Human Resource Strategy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Human Resource Strategy - Case Study Example This company is a worker co-op. It is one of the most exemplary companies when it comes to implementation of best practice strategies. This is because all the employees within the organisation are part owners of the organisation. The organisation focuses on addressing all their needs whether in the reward section or elsewhere. On the other hand, the employees pay back these efforts through commitment and best performance. Best practice has formed one of the organisation's key strengths. John Lewis partnership has made sure that training is part of its human resource and development efforts. This is because it realises the value of this best practice strategy. Pfeffer and Velga (1999) explain the importance of training and development of skills within any organisation. A company that takes its employees through training solidifies their contribution to the company. This is because such employees get equipped with the ability to make decisions in their work. On top of this, such employees have high levels of initiative and will try their utmost best to improve their organisational contribution. Skill development is a characteristic part of the John Lewis Partnership because employees who feel the need to improve their skills are given opportunities to do so through training schemes. Youndt et al (1996) emphasise that training is one of the most fundamental aspects of best... They claim that no amount of training will contribute towards organisational development if employees are not granted the permission to practice those acquired skills. This means that an organisation should try its best to grant work autonomy to its employees and to empower them through training. John Lewis has achieved this very well. In other retail companies, line managers are given minimal responsibilities. Most of them are expected to consult with higher authorities in order to decide on issues. However, the company under study has eliminated that problem by training those members of staff (so that they can have necessary skills) and then allowing them to make independent decisions. They believe that this is a form of investment into human capital since most of these employees feel valued. According to the Classical and Human relations approach, an organisation's structure and operation are affected by certain situational factors such as technology, size and environment. However best practice advocates like Burnes (2000) came up with a contingency theory. He believes that a reward system within any company can affect the way it operates or how it is structured. Pfeffer (1994) believes that best practice companies should have a structure that places staff members into groups. Those groups should be such that they have the ability to make their own decisions. Another aspect of best practise firms is that they ought to have reward systems that are compact in nature. This implies that there should be minimal differences between different members of staff so that most employees within the organisation operate in a relatively independent manner with the ability to make their own decisions. John Lewis' strategic capability in this aspect of structure is

Poverty in Appalachia Essay Example for Free

Poverty in Appalachia Essay The people of the Appalachian Mountains have been impoverished for years. They are all settling for a lot less then they should be. Most people in the mountains see that their parents did not graduate from high school so they feel that they don’t need to. They see their families struggling with paying bills so they feel like they should not finish school and help out by getting a low paying job and settling with working at Burger King or Walmart. They lack motivation to strive for excellence and overcome the obstacles of living in the mountains and maybe someday moving out. One of the major problems of the majority of the people who reside in the mountains is drug addiction. Families are broken up by drug addictions. It is an epidemic throughout the mountain. There are more drug busts in the mountain then in any major city such as Los Angeles or New York. This is another reason that people are very poor; they spend all their money on drugs and not enough for the bills, food, or water. One main job that a lot of people have in the mountains is working in the coalmines. Working in the coalmines pays a starting salary of $60,000, but is very dangerous. Coalmining can destroy your lungs and if there is an accident in the mines, you can be stuck down there for days at a time. In the Appalachian Mountains, they have about 100 open jobs for coalminers. The only problem is that either nobody wants to work in the mines, or they cannot pass the required drug test to get the job. The Appalachian Mountains is a place where there is much poverty and hardship. It is a town where many people do not finish high school and there is an excessive drug problem. Although it is a place of all these hardships, it is also a place where families stick together and help each other out when times get rough.

Collaborative Working Policies Analysis

Collaborative Working Policies Analysis Introduction Q1. In this assignment, I will investigate and research policy and legislation surrounding collaborative working and the positives and negatives. Collaborative working is the term used when two or more organizations, agencies or government bodies come together and share knowledge and information to obtain positive outcomes. The focus is to address specific areas or achieve certain goals for positive results. Its how we contribute and interrelate with others to deliver a positive and well-managed service. It is person-cantered and not service cantered which was done in the past when people had to fit around a service, whereas now its the service that needs to fit the individual. Collaborative working can be achieved in small groups or larger groups such as health services working alongside education, social care. a smaller group can be local voluntary groups and community health. The scope of collaborative working is a way of improving and identifying the need for change where it is m ost needed. Over the years, interest in collaborative working has been growing, driven by the sectors drive for effectiveness and efficiency, public opinion and government policy [www. knowhownonprofit.org] The Scottish government has recognized that more must be done to tackle health and social care and working with the NHS and local council care services, in particular, the elderly, to enable them to remain in their own homes and receiving treatment without having to go into hospital. The Scottish government will transfer  £107 million from the NHS into health and social care partnerships as well as £100million to the integrated care fund, this will allow more money to be spent in community and primary services. [www.scot.gov] Q2. Legislation. Public Bodies [Joint Working] [Scotland]Act 2014: This act came into effect on April 1st, 2014.The main purpose was to strengthen the roles of care workers and clinicians to deliver a service that is person-cantered and to ensure that every individual is treated with respect and dignity and improve the wellbeing of the service user. All the Partnerships will be jointly accountable to Local Authorities, Ministers, NHS Board Chairs and the public for delivering the nationally agreed outcomes set out by the act. [www.scot.gov] Policy: Health and Wellbeing outcomes policy framework is set out to improving the quality of services that are integrated in health and social care ,ensuring that the all local authorities and local health boards have a very transparent understanding on each ones reasonability when working as part of an integrated service across Scotland and to implement positive improvements so that every individual that uses the health or care setting are given top quality service ensuring their experiences on using these services are positive ones for them and their families. There are nine outcomes that apply to integrated health and social care at present some of these are: 1. That people are able to improve their own wellbeing and health, live for longer. 2. health and social care services aim to improve the life and quality of people who use these services. 3. Health and social care services contribute to reducing health inequalities 4. People who use health and social care services have positive experiences of those services, and have their dignity respected [www.scot.gov]] This is only half of what the government proposes to implement to integrated services in health and social care across Scotland. In Scotland when there is a sudden death or accidental death there is usually further investigation to determine the exact cause and if the death could have been prevented in line with the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976, for the purpose of this assignment I have chosen the death of Declan Hainey Fatal accident inquiry into the death of Declan Hainey Declan died between 1st July 2009/31st august 2009.he was only 15months old when he was last seen alive, it was another 8 months before his body was discovered in Kimberly Hainey home march 2010 His mother Kimberly Hainey was found guilty of his murder, she was charged with murder and neglect, these charges were quashed in April 2013, and Kimberly Hainey was free. [www.bbc.uk.news] Kimberly was known to several agencies before and after the birth of Declan, as she had a history of drug and alcohol misuse. Declans cause of death is unascertained. However, the prolonged neglect of Declan by his mother and sole carer Kimberley Hainey was at least a contributory factor in his death. There was no collaborative working where there should have been, there was no consistency with health visitors/social workers Sherriff Anderson identified the following factors where the death of Declan might have been avoided à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ If all agencies involved in the information gathering process pre-birth/post-birth had all information and medical records available to them, then child protection measures could have been put in place which would have resulted in close monitoring and assessment over a longer period and under closer scrutiny of social work and health visitors then the case would not have been closed without a formal inter-agency review. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ If medical information relating to Kimberlys long history of alcohol and drug abuse and her psychiatric history had been passed to social work and health staff who had continuing responsibility for Declan, would have contributed to a more realistic assessment of the risks which existed in relation to Kimberlys ability to care for her son. [ www.scot-judiciary.org] Sherriff Anderson set out four factors and recommendations that are relevant to prevent a breakdown in communication and collaborative working in future, as he identified in Declans case Action to be taken when a notification of concern in relation to an unseen child is received by a social work department. Mandatory training of general practitioners in the guidance and protocols relating to child protection. Improve staffing levels in social work and health services The distribution of medical information to those working in cases where there are children of substance misusing parents or care. [ www.scot-judiciary.org] Sadly, it was too late for Declan, but hopefully, lessons and recommendations set out by Sherriff Anderson will be adhered in their full capacity. There have been improvements across the health and social care sector, but sadly it was too late for some. Q3. For collaborative working to be effective there are national and local organizations that promote collaborative working. These are the National care standards which were set up by Scottish ministers under Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001and formed the national care standards committee who had the help of several groups of people and families that used care services as well as professionals, local authorities, which resulted in the standards that were set to meet their needs, and services to create the standards and everyone working in the care setting is held accountable to.[www.gov.scot] Another national organisation promoting collaborative working is the JIT[The Joint Improvement Team] also the JIT action team who is governed by the Joint Improvement partnership board and is in partnership with NHS Scotland, the Scottish government and COSLA[Convention of Scottish Local Authorities]They provide a range of support to local care services and housing associations their missi on is for continues improvement creativity, effective collaboration with a wide range of services across Scotland.[www. Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.org.uk] One local organization I have identified is a community group called FAIR [Family Action in Rogerfield Easterhouse] who work with people of all ages and live in disadvantaged areas to bring them together and built positive relationships. They offer social, education and practical support to enhance their skills to gain employment, have healthier lifes, to achieve this they run different workshops daily to meet the needs of every individual such as SVQ classes, cooking clubs and an employability programme . These can only be achieved by the collaborative working of local businesses and health boards[fare-scotland.org] Another local organization is social work services who work with health professionals such as CAMHS, care providers, and families. These organizations are involved in collaborative working as this promot es the wellbeing and safeguarding of everyone who needs care, by identifying their needs, giving people receiving care a voice and be heard. By working together, it meets the needs of the individual and ensures the best quality of care that will fit around the individual and not the individual fitting around the service. It allows services to be able to share information that has a person-centred approach enabling a better outcome for the individual as each will have a shared knowledge and understanding of that individual. By working with all these agencies ensures that the persons needs can be met. Q.4.There is advantages and disadvantages when working collaboratively with other organizations. The advantages are everyone involved has one focus and thats to deliver the best possible care requirements for every person receiving or requiring a care service. By working together, it brings together a wide selection of skills and builds teams relationships enabling everyone to work better together and having more resources available to work with that will deliver a service that allows the individual to feel empowered in the service they receive. It works with individuals with a wide range of needs whether it be physical or mental, before people would have to go to lots of different agencies to meet their support needs, now that services have come together it enables more people not to feel overwhelmed by the number of agencies they would have had to go to, to seek the right support .There can also be disadvantages such as conflicts of interest as everyone has their own agendas and po licies to adhere to that may not coincide with a neighbouring organization and has financial restraints and who decides to make the final decisions as each has different values and beliefs this causing conflict amongst the employees. when delivering care regardless of your position, its not whats best for us but what will empower the individual to have a fulfilling life with barriers down and given opportunities for positive outcomes, regardless of their sex, gender, culture, religion or age Conclusion Q.5.Doing this assignment I have learned that collaborative working is a positive approach to providing services to people that work for them and with the organisations working together and sharing information it allows if any the risks and dangers that a person may endeavour to be recognised as early as possible and allowing the relevant agencies to act on the dangers and risks if the appropriate care is not sourced to accommodate a person needs and requirements it can have a detrimental effect on that individual and others. On researching the Declan Hainey case was a prime example of why its important that all the agencies involved with an individual who is at risk to themselves or others, be acted on immediately. Lessons are learned by mistakes that are made, even horrific ones such as Declan Haneys. What needs to be taken into consideration is its not about who has the most power and resources but to work equally to provide a service to individuals and remembering that every indi vidual is unique and require different services to meet their specific needs. Social care has been highlighted in the media on a negative perspective showing how some social care services dont work with other agencies and can lead to neglect and abuse to service users who may have no advocacy working on their behalf. There is also the good care settings that very rarely get the recognition in media showing how services can work together collaboratively to deliver a service with positive outcomes for everyone seeking help or advice .in the service I work with ,we work with a number of different agencies that have all the same scope to delivering a service that meets the needs of every young person we cater for, from CAHMS[Child Adolescent Mental Health Services]to local schools/colleges/dentists/skills development Scotland/drugs alcohol workers ,this is just a few of the services that every young person has access to on a daily basis. By working together effectively we are also learn ing from each other enhancing our knowledge in different areas we may not have access to if there was no collaborative working. REEFRENCE BBC (2013) Kimberley Hainey murder conviction quashed on appeal. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22183497 (Accessed: 6 March 2017). Connor, A., Maclennan, E. and Price, S. (eds.) (2009) Higher national certificate in social care student book. Oxford: Heinemann. Garfinkel, J. (2016) Working together to achieve your mission knowhow nonprofit. Available at: https://knowhownonprofit.org/organisation/collaboration/working-collaboratively/working-together-to-achieve-your-mission-ncvo# (Accessed: 20 February 2017). Government, S., House, S.A., Road, R. (2017) The Scottish government home page. Available at: http://www.gov.scot (Accessed: 25 February 2017). Home (2016) Moodle. Available at: http://moodle.westcollegescotland.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2237 (Accessed: 26 February 2017). Office, J. and Scotland (2017) Fatal accident inquiry into the death of Declan Hainey judgments sentences judiciary of Scotland. Available at: http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/10/1308/Fatal-Accident-Inquiry-into-the-death-of-Declan-Hainey (Accessed: 21 February 2017). Scotland, J. (2006a) Background joint improvement team (JIT). Available at: http://www.jitscotland.org.uk/about-jit/background/ (Accessed: 25 February 2017). Scotland, J. (2006b) JIT joint improvement team. Available at: http://www.jitscotland.org.uk/ (Accessed: 25 February 2017). User, S. (2001) Our history Scottish social services council. Available at: http://www.sssc.uk.com/about-the-sssc/what-is-the-sssc/our-history (Accessed: 25 February 2017).  £107m for health and social care integration (no date) Available at: https://beta.gov.scot/news/107m-for-health-and-social-care-integration/ (Accessed: 20 February 2017). Welcome

Faith in A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings Essay -- Enormous Wings Es

Faith in A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings      Ã‚   In Gabriel Garcia Marquez's short story, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings," an unexpected visitor comes down from the sky, and seems to test the faith of a community. The villagers have a difficult time figuring out just how the very old man with enormous wings fits into their lives. Because this character does not agree with their conception of what an angel should look like, they try to determine if the aged man could actually be an angel. In trying to prove the origin of their visitor, the villagers lose faith in the possibility of him being an angel because he does not adhere to their ordered world. Marquez keeps the identity of the very old man with enormous wings ambiguous to critique the villagers and, more generally, organized religion for having a lack of faith to believe in miracles that do not comply with their master narrative. In order to keep the origin of the old man a mystery, Marquez uses a technique known as magical realism. This combination of reality and fantasy helps to remove some of the grandeur behind the potential angel. When the old man is first introduced he does not descend from heaven in a blaze of light and glory, but rather lands in a "stew of mud and rotten shellfish" (313), during a storm that had lasted for three days. To investigate the "moving and groaning in the rear of the courtyard" Pelayo "had to go very close to see that it was an old man, a very old man, lying face down in the mud, who, in spite of his tremendous efforts, couldn't get up, impended by his enormous wings" (313). This description is hardly the image that one would conjure up when visualizing an angel coming down from the heavens. Rather, Marque... ...age people are able to rationalize that the angel is mortal, and just an annoying part of their everyday life. When the villagers cannot determine the true nature of the angel, they condition themselves to ignore what is standing before their very eyes. Only after the angel finally flies away becoming "an imaginary dot on the horizon of the sea" (317) does anyone pause to look at the angel. Works Cited and Consulted Chanady, Amaryll. "Magical Realism in Spanish American Literature." Magical Realism: Theory, History, Community. Ed.Louis Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris. Durham, N.C: UP, 1995: 125-144. Garcia Marquez, Gabriel. "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings." The Norton Introduction Literature. Ed. Jerome Beaty.N.Y. : W.W. Norton and Company, 1996.525-529. Sandner, David. The Fantastic Sublime. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1996. 51-55.

Chart and Reflection Essay

1980 Election This was a political event because it caused a change in the government. Americans wanted a firm, patriotic leader who had a plan to fix the economic problems carrying over from the 1970s. Jimmy Carter was running for reelection, and Americans overall were very unhappy with his leadership. Ronald Reagan emerged as his challenger, a former actor with great public skills and a plan. They elected Ronald Reagan in 1980 who had a controversial plan for fixing the U.S. economy, later dubbed â€Å"Reaganomics.† 1980  Reagan Doctrine Treaty of 1987 the president’s foreign policy in the 1980s of supporting anti-Communist revolutions. reduced existing weapons. the Reagan Doctrine would not shy away from directly confronting Soviet-supported regimes or groups. prevent nuclear proliferation in our own territory and around the globe.   U.S. support favored groups that, while not Communist, were not democratic either. The most controversial of these efforts was in Nicaragua. Mikhail Gorbachev took control of the Soviet Union. He believed that the future of the Soviet Union depended on important reforms and began to implement two programs. the policy led to U.S. involvement in conflicts around the world. Part 2: Answer the following questions in a complete paragraph of your own words. Do you think President Ronald Reagan’s policies had a positive or negative effect on the country overall? Explain your response. Reagan’s foreign policy actions were very positive because they lead to the end of the Cold War and the threat of communism that had been plaguing America for decades. What do you think was the most significant event of the 1980s and why? -Ronald Reagan elected president -Britain’s elite SAS frees Iranian embassy in London after being taken over by terrorists -52 Americans held hostage are returned home after 444 days in captivity -Ronald Reagan survives an assassination attempt by John Hinckley -Riots in Brixton and inner cities in Britain -Britain’s Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding -Discovery of AIDS virus These events are significant because they have had an impact on our country today.

Free Essays on Soldiers Home

Soldier's Home Many of the titles of Ernest Hemingway's stories are ironic, and can be read on a number of levels; Soldier's Home is no exception. Our first impression, having read the title only, is that this story will be about a old soldier living out the remainder of his life in an institution where veterans go to die. We soon find out that the story has nothing to do with the elderly, or institutions; rather, it tells the story of a young man, Harold Krebs, only recently returned from World War I, who has moved back into his parents' house while he figures out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. And yet our first impression lingers, and with good reason; despite the fact that his parents' comfortable, middle-class lifestyle used to feel like home to Harold Krebs, it no longer does. Harold is not home; he has no home at all. This is actually not an uncommon scenario among young people (such as college students) returning into the womb of their childhood again. But with Harold,! the situation is more dramatic because he has not only lived on his own, but has dealt with and been traumatized by life-and-death situations his parents could not possibly understand. Hemingway does not divulge why Krebs was the last person in his home town to return home from the war; according to the Kansas City Star, Hemingway himself "left Kansas City in the spring of 1918 and did not return for 10 years, [becoming] 'the first of 132 former Star employees to be wounded in World War I,' according to a Star article at the time of his death" (Kansas City Star, hem6.htm). Wherever he was in the intervening time, by the time Harold gets home, the novelty of the returning soldier has long since worn off. All the other former soldiers have found a niche for themselves in the community, but Harold needs a while longer to get his bearings; he plays pool, "practiced on his clarinet, strolled down town, read, and went to bed" (Hemingway, 146... Free Essays on Soldier's Home Free Essays on Soldier's Home Soldier's Home Many of the titles of Ernest Hemingway's stories are ironic, and can be read on a number of levels; Soldier's Home is no exception. Our first impression, having read the title only, is that this story will be about a old soldier living out the remainder of his life in an institution where veterans go to die. We soon find out that the story has nothing to do with the elderly, or institutions; rather, it tells the story of a young man, Harold Krebs, only recently returned from World War I, who has moved back into his parents' house while he figures out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. And yet our first impression lingers, and with good reason; despite the fact that his parents' comfortable, middle-class lifestyle used to feel like home to Harold Krebs, it no longer does. Harold is not home; he has no home at all. This is actually not an uncommon scenario among young people (such as college students) returning into the womb of their childhood again. But with Harold,! the situation is more dramatic because he has not only lived on his own, but has dealt with and been traumatized by life-and-death situations his parents could not possibly understand. Hemingway does not divulge why Krebs was the last person in his home town to return home from the war; according to the Kansas City Star, Hemingway himself "left Kansas City in the spring of 1918 and did not return for 10 years, [becoming] 'the first of 132 former Star employees to be wounded in World War I,' according to a Star article at the time of his death" (Kansas City Star, hem6.htm). Wherever he was in the intervening time, by the time Harold gets home, the novelty of the returning soldier has long since worn off. All the other former soldiers have found a niche for themselves in the community, but Harold needs a while longer to get his bearings; he plays pool, "practiced on his clarinet, strolled down town, read, and went to bed" (Hemingway, 146...

Amazing Science Fiction Future Essays

Amazing Science Fiction Future Essays Amazing Science Fiction Future Essay Amazing Science Fiction Future Essay In Daniel H. Wilsons book Wheres my Jetpack: A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future that Never Was, he claims that according to 20th century science fiction we should have all of the technologies that were promised to be invented by now. Wilson supports his claim by going through different technologies explaining what they are, how they were portrayed in the science fiction world. and how they are or are not of use to use today. It seems the Wilsons purpose is to educate us on the history and future of the technologies as much as to complain about how we do not have access to them today. Although Wilson has a sarcastic tone throughout the book, he supplies fantastic information and points of views on the technologies he chose to write about like invisible camouflae and the smart house. However, wilson leaves out an extreamly important invention called the exoskeleton, which not only plays a major role in the science fiction world. but in the advances of technology today. The Smart House is a reliable but complex technology of the future which makes 1950s view of The Home of the Future inconceivable with our technology today (139). Even though fast transportation, replicators, Built in furniture, and a completely sterile environment is still just a dream out of reach for us, we have made progress transforming our dull, non-shape-shifting houses into the Smart House prototypes of the future. The home automation industry provides us with a vast amount of life enhancing technologies like motion detectors that help with both turning on the lights or an alarm system, and effectors that are used to water plants, feed dogs, and remotely raise or lower blinds (140). Along with home automation, intelligent environments are an entire field of research dedicated to combing high-tech computing in to our homes (140). The Smart House of the future seems to be leading toward helping elderly people live independently but safely with Activity recognition and location estimation, both of which can tell what you are doing and where (141). The home security corporation, ADT, recently marketed the first twenty-four-hour monitoring service called QuiteCare (141). QuiteCare provides a ordinary home security system of motion detectors and contact switches with a twist. Quitecare transmits information to ADT service members twenty-four-hours a day, seven days a week, and sets a baseline for normal activity that, when broken, triggers an alarm (142). Wilson was right when he said Living in the home of the future is like living in a Swiss army knife, and we can tell that by our houses now with all the technologies we have today. Even though we can only dream of a house that does everything for you, Scientists are taking big steps forward toward the path of the ultimate Smart House along with other super cool technologies. Invisible camouflageis yet another invention only reachable in the inagination of science fiction and fantasy writers. For example, in a very popular young adult series, Harry Potter inherits an invisibility cloke from him father and when put on, Harry disappears completely. Invisible Camouflage is an extremely awesome concept used in many science fiction and fantasy works and could be used to any persons advantage. The Military could use invisibility in hostage situations, or covert operations along with getting men and woman out safely to medics. As far as anyone knows the military does not have invisible camouflage yet, but are working on adaptive camouflage (107). Adaptive camouflage actively changes what you or your vehicle resembles to match the environment, compared to traditional camouflage, where you use unclear colors and shapes to blend in visually with your surroundings. The theory is to wrap yourself in real time images like the environment surrounding you. So its like putting on a Unisex jumpsuit thats a television screen. Researchers from Tokyo University in Japan have developed a prototype of adaptive camouflage. They take a video camera and place it on the back of a white rain coat and it collects and sends the image to the front of the rain coat like a projection. Simple idea, right? The problem with that projection idea is that its required to show the right image from every angle at once to become invisible not just from the front, which makes it more complicated, but not impossible (108). Invisible camouflage can, as Wilson Stated, extend past the battlefield and beyond the womans locker room (109). The possibility of surgeons having the ability to see everything they are utilizing during operations, or pilots being able to see through airplanes creates new possibilities. Also, you can get back at Jonny who bullied you in fourth grade; he would never see it coming. To my disappointment the exoskeleton super suits was not mentioned in the book. Different variations of the exoskeleton are shown through many science fiction movies, novels, and comic books. Some of the most famous exoskeletons are suits you put on, as in Iron Man, or a suit you walk into and hook yourself up, as shown in Avatar. In Iron Man the exoskeleton is almost like a body suit but has all the qualities of a super weapon; whereas, the exoskeleton in Avatar resembles more of a small transformer armed with large amounts of weapons. Both ideas are different but have the same science fiction concept of being high tech, fast and extremely powerful. Raytheon had an exoskeleton prototype called XOS 2. XOS 2 is more advanced then Its predecessor and even uses fifty percent less power and it more resistant to the environment. The lighter, stronger and faster exoskeleton can be used to help with many of the challenges that the human body cannot withstand, like repetitive heavy lifting, along with enhancements like completing work that 3 soldiers would do (Raytheon. com). XOS 2 is an amazing development with the exoskeleton technology, but we still have many mountains to climb before anyone can wear a fully equpied Iron Man Exoskeletons. Daniel Wilson brought to my view the technologies of Smart House and Invisible Camouflage, along with the disadvantages and advancements of them today. Although he did not talk about the exoskeleton super suit Wilson gave accurate information on the Smart House and invisible camouflage with a humorous tone that entrapped me. The technologies of the future are an interesting thought, but so far that is all that technology is. The exoskeleton is nowhere near ready to be used in the military anytime soon, we are not much closer to invisibility than we were when science fiction gave birth to the idea, and the thought of an all-plastic house that can clean, cook, and replicate anything while thinking for itself is almost absurd. I await the day for science fiction to prove me wrong, but until than I will clean my own house, dream of invisibility and rely on non-cyborg soliders to protect me. Work Cited Marrapodi Eric and Lawrence Chris, CNN. future soliders may be wearing iron Man suits Web. 22 Sept 2011 cnn. com/2010/TECH/innovation/11/11/iron. man. suit//index. html Raytheon Time Magazine Names the XOS 2 Exoskeleton Most Awesomest Invention of 2010 Web 22 Sept 2011Â  raytheon.com/newsroom/technology/rtn08_exoskeleton/

Counseling Processes essays

Counseling Processes essays Counseling - the act or process of giving counsel - the process of assisting and guiding clients, especially by a trained person on a professional basis, to resolve personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties - a generic term that is used to cover the several processes of interviewing, testing, guiding, advising, etc. designed to help an individual solve problems, plan for the future, etc. Process - a systematic series of actions directed to one end - a continuous action or series of changes taking place in a definite manner In counseling, there are many processes used by a counselor in his sessions with a client. These may be done in a specific order or however which way the counselor sees them to be appropriate. Listed below are the different processes that may be undertaken during a counseling session. 1. Before meeting a counselee, the counselor tries to find out as much as he can about the former. This is done so that he may discern what will help the client most. Also, he has to fathom the counselee's past so that he will know beforehand how he can help him. 2. The counselor and the counselee take some time to get to know each other. This is a process that works both ways, as does the entire counseling process upon which they are about to embark. In the process, the counselee's needs are assessed and appropriate therapy may be chosen. 3. Questionnaires or tests may be given to the counselee to prove or disprove the counselor's initial findings. It may be too early to judge the counselee right away but this may help the counselor in the totality of the sessions. 4. The counselor needs to determine, with greater accuracy, the nature of the emotion and experience that is behind the counselee's current difficulties by further detailed examination of the latter's history. Some of the issues and patterns raised in the ...

The Bermuda Triangle Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Bermuda Triangle - Coursework Example Beginning with the important accidents that occurred in the Bermuda Triangle due to which it attracted massive attention, disappearance of an entire troop of bombers and planes without leaving behind a single trace are worth mentioning. Unexplained disasters led people to believe in the myths that there ought to be something deadly, monstrous, and heinous in the ocean due to which people, planes, and ships disappear to never get recovered. After the big incident of plane crashes in the Bermuda Triangle, the gateway to disasters opened up and myriad other disappearances began to be reported due to which this specific area became a highly talked about, riveting, and enthralling topic around the globe and research began on a large scale with no concrete facts revealed and ambiguity, confusion, and mystery ensued. Over time, headlights continued cropping up about more flights and ships along with hundred of innocent people vanished in the deep waters and no explanation was ever presented publicly other than the dark doubtful statements which led people to speculate that there had to be some supernatural phenomenon in action in that specific area of the Atlantic Ocean, never once stopping to consider the probable role played by natural calamities or human errors. One stark similarity among all the casualties which played a major role in spreading black doubts among the public was that the ships, planes, and aircraft which vanished in the ocean never showed up after some months as wreckage.

Outline and assess Foucault's critique of modernity Essay - 1

Outline and assess Foucault's critique of modernity - Essay Example Finally, the third section will be devoted to Foucaultian critique of institutional basis of modernity and the disciplinary character of its rationality. It will be argued that, while Foucault denounced various aspects of modernity, he did not attempt to idealise pre-modern thought/institutions, and remained unsure about social project alternative to modernity, thus contributing to similar indecisiveness among the following post-modernist thinkers. 1. Foucault’s Archaeology of Knowledge: A Critique of Rationalist Objectivity The modern account of knowledge was premised upon the representationalist epistemology founded by Descartes. Rejecting previous assumptions on the nature and purposes of human knowledge, Descartes posited that knowledge is derived from accurate determination of correspondence of certain representations with the actual objects of external world, a correspondence that can in principle be verified by constructing certain methodological arguments (Gutting, 199 9, p. 116). Later modern thinkers basically followed this Cartesian epistemology, assuming that representations under consideration are derived from some innate properties of human mind and reality. Foucault based his epistemological critique of modern philosophy on the thorough deconstruction of Cartesian notions of knowledge. He affirms the historically specific character of knowledge, as opposed to ahistorical Cartesian account of epistemological procedures, assuming that development of structures of human knowledge is governed by alterations in episteme, i.e. ‘total set of relations that unite... the discursive practices that give rise to epistemological figures, sciences, and possibly formalised systems’ (Foucault, 2002a, p. 211). Foucault believes that the development of distinctively modern episteme was caused by shift from the Renaissance view of knowledge as system of resemblances that was predicated upon the clarification of interrelation between various objec ts of surrounding world and men’s place in it, to analytical and interpretational forms of cognition (Carrette, 2000, pp. 15-16). The latter were based not on ‘the sudden and illuminating discovery that all thought is thought’ but on ‘constantly renewed interrogation’ of ‘the forms of non-thinking’ that leads to the reduction of empirical world to some universal and transcendental dialectics (Foucault, 2002b, p. 353). Foucault surmises that universalistic assumptions of modernity’s epistemology are invalidated by the discursive and ultimately relative nature of knowledge as such, for, in his view, the structures of knowledge depend on the character of discourse as practice that brings about the very object that are spoken of (Mahon, 1992, p. 11). Here, one may find that Foucault maintains that the discursive nature of language and knowledge practices does not allow for some objective, universal discourse, and therefore that modern ity’s pretences for formulating a transparent methodology of knowledge are unfounded. 2. Foucault on Subject: The Rejection of A Priori Subjectivity The modernity’s view on subject is generally predicated upon the idea of its universality and humanist character, which means that ‘

Mohawk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mohawk - Essay Example According to Kathleen Gallagher of the Millwaukee Journal Sentinal in a Christmas Day article 2006, carpet has dropped to 46% from 49% in sales of ALL floor coverings since '05. " People have to stand on something" said Haruki Toyama of Toyama Value Fund, in that recent article. Since this trend must have been apparent to the Mohawk Company a long time ago these folks have been moving into the tile and laminates end of floor coverings, hence their purchase and integration of the Belgian tile manufacturer mentioned. Instead of a careful and slow growing conservative company I see a concern poised to take advantage of lower transport costs than since the beginning of the Iraq war; along with an integrated tile manufacture, to challenge Shaw's leading market share in this industry. Instead of a stodgy conservative slow growth company, Mohawk seems poised on the cusp of an upsurge of growth if one reads into the future with this Sullivan article.

Asian Popular Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Asian Popular Culture - Essay Example This has an ultimate effect of developing the contemporary Asian popular cultures in accordance with the Western values. The development demeans the identity and effects of the Asian Popular Culture. The popularity and significant effects of the Asian Popular Culture is evident in Asian countries that include Japan, Korea, China, among other nations (Fung 3-5). This paper defines how Asian popular culture relates to processes of regional integration and globalization. It is worth noting that the Asian Popular Culture has been growing in the last two decades in East Asia through the advancements of cultural activities and commercial products in the regions. Indeed, the advancements in information technology have fostered the growth of the communication and media sectors. This is clear in the increased production capacity of media cultures like pop music, TV production, films, and other theatric ventures in East Asia. Moreover, Asian pop culture is alive to the synchronization of the media culture markets, which fosters the processes of regional integration as the media culture markets are in different regions within the Asian continent. Indeed, more people in the region can now access information on Asian pop culture, which enhances the development of points of unity and integration. The development of the production capacity of media cultures like pop music, TV production, films, and other theatric ventures in East Asia allows many residents in t he region to experience and identify with the characteristics of the Asian pop culture. Another aspect that fosters unity and integration in the Asian region is the capacity of the media personalities from the region to carry out their activities across the national borders. Indeed, producers, directors, actors, and operating capital apply in different nations across the region (Iwabuchi 1). In the recent days, the media culture producers and directors have

BUSINESS TAXATION ( Uinted KingdomTAX System ) Essay

BUSINESS TAXATION ( Uinted KingdomTAX System ) - Essay Example This often inclusive of the value, which the item was sold at. According a journal therefore understanding the different forms of taxation and meeting their obligations is of great importance to any business. One can save money by understanding what taxation involves in a given type of business whether a sole trader or partnership. As stated in the Tax Advisor (2012), a businessperson would also take advantage of any exemptions that they might be entitled to which would at the end boost the business. This paper will explain the terms and concepts in business taxation that will aid a clear understanding; it will assess the consequences that come as a result of incorporating a sole trader business, recommendations to the trader and finally whether the business qualifies for capital gains tax incorporation relief. A sole trader is a person who runs and operates a business on their own. The sole proprietor is liable for all the assets and liabilities of the business. Moreover, sole traders have full control of their business with all the profit. In 2012, The Tax Chartered Advisor stated that the taxation system for a sole trader in the UK allows one to complete a self assessment of their business. In this form, the sole trader is allowed to show total expenses, the total income and then subtracts to get the losses or profit for the business. Should the company show a loss then it does not owe the government otherwise, the business is taxed depending on the profits earned. An incorporated company is a form of business that is owned by one person who is the director with employees working for the company. This type of business is not solely owned by one person and decisions regarding the company are made as a group. With the new tax rates that were released in the UK, it has been realized that the best way to save money by avoiding paying a lot of taxes is through the start of companies. According to Payroll Practitioner (2009), the tax

Climate change debate - anthropogenic or natural Essay

Climate change debate - anthropogenic or natural - Essay Example As every person has its on view, there are people who think that climatic changes in this world are due to man made technologies and industries but on the other hand there is a school of thought that thinks that these climate changes are due to the natural processes and there is no intrusion of the human progress that has evolved the climate changes in this world. The objective of this dissertation is to prove what does drive climate to change it ways, is it the fast paced human progress or is it a natural course that is completing its cycle. Nomenclature H2O: Water; here mostly H2O is referred to water vapor. SO2: Sulfur Dioxide CO2: Carbon Dioxide H2S: Hydrogen Sulfide HCL: Hydrochloric Acid HF: Hydrofluoric Acid CFC : Chloro fluoro Carbons Introduction Climatic changes and how the weather is behaving nowadays do not seem to be an exception for the mankind, and the prime factor which has the guilty tag upon it is â€Å"nature†. When it is discussed that what are the anthropo genic factors which can contribute in climate change?, the first thing which emerges into mind is all this manmade development that has progressed with the advent of industries. If the process of pollution is not stopped it can alone be the reason to end this civilization. In case of natural causes mostly the biggest source is the constant warmth from the sun which is causing climate changes even before human civilization existed. Natural and anthropogenic climatic affects are important because in one way or the other both of them do contribute to the climatic changes our world is facing. But who takes the lion’s share has to be discussed. If the causes of the climatic change are not identified then this world would actually suffer to an indefinable extent. Bill Clinton proposed that â€Å"I worry about the Climate Change; it’s the only thing I believe has the power to fundamentally end the march of civilization as we know it† (Tabor 45). The only duty is not to just identify the cause but also to amend it, especially the factors which are in the human hands need to be eradicated at any cost. It is a common practice among people to mix global warming with climatic changes that taking place. But global warming just indicates the temperature changes, where as climatic change works upon temperature upheavals and other factors, for example alteration in earth’s energy etc (Burroughs 8). This dissertation would be helpful in understanding that how much naturally occurring effects can be a part of climatic consequences and how much is the human hand involved in producing these changes. Those changes can vary from the green house effect to volcanic eruptions, use of aerosols, earth quakes, depletion of ozone layer etc. Needs Statement The problem statement for this dissertation will be: â€Å"A study carried out to analyze the issue of climate change due to natural and anthrop

Asian Popular Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Asian Popular Culture - Essay Example This has an ultimate effect of developing the contemporary Asian popular cultures in accordance with the Western values. The development demeans the identity and effects of the Asian Popular Culture. The popularity and significant effects of the Asian Popular Culture is evident in Asian countries that include Japan, Korea, China, among other nations (Fung 3-5). This paper defines how Asian popular culture relates to processes of regional integration and globalization. It is worth noting that the Asian Popular Culture has been growing in the last two decades in East Asia through the advancements of cultural activities and commercial products in the regions. Indeed, the advancements in information technology have fostered the growth of the communication and media sectors. This is clear in the increased production capacity of media cultures like pop music, TV production, films, and other theatric ventures in East Asia. Moreover, Asian pop culture is alive to the synchronization of the media culture markets, which fosters the processes of regional integration as the media culture markets are in different regions within the Asian continent. Indeed, more people in the region can now access information on Asian pop culture, which enhances the development of points of unity and integration. The development of the production capacity of media cultures like pop music, TV production, films, and other theatric ventures in East Asia allows many residents in t he region to experience and identify with the characteristics of the Asian pop culture. Another aspect that fosters unity and integration in the Asian region is the capacity of the media personalities from the region to carry out their activities across the national borders. Indeed, producers, directors, actors, and operating capital apply in different nations across the region (Iwabuchi 1). In the recent days, the media culture producers and directors have

Climate change debate - anthropogenic or natural Essay

Climate change debate - anthropogenic or natural - Essay Example As every person has its on view, there are people who think that climatic changes in this world are due to man made technologies and industries but on the other hand there is a school of thought that thinks that these climate changes are due to the natural processes and there is no intrusion of the human progress that has evolved the climate changes in this world. The objective of this dissertation is to prove what does drive climate to change it ways, is it the fast paced human progress or is it a natural course that is completing its cycle. Nomenclature H2O: Water; here mostly H2O is referred to water vapor. SO2: Sulfur Dioxide CO2: Carbon Dioxide H2S: Hydrogen Sulfide HCL: Hydrochloric Acid HF: Hydrofluoric Acid CFC : Chloro fluoro Carbons Introduction Climatic changes and how the weather is behaving nowadays do not seem to be an exception for the mankind, and the prime factor which has the guilty tag upon it is â€Å"nature†. When it is discussed that what are the anthropo genic factors which can contribute in climate change?, the first thing which emerges into mind is all this manmade development that has progressed with the advent of industries. If the process of pollution is not stopped it can alone be the reason to end this civilization. In case of natural causes mostly the biggest source is the constant warmth from the sun which is causing climate changes even before human civilization existed. Natural and anthropogenic climatic affects are important because in one way or the other both of them do contribute to the climatic changes our world is facing. But who takes the lion’s share has to be discussed. If the causes of the climatic change are not identified then this world would actually suffer to an indefinable extent. Bill Clinton proposed that â€Å"I worry about the Climate Change; it’s the only thing I believe has the power to fundamentally end the march of civilization as we know it† (Tabor 45). The only duty is not to just identify the cause but also to amend it, especially the factors which are in the human hands need to be eradicated at any cost. It is a common practice among people to mix global warming with climatic changes that taking place. But global warming just indicates the temperature changes, where as climatic change works upon temperature upheavals and other factors, for example alteration in earth’s energy etc (Burroughs 8). This dissertation would be helpful in understanding that how much naturally occurring effects can be a part of climatic consequences and how much is the human hand involved in producing these changes. Those changes can vary from the green house effect to volcanic eruptions, use of aerosols, earth quakes, depletion of ozone layer etc. Needs Statement The problem statement for this dissertation will be: â€Å"A study carried out to analyze the issue of climate change due to natural and anthrop

Marketing an Introduction Essay Example for Free

Marketing an Introduction Essay Micro environment Marketing management their job is to build strong relationships with customers by creating customer value and satisfaction. But marketing managers cannot do this alone. Marketing success will require building relationships with other company departments, suppliers , marketing intermediaries , customers , competitors and various publics. The company Marketing managers must work closely with other company departments. Other departments have an impact on the marketing departments plans and actions. All of these functions must â€Å"think consumer†. Suppliers Suppliers form an important link in the company’s overall customer value delivery system. They provide the resources needed by the company to produce its goods and services. Supplier problems can seriously affect marketing. Rising supply costs may force price increases that can harm the company’s sales volume. Marketers build strong relationships with its suppliers. Marketing intermediaries Marketing intermediaries help the company to promote , sell and distribute its products to final buyers. Includes resellers , physical distribution firms , marketing services agencies and financial intermediaries. * Resellers : distribution channel firms that help the company find customers or make sales for them. These include wholesalers and retailers who buy and resell merchandise. * Physical distribution firms : Help the company to stock and move goods from their points of origin to their destinations. * Marketing services agencies : Marketing research firms , advertising agencies , media firms , and marketing consulting firms. * Financial intermediaries : Banks , credit companies , insurance companies and other financial institutions or insurance institutions against the risks associated with the buying and selling of goods. Today’s marketers know the importance of working with their intermediaries as partners. Competitors A company must provide greater customer value and satisfaction than its competitors do. Marketers need to do more than simply adapt to the needs of their customers. You need a strategy as a firm. Publics Public is any group that has an actual or potential interest in or impact on an organization’s ability to achieve its objectives. There are seven types of publics 1) Financial publics : This group influences the company’s ability to obtain funds 2) Media publics : This group carries news , features and editorial opinion. 3) Government publics : Management must take government developments into account. (Product safety , truth in advertising and other matters) 4) Citizen-action public : A company’s marketing decisions may be questioned by consumer organizations , environmental groups , minority groups and others. PR can help to stay in touch with consumers and citizen groups 5) Local publics : Relation with neighborhood residents and community organizations. 6) General public : The general public and their opinions and the company and their products 7) Internal publics : Workers , managers , volunteers and the board of directors. Customers Customers are the most important actors in the company’s micro environment. The main point is to serve the consumer and make them your customer. 1) Consumer market : Households and individuals 2) Business market :buy goods or services for further processing. 3) reseller markets : Buy goods or services to resell it at a profit 4) Government markets : Buy goods or services to produce publics services or transfer the goods to those who need them. 5) International markets : Buyers in other countries could be consumers , business , resellers and governments. Macro environment External factors that may be a threat to a company. There are 6 macro environmental elements: Demographic Demography is the study of human populations in terms of size , density , location , age , gender , race , occupation and other statistics. Demography has a huge impact on marketing because it involves people and people make up markets. The world ‘s large and highly diverse population poses both opportunities and challenges. Marketers have to keep a close watch on the demographic trends and developments in their markets , at home and abroad. Generations : * Baby boomers : Born between 1946-1964. One of the most powerful forces shaping the marketing environment. They have had many good years but now with a sharp decline in stock prices and home values , many baby boomers are now spending more carefully and planning to work longer. * Generation X : Born between 1965-1976. They lie in the shadow of the baby boomers. Not materialistic. First generation of parental divorce and working moms. â€Å"The MTV generation†. They are spending more carefully. Many companies are focusing one Generation X als target segment. * Millennials/Generation Y : Born between 1977-2000 This group includes several age cohorts Tweens (9-12) Teens (13-18) Young adults (19-32) With a big purchase power they are an attractive market for business. This generation is fluent with the digital technology. They don’t embrace technology , it is a way of life. Generational Marketing : Do marketers have to make different products for each generation ? Defining people by their birthdate may be less effective than segmenting them by their lifestyle , life stage or the common values they seek in products they buy. The traditional household has disappeared and marketers must increasingly consider the special needs of non-traditional households , because they are now growing more rapidly than traditional households. Each group has distinctive needs and buying habits. Geographic shifts : People move all the time. Such population shifts interest marketers because people in different regions buy differently. (Migration from North to South , East to West , City to suburban areas etc) Better educated population : The rising number of well educated people will increase the demand for quality products , books , magazines, travel , personal computers and internet services. Increasing diversity : Countries vary in their ethnic and racial make up. One nation has just one culture and another nation has loads of cultures within their own culture. Marketers have to take that in account nowadays. They make products to one or more groups. But it can also be differences in your sexual orientation that marketers take in account. Another diversity segment is for adults with disabilities. Marketers take advantage of opportunities in fast growing segments. Economic Environment Consists of factors that affect consumer purchasing power and spending patterns. Marketers must pay close attention to major trends and consumer spending patterns. Nations vary greatly in their levels and distribution of income. Some countries have industrial economies , which constitute rich markets for many different kinds of goods. Subsistence economies : They consume most of their own agricultural and industrial goods. In between are developing economies which can offer outstanding marketing oppurtunities for the right kind of products. Changes in income and spending : People could spend loads of money until the economic crisis showed up. The economic meltdown has been psychologically wrenching after a quarter century of prosperity. People live back to basic and adopted their lifestyle , and their spending pattern. Marketers are now trying to give people good quality for a good and fair price. Marketers should pay attention to income distribution as well as income levels. Changing consumer spending patterns : Consumers of different income levels have different spending patterns. Engel’s law : When the income increases , the percentage spent on food declines , the percentage spent on housing remains constant and the percentage spent on most other categories and that devoted to savings increase. Natural Environment Involves the natural resources that are needed as inputs by marketers or that are affected by marketing activities. Environmental concerns have grown the last three decades. Global warming is a hot issue. Marketers should be aware of several trends in the natural environment. First involves growing shortages of raw material such as water pollution and air pollution. Second is increased pollution : The industry will amost always damage the quality of the natural environment ( Chemical and nuclear wastes) Third trend is increased government intervention in natural resource management. One government cares more than the other. Today companies are developing strategies and practices that support environmental sustainability an effort to create a world economy that the planet can support indefinitely. The consumer responds with an increasing demand for environmental responsible products. Other companies are developing recyclable or biodegradable packaging , recycled materials and components , better pollution controls , and more energy-efficient operations. Technological environment The technological environment is perhaps the most dramatic force now , shaping our destiny. Technology has created miracles with medicines , surgery , electronics and internet. But also horrors as nuclear weapons m chemical weapons and assault rifles. The technological environment changes rapidly. New technologies creates new markets and opportunities. However every new technology replaces an old one. Marketers should keep themselves up to date or soon their products will be outdated. As products and technology become more complex , the public needs to know that these are safe. Thus the government agencies investigate and ban potentially unsafe products. Political and Social Environment Marketing decisions are strong affected by developments in the political environment. It consists laws , government agencies and pressure groups that influence or limit various organizations and individuals in a given society

Role of Cognitive Mapping in Health Care Management Decision

Role of Cognitive Mapping in Health Care Management Decision Describe and discuss the role of cognitive mapping in health care management decision making. Description of Cognitive Mapping Cognitive mapping is an operational research technique that consists of creating a graphical representation of a persons (or groups) way of thinking about an issue, and where directionality within the map is assumed to imply perceived causality among the concepts (Eden, 2004). The proposed value of the graphical representation, as argued from the field of political science, is that it makes it easy to for anyone to see how concepts and causal relationships are related, and appreciate the overall structure of all the assertions (Eden 2004 cited Axelrod 1976, p. 676). It is one mechanism of system dynamics simulation modelling that generally came about as a reaction to failure of traditional approaches to capture interactions within complex problems in social systems (Edkins et al. 2007 cited Checkland 1981). It avoids the common research process pitfall of reductionism by allowing multiple conflicting views to be revealed and, providing a comprehensive picture of the participants perspectives but keeping all details to represent beliefs that are most important to stakeholders represented (Duryan, Nikolik, Merode, 2015; Eden Ackermann, 2004). Cognitive mapping was initially introduced as a method for problem analysis. But recognizing its value, it has then found roles in performance measurement, decision making, and strategy formulation. Eden and Ackermann (1991) expounded on the possible uses of this technique in becoming an instrument for developing consensus about shared goals, providing structure to multiple and conflicting aspects of an issue, informing negotiation, and suggesting actions to resolve issues. Use of Cognitive Mapping in Health Care Cognitive mapping is argued to be best for messy situations wherein stakeholders do not understand the problem or interpret them differently, and often do not realize it (Mingers 2008 cited Ackoff 1979a). Healthcare decision making falls into this realm as it has always been complicated by information asymmetry, trade-offs between efficiency and equity, or moral ambiguity that become legitimate sources of uncertainty and debate among stakeholders. In fact, the first uses of cognitive mapping in operational research were in healthcare, education, and defense (Eden Ackermann, 2004). Mingers (2008) described an example in 1997 Manchester, where the UK Health Authority commissioned the Salford Community Trust to develop an integrated approach to childrens services. Mingers argued that while the project seemed straightforward, it turned out to be a messy problem as there was no agreement on the definitions of service specifications, services to be included, direction of the strategy, and how the project should be tackled. There were also many stakeholders involved in the issue (i.e. government, doctors, patient groups, industry) that had very strong opinions about the project. If the group were to make a plan based on epidemiology, practice guidelines, budget constraints and other numerical factors alone, without taking into consideration the stakeholders differing views, the proposed program would likely fail during implementation. Situations like these are common in healthcare decisions given the complexity of issues faced at doctor-patient, organizational, and national-policy level. Mathematical and statistical methods provide a narrow focus on measurable aspects of decision that fails to catch the reasoning, motivations, and interactions relevant to achieving these outcomes. Problem structuring through cognitive mapping provides an opportunity for healthcare decision makers to systematically measure these missing interactions and assess their impact to the goal under assessment (Pidd, 2004). Sachdeva et al (2007) explored the added value of cognitive mapping from traditional approaches in understanding patient flow delays in a Pediatric Intensive Unit (PICU) of a Childrens Hospital in Wisconsin, USA. Hard operations research (OR) results using modelling were persuasive, but became inadequate to result to change given politically sensitive issues that arose. Soft OR using cognitive mapping that was done identified new issues and offered a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of the issues complexity that helped persuade decision makers to act on the recommendations. SODA The most common technique for cognitive mapping is the Strategic Options Development Method (SODA). SODA is an ethnographic method derived from interviews that are intended to represent the participants subjective worlds the theoretical basis of which is explained by personal construct theory (Eden 2004 cited Kelly 1995) wherein people make sense of their world by seeking to manage and control it. SODA uses a formal modelling technique with rules for its development as described by a user guide developed by Eden and Ackerman (Ackermann et al., 1991). The transcripts of the interviews are separated into short distinct phrases (nodes) that eventually get sorted as goals, strategic directions, or potential options. Fidelity in transcription is imperative to represent the participants intentions and to promote ownership of the resulting map created. The concepts are linked (arrows) to determine accurate subordination of concepts, directionality and opposing poles to create the overall structure. While the map is an important output of its own, these can also be subject to further analysis to gain deeper insight, such as: Analysis Map Characteristics Goals Head analysis Nodes with only incoming arrows To identify end goals or effects Density analysis Number of mentions of the concepts To determine potential key issues from the perspectives of the participants that may need further examination Centrality analysis Number of links to the concept, or ratio of arrows to concepts To measure the importance and complexity of the concepts implication chain Hierarchical cluster analysis Number of concepts in chain or arguments linked to option To identify most potent options or valued outcomes to influence on the goals Potency analysis Number of goals each option supports To prioritize options with consequences for the biggest number of key issues Composite tail analysis Ranking of potency analysis To determine the single action that may cause multiple goals to be achieved Source: Summary by Author Healthcare Example of Using SODA A case study by Duryan et al. (2015) on intellectual disability care in Netherlands made use of SODA to determine factors that adversely affect delivery of patient-centered care as evidence for future resource allocation. Following SODA guidelines, the team conducted one-on-one, semi-structured, hour-long interviews with the managers and patient group leaders within one division of a residential care facility. Initially, they were thought to have contrasting goals financial sustainability for the managers and quality of care from resource constraints for the patients. Using the Decision Explorer software, cognitive maps were created and merged to reflect the combined views. Key assumptions were then discussed and verified, and follow-up focus group discussions with different subgroups of the patients (young vs old) and their families were done to refine the ideas represented by the initial group. The merged map was then subject to head, domain, centrality, potency analysis, and comp osite tail analysis. Results showed that group leader freedom to make decisions, flexible shifts, and time spent with patients were the most potent options/solutions, and therefore needed quick action by the managers. According to the researchers, the exercise successfully facilitated critical analysis of the problem and fostered ownership of the proposed solutions by all stakeholders. Seeing the different/ opposing thoughts organized and their end-goals similar also helped reach consensus and manage disagreements. Expansions of SODA While SODA provides solutions to complex strategic processes, it lacks a mechanism to allow for agreement among the strategies to be developed. SODA was developed further into JOURNEY Making (JOintly Understanding Reflecting and NEgotiating strategY) to become a process-oriented and management-science strategy by using the composite map in a workshop setting as a tool to help negotiation and explore policy options that will allow the issue to be intelligently resolved (Mingers, 2008). Another method, the Oval Mapping Technique (OMT), creates a cognitive map but through a highly participative strategy workshops. White et al (2007) used JOURNEY Making to collect and define public values and voices among stakeholders involved in a community hospital project in South London. Intergroup workshops were done in phases to map/graph the issues and options related to the decision. The process resulted to wide acceptance of the recommendations and an official plan enacted by the Department of Health. This is one among many examples of the opportunity to use these newer OR tools in healthcare strategy management planning at both organizations and the national policy arena. Limitations Cognitive mapping provides an opportunity to deal with messy problems in a systematic way, but general acceptance of it as a method is still lacking. Mingers (2008) explains that especially in the United States, it is viewed as a soft OR method not regarded for publication in top journals nor teaching in courses among top schools. The concerns on subjectivity of results remain valid that even though the process is systematic and rigorous, they are still variable and dependent on both study design and recruitment. The cognitive maps developed will depend largely on the choice of participants, their active participation, their personal motivations, and the assumption that they are adequately informed of the problem. And the probability of one person skewing the result is high given the small sample (i.e. 4-10 people) used for these activities. The method also assumes adequate facilitation by the research team to determine the key nodes and domains, which may not always be the case. Also, while cognitive mapping provides a snapshot of the decision making, it does not promote understanding over time periods and cannot be used to derive numerical assessments of its impact (Pidd, 2004). Cross-validation or triangulation using many models of the same issue may be done to increase its validity (Abernethy et al, 2005). Combination of soft and hard methodologies is believed to increase acceptance and sustain organization change especially in healthcare settings (Sachdeva et al., 2007). And, it should always be used in conjunction with other methods for research data gathering, monitoring, performance measurement, or decision support. Lastly, for cognitive mapping to be useful in decision support, it requires the decision makers to understand the method/process, recognize the value of the issues at the front line, take the results seriously, and act on the recommendations. It is therefore crucial for any research team using this method to help the decision makers appreciate the approach and engage with the recommendations. Reference Abernethy, M. A., Horne, M., Lillis, A. M., Malina, M. A., Selto, F. H. (2005). A multi-method approach to building causal performance maps from expert knowledge. Management Accounting Research, 16(2), 135-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar.2005.03.003 Ackermann, F. ., Cropper, S. A., Eden, C. L. (1991). Cognitive Mapping for Community Operational Research-A Users Guide. (E. Munford, A., Bailey, T., Ed.), Operational research tutorial papers. Duryan, M., Nikolik, D., Merode, G. Van. (2015). Reflecting on the efficacy of cognitive mapping for decision-making in intellectual disability careà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: a case study. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 30(August 2013), 127-144. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2215 Eden, C. (2004). Analyzing cognitive maps to help structure issues or problems. European Journal of Operational Research, 159(3), 673-686. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-2217(03)00431-4 Eden, C., Ackermann, F. (2004). Cognitive mapping expert views for policy analysis in the public sector. European Journal of Operational Research, 152(3), 615-630. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-2217(03)00061-4 Edkins, A. J., Kurul, E., Maytorena-Sanchez, E., Rintala, K. (2007). The application of cognitive mapping methodologies in project management research. International Journal of Project Management, 25(8), 762-772. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2007.04.003 Mingers, J. (2008). Reaching the Problems that Traditional OR/MS Methods Cannot Reach. Centerbury. https://doi.org/10.1080/00369220601100075 Pidd, M. (2004). Systems Modelling Theory and Practice. Systems Modelling Theory and Practice. Retrieved from http://www.untag-smd.ac.id/files/Perpustakaan_Digital_1/DECISION MAKING Systems modelling, theory and practice.pdf#page=16 Sachdeva, R., Williams, T., Quigley, J. (2007). Mixing Methodologies to Enhance the Implementation of Healthcare Operational Research. The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 58(2), 159-167. https://doi.org/10.2307/4622680 White, L., Bourne, H. (2007). Voices and values: Linking values with participation in OR/MS in public policy making. Omega, 35(5), 588-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2005.11.002

Time Machine :: essays research papers

The Time Machine Herbert George Wells was born in 1866 in Bromley, Kent, a few miles from London, the son of a house-maid and gardener. Wells died in 1946, a wealthy and famous author, having seen science fiction become a recognized literary form and having seen the world realize some of science fiction's fondest dreams and worst fears. Wells mother attempted to find him a safe occupation as a draper or chemist. Wells had a quick mind and a good memory that enabled him to pass subjects by examination and win a scholarship to the Normal School of Science, where he stayed for three years and, most importantly, was exposed to biology under the famous Thomas H. Huxley. Wells went into teaching and writing text books and articles for the magazines that were of that time. In 1894 he began to write science-fiction stories. -James Gunn Wells vision of the future, with its troglodytic Morlocks descended from the working class of his day and the pretty but helpless Eloi devolved from the leisure class, may seem antiquated political theory. It emerged out of the concern for social justice that drew Wells to the Fabian Society and inspired much of his later writing, but time has not dimmed the fascination of the situation and the horror of the imagery. The Time Machine brought these concerns into his fiction. It, too, involved the future, but a future imagined with greater realism and in greater detail than earlier stories of the future. It also introduced, for the first time in fiction, the notion of a machine for traveling in time. In this novel the Time Machine by H. G. Wells, starts with the time traveler trying to persuade his guest's the theory of the fourth dimension and even the invention. He tries to explain the fourth dimension before he shows them the time machine so they don't think of him as a magician. H. G. Wells uses details about the fourth dimension to teach the reader the theory about it to capture your attention. Also Wells character the time traveler says "Scientific people", "Know very well that time is only a kind of space". In this quote he is clearly using persuasion tactics. He tries to attack there consious by saying that, scientific people know that this is only a kind of space. He says this in hopes that they will believe what he says just because other

Music Therapy for Autistic Children :: Music, Music Therapy

When a child is diagnosed with autism, one thing that is noted is the lack of eye contact. Music therapy works to help this in numerous ways. When the therapist starts at the child’s level, according to the British Colombian Music therapy association, they can base what needs to be done and how to do it off of where the child is and after many sessions, where they are now (M-7). According to a report in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, â€Å"Eye contact – this refers to an event where child looks at therapist while playing, manipulating† (E-7). A way that in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders is using music therapy instead of play therapy as it increases turn taking and eye contact more than when play therapy is used (E-4). Eye Contact was even proved to be held longer during this study when the child was participating in music therapy activities than when they were in regular play activities(E-1). When a mother was quoted on the British Columbian Music Therapy website, she stated that the â€Å"skills and abilities acquired in the music therapy setting generalize widely across situations. VII. Turn Taking The music therapist has to reach the child to be able to interact with them and help them. When the child feels free and unthreatened, the British Colombian Music Therapy association says that they get more out of the session. When they are not being told don’t this, don’t do that, and NO for everything they do to express themselves. Music therapy gives them that way to express themselves without being yelled at and told NO (M-8). The Tympo and Rhythm of the instruments is not just a way for the children express themselves, it even stops reminding them of when they were in the womb. The British Colombia MTA states that the tympo and Rhythm gets the child to progress from the rocking motion when they were in the womb and as a baby. It gives them a new independent feel (M-6). As music therapy is one of the cutting edge therapies according to Ken Siri and Tony Lyons, this helps develop motor skills for the child to interact with the instruments (A-2). According to an article in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, â€Å"Turn Taking – This refers to an event involving a sequence of turns to play alternating between the child and Therapist.

Make Probability Real

Probability plays a crucial and important role in many things: industries, recreation, etc. Let's see how many we can think of. I know that we will all be amazed at how much our every day life is influenced by probability. †¢ Identify at least one example of probability encountered in everyday life which has not previously been mentioned. I am the â€Å"chef† in the house and work most of my hours in the afternoon.As I am the one who is the most creative in the kitchen and the evening hours at work prevents me form cooking dinner during a normal time, the probability of me cooking and having dinner prepared before noon, to be heated up later is very high. If my family is to eat a home cooked meal, I am the one to create it. The probability is between 95-97%. †¢ †¢ Explain how probability is used in that situation. Probability is used in the above situation because nobody in my home can cook a homemade meal. They love to eat, but they are terrible in the kitchen. The only way that they will eat a home cooked meal in our home is if I cook it earlier in the day and they re-heat it at dinner time. If something had come up during the day, and I am unable to cook a meal, then the probability that anyone in the house would cook would be zero; because as I stated earlier I am the only cook in our home. †¢ †¢ Identify the type of probability your example best fits by explaining whether it is an independent event or dependent upon something else. This situation described could be either a dependent or independent event.In the case of a dependent event, I would be available during the day, with all of the ingredients to prepare the meal and nothing comes up during the day that would preclude me from cooking the meal. In the event that something came up, this would become an independent event because then I would not be available to cook because I was not at the house able to cook. The greater probability of me being available early in the da y is greater than me not being available to cook; because without me cooking my family would have to go out to eat and we are a family who loves to have a different home made creation daily.

Oedipus Rex Essay

I believe the main point Sophocles was trying to convey in the story â€Å"Oedipus Rex† was that you have to be accountable for your actions. He shows this by the use of dramatic, situational, and many more different kinds of irony. Sophocles also uses foreshadowing to show how Oedipus needs to be accountable for his actions. Sophocles is teaching his audience an important life lesson. Sophocles shows his audience that you have to be accountable for your own actions. He does this by showing the audience that no one could have stopped Oedipus from fulfilling his life’s prophecy. In the play â€Å"Oedipus Rex† Sophocles tells the story of a man, who is now king of Thebes. He was born in a different land and was told a prophecy that he would kill his own father and wed his mother. When he heard this he fled from the land and came to Thebes where he claimed the throne and became their king. Oedipus is a head strong person. Who often doesn’t think before he speaks, such as when he says, â€Å"And for myself I pray that if he should, with my knowledge, become a resident of my house, I may suffer the same things which I have just called down on others. Oedipus says this not knowing that he himself is the murderer and that he will punish himself. Oedipus also makes judgments and decisions before he knows all the facts. One example of this is when Creon says, â€Å"Kinswoman, Oedipus, your husband, wants to do one of two terrible things to me, either thrust me from the land of my fathers or to arrest and slay me. † Oedipus is so angry with Creon that he does not think before accusing him even though Creon is trying to protect Oedipus. Since Oedipus’ character is flawed it helps support Sophocles’ point of saying that you are accountable for your own actions. This is shown the best when Oedipus tells his wife, Jocasta, that while he was traveling to Thebes he ran into a man on the road who tried to push Oedipus from the path. Oedipus, having a short temper, struck out and slayed all the men in and leading the carriage. This was not a good thing to do in the first place, but what Oedipus did not realize was that the man in the carriage was Laius. Laius was the former king of Thebes and was Oedipus’ biological father. When he killed Laius he fulfilled half of his prophecy. This fulfillment is also an example of situational irony. It is situational irony because Oedipus believed he would be the hero and banish the murderer of Laius from the land. He believed he would end all the suffering, but in fact he was the murderer. Another example of irony that supports Sophocles’ idea that you are accountable for your actions is when Oedipus says, â€Å"†¦ who declared that I was doomed to slay my father? But he is dead, and lies beneath the earth, and here I am, not having put my hand to any spear†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This is dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more than the characters in the story. In which case things said and events in the story take on different meanings to the characters and to the audience. In this case Oedipus thinks he has overcome his life’s prophecy because he did not kill the man he believed to be his father. But the audience knows that Oedipus’ real father is Laius. The audience also knows that Laius was the man on the road that Oedipus murdered. So to the audience this just ads to the suspense of Oedipus finding out that he is the murderer. Foreshadowing also plays a huge role in showing Sophocles’ point that you are accountable for your own actions. In the play, Oedipus Rex, foreshadowing is used in the lines said by Jocasta, â€Å"No. Soon after he returned and found you ruling in Laius’ stead, he pled with me, with hand laid on mine, to send him to the fields, to the pastures of the flocks, that he might be far from the sight of this town. † This is foreshadowing because the audience knows that the man fled because he saw Oedipus, the same man who had murdered his king, ruling the city. Oedipus though only now is starting to question the event in which he killed men on the same road that the Laius was killed on. This is a foreshadowing of Oedipus finding out that he is Laius’ son and that he fulfilled the prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother. Sophocles was trying to convey the message that you are responsible for your actions because you never know what might happen because of your mistakes. He shows this message in â€Å"Oedipus Rex†. He uses irony, foreshadowing and the flaws in Oedipus’ character to relay his message.

Aversive Racism and Inequality in Health Care

Running Heading: Aversive Racism and Inequality in Health Care Aversive Racism and Inequality in Health Care: Kenisha Wilkerson Walden University Socioeconomic conditions of persons and the places where they live and work do strongly influence their health. In the United States, as elsewhere, the risk for mortality, morbidity, unhealthy behaviors, reduced access to health care and poor quality of care increases with decreasing socioeconomic circumstances (CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report, 2011). Bias in the health care situation is most often indirect and universal (Halwani, 2011). Indirect discrimination occurs when exactly the same services are provided to everybody, but when cultural, religious, linguistic or other reasons it is not possible for members of one or more black and minority ethnic groups to benefit equally from them (Halwani, 2011) . Yet, when African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos are compared to European Americans, these minority groups have higher rate of chronic diseases, higher mortality, and poorer health outcomes which is documented due to health disparities. While, aversive racism is caused by clever bias and ignorance rather than any malicious feelings towards minorities. Persons who often interact with minorities as equals (ei. coworkers, friends) rather than on a different level (employee/employer) will find themselves less likely to have hidden prejudices (Cannon, 2011). However, there are methods that can be used for reducing such racism for some but for others; simply understanding that aversive racism exists can help. In conclusion being in the know about racial or ethnic inequality in health care and aversive racism can help eliminate problems. Raising public and provider awareness of racial/ethnic disparities in care, expanding health insurance coverage (Obama Care), improving the capacity and number of providers in underserved communities, increasing the knowledge base on causes and interventions to reduce disparities, examining your own behavior, and techniques aimed at its roots at both the individual and collective levels. Bibliography

Cultural Diversity and the East Asian Perspective by Ruiping Fan Essay

Cultural Diversity and the East Asian Perspective by Ruiping Fan - Essay Example The medical practitioners are supposed to tell truth to the patient because it will help him or her in preparing to face the pain that can come his or her way due to the illness. The humans have the unexplained power and strength to fight what they know as they can prepare their minds to come eye to eye with their difficulty. The abovementioned approach is ideal for patients who are suffering with the curable diseases. The patients who are terminally ill should not be made aware of the condition because it will most probably render them hopeless and therefore, the life becomes more like a burden rather than a blessing to the ill (Fan, 2000). The physicians and other medical professionals are strongly suggested to improve the quality of life along with delaying the inevitable reality of death. In most number of cases, medics are told and guided to entertain and work in order to fulfill the formerly mentioned goal of the medical practice because without considerable level of liveliness in one’s life an individual becomes more like a living dead. The doctor must weigh the consequences of telling a naked and blunt truth upfront to the patient and if he or she is certain that doing so will bring down level of hope and optimism in the ill then, the medic is authorized to tell a lie. The ethical principles related to medical practice state that a doctor must tell the truth so that the patient or patient’s family can choose a treatment from multiple ones that are available. Secondly, the medic should tell the patient about his or her true condition and suggest the ill to remain cautious and careful about spreading the disease, if it is contagious. The medic has the ethical duty to tell about the true nature of the contagious disease in order to compel the ill towards taking measures to prevent further spread of the illness. Finally, a medic must notify the patient about the

Anthropology of humor and laughter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Anthropology of humor and laughter - Essay Example People belonging to different cultures consider something appropriate for laughter in accordance with their cultures. From a social perspective, humor is a positive emotion of an individual, which is elicited in different social contexts and is demonstrated by different vocal and facial behaviors of laughter. Canned jokes, funny utterances, funny expressions, and spontaneous witticisms are some of the main forms of humor (Martin 29). Psychological functions of humor bring various cognitive and social benefits for the humans. Some of the most significant benefits of humor include increased social interactions, help in relieving the tensions and stress, and help in regulating the emotions. In the past couple of decades, the overall concept regarding laughter has shifted from something being viewed as socially inappropriate to being perceived as socially desirable and healthy for the mind (Martin 29). The sense of humor acts as the main source of laughter for any individual. Although th e sense of humor has a number of psychological and social benefits, the mainstream psychology still needs to pay some more attention to this aspect of human behavior. Works Cited Martin, Rod. The Psychology of Humor: An Integrative Approach. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Academic Press, 2007.

Apple Employee Training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Apple Employee Training - Essay Example As per January 2014, the company had over 400 retail stores in more than 15 countries and an online store whereby hardware and software products are sold. However, despite the incredible growth the company has experienced over time, the is a pressing need to keep on training its employees in various departments in order to have a competitive edge over its close rivals like Microsoft, Dell, Samsung, Acer, Lenovo among other global technological giants. In the past, Apple Incorporation has been using a distribution channel that involved intermediaries in this case being authorized dealers. This strategy had proven to be a good idea in most parts of the world and particularly in the past when the company was under leadership of Steve Jobs. However, of late, the strategy has started backfiring as its close rivals adopt other strategies that are highly outdoing the company’s operations. One weakness that this channel of distribution has created is the fact that dealers do not know much about Apple products hence are completely unable to meet the requirements of the customers; they are unable to answer technical questions relating to the products (Apple, 2014). This has ended up making the company start opening its own physical and online stores in order to retain its market share in this competitive wave. As a result, the company requires training of cashiers, public relation personnel in their different stores, managers among human resources. Moreover, the company is under threat of being technologically dormant, a gap that is being created by the fact that its co-founder and a techno genius Steve Jobs is no longer in the management. This has made the company focus on training ambitious young persons in order to fill the gap that was created in hope that they will get another genius. However, this paper will focus on employees training with relation to public relation personnel, cashiers and other positions that

An Analytical Report of Tesco PLC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

An Analytical Report of Tesco PLC - Essay Example .................................................14 Introduction This paper is an analytical report of the strategic structures and marketing systems of a given organisation. The paper therefore focuses on Tesco PLC, a UK based international grocery company. The paper examines some important components of Tesco's business structures and leadership structures. In analysing the components of Tesco, the following objectives will be sought to be attained in the study: 1. The core vision, mission and strategic systems of Tesco PLC 2. The marketing and operational systems for the realization of Tesco's strategic plans. 3. An examination of the human resource, and supply chain systems that link Tesco PLC to its external environment The paper will involve a careful analysis of information taken from various sources that are relevant to Tesco's activities and expansion over the past nine decades that it has existed. The research will focus on some primary sources like the Tesco Annual Report of 2011. The paper also draws insights from the Tesco Website about various elements of the organisation. Additionally, secondary sources like books and journals are used to provide a deep insight into the company. The primary focus of the paper is on the UK operations of Tesco. However, where necessary, the research will cover aspects of Tesco's international operations to give a better insight into trends and ideas of the company. 1.0 Elements of Tesco PLC's Strategic Background Strategy is defined by Johnson, Scholes & Whittington as the â€Å"long-term organisationwide plan for a corporate entity that is set by the top level management† (2005). In this context, organisational strategy is a body of plans that are made by an organisation to meet the fundamental objectives of the... The primary focus of the paper is on the UK operations of Tesco. However, where necessary, the research will cover aspects of Tesco's international operations to give a better insight into trends and ideas of the company. This paper makes a conclusion that Tesco is a leading chain of retail shops that has its headquarters in the UK and branches around the world. Tesco has a vision of providing grocery and every day products and services to consumers and households. Tesco began modestly in 1919 as a sole proprietorship but evolved to become a private company and a UK public company. In the 1990s, Tesco embarked on an internationalisation strategy and utilised e-commerce. Tesco is now a multi-billion pound global business that has outlets around the globe. Tesco is run by a board of directors and supported by the CEO who has other officers under him. The CEO and officers' structure is duplicated in regions around the world. Tesco's marketing systems are based on the use of convenient outlets to sell high quality products at low costs to consumers. It has an enhanced brand image. Tesco maintains a personalised recruitment and selection process as well as an intensive training system. The supply chain man agement ensures that there are strategic distribution centres around the country and these centres use real-time communication tools and systems to ensure that stock levels are monitored and replenished on time.