to rely on. The women of the town aren’t very helpful in Emily’s time of need. When her father dies they don’t even feel true pity for her for the loss of her father, â€Å"they pity Miss Emily [because she is] left alone [and now] has to be humanized† (7). Instead of offering condolences out of the kindness of their hearts, the ladies only offer it because it is their custom. When Emil... Free Essays on Emily Grierson's Friends And Foes Free Essays on Emily Grierson's Friends And Foes Emily Grierson’s Friends and Foes Emily Grierson’s closest companion can unknowingly be her own worst enemy. Whether it is a girlfriend, boyfriend, parent, or sibling, one can never know who is trying to bestow evil on her. Emily always has enemies lurking around in the shadows somewhere and for some reason. In William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† enemies are found throughout the main character’s entire life. Emily Grierson is victimized by those who should have cared most for her. Emily’s father is the first to be misleading to her in her life. Her father thinks that â€Å"none of the young men [are] quite good enough for Miss Emily†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (7). Emily feels differently about the young men, but her father never allows her to have any boyfriend. Everyone â€Å"†¦remembered all the young men her father had driven away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (7). Therefore when Emily finally gets herself a boyfriend, she doesn’t want to let him go. Homer Barron is Emily’s first real boyfriend. No one in the town can believe she would â€Å"†¦ think seriously of a Northerner, a day laborer† (7). Homer is also someone who deceives Emily. Not only does he use her just for his satisfaction while he is in town, he lets the whole town know about it. Homer makes a mockery of Emily at the Elk’s Club with the younger men. Then the whole town believes that Homer and Emily are going to marry, until he tells everybody that â€Å"†¦ he is not the marrying kind† (8). Coleman 2 When Emily and Homer’s relationship ends, she doesn’t even have any friends to rely on. The women of the town aren’t very helpful in Emily’s time of need. When her father dies they don’t even feel true pity for her for the loss of her father, â€Å"they pity Miss Emily [because she is] left alone [and now] has to be humanized† (7). Instead of offering condolences out of the kindness of their hearts, the ladies only offer it because it is their custom. When Emil...

Capturing Tacit Knowledge In Squh Free-Samples for Students

According to Caimo & Lomi (2015), knowledge is a vital aspect of an organizational resource as it aids in the provision of a viable competitive advantage in a diverse and competitive market. Knowledge can be understood and defined in various way. For instance, Lehrer defines knowledge as what we know and understanding of what is false. Similarly, Wang and Hou, (2015), states that knowledge is processed information that entails ideas, facts, experience, and judgment relevant for a person, group, and organizational outcome. Therefore, for organizations to enhance dominance in the market, Caimo & Lomi (2015) reiterates that it’s essential for firms to depend on staffing and training methods that emphasize on the acquisition of workers that have particular knowledge, abilities, or capabilities or assisting employees to obtain them. Hence, the institute must put into consideration various ways to transfer knowledge from specialists that have the experience to trainees that needs it . As such, most organizations employ innovations in the management of this information and enhanced storage manner. However, the technological ways are not able to protect informational materials found in a person’s mind that have been stored for some years of studies, abilities, and experience. Notably, Srinivas (2016) identifies that there are two types of knowledge: explicit and tacit knowledge with the latter being expressed in books and speeches while tacit resides in mind and characters of an individual. According to Joe, Yoong, & Patel (2013) affirms that like other health centers and organizations, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) experience loss of knowledge due to a significant portion of its older experts leaving the facility due to retirement. Therefore, this paper explores knowledge capturing process in SQUH, the value of knowledge exchange, challenges and opportunities of tacit knowledge, and various methods of capturing tacit knowledge in SQUH. According to Sherwood (2013, p. 16), knowledge acquisition is in various methods, and executives and managers understand the importance of knowledge in the success of an organization. Knowledge management provides a vital factor when struggling in the competitive market since most clients visit facilities that they perceive to have skilled experts. Based on Srinivas (2016) studies, knowledge comes in two forms: explicit and tacit. Explicit Knowledge can be easily transferred from an individual to a given populace through the web, speech, and books while tacit is hard to transfer since it resides in peoples' mind and characters. Therefore, most organizations including SQUH employs an explicit form of knowledge management since individual’s knowledge in an institution can be expressed and made clear. Also, the health facility management believes that the approach can be incorporated to assist staffs in sharing information they entail to develop knowledge assets. The integration of information management systems within the Institute plays a significant role in enhancing the spread of explicit material assets over the hospital’s intranet, thus, helps in efficient patient management. Additionally, the hospital employs experiments and various factors of structured processes that are developed to remedy the lack of information that it essential to the health center. According to Caimo & Lomi, (2015), knowledge is one of the constant rising organizational assets such as management systems, brand identity, client information, and institutional character. It’s an important virtue in humans as it indicates grouped expertise and efforts of connections and associations. Most of the duties performed by workers are usually knowledge based, thus, a critical driver to corporates success. As such, the importance of knowledge is observed when it entails core functions and focuses on mission, fundamental values, and strategic significances. Therefore, in case the hospital reorganizes or changes its culture of knowledge management, Caimo & Lomi (2015) claims that valuable knowledge will diminish since staffs that leave the facility move with their valuable information, resources, abilities, and experience. Those that are employed or stays can be given new tasks and never incorporate their wealth of stored knowledge. Since the organization integrates both tacit and explicit knowledge systems, employees practice various perspectives to find a solution to a given problem. Hence, they share information and teams physical and intellectual possessions in current and creative styles. This allows the hospital management to exploit and utilize on knowledge-based activities, thus, aids in minimizing the cost of production, enhanced completion of creation of new merchandise, group activities, innovation capabilities and income generation. Based on Nesheim & Gressgà ¥rd, (2014) research on knowledge management, provision of relevan t materials at the time of necessity by use of structure, search, syndication, and support knowledge exchange, provides room for developing good decisions. According to Chen, Lin, & Yen (2014) teamwork promotes different opinions, and diverse experiences during the decision-making process, hence, enables decisions to be created on genuine understanding. Conspicuously, it facilitates smooth and timely completion of responsibilities such as finding a solution to a problem, analyzing markets, benchmarking against co-workers, and understanding competition. Chen, Lin, & Yen (2014) articulates that active and efficient knowledge management process enhance reuse of already developed information that eventually helps to reduce rework, avoid problems, saves time, and hasten progress. Sharing of knowledge among the employees as well aids in avoiding redundancy at work, therefore, saves money and streamline events. Remarkably, transfer of knowledge between personnel helps in preventing similar mistakes in the future, and this is usually accelerated by a culture of trust and openness within the workers. Also, Chen, Lin, & Yen (2014) argues that knowledge gained from a fellow employee assist an individual to learn from their experience and use it to their advantage in the management of patients and to perform other tasks. Moreover, enhancing the exchange of knowledge within the facility limits skill gaps since new staffs such as students in the internship, attachment, and recruited employees can quickly acquire the talents. When workers share thoughts and resources among themselves there is a feeling of a common objective being pursued, thus, boosts interest and strengthens every individual to exchange knowledge. According to Wang & Hou, (2015) knowledge helps employees to acquire more than they lose through sharing since the transfer of information is a synergistic method, hence, build one's morale when performing a given role. Knowledge exchange also enables provision of skills and abilities that are in demand due to their short supply in organizations mainly through the formation of discussion forums, training workshops, and ask the expert approach. For instance Wang & Hou, (2015) states that material sharing, reuse, and inventions can primarily minimize the time required to provide services to clients, thus, provides a competitive advantage to the hospital. With recent developments in the health sector such as the invention of Trakcare technology to enhance efficient patient management in SQUH, most of its staffs acquire skills and knowledge concerning their domain, competitive space, and customer requirements. As the ability to operate the machine develops, it becomes more significant for the organization to protect, nurture, and utilize recognized operators of the technique. According to Bessick & Naicker (2013) this is usually gained by employees that are not willing to document or share obtained expertise. Just like institutions that don't consider dissemination of information, workers frequently become the primary owner of the knowledge, thus, making the knowledge extinct in case the person retires or leaves the organization. According to Bessick & Naicker (2013), to store knowledge, management must target four areas to ensure knowledge dissemination and efficient application through teamwork. This includes governance role, staff activities, accepting operation occupation to develop, recreate, organize, and transmit knowledge properties. Drucker (as cited by Bessick and Naicker, 2013) states that for knowledge process to be significant, captured, and determined, it must pass through three levels. These entails utility of creative knowledge, consideration of knowledge workers as a valuable asset to an organization, and incorporation of formal educative programs to enable staffs to apply their ability both theoretically and analytically. Therefore, the following are barriers that occur in SQUH that deters acquisition of tacit knowledge among its employees. Br?i? & Miheli? (2015), asserts that age affects the transfer of tacit knowledge as some staffs consider themselves to be superior to their counterparts. This is because each generation is subjective to numerous factors that form a respective value system distinguishing them from individuals that grew at various times. For instance, students on internship find it difficult to relate with their seniors due to age difference, and this systematically leads to lack of appropriate knowledge transfer. Conversantly, gender also impact acquisition of this knowledge as some employees don’t easily interact with workers of opposite sex. SQUH incorporates several staffs such as nurses, doctors, administrator, human resource officer, and casuals. This entails that different employees have various ranks according to their level of education. However, most important are the doctors and nurses as they are entitled to patients that are major clients of the facility. Hence, Chuang, Jackson, & Jiang (2016) postulate that different level of study between nurses and physicians prevent smooth interaction and consultation, thus, minimizes the opportunity of attaining tacit knowledge. For instance, doctors might perceive their interaction with nurses to be diminishing their profession, therefore, relate easily with other specialists. Additionally, Br?i? & Miheli? (2015) reiterates that inadequacy of trust and failure embrace possession of intellectual stuff by various employees, thus, diminishes the ability of one to transfer tacit knowledge to the other. Based on Chuang, Jackson, & Jiang (2016) studies that poor managerial and leadership style in an organization that can’t integrate current information management systems also aids in deterring transmission of this knowledge from an individual. Moreover, leadership that fails to develop policies that are focused on knowledge retention enhance loss of informational materials from the experts. Lack of incorporation and compatibility of information technology structures and process leads to loss of tacit knowledge among the employees in SQUH. As such there is lack of technical support and communication between staffs at different departments, hence, leading to retention of knowledge by presumed experts. Likewise, the administration doesn’t demonstrate the importance of new techniques in inclination to the existing ones, thus, contributes to a reduction in knowledge sharing. Tong, Tak, & Wong (2015) articulates that knowledge creation in a firm entails making accessible and strengthening information that is made by entities as well as forming and integrating it into a facility’s knowledge structure. The major contributors to knowledge development grounds on numerous studies of information making in innovative Japanese Enterprises that eventually confirmed that knowledge creation bases on four models of knowledge exchange. The knowledge development involves Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization that is commonly known as SECI model. Significantly, Easa, 2012 claims that achievement of most Japanese Companies relied on their capability to generate innovative organizational knowledge centered on a cyclic model of endless interactions and conversion of tacit and explicit materials on three stages: individuals, groups, and institute. Globally, the framework has become widely recognized by scholars in categorizing, constructing, documenting, sharing, and exchanging knowledge from a Knowledge Management perception. The figure below indicate the four channels of SECI model. According to Easa (2012) the method transforms tacit knowledge to new tacit information by enhancing exchange of experience, skills, and opinions and majorly it occurs through social and cultural activities organized by organization such as team building. Typically it takes place in a traditional form other than through documented manuals or books. Additionally, it can occur during informal social gatherings outside the institute in which tacit knowledge like worldviews, mental models, and friendship is developed and shared. Also, it can be drawn up beyond hospital’s boundaries such as interaction with clients and suppliers. Easa (2012) states that this technique changes tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge that occurs when the organization attributes its inside rules of happenings formally or when it openly sets their goals that quickly captures through writing or computerization. Therefore, by converting tacit knowledge to explicit, it enables easy sharing, hence, becomes the significant source of new information. As such, capturing of tacit knowledge is eased since the experienced staff can easily put the tacit knowledge into writings that can be read by other members. The process articulates explicit knowledge into various systematic groups of explicit knowledge. Easa (2012) reiterates that explicit information is derived either from inside or outside the facility then fused, edited or managed to create new insights. Combination involves changing of explicit knowledge into more detailed and logical sets of clear understanding. The developed knowledge is then shared among various employees, and it can be facilitated by creative incorporation of online communication systems and databases. For instance, when the hospital’s auditor gathers data from different departments and assembles them in a context to create a financial report, the report is regarded as a new knowledge since it integrates information from various sources in a single context. Easa (2012) indicates that the process transfers explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge indicating that explicit knowledge is internalized to obtain tacit knowledge. By internalizing, any development of explicit knowledge is exchanged between staffs and transformed into tacit informative materials through individuals. Internalization is almost similar to learning by performing, for instance, creation of training programs can assist trainees to apprehend the institution or reading documented manuals concerning their job descriptions can help them internalize explicit knowledge contained in such files to enhance their tacit knowledge. Similarly, the acquired tacit knowledge at personal level can then enable a new set of knowledge making when it’s exchanged between personnel by socialization method. Tounkara (2015) argues that knowledge sharing is a major challenge for many organizations and significantly those that bases their approach on knowledge codification through employing knowledge engineering means. Most of these institutes experience a significant problem as their knowledge repository is used by few individuals. Since tacit knowledge is that information found in a person’s mind and attributes that is unique and once possessed can be a greater boost to a company’s achievement. However, the knowledge is significantly individualized and difficult to formalize, hence, hard to communicate to other populace. For example, Tounkara (2015) identifies that tacit knowledge occurs in two scopes: technical dimension that entails the â€Å"know-how,† and cognitive aspect that encompasses beliefs, ideas, and values that most are taken for granted. Therefore, tacit knowledge is a non-codified know-how that is obtained through informal take-up of educated traits and procedures. However, tacit knowledge is still a new domain that is not known by several managers, thus, depends on their natural ability to enhance correct decisions making process. As such, institutions that seek to propel their competitive advantage in the market has to integrate environment that enables employees to verbalize their tacit materials. General staffs, therefore, needs to exploit their addition to the group of ideas that facilitates a competitive edge to the facility. In SQUH different strategies are used to capture tacit knowledge among various experts that are seen to be viable for success of the firm. Harmaala (2014) argues that face-to-face interaction among colleagues in the hospital has been observed as the primary channel for sharing tacit knowledge with the most common model being expert-novice model. Quietly, it’s always believed that the new recruits, novice employees learns from their senior specialist, but the advantages occur when both are involved in sharing their ideas and opinions. Nevertheless, to support success of the model persons are required to develop trust and motivation among themselves. Moreover, Harmaala (2014) claims that individual system is also considered as a way of capturing tacit knowledge from workers. This is enhanced through cycling of tasks in which staffs performing similar roles can exchange their work, thus, enables personnel to discuss their capability and ideas together after the transfer duration. Similarly, based on Harmaala (2014) incorporation of teamwork through pairing of staffs when performing their roles enhance sharing of ideas, skills, views, and experiences. Therefore, new updated operational styles are developed, and the tacit knowledge is retained within the hospital. A common method of capturing tacit knowledge in the institution via pair work include mentoring and expert-novice. The university hospital has majored mostly on mentoring as a technique since the experienced personnel provides advice, guidance, and support for the newly recruited staffs. The method focuses on individuals own objectives and professional growth that is opposed to organization’s stated goals. Additionally, through mentorship one is able to acquire various skills and ideas that are shown by the senior employee, thus, helps in smooth transfer of the knowledge. Significantly, integration of teamwork by management as a means of apprehending tacit knowledge has helped in retaining significant information from experienced personnel. However, Harmaala (2014) claims that the approach is useful when participants are of different age brackets and different experience. Usually, every attendant must co-operate, hence, share ideas and thoughts. As such, it provides deeper exploration of solutions to a problem as it involves diverse views from individuals that are facilitated through communication, knowledge transfer, and questions to obtain best results. According to Harmaala (2014) the system of externalization that entails exchange of tacit information to explicit knowledge has been incorporated in the workforce mainly by interviewing individuals and documenting their knowledge. However, the technique provides a challenge since it’s hard to include expressions, emotions, and actions in a text manner. This leads to loss of various amount of educational materials and knowledge that can be useful to the organization.    Knowledge is a primary factor that needs consideration by managers when making company’s decision to enhance success of an organization. Knowledge is of two dimensions: explicit and tacit in which the latter can be acquired through books and print media while the second resides in people's mind and characters. However, technology can’t transform this knowledge found in individuals mind to other populace, hence, the need to develop various techniques to enable its sharing. Various methods have been integrated into SQUH to help in acquisition of this knowledge such as through encouraging socialization, internalization, combination, and externalization commonly known as SECI model. Additionally, the hospital has developed different ways of capturing this knowledge by incorporating mechanisms like encouraging face-to-face interactions, teamwork, and mentorship among employees. Conversely, the institution faces numerous hindrance in integrating this knowledge. Some of the ba rriers include difference in educational levels of the staffs that prevent dynamic interactions, sex and age of personnel also inhibit sharing of tacit information, and technology adoption among workers. Therefore, to facilitate exchange of this knowledge, SQUH needs to incorporate different mechanism such as encouraging more outdoor socialization that certainly improves knowledge sharing Bessick, J. and Naicker, V., 2013. Barriers to tacit knowledge retention: an understanding of the perceptions of the knowledge management of people inside and outside the organisation: original research. South African Journal of Information Management, 15(2), pp.1-8. Br?i?, Ã… ½.J. and Miheli?, K.K., 2015. Knowledge sharing between different generations of employees: an example from Slovenia. Economic Research-Ekonomska IstraÃ… ¾ivanja, 28(1), pp.853-867. Caimo, A. and Lomi, A., 2015. Knowledge sharing in organizations: A Bayesian analysis of the role of reciprocity and formal structure.  Journal of Management,  41(2), pp.665-691. Chen, Y.H., Lin, T.P. and Yen, D.C., 2014. How to facilitate inter-organizational knowledge sharing: The impact of trust. Information & Management, 51(5), pp.568-578. Chuang, C.H., Jackson, S.E. and Jiang, Y., 2016. Can knowledge-intensive teamwork be managed? Examining the roles of HRM systems, leadership, and tacit knowledge. Journal of management, 42(2), pp.524-554. Easa, N., 2012. Knowledge creation process & Innovation in Egyptian Banking Sector. In Organization Learning, Knowledge and Capabilities Conference. Harmaala, M., 2014. The Tacit Power: Case study: Maintpartner. Joe, C., Yoong, P. and Patel, K., 2013. Knowledge loss when older experts leave knowledge-intensive organisations.  Journal of Knowledge Management,  17(6), pp.913-927. Lehrer, K., 2015.  Theory of knowledge. Routledge Nesheim, T. and Gressgà ¥rd, L.J., 2014. Knowledge sharing in a complex organization: Antecedents and safety effects. Safety science, 62, pp.28-36. Sherwood, W.R., 2013.  A case study: Barriers preventing the capture of tacit knowledge in small manufacturing companies  (Doctoral dissertation, Baker College (Michigan)). Srinivas, S.A.S., 2016. Driving Knowledge Sharing Initiatives for Enhanced Collaboration in Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Libraries–A Case Study.  Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management,  14(1). Tong, C., Tak, W.I.W. and Wong, A., 2015. The Impact of knowledge sharing on the relationship between organizational culture and Job satisfaction: The perception of information communication and technology (ICT) practitioners in Hong Kong. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 5(1), p.19. Tounkara, T., 2015. Increasing transferability of tacit knowledge with knowledge engineering methods. Leading Issues in Knowledge Management, Volume Two, 2, p.114. Wang, W.T. and Hou, Y.P., 2015. Motivations of employees’ knowledge sharing behaviors: A self-determination perspective. Information and Organization, 25(1), pp.1-26.

DO MUTUAL FUNDS DELIVER ALPHA Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

DO MUTUAL FUNDS DELIVER ALPHA - Dissertation Example Market selection is when the manager is able to select among the assets traded in the market the lowly priced asset and sell it at a higher price in the future due to its rise in returns. Market timing funds in most cases moves towards highly concentrated industry, fund which are large and align to small-cap stocks. The decisions that some managers do make sometime do outperform the market while at times they underperform. This has raised the debate whether the manager’s performance is guided by luck or skill in the manner under which they arrive at decision making. This paper undertakes to investigate how a number of mutual funds analyses have faired in their performance in the past years from a given data of selected fund firms. Finance literature has two contrasting strands on how optimal asset allocation is arrived at. On one hand, the argument has being that aggregate returns on the stock market are predictable and thus, investors are able to reach at optimal asset alloca tion based on the predictability strand. In contrast, argument has being that there is minimal evidence that investors utilize the predictability of aggregate stock market returns in their asset allocation. Investors in the past have being interested in funds that have large annual returns like the case of Fidelity Magellan mutual fund which outperformed S&P 500 index for 13 years in its 11 indexes from 1977 to 1989 under the stewardship of Peter Lynch. However, a number of funds making outstanding profits have being collapsing and investors are in the present days interested in other dynamics of fund performance. The problem has being the difficulty an investor faces in choosing the right manager to out perform the market and maintain. This paper undertakes a research that focuses on performance of some mutual funds by market timing and security selection. Market timing means that the manager has the ability to predict price changes of securities and thus, they invest or withdraw f unds in a timely manner from an investment. Security selection on the hand means that the manager has the ability to identify and select lowly priced securities that will provide returns in the future. 2. Literature Review Literature that has dwelled on evaluating performance of mutual funds has being very successful in the foundation of modern days theory on portfolio and how assets are valued (Guerard, 2009). The investors understanding on how to compile a portfolio by taking care of risk and returns has being contributed by Markowitz (1959) and Sharpe (1964). An investor will select a portfolio currently that is able to produce returns later. Sharpe (1964) in analyzing 34 open-ended mutual funds found out that the capital market efficiency is usually high. Also, managers are more interested in evaluating risk and engaging in diversification instead of evaluating on mispriced securities. According to Sharpe (1964), an investor is able to achieve any return on assets along the capi tal market line if he/she undertakes primary diversification at equilibrium because capital asset will have adjusted. This is because investors avoids risks in selecting among portfolios and are only concerned by mean and variance of their investment. The expected return can be maximized by undertaking additional risk on the holdings. Thus, in the market there will be two prices of interest rate and the risk price and for additional return per unit is as a result of

Histology practical write up Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Histology practical write up - Essay Example Upon the maturation of the beneficial T cells, they are released into the blood. The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ (Paul, 2013). The spleen on its part is an immunologic blood filter. The spleen is of T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, red blood cells and macrophages. The spleens functions by capturing antigens from the blood passing through the spleen. The migratory macrophages together with the dendritic cells transport the foreign bodies to the spleen through the blood stream. When the antigens get to the spleen and gets into contact with the appropriate B or T cells, an immune response is initiated. The B cells once activated produces large amounts of antibody which kills the antigen as well as aged red blood cells. The spleen contains two types of T-cells which are helper T-cells and killer T-cells. The helper T-cells are responsible for systematising the attack while the killer T-cells destroys the infected cell since it has then been turned into a virus reproduction factory. The spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ since it contains both T and B cells and requires an antigen entry to stimulate the lymphoid cells (Turgeon, 2014). Since the tissue sections are in wax, they are placed in hot plates for 2 minutes till all the wax is melted, and no traces of wax found in the tissues. Within a two-minute interval, the tissues are placed in absolute alcohol, 90% alcohol and 70% alcohol. In order to stain the tissues, they are placed in Ehrlich’s Haematoxylin for 45 minutes. Since this is a regressive stain, over stained tissues will have the stain solution removed with a tissue paper and rinsed for 30 minutes with tap water. The tissues should appear bluish purple/dark blue. The tissues are in acidic alcohol for 4 minutes and turn red. Immediately the slides are put into ammoniated alcohol and will turn blue. Within two-minute duration, the tissue

International businesses look to locate foreign operations in Essay

International businesses look to locate foreign operations in countries which are stable. Outline and critically discuss the criteria by which they judge whether or not a country is stable - Essay Example Even so, international expansion is a complicated matter and companies intending to enter a new country should take into consideration a lot factors. They include the economic and political environment, the individual strengths and weaknesses of the company, the opportunities and threats seen there, business and marketing strategies, and even the cultural factors that is peculiar to a particular region. This paper looks at these factors and will provide a detailed review with regard to its importance and relevance in international expansion strategies. It will establish a system by which companies can assess whether a market is attractive and stable. The focus will be on two countries namely China and Dubai, to provide specific applications of theory and literature on this area. Specific factors influencing international target markets: The increase in globalization and free trade has now resulted in more and more companies looking to expand to overseas markets. Domestic competition is another factor the drives these companies to look for new markets. There are many factors (as mentioned above) that influence decision making by companies as to which market they should enter. â€Å"While only a few decades ago these external aspects were seen as centring on the home country of the business, the environmental horizon of business has widened to take in a host of international forces, which interact with national and local factors† (Morrison 2002, p 2). Morrison has provided a broad overview of the factors that influence international business as follows. The organization is pictured at the core of the diagram which shows the various forces that act on it in a domestic and international environment. The additional forces that act on it in an international setting are the nation-state, region, and world ones. It can be seen that economic, socio/cultural, legal, technical and political forces are common to both domestic and international

Fanboys Film Reaction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Fanboys Film Reaction - Essay Example This includes the community interested in comic books, super heroes and certain fictional characters they admired in childhood (Davis 2). The cultural diversities displayed in this film are quite extraordinary. The manner in which people interact with one another is also something worth noting. This paper will review how the film brings about the cultural differences between the characters and the roles they all portray. In assessing the film, it is very easy to notice the filmmaker’s choice of setting for the film as he takes the audience back to the past. This was at a time where society expected a lot from men. Society expected them to be responsible enough to have steady, well-paying jobs. Society expected that from everyone who graduated from high school so they can be able to stand up for themselves. The work of art that the filmmaker sought to go after came in the form of this film (2). It is dedicated to all the faithful ones who dare to dream. Some other works of art can be represented in the same form. However, the most important thing to understand is what the creator of the work of art has had in mind. Once an individual gets to see with the filmmaker’s eyes, then and only then he/she becomes able to fully understand and appreciate the true meaning of art. When assessing other films, it is very easy to lose sight of what the intended purpose was. ... The characters act in this manner not another to portray the true identity of the people they address to or familiarise themselves with. Without these differences it is highly likely that it will be impossible to tell who is who while the film proceeds to the end. It is imperative that the filmmaker and many others clearly define such roles to have the desired effects (3). To prevent the audience from having a negative image of the message made by the characters and the movie itself, it is important to understand that the film was not directed to satisfy a specific group of people. Sometimes the characters behave in a way that may not be good. It can take a long time to stop calls coming in from all over to ban the work of art that was hard to make. The production and viewing of such a film should allow everyone to be culturally diverse in the roles they play in society. Everyone who watches the film can get a clear vision and perception of how cultures and people in society relate t o one another in spite of their differences. It concerns both the film industry and real life. These divergent cultures usually end up shaping the new way for people to live. The characters of the film appreciate different cultures presented in the film (3). This further leads to the global acceptance of certain ways and modes of living, thus, encouraging living in peace, harmony and understanding. All this helps to bring the world together under what is commonly known as a global village. The filmmaker gets to show these roles in very different ways. He introduces people from different areas making them interact within the film (3). With their introduction, the audience gets to see the culturally diverse roles they play. Even though the

Population and Migration Escalating Fertility Levels in Australia Essay

Population and Migration Escalating Fertility Levels in Australia - Essay Example This is one of the reasons that the lump sum maternity payment was devised, at least it is one of the reasons many females perceive it for coming into existence (Bittman 1997). Although there are many Australian women who find the baby bonus appealing and think it is fair there are just as many who believe it to be unfair. Those who do not see it as a positive influence do not believe that it will make that much of a difference in the swell of childbirths taking place within the country. Further, there are some mothers who believe that this type of aid from the Australian government is questionable and don't really see any true and long-lasting benefits stemming from it. These women claim that because of their doubts the bonus will not encourage them to have any more children than what they had previously planned on having to begin with (Hinman 1998). Many sociologists who have studied the changes that this bonus and other welfare assistance programs have brought depict an analysis of it that shows it as being unfair and seriously flawed, and not wholly beneficial to all women, especially those who need it the most (Hinman 1998). Yet unfortunately, many of the mentioned strategies were adopted in England and not Australia. However, there are Migrant Resource Centre's (MRC) located in Victoria which provide 'information and support to migrants and refugees in many community languages, they also provide contact with other organizations and services in the area' (Chadwick 1994). The MRC also help community groups apply for funding and grants, therefore providing the possibility for those out in the community who wish to create a strategy, such as the English language course, to help create that equality in the maternity and post-natal health care system.   When all of these resources come together than it can more feasibly be said to be contributing to the growing baby boom in the country.   Still, this is more focused on the young people rather than older women who still remain questions about how well the government programs actually work to assist women of childbearing ages.  

International businesses look to locate foreign operations in Essay

International businesses look to locate foreign operations in countries which are stable. Outline and critically discuss the criteria by which they judge whether or not a country is stable - Essay Example Even so, international expansion is a complicated matter and companies intending to enter a new country should take into consideration a lot factors. They include the economic and political environment, the individual strengths and weaknesses of the company, the opportunities and threats seen there, business and marketing strategies, and even the cultural factors that is peculiar to a particular region. This paper looks at these factors and will provide a detailed review with regard to its importance and relevance in international expansion strategies. It will establish a system by which companies can assess whether a market is attractive and stable. The focus will be on two countries namely China and Dubai, to provide specific applications of theory and literature on this area. Specific factors influencing international target markets: The increase in globalization and free trade has now resulted in more and more companies looking to expand to overseas markets. Domestic competition is another factor the drives these companies to look for new markets. There are many factors (as mentioned above) that influence decision making by companies as to which market they should enter. â€Å"While only a few decades ago these external aspects were seen as centring on the home country of the business, the environmental horizon of business has widened to take in a host of international forces, which interact with national and local factors† (Morrison 2002, p 2). Morrison has provided a broad overview of the factors that influence international business as follows. The organization is pictured at the core of the diagram which shows the various forces that act on it in a domestic and international environment. The additional forces that act on it in an international setting are the nation-state, region, and world ones. It can be seen that economic, socio/cultural, legal, technical and political forces are common to both domestic and international

Population and Migration Escalating Fertility Levels in Australia Essay

Population and Migration Escalating Fertility Levels in Australia - Essay Example This is one of the reasons that the lump sum maternity payment was devised, at least it is one of the reasons many females perceive it for coming into existence (Bittman 1997). Although there are many Australian women who find the baby bonus appealing and think it is fair there are just as many who believe it to be unfair. Those who do not see it as a positive influence do not believe that it will make that much of a difference in the swell of childbirths taking place within the country. Further, there are some mothers who believe that this type of aid from the Australian government is questionable and don't really see any true and long-lasting benefits stemming from it. These women claim that because of their doubts the bonus will not encourage them to have any more children than what they had previously planned on having to begin with (Hinman 1998). Many sociologists who have studied the changes that this bonus and other welfare assistance programs have brought depict an analysis of it that shows it as being unfair and seriously flawed, and not wholly beneficial to all women, especially those who need it the most (Hinman 1998). Yet unfortunately, many of the mentioned strategies were adopted in England and not Australia. However, there are Migrant Resource Centre's (MRC) located in Victoria which provide 'information and support to migrants and refugees in many community languages, they also provide contact with other organizations and services in the area' (Chadwick 1994). The MRC also help community groups apply for funding and grants, therefore providing the possibility for those out in the community who wish to create a strategy, such as the English language course, to help create that equality in the maternity and post-natal health care system.   When all of these resources come together than it can more feasibly be said to be contributing to the growing baby boom in the country.   Still, this is more focused on the young people rather than older women who still remain questions about how well the government programs actually work to assist women of childbearing ages.  

Made In Chelsea Analysis of an episode Essay Example for Free

Made In Chelsea Analysis of an episode Essay From the episode of Made In Chelsea I watched, I can say that the representations we have of upwardly mobile young city dwellers are that they are social-oriented, whose lives seem to be some care-free that they can cavort around various places in London—and the world—without any problems. We also only see characters of a certain age range—none are, we assume, above the age of thirty—of which the majority have no jobs or business, leading us to believe that they come from families of ‘old money’, and so having a job themselves would seem rather pointless. Saying that, there are a few characters who do possess their own business or thereabouts. However, our perceptions of the characters are very one sided, as we are constricted to seeing only one side of that character—the one that fits their current storyline the best. This prevents us from seeing, per se, the kind heartedness of a character that has just cheated on their partner. The words ‘characters’ and ‘storylines’ fit well with my next point; the conversations and the events that take place throughout the episode seem far too rehearsed and coincidental for them to be actual ‘reality’. Location shots are used of London sights and attractions to establish the setting of the scene. They also are only of Central London attractions, and the shops and restaurants et al all seem to highlight the wealth of the individuals who shop there, eat there etc. Reactions, for the majority of the show, are shown using over-the-shoulder shots to portray the reaction of the person who is being told something. There is also usage of eye line matching shots that show you what the character may have been looking at from their angle. The episode seems to comprise of short segments that have then been edited in post production so that they can seek out the most entertaining of segments. This is obvious as the episode transitions from one group of people at a restaurant to a boxing arena and then back to the restaurant again. Tzvetan Torodov’s narrative theory that conventional narratives are structured into five stages; Equilibrium—disruption—recognition—repair—reinstatement, could be present within the episode, as you can apply it to the situation between Louis, Spencer and Jamie (the love triangle storyline). The fact that it fits so well with Torodov’s theory does support the question â€Å"How much of Made In Chelsea is actually reality?†