Assessment in the Mental Health Setting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Assessment in the Mental Health Setting - Essay Example Assessment is the first stage of the nursing process and begins with the collection of information about a patient (Hinchliff et al, 2003). In a broad sense, assessment is the foundation of nursing care and is a continuous process that nurses apply in their delivery of care (Ryrie and Norman 2010). Barker (2004) also identifies assessment as an estimation of a person’s character, and as a â€Å"decision making process based upon the collection of relevant information, using a formal set of ethical criteria, that contributes to an overall estimation of a person and his circumstances†. However it has been suggested that mental health nursing profession should integrate the broad principles of recovery approach into every aspect of nursing practice including that of assessment (DH 2006). Furthermore, a number of standardised assessment tools has been developed to support nurses further in fulfilling their professional task in clinical measurement and also in providing â₠¬Å"a general outline or the presentation of the person at a particular point in time† (Barker 2004). This essay will now identify, using evidence-based practice, a formal assessment tool used in the assessment of a patient in an acute inpatient assessment ward during a recent clinical placement. Relevant references will be cited to support statements and conclusions; appendices will also be provided to give a sample of the assessment tool used during the placement. In accordance with the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s Code of Professional Conduct (2002) guidelines, certain parts of this original essay such as the patient history will be omitted to maintain confidentiality and protect anonymity. The setting is an acute inpatient ward and a mixed gender unit. It provides a safe environment for assessment, treatment and therapeutic work helping to secure the full spectrum of mental health conditions designed to promote recovery as stated by the Department Of Health (2006). In this essay, I will pay attention to the use of the assessment instrument: Becks Depression Inventory (BDI). This inventory is basically composed of a series of queries conceptualized to measure the intensity and severity of patients with a diagnosis of mental health disorders (Polgar, 2003). The long form covers 21 questions which are meant to evaluate a specific symptom manifest among people with depression. The shorter form is composed of seven questions and is meant to be carried out by primary care givers (Polgar, 2003). This assessment tool was originally meant to evaluate and monitor depression among patients in the mental health setting and is now widely used as a measure and evaluation tool for patients with potentially depressed symptoms. I am fully aware of ethical issues on consent and so I gained a valid and informed consent of the patient in accordance with the NMC provisions (2002, section 3). The patient was made aware that this work would be confidential (NMC, 200 2, section 5). To protect her identity, she will be referred to as Helen in this paper. Helen is 65 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She is currently in the acute mixed gender ward for assessment and treatment. For the past several years she has been admitted on and off into the ward similarly for depressed symptoms, and sometimes for manic symptoms. Rationale in selecting one type of assessment tool Using one type of assessment tool is crucial to the delivery of nursing care. The single assessment process applied to the patient helps to ensure that â€Å"older people’s needs are accurately assessed without needless duplication across different agencies†

Psychology, Theology and the Spiritual Life in Christian Counseling Essay Example for Free

Psychology, Theology and the Spiritual Life in Christian Counseling Essay 1. This paper is a book review that will deal with the above work by McMinn and the nature of Christian counseling in general. The work is a whole is designed to be easily read, and reads very quickly at the price of sophistication. Its ultimate purpose is one of integration on wto levels: first, the integration of the â€Å"broken† person back into loving relationships, chiefly with God, who is a God of healing, and second, the immensely important integration of theology with the aims of counseling. Counseling without God is a far less complex affair than Christian counseling. The secular counselor can be safely utilitarian, whatever helps heal the person might be tried or advocated. However, with Christian counseling, the idea of integration is all important. Christians have a specific view of the personality that cannot be ignored in counseling. These ideas on the human personality is based around our inherent sinfulness and â€Å"brokenness. † (McMinn, 1996, 32). This is central, all of humanity is in need of counseling of some sort, but the final end of counseling, that of union with God in and by healthy relationships with other persons, provides far more difficult challenges than the more utilitarian secularist. Furthermore, the idea of the integration of the ego out of its sinful (yet natural) drive to self-sufficiency (cf. 35-40ff) is another specifically Christian idea when coupled with the important idea of Grace, the Grace that is, by its very function, a healing balm. Hence, the counselor must also know how to â€Å"give way† to grace, grace that is not in the control of the counselor. The notion of the â€Å"abuse of power† so important to the chapter on â€Å"Sin†is precisely not realizing the fact that the Christian counselor must act as a conduit of grace and not its â€Å"dispenser. † Thus, the counselor that does not realize this gap, the gap between the counselor and the will of God for the broken victim has failed in his duty. The grace for the believer is always present, and Christian counseling must have a sense that his duty is to help the victim find it. The basic thesis of the book is sound from a theological and a psychological point of view: the modern secular mentality stresses ego satisfaction and ones â€Å"control† over ones life. But this is little more than the institutionalization of original sin: this is the problem, not the solution. This desire, natural to fallen man, to be self-sufficient is the root of all psychological problems. Hence, the work takes this fundamental insight through the various ideas that develop in the process of counseling: prayer, scripture, forgiveness, etc. Each concerns itself with bringing the patient to a fuller understanding of the nature of his alienation, both from others an from God. 2. In the section on prayer, I was struck by several things, things that I recall myself going through. I was always taken aback by the attacks on prayer by both mainline psychology and society at large: why would one pray if God is all knowing? Of course this is not an easy question, and the church fathers dealt with it in some detail. I began to see prayer as being of 2 kinds: the intercessory prayer, or the literal meaning of prayer in the sense as â€Å"to ask. † This is not a part of Christian counseling to any great degree. But the second form of prayer, that of communion and oneness, is. The prayerful meditation of the ancient monks has healing properties even apart of belief. Prayer, as McMinn points out, reduces stress, creates a bond with the counselor, and places the problems of man in a theological context (66ff). The same might be said for his section on Scripture: is not Job an excellent case study for the Christian counselor? Is not David and his sins even better? (Cf. 100) It seems to me that the development of my own prayer life since being involved with counseling has more to do with dealing rather than asking. , In other words, it seems to me that pure prayer is not about asking for things: God knows what we need. Pure prayer is about dealing with that which God has given us in our own development. Suffering is no a bad thing with a prayerful attitude: it permits us to reject the world and its comforts, and to seek our rest in God alone. Christians involved in counseling should avoid, as my experience has shown, treating prayer as a means of â€Å"getting† things. This can lead to disappointment and a belief that God is merely a great cosmic vending machine that exists to grant wishes. I recall my older view that prayer was about â€Å"getting,† instead of â€Å"dealing. † Prayer as a means of communing with God in the midst of suffering is both a very Christian idea as well as a powerful tool in counseling Christians. 3. A major issue that arises from reading this book is the difficulty of the task. The author is writing for a popular audience, and hence, can not get into the deep psychology and theology necessary to make his this work. Theology is the highest of the sciences, and this is because the understanding of Christ as Logos gives both the efficient and final cause of creation, including our minds. The Logos is the being of all things so far as they exemplify a cosmic reason, an interconnectedness that makes nature understandable and law-abiding. But our problem arises, both as Christians and as counselors, when we are forced to deal with the affects of the fall: a nature that bears God’s energy (though not her person), but is only poorly reflected in our minds that have been darkened by sin. Christianity has been worried about this healing since St Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine, who have dealt with the church and the Christian life as primarily a psychological affair, an affair of the consciousness, but a consciousness whose own drives seek to obliterate God and his presence in the interests of self centeredness. The very nature of the book in question cannot get into these issues except in trite examples. The book needs to build upon Christ as Logos before any serious psychology can be done. Putting this differently, the point is that Christ is to be found in the human mind in that it bears traces, fingerprints of the creator, but the creator as the Son, the image of the Father. The cosmic reason found in all things. This is an ontological problem, one that needs to inform all Christian psychology. Th reality is that this book is far too simple, far to â€Å"easy† and cannot gt to th heart of the matter. 4. In terms of action, I want to take from McMinn’s section on Scripture. This is likely the most valuable part of the work, and Scripture, to say the least, is only rarely considered a bok of counseling or psychology. Yet, the scriptures are saturated with psychological insight. Hence, my action here is to begin bringing scriptural sources into counseling. Even with secular patients, the Bible, even if the patient does not necessarily believe its divine origin, still contains many positive and negative examples for people to consider. The sins of David, including murder, are helpful is showing the example of repentance and the fact that a spiritual giant like David can be so flawed. I might say the same of Noah, after his drunkenness. God can forgive anything. The prophets such as Jeremiah or Amos were all persecuted for their beliefs and complete refusal to compromise. For people to be treated harshly because of their faith is something Christ explicitly mentions as the lot of the Christian: scripture is about God’s presence amidst a world that does not recognize him, whether it be the establishment of Judah or the Jewish Pharisees. The Christian Will suffer–there is no getting out of that, it is built into the process of both living and counseling. Christ Himself is such an example. Therefore, in dealing with patients, the Scriptures will be the central component in counseling for the examples they contain: examples of righteous suffering, but suffering with a purpose. Suffering with a purpose is bearable, suffering for no reason is not,. There is not a major figure in the Scriptures that is not persecuted for one reason or another by a world that does not understand te godly life. For us as counselors, nothing can be more important, useful or inspiring.

The House of Seven Gables as a Gothic Novel Essay -- House of the Seve

The House of Seven Gables as a Gothic Novel      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To be a paradigm of a Gothic novel, The House of Seven Gables needs to include many elements, all which center on the ideas of gloom, horror, and mystery. The action of a Gothic novel takes place in a "run-down, abandoned or occupied, mansion or castle," which often include secret passages, doors, and compartments (Encarta). The mansion also adds its own flavor and variety to the atmosphere of mystery and suspense in the novel by providing a dark and gloomy setting where the story takes place. The basis of mystery and suspense in the atmosphere of the novel feeds off of "an unexplained or supernatural event" in the present or from past generations (Harris). The unexplained event in the novel is a result of ancient prophecy in connection with the history of the mansion, or the earlier generations, and explains the negative vicissitude in future present generations. The ancient prophecy sometimes only provides the reader with "partial or confusing" informa tion or only provides one side of the story, thus presenting and even stronger feeling of mystery in the novel (Harris). Bad omens and visions of death also occur to foreshadow the misfortune of a character in the novel in the near future. The use of omens as foreshadowing devices also develops and presents additional suspense to the already mysterious plot. Along with omens, supernatural events also appear in a Gothic novel to add mystery and include: "ghosts, giants, or inanimate objects coming to life" (Harris). The supernatural events continue to add the atmosphere of suspense and even horror to the Gothic novel. In a Gothic novel, a "tyrannical male" usually threatens a weak female, adding an elemen... ...n and fulfills the last criteria in presenting the House of Seven Gables as a Gothic novel.    The use of the elements of mystery, suspense, and horror in the House of Seven Gables creates the atmosphere common to a Gothic novel. The use of the supernatural and other mysterious events, in the House of Seven Gables, also compose the elements present in Gothic Literature. By presenting the elements through the setting and plot, The House of Seven Gables contains all requirements of a Gothic novel, claiming its spot in dark halls of the Gothic literature genre.    Works Cited "Gothic Literature." Encarta Encyclopedia: Microsoft. 2nd Ed. 1998. Harris, Robert. Vanguard University of Southern California Gothic Literature Page. 20 November 2000. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The House of Seven Gables. New York: Dover Publications, 1999.   

Interpreting the Quote “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” Essay

„Always look on the bright side of life.â€Å" When I read â€Å"Always look on the bright side of life†, the song of the same title immediately got stuck in my head. The song is great and so are its lyrics. Although it was originally featured in Monty Pythons comedy movie â€Å"Life of Brian†, it is also commonly played at funerals. When people are having a hard time, it is very important to never let them forget that there will be better times again soon. The melody and the words often help me to get through a rough day or to forget a bad mood too. In the following essay, I will discuss the benefits of using this quote as a personal motto. For many people, including me, the quotation â€Å"Always look on the bright side of life† is also a personal motto. Everyday, you are surrounded by many pessimistic people and negative environments. It is your own choice whether you are going to be happy or not. People tend to blame other people for their unhappiness, which is ridiculous. It is very important that you are able to be happy on your own and that you do not need others to make you that. As for myself, I try very hard to live my life like an optimist and to not let other people’s moods and negative thoughts influence me in a negative way. Of course, I am not optimistic about every single situation. However, generally, I am making efforts in keeping my chin up and not letting others influence my good mood in a bad way. On the contrary, it is not difficult for me to be cheered up by other people when I am grumpy or disheartened. There are some days of course on which I wish everyone not to cross my way for his or her best because I know for sure that otherwise I would break out in tears or have an outburst of rage. However, I can say that I am a happy and well-balanced person most of the time. Choosing to see things in life positively is a view of life. Mankind strives to achieve happiness and it should always be our first goal but many people fail to reach this goal by seeing things negatively the whole time and being upset about things they cannot change anyway. Always looking on the bright side of life is the key to happiness.

The british invasion: musical movement of 1960s

The focal point of the paper is to analyze and evaluate the British Invasion or the musical movement of the mid-1960s composed of British rock-and-roll (â€Å"beat†) groups whose popularity spread rapidly throughout England and the United States. For the purpose it is important to understand the socio political equilibrium of the time. This is because the main factors in this movement are predominantly three fold. The first one is changing social pattern after the Great War. The second important factor is the aspect of cultural contacts and third aspect is the changing face of market and economy in UK and US.It could be mentioned in the initial stages that it was degeneration time. Imperialism had taken its tolls on the world, which was grilling on the last fires of the Second World War. The losses were too heavy, and the shocks, almost unbearable. People just lived through a test of the extent organized cruelty and purposeful ruthlessness could reach. As far as the future was concerned, the initial tremors of what would lead to a massive cross across the globe were being felt – the crack that broke it up into three distinctly different worlds, the first, the second and the third.In this context it would be relevant to mention that the generation was not finding their existence worth while or in other words they wanted more out of their life. This extra bit was searched everywhere and at every aspects of life and music was no different. The Beat movement came to this need of the hour with quite a few new faces budding with musical talents and a whole new genus of music called the rock ‘n’ roll. (Prawer, 221-5)It was regeneration time. Ideological conflicts and military interests were shaking civilization right up to its foundations. The doubts, dilemmas and confusions were gradually, quite slowly indeed, giving way to a new and unique cultural revolution. It was happening all across the United Kingdom and the United States. People sud denly seemed to realize that there was enough of political warfare to disgrace humanity. The prevailing standards suddenly seemed to be meaningless, and the insurgent youths wanted something different to happen.United Kingdom and its Beat Movement was no exception to this movement. As a matter of fact, it was one of the cores of it. The presence of a large number of African-Americans in the city was pushing it ahead to initiate the Civil Rights Movement. Something that had laid its roots in the human mind over a few millennia, apartheid that is, was gradually being uprooted by the new wave of what started being called the rock ‘n’ roll movement.   The existing musical trends, blues and country, did not suffice in expressing the protests and grievances of the new generation, which started looking at itself as a victim of political conspiracies. (Powell, 49-53)It could be stated that the focal point of this paper is realizing that what occurred in United Kingdom during the era of 1960s that was instrumental in giving the birth of rock n' roll. This was deeply influenced by the presence of the freshly migrated African American population in United Kingdom and influenced the musical development by a huge margin with musical forms that incorporated jazz meshing with country music.But the basic background of this movement started much earlier and it would be relevant to mention that the black community contributed hugely to this movement. African American history and the context in this case is the great migration during the mid 1900s. While looking into the matter it can primary be mentioned that migration is a subject that is studied on all levels when dealing with humanity and its idiosyncrasies. In order to understand migration we must understand the various components involved in migration, including internal migration, external migration, immigration and both refugees and Internally Displaced Persons. During the twentieth century, especially in the middle decades, it was found that the population of Southern UK with specification of African American origin has doubled within a span of 10 years after the Second World War.The population escalated to a high note and this time the immigrants were there in the region to put their hands on the industrial boom. This was obviously not at par with any single industry like Manchester but the cumulative sum total of the gross output became quite high and the settlements showed the white population of the area that there was more to music than usual traditional themes.These people use to gather around at the evening and presented their compositions to themselves. It was a leisurely approach but people like McCartney or Lennon soon found out that these rural touch of music can be polished and urbanized to develop into a new form of musical genera that was ultimately to be known as Rock ’n’ roll and as these people were from smaller towns and this part was to harvest most of the credit of this new form of music.   (Tyerman, 233-37)The life styles of the early 1960’s through the later 1960’s have emerged as fallout of the booming economy that is represented by the generation of ‘baby boomers’. The hardship during the days of the Second World War gave birth to the newest possible philosophies that state it is obvious to follow the trend of open market economy with all its perception of high yielding materialism. This hard cored materialism and pro life oriented attitude was previously known in the western world but now it came into a maximized form which sociologist refer as a pro active action against the mass destruction and insecurity of the last great war. The latest philosophy was to obtain as much as possible that life has to offer. Every social aspect changed with it and along with it changed the world around them.Plays and writer were no different. Colours became more vibrant and approach became more outrageous to k eep up with the society. Joe Orton's plays were a product of this period. UK and US was ready for this change and it only needed a spark to ignite its whole new musical genus. This was provided by the endowments of talented musicians like Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, John Lennon and Elvis Presley. These people were to become the pride of the youth and the era soon came to be known as the cradle of Rock ‘n’ roll. (Manning, 279)The funny side of this approach was however different from the basic perception of the life styles of the early 1960’s through the later 1960 were a confluence of conflicting philosophies. As it was mentioned earlier that the idea of materialism was at its had hitting best but alternatively the simplicities of eastern philosophies, specifically Indian philosophies, were highly acclaimed though it was concentrated within a certain group of people. As a result, the poets and the writers, as least a section of them, who took their inspirations from life and society it self, inclined themselves towards the approach of simplistic formations of art forms.It is a well known fact and it has been shown time and again by many literary historians and researchers that the main targeted audience were the baby boomers who had all the opportunities to take all the advantages of almost any and every marketing gimmicks. UK and its music were not far behind in this era. The musicians of this time needed something more vibrant and colorful and Rock ’n’ Roll came out as the product of the time.   (Dollard, 116-7)It should be remembered that this was the era of the beginning of the ‘cold wars’ too and fascination of the authorities towards the space age race and nuclear future was overwhelming. So, it is obvious that the common demography of the country started mimicking the perception of the authorities taking the concept of space age right to their likings. As a result the musical designers coul d not be left far behind. They associated their music with the latest gizmos and presented the feature of Rock ’n’ Roll as new age revolution.The problem was that the new generation was unable to recognize themselves with the usual blues and other traditional forms. They wanted something exclusively that is easily identifiable to them. Rock ‘n’ Roll Music provided that element which included the latest approach to music with more flair and flamboyance. This music possessed more swings and action and this was what the generation of 1960’s wanted. The Beat movement provided this exact genus of music. (Knott, 188-9)The innovative and diversified methodology utilized between these two decades reflects a change in society’s considerations. The choice to change furniture styles reflects a great deal on the emotional status of the era and the need to recover from a series of devastating events. Those devastating events included World War II and a ve ry emotional roller coaster in the depression era which wrought havoc in many ways on the methods of production and the economic infrastructure of the United States and UK. The devastation involved during World War II provided impetus for the designers from various European countries to flee to the United States and UK for sanctuary and freedom of expression. This is where the innovation for the new modern style of music was managed.The 1950’s period was indeed a lively decade for arts and technology where many forces emerged influencing changes in musical design. The push of space travel, the defense industry and consumer booms provided impetus toward increased influences of fashion in lifestyle design. Cheap yet fashionable articles made to be thrown away afterwards became fashionable for household interiors. Youths of the era became a strong influence on this era of design by attacking the principles of tradition in many ways including interior design. Designers were intri gued and influenced by fantasy films, space travel and its mystique and more. Later this attitude was becoming more relevant with pop art culture, the Beatles, Woodstock, Peace, Love, Psycadelia and the Youth Force. (Kumar, 334)In conclusion it can well be stated that it is true that the movement of music in the form of Rock ‘n’ roll developed and reached at a great height but at the same time it is also a fact that it died out soon in its original form. However, the music of this era left a long standing legacy for generations to come in different forms and designs of music along with different issues to protest along with cultural homogeneous forms and changing socio economic and philosophical context, the basic causes of the development of this musical movement.Works Sited:Dollard, John; Zenith and Zero Points of History (New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 2004) pp 116-7Knott, P; Development of Analysis of US & UK Economy (Dhaka: Dasgupta & Chatterjee 2005) pp 188-9Kumar, H; Justice of Winners: Win Some, Lose None (Auckland: HBT & Brooks Ltd. 2005) pp 334Manning, C S; Principals and Practices of Hollywood Industry (Christchurch: National Book Trust. 2004) pp 279Powell, M; Anatomy of Modern Culture: Independence of Economy (Wellington: ABP Ltd 2001) pp 49-53Prawer, H A; The Kingdom of Rock’n’Roll (Dunedin: Allied Publishers 2004) pp 221-5Tyerman, J; Invention of the Musical Crusades (Dunedin: Allied Publications 2001) pp 233-37

Starbucks †Going Global Fast

Starbucks – Going Global Fast Abstract Starbucks, like other companies, has continued to expand its global operations for enhanced business sustainability. As a matter of fact, the company is going global by entering new markets. On the other hand, there are various risks that the company is facing in international markets. Therefore, Starbucks has been forced to deal with various elements in entering global markets to enhance its operations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Starbucks – Going Global Fast specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Introduction Starbucks prides itself as the largest coffeehouse company around the globe. It was started in Seattle as a coffee bean roaster and retailer (Starbucks, 2010, p. 8). From thereon, the company has been expanding as time goes by to reach new markets. Wholesomely, the company has more than 17,800 stores in 49 different countries (Starbucks, 2010, p. 12). Most of these stores are based in the United States of America. In addition, it has a large range of products to suit different market needs and tastes. In a broad perspective, most of its products are seasonal. This means that they are specific to a given locality that the company operates a store. Starbucks has always had good growth plans and in 2009 it had projected to open 900 stores outside the United States to enhance its global operations (Starbucks, 2010, p. 6). Starbucks global expansion: Controllables It should be known that the company has dealt with relevant controllable elements in entering global markets. The company has had a big challenge of maintaining its own growth (Starbucks, 2010, p. 21). As a matter of fact, it does not have any debt and has been financing its expansion programs without any problem. The company has also been forced to maintain a tight grip on its own image. To deal with this issue, it has ensured that most of its stores are company owned. This implies that there will be no franchises to slow down its operations in different perspectives. Price is another controllable element that the company has had to contend with. For instance, Italian bars have prospered by offering customers various quisines. Starbucks has controlled its advertising and therefore saved a bundle on its marketing costs (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 8).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As a matter of fact, it only spends 1% of its revenues on advertising and this is very effective and efficient. Most of this is incurred on new product launches and new flavor drinks. When compared with other companies that spend more than $ 300 million on advertising, the company spends $30 million (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 13). Management expansion tactics have been kept within the reach of the company’s resources in expanding to new markets (Starbucks, 2010, p. 24). This has made it possible for th e company to design and open a new store in less than 16 weeks. In addition, it has also been able to recoup its investments in less than three years. Innovation is another controllable element that the company has continually used to its advantage (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 32). In this case, the company has been highly innovative as far as its beverages are concerned. This can be explained from the fact that it has installed automatic espresso machines in more than 800 locations in a bid to improve service delivery in new markets (Bryant, 2009, p. 11). Some years back, the company began offering prepaid cards. This has improved its activities in new international markets. Technology has been embraced at an internal level in the company’s global expansion strategy (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 12). In this case, Web technology has been included in its systems to increase service delivery. This means that customers can preorder and pre-pay for various pastries and beverages. Starbucks g lobal expansion: Relevant uncontrollable elements The company has had to cope with the unpredictable challenge of being refereed to as a mature company (Starbucks, 2010, p. 6). This has been witnessed in the US but has spread to other foreign markets. In this case, the company will continually face a hostile reception from different future consumers. The company can not control the number of the youthful population in different markets. This means that it has to continually re-invent itself for enhanced sustainability. It has been extensively involved in market research to know the needs of different market segments (Bryant, 2009, p. 431).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Starbucks – Going Global Fast specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As the company spreads out, it has faced different cultural challenges in distinct markets. It should be known that countries have diverse cultural backgrounds. Culture defines th e tastes and preferences of different consumers. Therefore, the company has been forced to understand different cultural aspects to strengthen its presence (Bryant, 2009, p. 65). It is quite obvious that a given commodity might not do well in new international markets. In this case, Starbucks has continually enhanced its product line to suit new market needs and preferences. There is no company that can control the pace of technological advancements. Technology has continued to spread very fast as time goes by (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 32). For enhanced operations, the company should keep pace with various advancements for an improvement in its operations. To remain relevant, Starbucks has always embraced technology and incorporated it in its operations in relation to the demands of a given new market. Such advancements have been seen in the development of a prepaid card for customers (David, 2007, p. 7). Competition has been increasing in different markets like Japan. This competition has been intensified as customers demand new experiences. Therefore, the company should cope up with competition as it is not in any capacity to control it. For example, it has consistently developed a broad new menu in Japan to remain competitive. This has seen it increase its stores to 700 (David, 2007, p. 13). To keep off competition, it has also developed seasonal products to suit the needs of the market at that particular time (Bryant, 2009, p. 25). Starbucks has also had to contend with various political and legal bindings. An example is France’s arcane regulations and labor benefits. Major sources of risks facing Starbucks in its international markets One of the major risks that the company has faced is a saturated market. Though this has been witnessed in domestic markets like US and Canada, its effects have been felt in new and international markets. As much as it has more than 17,800 stores in 49 different countries, the company considers this as an upper limit of coffee shop saturation (Starbucks, 2010, p. 15).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, saturation has also been witnessed in Japan where the effect of new shops has slowly worn off. To curb this threat, the company has continually renovated its stores and improved its services to remain strategic in the market (Bryant, 2009, p. 35). Another source of risk is loosing customers. This is because the company offers very few options to different consumers. As a mater of fact, it has been importing its flagship products to new markets. As much as markets may be related, the company needs to develop products based on different tastes and preferences. This will protect it from losing customers who want new experiences (Bryant, 2009, p. 63). The Generation X does not feel comfortable with Starbucks stores and this is a very big source of business risk in international markets. In this case, the company might end up facing a very hostile reception from its future customers. As a matter of fact, they will be turned away by the power and image of the company’ s well known brand. To solve this problem, the company should continually redesign its brand to make it more appealing to the youthful market (Michelli, 2006, p. 17). Global expansion poses a big risk to the company’s international markets. This is because it makes less money from its overseas ventures. Such overseas ventures are operated in partnership with local businesses. In this case, the company should focus on a good strategic alliance that will increase its profitability. For instance, it can embrace alliances in the acquisition of properties instead of partnerships (Michelli, 2006, p. 19). Great obstacles will also be seen in SRC and Ethnocentrism with local partners. To solve this, the company can keep away SRC and Ethnocentrism from its decision making. There is another risk of employee disruption. In this case, there is a perception that most of the company’s employees are dissatisfied with their pay. Starbucks should therefore focus on new ways of reducing employee disruption to enhance service delivery in its stores (Michelli, 2006, p. 39). Critique Starbucks overall corporate strategy The company has been making various loses because of an apparent mismatch between its customer expectations and corporate strategy. Although the company dominates the USA market, there are other states that don’t have a single Starbuck store (Starbucks, 2010, p. 25). This means that it has not paid attention to the whole market. The company believes that it can make many sales by increasing its stores every now and then. By increasing its stores in domestic and international markets day by day, the company has forgotten to focus on its key mission of satisfying customer needs (Warner, 2004, p. 11). It should be known that the company can design and develop a new store in less than 16 weeks. Starbucks has continually focused on the older generation thereby forgetting the Generation X (Bryant, 2009, p. 75). In this case, it does not have a differ ential pricing for the youthful market. For instance, some of them find it absurd to pay $3 for a cup of coffee. The company has relied on franchising to expand its business outside United States and this undermines its strength in key domestic markets (USA and Canada). It is undeniable that the company is going global but its spending has not been matching its market status (Warner, 2004, p. 14). Starbucks only spends 1% of its revenues on advertising unlike other major companies that spend 10% of their revenues. This poor spending ultimately negates its brand building initiatives outside USA (Bryant, 2009, p. 67). Starbucks has in one way or the other created barriers to entry for other competitors through its somehow predatory real estate strategy (David, 2007, p. 18). This is not good in a free and competitive market and may attract a lot of dissents from customers and the community. The company’ does not pay its workers well in relation to their workload. This has create d a lot of dissatisfaction among employees. Apart from this, Schultz, the company’s chairman, has been making scathing comments that might affect its business in Muslim dominated regions (Michelli, 2006, p. 41). How Starbucks can improve profitability in Japan The company can still improve its profits in Japan by repositioning its products and services. As a matter of fact, Japanese customers are less conscious about prices. More attention should be focused on the youthful generation as they have good growth prospects. Because there are many competitors in Japan, the company can either increase benefits or reduce prices to keep off intensified competition. Japanese people are very busy and might not find enough time to visit Starbuck stores. In this case, it can introduce the US online system where customers will give their orders through the internet (Starbucks, 2010, p. 32). In addition, it can also come up with an effective entertainment or cultural campaign to entice vari ous Japanese youths. This will likely attract youths to the company’s stores. Extra activities can also be added to its existing product line to suit different market tastes. In this case, the company will be able to increase its profitability in Japan (Bryant, 2009, p. 31). Conclusion Starbucks has been increasing its global activities to expand its market beyond USA and Canada. This has seen the company establish its presence in more than 49 countries. Therefore, it has had to cope with the unpredictable and predictable elements in entering these markets. As much as it has more than 17,800 stores in 49 different countries, the company considers this as an upper limit of coffee shop saturation. The company has faced various criticisms because of its overall corporate strategy. This should be effectively taken care of for enhanced sustainability. For instance, the company believes that it can make more sales by increasing its stores every now and then. Despite all these probl ems, the company can still remain profitable in its key markets like Japan by embracing good growth strategies. Reference List Bryant, S. (2009). Everything but the Coffee: Learning about America from Starbucks. California: University of California Press. David, R. (2007). Struck By Starbucks. New York: Forbes. Michelli, J. A. (2006). The Starbucks experience: 5 principles for turning ordinary into extraordinary. New York: McGraw-Hill. Pendergrast, M. (2001). Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World. London: Texere. Starbucks. (2010). For business. Web. Starbucks. (2010). Starbucks coffee Japan. Web. Warner, M. (2004). Cup of Coffee, Grain of Salt. New York: New York Times.

The Geography of Cocaine

The Geography of Cocaine Free Online Research Papers Cocaine is a crystalline alkaloid produced from the leaves of the coca plant. It stimulates the central nervous system and suppresses appetite, creating an euphoric sense of happiness. It can also be used to increase energy, and post production. We need not confuse the coca leaf with the actual chemically altered substance that is cocaine, for they are two separate entities. This essay will focus on the history of the coca leaf, throughout South America, as well as the transformation from the leave to the actual drug. We will also be looking at the production and markets of the drug, focusing on the target consumers and the effects the drug has. Historians believe the first consumption of coca leafs dates back to 6000 BC by the Aymara Indians in the Andes mountains, significant in the social and religious organizations of the region’s pre-Columbian civilizations (Laserna, 1995; Erickson 1994) The Incas had adapted their myths and religion to conform to the plant. The leaf itself was said to be part of their daily diet in order to suppress their hunger and relieve their altitude sickness. Chewing of the coca leaves was at first reserved for Inca royalty, used for social, mystical, medicinal and religious purposes. Its use then expanded to the general public. They believed the plant had sacred origins and would therefore use it for various rituals and celebrations. The South American natives used coca for religious and medicinal purposes. It was also believed that chewing the leaf promoted contact with the spirit world and had healing powers. During the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the traveler Pedro Cieza de Leon wrote in his memoir â€Å"The Indians carry the Coca in their mouths, from morning until they lie down to sleep; they never take it out. When I asked some of these Indians why they carried these leaves in their mouths, which they do not eat, but merely hold between their teeth, they replied that it prevents them from feeling hungry, and gives them great vigor and strength (in Mortimer,1901). The Spanish originally restricted the use of coca but later gave in when they discovered it stimulated and sustained laborers. The cultivation and consumption of coca under the Spanish rule became so popular that the leaf itself was often used in the place of money. It was the most commercialized Indian product in the colonial Andean world, even used as capital in Spanish commercial exchanges. The coca leaf was chewed in a specific manner and an invitation to do so was considered of the highest honor among a socie ty. Laborers would chew the plant to stimulate them and give them energy to continue working. The cultivation of the coca leaf and cocaine was mostly concentrated in Bolivia’s Yungas region, under the Incas. Laserna argues that 90% of rural Bolivians use coco regularly one way or another. Other countries exploiting the coca included Columbia and Peru. There has also been commercially cultivated cocaine in such places as Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Japan. For these countries cocaine cultivation remains a major source of income creating many jobs in the various stages of the creation process. Although the use and sale of this drug is prohibited and illegal, it remains a major substance in the United States. Cocaine HCI is odorless and classifies as a central nervous system stimulant. One of the central reasons why the cultivation of the coca leaf is so appealing in terms of job characteristics is as follows. Coca can reach maturity within two years of planting, which is faster than most other crops. It has a relatively long productive lifespan and requires less attention and investment than other crops once it has been planted. Also, once harvested and dried, leaves spoil slowly and are not prone to damage during transport. Coca can also provide up to 6 harvests a year in a region where most crops give 1. It also has access to a guaranteed local market, providing year round income and insurance against unusual weather-related or other disasters. The plant is highly adaptable to many climates and conditions and can be grown in bad or depleted soils. It can expand the agricultural frontier into land not otherwise suitable for farming and in exhausted soil. A chemist named Albert Niemann first extracted pure cocaine from the leaf of the Erythroxylon coca bush in the mid-19th century. In the early 20th century it became the main pick-me-up drug used in tonics to treat a wide variety of sicknesses. Its popularity grew as an ingredient in patent medicines and other family products such as the ever hip Coca-Cola. The use of cocaine was however later removed from the beverage and only the coca leaves were used. However this craze soon grew into instances of addiction, psychotic episodes, seizures, and even death. There were several steps taken to fight the problems associate with the use of cocaine Today, cocaine is a Schedule II drug, and comes in two basic forms such as powdered and freebase. The powdered form dissolves in water and it a hydrochloride salt where as freebase means it has not been neutralized by an acid and therefore not made into hydrochloride salt. The freebase form can also be smoked. Highly addictive, it can cause severe mental and physical problems and even death. The central ways of using cocaine are either by inhaling, snorting, injecting or smoking. It is said that the substance develops faster when smoked. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that interferes with the re-absorption of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement. Such physical effects include dilated pupils, increased temperature and heart rate and also blood pleasure. The high from snorting can last up to 30 minutes, while that from smoking can last up to 10 minutes. Each user will react differently to the drug but the end results will always end in dependency and addiction and possible death. Research Papers on The Geography of CocaineAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeGenetic EngineeringThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationThe Spring and AutumnPETSTEL analysis of India

3 Tips for Writing a Stand-Out Why Tulane Essay

3 Tips for Writing a Stand-Out Why Tulane Essay SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re applying to Tulane University, you can choose to answer the Why Tulane optional statement as part of your application. The Why Tulane supplement essay asks you to explain why you want to attend Tulane. In this article, we’ll talk about what the Why Tulane application is, whether you should answer it, and how to write a successful essay that’ll help increase your chances of admission. The Why Tulane Essay Prompt The Why Tulane supplement essay is straightforward: Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional) (50-800 words). See? Straight to the point. While the instructions are simple, the wide range of word count and relatively open-ended prompt make the Why Tulane essay more difficult than it initially seems. You’ll need to put some serious effort into your essay in order to stand out as an applicant. Should I Write the Why Tulane Supplement Essay? Looking at the Why Tulane application essay, you might be wondering if you even need to write the essay in the first place. After all, the prompt does say â€Å"optional†. While that’s true, it would be a huge mistake to not write your Why Tulane application essay. This essay is a great opportunity to a) show off any interests and talents you have that aren’t immediately apparent on the rest of your application and b) demonstrate why Tulane is a great fit for you and vice versa. The Tulane supplement essay is your chance to prove that you belong on Tulane’s New Orleans campus - don’t forgo it! What Is the Purpose of the Why Tulane Essay? Colleges like Tulane want to see that you really want to attend their school. Applicants who love their school are more likely to be active and happy students and later, active and happy alumni. Your essay should show the admissions committee that you really love Tulane, which will make them feel more confident that you’ll be a great addition to the campus. Applicants that really want to attend a school are also more likely to enroll, meaning that Tulane’s rate of enrollment will be higher. Similarly, Tulane wants to make sure you know and value what they offer, and they also want to assess how you’ll take advantage of the many opportunities on Tulane’s campus to further your academic and professional career. This essay is a great opportunity for the admissions committee to weed out students who haven’t done their research on Tulane or really don’t care about attending. What Should I Write About in My Why Tulane Application Essay? Your Why Tulane essay is your chance to express to the admissions committee why you want to attend Tulane. What made you apply to this school over any of the thousands of others you could have applied to? Your Why Tulane application essay should be personal. The admissions committee doesn’t want to read a cookie-cutter statement that could be written by any student about any school. Your paper should read as uniquely about you and uniquely about Tulane. With that in mind, here are three ideas for what you can write about for your Why Tulane essay. #1: What Resonated With You When You Visited Tulane If you made it down to New Orleans to visit Tulane, you should tell a specific story about what resonated with you on your campus trip. You could talk about a class that you sit in on or an experience you had with a tour guide. You could discuss visiting a local restaurant or engaging with New Orleans culture. The Tulane admissions committee wants to hear about what stuck with you - and generic, bland answers will stand out as insincere. This essay isn’t about why you want to attend college - it’s about why you want to attend Tulane. Pick experiences that could only happen at Tulane, not anywhere else. #2: What Makes Tulane a Great Match With Your Past and Your Future You can use your Why Tulane essay to expand on your interests and passions as a student and person. Tie those interests back to Tulane itself to show why Tulane is the right school for you. Tulane places a large emphasis on community service, so if you have experience doing community service in your hometown or plan to make that a large part of your life at college, this essay is a great opportunity to talk about that passion. If you want to study a specific field, like public health, that Tulane specializes in, the Why Tulane essay is the place to highlight that. Use this essay to describe how attending Tulane fits in with your plans. Doing so will help show the admissions committee that you plan to make the most out of your time on campus. #3: Experiences You’ve Had With Current or Former Students Tulane admissions officer Jeff Schiffman recommends name-dropping current or former Tulane students to explain why you’re interested in attending the university. According to Schiffman, your reasons don’t have to be particularly highbrow or academically-minded. You might just have noticed some awesome Instagram posts from a friend of a friend or heard great things from your second cousin. However you have the connection, use the Why Tulane essay to prove your interest in attending Tulane. Tips for Writing an Amazing Why Tulane Essay Writing a strong Why Tulane application essay isn’t just about picking the right topic. You need to make sure your essay is the best possible example of your work in order to wow the admissions committee. Follow these three tips for writing an amazing Tulane application essay. #1: Make Your Work Tulane-Specific Nothing about your Why Tulane essay should be generic or impersonal. The more specific you can be when answering this prompt, the better. Don’t say Tulane has great academics, caring professors, and an interesting student body. Tulane knows that already - it doesn’t need you to tell its admissions officers that. Everything you write about in your Why Tulane essay should be specific to Tulane - from the names of the professors and the courses to the feeling you had while visiting the campus. The more authentic you are, the more your passion for Tulane will stand out. #2: Do Your Research The best way to make your Why Tulane essay specific to Tulane is to do your research about the school. If you can, visit the campus to get a feel for its student body and on-campus life. If you can’t, spend time perusing the school’s website and try to speak with current or former students. The more you know about Tulane, the more convincingly you’ll be able to write that Tulane is the best school for you to attend. You should get an idea for the different clubs and activities that you’d like to participate in. You can find this information on the school’s website. It can also be worthwhile to schedule a meeting with a professor, especially if you have a particular area of study that you’re extremely interested in. #3: Proofread and Polish Your Essay Your Tulane essay should be the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your application, make sure to edit and proofread your essays. Your work should be free of spelling and grammar errors. Make sure to run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit. It’s a good idea to have someone else read your â€Å"Why Tulane† essay, too. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven’t missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be. In Summary The Why Tulane supplement essay is your opportunity to show why you want to attend Tulane University. The Why Tulane essay is†¦ An opportunity to explain what you specifically like about Tulane. A place to highlight your unique skills and interests. The Why Tulane essay isn’t†¦ The place to share why going to college in general is important. An opportunity to talk about the other schools you’re applying to. What’s Next? Starting your essay is often the hardest part. If you're unsure where to begin, read our guide to starting your essay perfectly! A good essay is just one part of a successful Tulane application. If you want to really wow the admissions office, be sure your grades and test scores are up to par. Tulane University may not be an Ivy League school, but that doesn't mean your application shouldn't be Ivy League-caliber. Use these tips for getting into Harvard to shape your college application, and you'll have no problem getting into any school you choose! Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar. Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges. Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

Tangible and Intangible Assets Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Tangible and Intangible Assets - Research Paper Example Intangible assets cannot be seen or felt that is they are non-physical in nature and they are usually non-monetary. Intangible assets are basically the long term resources of the given firm, usually the legal rights of the firm including patents, trademarks, goodwill and copyrights. Intangible assets cannot be destroyed by fires or other tragedies and they usually add value to the company’s financial worth. Tangible assets are physical and identifiable and can be seen and touched. Since businesses are different they also have different tangible assets depending on their type of business. A company’s financial worth is determined by the amount of tangible assets that it has in its possession. Tangible assets can further be categorized into current and fixed assets. Current assets consist of assets that can be easily converted to cash/liquidated. An example is the firm’s bank accounts and its inventory (Hoffman, 2012). Fixed assets are not easily liquidatable and most generally depreciate with time except land. Fixed assets are usually used up in the production process and they may include machinery, equipments, vehicles, land and buildings. Financial recording of tangible and intangible assets is usually done differently, with the tangible assets further divided into current and fixed assets. ... Current Assets A company has these assets on hand and easily available. Companies can easily liquidate these assets. Current tangible assets would include inventory and bank accounts that a company or a business has. Fixed Assets These kinds of assets are exactly the opposite of the current assets. Fixed assets are depreciated over time and they are not easy to liquidate compared to current assets. Fixed tangible assets would include land, building, furnishings, art, historical treasure, and equipment. Tangible Assets Tangible assets have a physical form and can be seen and felt. As discussed above there are two types of tangible assets current and fixed. Current assets can be easily liquidated and converted to cash. They can also be used as collateral for the company to acquire loans. Current assets also have a shorter lifespan and are utilized in the daily operations of the company. Inventory or the stock falls under the current tangible assets and it usually has a life span of les s than a year. A company’s inventory basically is the products it produces to sale or the goods it distributes at a profit (Capital Fixed Asset Guide, 2013). The inventory is recorded daily, weekly or monthly in the company’s balance sheet. To record the inventory as well as other current assets they allocate the expense of the asset to the year the business purchased the asset. Another type of current asset is the business bank account, and it is recorded in the same way as the inventory in the balance sheet. Fixed assets are recorded differently since they have a longer lifespan of more than a year. They are usually purchased to be used for a long time in the firm’s production process. Examples of fixed assets are buildings, land, equipments, machinery and company

Art paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Art - Research Paper Example Some of the objects are unidentifiable and there is little color. In this painting, color is minimal, which is different from many of Picassos other works. The main coloring is black, white and greyscale, with some green and a burnt reddish-brown color. The use of minimal color makes the one area that is in green stand out which says the paintings name, Ma Jolie. This brings emphasis and attention to the artwork. Black and white is found throughout the entire canvas with just touches of the color which indicates that the artist may have only wanted to emphasize certain areas of the artwork while others blended in and surrounded it. What I see is a conglomeration of objects scattered across a canvas. It is difficult to determine what all objects are contained in this scattering of images as they are all somewhat unidentifiable. One object looks like a column, one looks like an old-time prescription bottle, one looks like it could be a flask or maybe even a camera. One object that is brown could be a flute of some sort as it has multiple black holes that look like an instrument. It also looks like a mound of papers underneath or even on a place mat. As I previously stated, it looks like a still life in a way but in a way that is not realistic but instead more modernized and abstract in nature. I think what the artist is trying to say in this art work is simply describing things around him during the time frame in which this was painted. I think that it is none other than a grouping on a table of things that are of interest to him or describe his era. That is what I think the collection of objects are is just that: a few objects that perhaps inspired him. I think his lack of color exemplifies that he only wants certain things to stand out such as what appears to be a paper or program that says Ma Jolie. The black and white and large amount of white space helps to create that emphasis. Picasso also uses a lot of basic lines within the painting

Fragmentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fragmentation - Essay Example Additionally, the Packets those are bigger than the permissible Maximum Transmission Unit or simply MTU have to be segregated into numerous lesser packets, or fragments, to facilitate them to move all through the network. If a packet that is pertaining to to be transmitted (for instance: over an Ethernet connection) is larger than that, the router that is pertaining to to transmit the packet over that transmission connection will fragment the network transmission packet i.e. the router will break up the packet into lesser messages (recognized as fragments) that are very small sufficient to be sent over the network transmission channel. As the fragments come to the receiver or destination (the system /user to which they are being transmitted), that computer is able to rebuild the fragments to get back the originally transmitted data or information message, supposing that none of the messages are misplaced during transmission (LearnSoftwareProcesses, 2009) (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagn e, 2004) and (Forouzan & Fegan, 2006). In this regard, HPING2 is a tool pertained to the network and has the capability to transmit usual TCP/IP packets as well as to show destination or receiver’s responses similar to ping program performs by means of ICMP responses. Additionally, the HPING2 manage fragmentation, random packets unit and size is capable to transmit files which have been encapsulated by supported set of rules known as protocols. In addition, through HPING2 we are capable to carry out as a minimum the subsequent major jobs in a network fragmentation or transmission: (HPING, 2010) HPING2 works with an IP header bit known as don’t fragment bit. Typically when a gateway sends a packet ahead from a network to some other by means of an MTU size that is lesser than the network transmission packet size, the packet becomes fragmented or broken into smaller pieces (known as the fragments). In its place if the Dont fragment bit is put in the IP header, the gateway will

Training Responsibilities of Supervisors and Managers Dissertation

Training Responsibilities of Supervisors and Managers - Dissertation Example The supervisors and managers, therefore, have a responsibility to look after the needs and aspirations of the employees who work under their aegis and are trying their utmost to give in the best, on a proactively consistent basis. The training realms within any organization remain significant in entirety because the training modules teach so much more than merely training the employees. They tell them the basics related to conducting their respective chores, tasks, and undertakings. They also dictate the exact basis through which work processes get manifested in entirety. What is even more significant is an understanding that the supervisors and managers play their necessary roles at inculcating the kind of training that is needed by the organization in essence. The HRD department is therefore dependent on the supervisors and managers but what is ambiguous is the fact that these supervisors and managers are not a part of this HRD philosophy at all. The supervisors and managers hold t he fort for the organization when it comes to training and its imparting for the sake of the employees who are present in different departments of the organization. The organizations, therefore, find the best ways and means through which the HRD can become an independent department and work on its own to achieve the end objectives and results; all of which remain significant on a proactive basis. The list of responsibilities might comprise of preparing training procedures and plans for the employees, drafting policies which can tell them exactly what to expect of their relevant domains both in the short term as well as in the long run, and coordinating with clients and stakeholders on a constant basis. The training procedures are important to ascertain because these take into consideration the aspects of inculcating the true spirits of the organization on to the employees who remain significant during such undertakings. The supervisors and managers need to come out of their related realms to make sure that the employees are on track and are able to complete their jobs in a proper way.

What is stress Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is stress - Assignment Example The amount of learning is realistic for the timeframe specified, and it is a logical way to achieve my goal. According to Everly & Lating, (2013) relaxation is a health benefit that aids in stress reduction and treatment of anxiety disorders. Achievable: Cognitive-behavior skill is proven to reduce stress successfully. This will be achieved with the following resources: Course materials, books on positive thinking, and will power. The key to positive thinking so as to avoid any stress is by recognizing the thought distortions and asking yourself what thoughts you are having when you feel distressed (Boyes, 2013) Achievable: Learning on how to save lives is essential as life is sacred. As a student taking a course in health sciences; learning first aid is paramount in prevention of fatalities. Not knowing how to conduct first aid is a stressor to most health science students; especially when faced with a life threatening situation (International Maritime Organization,

National Healthcare Services Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

National Healthcare Services Management - Essay Example It provides comprehensive health care universally on the basis of need, and is financed out of general taxation and national insurance. It is one of the largest employers in the country, and is a major consumer of public expenditure. In UK, NHS undergoes drastic changes which have a great impact on the structure, functions and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. These failures are caused by lack of strategic vision and lack of budgeting, inadequate structure of NHS and inability to meet coming changes. The main problem of the strategic level is lack of coherence and consistency in planning process and goals. Government agencies seek to achieve their goals by attempting to build political consensus, and by incorporating key strategic actors in the creation and execution of policy. Thus, public administration cannot provide the co-optation of all institutions and groups, and state policy (in education, health, welfare and so on) and collaboration between producers and consumers. The problem is that "organizations fail to respond to requirements for engaging community in planning and development" (Publications and Reports NHS 2007). During the last five years, the politics of the NHS have varied in their intensity and nature, and conflicts have developed around a diversity of issues at different times (Moran 1999).. These have included the possibility of devising planned programs for specific health-care needs; the balance between acute medicine and care of the elderly, mentally ill and mentally handicapped; the organization of acute medical care; the national and regional redistribution of resources to equalize facilities and services; the scope of private medicine in NHS hospitals; the co-ordination of statutory agencies; tiers of administration and types of management; working conditions and pay levels for NHS staff; and cost-containment. Failures in NHS policies are cause by the fact that "NHS bodies on the patch do not have the commitment or the plans in place to ensure financial balance is achieved" (Publications and Reports NHS 2007). Ever since the inception of the NHS there were problems in identifying and measuring costs within hospitals, but by the late 1990s the measurement of costs and efficiency became a major source of concern for government. David Cameroon comments: "His (Gordon Brown's) great experiment in tax and spending has failed. He is an out-of-date politician wedded to state control. The question everyone is asking is, 'Where has the money gone" (Russel 2007). As central government attempted to contain health-service spending, tighter controls were applied to local Health Authorities; special emphasis was given to improvements in efficiency, and healthcare services were required to make 'efficiency savings' in their budgets (Petit-Zeman, 2005). Cost improvements or efficiency savings in the clinical sphere have not, to date, been established, but there have been systematic attempts to devise techniques for measuring and evaluating medical output, and intensive efforts to develop better accounting, budgeting and costing procedures. A major and long-standing difficulty in the NHS, largely due to the absence of market pressures, is that clinical costs were rarely the subject of detailed

What is stress Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is stress - Assignment Example The amount of learning is realistic for the timeframe specified, and it is a logical way to achieve my goal. According to Everly & Lating, (2013) relaxation is a health benefit that aids in stress reduction and treatment of anxiety disorders. Achievable: Cognitive-behavior skill is proven to reduce stress successfully. This will be achieved with the following resources: Course materials, books on positive thinking, and will power. The key to positive thinking so as to avoid any stress is by recognizing the thought distortions and asking yourself what thoughts you are having when you feel distressed (Boyes, 2013) Achievable: Learning on how to save lives is essential as life is sacred. As a student taking a course in health sciences; learning first aid is paramount in prevention of fatalities. Not knowing how to conduct first aid is a stressor to most health science students; especially when faced with a life threatening situation (International Maritime Organization,

Alcohol Use in Micronesia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Alcohol Use in Micronesia - Essay Example Today, alcoholism is a major issue that calls for international attention and input to try and manage. This paper evaluates the culture Truk, Marshallese, and Palau, and compares them to identify distinct differences and similarities to generate a hypothesis. Prior to the Japanese administration, chewing of betel nut was common, until the Japanese introduced alcohol and it is now a part of their traditional and modern day occasions except house parties intended for financial exchanges (Nero 1990). The Palaun’s today are associated with high drinking capacities. This drunkenness is linked to increased wife-beating which is today more common than ever for this culture. Abuse origin is thought to be the administration of the Japanese who introduced corporal punishment as a mode of discipline and for violence against women by their husbands, and increased drunkenness amongst Palauan’s men resulting to high Palauan aggressiveness. Chuuk culture is located in Moen Island where alcohol abuse is a common practice that originated from United States immigrants, embedded into Trukese cultural system, and perpetrated by their cultural attitudes and values (Mac 1979). Additionally, Trukese marriage stability occurs with age where men become less violent and are only alcoholics unlike youngsters who drink and engage in fights. Trukese are alcohol abusers identified through destructive conduct and aggressiveness and fights. These drunkards are mostly identified as high school dropouts, and unemployed wage workers (Mac 1979: 134). The Marshallese people are located in Moen islands and originally consumed alcohol in during transition of young males to manhood. However, bottled alcohol or liquor was introduced to them by Americans resulting to changes in youth ethos to take charge of their own affairs and not blindly following the community elders (Carucci 1949: 147). Alcoholism amongst Marshallese unmarried

Resource worksheet Essay Example for Free

Resource worksheet Essay Student resources include a variety of helpful sites and tools that can be of assistance when completing assignments, connecting to other students, and searching for careers. Complete this table regarding student resources provided by the university. In the first column, identify where the resource can be found. In the second column, summarize each resource in at least one sentence. When you are finished with the matrix, answer the follow-up question in part B. Part A: Resources Scavenger Hunt Student resource Where found Summary of the resource Syllabus The syllabus is found up on the right hand corner of the 1-9 weeks colum. The syllabus is where I can find out what assignments are do, get instructions on how to do them and when they are due as well. Class Policies Class policies are found on the classroom homepage and in the course overview box. The policies basically break s down all of the classroom rules, from late assignment to participation points and consiqences. University Library This is found at the very top of the page with home,classroom, programs and more. The library is where I can find the center of writing excellence, writepiont, along with others and do any type of school research. University Academic Catalog This is found at the very top of the page under program in the my program section. The Academic catalog is where I can find the most current programs, along with all school policies. University Learning Goals Life Resource Center This is found on the home page under quick links. This basically where I can come for support, where I canget online or telephone counceling, life and career coaching as well as locate resources. Phoenix Career Services Is found at the very top of the page next to â€Å" phoenixconnect†, under Careers. This is where I can search the job market, do some career planning, build a resume and much more. Student Workshops This found on the homepage under quick links and is also located under the Library tab in the useful links box in the student resource guide. Here is where I can go to improve on my basic skills that are important for success at university of phoenix. PhoenixConnect This is found in the very top column on the page next to account, and careers. PhoenixConnect is a social network where I can share things about myself, learn things about others and connect with my peers. Technical Support phone number Technical support is found at the very bottom of the page under, â€Å"Report a problem†, in the the â€Å"Contact us’ category. This is where I can go to get help with any type of problems that im having with my computer, or on the site. They walk you through it step by step. Part B: Follow-Up Question Based on the resources in the table, what are the attendance, posting, and participation requirements for the university? Based on the resources in the tablethe attendance requirement is that you must post atleast one message on two separate days of the week to be in attendance for the week. For participation it varies depending on what program your in, and for me being in the associates program I would need to post two messgaes on 3 separate days of the week for me to get participation credit.

The Main Causes Of Juvenile Delinquency

The Main Causes Of Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile justice is a system of state bodies that execute justice in cases of crimes and offenses committed by juveniles, as well as state and private structures conducting monitoring of correction and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and the prevention of juvenile delinquency, family welfare and child rights. In 1824 in New York the first reformatory for children was created to protect them from sharing in prison with adult criminals. In 1831 the Illinois Law foresaw that the punishment of juveniles for certain types of crimes should be distinguished from punishment for adults. In 1869 in Boston (Massachusetts) the court hearing to deal specifically with cases of inconsistencies juveniles was first organized and it was implemented the first experience of the Terms of Probation (educational supervision), becoming later one of the most common and, according to Americans the most effective methods of treatment of juvenile offenders. U.S. Federal Law already contained a requirement of consideration of cases involving minors under the age of 16 years, apart from cases of adult offenders. Later, in July 1899, in Chicago under Illinois Law About abandoned children, street and crime children and about how they are treated the first Childrens Court was established. Adoption of the Law and the creation of juvenile court was initiated by Lucy Flower, the member of the Chicago Womens Club, Julia Latrop, themember of public organization Hull House, the society of patronage  «Visitation and Aid Society ». To deal with cases of juveniles new issues were introduced: a new concept of law offender as delinquent, which differs from the concept of criminal. This concept has found the consolidation of the status of a juvenile offender, who became the subject of juvenile justice. The first juvenile court was established in Australia (1890), then these courts were established in Canada (1894) and in 1899 in the United States. In connection with the acute need of the society the League of Nations established in 1919 Child welfare Committee, which considered the rights of children mainly in the context of the measures that need to be taken against street children, slavery, child labor, child trafficking and prostitution of minors. Important role in the development of social standards for the protection of children in this period played a non-governmental organizations, in particular the International Save the Children Alliance, founded by an Englishwoman Eglantayn Jebb in 1923 by the Council that was set up shortly before the non-governmental organization the International Save the Children Alliance, Children Rights Declaration. This Declaration, that was named Geneva Declaration, was approved the next year the fifth Assembly of the League of Nations. In 1924 League of Nations in Geneva, at its 5-th session adopted as proposed by the International Children Care Union the Declaration of the Rights of the Chi ld. This was the first document in international law for the protection of the rights and interests of children. In the framework of international protection of human rights of United Nation Organizations General Assembly on 10 December 1948 adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in 1966 the International Covenants on Human Rights. The Declaration and the covenants made a number of provisions specifically relating to the rights and interests of children: the principle of equality of children, the norms of protection of motherhood and childhood, to protect children from exploitation, the right of children to get education. Analyses of the causal factors of criminal behavior of juveniles are complex forms of social behavior, deterministic system of interrelated issues. These issues can be divided into biological and social. Ancestor of biological trends in criminology was the Italian doctor a psychiatrist and criminologist Cesare Lombroso (1836 1909), who linked the criminal conduct of a man with his anatomy. The hypothesis of the existence of such a relationship had an impact on scientists to find the second half of the 20 century. They are, in particular, the theory of Y-chromosome. In accordance with the norm for women is characterized by a set of chromosome-type XX, for men XY. But sometimes there is a pathology associated with the appearance of an extra X or Y-chromosome. Some researchers (Price, Witkin) suggest that the presence of extra » Y-chromosome in males causes a tendency to wrongful conduct. The phenomenon of crime can be more fully explained in addressing the social issues influencing its formation. Social factors can be divided into two groups: macro-and micro social. Macro-factors: 1. Low living standards of the most of population, a strong contrast to the distribution of income in society. 2. Deficiencies in the development of leisure-time system: poor organization of a network of clubs, clubs, sports clubs, the lack of concern for the integration and consolidation in the minors in difficult living conditions and upbringing. 3. Disadvantages of the educational activities of schools and vocational-technical schools. 4. Weaknesses in the employment of minors, as well as training them in the labor collectives. 5. Penetration in youth behavior inconsistent with societal values. An important role is played by the media: movies, series, television, newspaper and magazine articles, as well as the Internet. Micro social issues: 1.Negative influence of the family. Family is the most important social institutions. It is in the family where the formation of the individual adolescent starts. But not all families can be considered to be the favorable background for the development of the child. Contribution of adverse families in juvenile crime by some estimates is 30-35%. 2. Hypo Custody is the lack of proper control over the child, often turning into neglect. 3. Negative influence of informal peer groups. 4. Instigation causeà Ã‚ ² by adult offenders, which, according to the randomized studies, are not less than 30% of cases. As one can easily see from the above mentioned the formation of criminal motivation is affected by a complex of factors. Without knowledge of these factors it is inappropriate to talk about crime prevention, which will be discussed further. United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency The Riyadh Guidelines proclaims the prevention of juvenile delinquency as the permissibility of the prevention of crime in society. The Riyadh Guidelines provides several levels of implementation of measures to prevent juvenile delinquency: The first level of prevention, as general measures, is to promote social justice and equality of opportunity, which, in turn, contributes to eliminate the root causes of crime such as poverty and other forms of marginalization; The second level of prevention, admeasures to help children belonging to high-risk groups, such as those whose parents are experiencing particular difficulties or neglect their parental responsibilities; The third level of prevention, including measures to avoid unnecessary contact with the formal justice system, as well as measures to prevent repeat offenses. In fact, in Riyadh Guiding Principles as an essential component of the first and second levels of prevention, as well as, perhaps, to a lesser extent, prevention, third level, reflected many of the rights set forth in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. For example, the normal standard of living and access to the educational system, the positive values instilled in children, are both the rights of the child (in the Convention), and elements of the first level of prevention (in the Guidelines). As to the second level of prevention, in this regard, both documents are based on the concept of the primary responsibilities of the family to ensure the welfare, protection and upbringing of the child, that reinforced the obligations of signatories to Convention countries to assist families in fulfilling this role and at the same time to intervene in cases when parents clearly are not willing or able to assume these responsibilities. And by encouraging the adoption of retaliatory measur es against the offender, to avoid recourse to legal proceedings, and setting as the primary purpose of any such measures the social reintegration of a child, the Convention thus reflects a problem in the third level of prevention, as outlined in the Guidelines. The consequence of such a uniform approach, of course, should be the maximum development of initiatives supported by the community and to the family. This is not a task only for specialists in the field of juvenile justice, and for a wide range of state and public organizations with competence in this area. There is no doubt partly because of the extent of the tasks, responsibilities of the organizations have not yet been identified, and actions unsystematic. So prevention and reintegration in the full sense of the word still remain the weakest links in the chain of activities to improve the system of juvenile justice. In practice, efforts to prevent juvenile delinquency are in matter-of-fact identical to the observance and protection of child rights, that are proclaimed by The Convention. This is not surprising, but it is rarely mentioned. Besides, there are still many specialist debating often in spite of the documentary evidences on terms that although are not in every sense of the cause of crime, but at least increase their likelihood. For example, the poverty the absolute and relative in some circles is still considered to be motivation for crime, despite the fact that the Riyadh Guidelines has officially recognized as a factor at the international level. In accordance with one of the classifications, two types of prevention are distinguished: primary prevention and rehabilitation (secondary) prevention. The main prevention is the object of its impact on young people who have not committed any illegal acts, and has a preventive nature. Rehabilitation prevention applies to adolescents who have been in contact with the formal system of public justice and is designed to prevent future, perhaps more serious wrongful acts. However, not always possible to track the effectiveness of preventive measures as the percentage of imperfect crime is nowhere recorded. Another classification reflects the prevention of various types of social action and reaction to the growing crime rate. According to this classification, prevention is divided into a punitive, remedial and mechanical. Punitive prevention lies in the threat of punishment, which is intended to intimidate and prevent the commission of criminal acts. Remedial prevention lies in the influence of the causes and factors, which could be a potential trigger for the wrongful conduct. Mechanical prevention is most often used in so-called crime areas, to prevent crime and is enhanced security measures and increased police control. Program of punitive prevention, is widely spread in many countries around the world are trying to curb juvenile delinquency, the emergence of gangs and their involvement in criminal behavior through oversight, including ongoing monitoring by the police, and targeted prosecution. Suppression means active intervention, fully legitimized by the State, it was originally declared as a correct and therefore does not require special justification and absolutely no evaluation of results. The approach from the standpoint of suppression is characterized by the fact that all completely ignores the propaganda of the desired behavior, only suppressing undesirable. External aggression can in many cases only strengthen the cohesion of delinquent adolescent groups, so this kind of prevention makes sense to use when all other measures. In recent years a growing number of opportunities and the relevance of the participation were caused by local communities in the fight against teenagers and young delinquency. There are programs aimed at education and training groups and representatives of local communities that are experiencing growth in a juvenile delinquency to implement informal control over young people and involving young people in the positive activities. Program of individual and group social and psychological assistance include camps, group homes, alternative schools, shelters. Particular attention should be given to homeless teenagers, and teenagers who have lost family or relation to it, left without family education, as they are by virtue of adverse events most at risk of involvement in delinquent activity. Implementing preventive programs they should take into account the linkages teenage delinquent groups with adult organized crime. In addition, delinquent groups may exist with members of local communities. Recent studies have shown that the differentiation of offenders and victims are usually not by sex and age, but by differences within each gender. That is, the perpetrators and victims of the same sex present different types of masculinity or femininity. Thus, when developing prevention programs should be gender noted. At the same time, many preventive measures have not given to the effect that they were expected to give. Especially ineffective is the struggle with membership in teenagers and youth groups (gang). Juvenile delinquency often mistakenly is considered to be an individual phenomenon, and the group aspect is almost ignored. However, delinquent acts are committed mostly by teens in the group, so the preventive work must not take into account the psychology of the individual, and group dynamics. It is also important to pay attention to the specifics of subcultural groups, which will be directed by preventive measures. Recent studies have shown that the differentiation of offenders and victims are usually not by sex and age, and gender differences. At the same time, whilst development of the programs to combat juvenile delinquency, gender police in practice is not considered. Also noteworthy development of the displacement problem of prevention programs from one socio-cultural environment to another. Thus, together with mentioned traditional methods of preventive work, now there are new promising strategies for prevention. Until they become part of a general practice, careful theoretical and practical testing of their capabilities and limitations. Ideas of social reform and work with the person as a priority has the impact on crime prevention and criminal behavior, including recidivism should not move to the background. Historical lessons have clearly demonstrated the lack of direct correlation between lower crime rates and the rate of punishment, as a fundamental means of coercion. In this context, the most acute issues differ from reorientation of criminal policy on the prevention of juvenile delinquency. A special place in this system will hold individual level to prevent delinquency behavior of juveniles. The society now is the witness of the policy of valueless policy. During the next twenty years the program of State Fund should be implemented to promote general social and common specially-criminological prevention ultimately realized by working with each individual juvenile.

Censorship Essay -- essays research papers

Censorship Without the history of Censorship, what type of things would children be watching? Without the unique methods of Censorship, what kinds of films would be being released into the public? Throughout this essay I will be explaining the steps taken to achieve the level of Censorship, that we have now.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1900-1950 every movie in the world was rated before being released. The government, of the country in which the movie was made always did this. In 1956 the rules were changed. Each movie’s script was now required to go before a Film Board, before being produced. If approved the company was allowed to go on with production. In 1968 the Film Board of the Motion Picture Association of America adopted a new classification system. Instead of the scripts being read, the movies were made, rated by the Board and then put into a category. In 1968 the motion Pictures Association, the National Association of Theater Owners, and the International Film importers all gathered for a meeting about an organization called CARA (classification and rating administration). The main objective of this organization was to educate parents on the films and television that their children watch. This rarely changed any movies or television shows it just put an age limit on the people to be able to wat ch them. Anyone over seventeen years of age was allowed to watch anything they chose.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There were four categories: 1. G-General 2. PG...

Cultural Diversity in International Hospitality Management Essay

Diversity in hospitality industry: One of the biggest impacts of globalization for those managing companies and organization is dealing with a more culturally diverse pool of employees (Lim and Noriega, 2007). Lim and Noriega (2007) further argue that in a world where over 50% of world’s are owned and controlled by TNCs and MNCs they are bound to deal with workforces from different cultural backgrounds due to their cross boundary operations, their attempt to attract talent from various parts of globe, and at times governments’ pressure for greater diversity at workplace (Stanley, 2008). Stanley (2008) note that, the same rule of thumb applies to the hospitality industry, which has seen a surge in workforce diversity. Lim and Noriega (2007) advocate that rapid growth in the hospitality industry in areas such as East and Southeast Asia (e.g. China) have presented the hospitality MNCs such as Hilton and Sheraton with the much needed space to grow. Stanley’s (2008) study of international hotel chains in Asia continent reveals that Hilton is planning to add another 300 branches to its existing 50 branches in the region. According to a report by Xinhua (2008) many international hospitality organizations showed readiness to tap into the Chinese market in the face of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Such aggressive battle for market share in this flourishing region has already made its mark on the labour market where there is a tight competition among these companies to attract the talented employees (Doherty et al, 2007). Doherty et al, (2007) argue that the real competition in the labour market is to absorb the kind of managers that are able to deal with employees from a different cultural background. Thus, the important task for these MNCs is to attract the type of management talent (often expatriates) who are able to deal with multicultural work environments while these managers receive the right king of support from the head office to overcome the type of problems these environments pose due to cultural differences (Zhang, 2010). The increasing importance of dealing with cultural differences, especially in management level has resulted in creation of a vast body of literature on this subject. One of the earliest  works on this subject were presented by Hofstede (1980) who introduced a conceptual framework that is based on 5 dimensions of; â€Å"power distance, individualism vs. collectivism, masculinity vs. femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and long term vs. short term orientation† (Hostede, 1980). Other theories of culture are developed by scholars such as Klutchhohn and Strodtbeck (1961) who introduced the cultural orientation framework and Hall (1971) who develop the cultural contexts concept. In the this paper the main aim of the author is to compare and contrast these three cultural concepts on the basis of their advantages, disadvantages and suitability to the management of Chinese employees in the context of hospitality industry. However, firstly this author is going to provide a brief introduction on culture and its various definitions as well as debating why it is important to understand culture and cultural differences. What is culture? Culture has been studied and analysed from various different perspective, which tend to provide varying, but yet at times similar definitions of this term. For instance, Keesing (1974) defines culture as â€Å"systems (of socially transmitted behaviour patterns) that serve to relate human communities to their ecological settings. These ways of life of communities include technologies and modes of economic organization, settlement patterns, modes of social grouping and political organization, religious beliefs and practices, and so on† (pp. 5). Binford (1968) provides the following definition: â€Å"Culture is all those means whose forms are not under direct genetic control . . . which serve to adjust individuals and groups within their ecological communities† (p. 323). Based on these interpretation culture can be defined as a group of behaviours and beliefs associated to a certain group that may reside in a certain geographical location. However, what make culture and cultural studies important is the perceived differences among between cultures and the implication of these differences for the world commerce. Solomon and Schell (2009) argue that â€Å"today it’s not uncommon to manage business functions in other countries with direct reporting relationships to functional teams in many countries; it’s also not unusual to interact with colleagues at home who have a variety of  backgrounds and diverse personal styles, all of which respond to different management techniques† (pp. 111). Morris (2011) also notes that understanding cultural differences is an important aspect of managing diverse pools of employees and asserts that â€Å"a (manager) who interprets employees from different cultural groups without awareness of cultural norms can miss or misread important signals in their communication†. Thus, so far it is established that cultural awareness is an integral and important part of management; the following sections will aim to review the previously mentioned cultural theories in the context of hospitality management of foreign or expatriate managers in China. Hofstede’s five dimensions: Hofstede’s (1980) five dimensions was produced on the back of many interviews and observations, and as evident from the title it is based on five dimensions (mentioned earlier) and assumes that cultures vary from one another on the basis of these five aspects. In trying to relate the five dimensions concept to the hospitality industry there are difficulties and confusions as the concept was developed on the back of interviews of employees who mainly worked in a similar industry (Newman, 1996). However, in trying to relate this concept to management of the Chinese hospitality companies’ managers can hugely benefit from the five dimensions; whether it is about learning how to lead and manage, motivate, resolve problems and etc. (Rogers, Hart and Miike, 2002). As it can be seen from the table below, countries do vary in the way they react to inequalities in distribution of power. As a result, the construct of the organizations vary depending on this very fact (Miroshnik, 2 001). Based on this observation, one of the major problems that a hospitality manager would face in China is getting the manager subordinate distance right. In other words, while in Western organizations and companies the management style is rather flat and two way communication is encouraged, in China the hierarchical management style is very dominant and the communications channels are normally top-down (Tuttle et al, 2009). Therefore, a manager who is used to a more democratic style of management is now faced with the reality of a wok place that does not support or understand this management model. One way of course would be to attempt to  change the culture and introduce a new management style into a multi-national hotel chain’s (e.g. Hilton) operations in China; however, as it can be seen from the past experiences cultural shifts are not as easy and fluent as one may like them to be (Choi et al, 2004). Thus, the easier and more effective approach in the short to medium term is to understand and embrace the local culture. For instance, a foreign or expatriate manager who is managing a multinational hospitality firm in China needs to understand the fact that China is a masculine and collective society where uncertainty is largely avoided and people have a very long term orientation in life and work and historically advocated great power distance (Li, 2008).  A glance at the table above shows that in a society like China low individualism that is inherent in the culture implies that individuals are more concerned about the harmony at work, for which they are willing to suppress their emotions, and the achievement of the group and respecting the traditions is an integral part of their work ethics. The most important aspect of this dimension ought to be that part of Chinese culture that emphasizes on ‘working for the intrinsic reward’. Although this trait is slowly diminishing in China as a result of globalization and emergence of a ‘global culture’ (Tuttle et al, 2009) the older generation still upholds these values. Thus, managers should be mindful of this mind-set when it comes to devising strategies to motivate the employees.   An interesting aspect of Hostede’s (1980) five dimensions is the masculinity vs. femininity issues. A lack of understanding of this factor can cause problems for managers and discontent among employees. Jacob (2005) postulates that in masculine societies tasks are developed and assigned base on their nature. In other words, tasks are either masculine or feminine and managers need to have a good appreciation of this fact before engaging in developing tasks and responsibilities. From a personal perspective this author can confirm that in China [still] there is a great degree of emphasis on masculinity and femininity and assigning a feminine task to a man can be considered offensive. This is especially true in case of hospitality industry where tasks such as housekeeping are considered to be predominantly feminine tasks. Cultural orientation: This concept was developed by Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck (1961) and was one of the first comparative cultural studies to look at cultures from a multi-dimensional perspective (Hills, 2002). This concept has been recognised and acknowledged for its psychological study of human values (Russo, 2000 and Hofstede, 2001) and its approach to value as an all-encompassing attribute that goes beyond the positive and negative of the attitudinal studies (Hills, 2002). Authors such as Segal et al, (1999) and Smith and Bond (1998) argue that this concept is not relevant to management as the authors did not specify the implication of this study for business management. Nonetheless, this author finds dimensions Two (person’s relationship to others people) and Six (the conception of space) relevant to management and to hospitality industry. These two dimensions are highly similar with that of Hofstede’s individualism vs. collectivism. Therefore, an understanding of this dimension would equip managers to deal with the dilemmas that may arise from dealing with those who operate under different value systems. For instance, in this case understanding that individual relationship with others in the organization is based on hierarchy and collective effort can be hugely advantageous. This is especially useful in task development where managers would focus more on cooperative (collective) as opposed to competitive (individual) tasks. Hall’s high vs. low context culture: This concept refers to the degree of formality that is applied in communications between members of society (Guffey, 2009). According to Solomon (2011) in high context societies a great deal of communication is non-verbal and the culture itself explains the situation as opposed to words. As such, in a high context society the choice of words one utters are very important and metaphorical statements are frequently used. Furthermore, in a high context society there is huge emphasis on distinguishing the insider from outsider; for instance, in China the word ‘Guanxi’ specifically refers to this issue (Xin and Pearce, 1996). Grainger (2002) argues that in a high context society such as China, one’s understanding and respect of the superiors’ position is the key to developing good relationships and creating opportunities. The same  principle applies to foreign or expatriate managers who are running hospitality or any other type of businesses in China. In an article titled â€Å"Gifts, Favours and Banquets: the art of social relationships in China† Yang (1994) reveals the secrets of developing meaningful and successful business relationships in Middle Kingdom and provides invaluable advice on how to engage in with officials and businessmen in a way accepted and understood in Chinese culture. Grainger (2002) provides a case study of the Roaring Dragon Hotel in South-West China and reveals how after the merger of the hotel with a European hospitality group some of the employees who were finding it difficult to work with the Western Manager use their Guanxi with the a Chinese senior manager to be transferred to a branch run by a local. Grainger (2002) further adds that many foreign managers in hospitality industry fail to secure good deals as they lack the expertise and right links to do so. There is no denial about the fact that in China favours are performed frequently, but only at the right price and to the right persons. The very concept of Guanxi is a euphemism for favouritism and subtle bribery (Yang, 1994). However, to a foreign manager the dilemma is how to go about asking for favours without exposing themselves or those who are able to provide the right opportunities (Park and Luo, 2001). Such situations perfectly highlight the importance of understanding different culture (Chinese in this instance) and finding ways of accommodating for the needs and requirements of that specific culture. In an article published in New York Times (2009) Selignon argues that many foreign managers do not understand the importance of building Guanxi not only with local authorities and business owners, but also with the employees. She goes on explaining that majority of Western managers follow the same practices that they would do back home and fail to understand the importance of building relationships with their subordinates. In Chinese context employee and manager relationship goes beyond the office hours and interactions expand to house visits, dinner gatherings and etc. (Yang, 1994). Therefore, to most hospitality managers deployed in China success or failure is a matter of understanding or failing to understand these differences. Understanding customers from their cultural perspective: Kandampully et al, (2001) postulate that hospitality managers in China are  predominantly dealing and catering for the Chinese customer, although the number of foreign customers in China is on the rise, which only adds to the diversity of the cultural differences that should be understood and accommodated. This point is confirmed by Reisinger and Turner (1997) who assert that: â€Å"Greater cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences is needed by tourism practitioners† (pp. 1). However, in a strictly Chinese context it is upon the foreign manager to gain insight into the needs and wants of the Chinese customers in order to meet or exceed their expectations. Park and Luo (2001) argue that to a foreign manager of a hospitality firm the main point of contact with the cultural requirements of the customers are the local employees. Thus, in order to understand the market and its requirements managers must be able to get through the first hurdle which is to get through the management issues they will face with their employees. Reisinger and Turner (1997) assert that â€Å"managers of services firms deployed to foreign countries have to deal with the perpetual dilemma of learning, understanding and adapting to what can best be described as untested waters; their failure or success solely depends on their ability to overcome the cultural one by one through continuous learning and adaptation†. Conclusion: Cultures as value systems that permeate human beings’ lives and determine how they behave, act and react are increasingly gaining in importance and over the past few decades a large body of literature has been developed to aid the commercial world in dealing with the ordeals of dealing with cultural differences and difficulties that arise from these cultural incongruities. This paper tried to highlight how an understanding of cultural differences can play a crucial role in helping foreign hospitality managers deployed in China to make a successful cultural transition across cultures. In the course of this paper it was discussed that culture as unwritten manuals of behavioural patterns play a significant role in how many interactions develop and flourish into meaningful relationships. Moreover, it was highlighted, through provision of real life examples, how a lack of understanding of cultural differences can limit or block the success of foreign managers in China. As a means of substantiating this argument this  paper looked at three different concepts (i.e. Hofstede’s five dimentions, Klutchohn and Strodtbeck’s cultural orientation and Hall’s cultural context) each one of which was studied and analysed in terms of its relevance to the context of management (hospitality specifically). In conclusion, this paper reveals that while the two concepts of Five Dimensions (Hofstede) and Cultural Context (Hall) carry greater fit and are more applicable to management issues than cultural orientation concept (Klutchohn and Strodtbeck). Nonetheless, overall impact of such concepts and cultural intelligence on facilitating successful cultural transition for managers cannot be over emphasized. As it was noted in this study in-depth cultural learning and transition not only allows managers to be more effective in managing their human resources, it will also allow them to negotiate access to better opportunities for greater development and profitability. Therefore, understanding cultures and finding ways of bridging the cultural gap is an essential when it comes to managing across cultures. In this way a manager would be able to improve his/her efficiency through understanding the host culture as well as reducing the risk of misunderstandings and possible disagreements that can otherwise be avoided. References: Grainger, S., (2002) â€Å"Guanxi Neglect at the Roaring Dragon in South-west China: The Demise of an International Management Contract†, Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference of the Association for Chinese Economics Studies Australia (ACESA) Guffey, Mary Ellen (2009). Essentials of Business Communication. South-Western/ Cengage Learning Hills, M. D. (2002). Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck’s Values Orientation Theory. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, Unit 4. Retrieved from http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol4/iss4/3 1/11/2012 Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s Consequences: International differences in work related values. 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