Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Environmental Analysis of the Eden Project Assignment
Environmental Analysis of the Eden Project - Assignment Example Opened to the public in 2001, the project took approximately 30 months to construct and now provides an interesting experience to visitors both domestic and foreign. The Eden Project, based on research findings, is a benchmark by which other organisations can replicate their operational models for the companyââ¬â¢s consistent focus on providing relevant services and activities related to their mission and vision goals. PESTEL analysis of Eden Project The Eden Project operates in a stable political environment in which there is ample state-level and local-level support for business development. The Eden Project is even supported by an EU organisation, The European Social Fund Convergence Investment, that has partnered with the local Learning Partnership for Cornwall to deliver sustainable operations and promote training of local workforce members to support the project (Green Foundation 2013; Major 2010). Through government support both domestic and foreign, the Eden Project is abl e to sustain its operational model and achieve a variety of grants that provide adequate funding that assists in procurement, operational strategy development and even the marketing and promotional functions that give the organisation more public visibility and brand recognition. The Eden Project has also been supported by notable political figures ranging from the Queen to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an effort to promote sustainability and eco-tourism in the country (Eden Project 2008). Political actors with considerable influence in promoting the organisation and also ensuring government funding provide the Eden Project with the marketing benefits and political networking benefits required to ensure long-run operations and sustainability of the company model. Celebrity endorsers often have a positive impact on consumer attitudes and behaviours and utilising the Queenââ¬â¢s endorsements is only one element of how the organisation achieves brand visibility. The economic enviro nment is also quite favourable for continued operations at the Eden Project. Admission prices for adults at the attraction range between ?19.50 and ?23.50, whilst children can enter the attraction for between ?6.50 and ?10.50 (Eden Project 2013). These are rather high prices comparatively to other local attractions, however it guarantees a higher revenue stream for the organisation. The UK is currently experiencing a recovery from the 2008-2010 recession, which is giving consumers higher disposable incomes today (Forex 2012; Reuters 2011). Concurrently, the UK Consumer Price Index has been stable since October of 2013 which represents that inflation is stabilising and currently household consumer income enhancements are rising in a faster proportion to inflation (ONS 2013). This provides an economic environment in which the Eden Project can sustain more consumer interest in disparate market segments without concern about substantial admission price discounting. The ability of consum ers to pay the higher-than-average admission costs to experience a unique attraction provides a stable and positive economic environment for the organisation. The social environment is also favourable for continued consumer interest in the attraction. There is a growing ethical awareness in many consumer groups about the importance of ecology and environmental sustainability that impacts their consumption behaviours.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Joe Salatino, President of Great Northern American Case Study Essay Example for Free
Joe Salatino, President of Great Northern American Case Study Essay Joeââ¬â¢s employees need to understand how people form perceptions and make attributions for several reasons. As they are in a selling business, employees need to know how they can best be perceived as to earn the trust of their customers. It is important to know how to be ethical in selling as well as trustworthy so that customers feel confident in choosing their services time and again. Aside from how their customers may perceive them, they must also be aware of how their employer sees them. It is important to employers to find capable, confident and hardworking potential employees. In 2011 CBS news did a story on how others see us and how we see ourselves. This report asserts that it is more important to know how others see us as it is by their reactions to who we perceive them to think we are that our own actions come from. They give a couple of examples right off about how a first date can leave you feeling defeated or conversely very confident. Just because you walk away feeling one way or another is not necessarily an indicator of how the date actually went or what the other party thought of you. Another example is given in that it not necessarily important for a companyââ¬â¢s top executives to have a positive opinion of their product or service, it is more important that the consumer have an idea of their offering that generates more and more business. This usually comes from a positive perception of what they have to offer. These principals easily align with the idea that it is important in general to do what you can to have others form a positive impression of you. So, what makes a good first impression? Forbes magazine proposes theses 5 traits. First, ââ¬Å"set an intention. â⬠This means to visualize what you want out of whatever you are undertaking. For example, if it is a job interview, see yourself in the position with the traits you deem necessary for success at that position. You will be much more likely to pull off an air of those attributes if you have first taken the time to role play in your mind a successful turnaround of the event. Second, ââ¬Å"think about your ornaments. â⬠In other words, pay attention to the details of your outward appearance. For men this may mean choosing the right watch to portray the success they see themselves having, for women it may mean jewelry or makeup that puts them in that same space. For both genders hair, shoes, and clothing are important factors in building the perception you are seeking. For instance, someone who is running for congress would want to choose more conservative and sophisticated looking ââ¬Å"ornamentsâ⬠whereas someone seeking a job with Vogue magazine may want to dress very current and ââ¬Å"edgyâ⬠for their interview to show they are relevant for the position they seek. We can easily apply this to Joes employees as they will want to know what type of companies they anticipate receiving business from. If they know that they are dealing with a very ââ¬Å"traditionalâ⬠client they may want to dress for success that day by choosing clothing that portrays a traditional and trustworthy image. Conversely, if they are meeting with a client who takes big risks and hopes for their partners in business to as well, they may want to choose a look that portrays confidence and a spunky, no holds barred attitude. At Verizon Wireless we have a very relaxed work culture that more often than not is fun and youthful. However, when interviewing for a new position within the company it is no different than most traditional settings. Candidates seem to do better when they are dressed professionally and are well polished overall. Going back to the Forbes article, the third tip is to ââ¬Å"be conscious of your body language. â⬠Pay particular attention to your posture, handshake, eye contact and what you are doing with your hands. A confident person is not going to be slumped over, slouching and have their arms crossed. A confident person is going to sit or stand up straight, give their attention to the person with whom they are seeking attention by offering polite eye contact and also by using their hands to emphasize they are open to the others input. Fourth on the list of must doââ¬â¢s for a good impression is ââ¬Å"avoid bad days. â⬠Often in the business world networking is a key part of building strong business relationships. Forbes suggests that if you are having a terrible day at work then it is likely you are not going to be up for dealing with people. Your courtesy and smile are going to appear in genuine if you are not really in the mood to be there and people will pick up on that. If you can skip that mixer you had planned to attend go for it. If not, do something that will lighten your mood and hopefully get your head in a more light-hearted place. Lastly, ââ¬Å"be interested and interesting. â⬠Who wants to spend their time on the dud of the group? Be interested in those you are serving. No one wants to only hear about you, and no one wants to feel like you certainly have more important things to be doing than helping them. Learning Theory Joe has several theories of learning to choose from in how he prefers to teach his employees. The two main theories in discussion today are Social and Operant learning theory. For general understanding letââ¬â¢s look further into the specifics of each. Mosbyââ¬â¢s medical dictionary defines Operant conditioning as ââ¬Å"a form of learning used in behavior therapy in which the person undergoing therapy is rewarded for the correct response and punished for the incorrect response. â⬠(2009) In other words, a leader demonstrates desired behaviors and rewards others when the same behaviors are demonstrated. Second is Social theory. Mosbyââ¬â¢s states, ââ¬Å"A concept that the impulse to behave aggressively is subject to the influence of learning, socialization, and experience. Social learning theorists believe aggression is learned under voluntary control, by observation of aggressive behavior in others, and by direct experience. â⬠(2009) In short, people will not engage in reproduction of a behavior without motivation. The best way for Joe to motivate and empower his employees in this situation is with Operant conditioning. This affords Joe the chance not only to demonstrate the correct behavior he desires, but also gives him a platform to modify negative traits as well. Joe is looking for people to showcase his business and put forth the same united front of loyalty and customer respect that he has put in place at Great Northern American. Improving Employee Performance Operant conditioning is best in the work environment as it gives a more level playing field for all to succeed. Some people are born naturally more talented than others, but this does not in any way make them less important in the workforce. Some people may never be number 1 overall in a company (and some donââ¬â¢t desire to be as it requires a lot of commitment) but that does not mean that they are incapable of modeling successful behaviors and attaining top notch ratings. Operant behavior allows for these individuals to succeed where as Social learning theory only really rewards one person overall rather than celebrating the victories along the way for each individual. I personally find it more rewarding to have encouragement along the way. Too often Iââ¬â¢ve come in second place and have nothing to show for all my hard work. When this happens Iââ¬â¢ve had nothing in the way of reward though I put in significant amounts of work in hopes that I could be the best. Verizon Wireless rewards us along the way and I have certainly been motivated to do better and try harder because of that. I appreciate that Operant conditioning is consistent throughout the entire work year whereas Social learning builds up to one pinnacle moment. Verizon sets attainable yet challenging goals for each individual and once you have met or exceeded those goals, you are pushed to reach for the next rung of the ladder (I. . going from Representative to Sr. Representative) and with that next step you are rewarded with a pay increase and more opportunities for further career development within the company that will help you in future upward mobility opportunities. Likewise, if you are not meeting the minimum expectation you will not be afforded the opportunity to move into the next level of your position, and you may possibly be put on a ââ¬Å"corrective action plan. â⬠Joe could apply this in practical ways as Verizon does with rewards and consequences along the way of career progression. Value of Self Efficacy Joe can best use his evaluation of potential employeesââ¬â¢ self-esteem to hire the best by taking stock in his own first impression of a potential employee. He will have a gut instinct reaction to this first impression and he should feel confident in the portrayal each candidate puts forth. Verizon does a good job of asking employees how they would like to be ââ¬Å"coached. â⬠Joe could put something like this in place with potential employees to see if their learning style matches that of the culture of Great Northern American. Self-Efficacy is something that a potential employer (Joe in this case) can look at and determine how driven someone appears. Psychology Today states, ââ¬Å"For instance, people high in self-efficacy take better care of themselves, see tasks as something to be mastered, and they feel more empowered. Theyââ¬â¢re not controlled by circumstances. They see setbacks as challenges to be overcome and can cope with hardship better than those with low self-efficacy. They learn from failure and channel it into success, like Thomas Jefferson, Walt Disney and J. K Rowling. People higher in self-efficacy also have a greater sense of motivation and persistence. â⬠(LaVan, 2010) With this in mind a correct assessment of self-efficacy can ensure Joe his is hiring someone who will seek to succeed at whatever task he or she is given. To compliment this assessment, Joe must also be willing to ââ¬Å"pump upâ⬠his employees. He should offer compliments to good work and publicly praise achievements. This will keep his employees motivated to continue putting their best foot forward for him long after the interview process is completed and the candidate is settled into their job function.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
A Too-Personal Rant on Fundamental Attribution Error :: Free Essays Online
A Too-Personal Rant on Fundamental Attribution Error It's very easy to misunderstand what other people do. This is, in fact, the basis of a great many human conflicts. I am aware that I do this with some frequency, and am in fact very much in the middle of slandering a particular person presently for attributive reasons. The specifics of the case are illustrative, and the exercise might be helpful to me, too. My first contact with "Bob" was in my freshman seminar class, where I pegged him as a pretentious expletive-deleted. Then, thanks to the devious workings of the Simon's Rock social network, I found myself opposite him in what could aptly be termed a 'bizarre love triangle.' Suddenly, my dislike of him was animated with a fire of jealousy. I literally began keeping a mental catalogue of all the ways I had convicted him of being a "bad person." Even after the immediate motive had passed, I continued keeping track of his legendary misdeeds, gossiping freely. I find myself making statements like, "What do you expect, it's Bob..." I have clearly made the connection between his actions and his personality. I obviously have difficulty putting myself in his shoes, but I will try to do so. Going back to fresh sem, I can see why his arguments stretched out and became increasingly pretentious: they were poor arguments, but he, like so many other people, was unwilling to let them die, probably as a matter of pride. This is an understandable, if not downright familiar, action. More recently, following a certain thesis performance last weekend, Bob was overheard commenting that he 'could have written it in two days', but then later heard complimenting the composer mere hours later. Several factors could possibly have been at work here, too. First off, when he disparaged the composition, he was in front of his girlfriend, whom he has gone to great lengths to impress. No surprise there à boasting is a classic part of courtship.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
The Patriot Act: Trampling on the Bill of Rights Essay -- US Constitut
Several weeks after the horrible terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act was rushed through Congress by Attorney General, John Ashcroft. This particular Act, however, was established with a ruling hand of fear. Life for Americans changed dramatically in those immediate days, weeks, and months after the attack. America had been spoiled with luxury for so long, that the illusion of control had ingrained itself into our very nature as Americans. That act of terror, on September 11, 2001, brought that belief crashing down, almost immediately. Fear and anger were rampant though out America; a dangerous combination when it comes to charging out a Congressional bill. The scariest parts of The USA PATRIOT ACT, in my opinion, are not just the arguably unconstitutional sections proposed in the Act, but the timing and expedition of legislation. To pro pose a bill that remained indifferent in regards to sacrificing civil liberties for the sake of enhanced security. The Bill was voted in with near unanimity, 98-1 in the Senate and 357-66 in the House of Representatives near after. Considering the margins of the votes, it makes one wonder if anyone in Congress even bothered to read the bill. Perhaps a good portion of our legislators were fearful to look unpatriotic, by objecting a radical bill dubbed The USA PATRIOT Act. As an old phrase goes, the nail that stands-out, gets hammered. The congressional legislative process is supposed to be deliberately slow; ensuring that what is proposed is in fact constitutional. One of the more serious issues with the USA PATRIOT Act, is the ambiguity of crucia... ...e of the United States. Congressional acts with the means to side-step The Bill of Rights should be amended to protect any rights in question, no matter the current state of affairs. Arguments such as this paper are a crucial means to formulating a variety of perspective. Regardless of a personââ¬â¢s stance on The USA PATRIOT Act, we must take a look back into our history, and make sure we are honoring those who sacrificed so much more than we, for the civil liberties we have been afforded. Americans cannot allow fear to dictate the policies of our country, and should never allow our Congress or President use a National tragedy to proper un-amended, controversial policies. This is the United States of America, we can do better. "Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty." (John Basil Barnhill 1914)
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Collectivism vs. Individualism Essay
The research to examine the cultural norms of Korea as compared to that of US, is based on two particular core dimensions: United States as an individualistic country, and Korea as a collectivistic country. In fact, this is the first thing that comes to mind, knowing that collectivism vs individualism is a major characteristic that differentiates these two countries. Lifestyle and living arrangements In a study by Lee and Ro Um (1992), it is discussed about the major difference between Koreans and Americans in their evaluations of product attributes was the different weights each put on the importance of the family. Koreans tended to be more family oriented in their product evaluations than the Americans. This meant that the products were selected. Korea has a family-oriented culture. For a young couple, living with elders (parents) has been a cultural norm in Korea, although in United States this living style is unusual normatively and behaviorally. According to Korean National Statistics office, 1993, almost three out of four Koreans people aged 60 and over live with their children, a percentage of 74.7%. The percentage that lives with a spouse only is 13.2% and living alone, 10.6%. Explore the gaming culture of Korea Why South Korean people play games In South Korea more than half of the 50 million populations play online games frequently. Gaming in this country is not just a hobby but a way of life. Currently in the country are 10 professional gaming leagues which are sponsored from the successful corporations such as SK Telecom and Samsung. à According to a news article published CNN , in South Korea almost half of all games have been sold since the game launched in 1998. StarCraft is a legitimate business, ranking in hundreds of thousands of dollars in earning. According to a news article published in BBC [4], in South Korea games are nationally televised and they fill-up stadiums. Extremely popular is the multi-player gaming. Being a professional video-gamer is a serious business. They attract huge sums in sponsorship and can make more than $100,000 a year. Professional players in South Korea are treated likeà sports stars. Some of the most famous players from league matches and sponsorship could earn more than $400,000 per year. South Korea hosts the annual World Cyber Games. The country registered more than 15 million people for online gaming, which is 30% of the population. Gaming Addiction and the Government Intervention in South Korea As a consequence as a strong video game culture, South Korea since early 2000s reports of addicted gamers dying or murdering loved ones in order to satisfy their addiction. When a mother tried to stop her son from playing games, he killed her. Approximately 14% of Koreans between ages 9 and 12 suffer from Internet addiction because there are cable channels devoted solely to the games.[5] South Korea has been treating the disorder for years. In 2002 the government opened an Internet-addiction treatment center. In 2005, a 28 years old South Korean man went into cardiac arrest and died after reportedly playing an online game called StarCraft for 50 hours straight. The man did not sleep properly and did not eat well. He just made few bathroom breaks and for very short periods of sleep. In 2006 the government opened a hotline for gaming addicts. Moreover, hundreds of private hospitals and clinics in the country opened specializes units to treat the disorder. In 2010 the government ordered a ââ¬Å"nighttime shutdownâ⬠for gamers. This happened after police discovered a 3-month old baby who starved to death while her parents were busy with their virtual baby on a game. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ordered the three most popular operators of the games to block people under age 18 from playing games between midnight and 8 a.m. The government has significantly slowed down the Internet connections of young players if they play for lots of hours into the night. More over in the National Assembly several other bills were pending that would control kids gaming habits. Where South Korean people play games South Korean entertainment industry is note based on home entertainment system such us console video game system, home theater etc. Instead it is created outside of the home in various places called ââ¬Å"Bangsâ⬠. Recently South Korean people play games in the countryââ¬â¢s Internet cafes, known as ââ¬Å"PC- Bangsâ⬠. The PC Bangs are especially dominant in big cities like Seol, whereà is a density of population. It is important that the PC-Bang industry now can provide computers and Internet service to those that previously did not have the economic conditions to possess these technologies. Analysts consider that the social environment of the PC-Bang is the most important factor to make the PC Bang attractive and popular to users. Other factors are: the high-performance computers, high-speed internet connection and low fee usage. [6] Most bangs are cheap; the patrons pay an hourly fee, ranging from $1.00 to $1.50 USD an hour. In South Korea going to a bang is the sam e as going to the bar in USA. Economic Conditions According to an article in About.com , the industry of video game has a large share of South Koreaââ¬â¢s GDP. ââ¬Å"According to the Ministry of Culture, in 2008 the online-gaming industry earned $1.1 billion dollars in exports. Nexon and NCSOFT, South Koreaââ¬â¢s two largest game development companies reported a combined net income of over $370 million in 2012. The entire game market is estimated at approximately $5 billion dollars annually, or about $100 per resident, which is more than three times what Americans spend. Games like StarCraft have sold over 4.5 million copies in South Korea, out of a worldwide total of 11 million.â⬠The same article says that video games stimulate the black economy of the country. What they play Relatively a small number of games are played in South Korea, the most popular of them are: League of Legends, FIFA Online 3, Sudden Attack, Lineage, Dungeon & Fighter, Blade & Soul, Aion: The Tower of Eternity, Echo Soul, Cyphers, World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Warcraft 3. [9] StarCraft- The most popular game in South Korea of all the times is StarCraft. Star Craft is a military strategy game, which is developed by Blizzard Entertainment. [10] World of Warcraft (WOW) ââ¬â Another popular game at most of the time is the World of Warcraft, developed by Blizzard Entertainment. World of Warcraft is a massively multi-player online role-playing game or MMORPG.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Art Censorship essays
Art Censorship essays Throughout the history of mankind, a portion of the population have felt the need to remove or suppress material that they consider to be morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable, such as books, films, or other materials. Censorship can be dated back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Some of the works of art and literature that were considered taboo a long time ago, are widely available in modern day life. William Shakespeare, Michelangelo, John Lennon, Diego Rivera, and the Venus de Milo were all thought to be morally wrong or offensive at one time or another. In the twentieth century, censorship has gone to more extreme measures by involving the government and legal system. Many artists take for granted the freedom to create art. Most do not understand or appreciate this freedom until it is taken from them. Fortunately, this freedom is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The First Amendment reads "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech" (1). The 14th Amendment makes the protections of the First Amendment applicable to state laws. Almost any attempt to regulate written or spoken word can be scrutinized by the courts to assure that it does not violate the protections provided by the First Amendment.. However, despite what on the face of the First Amendment appears to be a total prohibition on government restricting freedom of speech, not all exercises of expression or speech will be protected by the First Amendment. Many people think that the focus of the First Amendment is to protect the freedom of speech of controversial political groups such as the American Nazi Party. Although many cases involve purely political speech, courts have also declared that artistic expression is also protected by the First Amendment. These cases are not as black and white as those involving political speech, because the United States Supreme Court, over the years, has strug...
Monday, October 21, 2019
Landing on Mars â⬠Science Essay
Landing on Mars ââ¬â Science Essay Free Online Research Papers Landing on Mars Science Essay When we are on Mars, we are going to research on how we can build a colony on Mars and how we can survive there. We are looking for ways on how we can provide ourselves with oxygen, food and water, and how we can dispose of our garbage without going to Earth and getting the supplyââ¬â¢s we need. We need to know if the ground is stable enough to build structures on, we have to know the temperature, the soil, and the terrain. Mars is known as the Roman god of war or the Red planet. The surface on Mars is very rocky and has a lot of craters that are 18 kilometers in diameter and even larger. The surface of Mars is almost the same as the Earths surface except that the rocks on Mars look pink and red. Mars has dust storms that cover the entire planet. The particles in the dust suspend in the planetââ¬â¢s thin atmosphere and give the sky a pinkish orange glow. The surface on Mars is the closest planet surface to Earth. The atmosphere is very thin and is saturated with Carbon dioxide gas. There are also canyons and volcanoes, but they are not active, the soil is very rich in iron oxide, and also has ice caps just like the Earth containing frozen carbon dioxide. Surface temperature varies from ââ¬â128 C (-199 F) during polar night to 27 C (80 F) at equator during midday. The volcanoes and canyons on Mars are the largest and deepest canyons in the solar system. The volcano that is on Mars is called Olympus Mons. Because of the tilt of the planets axis, it also has different seasons just like the Earth. The sun appears about half the size on Mars as it does on Earth. Data from the Mars Global indicates that Marsââ¬â¢s crust is about 80 kilometers thick in the southern hemisphere but only about 35 kilometers in the north hemisphere. The southern hemisphere of Mars is predominantly ancient cratered highlands somewhat similar to the Moon. Most of the northern hemisphere consists of plains which are much younger, lower in elevation and have a much more complex history. Mars has a low density compared to the other terrestrial planets indicates that itââ¬â¢s core contains a large amount of sulfur, iron, and iron sulfide. Sulfide is a mineral compo und formed through the binding of sulfur and metal. Mars has a very thin atmosphere composed mostly of the tiny amount of remaining carbon dioxide (95.3%) plus nitrogen (2.7%), argon (1.6%) and traces of oxygen (0.15%) and water (0.03%). In our solar system, Mars is in between Earth and Jupiter. It is the fourth planet from the sun and is about 227.7 million kilometers away from it. It is the last of the inner planets and is the seventh largest planet in orbit, diameter, and mass. Mars is 72 million miles away from the Earth and it would take 2 à ½ months to get there by spaceship. Research Papers on Landing on Mars - Science EssayAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionThe Spring and Autumn19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaMind TravelMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationDefinition of Export Quotas
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Helmuth von Moltke - Franco-Prussian War Field Marshal
Helmuth von Moltke - Franco-Prussian War Field Marshal Born October 26, 1800, in Parchim, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Helmuth von Moltke was the son of an aristocratic German family. Moving to Holstein at age five, Moltkes family became impoverished during the War of the Fourth Coalition (1806-1807) when their properties were burned and plundered by French troops. Sent away to Hohenfelde as a boarder at age nine, Moltke entered the cadet school at Copenhagen two years later with the goal of entering the Danish army. Over the next seven years he received his military education and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1818. An Officer in Ascent After service with a Danish infantry regiment, Moltke returned to Germany and entered Prussian service. Posted to command a cadet school in Frankfurt an der Oder, he did so for a year before spending three conducting a military survey of Silesia and Posen. Recognized as a brilliant young officer, Moltke was assigned to the Prussian General Staff in 1832. Arriving in Berlin, he stood out from his Prussian contemporaries in that he possessed a love of the arts and music. A prolific writer and student of history, Moltke authored several works of fiction and in 1832, embarked on a German translation of Gibbons The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Promoted to captain in 1835, he took six months leave to travel through southeastern Europe. While in Constantinople, he was asked by Sultan Mahmud II to aid in modernizing the Ottoman army. Receiving permission from Berlin, he spent two years in this role before accompanying the army on campaign against Muhammad Ali of Egypt. Taking part in the 1839 Battle of Nizib, Moltke was forced to escape after Alis victory. Returning to Berlin, he published an account of his travels and in 1840, married his sisters English stepdaughter, Mary Burt. Assigned to the staff of the 4th Army Corps in Berlin, Moltke became fascinated with railroads and began an extensive study of their use. Continuing to write on historical and military topics, he returned to the General Staff before being named Chief of Staff for the 4th Army Corps in 1848. Remaining in this role for seven years, he advanced to the rank of colonel. Transferred in 1855, Moltke became the personal aide to Prince Frederick (later Emperor Frederick III). Leader of the General Staff In recognition of his military skills, Moltke was promoted to Chief of the General Staff in 1857. A disciple of Clausewitz, Moltke believed that strategy was essentially the quest of seeking the military means to a desired end. Though a detailed planner, he understood and frequently stated that no battle plan survives contact with the enemy. As a result, he sought to maximize his chances of success by remaining flexible and ensuring that the transportation and logistical networks were in place to allow him to bring decisive force to the key points on the battlefield. Taking office, Moltke immediately began making sweeping changes in the armys approach to tactics, strategy, and mobilization. In addition, work began to improve communications, training, and armaments. As a historian, he also implemented a study of European politics to identify Prussias future enemies and to begin developing war plans for campaigns against them. In 1859, he mobilized the army for the Austro-Sardinian War. Though Prussia did not enter the conflict, the mobilization was used by Prince Wilhelm as a learning exercise and the army was expanded and reorganized around the lessons obtained. In 1862, with Prussia and Denmark arguing over the ownership of Schleswig-Holstein, Moltke was asked for a plan in case of war. Concerned that the Danes would be difficult to defeat if allowed to retreat to their island strongholds, he devised a plan which called for Prussian troops to flank them in order to prevent a withdrawal. When hostilities commenced in February 1864, his plan was bungled and the Danes escaped. Dispatched to the front on April 30, Moltke succeeded in bringing the war to a successful conclusion. The victory solidified his influence with King Wilhelm. As the king and his prime minister, Otto von Bismarck, began attempts to unite Germany, it was Moltke who conceived the plans and directed the army to victory. Having gained considerable clout for his success against Denmark, Moltkes plans were followed precisely when war with Austria began in 1866. Though outnumbered by Austria and its allies, the Prussian Army was able to make near-perfect use of railroads to ensure that maximum force was delivered at the key moment. In a lightning seven-week war, Moltkes troops were able conduct a brilliant campaign which culminated with a stunning victory at KÃ ¶niggrtz. His reputation further enhanced, Moltke oversaw the writing of a history of the conflict which was published in 1867. In 1870, tensions with France dictated the mobilization of the army on July 5. As the preeminent Prussian general, Moltke was named Chief of Staff of the Army for the duration of the conflict. This position essentially allowed him to issue orders in the name of the king. Having spent years planning for war with France, Moltke assembled his forces south of Mainz. Dividing his men into three armies, he sought to drive into France with the goal defeating the French army and marching on Paris. For the advance, several plans were developed for use depending upon where the main French army was found. In all circumstances, the ultimate goal was for his troops to wheel right to drive the French north and cut them off from Paris. Attacking, the Prussian and German troops met with great success and followed the basic outline of his plans. The campaign came to stunning climax with the victory at Sedan on September 1, which saw Emperor Napoleon III and most of his army captured. Pressing on, Moltkes forces invested Paris which surrendered after a five-month siege. The fall of the capital effectively ended the war and led to the unification of Germany. Later Career Having been made a Graf (count) in October 1870, Moltke was permanently promoted to field marshal in June 1871, in reward for his services. Entering the Reichstag (German Parliament) in 1871, he remained Chief of Staff until 1888. Stepping down, he was replaced by Graf Alfred von Waldersee. Remaining in the Reichstag, he died at Berlin on April 24, 1891. As his nephew, Helmuth J. von Moltke led German forces during the opening months of World War I, he is often referred to as Helmuth von Moltke the Elder. Selected Sources Helmuth von Moltke: On the Nature of WarMakers of Modern Strategy: From Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age, edited by Peter Paret with the collaboration of Gordon A. Craig and Felix Gilbert. Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 1986.Franco-Prussian War
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Retailing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words
Retailing - Essay Example A significant segment of this retailing upheaval has taken place in the area of logistics where British retailers had taken over the supply chain, thereby, lessening the lead times from the manufacturing plant to the store. The grocery segment, particularly, possesses a stream-lined logistical system with investment into multiple distribution hubs and transport in order to provide with an increasing figure of super-stores. This logistical concept is now being confronted by the technological, environmental, and political transformations. The policy of government to reduce environmental harm, thereby, revitalizing town centres puts forward great challenges for logistics. As put forth by Clarke, the early stress on retailers along with store location activities offered to feign both the wider anatomy of the product channel and the stand of consumption in shaping retail transformation (Clarke, 1996). By the midst of the twentieth century, consumers had an associatively restrained option of stores and stocks for their major periodical shopping spree. Most of the market-places were inclusive of a choice that encompassed the conventional super-markets, convenience stores, and a deteriorating number of small neighbourhood food shops. Following that, during the 1970s, however, an out-and-out bash took place in the new types of retail formats. 1980 initiated the 'significantly differentiated' formats which were competent for the dollars of customers. This new choice was inclusive of hyper-marches, warehouse shops, super-combos, super-stores, and limited variety discount stores. Apparently, in the early 1980s, strategic and tactical positioning became critical matters for survival in the retail industry (Arnold et al, 1983). Here, we will discuss the challenges as put forth by the transformations that have taken place since the 1980s. Around a century ago, even as retailing was entirely different from what it is now, there were a number of big transformations of the twentieth century which were already there in their embryonic stage. For example, most of the products were named, if not 'branded' by the retailers, which gave rise to manufacturer branding. Also, retail operations experienced various novel technologies, chiefly in construction and transport, and had great impact on them. Moreover, international sourcing was previously being practiced in a restrained way, and city centres had started to embellish into major hubs of comparison retailing. Today, we know that the epoch is entirely business-oriented. In no time of the world history has it inhibited such a significant place for business as it is not comprised of, where it affords sufficient opportunity for the highest honours, for the most long-lasting fame, and for wealth and authority that has no limits. Retailing today, is an arena which is capable of a lluring the able ones and the ambitious who can practice their greatest talents. This
Friday, October 18, 2019
Uses of Electron Microscope Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6250 words
Uses of Electron Microscope - Essay Example The light microscope was invented in the 17th century from the Galilean telescope. Antony van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutchman developed one of the early microscopes which consisted of a powerful convex lens and an adjustable holder for the object being studied. This instrument had a magnifying power of 400x and protozoa, spermatozoa, bacteria and shape of the red blood cells were discovered by Leeuwenhoek (FEI company, 2008). This microscope had only one lens and was called a single microscope. An improvement on this was compound microscope wherein another convex lens was added to magnify the image produced by the first lens. A modern light microscope has a magnification of as high as 1000x and thus enables resolution of objects separated by 0.0002mm (FEI Company, 2008). The resolving power of light microscope had 3 limiting factors: lenses, quality of lenses and the wavelength of light used for illumination. Some improvements in the light microscope were made using these aspects. Blue or ul traviolet light with shorter wavelength gave a small improvement. Further improvement in the resolution was noticed when the specimen and the front of the objective lens were immersed in a medium like oil with high refractive index (FEI Company, 2008). As early as the middle of 19th century, microscopists realized that structures less than half a micrometer could not be resolved with a light microscope. At the same time, researchers had hinted at the possibility of improvement in the resolution of the microscope using electrons rather than light. This is because accelerated electrons behave in a vacuum just like light, they travel in straight lines and have a wavelength which is about 100,000 times smaller than that of light.Ã
Social and cultural diversity in united arab emirates Research Paper
Social and cultural diversity in united arab emirates - Research Paper Example These factors affect relations that people have and what they do in various important situations and one of the most notable influences that they have is the influence on the media. Some of the factors that affect communication in UAE include; religion, sex and dress code for different people in the environment. These factors are not a reserve for anyone but they affect all people, whether they are locals or foreigners who stay in the UAE (King, 2008). Religion is one of the factors that affect the way people of the UAE differ or identify themselves from other places of the world, who do not come from the country. For example, in Dubai, there are numerous mosques where people convene for prayers and they are uniquely identifiable from different points. This has influenced the culture of the people who stay in that place at any time of the year regardless of the different backgrounds they could have in terms of religion in that they have to respond to different calls for prayer in cer tain ways. For example, the religious culture of the people of the UAE does not allow any person to eat in public daylight in the month of Ramadhan regardless of the differences in the religious beliefs (Terterov & Shoult, 2006). On the other hand, people in the UAE have particular dress codes, which is unique in different contexts and all the people ought to conform to requirements in such contexts. For example, while people can be on swimwear while they are around the beach, in conservative areas in Dubai, they should wear modestly in conformity to the requirements of the culture. People should not wear shorts and T-shirts when they enter the mosques for any activity, although they are not restricted to wear them when they are in town (Terterov & Shoult, 2006). Differences in sexes are identifiable when it comes to the people in the UAE because they should show different behavior in their various activities in the course of life. In UAE, women should cover their heads when they go to the mosque but men can go without covering their heads and do any activities in there. The roles vary in terms sexes in UAE with men acceptably allowed to conduct services in the mosque but women should not (Terterov & Shoult, 2006). In the UAE, there factors of that serve as the identity for the people and that are important aspects of media because they have a great influence in the lives of people. This is because what the culture allows publication is what the media of communication should transmit to the people according to cultural sanctions of the UAE. The issues, which are not favorable to the dominant Muslim culture in UAE, are not likely to go on air because it has a strict disciplinary action for the people who deviate. This means that the media in UAE is under the obligation to fulfill the cultural expectations as set out in the traditions of the place in which they are working. Media in UAE has to formulate policies in their services delivery that represent the cult ure of people in the country so that they will not deviate from the right purposes (Ward, 2013). Media is influenced by differences in the people who stay in the area because they have limitations in terms of the different things that they can display in the videos or papers. In the representation of videos and other forms of information, the coverage of things that pose social conflicts is regulated majorly by the popularity of the
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Growing a business strategy for Coffee Angel Coursework
Growing a business strategy for Coffee Angel - Coursework Example Chris is of Turkish background and the business is family owned. The business was started in collaboration with his family who stands by him and supports him in financing the operations of the business. Opening time is 7.30 am on weekdays and opening times being 8: 30 am and 10: 00 am for Saturday and Sunday, respectively, with closing time at 7: 00 pm irrespective of the day of the week. Coffee Angel offers foods including breakfast, sandwiches and rolls, Panini menu, toasts, salads, and wraps, the drinks offered include freshly roasted coffee, milkshakes, smoothies, tea, iced coffee, and flavor. Catering and treats are also offered by Coffee Angel. The aim of strategic analysis is to have a better understanding of the position of the business in the macro environment and make a comparison with the competitors in the industry the firm is operating. An analysis of the Coffee Angel requires an understanding of the environment to be able to know the strategic capabilities of the firm. PESTLE is an acronym for political, economic, sociological, technological, environmental, and legal and is a useful tool for the analysis of the macro environment where a business operates. PESTLE is a tool for the generation of an understanding on the relation of the firm to the external environment. The main reasons for PESTLE analysis is that it is relevant in decision making as it informs the management on the situation of the firm in relation to the external environment. This part details the impact of political actions on the external environment of Angel Coffee. Government policies would have an impact on the functionality of Angel Coffee in some ways including laws on minimum wages that has recently been passed will influence Angel Coffee and rumors of further increase affect the company. Food safety controls by the government affect the performance of food
Uniting heavens and earth Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Uniting heavens and earth - Research Paper Example With the increase of scientific knowledge as it accumulates over time, there is more understanding of the natural world. Matters arising from politics, religion, ethics and esthetical judgments are in a general way away from science. Scientific knowledge is uncertain, that which is scientifically known only has some level of confidence backing it: a certain degree of probability. A lot of scientific ideas have gone through tests and have shown their reliability. These have been the closest to facts as any idea could be yet some are just hunches that are pending testing that will finally prove their probability. Yet there also exists the in betweens at every level. Science has the ability of being done poorly and being misused. There exist all forms of quackery, wrong advertisements, and forms of pseudoscience that have unconfirmed information being used as facts to prove or disapprove a huge range of mysterious phenomenon. The process of science is social as it is done by people work ing together in collaboration. The procedure, outcomes and analysis must be shared among the scientific community, and the public in conferences and other review platforms. In such forums, fraud, errors and oversights get exposed and true findings can be affirmed and confirmed. Due to the fact that it is being done by people, it also has its biases that can be addressed by the fact that it is open (Indiana.edu 2014). Isaac Newtonââ¬â¢s work changed how humanity understands the universe in a manner simplified in three laws.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Growing a business strategy for Coffee Angel Coursework
Growing a business strategy for Coffee Angel - Coursework Example Chris is of Turkish background and the business is family owned. The business was started in collaboration with his family who stands by him and supports him in financing the operations of the business. Opening time is 7.30 am on weekdays and opening times being 8: 30 am and 10: 00 am for Saturday and Sunday, respectively, with closing time at 7: 00 pm irrespective of the day of the week. Coffee Angel offers foods including breakfast, sandwiches and rolls, Panini menu, toasts, salads, and wraps, the drinks offered include freshly roasted coffee, milkshakes, smoothies, tea, iced coffee, and flavor. Catering and treats are also offered by Coffee Angel. The aim of strategic analysis is to have a better understanding of the position of the business in the macro environment and make a comparison with the competitors in the industry the firm is operating. An analysis of the Coffee Angel requires an understanding of the environment to be able to know the strategic capabilities of the firm. PESTLE is an acronym for political, economic, sociological, technological, environmental, and legal and is a useful tool for the analysis of the macro environment where a business operates. PESTLE is a tool for the generation of an understanding on the relation of the firm to the external environment. The main reasons for PESTLE analysis is that it is relevant in decision making as it informs the management on the situation of the firm in relation to the external environment. This part details the impact of political actions on the external environment of Angel Coffee. Government policies would have an impact on the functionality of Angel Coffee in some ways including laws on minimum wages that has recently been passed will influence Angel Coffee and rumors of further increase affect the company. Food safety controls by the government affect the performance of food
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Term paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
Term paper - Essay Example Though Liajiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station is producing clean energy, it, ironically, has caused several changes in the ecological system of the Kanbula Forest. This paper aims to provide an exposition about the characteristics of the Kanbula National Park; determine the impact of Lijiaxia Hydro Power Plant on the ecological process within Kanbula National Park and; propose several ways of wildlife and forest management while taking into consideration the present condition of the Kanbula National Park. Introduction A forest ecosystem primarily consists of trees and other naturally growing plants. It also nurtures various types and species of animals. A forest ecosystem, such as the Kanbula Forest, provides people with food, fuel, timber and fiber as well. Most people do not fully recognize the importance of forests in their lives. However, it should be noted that, among other things, forests protect the hydrologic cycle. They also help in climate regulation by basically being natur al sinks of carbon, which is one of the greenhouse gases that harm the planet (Espaldon et al, 2004). Kanbula forest is one of the most diverse forests in China. Huge mountains, covered with trees, extend from the forest. There are deflated hills around the forest that are formed due to erosion from wind and sand. The hills are called red cloud landforms. What is more, other than the huge number of flora and fauna therein, Kanbula forest is also quite rich in natural resources. However, the ecological system of the forest is at risk of destruction due to several issues related to human activity. The primary factor affecting the ecosystem within the forest is the Lijiaxia Hydro Power Plant, which has been causing changes therein from the time of its establishment to the present. These factors have effected changes in the National Forest Park, and these changes have, in turn, affected various wildlife species and their habitat. This includes their numerical depletion in the area from trapping, hunting and human expansion into their habitat. As per Sajise et al, major causes of forest destruction include industrialization, commercialism and weak enforcement of forest laws (1996). This paper will dig deeper into several issues that Kanbula National Park is facing, and how these issues or factors impact the ecological system thereof. Effect of Hydro Power Plant on Ecosystem Hydroelectric Power Plants can also cause destruction to the aquatic ecosystem. The dams along the Pacific and Atlantic course have reduced the fish population especially that of Salmon by preventing the fish to reach breeding grounds upstream (Duncan, Graham-Rowe., 2005). Downstream river environment is also affected thereby; water coming out of the turbine usually contains very little suspended sediment that leads to river scouring and loss of riverbanks and riverbeds. Since turbine gates are cyclically opened, changes in river flow are observed. Water coming out of the turbines is usually war mer than water behind the dam and, thus, the aquatic faunal life is affected. Hydroelectric power plants in tropical regions produce huge amount of methane and carbon dioxide gas. This is because of plant materials in flooded areas that decay due to anaerobic conditions and form methane gas, which is a harmful greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gas emissions from the hydroelectric reservoir may be higher than those of a conventional oil-fired thermal generation plant (Duncan,
Reactants Lab Essay Example for Free
Reactants Lab Essay Aspect 1: Problem: What type of chemical reactions occurs when different reactants are mixed? Variables: Manipulated: Combination of reactants Responding: Type of Chemical Reaction Controlled: 1. Same amount of reactants used (1 piece for solids, 4 drops for liquids) 2. Spot plate is washed before reactants are mixed 3. Same amount of time substance is allowed for chemical reaction to occur (15s) 4. Because data is qualitative, observations will be made by the same person. Aspect 2: Controlling Variables: The same amount of reactants being used will be controlled by using the same amount of reactants in each reaction (1 piece for solids, 4 drops for liquids). Spot plate will be washed before each chemical reaction (using the water from the squeeze bottle) to ensure no residue is left from previous reaction. Observations will be made 15 seconds after the chemical raction. Time will be kept using a watch. The same person will make qualitative observations, to ensure that observations are kept consistent. Aspect 3: Materials: Spot Plate Forceps Squeeze Bottle filled with water Toothpick List of Reactants Fig. 1.1 Reactant Chemical Formula aluminum (s) Al (s) copper (II) chloride (aq) CuCl2 (aq) barium hydroxide (aq) Ba(OH)2 (aq) sulphuric acid (aq) H2SO4 (aq) chlorine (aq) Cl2 (aq) sodium bromide (aq) NaBr (aq) zinc (s) Zn (s) copper (II) sulphate (aq) CuSO4 (aq) hydrochloric acid (aq) HCl (aq) magnesium hydroxide (aq) Mg(OH)2 (aq) calcium chloride (aq) CaCl2 (aq) sodium carbonate (aq) Na2CO3 (aq) calcium (s) Ca (s) water (l) H2O (l) sodium acetate (aq) C2H3NaO2 (aq) magnesium (s) Mg (s) sodium hydroxide (aq) NaOH (aq) cobalt chloride (aq) CoCl2 (aq) List of Chemical Reactions Fig. 1.2 Reactant 1 Reactant 2 sulphuric acid (aq) barium hydroxide (aq) hydrochloric acid (aq) magnesium hydroxide (aq) calcium (s) water (l) hydrochloric acid (aq) sodium acetate (aq zinc (s) copper (II) sulphate (aq) cobalt chloride (aq) sodium hydroxide (aq) magnesium (s) hydrochloric acid (aq) sodium bromide (aq) chlorine (aq) aluminum (s) copper (II) chloride (aq) Procedure: 1. Wash spot plate thoroughly with water from squeeze bottle. 2. Choose a combination of reactants from Fig. 1.1 3. Write down physical properties of reactants. 4. Mix reactants. Record observations. 5. Wash spot plate thoroughly, making sure reactants fall into a waste bucket. 6. Repeat steps 1-4 using all the other combinations Data Collection and Processing (DCP) Aspect 1: Observation Chart of Chemical Reactions Fig. 1.3 Reactant 1 Chemical Formula Reactant 2 Chemical Formula Pr-reaction observation Post-reaction observation sulphuric acid (aq) H2SO4 (aq) barium hydroxide (aq) Ba(OH)2 (aq) Two transparent liquids Milky-white substance. Gas bubbles form. hydrochloric acid (aq) HCl (aq) magnesium hydroxide (aq) Mg(OH)2 (aq) Transparent liquids Transparent liquid hydrochloric acid (aq) HCl (aq) sodium acetate (aq) C2H3NaO2 (aq) Transparent liquids Transparent liquid calcium (s) Ca (s) water (l) H2O (l) Flaky-white solid, and transparent liquid Calcium dissolves a bit in water. A few gas bubbles zinc (s) Zn (s) copper (II) sulphate (aq) CuSO4 (aq) Grey rocky solid, with bluish liquid Gas bubbles form on zinc cobalt chloride (aq) CoCl2 (aq) magnesium hydroxide (aq) Mg(OH)2 (aq) Red liquid and clear liquid Pinkish-purple substance. Gas bubbles form magnesium (s) Mg (s) hydrochloric acid (aq) HCl (aq) Silver, lustrous metal and transparent liquid Gas bubbles form on magnesium sodium bromide (aq) NaBr (aq) chlorine (aq) Cl2 (aq) Transparent liquids Transparent liquid aluminum (s) Al (s) copper (II) chloride (aq) CuCl2 (aq) Lustrous rock and blue liquid Gas bubbles form on aluminum Aspect 2: Processing Data Chemical Reactants and Products Equations Balanced H2SO4(aq) + Ba(OH)2(aq) BaSO4(s) + 2HO2(l)(Double Replacement Reaction) Mg(OH)2 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) MgCl2 (s) + 2H2O (l)(Neutralization Reaction) NaC2H3O2 (aq) + HCl (aq) HC2H3O2 (aq) + NaCl (aq) (Double Replacement Reaction) Ca (s) + 2HOH (l) Ca(OH)2 (aq) + H2(g)(Single Replacement Reaction) CuSO4 (aq) + Zn (s) ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)(Single Replacement Reaction) CoCl2 (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) 2 NaCl (aq) + Co(OH)2 (aq)(Double Replacement Reaction) Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (s)(Single Replacement Reaction) Cl2 (aq) + 2NaBr (aq) 2NaCl (aq) + Br2 (l) (Single Replacement Reaction) 2Al (s) + 3CuCl2 (aq) 2AlCl3 (aq) + 3Cu (s) (Single Replacement Reaction) Aspect 3: Reactants, Products, and Types of Reaction Chart Reactant 1 Reactant 2 Product Type of Reaction H2SO4(aq) Ba(OH)2(aq) BaSO4(s) + HO2(l) Double Replacement Mg(OH)2 (s) HCl (aq) MgCl2 (s) + H2O (l) Neutralization Reaction NaC2H3O2 (aq) HCl (aq) HC2H3O2 (aq) + NaCl (aq) Double Replacement Ca (s) HOH (l) Ca(OH)2 (aq) + H2(g) Single Replacement CuSO4 (aq) Zn (s) ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu (s) Single Replacement CoCl2 (aq) NaOH (aq NaCl (aq) + Co(OH)2 (aq) Double Replacement Mg (s) HCl (aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (s) Single Replacement Cl2 (aq) NaBr (aq) 2NaCl (aq) + Br2 (l) Single Replacement Al (s) CuCl2 (aq) AlCl3 (aq) + Cu (s) Single Replacement Conclusion and Evaluation (CE) Aspect 1: Conclusion: In this experiment we discovered three types of chemical reactions, Single and Double Replacement reactions, along with Neutralization Reaction. Referring to Data in Aspect 2 3 of Data Collection and Processing, we can see there were 5 single replacement reactions, and 4 double replacement reactions (one of which was a neutralization reaction). The reactions involving an element and a compound were all single replacement reactions, and the reaction involving two compounds were double replacements (which included a neutralization reaction). Aspect 2: Evaluate the Procedure: A problem with this procedure is that it doesnt explore all types of chemical reactions. Also, try as one may, it is sometimes difficult to get the residue of a substance off the spot plate. This tampers with results. Aspect 3 Improving Experimental Design: A few more reactions should be added where simple composition and decomposition are shown. Also, using the Bunsen burner, a reaction should be added where hydrocarbon combustion is shown. Disposable spot plates should be used, to ensure that residue left by previous reactants and reactions, do not tamper with results.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Strategic performance measurement
Strategic performance measurement Introduction to Strategic performance management and its Importance (Moore, 2010) illustrates that strategic performance management system focuses on the workers individual input which is stemmed from a culture inside the company based on interest and worth and it helps the employee to keep attention on base line. With the help of ââ¬ËStrategic performance management a company makes a clear mission, sets objectives and creates obvious gettable goals. ââ¬ËStrategic performance management is an influential apparatus which guides the company to gauge the outcomes, and helps the organization to find the poor areas which require attention (Moore, 2010). Many companies cannot judge their clear direction and fail in achieving their targets and that is the way for workforce dissatisfaction. With a proper system in place the companies know which goals should be prefers and what should be time frame to achieve those goals. With the help of a ââ¬Ëperformance management system they know whether they have to give importance to consumer or is the internal strengths are more important. They also come to know that which goals should be given more importance than others (Moore, 2010). As a result ââ¬Ëstrategic performance management helps a company to clearly define its objectives and makes the mission more clear and if everything is clear for the workforce then they know their roles which help the organization in order to get success. (Moore, 2010). Aims and Objectives of the Assignment In this assignment there is emphasis given to the importance of ââ¬ËStrategic Performance Management, its purpose and the main role in the success of an organization. The selected company is Tesco Plc and what it is doing in terms of its performance management. In addition to this the setting or desired goals and their achievement is discussed. The role of teams and the techniques for the setting targets for teams are elaborated. Moreover, it is discussed that how teams help the company achieve its objectives. There is also emphasis on the job of top management to motivate the workforce in order to get the targets are discussed and in the end the ways and means of keeping the employees motivated are presented. Brief Introduction to Selected Organization Tesco Plc started its business as a value retailer in 1929 and later on it became a top retail giant doing its business in more than fourteen countries with its core UK operations where it holds more than 35 % market share. The company has achieved this position with its ââ¬Ëgrowth strategy which focuses on its expansion projects ranging from customers to geographies. It introduced its new strategy in 1997 with a ââ¬ËCorporate Steering Wheel which focuses on key expansion areas. The company has an integrated ââ¬ËStrategic performance management plan in place in order to take it forward in UK as well as abroad (Dransfield, 2001). LO1: Performance Targets and Strategic Objectives 1.1 Links between team performance and strategic objectives Organizations need to set clear strategic goals in order to be successful in the competitive market. These goals should be realistic and clear so that anybody associated with the operations of the organization knows his/her duty regarding these goals (Wyld, 2010). Important aspects About Strategic Objectives (Birnbaum, 2009) explains the importance of 10 strategic goals which are needed to be considered by any organization in order to gain success in the marketplace. Market Standing: The Company should make its strategic objectives keeping in the view its current position and the desired position in the market by comparing it with the rivalry it is facing. Tesco is currently number one in the UK market against its major rivals like Asda and Sainsburys as it holds more than 35 % of the market share as compared to almost 15 % of Asda and Sainsburys Innovation: The Company should bring fresh products and services in its line-up including new technology and that is the way of progress. Tesco has started new products in its stores including its non-food section and its financial services as part of its growth strategy and has brought new technologies which can take the company to new heights with the help of fast processing, operations and customer services. Human resources: In order to gain its strategic objectives the organization needs to choose and improve the best of its human resource. If workforce is working efficiently then the company can beat its rivals. Tesco in its ââ¬ËCorporate Steering Wheel has given a specific place to its employees and their progress is monitored and presented every month in the ââ¬ËWheel placed in front of them in every store (Woods, 2008). Financial Resources: The organization should have sufficient monetary resources in order to start its plans and follow them with more investment. If not then the plan of bringing new goods, new technology, new business and many other projects are under great pressure to grow. Tesco, over the years have grown its stores line up from Metro, Express and Hypermarkets and have also started its businesses in emerging markets like china and India. Physical Resources: The basic infrastructure of the company and its usage, the physical ability of the company is needed in order to show its strength in the market. Tesco has several physical resources which are a sign of its success. It has more than 2000 stores in UK and more than 400 in international market and it is still expanding Productivity: Proficient utilization of company possessions as needed is productivity. Tesco has given it great consideration over the years and has many ways to produce its products and services. Social Responsibility: Taking care of the values of community and the company ââ¬Ëstakeholders and if the company takes care of it, it is successful in modern business. Tesco has made the ââ¬Ëtaking care of community as one of the core parts of its growth strategy presented in 1997 (www.tescocorporate.com). Profit Requirements: Expansion and fiscal strength are two main factors in profit requirements. Expenses minus cost is usually known as profit and if the company is going in profit it can achieve its targets and grow. Tesco faced a serious crisis at the start of year 2009 due to recession and it had two consecutive losses in its first two quarters of 2009 which had a serious blow on its plan to start its business in US. Action Planning: Laying of a proper plan in order to get the objectives. The company can achieve its goals if the plan goes as it is planned. Tesco has got a lot of success because it makes realistic and achievable plans. Future Course of Action: The Company should make plans of future keeping in view what it is doing now, who does it for the company and what are the prospects and routes to get it. Tesco revises its position by displaying its steering wheel in all of its outlets translated in different languages and keeps an eye on its overall performance and its route towards success (Dransfield, 2001). Workforce requirements (team) capable of achieving above strategic objectives (Coisson, 2010) emphasizes the need of a group of employees working together as a team in the organization. The management in all successful companies put ââ¬Ëteam-building activities in place and do the conferences in order to give knowledge to employees of the need of teams. In order to know what the benefit of making ââ¬Ëteams in few steps are important as mentioned below: The employees should be provided opportunities to get the knowledge of influence of working in a team environment. The company should make the benefits of a team clear to the workforce as a ââ¬Ëteam constructs the innovation and changes the quality of the work towards positive results. The company should emphasize on the need of loyalty towards the team in the mind of workers. There should be proper systems in place in which the employees know their importance and work with eagerness towards the company. They should know that working in a team will enhance their knowledge and skilfulness and make them distinctive in a unit of workers. Different skills emerge as a result of working in a team and employees should know it. (Likierman, 2009) illustrates the Tesco uses the ââ¬Ëbalanced scorecard in order to check the performance of employees linked with the company objectives. The company works on this scorecard in order to make a worker know that if his own goals are accomplished then the company objectives are also achieve while working in a team and in everyday job the workforce does know the effectiveness of working in a team and the balance of company values with his own intentions. 1.2 Tools and techniques available to set team performance targets: Company Example: Litton SLC and its Self-Directed Work Teams (SDWT) (Phillips, 1994) Litton Company makes navigation systems for ââ¬Ëcruise missiles and ââ¬Ëfighter gets has almost six hundred workers. It had a top-to-bottom conventional structure in 1981 which was later on changed into ââ¬Ëcircles known as employee ââ¬Ëcircle partic plan in 1981. It consisted of 3 circles, and on the base of progress of these circles of employees working together, they changed to 15 circles in 1982 and in 1983 these circles changed into teams. For the next 1.5 years there was a great progress and continual improvement in the company as a result of these teams working together. There were regular team meeting on the company floor ââ¬Ëonce every week in which company executives used to sit with the team members. Since 1985, all of these team members were provided with 3 days training and in 1987 these teams were changed into ââ¬Ëself-directed-work-teams (SDWT) and as the new boss took interviewed one hundred team members from different teams he find out that there were 1-2 leaders in every team that could lead the company in the future. Since then the number of teams had reached ââ¬Ë133. On the basis of (SWDT), the top management thought to change its product line to two different product lines: 1. ââ¬Å"P-500 product lineâ⬠and 2. ââ¬Å"Ring lazor Gyro Product lineâ⬠and all this was possible due to the team performance. The company then applied total quality management technique (TQM), the waste was reduced, quality was improved, and there was more return on investment (ROI) and many other benefits. Since 1993, the company created 14 focused factories, ROI was more than 600 %, waste was reduced 50% and federal government put the company on the ââ¬Å"preferred listâ⬠of companies by looking at its progress. This example proves that how important is building teams and what are the benefits to the organization. Tools and Techniques There are many tools and techniques used for the performance measurement, but here we will discuss ââ¬Å"Mickensys 7Sâ⬠model. McKinseys 7 S models One of the most important tools of measuring the ââ¬Ëteam performance targets is ââ¬Å"Mckinseys 7S Model which was made to measure the performance of a company by a company called Mckinsey and Company (Pascale et al, 1981). All of the ââ¬Ëvariables of this model start from the Letter ââ¬Å"S.â⬠We will use this technique here to find out the performance of Tesco teams as follows: These 7S include ââ¬Å"Strategy, Structure, systems, skills, style, staff and shared values.â⬠These variable are also known as ââ¬Å"managerial molecule.â⬠(Peters Waterman, 1982). Most of the American companies gave more importance to first three of the variable while neglected others but most of the Japanese considered first two as ââ¬Å"soft variables.â⬠Amercians thought that the first three could change. Mickensys model does not give importance to the external factors that affect the strategy of the organization. Here we will have a analysis of the variables aligned with the objectives of the company. Using the 7S Model to Analyze an Organization So the 7S mentioned in the model are distributed into soft and hard parts. The first three are clearly mentioned in the company reports normally but in order to understand the real situation of the company the soft components are our main focus because the workforce changes these components from time to time. if we want to have a clear knowledge of the company they should be analyzed briefly. Tesco is not like the other organizations where there is more emphasis given to hierarchy than the individual performance. All of its employees know their job and how to do it. Tesco employees know what is anticipated from them and whether they have achieved the given target or not (Gibbs et al, 2009). The ââ¬Ëplan and review document is given to all of the workers and their performance is mentioned on the ââ¬Ësteering wheel which is posted weekly and monthly in order to show their performance standing. Also all the soft components of Micknsys model are interrelated between each other such as values with the workforce and the employee goals and this interralated qualities are coincided in the ââ¬ËCorporate Steering Wheel of Tesco and when it is displayed at the end of the month, everything is mentioned clearly in this model. The scorecard of Tesco is practical and it aligns the employee goals to company values and supports the employees align their own values in their daily job. Although most of the company culture and values are related to the ââ¬Ëcore of those companies but Tesco employees can pursue their own goals aligned with the company goals (Likierman, 2009). 1.3 The Value of Team Performance Tools to Measure Future Team Performance: Capacity and Capability of Current Workforce (Chuasiriporn, 2010) thinks that ââ¬Ëperformance measurement can made official with the help of diagrams and charts in order to keep an eye on the growth to fulfil the goals of the organization. The only method to do it is to keep measuring it in the form of numbers. When the data is put in the shape of a graph, then it can be a lead for the prospects the company wants to achieve. Function There should be a estimation of current performance of the organization in full and all of the components to be measured should be clearly mentioned. Time Frame Clear ââ¬Ëdates should be fixed in order to achieve some objectives, there might be a difference of opinion in the mind of workers and their managers but still a fixed time frame should be mentioned. Weightage There should be clarity of which goals to be achieved first and which ones have a secondary importance. Those objectives which are needed to be taken care of first, should be prioritised. Considerations All of the targets should be flexible and changeable in performance measurement. There should be a clear vision about the target and if any change is needed should be done. That means there should be proper ââ¬Ëtracking of all the measures. (Tesco Case Study) gives an idea of the ââ¬Ëbalanced scorecard used at Tesco in order to measure the performance of the employees and core reimbursements are given below: It clearly shows what is going to be measured by giving the current performance It shows what is coming next which will be gauged It clarifies the workers performance in detail and his/her contribution to the company There is a clear way shown in it where the company wants to go and which goal is more important It gives the performance of the teams clearly and shows them they way forward. LO2: Team Performance targets to contribute to meeting strategic objectives: 2.1 Analysis of required performance targets within teams against current performance: There should be an agreement in the teams about the specific targets to be achieved in a specific period of time, keeping in view what is most important to do first. (Hanson, 2010) thinks that in order to have influential management, the ââ¬Ëperformance measurement is important. He considers various steps to be consideredL Tesco has plan to introduce hypermarket shoping mall which is running successful in China. While international level tesco open superstore in india with tata group which is a success of tesco in Asia. Whil in Europe tesco has plan to open more store food and non food. Name your company goals, not more than 5 as more aims lead to confusion Anything related to success of any goal should be practical. For example training of ââ¬Ëhealth and safety if there is a danger of accidents The goals of success should be changed into metrics. For example if the company has to pick up the sales, then how much sales? How the objectives will be achieved, what is the baseline of success target? Put a 3 point range in place, ââ¬Ëminimum, moderate and ââ¬Å"stretchâ⬠targets. For example, if the company wants to set a goal of how many workers will finish their training by the end of the quarter and ââ¬Ë passing grade is set at 70%, then the management can set 60% of employees at minimum, 65% moderate and 85% at stretch. 2.2 Individual commitments to team performance in achievement of organizational goals: (Nash, 2009) explains that organizations should always give more importance to each of the individuals who are working in a team; workers should be given more confidence and must be engaged in all the works done by the team.( There are many factors important in this regard including taking care of the individual preferences, their choices, the values of the individual, giving them importance and rewarding them if any target is achieved. These factors can be helpful in useful contribution of the individual. When this individual with the encouragement will join a team he/she will contribute and the team will be high performing one. 2.3 Application of delegation, mentoring and coaching to the achievement of organizational objectives: Any kind of mentoring and coaching influences the performance of the individual with new skills, behaviour and new commitment with the job. If the team member is not coached about whole of the environment and how to do the job, that member is not confident and if not confident will not contribute positively to the team. (Johnson, 2009 believes that there should be five steps given importance in this regard 1. Setting clear goals 2. Training 3. Behaviour observation 4. Feedback and 5. Positive reinforcement. 2.4 A team performance plan to meet organizational objectives: (Holman, 2009) describes the importance of ââ¬Ëteam performance plan as this plan is not just managed in 1 department of the company; it is in the whole organization. This team performance plan has brings many benefits to the organization as the team performance Solves many problems and is helpful in different choices. Because there is not just one person taking all the decisions, it is the whole team which does it, so they become easy. There is more communication in different team members after working on this plan. The team members are able to communicate their knowledge and skills with each other. There are more chances of risk if the management is not working in the form of teams and if any problem occurs, then teams can handle it better. Different departments can be collaborated with the teams of each department sharing the same kind of idea. Also there is always resistance to any kind of change, so teams can handle this matter far better. Even a team member can give his views and top management has to listen to it because it is good platform. So all the targets set by organization can be achieved by dividing the big objectives into small set of performance measures. Teams working at Tesco consist of all kinds of workers and they keep sharing their work and duties. There is great importance given to company growth strategy but the whole of the workforce which consists of teams knows what they have to do, what is the company goal and what is their own target and the route to achieve it. There is a great collaboration in teams and they work together to achieve the company objectives and they are informed every week that what is the company target and what is their progress with the help of ââ¬ËTesco Steering Wheel. LO3: Monitoring 3.1 The process for monitoring team performance and initiate changes where necessary: It is the responsibility of any leader to monitor the performance of any team. There can be many ways to monitor the performance (Papa, 2010). One of them can be that there should be clear objectives in mind of the leader and if the team reaches those targets then it is clear that performance is good otherwise not. Another way is taking the feedback from the team, either with the internal resources or external ones. If there is positive response from the team members, it means there are good expectations from the team and vice versa. 3.2 Evaluation of team performance against agreed objectives: (Diligent, 2009) thinks that it is not easy to be a leader in a team and evaluate a team performance. Being in a team and leading it is one of the most difficult works to do. If there is low morale in the team it does not always mean that team is performing well but leadership is weak. Team member work in negative fashion if they think they are not treated properly by the leader. In order to get out of situation like this, a top leader has to evaluate the team performance if anything has gone wrong. Tesco leaders are not rigid but there is a democratic culture within the organization and there has not been many cases of team members going to court in order to tell that they are mistreated. A leader should have one-on-one meetings with the member in order to get their suggestions, answer their questions and solve their problem, these things give them confidence and show them their importance. A leader should take care of team members by knowing their everyday life routines so that they feel that they are not just the machines but in reality a treated as a human being. A good leader puts trust in the team member after he gives them a job and if they are pressurized too much, they may not cooperate. LO4: Politics of personal interaction and influence of Leadership 4.1 Influencing and persuading methodologies to gain the commitment of individuals to a course of action: According to (Batumalai 2008) it is important for the leaders to ââ¬Ëpersuade the team members in order to get them involved in the decision making and improve the team-work. There are many ways of doing it as mentioned below: Deal people with positive attitude and they will respond positively. If the person is given a responsibility then he will be committed to it and will be consistent to it, so give them a responsibility. Presenting examples to the team member of the same ââ¬Ëactions done by other can persuade them to do things. Tell them if any other company has done it, you can do it as well (Festinger, 1954). If the team members like the leader, they will listen to him and the qualities of a good leader include the liking capability as well. The workers should be given rewards on the accomplishment of any project or course of action and this motivates them to do more for the company. At Tesco team leaders are those workers who already have been in teams and know how to persuade people to work in a healthy environment. The techniques used in Litton are most effective ones in this regard where the top executives of the company used to sit on the same floor as the lower level employees. 4.2 Commitment of Individuals: Gains and Losses The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) (Fagnani, 2006) describes that in order to give importance to the performance of an individual in a team and makes the things easy for the team-work, the knowledge of different ââ¬Ëpersonality types is important and ââ¬ËMyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one way of doing it. The model has described four personality types: ââ¬Ëextroverts/introverts, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling and judging/perceiving. On the base of these results there are sixteen personality types discovered. There are many methods used in MBTI to determine the personality of the team member and what role he/she can play in the team. One way of doing it is ââ¬ËIndoor roping by using this technique, there are six ropes used, as they are put on the floor, as a personality test the team members are asked to stand in one of the ropes. At the end the completely different types of personalities will be in opposite sides of the ropes. Similarly another method used is ââ¬Ërole playing in which members of the team are asked to fire other individual from the job. Some of them show sympathy towards that individual while other do it straight away, so a emotional situation arises. Lastly, ââ¬Ëfun exercises are one way of doing it in which different individuals are given a specific task to do and one of the member helps them, this shows how two members of the same team can work together. (Thomas, 2008) describes the team building exercises and role playing at Tesco Hertfordshire in a case study and demonstrates the importance of fun games played in order to build teams and shows the enjoyment. Training staff and developing leaders (Thomas, 2010) describes the importance of giving training and producing leaders in the organizations around the world. In the difficult time of today there are so many companies cutting down on training but there is great need of doing it as seventy percent of companies are putting more money in training and team building. There should be more budget allocated for the training as it is important for company future. But there should be more precise approach in terms of training of employees than doing it as a practice in every field. There should be more focus on precise training and weight age should be given to the most preferred training and needed most. Company should focus on the laps of the skills of the employees and should try to train them in order to fill those gaps, in this way a lot of money can be saved on the training. For the development of leaders in the organization, existing leaders should work together with the trainers in order to give the coaching with the training. In the time of recession, the companies are trying to cut down on training in to get the short-term benefits but they forget the long-term payback of this investment. At Tesco every year around 7000 staff member get the training and another way of saving money for the company is that around ten thousand of the workforce change their jobs within the company which helps the company to make leaders and retain its workers who will be good loyal leader working with the company in the future. Conclusion In the assignment we discussed different issues ranging from importance of strategic performance measurement to the making of leaders. So it looks like the direction of the assignment was that how a company can make great leaders and get prosperous in the future. Any workers who joins the company is not a leader but just a worker who knows nothing how to become an influential part of the management. It is the performance measurement who guides the worker to become a good leader. The company we chose for the assignment also looks an ideal company in this regard.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Flood Stories of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Book of Genesis of the Christian Bible :: Epic Gilgamesh essays
The Flood Stories of Gilgamesh and the Bible The amazing stories of the great flood that are described in The Epic of Gilgamesh which is translated by N.K. Sandars and ââ¬Å"The Story of the Floodâ⬠which is the King James version, both stories similarly. Many of the events of each story are very similar in ways and very different in some of them. From reading both stories I concluded that there was a huge flood that took place in that area of the world. Even though the way both stories describe the flood; The Epic of Gilgamesh is more imaginable. I say that because it is more realistic to have rain for six days, six nights than for forty days, forty nights. Both flood stories have a major similarity and difference though. Both stories described the same flood but they did it in different ways. One difference that backs it up is in The Epic of Gilgamesh the rains that cause the floods only last six days, six nights and in ââ¬Å"The Flood Story in Genesisâ⬠the rains last forty days, forty nights. A quote that tells about the flood is when Utnapishtim said, ââ¬Å"For six days and six nights the wind blew, torrent and tempest and flood overwhelmed the world, tempest and flood raged together like warring hosts (pg. 25).â⬠This quote by Utnapishtim describes how bad the weather, rains, and wind were during the six days and six nights of the storm. On the other hand in ââ¬Å"The Story of the Floodâ⬠it rained for forty days, forty nights. While God was talking to Noah he said, ââ¬Å"For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth (pg. 48 line 4).â⬠This quote describes how long God will have the rain go for. It also says th at he is doing it to destroy all of mankind. After reading the two stories I concluded that forty days and forty nights was too long for it to rain without stopping; that is why the flood in Gilgamesh is more realistic. The length of the rains in the flood story in The Epic of Gilgamesh is easier for someone to believe than the length of the rains in Genesis. Even though the stories were different there was many similarities in the stories.
Friday, October 11, 2019
Defining and Preserving the Well-Being of the Cree: waamistikushiiu v. miyupimaatisiiun :: Essays Papers
Defining and Preserving the Well-Being of the Cree: waamistikushiiu v. miyupimaatisiiun For the Cree, health is more than individual physiology. Health is definied by miyupimaatisiiun, a complex word that refers to an individual's enriching connection to his community and his natural environment. Miyupimaatisiiun can be interpreted as "being-alive well," a condition that includes the safety and security of family, friends and tribal members, as well as for the resources the Cree depend on to survive. Thus, the health of the Cree becomes a political entity, defined through challenging ââ¬Å"environmental, social, politicalâ⬠as well as physiological threats to traditional life. Politcially, the term signifies ââ¬Å"the ability to negotiate the obstacles that threaten the survival of the Creeâ⬠(57). To understand the significance of Cree health, there is much to be said for cultural definition through opposition. The key element of waamistikushiiu, or "whiteman health," that distinctly separates it from the miyupimaatisiiun is its numbing divorce from the earth. Removed from a lifestyle of hunting and dwelling in the bush, waamistikushiiu life is by and large unattached to the intimate land-life story of the Cree people. Without such a story, ââ¬Å"whiteman healthâ⬠is alien and blind in Adelsonââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËBeing Alive Wellââ¬â¢. Perhaps most significantly, waamistikushiiu health stubbornly denies the existence of other definitions of human health. Defined by individual physiology, waamistikushiiu health is universally evaluated against simple biomedical standards and ââ¬Å"determined in proportion to a relative absence of diseaseâ⬠(5). Cree miyupimaatisiiun, however, is not a ââ¬Å"biased and incompleteâ⬠standard of fitness, but a complex process compr ising social relations, land and cultural identity (4). In Whapmagoostui, ââ¬Å"accidental and suicidal deaths, drug and alcohol related illnesses, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cancer are all found- sometimes in disproportionate number-in native communities across Canadaâ⬠(14). By waamistikushiiu standards, such health conditions are deplorable; yet for the Cree, these ailments readily signify a deeper, perpetual ache of land and culture. For centuries, influences of waamistikushiiu culture have altered Cree living. Devastating fur trades, land usurpation, mercury poisoning in fish and waterways, and flooding damage are only a few of the casualties to Cree life in the whitemanââ¬â¢s pursuit of happiness. As ââ¬Å"the only way to acquire [miyupimaatisiiun] strength is to eat Cree food, and the only way to get Cree food is by hunting,â⬠the Cree are bound to defy whiteman devastation of their land and assert rights to survival on their own terms (94).
Quality Physical Health Education Programme in Nigeria Essay
ABSTRACT The paper focused on the Need for Quality Physical Education (PE) Programme in the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in Nigeria. It began with an observation on the inadequacy of precious educational systems which gave birth to UBE. Therefore, the paper attempted to answer the question ââ¬â why there should be quality PE in the school. Furthermore, the paper examined roles of quality PE in the three Education Domains of Motor domain, cognitive domain and affective domain. The challenge of Quality Physical Education in the UBE programme was equally reviewed. The paper concluded that it is only the full implementation of its recommendation that would provide a lasting solution to the challenges of ensuring quality physical education programme in the UBE in Nigeria. INTRODUCTION The previous systems of education that were operated in Nigeria were inadequate to meet the needs for self reliance and rapid economic growth. It was this inadequacy that gave birth to a new one. The Universal Basic Education, Basic education is foundation for sustainable lifelong learning. it provides reading, writing and numeracy skills. The programme provides a wide variety of formal/non-formal educational, activities designed to enable the learner to acquire functional literacy. Basic education in Nigeria context, according to Awosika (2005), includes primary, junior secondary, nomadic and adult literacy education, which focuses on enabling the recipients to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, contribute to the development of the society, and derive maximum social, economic and cultural benefits from the society and discharge their civic obligations competently. WHY QUALITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION? The need for quality Physical Educational Programme offered in the Universal Basic Education (UBE) cannot be over-emphasized. Physical education programme which aims at developing a sound body in readiness for a sound moin has been described by many authors (Adedeji 1998, Ajisafe 1980, Anyanwu 1981, Awosika 1986 and Oyewusi 1992) as education through movement with the body as a vehicle. For several years, one of the goals of all concerned with the physical activity of children has been quality physical education offered daily in our nationââ¬â¢s schools. It is the right of the Nigerian child to be offered quality physical education. According to UNESCO 1978 in Awosika (2005), the International Charter of Physical Education and Sports declares that physical education and sports are fundamental rights for all, and specifically, that: i.Every human has a fundamental right to access physical education and sports which are essential for the full development of personality. The freedom to develop physical, intellectual and moral powers through physical education and sport must be guaranteed both within the education system and in other aspects of social life. ii.Everyone must have full opportunities, in which national traditions of sports, for practicing physical education and sports developing physical fitness and attaining a level of achievement in sport which corresponds to inherent gifts. iii.Special opportunities must be made available for young people, including children of pre-school age, for the aged and for the handicapped to develop their personalities to the full through physical education and sports programmes suited tot their requirements. For these reasons, the physical education curriculum must facilitate achieving National content standards for physical education. To accomplish this, Gallahue and Donnelly (2003) opined that the curriculum should include the following elements: 1.Fitness education and assessment to help children understand, improve, and/or maintain their physical well-being; 2.Instruction in a variety of motor skills that are designed to enhance the physical, mental, social and emotional development of every child; 3.Development of cognitive concepts about motor skills and health enhancing levels of fitness; 4.Opportunities to develop social and cooperative skills and gain a multicultural perspective. 5.Involvement of all children activities that provide maximum amounts of appropriate physical activity. QUALITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATIONAL DOMAINS Any educational programme that does not contribute meaningfully to the educational domains is considered deficient and needs to be restructured. Physical education is sensitive to the motor, cognitive and affective domains and should be viewed as a subject, like any other that makes meaningful and measurable contributions to all three domains. Each of the domains will be looked at briefly in the following paragraphs: MOTOR DOMAIN The motor domain is the basis for the motor skill themes of the physical education programme. Motor development, according to Ayodele (2005), is a progressive change in oneââ¬â¢s movement bahaviour brought about by interaction of the movement task with the biology of the individual and the conditions of the learning environment. In other words, oneââ¬â¢s unique hereditary make up, along with specific environmental conditions combined with the requirements of the task itself to determine the rate and extents of the movement skill acquisition and fitness enhancement. Quality physical education programme, therefore, will help all children make adaptive change toward increased motor control and movement competence. This is achieved by involving the children in movement activities that are both appropriate to their age and development. COGNITIVE DOMAIN Physical education does not only make unique contribution to the acquisition of movement skills and physical fitness enhancement; it also makes meaningful contributions to the cognitive aspect of childrenââ¬â¢s development. Cognitive learning is a progressive change in the ability to act Bredenkamp, 1992 in Ayodele, 2005). Cognitive concept of learning can be effectively taught through movement, that is, active participation in activities. Usually, participation in most, if not all physical activities, begins in mind. The participants must first have a concept of the action, think and reason it out before the action. Considering the swiftness with which most physical education activities are performed, one can only imagine the beneficial tasking effect on the cognitive development. It is interesting to note too, that, movement often meets the needs and interest of children more than classroom activities that are less active. When a child is actively participating in a game that is teaching academic concepts, her attention is not easily diverted by extraneous stimuli (Ayodele, 2005). Also, many of todayââ¬â¢s children under value academic achievement but have high regard for physical performance. AFFECTIVE DOMAINS An important outcome of any quality physical education programme is enhancement in the affective domain. Affective growth is learning that increased the ability of children to act, interact and react effectively with other people as well as with themselves. Affective growth is often referred to as ââ¬Å"social ââ¬â emotional developmentâ⬠. Physical education programme provide ample opportunity for interaction and the development of feelings (emotion) for others. CHALLENGES OF QUALITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE UBE PROGRAMME Quality physical education uses the gymnasium, playing fields as learning laboratory and numerous consumable equipment and supplies that calls for adequate funding. These are lacking in most of the schools. Quality physical education calls for teachers who are dedicated to childrenââ¬â¢s learning. it is not a ââ¬Å"throw out the ballâ⬠programme or some form of glorified recess period. Gallaheu and Donnelly (2003) opined that if children are to realize the full potential of physical education, then, the physical education must continue to strive for quality physical education programmes offered daily. It has been also observed that Nigerian children are frequently unable to take advantage of the many benefits of vigorous physical activities because of poor or non existence of physical education programmes, sedentary life style and erroneous assumption that children by the very nature of being children get plenty of physical activity. As a result, low levels of physical fitne ss and movement skill attainment are all common. Pate (1995) opined that schools should offer physical education programmes, which provide and promote physical activity at every opportunity. Physical education and the school curriculum is another area of challenge. Though physical education has been formally entrenched into the UBE curriculum, effective teaching still leaves much to be desired. Findings have shown that many schools do not teach physical education as it should be taught, while some do not even teach it at all. Ajisafe (1991) attested to this claim that the periods of physical education are often used by children to work outside the class room either to clean the school premises or school farm. Lack of qualified physical education teachers is another challenge. Qualified Physical Education teachers have a lot of role to play in the school PE programme. They teach physical education, organize and administer intramural and extramural sports and they form the cream of the administrators of school sports. If physical education teachers are not adequate, non specialists in physical education cannot properly carry out these functions. Lack of motivation of physical education teachers and athletes; irregular intra-mural and extra-mural sports at school levels and many other challenges need to be urgently addressed to ensure quality PE programme in the school. RECOMMENDATION The following recommendations are put forward towards ensuring quality physical education programme in the Universal Basic Education in Nigeria. More so, school sports (intra-mural and extra-murals) is a forum to practicalize what has been learnt during physical education lessons, it is then imperative that the UBE programme should ensure that PE is properly taught in every school by: (i)Adequate funding of PE and sports programmes; (ii)Employment of adequate and qualified Physical Education teachers for the schools; (iii)Provision of sports and PE facilities, equipment and other supplies; (iv)Resuscitation of the annual intra-mural sports and the extra-mural sports; (v)The PE specialists should be abreast of the latest research, issues and trends in the field through ongoing professional development; (vi)Physical education classes should contain about 25 students per class in order to enhance effective teaching. CONCLUSION Every human being has a fundamental right to participate in sport and physical activity of their choice (UNESCO, 1978). For the children and youth, physical education should be taught in the schools by qualified teachers (Eoulon, 1994). It is only the full implementation of these and lasting solution to the challenges that would ensure quality physical education programmed in the Universal Basic Education in Nigeria. REFERENCES Adedeji, J.A. (1998). Physical Education in Educational Institutions in Nigeria. International Journal of Physical Education. (15) 4 Ajisafe, M.O. (1980). Teaching Physical and Health Education, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd. Yaba, Lagos. Ajisafe, M.O. (1991). Physical Education in the Service of Mankind (unpublished manuscript). Anyanwu, S.U. (1981). Secondary School Physical Education: Implications for the Development of Sports In Nigeria. The JONA PHER, (2), 2. Awosika, Yomi (1986). It pays to play: With Recreation During Economic Recession. In Afisafe (Ed) Recreation and National Awareness. 73-77 Awosika, Yomi (2005). Collaborative Roles of Physical Health Education and Sports in the Effective Implementation of Universal Basic Education Programmmme. In Omolawan, K.O (Ed) Journal Of Sports Management and Education Research (1), 2:1-20. Ayodele, I.R. (2005). Need for Quality Developmental Physical Education Offered Daily in the Programme. In Omolawam, K.O. (Ed); Journal of Sport s Management and Educational Research (1), 2 121-127. Coulon, S.C. (1994). Elementary Physical Education: A Rural School Districts Perspective Rural Educator, (3) 15: 13-17. Gallahue, D.L. & Donnelly, F.C. (2003). Developmental Physical Education for all Children (3rd), China: Human Kinetics Oyewusi, J.A. (1992). Using Physical Education as a Therapeutic Weapon. Sports Science and Medicine, (2), 1; 307-328. Pate, R.R. (1995). Recent Statements and Initiatives on Physical Activity and Health Question 47:304-310. UNESCO (1993). International Charter of Physical Education and Sports. UNESCO, Paris, France: Eric Document: 370-901.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)