Ch 3 The Mechanics of Change Essay Example

Ch 3: The Mechanics of Change Paper 3.8 The mechanics of change So far in this review, change has been discussed without explicitly providing a definition or nomenclature for what exactly is meant by the term. For example, within the neoclassical theory of production and consumption, economic change is something that is mostly thought of happening in a marginal fashion ‘little-bit by little-bit’ an idea reinforced at a more formalised level by the common analytical use of differential calculus. In this type of analysis, change occurs up and down demand and supply curves, expanding and contract output, adjusting to more efficient technologies and processes, with prices going up and down, as the system self-adjusts towards equilibrium. The main source where flexibility is limited is the case of fixed costs and plant size when moving between the short and long-run. At the macroeconomic level, change can be seen as movements along, or shifts in the production function, and expressed through aggregate measures such as the level and grow th rate of GDP, giving rise to notions such as the ‘steady-state’ growth rate with its accompanying policy recommendations. An alternative view of change is presented by the theory of path dependency, where a decision made today may preclude, or make it difficult, certain decisions tomorrow once a specific technological path has been established. For example witness the difficulty some countries, such as Germany, in moving away from nuclear power despite strong policy statements to do so. In this case change often takes on a qualitative dimension and is conceptualised as involving very non-marginal shifts in economic resources. As we move towards evolutionary theory, the definitions around change and its components become more refined. For example, while essentially meaning â€Å"change† McKelvey and Holmà ©n (2006:2-3) use the term economic transformation to mean: a non-reversible process, encompassing quantitative and qualitative changes in components and connections, driven by opportunities and innovations. Such economic transformation may well be driven by processes of complexity and self-organisation as well as processes of actors acting, adapting to contexts. Moreover, the concept of transformation, as used here, may result from very different processes, including ones driven by very large and discontinuous changes as well as ones driven by very small changes, which follow upon an existing trajectory. We will write a custom essay sample on Ch 3: The Mechanics of Change specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Ch 3: The Mechanics of Change specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Ch 3: The Mechanics of Change specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Less all-encompassing, Geels and Kemp (2006) in the same volume provide greater clarity still by distinguishing three different types of change according to its scope and underlying mechanisms: Reproduction is seen to be a type of incremental change occurring along existing trajectories. Reproduction only involves change at the regime level (Figure 3.7), not at the landscape or niche levels. The existing sociotechical system forms a stable context for the interaction of social groups. Existing rules are reproduced by incumbent actors and elements of the system are refined. The orientation of dominant actors, key technology and knowledge base do not change fundamentally. This situation at the regime level is stabilised by the high sunk cost of existing investments, role expectations in networks, regulations and standards, contracts and cognitive routines (rules of thumb). Despite changes being small, incremental innovations do occur and can result in major productivity improvements over time. Rosenberg (1982:62) describes a similar process: A large portion of the total growth in productivity takes the form of a slow and often invisible accretion of invisible small improvements in innovations () such modifications are achieved by unspectacular designs and engineering activities, but they constitute the substance of much productivity improvement and increased consumer wellbeing in industrial economies. The second category of change is transformation. This is change in the direction of trajectories involving action at the regime and landscape level, but with little influence from niches. Change in this area can be driven by exogenous landscape 164 changes which create pressure on the existing regime leading to a reorientation of innovative activities; or by endogenous changes in regime rules. For example, shifts may occur in technical problem agendas and visions underpinning goals and guiding principles of engineers and scientists; relative costs and incentive structures may be altered through regulations and policies, shifting the perceptions of where opportunities lie. This reorientation is not likely to occur in a mechanical way but be subject to negotiations, power struggles, and shifting coalitions of actors. In the face of growing pressure for change, incumbent actors are likely to downplay the need for transformation, which changes in social networks often vital to start the transformation process. New actors may help particularly to challenge existing assumptions and place issues on the problem agenda (Van de Peol, 2000) and by expressing concerns over negative externalities of the existing system, precipitate a response from within the regime (Van de Poel, 2003). However, these new players (or outsiders) do not develop competing technologies to replace the existing system, so the survival of the incumbent regime is not threatened, and it is they who enact the change in trajectory. Over time, a new system may grow out of the old one through cumulative adjustments. The third type of change is termed transition, and is a change describing the shift from one socio-technical system to another. This is seen to be a discontinuous shift to a new technological trajectory and encompasses interactions between niches, the regime and the landscape, to which incumbents are unable to adjust. For example, a change in the economic landscape may create major problems for incumbents in the existing regime. Unable to adapt through transformation, a window of opportunity opens for new innovations, which have developed in market niches to be carried forward by new social groups. The transition invokes shifts in the knowledge base, technologies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, consumer behaviour and social groups. If the new innovation breaks though and replaces the existing system, this will be accompanied by creative destruction and the downfall of some incumbent actors. Once the transition has taken place, a new period of dynamic stability and reproduction sets in. While it would be wrong to suggest that these meanings are universally attached to these words in the evolutionary literature (for example, â€Å"transition†, has been used to describe movement between two states of the same system); for the purposes of clarity, this review will follow the definitions set out by Geels and Kemp (2006). 3.9 The contribution of network or systems theory â€Å"System† is another word we have assigned implicit meanings to throughout this review without formally providing a definition. For example, we have used the neoclassical micro-economic utility and profit maximising market system of the individual or firm bounded by price and quantity; there is the macro-economic system inherent in the models of growth theory; and there are the sociotechnological systems conceptualised in the evolutionary, institutional approach of path dependency theory. While the â€Å"market-system† is often the core conceptual construct in which the action of economic life tends to take place, it is very often assumed to be simply â€Å"out there† and is very loosely defined, if at all in standard analysis. In the neoclassical model, markets are usually portrayed as the context within which the acts of buying and selling take place. In this market consumers and producers ‘optimise’ to make decisions taking as cues cost and price information which drives the economy to a unique equilibrium (Figure 2.1). Alternatively, if we view the economy as an â€Å"evolutionary system† where firms compete in struggle for profits or survival, then we need to specify the processes for variation, selection and replication. As pointed out by Coyle (2006:188) the adoption of such an evolutionary system as an analytical construct for the economy raises a number of questions, not least: what are the sources of change? What are the criteria for a variation to succeed in a given environment – how is â€Å"fitness† specified and what are the mechanisms for selection? How are â€Å"successes† passed onto other business units? What â€Å"units† should we be analysing – the firm? the manager? the market penetration of a product? How does the economic environment which shapes and constrains these actions evolve and how do the units interact with one another? To begin to address these questions, we will turn now to network or systems theory which has recently become a focus for economic research in this area (e.g. Beinhocker, 2007). This builds on a long tradition in physics, computer science, biology and sociology, and is underpinned by the work of the Hungarian mathematicians Paul Erdà ¶s and Alfrà ©d Rà ©nyi in the 1950s and 60s (for a review see Watts, 1999). The basic framework can be set out as follows: Consider the following object: Figure 3.4 A node Nodes are fundamental units of graph theory, which, in the abstract, can be treated as featureless and indivisible objects. Alternatively, they can also be assigned qualitative structure depending on the application they are being used for. For the purposes of this example, consider the node above as representing either an individual, social group, or firm: an economic agent. Put two nodes together and we have a basic system. Now, depending on the nature of the relationship between these nodes we can describe either a hierarchical network, or an interconnected network (Beinhocker, 2007: 155). Figure 3.5 Nodal relationships In the hierarchical system, a command node issues instructions to a subordinate node. Information regarding the outcome of these instructions will flow back to the command node through the subordinate node, but the instructions flow only one way. In an interconnected system, directions and response information can flow A node Hierarchical system Interconnected system 168 back and forth from either node. These basic systems can be built into something more complex: Figure 3.6 Two basic systems: hierarchy versus interconnectivity Within the hierarchical system, layers of command form from the top down, nodes further down the hierarchy receive commands from above, and then send response information back up the hierarchy to await further instruction. An advantage of a hierarchical system is that the density of connections are limited, thereby increasing the predictability of decision-making and enabling system-wide directional changes to be made more easily by the highest level command node. Consider a simple example: let us imagine each node represents an individual in an organisation, which has recently decided to implement a new strategic decision, say to adopt energy efficiency measures. If we take the figure above with 40 nodes, this means that in the extreme case of no hierarchy and a completely interconnected network, 1600 meetings would have to take place and everyone agree to the course of action with everyone else. Alternatively, in a hierarchical structure, a command is issued from the CEO which gets passed down through each layer of management which meets with their subordinates, agrees, then passes the information on to the Hierarchical system/network Densely interconnected system/network â€Å"edges† next layer and so on. In the case of the figure above we have one meeting between the CEO and his top lieutenants; then three meetings between these lieutenants and the lowest level of management who have nine meetings with their staff. All up 13 meetings are required to coordinate the entire system. On the other hand, the disadvantages of hierarchy are that information may degrade as it moves up and down the levels (think of a game of ‘Chinese whispers’), the highest command node may become out of touch with reality at the lowest levels, and a poor performer at the top can do a lot of damage to the system. Within a socio-economic context, examples of such structures might exist at the household level, in large corporations or government bureaucracies; or even extend to the entire economy, as in the case of the planned economy of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In an interconnected network, there are no control nodes, instead each node communicates to the other nodes it is connected to which may or may not respond depending on their own characteristics. Information is decentralised and dispersed around the system travelling between nodes that are linked. A common way to explore such systems is by assigning nodes a value of 0 or 1 (no or yes, for example) dependent on a set of rules. Such Boolean networks, have been a focus for research, particularly the work of Stuart Kauffman and the Santa Fe Institute (Kauffman, 1993). In the social sciences, such interconnected networks have been used as a metaphor for the market economy, where individuals trade with one another as rational utility or profit maximising agents. The nature of network interactions is voluntary and reciprocal, decentralised and complex, so that it is impossible for any one agent to understand it in its entirety. An important corollary of this type of system is the 170 principle of subsidiary: that decisions should be made by the node which is affected by the outcome of that decision. This idea has been used to support the notion of free markets as the antithesis to a hierarchical command and control system defined by rules from above. For example, Hayek (1974) argues that the market system coordinates: †¦a sum of facts which in their totality cannot be known to the scientific observer, or to any other single brain. It is indeed the source of the superiority of the market order, and the reason why, when it is not suppressed by the powers of government, it regularly displaces other types of order, that in the resulting allocation of resources more of the knowledge of particular facts will be utilized which exists only dispersed among uncounted persons, than any one person can possess. Another important corollary of this type of analysis is as a way of quantifying network effects. In the neoclassical analysis these were modelled as network externalities: when the increased use of a good, increases the value of further usage. Classic examples include, establishing a telephone or fax machine network, or the QWERTY keyboard. Here the benefit to each successive customer of choosing one technological variant over another is greater the larger the number of users of that technology. Stuart Kauffman (1993) has used this logic to derive a theory which seeks to explain tipping or turning points. He argues that a transition phase is initiated in networks when the ratio of the number of edges or connecting relationships with the number of nodes is equal to one. At this point a network goes from being sparsely connected to densely connected. This type of analysis can then be used to model economic change not as a smooth linear process, as in the neoclassical model (based on calculus), but as a non-linear process. It has been used to explain why, for example, social networks on the internet suddenly take off and others do not; why the stock market is so volatile; why fashions emerge; and why political movements can swing from obscurity to popularity in a short space of time (e.g. Farrell, 1998). A related advantage of this logic is that it can also help explain the observation of path dependency. As discussed above, new technologies, especially in energy markets, often require a vast amount of complementary infrastructure, products and other services in the supply chain. Thus decisions to support a particular technological pathway can induce similar supportive decisions in other related networks. For example, the shift from the internal combustion engine vehicle to electric vehicles may be particularly costly and difficult due to the threat this posses to the established related industries of manufacturers, mechanics, engineers and labour unions. Within the evolutionary economic model the â€Å"selection environment† is taken as the market within which economic agents operate (Metcalfe, 1998). Much more than the neoclassical place of exchange and interaction between consumers and producers, in the evolutionary model this also includes everything else which goes into the formation of market institutions: governments, regulators, lobbyists from rival firms, environmental pressure groups, universities, international trade agreements, law courts, corporate governance, federal-state relations and the impact of politics and events such as natural disasters and wars – most of which the neoclassical model leaves as exogenous despite their profound impact on economic life. Here there is an important point of differentiation between economic evolution and the notion of evolution as applied to biology. In biology evolution is perceived as being a blind process driven forward by random variety upon which the selection environment acts upon – a process of â€Å"design without the designer† an emergent, self organising order with no role for a central organising intelligence (such as a God). However, with respects to social systems Beinhocker (2006:249) points out: there is nothing fundamental in the nature of the evolutionary algorithm that says intentionality and rationality cannot play a role, nor does anything say that the process must be completely random. At its core, evolution is an iterative process of experimentation, selection, and then amplification of things that work. What Beinhocker argues is that in human society evolution is a goal-oriented purposive process where we consciously try to effect evolutionary outcomes: whether this is to gain market share, win an election – or at the biological level simply to reproduce and pass on our genes. In the economy, this means consumers, producers, technologies and the market institutions of their selection environment all are seen to co-evolve. This means that in addition to the principles of variation, selection and replication, we need to add interaction in a self-adaptive system. People, firms and other institutions become caught up in a self-conscious and mutually reinforcing system as they seek to mould their selection environment. These notions have given rise to the concept of the techno-economic paradigm (Freeman and Louca, 2001), and reviewed by Coyle (2006:195): The firms in an industry shape their own environment through trade associations, lobbying, standard setting, links with universities, law suits and so on. Political action and the legal framework are vital to the environment. The law of tort and the limited liability company played a vital role in nineteenth century industrialisation, for instance. Cars and airplanes needed governments to build roads and airports, to set the rules of the road and run air traffic control. The shaping of the competitive environment is also cumulative the invention of computers gave birth to computer science, and computer scientists develop the new innovations in the computer industry. However, what was once a source to promote system change, as new technoparadigms spread into the economy, can also become a source of stability as these new agents start to put more effort into tailoring their environment, such as lobbying for protection from overseas competition, or tax concessions, rather than investing in new research and development. The inherent difficulty of change – be it at the individual or firm level – is what is behind Schumpeter’s notion of creative destruction – that the inbuilt resistance to change builds up until firms are no longer to control the environment around them and the system suddenly reaches a turning or tipping point which brings in a new competing system of economic actors (see Gladwell, 2000). From this discussion on systems, we have begun to draw together several strains of research which seek to understand the mechanics of economic change. While it is clear that there is not, as yet, any universal synthesis for this body of work as there is in the neoclassical model presented earlier –with different authors emphasising different faces of the same evolutionary processes using a variety of terminology we will now move onto a body of literature that does offer a framework for synthesising many of these concepts: Strategic Niche Management and its related Multi-Level Perspective. 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Integrative Intercultural Communication Paper Essay Example

Integrative Intercultural Communication Paper Essay Example Integrative Intercultural Communication Paper Essay Integrative Intercultural Communication Paper Essay Organizations that are viewed as biased against Hess groups will not attract the competent workforce and can face not only legal troubles also the life span of their business can be greatly reduced. Today, it is vital that organizations prove their ability communicate intercultural in order to be successful in a constantly changing business environment. This is why it is important that we train our management to deal with people from many different places. Many believe enhanced communication abilities will prove profitable, in which case its in the companies own interest to support it. Communication is necessary if the organization is to prosper. Intercultural communication in the global business world is accomplished by adding diversity and understanding of the many different cultures that are in the work force. Potential contributors are most often not naturally attracted to an enterprise that they do not perceive as having a culture and micro society that would be comfortable, interesting and supportive. When we talk about intercultural communication we mean all the differences between people, whether they are gender, religion, race or any other differences that connect with each other and commutate whether verbally or nonverbally. It can also be seen as culture within the workplace, culture relates to gender, age, language, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious belief and family responsibility. Intercultural communication also explores to the ways we are different in other respects such as educational level, work experience, socio-economic background, personality profile, geographic location, marital status and whether or not one has career responsibilities. As well as the widely recognized ethnicity an gender variables of diversity, being able to communicate with all kinds of people regardless of location is important to creating and keep important relationships with companies across the world. Diversity, performance and the competitive advantage we have all heard the old saying, variety is the spice of life. But are we taking full advantage of that as we look to meet our business goals? More and more businesses are finding a direct connection between a diverse workforce and competitive advantage. A diverse workforce gives companies competitive advantage by enabling them to better meet TFH needs of their customers, successfully compete in the global marketplace an ire from an expanded labor pool. Providing opportunities for people of all backgrounds is the right thing to do from an ethical standpoint. But it is also great for business. So this is why communication within organizations are important. This allows each person to be able to feel comfortable within thee work environment no matter where they are. For instance, if your company does business in Asia, having Asian Australians on your negotiating team will greatly improve your chances of success. The best way to do that is by recruiting a diverse workforce that mirrors your customer base. This allows someone from that culture to connect with others in the global business environment that will allow they to be productive and everyone benefits fro it. Hiring those from other cultures can create a competitive advantage for a company. Training employees to work with people of different cultures is beneficial to every organization no matter how large or small. Intercultural communication in the workplace is achieved by promoting and creating a more inclusive word environment that is leveraged and maximizes the understanding of others and their way of life. The leverage intercultural communication is almost impossible to achieve without effective training. Communication training aid in understanding how the human differences can effect or influence relationships in the workplace between peers, subordinates, supervisors even customers. The modern workforce is made up of many people who are of different races, genders, sexuality, culture, and ages leading to a vast cultural differences. Many companies have recognized this fact and are beginning to pay close attention to the need for intercultural communication training as a number one priority. Employees should be educated on how to deal with people who have different traits than themselves. They also gain skills necessary to deal with and function in a diverse world. Intercultural communication in the workforce has been growing steadily over the years. Prior to the sasss, there was a very different profile in the workforce, in boot demographics and attitudes. It was more harmonious, with a large majority a few visible cultural differences. The individuals who were different were either assimilated into the workforce, isolated from the majority Of workers or ignored. The average member of the workforce from past was male, white, approximately twenty-nine years old and had fewer than two years of higher education. These men were usually married to homemakers and generally worked in the region of their birth. The global workforce of today does not look, act or think like the workforce of the past, nor does it pursue the same needs and desires. The global workforce has changed significantly from many different perspectives such as age, gender, culture, education, disability, and values. A new model of a diversified workforce is needed before the Rockford of the new millennium becomes even more discouraged, potentially creating further declines in productivity. In these times of slower labor growth, competent, high demand workers are choosing to move to companies that will accommodate and support their lifestyle requirements, and through management practices that enhances their dignity. In order to achieve this ideal place of employment that provides a comfortable and welcoming environment, intercultural communication training is a necessary tool. Training is usually divided into two sections: one or top-down employee and the other is middle managers. In most cases, it is only required for targeted groups in the company. Of the companies who take part in the training, almost half of them reported spending thousands, even millions of dollars on training. A small percentage reported that they really do not have the funds to support the training. The claims are that money spent went to resources, salaries, and consulting fees. Intercultural communication programs have been considered as good investment whose returns have been very beneficial to an organization. Successful professionals are learning to demonstrate the contribution of intercultural communication abilities to the business on many levels. We have to remember that having diversified workforce is not something a company should have, actually it is something that has happened or is soon going to happen due to the fact that we have a more diversified population. There are so many different people in the world that work in many different places of the world. Diversity in the workplace is becoming more and more prevalent. Corporations in all industries are encouraging minorities, women, men, and people with disabilities as well as foreign workers to join the dominant workforce in the workplace around the world. Diversity of the workforce is clearly here to stay. Business owners and managers, experts say, will still need to maintain or step up efforts to recruit and advance ethnic minorities so everyone should know how to effective communicate with one another to ensure productivity is not lost. Essentially, because having a diverse work force and managing it effectively will simply be good business for various companies across the oral. During a training session, topics such as valuing diversity, biases, the philosophy Of the company, and action planning are covered. Employees learn about diversity through films, speakers, and exercises so that they may have a greater impact on any situations that may develop. After receiving the training, many employers have noticed a significant difference in the way the staff behaves and its sensitivity towards each other. People develop a broader definition of intercultural communication after going through the training sessions. The word wide web was used to develop the facts from rebellions in the global business world. Organizational communication in the global workplace can bring up an employment equality issue. Although, intercultural communication in the workplace can be a benefit in the success of an organization. The understanding of cultural differences goes beyond employment equality, it provides an environment that respects employee differences. Diversity nurtures an environment that values the differences and maximizes the potential of all employees. Intercultural communication IR the workplace is important in many ways. In order to create an organization ultra that supports diversity, you must have management commitment, education with training, and follow up evaluation. First, you must adequately determine workforce and organizational needs for creating a comfortable workplace for those of all cultures. Find out what employees are concerned about. Management can form focus groups. The needs and expectations Of a global workforce vary by organizational and functional levels. You may determine if the organization has trouble communicating and being sensitive to employees that would add to the diversity. In an organization with cultural preferences, which, if any, areas of the workforce are being treated inappropriately. Administrative and management of global businesses commitment is crucial for intercultural communication efforts. Senior management must provide leadership through example. To gain support from administration you need to directly link diversity to the business when dealing with people from another culture. Be specific as to where any cultural issues lie. Are they employee or customer issues? Or both? Provide data regarding the opportunities in the global marketplace for diversity.

Inpatient Falls and bed alarms Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Inpatient Falls and bed alarms - Dissertation Example This can be in the form of low rise beds; call lights placed at closer distance, placing floor mats, toilets at closer intervals. The environment surrounding the patient should be modified to minimize the impact of the fall of the patients. It is said that 33% adults over the age of 65 fall every year. 20% of the adults who experience the fall suffer moderate to extreme injuries. The hospitalization cost estimated for the fall of a patient is about $17,500. Falls have been referred to as â€Å"nurse sensitive quality indicator† (Castex & Albright 2010). Most of the falls occur in and around the patient’s bed and in the bathrooms and are often unobserved. Patient falls are associated with certain very serious consequences. The fall experienced by a patient has a negative affect on his self confidence and result in fear of falling and ‘post fall anxiety syndrome’. A serious fall reduces the mobility of the patient and restricts his ability to perform daily ac tivities. The patient’s fall makes him more susceptible to diseases and may have debilitating affect. It may even lead to death. 50% of the people who experience a major fall die after one year. The accountability or liability associated with a fall lies with the hospital staff and the authorities (Simmons, 2010). The hospital has to bear significant costs associated with patients’ fall. It is extremely important for hospitals to identify preventive measures to control fall rates. This paper analyzes on whether the introduction of bed alarms can reduce the inpatient falls. Background and Significance of the Issue Inpatient falls are a major safety issue in hospitals because the falls may result in severe injury to the patient, have debilitating affects and may even lead to death. The patient’s prolonged stay in the hospital increases the associated costs that the hospital has to bear if the patient stays for a longer duration. The greater need for follow up care of patients, surgical needs and the costs associated with diagnostic purposes adds to the increased costs for the hospital (Hernandez, 2005). According to reports by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the fall costs associated with older adults was estimated at $20.2 billion in 1994. This cost is predicted to increase up to $32.4 billion by the year of 2020 (CDC Injury Center, 2006). Hospitals have to bear large costs associated with the falls. 15% to 30% of the falls cause fractures in patients. This involves the cost of casting, surgery or traction and at times even leads to death (Lopez & Et. Al., 2010). The risk factors that contribute to falls are the severe illness of a patient, the â€Å"poly pharmacy treatment strategy of the patient† , unfamiliarity of the patient with his surroundings, balance deficit, neurological disease, visual deficit, lack of proper nutrition, musculoskeletal problems and lower hip problems, multiple medication, cognitive impair ment, hypotension, depression to name a few (Dougherty, 2008). The injuries from falls can be very severe especially for the older people. According to the MD, director of the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Ronald I. Shorr, the fall rate in hospitals is about â€Å"four to five falls per 1,000 patient days, or about a fall per day in a 250-bed hospital† (Simmons, 2010). Further it is also said that one

Business intelligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Business intelligence - Essay Example lped shape firms business strategy as cross-functional and global processes that help business activities to be conducted across boundaries of time, distance, and function (El Sawy et al, 2013). The authors argue that digital technologies cannot be separated from businesses because it helps firms operate in distinct forms of dynamic capabilities relevant for difficult environments. In addition, digital technologies are reshaping the structure of social interaction in both the enterprise and consumer space with social sites and social media easing the means of interaction. The author wants to make it clear that digital technologies have introduced new trends in business strategy (El Sawy et al, 2013). They include emergence of huge information, pervasive connection between businesses and customers, enhanced price, growth of cloud computing and international supply chains. The author observes that digital business strategy has led to emergence of new organization shifts such as trans-functional role for information technology, increased knowledge with information technology and limitation of old business models. Furthermore, the emergence of digital business strategy has resulted in digitization of services and products and data or information around them (El Sawy et al, 2013). This incorporates the design of services and products with other related platforms using digital resources. The increase in speed of digital business strategy makes firms to reason about time and distance in significant

Data Warehouse Gantt Chart and PERT Chart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Data Warehouse Gantt Chart and PERT Chart - Essay Example The task assignments have overloaded certain resources. This is because, when setting predecessors, only adjacent tasks have been considered in certain cases. For example, some of the tasks to which the resource named Goran has been allocated on the same day are 75, 76, 109 and 110. Task 76 has a dependency on task 75 and task 110 has a dependency on task 109. But, because the same resource is involved, there is a dependency between tasks 76 and 109 as well. Ignoring dependencies such as these has resulted in that resource been overloaded. Hence tasks assignments need to be reworked. The dependencies could be simplified if they were set using the summary task numbers instead of the detail task numbers. Task 170, 'Test d_contactInfo table' has tasks 109, 110 and 111 as predecessors all of which are sub tasks of task 108, the building of that table. Predecessor could be set as 108, thereby, simplifying dependency management. There are several milestone tasks. They have been used to mark significant tasks which need to be completed before proceeding to later tasks. It is not prudent to deploy the system without validating it in the two migration environments.

Depression: Medication versus Therapy in Adolescents

Depression: Medication versus Therapy in Adolescents A Literature Review Mental health is a growing issue in the United Kingdom. According to Reynolds (2016), one in four individuals are diagnosed with a mental health illness. This literature review will look at the various perspectives of the use of medication to treat depression against the perspectives of psychotherapy as there has been a great increase in the number of prescription antidepressants dispensed, with 3.9 million additional antidepressant drugs dispensed in 2015 than in 2014 in England alone (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2016). On the other hand, in 2014, 947,640 were referred to psychological therapies (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2014). However, in 2015, there were 1,267,193 referrals made to psychological therapies (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015). According to Compton et al (2004), At any one time, approximately 1 in 20 children and adolescents suffers from major depressive disorder, with rates of depression rising dramatically in adolescen ts, especially in girls.. Depression is a mood disorder which causes a constant feeling of sadness and a loss of interest (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Depression was originally known as melancholia and was first noticed in the second millennium B.C, however, it was considered to be due to demonic possession (Nemade et al, 2007). The first medications to be introduced to treat depression were Iproniazid and Imipramine in the 1950s (Là ³pez-Muà ±oz and Alamo, 2009), there are now over thirty types of antidepressants on the market which are separated via categories: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclics and other types, with SSRIs being the most common type (Tracy, 2017). In relation to psychotherapy, there are many types of therapies an individual can have, however, this literature review will focus on cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). There has been a substantial amount of research done in regards to treating depression with either medication or therapy. First to be discussed is the findings for combination treatment i.e CBT plus SSRIs. A qualitative study by Melvin et al (2006) found that both CBT and SSRIs, specifically Sertraline, were recommended for the treatment of adolescent depression. This study consisted of 73 participants: 22 were assigned CBT alone, 26 were assigned Sertraline alone and 25 were assigned a combination of both treatments. Participants receiving the CBT treatment were required to attend twelve 50 minute individual weekly sessions while the participants receiving Sertraline were required to take 25mg/day for one week. All groups exhibited considerable improvements which were then maintained for the following six months. Furthermore, a previous study by Asarnow et al (2009) also found the combination of medication and CBT to be superior to medication alone. However, this was only the case with adolescents who were white, in their late adolescent years and who did not exhibit self-harming behaviour. Contradicting, a qualitative study by March et al (2004), revealed a combination of a SSRI and CBT was found not to be the most effective form of treatment. This study included a variety of groups including SSRI alone, Placebo alone, CBT alone and CBT plus SSRI. In regards to limitations, the groups who received SSRI alone and placebo alone were blinded, meaning they did not know what medication they would be receiving. This was done to eliminate bias, however, some say that this is unethical as it deceives the participant (Schattner, 2011). On the other hand, Goodyer et al (2007) conducted a qualitative study involving SSRIs and CBT treatment in the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) yet found no evidence to suggest that the combination of CBT plus a SSRI was superior to SSRI alone. This study consisted of 208 adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17 with moderate and severe depression. 103 received a SSRI medication and routine care while 105 received SSRI, routine care and CBT.   Although the medication in this study was different to the Melvin et al (2006) study, they were both in the SSRI group. Contrasting Melvin et al, Goodyer et al included adolescents who were experiencing active suicidality and self harm, which Melvin et al did not. This could explain the differences in results between the two studies. Although combined treatment has been shown to be an effective way of treating adolescent depression, it can also have some its disadvantages. Vitiello (2009) voices that combined treat ment requires more resources and is more expensive. To be argued next are the findings for SSRIs superior to CBT. Returning to the study carried out by March et al (2004), unlike the other studies March et al found that the SSRI alone treatment was superior to CBT alone treatment. However, it is noted that this could be due to the low dose of SSRI used. Although SSRI in this study was superior in rapidly reducing depressive symptoms, it doesnt present to be more beneficial than psychotherapy in the long run. Also, it has been found that there are disadvantages to SSRI treatment. According to a systematic review, of eight studies, conducted by Barbui et al (2009), there is an increased risk of contemplated or attempted suicide among adolescents who are prescribed SSRIs. Barbui et al also mentioned that specific SSRIs such as Paroxetine and Venlafaxine would be better avoided when treating adolescent depression as the risks associated with these medications outweigh the benefits. Contradicting, a meta-analysis of randomised controlled t rial by Bridge et al (2007), found the benefits of antidepressants for adolescents to be far greater than the risk of suicidal thoughts and/or suicide attempts. Due to these risks, in 2004 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (as cited in McCain, 2009) required a black box warning, which is the most serious warning and consists of the warning surrounded by a black border. The FDAs boxed warning on the labelling of antidepressants mentioned an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in paediatric patients when using the medication. Conflicting, Valuck et al (2004) conducted a study which involved 24,119 adolescents from across the United States of America and found SSRIs has no significant independent effect on the risk of suicide attempts among adolescents. Next to be discussed are the findings for CBT superior to SSRIs. Returning to the study conducted by Melvin et al (2006), Although this study found the combined treatment to be effective, Melvin et al (2006) also found that CBT received a stronger response at the posttreatment assessment compared to Sertraline alone. Although, Melvin et al recognised that this cannot demonstrate an advantage to CBT as the lower dose and slower titration schedule could explain the difference compared with previous studies. In addition, an evidence-based medicine review by Compton et al (2004) found CBT, at the time, to be the best treatment for depressive disorders in adolescents. CBT can be extremely helpful in cases where medication hasnt worked. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2008), about 40 percent of adolescents with depression do not adequately respond to a first treatment course with an antidepressant medication. In cases like this, a combination of both CBT and SSR Is are used. Moreover, there has been research done on other types of treatment for adolescent depression, one being exercise. Although there has been little research done on this topic a randomised controlled trial orchestrated by Nabkasorn et al (2005), found exercise to improve depressive states. However, Nabkasorn et al did note that this study had some limitations such as its participants only being a very small group of adolescent females, 59 to be exact. Meaning that results from this study could not be transferred to other populations, ages, and severity of depression. In addition, a meta-analysis review (Cooney et al, 2013) of twenty five randomised controlled trials comparing exercise to various treatments such as placebo, pharmacological and psychological treatment. Cooney et al, found the exercise groups to have substantial improvement in depressive symptoms as opposed to the other groups. Divergent to Cooney et al, Blumenthal (1999, as cited in Carek et al, 2011) found that a variety of groups including exercise, pharmacological and combined, all had considerable improvement in their depressive symptoms with no a major difference between them. Another treatment method which has been studied is music therapy. According to Nauert (2014), a new study, the largest study of its kind, including 251 children and young people, found adolescents who received music therapy had significantly improved self-esteem and significantly reduced depression compared with those who received treatment without music therapy. Nauert states that these findings show the need for music therapy to be readily available as a treatment option. In addition,   Erkkila et al (2011), conducted a randomised controlled trial for music therapy alone or in combination with standard care including 79 participants. The results showed participants who received a combination of those treatments showed greater improvement in depression symptoms than those who received standard care only. According to Erkkila et al, the number of participants was sufficient enough to identify a difference between the two treatment options. Also, Castillo-Pà ©rez et al (2010), performs a randomised control trial for the effects of music therapy compared with psychotherapy for depression. This trial also consisted of 79 participants and found the participants receiving music therapy had fewer depression symptoms than those in the psychotherapy group. Dissimilar to Erkkila et al, Castillo-Pà ©rez et al noted that one of the major limitations for their trial was the somewhat small participant size yer the differences in depressive symptoms between the two trial groups were evident. There are many reasons as to why an individual would decide to take an alternative route for treating depression such as music therapy or exercise. According to Hanzell (2007, as cited in Maratos et al, 2008), this could be due to a lack of satisfaction with conventional treatments and/or a wish to avoid side-effects from medication or the stigma attached to seeking talking therapy. Also, Tartakovsky (2013) states other reasons could be the severity of the depression as many people arent sure if their state needs to be treated as there may be people with worse symptoms who need treatment more. Tartakovsky also states money can be an obstacle, in the UK the majority of the treatment individuals receive is free through the National Health Service, however, in other countries such as the USA, not everyone can afford to put their children into therapy and other treatments as their insurance plans may not cover the costs. In conclusion, it is apparent from research conducted that a combination of both SSRI treatment and CBT treatment is recommended to treat adolescent depression and appears to be the most effective way of treating adolescent depression. Although this is the most effective treatment it is not always the first in line, and SSRIs are more commonly the first point of call for adolescent depression. However, it has been noted that other forms of treatment such as exercise are equally as beneficial and should, in fact, be one of the first lines of treatment for adolescent depression. In addition, other treatments such as music therapy have shown to be beneficial and could be used as an additional treatment. Although there is research showing the benefits of treatments, there could be more research done in order to quickly find the right course of treatment for the individual.

Sin and Personal Growth in The Scarlet Letter Essay -- Nathaniel Hawth

The Scarlet Letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and was first published in 1850. Hawthorne’s purpose for The Scarlet Letter was to show how anybody can sin, and that sin should be used as an example to learn from. Hawthorne also made clear that good can come from sin and that sin can help a person grow. Hester Prynne is the main character of the book. She is still young when she has her child, Pearl. She is a strong and determined, and uses her past sin, and the â€Å"A† as something to learn from rather than something to be ashamed of. After the shame of getting the â€Å"A,† she moved into the outskirts of town and became a seamstress. The way she was able to move on from her sin and continue her life, even after being scorned and humiliated, is proof of her strength. Years later, when her sin is almost completely forgotten her benevolence is shown in how she cares for the physical and spiritual needs of people in the community. Pearl is Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale’s illegitimate daughter. Although Pearl is described as beautiful, throughout the book, she is consistently described as â€Å"impish† and â€Å"elfish.† These strange descriptions, as well as her odd behavior, make her seem inhuman, and make the townspeople view Pearl as sin-embodied and the devil-child. Pearl is very smart, and even at a young age she becomes aware of the scarlet letter and recognizes that is has some kind of significance. The quote, â€Å"One day, as her mother stooped over the cradle, the infant’s eyes had been caught by the glimmering of the gold embroidery about the letter, and, putting up her little hand, she grasped at it, smiling, not doubtfully, but with a decided gleam, that gave her face the look of a much older child.†, shows how she draws attention ... ... view, Hawthorne writes, â€Å"On the wall hung a row of portraits, representing the forefathers of the Bellingham lineage, some with armor on their breast, and others with stately ruffs and robes of peace.† Hawthorne serves his purpose by combining his detailed characters, his informative writing style, and his ongoing themes throughout the book. Some of his predominant themes in the book are how sin can lead to personal growth and the battle between good and evil. Over the seven years of wearing the scarlet letter, Hester grew a lot, and after finding out about Chillingworth, Dimmesdale underwent a change as well. The way that sin can lead to personal growth is seen in their lives. The battle of good and evil is seen in the lives of Reverend Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Evil needs good in order to survive. Soon after Dimmesdale’s death, Chillingworth died as well.

An Interview with a homeless

After watching the film, â€Å"The Pursuit of Happyness† which starred Will Smith, one of the salient scenes that the researcher personally find strikingly disheartening is the part when Will Smith and his son struggled to joined a queue of destitute for an overnight stay on a welfare home.The number of homeless is too many for the welfare shelters to accommodate.   In the homeless population data from AHAR in 2008, 41% of white Americans, 12.3% of African Americans and 12.5% of Hispanic Americans respectively are homeless, which only proves how rampant homelessness in our nation.(US Human Rights Network Housing Caucus, 2008) It is quite ironic that homelessness is one of the pressing problems that the US faces despite being the most dominant country politically and economically in the world.While the film directly attributed homelessness to poverty i.e. Smith’s inadequate earnings, this stark reality is just a tip of the iceberg considering the vast economic opportun ities that the US provides precisely why it was dubbed the land of milk and honey.To learn more about the causes of homelessness, the researcher conducted an informal interview with a homeless woman who was randomly selected in a welfare shelter. This led to one’s discovery that homeless is not simply a result of poverty, but consequence of some socio psychological imbalances and problems that emanate from one’s family.Interview Results and AnalysisThe interviewee was an African American with two children.   She has no idea where his eldest son is at the moment.   She was not able to finish secondary school because she got pregnant early.   Her father was a drunkard who always beats them up at home.   Her mother left them for another man.She decided to leave their home by getting pregnant. Unfortunately, she also met the wrong man who only perpetuated her agony in life.   He was an ex convict who find it hard to get a real job.She stayed with her live in part ner for a year but decided to leave again as he started to get back to his monkey business.   She left her son. After seven years, she got pregnant again but has no idea who the father was because she worked as a hooker.Her 9 year old daughter stays in a foster home.   She said that there were moments in her life when she had nervous breakdowns and at one point even tried to commit suicide.   The interview was long and very emotional.   In a nutshell, the homeless woman lived a difficult and miserable life.Following a Symbolic Inter-actionist Perspective, homelessness is a symptom of a deeper problem that roots from the most basic social institution, the family.   In this short interview with a homeless woman, it must be noted that she didn’t come from a homeless family.It was homeless in the sense that it lacked the love and care needed to properly shape and guide children towards a pleasant outlook in life.   Poverty also played a critical factor in the intervie wee’s circumstances because poverty is more inclined to difficulties in relationships and family violence because it shapes circumstances that lead to the same such as lack of education and depression.ConclusionHomelessness is more than just a consequence of poverty or one’s inability to purchase a home.   It is rooted from some psychological disturbance brought about by a history of significant emotional difficulties, difficulties in relationships, and family violence, etc.This in turn inculcates the attitudes and psychological predilection to stay poor and homeless including a sense of helplessness to change one’s economic condition, psychological stability and homelessness.ReferenceUS Human Rights Network Housing Caucus (2008). Homelessness and Affordable Housing.   Response to the Periodic Report of the United States to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Retrieved from:http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/ ngos/usa/USHRN28.doc

Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty-Eight

â€Å"Oh,† I said lamely, stepping aside so that he could enter. â€Å"I thought you were someone else.† â€Å"Someone in a velvet dress shrieking at the top of her lungs?† he asked. He moved past me in that graceful way of his, and I noticed he was careful to keep a healthy distance between us without being asked, as though he suspected my aversion to touch. â€Å"Something like that.† I shut the door. He shrugged and immediately found the room's wine. â€Å"She won't bother you anymore,† he said, pouring a cup. â€Å"I'm sending her away.† â€Å"Yeah, she told me. You know, I feel kind of bad for her.† â€Å"Stop,† he ordered. â€Å"She's none of your concern. She should have had no expectations about her relationship with me.† â€Å"Yeah, well, she kind of did.† â€Å"Again, one angry person is none of your concern-not with everything else going on.† I grimaced. â€Å"I suppose not, though it sure seems like a lot of people are angry at me-oh. God. I nearly forgot. Do you have Volusian?† Dorian was setting his sword and cloak down. He didn't look happy at the reference. â€Å"Yes†¦I enslaved him to me.† â€Å"Can I†¦can I have him back?† He eyed me. â€Å"Are you sure that's what you want? It'd be better if we banished him together.† I hesitated, recalling Volusian's hands on my throat and knowing what would happen if I ever lost control again. I wouldn't, though. I would stay strong, and I needed him for what was to come. â€Å"Yes,† I said firmly. â€Å"I want him back.† Dorian shrugged. â€Å"Then I'll summon him later. Let's not ruin the moment just yet. He's quite depressing, you know.† Dorian strolled toward the window and bent over, picking up the dress I'd dropped. â€Å"This is lovely.† â€Å"I was going to put it on, but†¦but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I swallowed and nodded toward the window. â€Å"There's a, um, army out there.† He neatly laid the dress on the chair and glanced out the window. â€Å"Yes. Yes, there is. Yours and mine. Well, part of them.† â€Å"I can't believe this happened.† â€Å"Hiding from them won't make them go away.† â€Å"I kind of hoped it would.† He said nothing but gave me an expectant look. Something about it drew me out, and steeling myself up, I approached the window again, staring out at the wide, sandy stretch in the back of the castle. There were so many more than I'd expected-and this was only allegedly a portion of the soldiers that would be fighting Katrice. My small army in their mismatched attire stood in formation on one side. Dorian's â€Å"reserves† stood beside them, much more sharply dressed in deep green shirts under their leather armor and golden oak emblems. So many†¦and again, still not the whole force. More of his soldiers would join up, and then my numbers would grow when the call went out throughout the land when I went to Highmore-if I went there. â€Å"All of this,† I murmured, â€Å"all of this because of a chain of decisions. Me refusing Leith, him kidnapping me, you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I couldn't finish the words, but Dorian and I both knew what I'd been about to say. â€Å"Do you regret it?† he asked. â€Å"What I did?† He sounded as cool and confident as ever, but I could have sworn there was a tiny note of fear in his voice-fear that he'd done something I hadn't wanted. Kiyo's words about how I would regret all this came back to me, and I kept wondering if it was really worth it, all these men and women who might die†¦for what? For my honor? My revenge? I could still respond to Katrice's message, tell her I'd marry her nephew and make peace†¦. A knot formed in my stomach, and I knew that wasn't an option. I could never be with anyone in that family, not without thinking of Leith, of his hands and his body. I could never let her or anyone else think I or my people could be pushed around. After all, Leith hadn't just taken advantage of me. Those girls had suffered too. I was the protector of my people. I was the Thorn Queen and the Thorn Land both. An image of Dorian running his sword through Leith returned to my mind. Probably I should have found it gruesome. Instead, it brought me†¦peace. â€Å"No.† I turned and looked straight into Dorian's eyes. â€Å"I don't regret it. I†¦I'm glad you did it.† My voice wavered a little. â€Å"I'm so glad you did it.† His face transformed somewhat, filled with a type of wonder. I think he'd grown so accustomed to my usual style, my human way of being rational and merciful†¦Well, I think he'd been long bracing himself for my wrath. My earlier suspicion about the worry in his voice had been correct. He'd probably expected a reaction similar to when he'd given me the Thorn Land. The look on his face made me flustered and confused. I turned back to the window and admitted, â€Å"But I†¦I'm scared. I don't want to wage a war. I certainly don't know how to.† Dorian came to stand beside me, still careful to maintain a buffer between us. â€Å"It's in your blood,† he said. â€Å"Storm King was the greatest tactician in centuries.† â€Å"I'm not him. I don't want to be like him.† A nasty voice spoke in my head: But you called yourself Storm Queen, according to Kiyo. â€Å"You can inherit his genius without his cruelty,† said Dorian. â€Å"I suppose, but still†¦I still don't know what to do. Will you help me?† We turned to look at each other, and again, his face seemed to be lit from within. â€Å"Of course. You're not the only one Katrice is after. I'm the one who killed the poor bastard, remember?† The light faded from his face a bit at the reference to Leith. He leaned toward me, eyes intense. â€Å"I'd do it a thousand times over, if I could. War or not.† That earnestness in voice, that fierceness-it sent a shiver down my spine. â€Å"You only say that because we haven't gone to war yet. You don't know what's going to happen.† â€Å"Ah, Eugenie. I know. We will be victorious, you and me. We're the strongest monarchs in this world. Katrice knows this but is blinded by her grief and rage. You and I will lead this army, and we will conquer the Rowan Land. We'll split it between us, adding on to our own kingdoms†¦and from there, we can go anywhere. We could rule half this world together-all of this world-you and me. Kingdom after kingdom would fall to us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stared him, almost caught up in his vision. The apprehension I'd been holding began to lift as I imagined us destroying her forces and me summoning up storms that made the world tremble. I laughed uneasily, alarmed at the way my thoughts had gone. â€Å"One kingdom's enough,† I said, the human part of me bringing me back to earth. â€Å"You say that now, but I tell you, it's in your blood.† He looked down at me intently, and those rapture-filled eyes seemed to be every shade of green and gold in the world. I fell into them. I felt beautiful in them. Like a goddess. â€Å"Eugenie, you're going to be a warrior queen the likes of which no one has ever seen. Your name will live on when Storm King's has faded to dust. You will lead your armies on-powerful, fearless, and beautiful. Katrice's ‘war' is but a skirmish you'll stamp out underneath your boot.† I had a disorienting moment then, recalling a vision I'd had in the Underworld. My soul had been seeking Kiyo's, but it was Dorian I'd seen in a dream-like state, with the two of us standing on a cliff before armies, both of us radiant and majestic. There'd been a baby in my arms and a crown on my head. I'd never told anyone about that. It had been a test, not a vision of the future. Trying to keep things light with Dorian, I asked, â€Å"And where will you be in all of this? Somehow I don't think you'll be lurking in the shadows.† â€Å"My sweet Eugenie,† he said, back to his flippant, gallant self, â€Å"there you go, always suspecting ulterior motives.† He straightened up, affecting a dignified air. â€Å"I, of course, shall be by your side.† I laughed. Dorian would always be Dorian. â€Å"Sharing in that glory and power, no doubt.† â€Å"A little, certainly.† His mirth vanished, and he grew serious once more. â€Å"But also there to keep you safe. Whatever battles you engage in, whether you choose to conquer this world or simply go back to exorcising ghosts†¦what happened with Leith will never, never happen again. Not while I live. I swear it. I will always keep you safe.† He moved forward but was still careful not to touch me. The vehemence in his voice was so strong, however, that it was practically tangible. â€Å"Always.† My smile was gone. I studied him for a long time and realized I believed him. Kiyo had failed me. Dorian would not. And I realized then that I'd been an idiot to keep trying to push Dorian away. Did I entirely trust his motives? No. I did trust him to protect me, though. I'd realized just before my capture that I loved both him and Kiyo, loved them just as my blood and soul were also split in two. The two halves of my nature would always war with each other. And right now, I didn't need the cautious human half that would rationally seek peace. I needed the part of me that wasn't afraid to unleash all the power I had, to charge forward with no restraints. I needed Dorian right now. It was his love that was going to allow me to be strong and unafraid of what was to come. Slowly, hesitantly, I reached out and caught hold of his hand. It was monumental. I think he knew it was, too. I hadn't been able to stand anyone except my mother touching me these last couple of weeks. I certainly hadn't been able to handle any man doing it. His eyes widened slightly at my contact, and I realized he was holding his breath, afraid for me. I held his hand, feeling its warmth and the long, smooth fingers. There was so much power in connecting with another person, in having physical closeness. With just as much care as I'd used to touch it, I moved his hand to rest on my hip and stepped forward. Dorian swallowed, and for the first time since I'd known him, he looked timid. â€Å"Eugenie-â€Å" I pressed a finger to his lips and then stood on tiptoe to kiss him. His mouth opened instantly to mine, warm and eager. I pushed myself closer to him, but when I put his other arm around me, he pulled back slightly. I could feel and see the desire all over him, but he shook his head. â€Å"No, no†¦it's too soon†¦.† â€Å"I'm the one who says when it's too soon.† I kissed him again, harder, and was surprised at how quickly the lust burned through my body. Despite what I'd just said, I had believed until this moment that I would never want another man. But being near Dorian, feeling that electricity and power crackle between us†¦it brought forth all the old desire I'd been fighting recently, the desire that had nearly made me give in to him in that little village, back when I'd still been committed to Kiyo†¦ But I had no such commitments now. He returned my kiss with equal intensity, his hands running along my hips. The passion was seizing him, he was starting to lose himself in it. Then, like before, some reasonable part of him slapped him to attention one more time. I think the world would have been shocked to know the Oak King had such a conscience. He broke away again, but this time, I didn't let him speak. â€Å"Do you want my most recent time to be with him?† I demanded. â€Å"Do you want Leith to be the memory I carry with me of the last time I had sex?† My fingers moved to the buttons of my short-sleeved cotton shirt and unfastened them all. Catching hold of his hands, I brought them toward my chest, spreading the shirt apart and making him touch my breasts. I'd gone braless today, and his hands felt warm where they stroked my bare skin. â€Å"Make this my memory,† I said huskily, with a bit more command in my voice than I'd intended. â€Å"Make it good. Make this be what I think of when I think of sex. Finish what you started that day†¦.† His hands no longer needed my urging. He cupped my breasts, fingers dancing around my nipples. At the same time, he pushed me toward the bed, laying me out on my back. His mouth crushed me with its kiss, and then his lips moved down my neck and to my breasts, taking one of my nipples in his mouth. He sucked gently at first, tongue darting back and forth, but then his lips grew more urgent. His teeth nipped at me while his hands deftly slid my jeans off. After they were on the floor, he sat up a moment, surveying me and all the bare skin before him. Not having him touch me was agony, and I reached up, unfastening the bejeweled belt and his pants. He backed off the bed, standing up so that he could push his pants down the rest of the way. His shirt came off next, and then he stood there naked before me for my inspection, the perfect, marble god he'd been once before. Looking over the leanness of his muscles, how strong and hard he was, I felt my own body respond urgently. I'd complained to Kiyo before about foreplay, but right now, I wanted none with Dorian-though I had no doubt he would have given me hours of it, armies be damned. â€Å"Don't wait,† I begged him as I pushed my panties down over my hips. â€Å"Don't wait.† He caught hold of the panties and pulled them the rest of the way. I thought he'd join me on the bed, but instead he remained standing. He caught hold of my ankles and pulled me toward him until my ass just rested on the bed's edge. Still holding my ankles, he brought my legs up so they were nearly straight in the air, almost leaning on his shoulders. Then he leaned forward and pushed into me, moaning at the warmth and wetness he found there. I threw my hands over my head, arching my body up and watching as he thrust back and forth. His eyes were on me too, taking in every part of me. There was something special about sex in the daylight, particularly with him standing over me like that so we could both fully see each other. There was no hiding. Everything was exposed. Vulnerable. It's easy to feel insecure in such moments, but I didn't, not with the way he looked at me, not with just lust-but with awe and adoration too. He buried himself in me over and over, hard and forceful without being painful. It was such a lifetime away from what had taken place at Art's house that I realized nothing there could even be considered sex. Having Dorian in me felt good and right. My body was brimming with need, and he felt like fire where he moved between my thighs. That heat intensified within me, and I felt a spark of aching pleasure grow stronger and stronger, fueled with each thrust. I cried out, feeling my body on the verge of orgasm, and when it came, it was like an explosion of me, of the world†¦pure ecstasy and elation bursting from between my thighs to the tips of my fingers and toes. He set my legs back flat on the bed and then lay on top of me, never breaking stride. If anything, he pumped more forcefully, nearing his own climax. That glorious hair rained down on my face, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, tangling my fingers in the silken strands. His own arms wrapped around my body, encircling me like a cocoon as his hips moved harder and harder. Then, he exclaimed loudly, words that had no real form, and pressed his face against my neck as he came, his body spilling into mine. I held him close as he breathed heavily against my neck, his heart racing. Minutes passed, and his body finally calmed, though I continued to hold him. Finally, without breaking from my embrace, he lifted his head and brushed the hair from my face. â€Å"I told you, Eugenie. I told you the world would be reborn when we were together. It will be reborn, and we will conquer it all†¦.† I brushed his lips with my fingers. â€Å"Don't get carried away. We're just settling a grudge here.† The look in his eyes told me he believed a lot more would come of that, but he wisely said nothing. Rolling over, he settled beside me on the covers, and we both lay there, our fingers interlaced. â€Å"I suppose,† I said at last, â€Å"I should go talk to all those people out there, seeing as they're going to risk their lives for my honor.† â€Å"It's more than just your honor,† he said. â€Å"It's the land's too. You are the land, and when they see you, they will gladly fight for you.† I sat up, my eyes falling on the silk dress. â€Å"I guess I've got to play the part. Too bad there's no crown.† Dorian sat up as well. â€Å"Isn't there?† He walked over to the table he'd set his sword and cloak upon when entering. I'd been too distraught to notice at the time, but there was a small cloth-wrapped bundle there too. He brought it over to me, and I found myself holding my breath. I suddenly knew what it was, and I was afraid. â€Å"What's wrong?† he asked when he held it out to me and I didn't take it. â€Å"I†¦I had a dream†¦.† I couldn't explain that vision from the Underworld to him, that one where we'd stood on the hill together. When we had, I'd accepted Storm King's crown-or, well, a feminine version of it-and that's when I'd found myself looking down upon all those soldiers waiting to fight for me. â€Å"What kind of dream?† â€Å"It's hard to explain.† Not waiting for me, Dorian unwrapped the bundle himself. My heart lurched as I braced myself to see it again, an elaborate work of platinum, laden with diamonds and amethysts†¦ But it wasn't. The crown he held was gold and very, very delicate. I hesitantly took it and studied the fine details of it. There were little roses etched into it-roses with lots of thorns. Tiny emeralds-nothing too overwhelming-were scattered amongst the golden leaves. It didn't resemble Storm King's crown at all. â€Å"This is Girard's work,† I said with certainty. â€Å"It is,† Dorian agreed, running a finger down my bare arm. He seemed relieved that I had taken the crown. â€Å"You aren't the only one who can commission projects.† â€Å"But he works for Katrice.† â€Å"Not anymore. Remember that day you met him? I told you then he was an opportunist. He's rolled the dice and decided we're the side to align with-which, of course, we are. He'll come in very handy for weapons, I think.† My eyes were still on the crown and its beauty. I couldn't explain how relieved I was that it was nothing like the crown from the vision. Hesitantly, I lifted it and rested it on top of my head. I looked to Dorian for confirmation. â€Å"What do you think?† He smiled, reaching out to straighten it and arrange my hair slightly. â€Å"Go see for yourself.† Climbing out of bed, I walked over to the full-length mirror and surveyed myself. I was still naked, all that pale skin contrasting with the red of my hair and the glitter of the crown. My hair didn't have the blond that Jasmine's did, but it had the occasional gold highlight, and the crown made those locks gleam as they rested just past my shoulders. The emeralds were subtle, not gaudy, but vivid enough to further set off my hair and eyes. â€Å"So what do you think?† Dorian asked. I glanced over at him, still sprawled on the bed and watching me with amusement. I turned back to the mirror, studying my naked, crowned self. I smiled. â€Å"I think it looks good on me.†

BMW showroom Essays

BMW showroom Essays BMW showroom Essay BMW showroom Essay As Co-op sells many different products from groceries to toiletries it could be a reason to why they are a co-operative company. As Co-op main objective is to help communities from selling products at relatively low price compared to other retail outlets in other nearby areas like the city-centre. Marketing strategy mainly done through feedback from customers on many different questions. It may be how well their shop is set out, product prices, customer services and also any ides for future developments. They may also gain feedback from their own staff to see if the managers have any good ideas or if they have any complaints on the way the shop is run. Again this is a key activity, as even any business would rely on sales and good marketing strategy to raise profits. This is a very important and key element for business success and to escape bankruptcy. CUSTOMER SERVICES The activities of the co-operative group range from food to finance and provide buying, marketing, distribution and services to other co-operative societies. At all Co-op stores they have a section for customer service point to help prevent angry customers or return any UN-wanted goods. They also have other ways to increase their revenue by offering home insurance, guarantee on much merchandise and the Internet banking system. FINANCE This may include wages of employees, waste, profit and even loses. It is very important for a business to regularly check all their financial information to see how well they are performing and to see if they financially stable. The Co-op waste will be controlled to how, much they lose in the business. The profit and loss is looked at on a daily basis outlook-involving supervisor to see how well the department is doing and to think of new ideas to increase profits. There could be an incident which a wine department is not to subsidised productivity levels because of too much staff so the supervisor would look into that try sort out the problem even if it means to make workers redundant. TRANSPORT Distribution and home delivery are too of the most common activities involved with Co-op. The distribution of the big articulate lorries that have the big Co-op log, home delivery that supermarkets have all become involved in and personal banking. These activities will help bring more customers to the shop on a weekly basis as they offer more than the usual service. So the customers might now decide to come more frequently because they may be involved in personal banking. So variety of services offered will yet again optimise profits. AGRICULTURE This is very important activity for the Co-operative because activities for any supermarket include selling products such as fruit and vegetables. So Co-op relies on their members that are the farmers. As shops try to offer more variety to customers it would not be a good image if the shop had limited types of vegetables. There many different laws and acts that play a part in business activity as consumer protection has great powers over traders. FISHING- there involvement here will be because it relies on other sources for fresh fish.  FORESTRY- they may rely on farmers to give them plants and flowers  MINING COAL- this may be coal that is sold in supermarkets. This type of activity is indirectly involved with Co-op, as their activity is to sell products and services. But the products they sell do come from such agriculture firms so its important and the Co-op would rely on the business to bring certain needed products. So all three of these play a part in the Co-op activity. As the Co-op is quite small and if customers visit the store and see half the shelves empty it wont help customers from shopping there again. As variety would give the buyer more choice it would be important activity to include agricultur. MANUFACTURING This includes the equipment they use for products in store. As they will need shelf stack material, cleaning equipment. As the store is not very big it usually has everything delivered to store. So much manufacturing will take place out of the store. EMPLOYMENT STAFF MEETINGS As in any retail business its important to have human resources in this day and age. As running a business of this scale and ownership it would be easier to employ workers. Employment inside the shop will be tackled by a personnel manager and take care of this activity. Terms and conditions by law state workers must be trained so it would be the managers job to look into this and give if needed training. This may also be the rights of the employee including your holiday dates, sick pay, over-time. This as any other type of agreement needs to be signed by the employee and even the employer. This agreement has to be signed as contract for ale it would be working pretences. A regular activity for different managers, individuals giving and gaining feed back. In a meeting they would discuss mission statement for each sector and also talk about new and up rising development. It would be the managers job to structure and carry out meetings for each department, managers and employees. COMMUNITY EVENTS CHARITY SPONSORSHIP Participating in this activity would give the company a good name around the area they are in if they sponsor or have raised money for local charities. One of the most common fundraisers taken part annually by the Evington road shop is Children In Need. As they raised much money for the good cause. Participation in activities would unable a monopoly for the company as people would recognise the good deeds the Co-op has done and there is a good chance of the public visiting there stores. So these activities would be common but it wouldnt be tackled on a daily or weekly basis but would be done depending on what cause it is for. ENVIROMENTAL MANAGEMENT As charities and fundraisers are a good way to boost company figures and name environmental issues have the same effects if tackled right. But this is not necessarily true as it may enhance image in short term but it may also increase profits long term so its important to be involved in this as it would have short and long term affects.  In this section I will analyse the key factors to why location managers choose to locate their business in a particular area. I have broken the location facts into different sub-headings, as this would give a better insight to why location is chosen. BMW For BMW Ive chosen to look at a Leicester showroom, as it would help demonstrate and assess the reasons why BMW have situated them in that area.  INFRASTRUCTURE  As from observing the map it shows the showroom is located near busy motorway links reaching from Nottingham to south London. The area situated has much car drivers who will be consistently driving up and down the motorway and may spot the showroom. So the situated area is directly to the customers that it is trying to attract and by visiting the located area personally it is evident that the showroom is very big and can be seen for quite some distance. The location is easy accessible for customers who may want to visit the showroom and also being near the city centre it would not be very hard to find. It also allocated on the main road so passers-by would be able to see the showroom and cars on display. As its the only BMW showroom in Leicester it would not be very hard to find as not only being very big, or near major motorway links it is located near the city centre so there would be easy to find the showroom location. So the infrastructure around the location has played a part on deciding whereabouts would be good to locate the showroom and has tackled many of the major difficulties on easy accessibility and customer range. GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS As the location is near the city centre it would not be far reach from most communities who may live near the city centre district. It would be in reach of city centre so people may decide to go have a look at the showroom before they head home. The area around the showroom has mostly retail parks attracting more customers into that area. This would also give monopoly to BMW, as other showrooms are not situated near that particular area. So this would not bring much rivalry for BMW minimising cost for frequent advertising and anything else that would help them keep above rivals in that located area. This would keep costs at a minimal because the less need frequent advertising and cut prices to keep above rivals so financially it would help keep the capital high. COST OF SITE The cost of the site would be fairly high as the location is near city centre but would not be as high. This location here is more well suited to attract customers, easy accessible for all customers as this is the only BMW showroom in Leicester. So this may have been a factor of placing the showroom in this area. The actual running cost of the showroom including gas, water electricity will be less expensive than plotting the showroom in the city centre. That would help keep running cost low and help spend money in other areas like refurbishment. If BMW ever decide to extend the showroom the price would differ than in the city centre. LABOUR This would not be a very important factor, as not many people need to be employed so this would not play an important factor for location. But the few workers who may need to come to work would not find it to hard as the area is accessible by frequent buses who run by that route to city centre. So there many means of transport that passes and comes by the location. PREMISIS Planning permission would not be a problem for the BMW showroom as the location is away from big public societies and housing but more importantly from city centre. The location advisor may of thought of the location to their advantage as they would not have much problems to extend in the near future if needed. That is another reason to why businesses always think of the future as well as the present as this would help the companys success rate.

Compare and contrast two articles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Compare and contrast two articles - Essay Example In comparison, Max’s Understanding Comparison in Criminal Justice Research: An Interpretive Perspective journal explores the implications on interpretive philosophies. It investigates the values and beliefs in the context of social sciences developed by intellectuals such as Peter Winch and Max Weber. The objectives of these works are comparative research in criminal justice. It addresses the definitive meaning personality of human activities. However, unlike postmodernism and constructivism this theory pays attribute to the disposition and goals of institutional realities. Therefore, the principle of this assignment is to compare and contrast the presentations of the two authors with close reference to methods and findings applied in each of the documents. It is easy for the reader to notice these scholarly pieces are similar in not one but many ways. Michelle Newton goes on to articulate her profound knowledge in giving simplified evidences that gives the booklover an excell ent resource that aids in accounting for the promises of degrees in sociology. She also exposes students to career paths that they did not previously take into deep appreciation and may not have known the existence of these opportunities. This serves as the basis for incorporating new perspectives of populations marginalized or in other words the voices from the field. As an accumulation of the connection, Max Travers’ draws heavily on American empirical and experimental lessons that make use of qualitative techniques to give reason to statistical variation. They are similar in that they both reveal and display interpretive traditions and often find it complex to free them from activists assumptions. They fail to conduct investigations about how social players engage and understand in comparison to each and every day lifestyle. In conclusion, they also present a discussion of the data gathered, processed, analyzed and documented without the exclusion of the procedures brought into play in ethnographic studies of children's courts in Australia. This is a demonstration of how consistent and thorough come within reach of the interpretive structure (Michelle, 2009). The main difference is the fact that Mitchell and Max submit applications that does not utilize parallel modus operandi of gathering and processing data. The ways to inquire for information of Max’s work involves the journeying of unconventional agendas and mechanical approaches that are very significant in knowing criminal justice. It is imperative to consider that these systems should take account of marginalized voices for the enhancement of the richness of our apprehension of justice and crime. Max introduces his ideas through citing other affiliated authors such as Hillary Potter and Joanne Belknap confronting students to seriously consider how their identities, beliefs, and life experiences help them in selecting the profession. This serves the purpose of guiding the impacts the cri minal justice work and linked views. Max gathers a lot of information from already published academic journals in the draft of his final copies. This assures that the execution of the secondary information offers credible correlation to the main points that he wishes to make known to the audience and reader. In comparison, Michelle believes that in social sciences many acknowledge the fact that philosophical postulations underpin dissimilar programs of pragmatic

Field Site Task Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Field Site Task - Assignment Example How these values are interpreted into communal action in adding requirements to be measured. My first job as an ethnographer is to create a personal choice about my ethnography, whose preliminary point is anywhere I will carry it out. I create off this task clueless as to what meadow I will decide and set off to Dublin as it has the uppermost attentiveness of likely alternatives. However following a few uneventful hours on foot around a number of of Dublin's public organizations my notebook leftovers unfurnished by comments of some class. The gear of the trade; populace are all over the place but I find it hard to explanation for their disorder. Finally besieged by the sheer abundance of idiosyncrasies I have by now spectator I go to the library to charge the few notes I contain collected thus distant. Once in the records I realized that this is what I contain been absent out on so distant. For my primary time in the field I obtain the idea that I will be clever to do this, which I contain something I can employment with. Initially the library is a communal and educational organization. all over the place communal and cultural organizations bind populace into livelihood societies. Even in technically higher countries such as Ireland populace are motionless associate of comparatively small group of peoples such as the records as well as organism concerned in the vast communal and cultural setting of the modern globe and it is this potential correlation flanked by the Irish "group of people" and the library group of people which I will try to sketch out in the concluding discursive division of this dissertation. "Good understandings" according to Agar "take us into the spirit of that of which it is the understanding". As such let me primary describe my location before scrutinize it. The subsequent are my comments collate and shortened from four appointments. According to the expert analysis the aptly named Middle Library is Dublin's most middle library. It is situated in the Ileac shopping centre on Henry Street in Dublin1, an "reasonably priced" fraction of municipality situated immediately off the Liffey. Since of its centrality it is only a action saunter from all buses intended for the metropolis centre and together Tara avenue and Connolly teach stations. It can be admissions from an assortment of routes, from the docksides, from Moore Street but to person's name two. I move toward it from the docksides, toward the inside the shopping centre through its front entrance. Knowing that the library is within the complex's area but not knowing where exactly, I go about locating it. It is a busy day bristling with heat and security is on high attentive especially in the clothing provisions. I find it hard to consider that a record would be situated in such a noisome put and walk approximately what I consideration to be pointlessly. However further than the clothes stores by earnings of their nipple adorned mannequins and approved all the lampshade haircuts and adidas tracksuits I create out a stairway, at the top of which I decipher the