Nucor Corporation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nucor Corporation - Case Study Example Generically, a value strategy is the pattern of decisions and actions that constitute the firm's overall approach toward providing realizable net value to customers. A value strategy inherently involves all parts of a firm's functional and organizational strategies that provide value realized by customers or require sacrifices by customers (see Appendix Table 1) Nucor follows a four-part growth strategy to increase its production capacities and quality that improve product quality. This strategy: "involves new acquisitions, new plant construction, continued plant upgrades and cost reduction efforts, and joint ventures" (Thompson et al 2008 p. C 115). Despite the use of strategic management process and content models, many managers fail to maintain or improve their firm's competitive position. The new globally competitive context requires that top management alter its current predispositions toward certain stakeholders and financial performance measures and refocus on continuously improving net customer value. "By 1985, Nucor had become the seventh largest steel company in Alnerica, with revenues of $758 million. With 18 plants having the capacity to produce 25 million tons of steel annually, 2006 revenues of$14.8 billion, and net profits of$I.8 billion" Thompson et al 2008 p. C-113). These changes suggest new strategic management processes and new strategy content paralleling those in current models. All firms have a value strategy, but few have completely conceptualized and clearly articulated value as the basis for competing. In fact, many firms are more competitor-oriented than customer-oriented. As a result, many managers are more familiar with their firm's competitive strategy than its strategy for improving customer value. Some inadvertently compromise net customer value either by producing products/services perceived to be of low quality or by requiring excessively high sacrifices of customers. Ironically, the most competitive firms are the customer-oriented, not the competitor-oriented firms. In financial terms, "new plant construction and boosting tons sold from 11.2 million in 2000 to 22.1 million in 2006" (Thompson 2008, p. C114). The uniqueness of Nucor is the synergistic combination of low cost and differentiation that may come with a value-based strategy is a direct result of managing critical systems that contribute to value. For Nucor, the acquisition process is limited to broadening the product line is erroneous (Nucor Corporation 2008). Many other business goals can be fulfilled by acquisition. These include strengthening the company's financial position, procuring the services of one or more key personnel or new executive talent, obtaining land, buildings, and equipment for expansion, stabilizing cyclical or seasonal types of business, avoiding concentration in a government-regulated area of industry, acquiring the technical skills of highly trained scientists, and many other critical elements in business which determine growth and success. The process of acquisition, then, is one that ought to be considered by the management of any enterprise as its plans for growth are executed (see Appendix Table 3, 4). Acquisition is one way to be considered in achieving the complete set of defined objectives. And many companies have found it a very satisfactory way. Annual report shows that acquisition strategy allows the company to achieve a steady growth and increase its

Pros and Cons Essay Example for Free

Pros and Cons Essay 1) Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of green house gases and therefore the contribution of nuclear power plants to global warming is therefore relatively little. Between mining the uranium, refining and enriching fuel, and finally to building and operating the plant, a big 1,250 250-megawatt nuclear facility produces an estimated 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. In contrast, coal-fired plants produce close to 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year in the U. S. alone while also emitting lots of other pollution: soot that causes lung diseases; sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that cause smog and acid rain; and mercury that contaminates fish. In fact, coal kills 4000 times as many people as nuclear power, according to one analysis. 2) It is possible to generate a high amount of electrical energy in one single plant. 3) This technology is readily available. Disadvantages 1) Uranium Waste- The chief danger lies with the mining waste; it contains radium, which is highly radioactive. Radon gas (one of the products that occur after radium undergoes radioactive decay) can expose workers and nearby and nearby communities to an array of health risks like lung cancer, bone cancer and lymphoma. 2) The energy source for nuclear energy is Uranium, which is a scarce resource. It’s supply is estimated to last only for the next 30 to 60 years depending on the actual demand. 3) Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could be preferred targets for terrorist attacks. 4) Risk of Catastrophe- Fukushima has joined Three Mile Island and Chernobyl in the vocabulary of dangerous nuclear mishaps. The explosion at Chernobyl’s nuclear plant in the Ukraine showed how nuclear energy could just as easily destroy us as it nurtures our everyday needs.  While nuclear power would allow Singapore to achieve energy self sufficiency, the risks and

Microbiology for Environmental Engineering

Microbiology for Environmental Engineering By Georgios Tzelepis Microorganisms play a major role in controlling water and waste quality and every biological process is based on the action of microorganisms. Bacteria constitute an important group of microorganisms which are directly related to Environmental Engineering because of their crucial role in wastewater treatment. They are single celled prokaryotic organisms with a structurally and functionally simple form and various shapes, such as spherical, rod-shaped or spiral. One main characteristic of the bacterial cell is the lack of unit membrane system with exception the cytoplasmic membrane. The identification of bacteria is based on a number of different criteria including their morphological (shape, size), physiological and genetic characteristics. Their reproduction is based on the binary split with formation time of about 20 minutes. Bacteria are sensitive to pH changes and they survive under neutral conditions, although some of them can survive in a highly acidic environment. Regarding th eir survival temperature, they are divided into psychrophilic, mesophilic and thermophilic. Bacteria are very sensitive to temperature changes and they have an optimum growth temperature. (Darakas, 2016) Bacteria have the capacity to degrade the organic substances (pollutants) and this is the reason why they are the most important group of organisms in terms of the public health engineering, since biological waste water treatment processes are based on their activities. The assimilation of pollutants is mainly achieved by the biological self-cleaning of the water thanks to microorganisms and specifically bacteria. The main three points of interest in the wastewater treatment is the microorganisms (bacteria), the included organic matter which constitutes food for microorganisms and the oxygen which is necessary for the energy and survival of microorganisms.    Generally, the metabolic diversity of organisms, and more specifically of bacteria, firstly depends on the energy source. Energy is important for the chemical reactions and is obtained from environmental sources. When the sources are chemicals, the species are called chemotrophs, while when the energy is derived from the light they are called phototrophic species. However, some bacteria have the ability to use both energy sources based on conditions. Second classification is based on the carbon source. When they are organic compounds they are called chemoheterotrophs or photoheterotrophs respectively. Otherwise when inorganic compounds are used, bacteria are called chemoautotrophs or photoautotrophs. Finally, chemotroph bacteria which metabolise organic chemicals for energy are called chemoorganotrophs. Contrariwise, those that use inorganic chemicals are called chemolithotrophs. There are two basic types of metabolism for chemoorganotrophs; fermentation, in which the metabolism of the substrate is without external oxidizing agent, and respiration, in which there is an external oxidizing agent. Both types of metabolism can convert a primary source of energy to one which can be used by the cells. 2.1.1 Carbon source Bacteria that use carbon dioxide for the majority (or all) of their carbon requirements are called autotrophs. The obligate autotrophs that are able to use only CO2 as a source of carbon use simple energy substrates and they are either chemolithotrophs or photolithotrophs. (Singleton, 2005) In autotroph bacteria carbon dioxide from the environment is used to form complex compounds, but also there is the situation that carbon dioxide is incorporated in these compounds and called fixed. There are two common pathways for this fixation, the Calvin cycle and the reductive TCA cycle. Autotrophs are able to thrive in very harsh environments, such as deep sea vents, due to their lack of dependence on outside sources of carbon other than carbon dioxide. (Yates et al., 2016) On the other hand, most of the known species of bacteria are heterotrophic, both aerobic and anaerobic. They use as a main source of carbon complex carbon compounds derived from other organisms, with the most significant the glucose, alcohol, and organic acids. However, there are specialised heterotrophic bacteria capable also of decomposing cellulose (actinomycetes), keratin, hydrocarbons, and other substances. Heterotrophs are only able to thrive in environments that are capable of sustaining other forms of life due to their dependence on these organisms for carbon sources. (Lester Birkett, 1999) 2.2 Energy source Microorganisms, and more specifically bacteria, require food to obtain energy. Phototrophic bacteria are mostly aquatic organisms and obtain energy using radiant energy (light), usually via photosynthesis. This happens through specialized pigments that they contain in order to form energy molecules. Generally, photosynthetic bacteria can be divided in two categories, these who accomplish the photosynthesis with production of oxygen (aerobically) and those without (unaerobically). (Singleton, 2005) Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain their energy by metabolisng chemicals from the environment, through the oxidation of inorganic molecules, such as iron and magnesium. They are divided in two different categories, chemoautotrophs and chemoheterotrophs, with their difference already been described. (Boundless, 2016) Carbon source of heterotrophic bacteria can be either soluble and colloidal organics of untreated waste (BOD) or endogenous carbon microorganisms, i.e. the carbon putrescent dead cells or methanol (CH3OH), which is the best organic substrate to the denitrification. (Darakas, 2016) 2.3 Electron acceptor As mentioned, all the bacterial cells have to convert a primary source of energy into forms that can be used. Some cells can convert a primary energy source to an electrochemical form which consists of a gradient of ions between the two surfaces of cytoplasmic membrane. Chemotroph and phototroph bacteria form high-energy compounds from a primary energy source using different techniques. (Singleton, 2005) Respiration is a type of metabolism in which a substrate is metabolized with the help of an external oxidizing agent. Oxygen can work as the exogenous oxidizing agent having aerobic respiration, or organic oxidizing agents can be used instead in an anaerobic respiration. Despite the fact that the oxidizing agent can be inorganic or organic, in chemoorganotrophs, the substrate is always an organic compound. (Singleton, 2005) Oxygen is the final electron acceptor for the aerobic respiration. The sugar is completely broken down to carbon dioxide and water, yielding a maximum of 38 molecules of ATP per molecule of glucose. Electrons are transferred to oxygen using the electron transport chain (ETC), a system of enzymes and cofactors located in the cytoplasmic membrane and arranged so that the passage of electrons down the chain is coupled with the movement of protons (hydrogen ions) across the membrane and out of the cell. ETC induces the movement of positively charged hydrogen ions to the outside of the cell and negatively charged ions to its interior. This ion gradient results in the acidification of the external medium and an energized plasma membrane with an electrical charge of 150 to 200 millivolts. The generation of ion gradients is a common aspect of energy generation and storage in all living organisms. The gradient of protons is used directly by the cell for many processes, including the active tr ansport of nutrients and the rotation of flagella. The protons also can move from the exterior of the cell into the cytoplasm by passing through a membrane enzyme called the F1F0-proton-translocating ATPase, which couples this proton movement to ATP synthesis. (Kadner Rogers, 2015) Bacteria that are able to use respiration produce far more energy per sugar molecule than do fermentative cells, because the complete oxidation of the energy source allows complete extraction of all of the energy available. (Kadner Rogers, 2015) Respiration can also occur under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic respiration uses external oxidizing agents such as nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), sulfate (SO42), or fumarate in place of oxygen. Depending on the different types or conditions, the electron donor (substrate) used by chemoorganotrophs in anaerobic respiration is of various organic compounds. The energy yields available to the cell using these acceptors are lower than in respiration with oxygen, but they are still substantially higher than the energy yields available from fermentation. The utilization of CO2as a terminal electron acceptor is limited to a group of bacteria called methanogens and this process requires a strongly reduced environment. This procedure produces methane (CH4) which can be a problem in some instances like landfill sites. (Maier, 1999) All the bacteria have an optimum growth temperature where their growth is faster, while they also have a specific range of temperature into which they can only grow. Most of the bacteria are mesophilic and they grow in temperatures between 15 and 45 degrees of Celsius. Thermophilic are bacteria with growth temperature over 45 degrees of Celsius, while psychrophilic are the bacteria with growth temperature under 15 degrees. 3.1 Low temperature It is well known that bacteria as well as various other forms of life survive and thrive optimally in moderate conditions of temperature, pressure, pH and other environmental parameters. However, there is also evidence of bacteria life in extreme environments. For example bacteria were found to exist in the very acidic river Rio Tino while also bacteria were detected in subzero environments like in Lake Vostok even in depth of 3600 meters, below the surface ice. (Chattopadhyay Sengupta, 2013) At low temperature, bacteria are challenged with a number of difficulties due to decrease in the rate of biochemical reactions that sustain the life. Bacteria taken from low temperature environments were found with increased branched chain, short chain, anteiso and unsaturated fatty acids. They were also found to synthesize more cis fatty acids in preference to trans fatty acids. All these factors are contributing in the increase of membrane fluidity. Moreover, in order to adjust with the low enthalpy and the reduced atomic and molecular motions at low temperature, they achieve flexibility through reduction in strength and number of non-covalent interactions. Finally a high level of post-transcriptional modification of t-RNA by dihydrouridine also has a major role in psychrophiles. Dihydrouridine unsettles the stacking that stabilizes the RNA. (Chattopadhyay Sengupta, 2013) 3.2 High temperature Thermophilic bacteria are common in soil and volcanic habitats and have a limited species configuration. Examination of metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms in thermophiles proves that thermophilic bacteria have almost the same properties commonly found in mesophilic bacteria, with the main difference being specific molecular mechanisms, important in high temperature biological stability and activity. As a consequence of growth at high temperature and unique macromolecular properties, thermophilic bacteria can possess high metabolic rates, physically and chemically stable enzymes than similar mesophilic species. Thermophilic processes appear more stable, rapid and facilitate reactant activity and product recovery. Analysis of important biomolecules in thermophilic bacteria has revealed subtle structural differences in proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Some of these differences have not been observed in mesophilic bacteria. For instance the membrane lipids of extreme thermop hiles contain more saturated and straight chain fatty acids than mesophiles. This allows thermophilic bacteria to grow at higher temperatures by providing the correct degree of fluidity required for membrane function. Finally the explanation for high temperature stability of tRNA in Thermus species is that Thermus transfer RNA contains more guanine plus cytosine bases in the specific base-paired region, which provides greater hydrogen bonding and increased thermal stability. Also, the base-paired region in tRNAs from Thermus contains more thiolated thymidine which provides a stronger stacking force inside the molecule. (Zeikus, 1979) The restoration, maintenance and protection of the environment with the help of biological agents in general and bacteria more specifically are significantly important in terms of sustainability in the environment. Hence, in many cases, bacteria and environmental engineering go hand in hand and both are interdependent on each other. Their main connection is the removal and treatment of the wastes, solid or liquid, from various sources like the industrial, domestic and other. There are many examples of the use of bacteria especially in waste and wastewater treatment, where some useful characteristics of bacteria are used.   Ã‚   4.1 Wastewater treatment Biological treatment is one of the most widely used removal methods as well as for partial or complete stabilization of biologically degradable substances in wastewaters. General characteristics of wastewaters are measured in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS). Bacteria provide the largest component of the microbial community in all biological wastewater treatment processes, and numbers in excess of 106 bacteria/ml of wastewater are frequently encountered. 4.1.1 Activation Sludge Activated sludge is a process that has been adopted worldwide as a secondary biological treatment for domestic wastewaters. In the activated sludge process the incoming wastewater is mixed and aerated with existing biological sludge (microorganisms). Organics in the wastewater come into contact with the microorganisms and are utilized as food and oxidized to CO2, and H2O. The microorganisms using the organics as food they reproduce, grow, and die. While the microorganisms grow, are mixed together by the movement of air so individual organisms join an active mass of microbes called activated sludge. The wastewater flows continuously into an aeration tank where air is injected to mix the activated sludge with the wastewater and to supply oxygen needed for microbes to breakdown the organic materials. This mixture of activated sludge and wastewater in the aeration tank is called mixed liquor suspended solids and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids. The mixed liquor is sent to the slud ge handling disposal (second part of activation sludge method). A part of this mass precipitates while the rest flows back to the aeration tank in order to maintain sufficient microbial population levels. This is the called activated sludge. The microorganisms in activated sludge generally are composed of 70 to 90% organic and 10 to 30% inorganic matter. The microorganisms generally found in activated sludge consist of bacteria (mostly), fungi and protozoa. 4.1.2 Nitrogen and Phosphorus removal Nitrogen and phosphorus are two essential elements in terms of the waste treatment. The nitrogen compounds and the phosphates existing in wastewaters are very important for the survival of the bacteria although they should be removed in order to avoid problems of deoxygenation and eutrophication in the final recipient. (Bitton, 2010) Nitrification The principal organisms involved in nitrification processes belong into two categories, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. These bacteria are considered to be strictly autotrophs since they derive energy for growth and synthesis from the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen and carbon (CO2) compounds. Nitrosomonas catalyse oxidation of ammonia to nitrite using molecular oxygen, while Nictobacter further oxidize nitrite to nitrate using oxygen derived from the water molecule. It should be mentioned that some some soluble forms of c-BOD can inhibit the activity of nitrifying bacteria since they are able to enter the cells of nitrifying bacteria and inactivate their enzyme systems. (Horan, 1989) Denitrification Denitrification is a process by which certain species of bacteria under anoxic conditions reduce nitrate nitrogen to the gaseous end-products of N2, NO, or N2O which can then escape from solution to the atmosphere. Unlike other nitrogen compounds, the gaseous forms of nitrogen have no significant effect on environmental quality. The presence of oxidized nitrogen and organic carbon are essential properties for denitrification to proceed. Denitrifying bacteria are composed of heterotrophic organisms. The most common denitrifying bacteria are Bacillus denitrijicans, Micrococcus denitrijicans and more. (Horan, 1989) Phosphorus removal The anaerobic-oxic process (most commonly used), consists of a modified activated sludge system that includes an anaerobic upstream of the conventional aeration tank. During the anaerobic phase, inorganic phosphorus is released from the cells as a result of polyphosphate hydrolysis. The energy liberated is used for the uptake of BOD from wastewater. (Bitton, 2010)Removal efficiency is high when the BOD/phosphorus ratio exceeds 10. During the aerobic phase, soluble phosphorus is taken up by bacteria that synthesize polyphosphates using the energy released from BOD oxidation. The anaerobic-oxic process results in BOD removal and produces sludge which is rich in phosphorus. The key features of this process are the relatively low solid retention time and high organic loading rates. (Cheremisinoff, 1997) 4.1.3 Anaerobic Digestion Major applications of anaerobic digestion are the stabilization of concentrated sludges produced from the treatment of especially industrial wastes. The digestion is a complex biochemical process in which several groups of anaerobic and facultative organisms again simultaneously absorb and break down organic matter and can be described as a two-phase process. In the first phase, acid-forming organisms convert the complex organic substrate to simple organic acids. Little change occurs in the total amount of organic material in the system, with decrease in ph . Second phase involves conversion of the organic acids to principally methane and carbon dioxide. The anaerobic process is essentially controlled by the methane producing bacteria. Methane formers are very sensitive to pH, substrate composition, and temperature. If the pH drops below 6,methane formation stops, and there is no decrease in organic content of the sludge. One characteristic of the methane bacteria is that they are hi ghly active in the mesophilic and thermophilic ranges. (Cheremisinoff, 1997) 4.2 Solid Waste Treatment 4.2.1 Composting Composting is the biological decomposition and stabilization of organic substrates. Each gram of decaying compost contains millions of beneficial microorganisms that work to break down organic matter. Of the microorganisms present, 80 to 90 percent are bacteria, including actinomycetes and aerobic bacteria. Aerobic are separated in three different varieties, each of which is active at different phases of the decomposition process. Psychrophilic bacteria (during winter) work on the initial organic matter, at temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius. These bacteria raise the temperature to 20 C, at which time, the mesophilic bacteria take over. These bacteria work at moderate to warm temperatures between 20 and 38 C. At 38 C, the thermophilic bacteria take over, raising the temperature to 70 C. Once this happens, the process starts over again with the addition of new materials. Actinomycete bacteria appear during the late stages of composting to clean up remaining materials that are diff icult for aerobic bacteria to break down. They are responsible for breaking down cellulose, proteins, lignin and starches. References Bitton G., (2010), Activated Sludge Process, in Wastewater Microbiology, 4th Edition, Hoboken, NJ, USA, John Wiley Sons, Inc. Boundless, (2016), Chemoautotrophs and Chemoheterotrophs, Boundless Microbiology, Available from: https://www.boundless.com/microbiology/textbooks/boundless-microbiology-textbook/microbial-metabolism-5/types-of-metabolism-41/chemoautotrophs-and-chemoheterotrophs-285-6153/, [Accessed: 13 January 2017] Chattopadhyay M. and Sengupta D., (2013), Metabolism in bacteria at low temperature: A recent study report., Biosciences, 31, 2, 157-165. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236674848_Metabolism_in_bacteria_at_low_temperature_A_recent_report , [Accessed: 10 January 2017] Cheremisinoff N. P., (1997), Biotechnology for Industrial and municipal wastes, in Biotechnology for Waste and Wastewater Treatment, 1-36 Darakas E., (2016), Environmental Engineering: Process of water and wastewater treatment, Thessaloniki, Sofia Publisher. Horan N., (1989), Biological Wastewater Treatment Systems: Theory and Operation., Chichester, England, Wiley Blackwell. Hurst, C.J. et al., (2002), Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 2nd Edition, Washington, ASM Press. Kadner R. J. and Rogers K., (2015), Bacteria. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/science/bacteria/Salt-and-water. [Accessed: 23 December 2017] Lester, J.N. Birkett, J.W., (1999), Microbiology and Chemistry for Environmental Engineers, London, E. F.N. Spon. Maier, E.M. et al, (1999), Environnemental Microbiology, Academic Press Singleton P., (2005), Bacteria in Biology, Biotechnology and Medicine, 6th Edition, Wiley Smith S. R., (2016), Bacteria, Lecture Slides for the course of Microbiology for Environmental Engineering; MSc of Environmental Engineering, London, Imperial College London. Traumann N. and Olynciw E., (1996), Compost Microorganisms, Cornell Waste Management Institue, New York, Available from: http://compost.css.cornell.edu/microorg.html, [Accessed: 10 January 2017]. Yates V. M., Nakatsu C. H., Miller R. V., Pillai S. D., (2016), Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 4th Edition, ASM Press Zeikus, J.G., (1979), Thermophilic bacteria: ecology, physiology and technology., Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 1, 4, 243-252. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0141022979900437?via%3Dihub, [Accessed: 27 December 2016]

No Utopia Found in Wendell Berry’s What Are People For? :: What Are People For

No Utopia Found in Wendell Berry’s What Are People For? The preface to Wendell Berry’s What Are People For? is in the form of a two-part poem, titled â€Å"Damage† and â€Å"Healing.† By carefully digging through its cryptic obscurities (â€Å"It is despair that sees the work failing in one’s own failure†), we find the main message: The more diminutive, local, and settled a culture, the healthier it is and the less â€Å"damage† it inflicts upon its people and the land. Berry can be called a utopian but not in the traditional sense. He pines not for the future but for the past. Basing his lifestyle upon his boyhood memories of fifty years ago as well as America’s pioneer days, Berry is confident he has found the answer to the perfect existence. In this case, book and individual are difficult to separate. What Are People For? is Wendell Berry, so to criticize one is to criticize the other. His book is a compilation of contemplative essays on subjects ranging from literature to technology from the perspective of a Kentucky farmer. Having been in the same profession and location most of his young life, Berry in 1958 (at age twenty-four) accepted a Stanford University Stegner Fellowship. Intrigued, he decided to read Stegner’s books and take this professor’s writing seminar. Berry is reverent and testifies that Stegner filled the Jones Room of the Stanford Library with an aura of literary authority. It is here that Berry learns â€Å"responsible writing.† This is writing that contains the values one has â€Å"proven† by living exclusively in one country place and by perfecting one’s knowledge of the place so as to bring sustainable benefit to it. Responsible writing actively promotes â€Å"good agriculture and forestry† unlike writing â€Å"by self-styled smart people in the offices and laboratories of a centralized economy and then sold at the highest possible profit to the supposedly dumb country people.† What Berry says about his seminar experience is that it started him on his development toward working at home, and away from his assumption â€Å"that I was going to follow a literary career that would lead me far from [Henry County] to teach at a university in a large city.† In important ways Berry has some very good ideas. Concerned that radio and television have done too much to homogenize society, he uses â€Å"Nate Shaw† (a pseudonym) to provide an illustration of a man who lived without euphemistic clichà ©s.

Mr and Mrs Ramsay †Characterization Essay

The modernist way of thinking in literature brought about new ways of understanding and writing about people. Unlike the 19th century, where neo-classical influences still prevailed at times, writers of the 20th century focus on an individual’s personal experience, feelings, what he is going through and how this affects him. The new way of looking at people (prompted by the advancements in psychoanalysis among others) makes the modern man a complete man – all the things, however small, that define him are taken into consideration – and an important stress in laid on subjectivity as unique and only way of perceiving the world and appropriating it to himself. In her 1924 essay Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown, Virginia Woolf wrote that On or about December 1910, human character changed. I am not saying that one went out, as one might into a garden, and there saw that a rose had flowered, or that a hen had laid an egg. The change was not sudden and definite like that. But a change there was, nevertheless; and, since one must be arbitrary, let us date it about the year 1910. However, perhaps it was only the humans’ change, but also, the way that was written about humans and their life, be it ordinary, outside, and more importantly, their inner life. Such is the case with Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, the two main characters of Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse. The two are a couple in their fifties, married, and have eight children. They form a beautiful, and to some extent typical family. However, there is a lot that contributes to their division. Mrs. Ramsay is a beautiful woman, aged fifty, who has made an art out of being a woman, more specifically a mother. She is arguably the true protagonist of the book, as her being permeates the existence of the ones around her. She is the one who sets everything into motion – be it dinner parties, marriages, helping the ones around her, she is the one who never disappoints, and never seems to fail. She defines her existence through her being a mother and a wife: Oh, but she never wanted James to grow a day older! r Cam either. These two she would have liked to keep for ever just as they were, demons of wickedness, angels of delight, never to see them grow up into long-legged monsters. Nothing made up for the loss. She loves her children, and would do anything to protect them and their childhood. This is the reason why she tells James, her youngest, that they will be able to go to the Lighthouse the following day, and why she resents her husband so much for stating the contrary obvious and crushing little James’ hopes. Although she is no longer a young woman, Mrs. Ramsay is full of vitality and energy. She is the central figure, around which the action revolves and who, at the same time, sets the action in motion. Her intentions are good: knitting socks for the Lighthouse keeper’s tuberculosis-ridden son, tries to be nice to Charles Tansley, Mr. Ramsay’s student with working class origins whom her children mock, to Augustus Carmichael whose old age and opium addiction are sources of others’ looking down on him. Constantly being surrounded by people has led her to become the gracious hostess and caring mother she is, but also to defining (and also seeing herself) in that position for ever. Having been a mother to small children a big part of her life (the Ramsays have eight children), and still being one, she wishes to keep her children at this age forever, supposedly for their well-being, but perhaps this comes due to a need to protect and go on the same routine she has known, as it is hard for her to think about herself outside these terms. One of the instances in which this is evident is the moment when she can follow her regular string of thoughts for as long as she hears some kind of familiar noises in the background. She is not used to being by herself, and not surrounded by people. However, in some truly honest moments, she does not hide behind different masks (seen as roles she takes, mother, wife, host, friend), and acknowledges her own existence as something deeply personal and private: She took a look at life, for she had a clear sense of it there, something real, something private, which she shared neither with her children nor with her husband. What one can also recognize are remnants of Victorian morals and models, in both her and her husband. She is the central, matriarchal figure, who takes care of her family, a dutiful wife while managing the household (one of her recurring thoughts is that the bill for the greenhouse will be fifty pound, and tries to be a matchmaker for Minta and Paul, but also for Lily Briscoe and Mr.  Bankes, while being beautiful and admired, as Victorian women were expected to be. She has always maintained and upheld a steadfast belief in traditional gender roles – men being strong and hiding weaknesses (for their chivalry and valour, for the fact that they negotiated treaties, ruled India, controlled finance), and women being the ones bringing the family together, and this makes her resent Mr. Ramsay for his confession to her that he feels like a failure. She cannot bear the thought of her husband being a lesser man than who she thinks and wants him to be, a man better than her: She did not like, even for a second, to feel finer than her husband; and further, could not bear not being entirely sure, when she spoke to him, of the truth of what she said (†¦) but it was their relation, and his coming to her like that, openly, so that any one could see, that discomposed her; for then people said he depended on her, when they must know that of the two he was infinitely the more important, and what she gave the world, in comparison with what he gave, negligible. It is interesting to see the way she influences and sometimes dominates the lives of those around her; her husband is restless after her death and while they are still a couple feels he is a disappointment to her and himself. Prue, her daughter, admires her greatly: what a chance it was for Minta and Paul and Lily to see her, and feeling what an extraordinary stroke of fortune it was for her, to have her. Mrs. Ramsay admires Lily Briscoe for her independence (she was an independent little creature, and Mrs.  Ramsay liked her for it), her peculiar charm and her flare of something, that reminds her of herself. In turn, the young painter feels compelled by Mrs. Ramsay’s beauty and personality, that attracts and fascinates Lily, and which she finds impossible to transpose in the painting she is working on. It is only through Mrs. Ramsay, even after her death, that Lily finds her clarity and her vision. Mr. Ramsay is Mrs. Ramsay’s husband and one of the protagonists of the novel. He is a man in his fifties, a father and a metaphysics philosophy teacher. He defines himself through his work and, like an artist, is concerned with whether his work will be remembered, worth remembering, and how long it will survive after he is gone. This is one of the things that constantly drive him. Just like his wife, being raised in the spirit of traditional values and gender stereotypes, in relationships with his children he is tough, insensitive and has the mentality that he must always be authoritarian and must always do things the right way. He is a rationalist, and feels he must stick to sound principles even when it comes to letting his six-year old son James hope that the weather will be fine so as to go to the Lighthouse the following day: But it won’t be fine. While Mrs. Ramsay tries to smooth out what had been harsh before, he has no problem with being harsh as long as it means sticking to the cold truth: What he said was true. It was always true. He was incapable of untruth; never tampered with a fact; never altered a disagreeable word to suit the pleasure or convenience of any mortal being, least of all of his own children. †¦). His duty, his fatherly duty is to make sure his children are prepared for their grown-up life from the beginning, although he is unaware of the fact that his presence stifles them: his own children, who, sprung from his loins, should be aware from childhood that life is difficult. Through the eyes of Lily Briscoe, he is not good enough for Mrs. Ramsay, while through the eyes of his son James, who wants to take his place in a typical Oedipus’ complex, he is too harsh and cold, but he is also admired for his intelligence. Had there been an axe handy, a poker, or any weapon that would have gashed a hole in his father’s breast and killed him, there and then, James would have seized it. Such were the extremes of emotion that Mr. Ramsay excited in his children’s breasts by his mere presence. These do not mean that he and Mrs. Ramsay do not complement and complete each other. As it is observed in the first chapter of the novel, He found talking much easier than she did, but she felt herself very beautiful. He is the talkative one, the intellectual one, but it is her presence that attracts people. Moreover, both of them are dutiful persons. If Mrs. Ramsay thinks her duty is with her family and trying to keep everyone happy and being a gracious host, Mr. Ramsay sees his duty in his work, his duty is to leave something valuable behind. The Ramsays are polar opposites, and can embody the Jungian archetypes of animus and anima. Among others, he has a constant need for approval and for people to tell him that his work is important and valuable. These (new to the time) ideas are what torment him so much as to make him confess to his wife that he feels like a failure, in hope of reassurance and sought-for comforting. However, this situation is new to what both of them have known about the way each other is supposed to be or feel, or the way they should handle it. This explains the distance that is created between them upon hearing each other’s take on the situation. Their inability to show true empathy can be a result of their Victorian ideas about their spouse and marriage and their own role there being put to the test. Victorian society would not have permitted for men to show weakness, not to mention confessing it to their own wives, their obvious inferior, and for women to think that they can even for a moment be better than their husbands. At the turn of a century and an age, they as individuals are confronted with new ideas, new sides of themselves they do not know how to reconcile with the other, traditional ideas everyone including themselves had taken as unmovable. This difficulty is seen in the stream of thoughts of both of them, but also has, as visible result, a cut/breach in communication between them, which leads to a possible estrangement/alienation from the other. What they fail to see is that the 20th century society and way of life gave way to a better way of communicating, they way one felt was important, and no one was supposed to play a previously defined part, and that this is the way things should be. This is seen in how they react to Mr. Ramsay’s moment of complete honesty – Mrs. Ramsay cannot bear the thought of him telling her this and of actually having to be the better one, while Mr. Ramsay cannot get the comfort and reassurance he needs. Indeed, as Virginia Woolf wrote in her essay, human character did change at the beginning of the 20th century. People, both women and men, became more aware of themselves, and most importantly, became aware of their inner life and the attention it deserved. But this could not have been possible without the insight modernist writers offered through their books. What they tried to do, using the stream of consciousness technique, is depict the way human minds work, the messy, not completely coherent ways that this happens, the way in which we perceive a moment and how intense we live it and how much happens within us during that moment as opposed to the measured moment (the irst pages of the first chapter, when the same moment is presented through the eyes and inner thoughts of three characters). What they achieved, however, was to show that human beings are different (as Lily Briscoe says, fifty eyes are not enough to get round one person), and that everyone tries to find meaning in fleeting moments, albeit differently, and that society was wrong in fitting them into stereotypes. And this too helped change the remnants of the Victorian society and turn people of the age into modern souls.

The Scarlet Letter5 essays

The Scarlet Letter5 essays Hawthorne says that he writes to the whole world hoping that someone will understand what he is talking about. He goes on to speak about Salem, where his relatives have lived and died since its existence. Over time Salem has become more of an instinct to his family, and has tried to escape, but always come back. His children were not born in Salem because he wanted to break free of the tradition. He compares people to plants in that if you do not transplant, future crops will be ruined. He descries his forefathers as Puritans. They would not approve of his lifestyle as a writer because it is to unproductive. He then describes his return to Salem and his new job at the Custom House. His employees are elderly veterans that both amused and pained the author. After the men found out he meant no harm they relax and spend their time telling stories. Custom House Inspector- head leader of all custom houses, great physical condition despite of old age, but had no brains. His father put him into his position. He has no memories of experiences, only food. Collector- very old, strong spirit, his age has physically affected him, in war he was brutal, but now he wouldnt hurt a fly. Surveyor- more in contact with his thoughts than with the real world, motto: Ill try, sir!, described as a rusty sword Authors title: Surveyor of Revenue One rainy day he looks through old barrels of articles and finds a scarlet letter A and a document describing the life of Hester Prynne. He claims that these serve as documents of proof for his novel. (These were never found and were probably made up to give the novel a historical sense.) He decides to write a book based on this. He does his writing under moonlight or firelight. As he writes he realizes he must leave the Custom House. Its way of producing a stable life is addicting. It doesnt allow you to support you...

Recipes for Crystal Growing Solutions

Recipes for Crystal Growing Solutions Find a crystal growing recipe. This table includes recipes for preparing solutions of common crystal grown in aqueous or water solutions. Crystal Growing Solution Tips In most cases, prepare a crystal growing solution by dissolving a powdered or granular solid in boiling water. You want a saturated solution, so dissolve as much of your chemical, called the solute, as possible in the water, which is your solvent. Usually, its fine to add too much solute to the water, so that you get some undissolved material at the bottom of your container. Filter this liquid through filter paper, a coffee filter or a paper towel and use the filtered solution to grow your crystals. Crystal Growing Recipes Crystal Growing Solution sugar crystals or rock candyclear or dyed with food coloring 3 cups sugar1 cup boiling water alum crystalsclear, cubic 2-1/2 tablespoons alum1/2 cup very hot tap water borax crystalsclear 3 tablespoons borax1 cup very hot tap water Epsom salt crystalscolorless 1/2 cup Epsom salt1/2 cup very hot waterfood coloring (optional) Rochelle salt crystalsclear, orthorhombic 650 grams Rochelle salt500 ml boiling water table salt crystals(sodium chloride) 6 tablespoons salt1 cup very hot tap water copper acetate monohydrateblue-green, monoclinic 20 g copper acetate monohydrate200 ml hot distilled water calcium copper acetate hexahydrate 22.5 g calcium oxide in 200 ml wateradd 48 ml glacial acetic acid20 g copper acetate monohydrate in 150 ml hot watermix the two solutions together monoammonium phosphatecolorless or easily dyed 6 tablespoons monoammonium phosphate1/2 cup hot tap waterfood coloring sodium chloratecolorless, cubic 113.4 g NaClO3100 ml hot water sodium nitratecolorless, trigonal 110 g NaNO3100 ml hot water potassium ferricyanidered, monoclinic 46.5 g potassium ferricyanide100 ml boiling water nickel sulfate hexahydrateblue-green, tetragonal 115 g nickel sulfate hexahydrate100 ml hot water

Setting in As You Like It essays

Setting in As You Like It essays Everyone behaves differently in one place than they would in another. A teenager acts differently among their peers at school than they would in a pew at church. A teacher speaks differently to her young students in the classroom than she would at a PTO board meeting to parents. A lawyers formal speech in court is much different than their speech to their adolescent children. In William Shakespeares As You Like It, the actions of the characters are dramatically affected by the places they inhabit. The two main places the play takes place in are Duke Fredericks court and the Forest of Arden. These places directly affect the mood, speech, and formality of the characters. In the court, people are expected to always act respectively and in a civilized matter as it is the epitome of sophistication and a structured society. The Forest, however, is depicted as an easygoing, beautiful, and laidback woodland area filled with beauty and truth. It is there that people can truly be themselves without the restrictions of societal rules. The restrains and properness of the Dukes court and the freedom-filled spirit of the forest establish and affect the mood of the characters throughout the play. Next, the court and the forest also greatly influence the actions of the characters. In the Dukes court, the enmity between Duke Frederick and Duke Senior is ever-present and the hate between Orlando and Oliver looms as the latter even plotted to kill his own brother. Duke Frederick stole the throne from Duke Signior and then banished Rosalind into the forest and lost his daughter. In the forest though, only love, forgiveness, and friendship live as Orlando saved his brother from harm, even after learning of his evil scheme. In the forest, Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, Touchstone and Audrey, Phebe and Silvius either fall in love or are wed. Love springs everywhere in the forest where emotion is th...

International Business Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International Business Economics - Essay Example The figures show labour cost in hours for producing one unit of good David Ricardo formulated the theory of comparative advantage and argued that even if a one country is more productive in both lines of production it would be still profitable to trade. Country A is more productive in both lines of production but it will still be profitable to trade with country B, this is shown by first stating that country A is more advantaged in production of good X, therefore when wee calculate the comparative advantage country A will specialise in the production of good X and country B will produce good Y and they will gain by trading. (Hardwick, 1997) The Hecksher-ohlin trade model states that trade is based on the difference in factor endowment, a labour rich country will produce and export labour intensive good, and it will also import capital intensive goods. A capital rich country will produce and export capital intensive goods; it will also import labour intensive goods. According to the factor equalization theory, if we have a situation where factors of production cannot move from one country to another but there is free movement of goods, then the free movement of goods will eventually equalize factor prices. Point Q is the equilibrium point of producing both goods for country one, point P is the point of equilibrium for country two in producing both goods. The movement of goods will cause a shift in equilibrium points and case price equalization. Equilibrium shift as shown by the arrow. According to the Rybczynski theory an increase in factor of production and the other factor remains constant in a country , then the output of the good using the factor of production intensively increase while the output of the other good will decrease in absolute amount provided factor and output prices remain constant. (Jagdish, 1987) The countries original equilibrium is at point P, after increase in labour the new equilibrium is at point P'. According to the Stolper Samuelson theory, he argues that a tariff imposed on import goods causes an income distribution. He argues that a tariff on an import causes domestic prices to rise; this causes an increase in domestic production as firms emerge to capture the profits caused by the price in this goods. This effect is

The effects of poverty and pollution on economy Research Paper

The effects of poverty and pollution on economy - Research Paper Example Sometimes, it is even the electricity that is at a threat of becoming abandoned where affording the costs in an inefficiently constructed home in relationship to electricity usage. In the following paper, the theory of the Cost of Living Index, the nature of suburban life is evaluated. Overview McGirr (2012) has discovered that the poor largely are populating the suburbs as once lush and comfortable sub-divisions now sit in ruins with burnt out landscapes that are no longer manicured and groomed to meet a standard of presence in the ‘keeping up with the Joneses framework of suburban myth. McGirr (2012) writes that â€Å"Keeping up with the Joneses,† the midcentury caricature of suburban conformity, materialism and consumption has given way to a new suburban normal of making ends meet, with many formerly middle-class families in detached single-family homes struggling to pay mortgages and utility bills, and to repair aging cars†. The Joneses are no longer competing for the best products and consumer glut, but are competing for food, maintaining ownership of their homes at the barest level, and for being able to keep what they have rather than attain the next big thing. Poverty rates have not only climbed because of the current economic downturn. McGirr (2012) reports that in the previous eight years to 2008, poverty rates in suburbs had been climbing to 25% with 51 million households reporting incomes at less than 50% above the poverty line. This trend may be simply due to the larger numbers of people that have gravitated to the suburbs and with larger populations are showing larger percentages of poor. After the growth provided by Roosevelt’s New Deal, the number of people that moved to the suburbs was a result of an increase from 40% of the population owning homes in 1940 to 62% owning homes in 1960. The percentage of homes in the suburbs in 1910 was 7%, but by 1960 that had reached 23%. The development of the identity of the suburban ite is one of the stronger personalities that have dominated the American culture in the last sixty years. Modern suburbia is the cultural equivalent to a sense of the elite, the success of the American dream represented by home ownership, two cars in the driveway, and a lush yard surrounding a relatively upscale home. In 1962 as the development of the suburb had created a generation of suburban dwellers, â€Å"Michael Harrington argued in â€Å"The Other America† that poverty survived amid broad prosperity precisely because it was invisible to most Americans (McGirr, 2012). The suburbs not only provided a sense of the American dream, but it was a shield from all that was not working in the United Sates. Mc Girr (2012) goes on to quote Harrington as he developed his discussion. â€Å"Living out in the suburbs,† Harrington declared,  in what now seems like quaint nostalgia, â€Å"it is easy to assume that ours is, indeed, an affluent society.†Ã‚  Americans, he suggested, no longer saw poverty just â€Å"on the other side of the tracks† in their towns and small cities, but as a distant problem of the inner city, glimpsed only fleetingly from commuter trains or highway traffic† (McGirr, 2012). McGirr (2012) writes that â€Å"The conceit that poverty is a problem suffered by other — often less deserving — people was an essential part of suburban self-identity that was reflected in its politics†

What are the effects of using ICT and Media in the 'English Classroom' Essay

What are the effects of using ICT and Media in the 'English Classroom' - Essay Example In general, the learning and teaching behaviour between the students and the school teachers, is an important factor that contributes to the success of using computer-based technology in education (Karasavvidis et al., 2003). For this reason, the design of a virtual classroom for English language has to be easily accessible, reliable, user-friendly, and interactive. For this study, the types of ICT and other related media technology used in the English Classroom settings has to be identified first. Eventually, the researcher will conduct a literature review about the positive and negative effects of using the ICT and other forms of media in the English classroom. In the process of going through the main discussion, several issues and problems associated with the use of ICT and other media technology will be identified followed by discussion of the impact of using these technologies on the teaching and learning process of the English language. Based on the gathered peer-reviewed journals, improvements on the students’ academic performance concerning the use of each type of media technology will be tackled in detail. With regards to the school improvements, some of the existing teaching and learning theories will be applied to the practice of using ICT and other forms of media technology. Under the supervision of the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTa), UK government is strongly committed in supporting the use of ICT within the classroom settings (Becta, 2009). Similar to the personal opinions of the secondary school teachers (Clarke, 2003: p. 3), the UK government also finds the promotion of using ICT as one of the best way to improve and strengthen the learning experience of the students. As a result of the rapid development in the use of ICT and media technology, educational settings like the English classroom has been using digital technology in order to support the learning

HOW CAN ORGANISATIONS EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TO Dissertation

HOW CAN ORGANISATIONS EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TO CREATE THE BEST POOL OF APPLICANTS - Dissertation Example Finally, the chapter concludes on discussion on ethical considerations and contribution of this study to academic literature. 3.1.1 Deductive Hussey and Hussey (1997) have highlighted the importance of deductive approach so that the researcher could test the findings from project by using theoretical models and frameworks. For instance, this deductive approach enables the research in checking the scope of data and its relevance. In other words, this approach is quite useful because the researcher could accomplish his / her aims and objectives through performing various tests for confirmation of hypotheses (Chapman & Webster, 2003; Lallemand, et al., 2005). Saunders et al. (2009) also pointed out that deductive approach is feasible for researchers that conduct tests to prove / disprove hypotheses and to draw inferences in the light of results. 3.2 Research Philosophy Easterby-Smith et al. (2006) have argued that one of the research philosophies for data collection is known as positivi sm. For instance, this approach holds that only authentic knowledge is that which is based on sense, experience and positive verification. Saunders et al (2009) have highlighted that positivism is a philosophy which holds that the scientific method should be used to investigate the processes. However, Spens and Kovacs (2006) confirmed that the probability of personal / observer bias and structural limitations is high in positivism. Nevertheless, this is an HRM project and the researcher is concerned with investigation of recruitment procedures that would create best workforce within an organisation; therefore, the scientific method (quantitative) would enhance the scope and validity of this research project. 3.3 Research Design According to Saunders et al (2007), there are four major types of data collection methods including survey, experiments, observations and interviews. For instance, the primary data could be analysed by using case study approach in which a research focuses on comprehensive investigation of different aspects in an organisation. The research, therefore, will use case study method to comprehend the effectiveness of recruitment methods used in Kraft Foods for creating best pool of employees. The researcher will not adopt inductive approach because he is not inclined to develop a new theory. 3.3.1 Case Study Approach Eisenhardt (1989) has made significant contribution towards the use of Case Study Approach by pointing out that Case Study analysis could be used to develop theories. Indeed, this type of analysis takes into account a particular setting and then focuses on explanation and ‘understanding of dynamics’ (Stake, 1994). For instance, Yin (2003) maintains that the Case Study approach focuses on comprehensive evaluation and multiple levels of analysis because it covers a case from many aspects (Cameron & Price, 2009). In addition, this approach is quite useful because it helps â€Å"providing description, testing any existi ng theory and generating a new theory† based on findings from previous researches and literature, current theoretical frameworks and new research project (Eisenhardt, 1989, p. 535). 3.3.2 Excel Once the data on recruitment techniques have been collected from filling of questionnaires, the researcher will utilise Microsoft Excel software (depending upon his convenience) for making calculations, creating tables, charts

Marketing Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Marketing Planning - Essay Example ............................................ 3.0 How are we going to get there?.................................................................................. 4.0 Implementation........................................................................................................... 5.0 Ethical issues............................................................................................................... 6.0 Possible problems........................................................................................................ References Appendix Marketing Plan: Sainsbury’s 1.0 Introduction J Sainsbury Plc is a supermarket chain in the United Kingdom currently maintaining a 15 percent market share (Thompson 2010). Sainsbury competes with major supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrison’s and Asda. Tesco, the company’s main competitor holding 28 percent of market share in the UK for this industry, has maintained its leadership position through innovation in p roduct and service delivery as well as global brand loyalty. Sainsbury offers traditional products in the food category and has recently diversified to include clothing styles that are exclusive to the supermarket. Sainsbury is recognised not only for its high quality products, but for its emphasis on corporate social responsibility which provides the company with a positive brand reputation. However, Sainsbury’s is unable to outperform its main competition, which is attributable to lack of effective promotion. This marketing plan focuses on building revenues through marketing of the company’s new clothing line, branded under the name Tu. The Tu line targets young adult female consumers, providing lightweight and contemporary clothing with a fashion-forward design and motif. The company had, until recently, believed that the Tu line was a â€Å"stand alone brand† (Sainsbury 2011, p.3). However, the Tu clothing line cannot support revenue growth for the supermark et chain without creating a brand personality and developing a more effective promotional campaign. 2.0 The marketing plan This section highlights the rebranding strategy necessary to achieve brand recognition and brand preference in the young female target market and relevant audits of the current situation faced by the Tu clothing line. 2.1 Current situation Currently, the Tu clothing line provides Sainsbury with ?680 million in sales revenues (Reid 2013). This is insignificant considering the costs of distribution, manufacture and importation of materials utilised for production. Sainsbury is attempting to compete with such companies as Marks & Spencer and Zara which produce similar fashion merchandise under a fast fashion model. These competing organisations have well-established brands and consumer loyalty for providing relevant and modern fashion styles, making it difficult for the company to lure consumers to the Tu brand. Additionally, the Tu brand boasts 60 percent of its c urrent sales volumes stemming from impulse shoppers, meaning that consumers are not actively seeking to shop for clothing at Sainsbury’s market, instead purchasing whilst shopping in the supermarket for food products. Sainsbury’s corporate leadership recognises this shortcoming and points out that consumers have â€Å"tight budgets† and the business must â€Å"create outfits that catch attention† (The Guardian 2012, p.2). Sainsbury is also redeveloping the in-store experience to enhance the clothing shopping experience, adding fitting rooms and floor models that emulate the fashion floors of

Soft system Methodology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Soft system Methodology - Essay Example Compare to hard problems soft problem are difficult to define. Feasibility study is an important phase in the software development process. It enables the developer to have an assessment of the product being developed. It refers to the feasibility study of the product in terms of outcomes of the product, operational use and technical support required for implementing it. Economic Feasibility: It refers to the benefits or outcomes. We are deriving from the product as compared to the total cost we are spending for developing the product. If the benefits are more or less the same as the older system, then it is not feasible to develop the product. In the present system, the development of the new product greatly enhance the accuracy of the system and cuts short the delay in the processing of Birth and Death application. The errors can be greatly reduced and at the same time providing great level of security. Hence, we do not need any additional equipment except memory of required capacity. Operational Feasibility: It refers to the feasibility of the product to be operational. Some products may work very well at design and implementation but may fall in the real time environment. It includes the study of additional human resources required and their technical expertise. Technical Feasibility: It refers to whether the software that is... Technical Feasibility: It refers to whether the software that is available in the market fully supports the present application. It studies the pros and cons of using particular software for the development and it's feasibility. It also studies the additional training need to be given to the people to make the application work. Implementation Plan The main plan for the system developed is to upgrading and existing system to proposed system. There are mainly 4 methods of upgrading the existing system to the proposed Parallel Run System Direct Cut-Over Method Pilot System Phase-in Method Parallel Run System: It is most secure method of converting from an existing to anew system. In this approach, both the systems are run in parallel for a specific period of time. During the period of if any serious problems were identified while using the new system, the new system is dropped and the older system is taken at the start point again. Direct Cut-Over Method: In this approach, the existing system is converted to the new system abruptly, some times over a weekend or even overnight. The old system is used until a planed conversion day. There exist no parallel activities. Pilot Method: In this approach, a working version of the system is implemented in one art of the organization such as a single work area or department. When the system is deemed complete it is installed through out the organization either all at once (direct cut-over) or gradually (phase-in). Phase-in Method: In this method, a part of the system is first implemented and over time, other remaining parts are implemented. SYSTEM ANALYSIS Analysis is the detailed study of the various operations performed by a system and their relationships within and outside of the system. A key question is:

HOW CAN ORGANISATIONS EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TO Dissertation

HOW CAN ORGANISATIONS EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TO CREATE THE BEST POOL OF APPLICANTS - Dissertation Example Finally, the chapter concludes on discussion on ethical considerations and contribution of this study to academic literature. 3.1.1 Deductive Hussey and Hussey (1997) have highlighted the importance of deductive approach so that the researcher could test the findings from project by using theoretical models and frameworks. For instance, this deductive approach enables the research in checking the scope of data and its relevance. In other words, this approach is quite useful because the researcher could accomplish his / her aims and objectives through performing various tests for confirmation of hypotheses (Chapman & Webster, 2003; Lallemand, et al., 2005). Saunders et al. (2009) also pointed out that deductive approach is feasible for researchers that conduct tests to prove / disprove hypotheses and to draw inferences in the light of results. 3.2 Research Philosophy Easterby-Smith et al. (2006) have argued that one of the research philosophies for data collection is known as positivi sm. For instance, this approach holds that only authentic knowledge is that which is based on sense, experience and positive verification. Saunders et al (2009) have highlighted that positivism is a philosophy which holds that the scientific method should be used to investigate the processes. However, Spens and Kovacs (2006) confirmed that the probability of personal / observer bias and structural limitations is high in positivism. Nevertheless, this is an HRM project and the researcher is concerned with investigation of recruitment procedures that would create best workforce within an organisation; therefore, the scientific method (quantitative) would enhance the scope and validity of this research project. 3.3 Research Design According to Saunders et al (2007), there are four major types of data collection methods including survey, experiments, observations and interviews. For instance, the primary data could be analysed by using case study approach in which a research focuses on comprehensive investigation of different aspects in an organisation. The research, therefore, will use case study method to comprehend the effectiveness of recruitment methods used in Kraft Foods for creating best pool of employees. The researcher will not adopt inductive approach because he is not inclined to develop a new theory. 3.3.1 Case Study Approach Eisenhardt (1989) has made significant contribution towards the use of Case Study Approach by pointing out that Case Study analysis could be used to develop theories. Indeed, this type of analysis takes into account a particular setting and then focuses on explanation and ‘understanding of dynamics’ (Stake, 1994). For instance, Yin (2003) maintains that the Case Study approach focuses on comprehensive evaluation and multiple levels of analysis because it covers a case from many aspects (Cameron & Price, 2009). In addition, this approach is quite useful because it helps â€Å"providing description, testing any existi ng theory and generating a new theory† based on findings from previous researches and literature, current theoretical frameworks and new research project (Eisenhardt, 1989, p. 535). 3.3.2 Excel Once the data on recruitment techniques have been collected from filling of questionnaires, the researcher will utilise Microsoft Excel software (depending upon his convenience) for making calculations, creating tables, charts

Soft system Methodology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Soft system Methodology - Essay Example Compare to hard problems soft problem are difficult to define. Feasibility study is an important phase in the software development process. It enables the developer to have an assessment of the product being developed. It refers to the feasibility study of the product in terms of outcomes of the product, operational use and technical support required for implementing it. Economic Feasibility: It refers to the benefits or outcomes. We are deriving from the product as compared to the total cost we are spending for developing the product. If the benefits are more or less the same as the older system, then it is not feasible to develop the product. In the present system, the development of the new product greatly enhance the accuracy of the system and cuts short the delay in the processing of Birth and Death application. The errors can be greatly reduced and at the same time providing great level of security. Hence, we do not need any additional equipment except memory of required capacity. Operational Feasibility: It refers to the feasibility of the product to be operational. Some products may work very well at design and implementation but may fall in the real time environment. It includes the study of additional human resources required and their technical expertise. Technical Feasibility: It refers to whether the software that is... Technical Feasibility: It refers to whether the software that is available in the market fully supports the present application. It studies the pros and cons of using particular software for the development and it's feasibility. It also studies the additional training need to be given to the people to make the application work. Implementation Plan The main plan for the system developed is to upgrading and existing system to proposed system. There are mainly 4 methods of upgrading the existing system to the proposed Parallel Run System Direct Cut-Over Method Pilot System Phase-in Method Parallel Run System: It is most secure method of converting from an existing to anew system. In this approach, both the systems are run in parallel for a specific period of time. During the period of if any serious problems were identified while using the new system, the new system is dropped and the older system is taken at the start point again. Direct Cut-Over Method: In this approach, the existing system is converted to the new system abruptly, some times over a weekend or even overnight. The old system is used until a planed conversion day. There exist no parallel activities. Pilot Method: In this approach, a working version of the system is implemented in one art of the organization such as a single work area or department. When the system is deemed complete it is installed through out the organization either all at once (direct cut-over) or gradually (phase-in). Phase-in Method: In this method, a part of the system is first implemented and over time, other remaining parts are implemented. SYSTEM ANALYSIS Analysis is the detailed study of the various operations performed by a system and their relationships within and outside of the system. A key question is:

Negative Body Image Essay Example for Free

Negative Body Image Essay A study showed that women experience an average of 13 negative thoughts about their body each day, while 97% of women admit to having at least one â€Å"I hate my body† moment each day (raderprograms). Teens today are faced with many pressures: how they dress, who their friends are, who they are going to date, and most importantly, what they look like. In today’s society, body image is more than just the mental picture a person has of what their body looks like. For many, body image is also a reflection of how they feel about themselves and their lives. People with a negative body image believe that if they do not look right, other things, such as their personality, intelligence, social skills, or capabilities, also are not right. They think that if they fix their bodies, all their other problems will disappear. This can result in unhealthy weight management practices and an unhealthy relationship with food. People excessively diet and exercise out of fear of gaining weight. The media today portrays stick thin women with beautiful faces and size 0 bodies, but the truth is, the majority of runway models meet the Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria to be considered anorexic (raderprograms). When influenced by role models like these, teenagers start to feel inferior if they do not look the same. In turn, when put under the pressure of women in the media, teenagers will most likely develop a negative body image, eating or mood disorder, or other unhealthy addictions if they feel their bodies do not â€Å"measure up† to those of women portrayed. Negative body image is a serious issue that can be greatly influenced by today’s media. Body image refers to a person’s feelings about how attractive their body is. Celebrities like Kate Moss are 30+% under their ideal body weight, along with this, adolescent girls are more afraid of gaining weight than getting cancer, losing their parents, or nuclear war (raderprograms). Research has shown that media exposure to unattainable physical perfection is detrimental to people, especially women, and that the detrimental effects are currently more the rule than the exception (An Intervention for the Negative Influence on Body Esteem 405-418). Negative body image affects all aspects (physical, mental, social, and spiritual) of the body negatively and cause problems like depression, anxiety and social anxiety. Roughly half of the women in the U. S. wear size 14 or larger though most standard clothing retailers only cater to size 14 and smaller (raderprograms). Having a negative body image can be detrimental to a person’s self-esteem; they will always scrutinize themselves in mirrors and be envious to other’s bodies, whether it is celebrities, friends or even complete strangers. Many people with a negative body image will start to diet to control their weight and get it to where they want it to be. At any given time, one in every three women and one in any four men are on a diet (raderprograms). People diet to be thinner and more attractive, to look like people they see in the media. A People magazine survey showed that 80% of female takers felt that women in movies and television programs made them feel insecure about their bodies (raderprograms). The media is very negative towards people who are not as small as models and (most) actresses. The average U. S. model weighs 117 lbs and is 5’11†, while the average U. S. woman weighs 140 lbs and is 5’4† (raderprograms). The media also is a very strong advocate of dieting and especially diet pills. While dieting can be done healthily, some teenagers abuse dieting; 73% of teenage girls who abuse diet pills and 79% of teenage girls who self-purge (the act of forcibly making themselves vomit or abusing laxatives to not absorb calories) frequently read women’s fitness and health magazines (raderprograms). People who diet have an increased amount of depression due to body image and not getting the results they expect. Thirty-five percent of â€Å"occasional dieters† progress into pathological dieting (disordered eating) and as many as 25% advance to full blown eating disorders (raderprograms). Medical researchers believe that 80 percent of all eating disorders started with a diet (The Causes of Negative Body Image). Media causes teens to feel insecure and have low self-esteem. It is one of the leading causes of Eating Disorders in the United States. Eating Disorders affect 10+ million females and 1+ million males (raderprograms). Many teens suffer from eating disorders and it majorly affects a person’s life. â€Å"When you have an eating disorder at a young age, you can’t shake it easily. I’ve suffered with anorexia and bulimia since I was 12 years old, along with severe depression and anxiety disorders. It was largely influenced by the media and the pressure to be thin. You’re always pre-occupied with the voices telling you not to eat this, or not to eat that because you want to be thin, right? It’s always there and it’s hard. You know what you’re doing is wrong, but man does it feel so right. † (Billstein). For females between the ages 15-24 who suffer from anorexia, the mortality rate associated with the illness is twelve times higher than he death rate of ALL other causes of death (raderprograms). When a person develops an eating disorder they may also become addicted to exercise along with restricting calories. Exercise addiction is maladaptive, causing more harm than benefits. People become addicted to exercise in order to be thinner. This is usually paired with an eating disorder or negative body image. A person will exe rcise and burn off every calorie that they have consumed during the day and run their calorie count into the negatives so they do not absorb any calories at all. â€Å"I feel in control of my body when I exercise. I can see exactly how many calories I have burnt out of my body; being able to burn the small amount of calories that I have managed to eat just feels good. † (Billstein). About 10% of gym users have exercise addiction. Another disorder that ties in with eating disorders is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is â€Å"imagined ugliness†, where a person picks apart everything about themselves until their self-esteem is very low, making them susceptible to mood disorders. It is the gateway drug to eating disorders and negative body image, depression, anxiety and other altered mood disorders. 0% of people diagnosed with eating disorders also suffer from BDD. â€Å"When I look at myself in the mirror, I don’t see what other people see. I see a girl with a large forehead, big thighs, a fat stomach and beady little eyes. I hate my body so much that what I see is totally transformed and disgusting. I don’t want to look like this, that’s why I resorted to o ther things that I could control: eating and how much. † (Billstein). When a person has depression, anxiety, eating disorders or other altered mood disorders they may become addicted to unhealthy activities. An unhealthy addiction that many people, teenagers primarily, form is self-harm. It has many names: self-injury, self-injurious behavior, self-abuse, self-cutting, and repetitive self-harm syndrome. It is most often called self-mutilation. Regardless of what name a person uses, it is the intentional destruction or alteration of one’s own body tissue without conscious suicidal intent (How Negative Body Image Affects the Body and Mind). Self-harm consists of any bodily injury whether it be cutting, burning, scratching, picking or preventing the healing of wounds. Individuals self-harm to release pain. Some people say they self-mutilate because they are emotionally numb and it helps them feel something. When cutting, the person feels in control of the pain, while on the inside, they cannot control mental pain from disorders or depression. Those who cut feel a relief afterwards but it gets more intense of an addiction the longer it goes. They experience strong cravings to harm themselves and withdrawals when in recovery. â€Å"I cut because I can control it. I’m not saying that it’s a good thing, but I’m in recovery and I have relapsed. It takes control of your mind; you’re in a sad state when you take that blade to your skin. You have the scars forever to remember the times you’ve been through, but they show strength not weakness. They’re battle scars and they show that you’ve conquered, not been defeated, you’re still alive and here, and that’s beautiful. † (Billstein). 90% of self-injury individuals begin harming themselves during their teen years or younger. (Cutting: Self Injury Facts amp; Statistics). Only 4% of women in the world truly think they are beautiful (raderprograms). There are some positive body image influences in the media including Dove skincare. They have the ‘Real Beauty’ campaign showing moderate to plus size models in a positive atmosphere. There is a drastic difference between Dove’s ‘Real Beauty’ campaign (Figure 1) and Victoria’s Secret’s new ‘Love My Body’ campaign (Figure 2). Some forms of media are only positive to a certain weight group (i. e: ‘Love My Body’ campaign). Women should not be ashamed of their bodies, they should embrace them and show off their best features. â€Å"You’re going to be in this body for the rest of your life, so you might as well learn to like it† (Billstein). Figure 1 (Rana). Figure 2 (McDonell-Parry). Overall, negative body image is a very dangerous issue to have because it can lead to destructive behaviors like eating disorders, low self-esteem, mood disorders, exercise addiction and other unsafe body disorders. When teenagers are put under the pressure of women in the media, they are at a higher risk of developing a negative body image, eating or mood disorders and other unsafe addictions if their bodies are not as slim.

Human Resource Management Models in Healthcare

Human Resource Management Models in Healthcare John Murphy Baltazar Molina Assess the impact and the purpose of applying strategic human resource management models in a healthcare organisation. Assess the impact of human resource management activities in an organisation. The Impacts of Human Resource Management (HRM) Activities in an Organisation Human Resource Models Contingency Model Contingency model is a type of model that believes that there is no best way to lead a company, to make decisions, or organise an organisation. Instead, the ideal course of action is contingent upon the external and internal situation. A contingent leader efficiently relates their style of leadership at the right time and in the right situation. Organisations are open system that requires cautious management to balance and satisfy internal needs and to cope to environmental conditions. The suitable management rest on the type of duty or environment that is being dealt. Nevertheless, it is essential for management to be concerned, above all else, with achieving good fits and balance. In general, human resources refer to the whole workforce within an organisation and structural contingency theory is concerned with the whole workforce (Armstrong, 2011). In a wider sense, human resources can direct a specific department within the organisation. This may include hiring the qualified people for the job, addressing complaints, dealing with low productivity and resolving conflicts. These challenges all involve putting structural contingency theory into practice. David Guest Model David Guest Model considers that a key policy goal for human resource management is strategic integration (Armstrong, 2011) by which he indicates the organisation’s capability to integrate human resource management matters into strategic procedures, to deliver for line managers to join a human resource management view into the decision making, and to guarantee that the several facets in human resource management adhere. The Guest Model of Human Resource Management (Source: Armstrong, 2011) The central idea of David Guest Model is that human resource management practices must be intended to create high-quality personnel who are flexible and has commitment to the organisation. Employees that are committed and bound to the organisation are vital in human resource management outcome. The assertion of the Guest model that it is higher than the others is partially acceptable in the logic that it visibly draws out the field of human resource manager and describes the outcomes and inputs. But then again, because of the complexity of the dynamics of people management no model (including the Guest model) can capture them broadly. Best Practice Model Johnson (2000) specifies, that the greatest practices are described as human resource approaches and systems that have additive, positive, and universal effects on organisational performance. This meaning is linked to the point that the best practices that the organisation hires, each will augment to the previous, thus compounding the organisation’s resulting performance The Best Practice model would lead to a high performing work system because of it presents the idea to enhance the employees’ knowledge and ability in a just recruitment and training process. In addition, this model indicates to motivate desired behaviours through strong incentives which employees would be happy and be motivated to work hard and be dedicated to work in the organisation. Also, it encourages ideas and contribution from motivated and better trained workers. No man has a monopoly of knowledge, so every idea, opinion, or feedback should be welcomed to improve. Human Resource Management (HRM) Activities Job Analysis There is a developing interest in concentrating on the competencies that individuals need in order to execute jobs rather than on the duties, responsibilities, and tasks comprising a job. Organisations should invest in their employees by not overloading them with responsibilities. The point here is that when an employee is overloaded with responsibilities they tend to miss small things which could be of value in the end. Human Resource Planning Human resource planning is when managers endeavour to anticipate problems that will impact the future demand and supply for employees. It is crucial to have adequate human resource information systems to provide timely and accurate information for human resource planning. Employee Recruitment Compliance with countries laws and regulations about equal employment opportunity affects all other human resource activities and is essential to human resource management. For instance, strategic human resource plans is obligated to guarantee adequate availability of a variety of individuals to meet affirmative requirements. Employers should be resourceful in recruiting applicants by posting on the internet or making ads on public places. Employee Selection Employee selection is an activity wherein the human resource managers assess the applications of the applicants. This is a crucial activity because the employers should select the best and qualified applicants on the list. All employers should be fair in hiring people by accepting them based on their qualifications and not because of other reasons like same race or family friend. Performance Appraisal Performance appraisal is a term used to describe the process set by an organisation to ensure all employees are aware of the level of performance expected of them in that role (HRINZ, 2011). Performance management system is in place in most organisations. For instance, an organisation is conducting trainings for their employees to be updated of the universal safety precautions. Human Resource Development As our work change and evolve, on-going retraining is necessary to accommodate technological changes. It is essential to prepare organisations for future challenges by boosting development of all employees including managers and supervisors. Compensation Compensation is payment to an employee for their contribution to the organisation, that is, for doing their job(McNamara, n.d.). The most common forms of compensation are salaries, wages, and salaries. Organisations typically associate job description with compensation ranges in the organisation. The ranges comprise the maximum and the minimum sum of money that can be made per year in that role. Benefits Employee benefits usually refer to retirement plans, life insurance, vacation leave, health insurance, and many more. In addition, benefits are more likely a form of value, other than payment, that is given to the employee to repay their contribution to the organisation, that is, for doing their job. Some benefits, such as unemployment and workers compensation, are federally required (McNamara, n.d.). Industrial Relations Industrial relations are multidisciplinary field that studies the mutual aspects of the employment relationship (VUW Career Development and Employment, 2010). It is increasingly being called employment relations because of the importance of non-industrial employment relationships. In addition, industrial relations are concerned with the social justice of decent work and unbiased employment. Most of the people often consider industrial relations as unionised employment situations and labour relations, but it is more than that. Industrial relations cover issues of concern to managers and employees at the workplace, including workplace management strategy, bargaining, participation and employee representation, union management cooperation, job design, workplace reform, skill development, and new technology (VUW Career Development and Employment, 2010) Health and Safety Programs The mental and physical health and safety of the employees are critical concerns. The traditional apprehensions are health issues arising from hazardous work with certain chemicals and newer technologies (Armstrong, 2011). Through a wider focus on health, health resource management can support employees with substance abuse and other problems. Employee wellness programs can help to promote exercise and good health should become more widespread. Manage Diversity Workforce diversity acknowledges the reality that people differ in many ways, invisible or visible, gender, marital status, social status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, ethnicity, personality, and culture (Armstrong, 2011). Effective diversity management has been historically utilised to deliver a legally defensible position towards charges of discrimination. Timesheet Management A timesheet is also known as the roster or schedules made by managers for all the employees including themselves. Making the timesheet is also a vital task by the human resource managers. They need to put workers on every shift and make other options to fill those who are on leave. The Impact of Harvard Framework Model to the HRM Activities There are two characteristic features of human resource management (Armstrong, 2011). Firstly, managers take added accountability for guaranteeing the alignment of personnel policies and competitive strategy. Secondly, employees has the task of following the policies that direct how personnel activities are developed and implemented in ways that make them more mutually reinforcing. The Harvard Framework has applied substantial impact on the practice and theory of Human Resource Management, mainly in its emphasis on the point that Human Resource Management is the apprehension of management in general rather than the employees function in particular. The Harvard Analytical Framework for Human Resource Management In addition, it is based on central philosophy and planned vision. It involves management decisions and actions reflecting the relationship between the firm and its employees. It emphasizes on the importance of proper management of the human assets of an organisation to promote harmony and hence promote the output. The Harvard framework of human resource management views employees as resources (Armstrong, 2003). This type of method distinguishes the section of mutuality in all kinds of businesses. In an organisation employees are considered significant stakeholders. They have their personal needs and concerns alongside with other groups such as customers and shareholders. Currently, many pressures are demanding a more comprehensive, more strategic, and broader perspective with respect to the human resources in an organisation. Managing people in a long term perspective and treatment of people as possible assets rather than simply a variable cost have been generated because of these pressures. The Contribution and Importance of Strategic Human Resource Management The influence of HRM strategy on organisational strategy Nowadays, the success of the organisation basically depends on the capabilities and experience of its members (Kumar, 2011). An organisation may have the technology and capital, but it is human resources that will support organisations take on challenges of business globalization. Technology can be produced and capital can be generated. But the human resources needed in an organisation that can manage the coming challenges must be rightly and properly motivated and encouraged. The Influence of Human Resource Management Strategy on Organisational Performance Human resource managerial strategies shown by organisations pursuing to progress organisational performance have been categorised in two broad kinds depending on their basic character being oriented to the rise of human resources’ level of skill or else of the grade of participation of personnel in the performance of the firm and organisational strategy. Labour productivity and organisational performance are positively related to diverse features of HR management systems (McGrath, 1996), such as recruitment and selection, training programs, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits, and innovative practices. Similarly, some research has shown that firms characterized by the use of the above practices outperform those that display inflexible HR strategies within the same economic sector. The Influence of Human Resource Management Strategy on the Alignment of Organisational Strategies Majority of the organisations consider the department of human resources as an managerial aspect and disregard the opportunity and need to align it within the strategic plans (Righeimer, n.d.). In situations where human resource is involved in the strategy of the organisation, its alignment doesn’t exceed the projecting function. Because the human resource does not hold a seat at the strategic planning table it is not aligned with the strategy of an organisation. The irony with the human resource being left behind in the strategic planning is that by its nature, human resource is about people, which is the strategic plan and fundamental of an organisation. My assumption is that it is difficult to measure the success of human resources and thus it is thought to be soft and not significant in the development of a strategy. What is measured gets done and obtains the authority to donate in an organisation’s strategy. The Impact of Strategic Human Resource Management on the Policy Making in an Organisation Employee Influence The method in which organisations manage their employees is considered a vital factor in assisting success or even failure for an organisation in today’s competitive setting. The core key to an organisation’s prosperity and effectiveness depends on how employees are managed, therefore, allowing it to have a competitive advantage versus other organisation. My assumption is that when an organisation or its human resource manager will provide company bonuses, benefits, and a good compensation to their employees will benefit from an effective and motivated workforce. This is because organisations that shows a keen interest in their employees and promote commitment based strategies through various HRM practices will benefit the most as they will see lower levels of employee turnover (The WritePass Journal, 2014) Work Systems One of the core principles of strategic HRM is to evaluate how the performance of an organisation is influenced by the way employees are managed (Farooq, 2013). Several measures have been implemented in human resource practices that have been tested to progress the effectiveness of the employees and to anticipate higher standards of organisational performance. Most of these methods include high commitment work system, high standard work structures, high performance human resource management and work systems. No matter the possibilities these systems may vary in the method of improving the employee efficiency, their conjoint track is that organisations can attain high performance by accepting practices that leverage and recognise employees’ ability to make value. To generate an all-out impact these practices are most operative when they are applied in groups because of their joint effects on performance. Reward Systems Reward management is about controlling and examining employee remuneration, compensation and all of the other benefits. Reward management targets to generate and proficiently function a reward system for an organisation. Reward system typically contains pay practices and policy, payroll and salary management, minimum wage, total reward, team reward and executive pay. References Armstrong, M. (2003). A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice 9th edition. Retrieved from http://books.google.co.nz/books?hl=enlr=id=2AGbuhlTXV0Coi=fndpg=PR17dq=harvard+framework+model+of+hrmots=ZmKpYHrRC8sig=fUfPlB4Grf2P5tmsZKwdMAHaQsw#v=onepageq=harvard framework model of hrmf=false Armstrong, M. (2011). Armstrong’s Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management 5th edition. Retrieved from http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=kJfSzYIBpWwCprintsec=frontcoverdq=Strategic+Human+resource+Management:+a+Guide+to+actionhl=ensa=Xei=pXiCU6r8KsXLkgWr74CADwved=0CFYQ6AEwBA#v=onepageq=Strategic Human resource Management: a Guide to actionf=false Brewster, C. and Mayrhofer, W. (2012). Handbook of Research on Comparative Human Resource Management, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Inc Farooq, S. (2013). Strategic Human Resource Management – High Performance Work System. Retrieved from http://gemconsulting.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/strategic-human-resource-management-high-performance-work-systems/ Human Resources Institute of New Zealand. (2011). Performance Appraisals and 360 Degree Feedback. Retrieved from http://www.hrinz.org.nz/Site/Resources/Knowledge_Base/I-P/performance_appraisals.aspx Kumar, N. (2011). The Influence of Organisational and Human Resource Management Strategies on Performance. Retrieved from http://www.performancexpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Vol45_04_18.pdf McGrath, R. (1996). ‘Improving Labour Productivity: Human Resource Management Policies do Matter’, Strategic Management Journal 17(5): 335-354 McNamara, C. (n.d.). Employee Benefits and Compensation (Employee Pay). Retrieved from http://managementhelp.org/payandbenefits/index.htm?PHPSESSID=900e2200ce5dd66bf5c5a7252da24633 Righeimer, J. (n.d.). Aligning Human Resources Strategic Plans. Retrieved from http://www.maverickec.com/index_files/Aligning HR Strategy epulse.pdf The WritePass Journal. (2014). How can HRM Practices Influence Employee Commitment and Overcome High Employee Turnover. Retrieved from http://writepass.com/journal/2012/12/how-can-hrm-practices-influence-employee-commitment-and-overcome-high-employee-turnover/ Victoria University Wellington (VUW) Career Development and Employment. (2010). Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. Retrieved from http://www.victoria.ac.nz/st_services/careers/resources/career_publications/career_view/hrm_and_ir.pdf 1