Running Head Wal

Introduction This assignment is a discussion of the topic of pricing in a business context. The discussion is based on Wal-Mart, which is a company operating in the United States of America. The issue of the main concern is to compare and contrast two articleson how Wal-Mart Company deals with its employees in regard to their remunerations and the pricing of its products.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Running Head: Wal-Mart Pricing and Employee Remunerations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The topic of pricing of goods and services and employee relations within organizations is one of the topics which draw a lot of varying view points from various stakeholders, with each side taking a passionate stand. Background Information about the Topic The arguments about employee remunerations and pricing of products are centered on the issue of whether organizations should pass the baggage of reduced prices to their emp loyees, with some people arguing that in a free market economy, market forces should be allowed to take their natural course while others argue that employers are not justified in reducing the wages of their employeesdue to reduced prices. The topic is however very wide,and therefore, requires a wide coverage in research, which should combine both longitudinal and cross sectional studies so as to inform the policies and regulations of the international labor laws and regulations for the labor unions. Information on Sources and Brief Summary of Articles In an attempt to analyze this topic, various authors use various organizations and companies tosupport theirarguments. Some of the authors, who have attempted to give their views on the topic, are Robert B. Reich in an article titled‘Don’t Blame Wal-Mart’ and John Semmens in thearticletitled ‘Wal-Mart is good for the economy’. As the titles of these articles suggest, both articles are based on the Wal- Martcompany. The article by Robert Reich is found in the Blair Reader, while the article by John Semmens is found in an online resource. The article by Robert Reich talks about Wal-Mart and the pricing of its products. The author asserts that the company is justified in having the suppliers drive away the costs out of the supply chain so as to keep the prices of the goods as low as possible. According to Robert, the company heavily relies on Indian and Chinesemanufactures due to their low costs of production.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Theauthorargues that many of the Wal-Marts’ competitors and bitter rivals in business are using political propaganda to destroy a good image of Wal-Mart inthe eyes of the public, who are also its customers (Reich, 2005). The author argues that the company should not be blamed for the way in which it does its business (relying on ex ternal manufactures and paying the employees low wages) but the American people should be blamed for theirconflicting interests in their purchasing behaviors, values and the desire for ‘good deals’. The article by John Semmens is about capitalistic nature of the American economy and the world’s economy in general. The author puts forward a spirited argument in which he completely down plays the allegations made against the Wal-Mart company by providing the evidence that the allegations are not based on facts, rather on a smear campaign by rival companies to bring down the Wal-Martcompany. Thestrongest allegation by the rival companies and individuals is that Wal-Mart is a ‘corporate criminal’ (Semmens, 2005). The author analyzes the allegations one by one, and proves them to be totally misguided, illogical, outdated, irrational and, therefore,unfortunate. He is of the view that the company should,in fact, be commented for its efforts to boost the liv ing standards of many Americans, as well as providing job opportunities to massive populationsin America and across the globe (Semmens, 2005). Thesis From the arguments in the two articles, the Wal-Mart company should not be blamed for the way it operates because its operations, practices, and functions are based on the general principles of capitalistic economy, and, therefore, its rivals should come up with strategies to increase their competitive advantage instead of engaging in petty, illogical, and unsubstantiated allegations against Wal-MartCompany. Discussion Similaritiesof the Articles One similarity between the two articles is that the authors support the Wal-Mart’s idea of offering its customers low prices. They are of the view that the American people and the world in general are in need of many such companies, which are ready to help in uplifting the living standards of many people through providing goods and services which are affordable, accessible, and of a goo d quality. The two articles also agree on the fact that the company is not in any way exploiting its workers but it’s actually helping them. This is because the employees are not forced by the company to work there, but do this because it is their best option.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Running Head: Wal-Mart Pricing and Employee Remunerations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According tothe authors of the two articles, therefore, the allegation that the company is exploiting the employees is simply aimed at damaging the good image of the company in the eyes of its customers. They both cite the good relationshipbetween the company and the surrounding communities, arguing that Wal-Mart is one of the few companies which have involved themselves in tangible corporate social responsibilityactivities. Differencesof the Articles One difference betweenthe articles is in the reasons which they give in their defense of the Wal-Mart’s practices. The article by John Semmens defends the company by arguing that the companyoperates under the principles of capitalisticeconomy. Semmens argues that the company is free to offer low prices to the customers and look for alternatives of minimizing the costs of production, one of which includes using cheap labor, as well as relying on cheap costs of production (Semmens, 2005). On the other hand, the article by Robert Reich defends the company by arguing that the Americans blame the practices of the company because they are not ready or are unable to solve their cognitive dissonance between theirdesire to have the ‘best deals in the market in terms of prices’ as customers and the best ‘deals in the job market’ asemployees. Robertargues that the company uses external manufactures so as to offer the minimal prices as possible so that the American people can get closer to quenching their desire to have good deals (Reich, 2005). Conclusion Summary of the Whole Essay This essay was about the low pricing of goods and servicesprovided byWal-Mart Company in the United States. The essay was based on twoarticles written by differentauthors. The first article was written by John Semmens,and it is tilted ‘Wal-Mart is good for the economy’,while the second article waswritten by Robert Reich and was titled ‘Don’t Blame Wal-Mart’. Both articles support Wal-Mart’s idea of doing business in an aggressive manner and especially the strategy of offering the lowest prices possible on its goods and services.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Restatement of Thesis Inthe two articles, the authors argue that Wal-MartCompanyshould not be blamed on the way it operates because its operations, practices, and functions are based on the general principles of capitalistic economy, and therefore its rivals should come up with strategies to increase their competitive advantage instead of engaging in petty, illogical, and unsubstantiated allegations against Wal-MartCompany. References Reich, R.B. (2005). Don’t Blame Wal-Mart. The New York Times. Semmens, J. (2005). Wal-Mart Is Good for the Economy. The Freeman: Ideas on Liberty. Web. This essay on Running Head: Wal-Mart Pricing and Employee Remunerations was written and submitted by user Miah Mooney to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

United Nations essays

United Nations essays Many different countries spoke at the UN meeting for sustainable development. Some of the speakers were from so called developed countries, and others were from undeveloped countries. When Mr. Colin L. Powell spoke, from the United States, he stated that development was equivalent to lack of hunger, regard to the worlds natural resources, and a use of modern technology. He felt that the main way that the underdeveloped countries could become developed was to receive monetary help from the already-developed countries. When the President of the Republic of Palau spoke, he stated the in order for his country to become more developed; they needed to gain knowledge from the developed countries, and to learn from them. He stated that he does not want the U.S. and other countries to merely give his country money or fishing items, but he wants the developed countries to teach them how to fish for themselves. Those who spoke at this meeting want to make the world a better place by helping those countries that have less than the U.S. and other western countries. They want to develop the countries that do not have modern technology and a strong economic base. Mr. Powell readily admits though that helping underdeveloped countries also helps the already-developed countries when he states we have always understood that our own well-being depends on the well-being of our fellow inhabitants of the planet Earth. Powell wants to help those countries that are not as developed as the U.S. to become healthier and richer, not only for that country, but also for the sake of the U.S. ...

Average SAT Scores What They Are and What They Mean

Average SAT Scores What They Are and What They Mean SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips When they first start tutoring, almost all students ask the same question: what is the average SAT score? The answer varies a bit every year, but for students in the class of 2013, the average SAT score was a 1497. I’ve created a chart by section below. Critical Reading Math Writing 497 513 487 However, the nationwide average doesn’t actuallymatter! What’s actually important is how your score compares to those of the other students applying to the same colleges and scholarships as you. You’ll need a much higher score to apply to very selective schools like Stanford or Princeton,buta 1500 is a totally acceptable score if you want to apply to smaller campuses of big state school systems. Let’s look at what an average SAT score really means and how it affects you. The National Average Doesn’t Matter - Really! Almosttwo million students take the SAT every year, and they go onto all kinds of different schools,fromIvy League universitiesto local community colleges. The national average includes all of these students'scores. But you're not competing against every single high schooler in the same year as you; you’re only competing against the students who are interested in the same schools and programs as you are. Theimportant thing is to have a score the same as or higher than the average among that group, and whether that average is above or below the national onewill depend entirely on the type of schools you’re interested in. How You Stack Up AgainstYour Peers We've established that the national average doesn't really mean much, but maybe you still want to know how you compare to other students in a general sense. In that case, you might want to look athow your SAT scores compare to those of other students like you, i.e. those with similar grades and backgrounds. To get a sense of how you fit in the range, you can look up at the average SAT score for students at your high school or for those with similar GPAs. Keep in mind, though, that when it comes to college applications, these numbers arealmost as irrelevant as the national one. Adorable dogs duking it out over SAT scores. Average SAT Score for Your High School To find the average SAT score for your school, you can try checking with counseling office ofsearching for â€Å"[your school] SAT scores† on the web. The second approach is more likely to work if you live in an area with high SAT adoption. If you live in an ACT mandatory state, it’s probably easier to find your school's ACT scores and convert them to SAT scores. However, remember that most colleges don’t compare you against your classmates. Though this information can be interesting it shouldn’t be a source of stress. Average SAT Score for High Achievers The average SAT scores for honors students are generally muchhigher than those for all US high schoolers. If you’re a top â…“ honor student, the average SAT score is 1810. If you’re a top 1/10 honor student, the average is 2000. If you’re not scoring that highly, don’t panic. Your personal score goal will still depend on the schools you want to apply to, and plentyof great schools admit mostly students withscores below 2000. The Key Number: The Average SAT Score for Your First-Choice College Ultimately, your SAT score is a tool to help you get into college, so what you really need to know is the average ACT score for students admitted to the school you want to attend. Generally speaking, very selective schools generally have average SAT around 2200, moderately selective schools have an average SAT score around 1800, and less selective schools have an average SAT score around 1550. However, you should look up the specific SAT score range for each school you're planning to apply to. To find this information, check the college’s admissions page or search forâ€Å"[college name] SAT score.† The schools usually list a range from the 25th to 75th percentile - you’ll want to shoot for the higher end of the range. Use the worksheet on this page to calculate your exact target score based on all the schools you’re interested in. What's Next? If you haven't reached your score goal just yet, consider checking out some of our SAT prep resources. You can start with the 5 general strategies you must know and then break yourprep down by section with our ultimate guides to reading, writing, and math (coming soon). Or perhaps you'd fare better with the ACT? Usethese guides to decide whether you might prefer to focus on the ACT: the ACT vs. the current SAT and the ACT vs. the new SAT. But what ifyou're already scoring well on the SAT, but are struggling with a low GPA? This guide can help. Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Alex Heimbach About the Author Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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Environmental Assessment Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Environmental Assessment - Case Study Example Surflan or oryzalin as it’s commonly referred, is a pre-emergent herbicide used to control turf grass, it’s selected for use during dry seasons and applied at the onset of rain to kill turf grass. It lasts for 2 to 8 months upon application and provides efficient control for annual grass and weeds with broad leaves. This refers to the way in which the herbicide suppresses the growth or kills a weed. Surflan acts by inhibiting plant growth when the recommended amount of 1.5 ounces is applied per 1000feet. The plant absorbs the solution, and then translocates it to the active sites in the plant cells where it stops various biomedical reactions thereby killing the plant. It has been noted that long exposure to Surflan herbicides may increase one’s chances of contracting certain types of cancer. Among the people at higher risk are farmers and gardeners, technical salespersons and manufacturer’s agents. The herbicide has been known for cancers of large intestines, prostrate, nose, pancreas, breast, lungs and ovary. It has also been linked to leukemia, skin rashes and Parkinson’s disease. Despite its effectiveness in controlling turf grass and other stubborn weeds, Surflan herbicides are among those that pose great danger to the environment. This is so because it is less volatile and has fewer tendencies to leaching. Volatile here means the easiness with which the solution can change from its liquid to gas state through the process of evaporation. Leaching on the other hand refers to loss of soluble nutrients form a carrier as a result of rain. This indicates that Surflan, when applied, stays on the top of the soil for long and can be swept by water to rivers where it causes undue hazard to fish and other animals that consume and live in that water (Johnson & Hall, 2002). In places where the farm fields are across the street and playing grounds, Surflan has effects on a number of individuals including the street and play ground users.

Case Study Analysis- $100 Laptop by John Quelch Essay

Case Study Analysis- $100 Laptop by John Quelch - Essay Example Apparent Issue Despite the high PC adoption rate in certain regions OLPC is finding difficulty in convincing the respective governments to invest heavily in his project. He needed investment in one million at a time by a nation in Laptop and including all expenditures the price tag could go to $ 200 million to $ 250 million. Negroponte decided not to venture into production until he has firm commitments from governments to buy at least five million machines outside USA. Competitors were increasingly lowering their product prices with no such restriction. Real Issue The real issue was the shift in technology. The emerging markets were likely to be wire-less centric rather than PC- centric. Hence it was more viable to distribute internet enabled cell phones to children for education rather than trying to built and distribute Wi-FI enabled mesh networks with donated or subsidized Laptops as was being done by OLPC. The problem was of disruptive innovation and market evolution. Relevant F acts OLPC is facing many different challenges and varied situations both internally and in the external environment. In the table below is the list of the few most relevant and important facts concerning OLPC. FACTS EVALUATION FINACIAL In 2006 AMD, Google, Red Hat, News Corp. gave at least $ 29 million to fund the project and pledged additional money for the future. + OLPC needed an order of one million laptops at a time to start its production. - MARKETING The $ 100 Laptop proved to be a misnomer. The initial cost was close to $ 150 per machine. ? OLPC find it difficult to sell the idea. The poor underdeveloped countries that are still striving for basic necessities of life find it difficult to invest such huge amount on laptops instead of basic education. _ COMPETITORS Competitors were multiplying in number both nationally and internationally and well renowned business oriented companies were giving tough competition by continuously offering their low priced products. _ Emerging t echnologies such as internet enabled cell phones were cheaper and have more consumer acceptance in poor countries. ? ORGANIZATION Intel started working together with OLPC in July 2007 and started mass production + Due to request of OLPC for Intel to stop marketing its low cost laptops Intel terminated the partnership with OLPC in January 2008. ? TECHNOLOGY Design engineers of OLPC not only were successful in reducing cost through innovative technology but also solved the problem of lack of electricity with hand crank. + Enhanced Wi-Fi range created wireless mesh to enable out of range machines to connect to internet. + SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis is the most effective tool that provides the framework for the analysis of the business environment. It is considered more effective because in a way, it combines the Porters five forces with the PEST analysis. It requires careful prioritization of strong opportunities and threats. Wrong selection may lead to weaker opportunities and threat s coming in the analysis. SWOT analysis provides both internal and external analysis and provides a critical analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It helps organizations in developing its strategies like SO that emphasizes on utilizing strengths to capture the opportunities. WT strategy focuses on minimizing weaknesses and threats. ST strategy focuses

Motivation Theory Essay Example for Free

Motivation Theory Essay 1. What motivates behavior? According to humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions are motivated in order to achieve certain needs. This hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs. This hierarchy is most often displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid are made up of the most basic needs, while the more complex needs are located at the top of the pyramid. Needs at the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical requirements including the need for food, water, sleep, and warmth. Once these lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs, which are for safety and security. As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social. Soon, the need for love, friendship, and intimacy become important. Further up the pyramid, the need for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority. 2. Clayton P. Alderfers ERG theory from 1969 condenses Maslows five human needs into three categories: Existence, Relatedness and Growth. Existence Needs Include all material and physiological desires (e.g., food, water, air, clothing, safety, physical love and affection). Maslows first two levels. Relatedness Needs Encompass social and external esteem; relationships with significant others like family, friends, co-workers and employers . This also means to be recognized and feel secure as part of a group or family. Maslows third and fourth levels. Growth Needs Internal esteem and self actualization; these impel a person to make creative or productive effects on himself and the environment (e.g., to progress toward ones ideal self). Maslows fourth and fifth levels. This includes desires to be creative and productive, and to complete meaningful tasks. Even though the priority of these needs differ from person to person, Albergers ERG theory prioritises in terms of the categories concreteness. Existence needs are the most concrete, and easiest to verify. Relatedness needs are less concrete than existence needs, which depend on a relationship between two or more people. Finally, growth needs are the least concrete in that their specific objectives depend on the uniqueness of each person. Contrarily to the idea by Maslow that access to the higher levels of his pyramid required satisfaction in the lower level needs, the ERG areas of Alderfer are simultaneous needs. ERG Theory recognizes that the importance of the three categories may vary for each individual. Managers must recognize that an employee has multiple needs, which must be satisfied simultaneously. According to the ERG theory, if you focus exclusively on one need at a time, this will not effectively motivate. 3. The expectancy theory says that individuals have different sets of goals and can be motivated if they have certain expectations. This theory is about choice, it explains the processes that an individual undergoes to make choices. In organizational behavior study, expectancy theory is a motivation theory first proposed by Victor Vroom of the Yale School of Management in 1964. Motivation, according to Vroom. boils down to the decision of how much effort to apply in a specific task situation. This choice is based on a two-stage sequence of expectations (effort — performance and performance — outcome). First, motivation is affected by an individuals expectation that a certain level of effort will produce the intended performance goal. For example, if you do not believe increasing the amount of time you spend studying will significantly raise your grade on an exam, you probably wilt not study any harder than usual. Motivation also is influenced by the employees perceived chances of getting various outcomes as a result of accomplishing his or her performance goal. Finally, individuals are motivated to the extent that they value the outcomes received. EXPECTANCY THEORY BELIEFS 1. Valence. Refers to the emotional orientations which people hold with respect to outcomes [rewards]. The depth of the want of an employee for extrinsic [money, promotion, free time, benefits] or intrinsic [satisfaction] rewards. Management must discover what employees appreciate. 2. Expectancy. Employees have different expectations and levels of confidence about what they are capable of doing. Management must discover what resources, training, or supervision the employees need. Facts [+] The 2011 Nielsen survey also showed that the top five dimensions students considered when it comes to seeking employment were high degree of independence at work, salary package, learning on the job, growth prospects and standing of the company in the market [Employer brand] respectively. 3. Instrumentality. The perception of employees whether they will actually receive what they desire, even if it has been promised by a manager. Management must ensure that promises of rewards are fulfilled and that employees are aware of that. Vroom suggests that an employees beliefs about Expectancy, Instrumentality, and Valence interact psychologically. In this way they create a motivational force, such that the employee will act in a way that brings pleasure and avoids pain. This force can be calculated via a formula: 4. Adam’s Equity Theory Equity theory, most popularly known as equity theory of motivation, was first developed by John Stacey Adams, a workplace and behavioral psychologist, in 1963. John Stacey Adams proposed that an employee’s motivation is affected by whether the employee believes that their employment benefits/rewards are at least equal to the amount of the effort that they put into their work. Definition of equity An individual will consider that he is treated fairly if he perceives the ratio of his inputs to his outcomes to be equivalent to those around him. Thus, all else being equal, it would be acceptable for a more senior colleague to receive higher compensation, since the value of his experience (and input) is higher. The way people base their experience with satisfaction for their job is to make comparisons with themselves to people they work with. If an employee notices that another person is getting more recognition and rewards for their contributions, even when both have done the same amount and quality of work, it would persuade the employee to be dissatisfied. This dissatisfaction would result in the employee feeling under-appreciated and perhaps worthless. This is in direct contrast with the idea of equity theory, the idea is to have the rewards (outcomes) be directly related with the quality and quantity of the employees contributions (inputs). If both employees were perhaps rewarded the same, it would help the workforce realize that the organization is fair, observant, and appreciative. This can be illustrated by the following equation: Adam’s categorised employment benefits and rewards as outputs and an employee’s work effort as inputs. Input Examples The number of hours worked by the employee An employee’s work responsibilities An employee’s work duties The work commitment demonstrated by the employee An employee’s loyalty An employee’s flexibility such as undertaking tasks at short notice The support that the employee has provided to the organisation, colleagues and line managers Output Examples Salary Bonus Prizes Recognition of the employee’s contribution Positive work appraisals Work promotions Pension Employer flexibility Annual leave Adam’s stated that if an employee believes that their work outputs are not equal or greater than their inputs then the employee will become de-motivated. Adams’ theory includes the assertion that when an employee is assessing whether the outputs they receive are fair the employee will often compare their colleague’s work inputs and outputs with their own. The comparison will often be made with an employee at a similar level in the organisation to the employee. Propositions Equity theory consists of four propositions: Individuals seek to maximize their outcomes (where outcomes are defined as rewards minus costs). Groups can maximize collective rewards by developing accepted systems for equitably apportioning rewards and costs among members. Systems of equity will evolve within groups, and members will attempt to induce other members to accept and adhere to these systems. The only way groups can induce members to equitably behave is by making it more profitable to behave equitably than inequitably. Thus, groups will generally reward members who treat others equitably and generally punish (increase the cost for) members who treat others inequitably. When individuals find themselves participating in inequitable relationships, they become distressed. The more inequitable the relationship, the more distress individuals feel. According to equity theory, both the person who gets â€Å"too much† and the person who gets â€Å"too little† feel distressed. The person who gets too much may feel guilt or shame. The person who gets too little may feel angry or humiliated. Individuals who perceive that they are in an inequitable relationship attempt to eliminate their distress by restoring equity. The greater the inequity, the more distress people feel and the more they try to restore equity. (Walster, Traupmann and Walster, 1978) 5. Acquired Needs Theory: McClelland McClelland proposes that those in top management positions should have a high need for power and a low need for affiliation. Psychologist David McClelland created Need Theory, a motivational model that attempts to explain how the needs for achievement, power, and affiliation affect the actions of people from a managerial context. McClellands Need Theory, created by psychologist David McClelland, is a motivational model that attempts to explain how the needs for achievement, power, and affiliation affect the actions of people from a managerial context. People who are achievement-motivated typically prefer to master a task or situation. This motivational need stems from a persons desire to influence, teach, or encourage others. is a motivational model that attempts to explain how the needs for achievement, power, and affiliation affect the actions of people from a managerial context. It is often taught in classes concerning management or organizational behavior (Figure 1). People who are achievement-motivated typically prefer to master a task or situation. They prefer working on tasks of moderate difficulty, in which the results are based on their effort rather than on luck, and to receive feedback on their work. Those who desire affiliation, however, prefer to spend time creating and maintaining social relationships, enjoy being a part of groups and have a desire to feel loved and accepted. People in this group may not make effective managers because they may worry too much about how others will feel about them. In his theory, people are not placed into categories but rather have degrees of these needs: No one is only in one group of these needs. The balance of needs brings out a profile. Needs do not explain competencies in any area. One can have high needs in one area and still be effective in an area where these needs are not necessarily fulfilled. This motivational need stems from a persons desire to influence, teach, or encourage others. People in this category enjoy work and place a high value on discipline. The downside to this motivational type is that group goals can become zero-sum in nature. For one person to win, another must lose. However, this can be positively applied to help accomplish group goals and to help others in the group feel competent about their work. McClelland proposes that those in top management positions should have a high need for power and a low need for affiliation. He also believes that although individuals with a need for achievement can make good managers, they are not suited to being in top management positions. 6. Herzbergs two-factor theory states that certain factors cause job satisfaction, and a separate set of factors cause dissatisfaction. According to Herzberg, understanding what causes employee satisfaction and dissatisfaction is important for management. The factors that motivate people can change over their lifetime, but respect for me as a person is one of the top motivating factors at any stage of life. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction are not on a continuum with one increasing as the other diminishes, but are independent phenomena. To ensure a satisfied and productive workforce, managers must give attention to both sets of job factors. Frederick Herzbergs two-factor theory, also known as the motivation-hygiene theory or intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, concludes that while there are certain factors in the workplace that cause job satisfaction, a separate set of factors can cause dissatisfaction. The factors that motivate people can change over their lifetime, but respect for me as a person is one of the top motivating factors at any stage of life. Figure 1 According to Herzberg, intrinsic motivators such as challenging work, recognition, and responsibility produce employee satisfaction, while extrinsic hygiene factors, including status, job security, salary, and fringe benefits – if absent – produce dissatisfaction. Herzbergs theory appears to parallel Maslows needs hierarchy. Individuals look for the gratification of higher-level psychological needs having to do with achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, and the nature of the work itself. However, Herzberg added a new dimension to thi s theory, including factors that cause dissatisfaction as well, such as company policies, supervision, technical problems, salary, interpersonal relations on the job, and working conditions. This two-factor model of motivation is based on the notion that the presence of one set of job characteristics or incentives leads to worker satisfaction, while another and separate set of job characteristics lead to dissatisfaction. Thus, satisfaction and dissatisfaction are not on a continuum with one increasing as the other diminishes, but are independent phenomena. If management wishes to increase satisfaction on the job, it should be concerned with the nature of the work itself – the opportunities it presents employees for gaining status, assuming responsibility, and achieving self-realization. If, on the other hand, management wishes to reduce dissatisfaction, then it must focus on the job environment – policies, procedures, supervision, and working conditions. To ensure a sa tisfied and productive workforce, managers must give attention to both sets of job factors. Examples of Business Goal-Setting Theory Business owners will often set individual goals to motivate employees and reach company objectives. Goals that are hard to reach are often more intriguing, as more work is required to fulfill them. Edwin A. Locke introduced the theoretical approach to setting goals and building motivation, which can be directly applied to a professional setting. In fact, this type of goal-setting theory is one of the more useful motivational theories used in industrial and organizational psychology and management. Clarity and Focus One part of business goal-setting theory is creating clear and focused goals that are obtainable. Having a goal of pulling in $100,000 in business profits within a single year may not be obtainable for a small business owner. A clear and focused goal may be to get $50,000 in profits based on $20,000 in product sales, $10,000 from investments and $20,000 from service sales. A single goal must have a plan to reach the goal, whether it is a monthly plan with mini-goals or a weekly plan for short-term goals. Commitment and Teamwork Employees of a given business may be more committed to a goal if they are a part of setting the goals and deadlines. In addition, a team may also work closer together if they have a mutual goal. Commitment and responsibility to a goal may also increase the motivational level within the business. In addition, each employee may have his own goal, but keep all workers informed of larger goals to ensure continuous commitment and teamwork in a business. Feedback and Progression Another theoretical perspective on setting successful goals in a business environment involves getting feedback from managers and other employees as the work towards the goal progresses. Part of the feedback includes getting clarity on tasks, adjusting the goals or methods, making budgetary changes and getting additional help from managers. This feedback may alter the progression of the goal, so the employee working to reach the goal must be informed of the changes. Complexity and Success A single goal may become overwhelming, especially if the goal is long-term or very complex. Fulfilling these types of goals requires a reasonable time period, including time to learn and practice skills to meet expectations. Meeting a revenue goal may not be reasonable within a single month or quarter, so extending the goal deadline for a reasonable time period may lead to more success. Having a short period of time to fulfill goals may inhibit employees from reaching expectations and may end up failing. Dr. Edwin Locke formulated and clarified what has come to be called goal-setting theory in the 1960s. Since then, businesses have found that employees are more likely to do their best work once they have set clear, attainable goals. Goal-setting theory affects many aspects of your business and once you understand specific applications in each area, you can improve your company in concrete ways. Sponsored Link Small Business Loanswww.captap.com Fund your business today $5k to $15k. Apply now! Clarity To be effective, goals must be clear according to goal-setting theory. Employees must know exactly what theyre supposed to achieve and when. Merely telling an employee to do better does not offer a clear course of action and doesnt indicate how the employee will know when he has achieved the goal. An example of a clear goal is telling an employee you expect a 10 percent increase in sales in three months. Another example might be asking an employee to produce 15 more units per day over a period of six weeks. Such goals make it clear what the employee is supposed to do and what the deadline is. They allow for objective measurement. Challenge A goal is most effective when it presents a challenge to the employee. According to the article, Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation written by Dr. Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, if a task is too easy or too hard employees will not put in their best efforts. However, a goal that is just difficult enough to be challenging inspires maximum performance. For example, asking a production manager to cut costs by 90 percent might be overwhelming. Cutting costs by 20 percent might make a reasonable challenge. Similarly, requiring order takers to double the amount of orders they take in an hour could discourage them. A goal of 15 percent more orders per hour might be more reasonable and challenging. Commitment Getting employees to buy in to the goals you set makes it more likely they will reach those goals. You can do this by asking employees to participate in setting goals. Their commitment will provide the energy and perseverance that will help them achieve those goals. For example, getting your accounting department to agree to having all of your assets labeled and tracked by the end of the year can give them a sense of purpose and direction that will help them work together and improve their ability to value assets for tax purposes. Feedback You dont just add goals and then check on their completion at deadline time. If you provide benchmarks along the way, this lets your employees know how they are doing. You can also hold periodic meetings so they can give you feedback about any issues that have arisen and adjustments that have to be made. This two-way feedback approach helps measure progress towards achieving goals and provides encouragement in the face of difficulties. For example, if you want the production department to have 20 percent fewer rejections from the quality-control department in six months, you can meet with them each month to give them their current figure and identify any areas where the problems seem to be occurring. In addition, if you would like a 30 percent improvement in customer service ratings, you can give your customer service department feedback on a weekly or monthly basis to let them know how theyre doing. Task Complexity Complex tasks can be overwhelming. Help your employees break such tasks into smaller parts so that they can achieve smaller goals on their way to the big one. For example, if you want to migrate all the data from one database to another, you can set smaller goals of moving a set number of accounts each week or month. Another example might be that if you want expansion plans for a new facility done in six months, you could set smaller goals of completing an analysis for the financing needed, construction costs and the new personnel that will be required as separate goals to achieve.

Corporate America and Modern Society Essay -- essays research papers

Corporate America and Modern Society Large corporations affect most of society today, and these affects have split the U.S. workers into two factions. People are becoming frustrated over companies having huge lay-offs, firing thousands of employees, shutting down businesses, and moving to countries like Mexico to make a bigger profit. What happens to those people who have families to take care of? Where are they going to find money to pay for their children’s medical bills, education, food, and clothing? How are they going to tell their spouses that they now have to work two jobs to take care of costs for their family? Top executives of large corporations often earn millions of dollars a year in salaries, bonuses, and benefits while the vast majority of people who work for them earn moderate wages, sometimes no more than the minimum hourly amount required by law. Some people believe that this type of a system for hourly working is wrong. Others argue that no change is possible without stifling human initiative. H ow might the economic system be changed? Should it be changed? History of Large Corporations  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The industrial revolution in America during the early part of the 20th century brought many new changes to society with the introduction of factories, construction, and businesses. As time progressed through the years, small businesses soon started looking to increase their market nationally. As small businesses soon turned into large corporations, they began to spread across the country giving people quality products anywhere in the United States. The economy was booming. Competition between businesses was moving at an incredible rate, producing many products and improving the Gross National Product. America was becoming the most powerful nation in the world. There were plenty of jobs for families to find work. As businesses grew, bureaucratic systems were set up within them to ensure better management. One man could no longer run his business alone. He needed supervisors to reach every employee. Hierarchies were introduced and so businesses were now ran by a select few individuals who were most likely the founders of the company, and they got all the profit. Capitalism   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some people say that today’s minimum wage is not a livable wage. That it doesn’t make up for the cost of living in today’s society... ...ple want a change, there will be a change. Works Cited Cody, David. â€Å"Child Labor†. 1987. http://65.107.211.206/victorian/history/hist8.html (1 May 2002). New York Times. â€Å"Executive Paywatch 2002†. 2002.. http://www.aflcio.org/paywatch/index.htm (24 April 2002). Moore, Michael. The Big One. 1996. Reich, Robert B. Goleman, Daniel. â€Å"Point, counter point†. Training & Development, April 1999. Vol. 53 Issue 4 p26. Eisenscher, Michael. â€Å"Sweatshop Abuses Continue†. Nov. 30, 1997. http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/40/041.html (1 May 2002). Kronemer, Alexander. â€Å"Narrowing the Wage Gap†. Monthly Labor Review. Nov99, Vol. 122 Issue 11, p79. Blau, Francine D. Kahn M. Lawrence. â€Å"Wage Inequality: International Comparisons of Its Sources†. 1996. http://www.aei.org/cs/cs6931.htm. (22 April 2002) Kazis, Richard and Miller, Marc S. â€Å"Low Wage Workers in the New Economy†. 2002 http://www.urban.org/pubs/low_wage/index.html (24 April 2002) McCarthy, Jim. â€Å"Salary Gap Continues to Widen† Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, Mar 2002, Vol. 75 Issue 3, p8. Robertson, Michael. â€Å" The Minimum Wage: Some New Evidence†. Journal of Labor Research, Winter 2002, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p1.

Research on Tobacco Smoking Essay

Abstract The aim of this research project is to test the hypothesis that â€Å"Tobacco smoking is adversely affecting the health of unborn babies among pregnant women in Barking and Dagenham† Smoking pregnant women appear to be more vulnerable than non smoking pregnant women to many adverse consequences of tobacco smoking. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with many fatal and neo-natal problems such as low birth weight, pre-term delivery, placenta damage, miscarriage, and sudden-infant-death syndrome. It can also be the cause of respiratory problems such as chest infections and can aggravate asthma in young babies. Smoking pregnant women achieve higher concentrations of nicotine and carbon monoxide in their blood and become more impaired than non smoking pregnant women after smoking equivalent amounts of tobacco. The study has used primary and secondary research to obtain its findings. The questionnaire albeit a very small cross section of the population, established that tobacco use is more prevalent among smoking pregnant women than non smoking pregnant women in Barking and Dagenham. In my survey, 60 percent of tobacco smoking pregnant women reported consume cigarette, 200 percent smoke cigars, 10 percent pipe tobacco, and 10 percent of other types of tobacco per day on average. The secondary research was based on studies and surveys that the the number of pregnant women who smoke has been falling steadily in recent years. No one can deny that quitting smoking it is a difficult process. Even so, many pregnant women give up smoking for good during pregnancy. Moreover, pregnant women who give up smoking early in pregnancy and who receive encouragement from their partners and from midwives are most likely to be successful in becoming permanent non-smokers. Introduction This research project will be discussing the hypothesis that â€Å"Tobacco smoking is adversely affecting the health of unborn babies among pregnant women†. The expression adversely is defined within the literature review, using evidence from secondary source material. It will debate the reasons, affects, consequences, disadvantages of tobacco smoking among pregnant women and Government advice and consequence of tobacco and how harmful it is to babies and their health. In addition to this material, a small scale research component has been included which leads to an evaluation of both the primary and secondary sources. LITERATURE REVIEW In December 1998, the Department of Health published Smoking Kills – a White Paper on tobacco, which set out practical measures to reduce smoking among men, women, children and most particular women with pregnancy. – Office for national statistics 2008 – 2009, smoking related behaviour and attitude. Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Many health experts now regard habitual smoking as a psychological addiction, too, and one with serious health consequences. – McCoy. K, Tobacco smoking – page 226. For some people it’s because they believe that they can’t live without the effects of smoking, such as relieving stress and giving pleasure. For others it’s because smoking is associated with fun and social activities, such as a break from work or meeting with friends in the pub. – McConoile. B, Women and pregnancy – part 3- page 196. Everyone has different reasons for smoking and tobacco is used to fill many needs. Some of the key reasons are the physical, emotional and psychological effects that cigarettes have; they can also be used as a tool when socialising. – Fintan O’ Toole, – Health correspondent Article- Life & Style, The Guardian –19/12/2008. Smoking is used as a way to suppress uncomfortable feelings, and smoking is used to alleviate stress, calm nerves, and relax. No wonder that when you are deprived of smoking, your mind and body are unsettled for a little while. – (Kirkup, J, Daily Telegraph – 22 February 2008, smoking and hazards. The habit of cigarette smoking is often used to tranquilize emotional issues like anxiety, stress, or low self-esteem. In addition, smoking provides comfort to people with conditions of chronic pain and depression. Smokers with emotional stress or chronic pain often turn to smoking as an attempt to treat their pain. – Dr. Annette, October 15, 2009, why people smoke cigarettes. Smokers often say that lighting up a cigarette can calm their nerves, satisfy their cravings, and help them feel energized. Indeed, nicotine in tobacco joins on to receptors in your brain that release â€Å"feel good† chemicals that can make you feel calm and energized all at once. Smoking acts as a drug, inducing a feeling of well-being with each puff. – Chorlton. P, Life Quality Management – page 89. Smoking is a way to avoid feeling unpleasant emotions such as sadness, grief, and anxiety. It can hide apprehensions, fears, and pain. This is accomplished partly through the chemical effects of nicotine on the brain. – Moor. S, The Journal – 23 March 2006. According to a study carried at the University of Nottingham by the Genetics of Pre-Eclampsia Consortium, pregnant women who smoke put the lives of their unborn babies at risk. This study was funded by the British Heart Foundation and strongly supports the opinion of many leading experts who advise that expectant mothers should quit smoking whilst pregnant.- NHS, Information Centre, September 28, 2006, Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services. Out of the total 1001 women, 38.8 percent smokers delivered premature babies as compared to 21.3 percent of non-smokers. 46.1 percent of smokers delivered low birth weight babies when compared to 27.9 percent non-smokers. 65.6 percent of smokers delivered babies with adverse conditions when compared to 60 percent of former smokers and 50.4 percent of non-smokers – Heath Express, December 5 2008, smoking and pre-eclampsia The most recent CDC survey (from 2008) showed that more than 1 in 6 American women aged 18 years or older (18.3%) smoked cigarettes. The highest rates were seen among American-Indian and Alaska-Native women (22.4%), followed by white (20.6%), African-American (17.8%), Hispanic (10.7%), and Asian women (4.7%). CDC – women’s health – publications and material (1999), smoking among pregnant women. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with many fatal and neo-natal problems such as low birth weight, pre-term delivery, placenta damage, miscarriage, and sudden-infant-death syndrome. It can also be the cause of respiratory problems such as chest infections and can aggravate asthma in young children. CDC – women’s health – publications and material (1999), smoking among pregnant women. Tobacco use accounts for nearly 1 in 3 cancer deaths. Tens of thousands of women will die this year from lung cancer, which has shot past breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women. Almost 90% of these lung cancer deaths will be due to smoking. ACS, March 2001, Women and Smoking When the mother smokes, so does the baby. Smokers take in poisons such as nicotine and carbon monoxide (the same gas that comes out of a car’s exhaust pipe). These poisons get into the placenta, which is the tissue that connects the mother and the baby before it is born. These poisons keep the unborn baby from getting the food and oxygen needed to grow. Partnerships for a Tobacco- free Maine, 2010, Parent – smoking among pregnant women. New studies show that if a woman’s partner smokes near her during her pregnancy, there are added risks. It is best for the mother, baby, and entire family to quit tobacco. If family and friends continue to smoke the pregnant mother should ask them not to smoke near her. Lungs UK, 2010; Mothers – smoking among pregnant women. Due to smoking habits among pregnant women, about 4000 fatal deaths occur every year. It also includes miscarriages. Smoking among pregnant women also leads to premature births, low birth weight, cot death and asthma. In addition smoking is also associated with learning difficulties among children whose mothers smoke during pregnancy, which is yet another good reason why women who are pregnant should consider giving up. Heath Express, December 5 2008, smoking and pre-eclampsia. Women who smoke greatly increase their risk of heart disease (the leading killer among women) and stroke. Risk goes up with the number of cigarettes smoked and the length of time a woman has been smoking. Even though most of the women who die of heart disease are past menopause, smoking increases the risk more in younger women than in older women. ACS, March 2001, Women and Smoking. Heart disease and diseases of the blood vessels (cardiovascular disease) are more common in women who smoke than in those who don’t. Research indicates that women who smoke and also use hormonal contraceptives have a particularly high risk of developing heart disease or blood clots that can lead to stroke. eHealth MD, 2000, smoking, alcohol, and pregnancy. Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in UK. One out of five smokers, following a gruelling history of lung diseases including: pneumonia, emphysema, bronchitis and COPD with eventually die from cancer associated with smoking. – Champix – 2008, stop smoking and champix. Smoking also increases the risk of many other types of cancer other than lung cancer, including cancers of the throat, mouth, pancreas, kidney, bladder, breast, and cervix. Heart Attacks, individuals that smoke are six times more likely to experience a heart attack when compared to individuals that choose not to smoke. – Powell. J, drug Abuse (Emotional Health Issues 2007) page 27. Smoking also promotes the development free radicals which are highly unstable molecules that cause disease and damage to cell DNA. The cells of your body start behaving erratically producing a range of responses that make your skin age faster. – BBC News,Thursday, 28 December, 2006, Cigarettes Smoking effects. If you smoke more than a 1/2 pack of cigarette per day for over six months you have a one in three chance that you will not perform to previous levels in the bedroom, inability to perform, inability to a achieve, inability to maintain an erection. – Lamb. K, Health Issue 2001, Cigarettes smoking. Research carried out by Oxford University estimated that smoking cost the NHS in the UK  £5.2 billion in 2005/06, approximately 5.5% of total healthcare costs4. This updates the estimated cost of between  £1.4 and  £1.5 billion a year, estimated by research carried out by the Oxford University. – Statistics, Health, 2001, Smoking Related Behaviour & Attitudes. In 2008, it is estimated that almost one in five deaths in England of people over 35 years of age were due to smoking. Over a third of all deaths from respiratory diseases and almost three in ten of all deaths from cancers in this population are estimated to be caused by smoking. A higher proportion of smoking attributed deaths were seen for men compared to women.– Oxford Journal, 2008, Volume 105, Number 41, Cancer Risk for Smoker. Dr Miriam Stoppard said â€Å"Pregnancy can be a particularly difficult time to stop smoking – and rather than stigmatising these women, we should be guiding them to their local NHS Stop Smoking Service for expert advice and support†. BBC News, Wednesday, 4 February 2009, Health, pregnant smokers ‘fear criticism’. The total number of successful quitters delivered by NHS Stop Smoking Services between 2003/04 and 2005/06 was 832,700. The Department of Health Priorities and Planning Framework (PPF) target of 800,000 successful quitters over this period was achieved.- NHS, Information Centre, September 28, 2006, Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services. The number of women who smoke has been falling steadily in recent years. No one can deny that quitting smoking it is a difficult process. Even so, many women give up smoking for good during pregnancy. eHealth MD, 2000, smoking, alcohol, and pregnancy. Women who give up smoking early in pregnancy and who receive encouragement from their partners and from midwives are most likely to be successful in becoming permanent non-smokers. BBC News, 2007, Health issue, smoking, and pregnancy. The Smoking and Health (ASH) and the British Medical Association (BMA) estimate that up to 120,000 men over 30 years old suffer from impotence as a negative effect of smoking. This figure is likely to be very conservative, because it does not include impotence due to previous smoking in men who no longer smoke. Office of the national statistics – 25 April 2010, cigarettes smoking. The proportion of adults who smoked cigarettes fell substantially in the 1970s and the early 1980s – from 45 per cent in 1974 to 35 per cent in 1982. After 1982 it declined gradually until the early 1990s, levelling out during the 1990s. It then fell smoothly from 28 per cent in 1998/99 to 24 per cent in 2005. – Office of the national statistics – 25 April 2010, cigarettes smoking. Objective The objective of this research project is to test the hypothesis that, â€Å"Tobacco smoking is adversely affecting the health of unborn babies among pregnant women†. With the use of primary and secondary research to test the above mentioned hypothesis, there will be an emphasis on relevant literature such as journals, studies, surveys and statistics, both independent and governmental. In addition to this literature, the project’s questionnaire will add another dimension to the research giving it more essence and making it more satisfactory. The outcome of the project is to have basic knowledge and awareness of the danger of tobacco smoking to pregnant women who smokes and also the dangerous effect to the unborn babies. Method The research project shall engross both primary and secondary research and then evaluate both sources and produce a conclusion of results. The primary research will consist of a questionnaire, the unexpended anonymous is to protect the identity of the participants. Consequently, making them feel comfortable so that their answers will be as frank as possible. When all the gathered information is collected, comparisons can be made to determine my hypothesis. â€Å"Tobacco smoking is adversely affecting the health of unborn babies among pregnant women on†. There will only be a small sample of questionnaires to process the results. Therefore, it will not be a true reflection of society and its trends. The results from the survey will not have any significance on a national level, although, the participants do come from verity backgrounds and a range of nationalities. The study for secondary research will be produced from pertinent literature that will be reviewed and documented, the use of applicable radio and television programs and appropriate web sites. By using these informative mediums a deeper understanding and better insight into this much argued topic will be gained. In the process of carrying out this research, a lot of issues were put into consideration especially the ethnicity and nationality of respondents. Results The primary research consisted of the 15 questionnaires being distributed, 12 smoking pregnant women responded showing their ages to range from 18 to 40 years and 8 another non smoking pregnant women responded also showing their ages to range form 18 – 40 years. The survey report presents the finding of research into young women excessive drinking in Barking and Dagenham. In recent years there has been rising concern about the prevalence of smokers’ behaviour, especially among pregnant women. Smoking among pregnant women has also increases the risk of many other types of diseases that have led to the death of their babies. Smoking habits among pregnant women is intolerable, about 4000 fatal deaths occur every year. It also includes miscarriages. Smoking among pregnant women also leads to premature births, low birth weight, cot death and asthma. In addition smoking is also associated with learning difficulties among children whose mothers smoke during pregnancy, which is yet another good reason why women who are pregnant should consider giving up. [pic] Evaluation The structure of the questionnaire was to establish where and how pregnant women indulge in tobacco smoking, daily intake of tobacco, consequences of tobacco and the awareness of the affect of tobacco to their unborn babies, and the medical efforts and advice to reduce frequent intake of tobacco among pregnant women. The research shows that majority of pregnant women goes into smoking because of various reasons. My research shows that pregnant women smoke to be sociable with their friends, boredom, stress, relaxation, parent influence and also family influence. According to the result of my research, sixty percent agreed that they were suffering from the side effect of smoking tobacco. Majority of them complained of various illness and side effect of tobacco such as: constant headache, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing mucus or blood, dry and wet cough, fever, chest discomfort, foetal development problems, and brain damage and other severe complication to unborn child, according to pregnant women. The research also shows that the respondents who filled out my questionnaire agreed that they have loss their dear ones through tobacco smoking either by asthma, cancer, coronary artery disease, heart disease, stroke, lungs disease, complication during pregnancy and many other diseases resulting from tobacco smoking. The hypothesis has been proven through this evidence produced in the primary and secondary research that tobacco smoking is unavoidable, and it will be extremely difficult to outlaw it in the society. The only possible solution to this problem is to continue to make general publication about the severe influence and the harms it can cause to their foetus and the unborn babies. Figure1: Age Range that Smoke during pregnancy Figure 2: Tobacco Consumption during Pregnancy Figure 3: Ranges of Smoking and Non Smoking during Pregnancy Figure 4: Reasons for Smoking Figure 5: Frequency of Smoking during Pregnancy Figure 6: Types of Tobacco Smoking by Pregnant Women Bibliography Literature Firth. L, 2001, Smoking Problem, Volume 43, Smith University, Published The Independence Royston. A, Tobacco – Learn to Say No! Oxford, Publisher Heinemann Library Lamb. K, Tobacco Smoking – Health Issue 2001, London, Publisher White Thomson Wechsler. H, PhD and Wuethrich. B, 2002, Addicted to Smoking: Tackling the Diseases’ Published by World Book USA. Plant. M, and Plant. M, 2006, Smoking in Britain: Drugs and the National Response, Publisher Oxford University Press. Dr, Mapstone. J, Acting Director of Public Health, November 2007, Smoking and Pregnancy, Glasgow, Publisher The independence Ward. M, 1998, caring for someone with drugs Addicts (carer handbook series) Publisher Age Concern Hamilton. K, 1999, Drugs and Pregnancy – your body (Healthy Body) London, Publisher Hodder Wayland Journals Parker. Colins, Tutor, 2010 Handout Moor. S, The Journal – 23 March 2006. Institution of Drugs Student – 2007 Issue 2. McConoile. B, Pregnant women under Tobacco influence – part 2- page 186. McCoy. K, & Dr. Wibbelsman. C, The teenager health – page 148 Powell. J, Pregnancy and drug Abuse (Emotional Health Issues 2008) page 13. Foster. R.K, and Marriott, 2006, Women and Pregnancy, volume 31 Issue 4, page 286 – 308 Chorlton. P, Life Quality Management – page 64. Internet news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3121440smokingissues.co.uk/know-your-limits-responsible homemed4u.co.uk/†¦ /Smoking-tobacco-causes-death.asp surreyhypnosisclinic.co.uk/ Drugs-HypnosisinCamberley ww.nhs.uk/Livewell/smoking/ Pages/Effectsofdrugs.aspx www.guardian.co.uk/uk/ pregnancy/feedarticle/8491829 www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1537484/tobacco-smoking-among-pregnant women www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/smoking www.smokingissues.co.uk/ uk-s-relationship-with-tobaccol.html www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancyl/ Pages/Effectsoftobaccol.aspx – www.ias.org.uk/resources/ factsheets/pregnancy/smoking.pdf

Orange Juice with the most Vitamin C

Vitamin C which is also known as ascorbic acid or ascorbate is a water-soluble vitamin and an essential nutrient to the humans and other animals. It does not have any smell and usually, it is a white solid whose chemical formula is given as C6H8O6. The oxidation process that leads to the formation of dehydroascorbic acid is readily reversible. The deficiency of the vitamin in humans is known to cause scurvy; this is where the term was derived from implying its role in prevention of the disorder (Hilary & Hickey, 2004). Citrus fruits and the juices they give contain a varying concentration of vitamin C. Fruits with a high vitamin C concentration include oranges, peaches, grapes, bananas, strawberries and lemons. There are also other kinds of foods that contain adequate amount of vitamin C. These include: potatoes, beans, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, and tomatoes (http://www. exrx. net/Nutrition/Antioxidants/VitaminC. html). Vitamin C in dietary supplements is found in a variety of forms, more specifically on the basis of its efficiency and its degree of availability to the tissues after it has been administered. According to recent researches, the biological activity of natural and synthetic ascorbic acid is the same; the two forms of vitamin C are identical in chemical structure. Vitamin C in the human body is used in the production of collagen which makes the connective tissue. It also increases the ability of the body to absorb iron, a major constituent of blood, thus helping in red blood cell formation. As a result, the immune system is given strength to fight against infections. Recent studies indicate that Vitamin C has the potential of preventing cancer (Higdon, 2006). Vitamin C in Oranges Humans do not have the enzyme that can be used in the conversion of Glucose to ascorbic acid. Therefore, their bodies are not able to synthesize Vitamin C. For this reason, it is advisable that a healthy diet be composed of a great amount of Vitamin C (http://www. exrx. net/Nutrition/Antioxidants/VitaminC. html). Reports indicate that oranges have a high content of Vitamin C; besides, oranges are commonly consumed in a majority of the households. There are a variety of orange types for instance, navel, Persian, blood, and Valencia oranges. The acidity level of the fruits ranges from 2. 5 to 3, and this is largely affected by the age, type and size of the fruit; however they are not as sour as lemons (Articlebase, 2007). Two types of juices can be made from oranges namely: hand squeezed and orange concentrate. The hand squeezed orange juice is made by draining the fruit pulp using a â€Å"juicer or a squeezer†. The concentrate on the other hand, is made from fresh fruits and orange juice that has been filtered and is usually in frozen state. There has been a heated debate on what kind of orange juice has the highest content of vitamin C. Similarly, various experiments and researches have been carried out to evaluate the vitamin C content in orange concentrate and fresh orange juice. In two experiments carried out by Terpstra, (April 2005), freshly squeezed juice had a high concentration of vitamin C, compared to the orange concentrates. The orange flavored drinks did not have any vitamin C in them. Similar experiments also have yielded results indicating that the hand-squeezed orange juice contains the highest amount of vitamin C. Exceptions occurred in orange juice concentrates that contained a high concentration of vitamin C (http://www. odec. ca/projects/2004/fink4k0/public_html/pages/exp2. html). Factors that inhibit the concentration of Vitamin C The destruction of vitamin C in most cases takes place during the preparation of food, partly due to the reason that Vitamin C is very sensitive to heat, light and air (Larsen, 2009). During chopping, cooking and boiling, the orange is out in the open hence gets contaminated. But very low temperature preserve vitamin C in oranges, e. g. when kept in a freezer. Availability of oxygen to the oranges lowers the content of Vitamin C in them. As a matter of fact, oranges have a high content of vitamin C if picked while they are less ripe, for instance the Navel oranges mature early. Contributing factors to this include the nitrogen level of the soil and the temperatures in the surrounding: cooler temperatures and soils with low nitrogen concentration preserve vitamin C by inhibiting the rate of ripening. That is why in regions with high temperature, yield fruits of low vitamin C concentration. However, a good amount of potassium is required for production of high vitamin C (Lopez et al. , 2007). Oxygen is the major destroying agent in orange juice since it causes breakdown of ascorbic acid. But also, fructose which is a sugar constituent in oranges can degrade vitamin C. In another perspective, availability of higher levels of citric and malic acid in oranges makes vitamin C resistant to degradation. To preserve the vitamin C concentration, cold temperature and obstruction to oxygen should be observed (Shi, 2006). The nature of the container in which the juice is stored also can alter the amount of vitamin C in oranges. Enamel containers have been found to lose more vitamin C compared to tin cans, because of the left over oxygen and vitamin C reacting with the container. Glasses are also unsuitable for storage due to their inability to preserve vitamin C. Hence the preference of storing oranges in carton boxes, which are opaque, thus light is prevented form reaching the fruits. Frozen juices are equally stored in cardboard cans sealed with a foil to conserve vitamin C from oxygen degradation (Lozano, 2006). The parameters employed in production of different kinds of orange juice affect the concentration of vitamin C. There is usually a very high concentration of Vitamin C in frozen concentrated orange juice and reconstituted frozen concentrated orange juice which is attributed to the blending of early-season fruit with late season fruit. Consequently, canned orange juice, as a result of intense heating in the course of canning, has a reduced amount of vitamin C (Tang, 2002). Exposure of the fruit bearing tree to sunlight augments the level of Vitamin C; therefore, fruits that appear to the outer part of the tree and towards the direction of the sun have higher amounts of vitamin C, whereas in regions where there is limited sunlight, there is low concentration of vitamin C in the oranges. Additionally, different kinds of fruits have dissimilar times of maturity. Oranges that mature within a short period of time have a higher concentration of vitamin C as compared to those that take longer to mature (Townsend, 2006). Conclusion According to the available research, hand-squeezed orange juice contains a high amount of Vitamin C. Orange juice concentrates have a higher concentration of Vitamin C because they are made out of oranges that are early maturing and those that take longer to mature. The other kinds of drinks that are orange flavored do not contain any vitamin C in them, but contain preservatives that could be harmful tot the human health. Orange juice that is canned contains a low concentration of vitamin C which is as a result of high heat exposure during processing. It is thus recommended that hand-squeezed orange juice is the best for consumption because it is pure fresh and has a high concentration of vitamin C. References: Articlebase, The Truth About Vitamin C in Orange Juice (2007), retrieved on March, 23rd 2009, from: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-truth-about-vitamin-c-in-orange-juice-161458.html Finkler-kemeny, K. (n.d) Experiment: Concentrate or Hand- squeezed? Retrieved on March, 23rd 2009, from: http://www.odec.ca/projects/2004/fink4k0/public_html/pages/exp2.html Higdon, J. (2006): Vitamin C, Micronutrient information centre, Linus Pauling Institute Hilary, H & Hickey, S. (2004): Ascorbate, ISBN 1411607244, 9781411607248, Lulu.com Larsen, J. (2009) Ask the Dietitian SM. Retrieved on March 23rd, 2009, from: http://www.dietitian.com/vitaminc.html. Là ³pez, A., Ros-Chumillasa, M., Belissarioa,Y & Iguaza, A.   (2007): Quality and shelf life of orange juice aseptically packaged in PET bottles, Journal of Food Engineering, Vol 79, issue 1, 2007, pp 234-242 Lozano, J.E. (2006): Fruit Manufacturing: Scientific Basis, Engineering Properties, and Deteriorative Reactions of Technological Importance, ISBN 0387306145, 9780387306148, Springer Shi, J. (2006): Functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals: processing technologies ISBN 0849324416, 9780849324413, CRC Press Tang, J. (2002): Advances in bioprocessing engineering, ISBN 9810246978, 9789810246976, World Scientific Terpstra, C. (April 2005): Vitamin C in Orange Juice, Retrieved on March 23rd, 2009, from:   http://www.oaml.com/PDF/040152.pdf) Townsend, C. (2006): Vitamin C and Citrus Juices, Retrieved on March 23rd, 2009 from: http://www.ultimatecitrus.com/vitaminc.html. Vitamin C (2009): Retrieved on March 23rd, 2009, from: http://www.exrx.net/Nutrition/Antioxidants/VitaminC.html)

The cybernetic model of organization

The cybernetic model of organization This paper provides a conceptual approach to solve problems of governance, management, and leadership in an academic institution in order to improve on; accountability, student enrollment, and cost reduction. An institution should develop a new approach to governance, management and leadership that is based upon a cybernetic model (Birnbaum, 1991).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The cybernetic model of organization specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The cybernetic model approach is important because it suggests how other subsystems in an institution function simultaneously, in all types of colleges and universities, to enhance a self correcting institution. The self correcting process of an institution focus on a control structure that is defined in terms of a signaling mechanism to monitor acceptable changes that can enhance fundamental changes within an institution. There are four main models of instituti onal governance that are crucial in the evolving literature of higher education. These models include; the institution as a bureaucracy, a collegial system, a political system, and an organized anarchy. These models assist in the analysis of an organizational structure of an institution. Organizations are composed of three levels of control and responsibility. These comprise of the technical level, the institutional level, and the managerial level. The managerial level is important because it provides a link between the technical level and the institutional level and buffers the technical level against problems of funding, fluctuations in student enrollments and political interference (Birnbaum, 1991). According to Birnbaum (1991), the technical level should ensure rationality in decision making and should also encompass bureaucracy in management. The technical level in an institution comprises of elements that turn inputs, such as, students, finances, and societal expectations, int o outputs, such as, graduates, knowledge, service and status. In an educational institution, inputs in an open system are more complex and encompass various components like; different ideologies, individuals, resources, as well as, other subsystems (Birnbaum, 1988). Moreover, a faculty should make transformations in response to the technological advancements and the institution should develop an effective administrative system, technical system, and improve the learning environment. Putting more emphasis on the technical system ensures that an institution will transform the inputs into outputs in a process through which teaching, research and other services are accomplished. Teaching and research are the most basic elements that pose a greater degree of uncertainty to most institutions. According to Birnbaum (1991) an academic institution should work in an environment that uses modern technology with an effective governance system. An Institution should respond to an environment tha t provides a new face on both economic and social terms, as well as, political and physical character.Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The differences in a college environment are equivalent to its technical subsystems, therefore, an institution should improve on teaching, research and services, in order to, enhance technological innovations by allocating more effort to the technical level. School enrollment should be based on a policy that supports open admissions and that puts emphasis on remedial education that is not present in other selective institutions. In addition, an institution should hire more PhD holders in order to realize professionalism in service delivery. According to Birnbaum (1991), this will enhance a distinct pattern of technology in the institution’s operations. The technical chore and the managerial systems should work together by in corporating technology to improve the process of institutional management. A stable management system is appropriate when change is not frequent in an institution and in situations where problems persist. Therefore an institution should incorporate a centralized decision making process with specific planning to achieve its vision and mission. This calls for a cybernetic model to be utilized in the technical level in this type of an environment. When an institution experiences frequent problems, technology will be required in order to realize minimized centralization. Thus, in order to manage finances, increase student enrollment, increase the use of information technology, and to foster accountability in the management of an institution, adaptive technology provides the best option. An institution should design an organizational structure that comprises of a coordinated management process, in order to, achieve its plans and to enhance accountability within its operations. Furthermor e, students’ enrollments and economic cost reductions can be improved by hiring adjunct faculty. An institution should transform its organizational structure, in order to, meet the modern faculty requirements. Therefore, an instructional model is important than the learning model because it leads to fundamental changes in the responsibility of a faculty. The faculty should facilitate the creation of an appropriate environment for students from diverse backgrounds to learn. This will entail the use of technology to include the application of distance learning that will enhance a new measure of productivity.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The cybernetic model of organization specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, an institution should hire professionals to operate in a decentralized manner, in order to, realize fundamental changes in organizational structure. These will foster a fundamental c hange in the role of the technical core that comprises of the structure and design, technology and operations, as well as, human resources. In conclusion, the cybernetic model is an important tool that can be employed to achieve the desirable changes in an institution. It provides direction through self-regulation that may be accomplished through the use of cybernetic controls. It is a self correcting mechanism that closely monitors an organization’s functions by providing signals to participants when things are not operating well (Marcus, 1997). A cybernetic institution provides an effective leadership that functions according to the cybernetic principles. The cybernetic principles can influence an organizational constraint and when the model is combined with effective leadership skills, it creates an environment that fosters fundamental changes in an institution (Alfred, 1998). References Alfred, R., L. (1998). Shared governance in community colleges. Education commission o f the states: Policy paper, 1-8. Birnbaum, R. (1988). How colleges work: The cybernetics of academic organization and leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Birnbaum, R. (1991). Effective administration and leadership in the cybernetic institution. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Marcus, L., R. (1997). Restructuring state higher education governance patterns. The review of higher education, 20(4), 399-418.Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Absenteeism In The Workplace

Absenteeism In The Workplace â€Å"The term absenteeism means the deliberate or habitual absence of an employee from work place.† It create a big problem in an organisation when employees misses too many days off from work and in these situations other employees have to cover their work who are off from work and the work simply does not get gone in a well manner. The company must find out that the absence is involuntarily or voluntarily because involuntarily means any kind of illness or any unavoidable reason by which the employee is unable to come on work. Voluntarily means when an employee is absent from work without any reason manager need to worry about this kind of absence of employee need to get any documentation. Some time the absence may be excessive in this case manager should compare the employee’s attendance record with the other employees if the record of one employee is bad then the other means he was too many days off from work then it may be excessive absenteeism. So the manager sho uld discuss all the matter to the employees very friendly to improve the performance of the company the employees must aware of this thing that their absence is affecting others. Manager should give a written notice to the employee who is absent too many days from the work to warn him/her Basically absenteeism occurs when an employee of any organisation does not come to work due to several intentional or unintentional reasons like illness, injury, or any other habitual reason. Absenteeism affects the business in the terms of lost productivity. According to U.S. bureau of the census and U.S. bureau of labour statistic up the direct losses about $40 billion a year and social security administration determined that, annually workers missed more then half a billion days. http://www.enotes.com/biz-encyclopedia/absenteeism Types of absence There are many reasons why people off from work. Some those can be categorised as: Short-range sickness absence (uncertificated, self-certificated, or covered by a doctor’s ‘fit note’ which replaced the ‘sick note’ from April 2010) Long-standing sickness absence Unofficial absence or persistent lateness Other absences: for example, annual leave; maternity, paternity, adoption, or parental leave; time off for public or trade union duties, or to care for dependents; compassionate leave; educational leave. How much does absenteeism cost your business? The workers which are absent from the work cost the business a lot and decrease the revenue of the business Especially unplanned absence from work cost a lots to business like casual sickness of employee casual absence can affect per day productivity of business. This is a common problem of organisations in every organisation employees have 5.4 unplanned absence in 1 day. According to Mercer, Absences,† the total cost of absence can equal as much as 36% of payroll (compared to 15.4% for health care coverage). Of that figure, 9% accounts for unplann ed absences. Planned absences, like vacations and holidays, average 26.6%. For a midsize business, this unplanned absence can account for as much as $4.5 million dollars per year. (http://www.super-solutions.com/CostofAbsenteeism.asp)

Crime 200 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Crime 200 - Essay Example In fact statistics reveal widespread use of marijuana in the US and across the world. Given that the government has made little success in its efforts to eliminate its use for over 40 years now, pundits predict that the future might compel governments to legalize it. With this prospect in mind, it is prudent to understand the impact such a move would have to the society so as to lay sufficient ground beforehand. In this respect, this paper examines the impact of marijuana with focus on Colorado – which together with Washington have been viewed as experimental labs. Marijuana is a soft drug made from dried leaves, flowers, stem and seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. Its key component is a psychoactive chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is used for recreational, medical, religious and spiritual purposes (National Institute on Drug Abuse). This drug is known to have both positive and negative effects to its users and the society at large. To a user, weed, as marijuana is christened, causes memory impairment, distortion of sight, loss of motor coordination and with long term use individuals may develop, testicular cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory complications. On the positive effects, it has been found to be therapeutic helping reduce pain and anxiety (Drugs.com). However, this article does not pursue the health and psychological effects of marijuana use, rather it focuses broadly on the implications that legalization of marijuana has on the society. The fight towards legalization of marijuana in the US began with the 1970 presidential commission that â€Å"called for federal decriminalization and eventual legalization, regulation, and control of marijuana† and recommended that marijuana be decriminalized (McVay, 1991). This move came about consequent of the relaxed attitudes toward marijuana, the apprehension of a significant