MGMT458 U3 DB Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

MGMT458 U3 DB - Research Paper Example Harsh economic shifts lead to collapse of numerous businesses; thus, loss of human capital. Tough competition also plays a huge role in human capital retention (Baron, 2007). If the company’s HR cannot devise programs and incentives that maintain their main employees, most likely they will be attracted to performing companies that require their skills. Internally, the compensation policy of a company will either attract or discourage the human capital (Baron, 2007). If the compensation policy and structure do not favor the employees, they are likely to leave and look more benefits from another employer. The relations as designed by the HR department determine the retention of human capital (Baron, 2007). If the HR department is not keen on training their employees on proper relations among the staff, divisions will exist; thus, high levels of staff turnover. The HR department must also ensure that they allow for collective bargaining so as all employees are represented (Baron,

The impact to the individual's participation in staff development Essay

The impact to the individual's participation in staff development - Essay Example Finally, two sections examine the theories of Hallinger and Kantamara (2003) and Bolom and Turner (2003). The objective of this literature review is to critically analyze the report whilst keeping the dissertation's objective, identified problems and aim or research questions as a guide. Further, the need for further research from new questions that will arise from this review will justify the need of the dissertation on the subject of why individuals have difficulties participating in staff development. Section I - Quality Education The fundamental question asked concerns education in the 21st century and challenges both future appropriateness of the educational system and its delivery. In reality, the 21st century is something we know very little about, as we are only just 10 years into this century and the new millennium. The future is unknown and therefore one can only forecast, project and extrapolate as to what might be, based on what is already know. Ideology in education is a n evolutionary process. Dominant views on education have influenced teachers for decades. For example, goals to provide equal opportunities and use of young people as a resource for the nation were initiated in from post-war years up to the early 1970s as part of economic expansion. Similarly, the Plowden Report supported child-centred teaching methods to focus on the unique development of each child, becoming known as ‘progressivism’. This ideology is Liberal Romanticism, which also values diversity and individual difference. In the early to mid-1970s, standards were said to have regressed (‘Black Papers’) because curriculum design and organization lacked rigor. In response, the ideology of Educational Conservatism was introduced which emphasized â€Å"the transmission of established social values, knowledge and culture through a subject-orientated approach,† as stated by Pollard & Tann (1990 p 40). The good teacher would reflect on such ideologies and extract ‘the wheat from the chaff’ to improve his own approach to teaching. While such pragmatic values seem promising in theory, the reality of the situation is such that teacher training and curriculum development must develop more objective means of understanding. While the good teacher should have a thirst for continual improvement, this best occurs within an objective framework. As previously mentioned, I personally self-assess my own performance at the end of each lesson. If a lesson has been observed or I have been using classroom assistants, I actively seek their constructive criticism, as I want to be become not only a good teacher but a first class one. Such self-reflexivity is best supplemented with the university model. Pollard & Tann (1990 p 14) state â€Å"practical experience and related discussions at university seem to be more powerful influences for PGCE students on their professional development than their subject studies.† In attempting to become a first class teacher, I found this to be consistently accurate. I am always willing to learn from experienced professionals and lectures. When not teaching, I use the time to observe others to learn valuable experiences. I found my university workshops an excellent source of ideas and an excellent forum to share and learn the best practices. The question to be asked is not â€Å"what is the reason for education?† but â€Å"is it a good education?† A good education should seek to â€Å"

Principles of international diversification Essay Example for Free

Principles of international diversification Essay The perspective that it needs to focus on some aspect of an investment that is responsible for funds that are diversified internationally both by market and by asset. At times a more theoretical comment may also be presented, as many of the ideas and principles of international diversification have been the subject of internal research. Various markets in which international diversification must be applied; exchange markets, money markets, and equity markets. But more often true with statistically oriented academic literature, the study lags the developments in the real world by not including in the analysis the rapidly growing share of the global investment. The report were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and are not misstated due to material fraud or error. The financial statements include amounts that are based on managements best estimates and judgments. Management also prepared the other information in the annual report and is responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the financial statements. Established and maintains a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance as to the integrity and reliability of the financial statements, the protection of assets from unauthorized use or disposition, and the prevention and detection of fraudulent financial reporting. The system of internal control provides for appropriate division of responsibility and is documented by written policies and procedures that are communicated to employees with significant roles in the financial reporting process and updated as necessary. Management continually monitors the system of internal control for compliance. A corporate compliance plan as it helps reduce the risk of compliance errors and can limit the liability of directors and management. An effective plan can also reduce liability under the federal sentencing guidelines. Best of all, a corporate compliance plan helps employees follow the laws and enables management to know that the laws are being followed. The founding a comprehensive compliance program in which commonly known as corporate ethics program code of conduct has a number of benefits that goes beyond the direct compliance related aspects. The vast majority of employees want to do the right thing, and they want to work for a company of which they can be proud. They also want some way to make sure that the company does the right thing, so hotlines or other ways to report wrongdoing are appreciated. Empirical studies confirm that how the corporation approaches ethics and legal compliance management has a significant impact on employee’s attitudes and behaviors. Further Extensions: The focus of this research project is to develop approach that is best practice for sourcing ascendancy, process synchronization and information integration in the context of business research. The study aspire to first build a conceptual framework for business research opportunity that will make possible the development of solutions to the management challenges associated with achieving a companys strategic goals its operational constructs procedure has centered or build the organization with a business research course that has led to in receipt of enhanced business performance from arranging a process of direction within an organization A team oriented functioning in a environment and strong feelings of possession are also anticipated by a lot and as a consequence of or probably an indispensable component of a business research. There were several approaches that can be used to measure within the constructs and they are domain sampling, coefficient data and factor analysis and I used the analysis factor, explaining its component using the data to study the scale fundamental the construct. This analysis was used to examine whether the number of scope conceptualized might be established empirically. The preliminary examination results might show problems with more than a few events along with the mechanism of research. As the outline of the research it is significant to have a steadiness as it is only a part of construct strength. In sort to institute the construct weight of a measure, the amount to which the evaluate show a relationship with other events premeditated to calculate the similar problem and whether it conclude behave as anticipated it required also to be explained The authenticate of the construct of business research within an organization and shaped a useable instrument for diagnostic dimension of this construct. And the outcomes of business research opportunities within an organization appear to be applicable. Portfolio will have process that is constantly checking the index partition for the solution of other conflict groups and makes a queue, by indices of the partial solutions with the order of queue, so that the portfolio is able to proceed with the optimal task receive order flows from international traders and investors in the retail market and trade open positions with speculators in the wholesale market. The larger the open positions the more volatile the exchange rate has to be in order to equilibrate the wholesale market and the costlier the closing out of the positions for the intermediaries. However, the larger the predictable trading volume the smaller the revenues each currency unit exchange has to generate so that the dealer breaks even. Transaction costs of currency exchange can thus decrease with trading volume and will always increase with exchange rate volatility as well as dealers’ fixed costs. However, with the new framework not only s single but also several vehicle currencies can emerge, depending on the fundamental payments flows, the initial structure of exchange and dealer expectations about it, the market-specific volume-volatility relation and the structures of fixed costs for making markets and for opening formerly inactive markets. Moreover, both trading volumes as well as exchange rate volatilities are endogenous to the optimal exchange pattern. Those currencies with high fundamentals-based trading volume and low exchange rate volatility with respect to all or a sunset of currencies can emerge as vehicles. While in the goods market approach the idea is that exchange rates are determined basically through the trade of real assets, the asset market approach points to the importance of capital flows. The concept of purchasing power parity states that the exchange rate equates the national price levels of two countries in the sense that the PPP of a unit of currency is the same in both countries. A theory of exchange rate determination, it asserts that the exchange rate change between two currencies over any period of time is determined by the change in two countries’ relative price levels: Conclusion: To appreciate fully the arguments advanced in favor of international portfolio diversification, it is useful to have some knowledge of modern portfolio theory. Those readers familiar with Professor Markowitz’ seminal contribution need little further introduction to this subject. For others, it is useful to start with a brief theoretical overview of the effects of combining investments in two stock markets into an international portfolio. The expected return on a two-market international portfolio is simply the expected return in each market weighed by the fraction invested in the market. The variability of returns for this international portfolio is slightly more complex since it depends both upon the variability of each of the two markets held and the degree of co-movement or correlation between them. One of the key elements of the company’s value system, its basic beliefs, and another fundamental element is the business environment in which the firm conducts business. Then there are also the heroes of the company, plus its day-to-day routines and special ceremonies. Finally, there is the cultural network, the informal communication system within the firm. The many realities of the business world in which a firm operates play a major role in carving out the firm’s character and culture. Some aspects of the business environment have a very subtle influence. But as relentless winds and waters can erode jagged boulders to a smooth finish with the passing of years, so are some cultures gradually shaped by constant pressures from the marketplace. Since the company had run down the effects of estimated 46% of the loss revenue, the company is having a growing problem as its hold its position in undertaking the proposals, since it can plunge into worse than what is expected with the companies in such industry. Certain procedures, or frameworks or types of information, symbolically come to represent rationality within particular epochs, cultures or ways of thinking. Foreign direct investment in developing countries has long history; it has fluctuated over time, as investors have responded to changes in the environment for investment, including government policies toward foreign direct investment and the broader economic policy framework. After all the data was gathered it now the time that the management will consider possible strategies to spar the said problems, they are given possible strategies to choice which one would suit best their situation, application of such strategy is controlled well by the management for every plan is considered crucial until they iron up all this problems. Foreign direct investments in developing countries have flowed mainly into manufacturing and processing industries. It has traditionally been concentrated in a small group of countries, which partly reflects the size of their economies. Reference: 1. Elton, E. J. and Gruber, M. J. (2003). Modern Portfolio Theory and Investments Analysis. (6th edition), Wiley New York 2. .Elton. E. J and. Gruber, M. J. (1977). Risk Reduction and Portfolio Size: An Analytical Solution The Journal of Business, Vol. 50, No. 4. (Oct. , 1977), pp. 415-437.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Esearch English Language Essay

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Esearch English Language Essay Abstract The purpose of this research is going to evaluate the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. The research is based on lists of literature review that refer to the academic search engine or online learning resources acquiring. The primary research conducts by a questionnaire. The sample mainly comes from students who study at Nottingham Trent International College and try to find out a reasonable result. The sample size is twenty-eight student of NTIC. The findings unveil that the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh the disadvantages for the NTIC students. There were total 96% respondents have thought eSearch style is important for academic information acquiring. There were twenty-six respondents think the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh the disadvantages. This finding may help students who study at NTIC to know and use the eSearch on the NTU website. Introduction This is a research project report. It attempts to find out some significance about using academic search engine such eSearch on the NTU website. Probably, some NTIC students do not know what exactly function and action does eSearch has. Hopefully, the prospective finding may be a beneficial and helpful guidance for NTIC students. Background The development of information and communication technology started from 1970s. In the past two decades, the applications based on information and communication technology has made great progress in actual applications. In this day and age, information and communication technology is developing rapidly. There are varieties of electronic applications based on the Internet and computer. For example, the search engine such as Google, that plays a very vital role in present work, study, amusement and everywhere in life. However, for some academic research area, general search engine is not very good for academic purpose (Golian, 2000). Accordingly, an academic search engine such as eSearch application of Nottingham Trent University (NTU) website come out. Students can obtain abundant academic resources and do the research by this kind of web based software. Such academic search engines have became more and more popular among numerous learning institutions. Hypothesis and Research Problem In terms of students of Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), looking for a valid and reliable academic information resource is a very important thing for those who is doing a research project or just for an essay purpose. My hypothesis is that to use eSearch probably is a better way for students who would like to obtain academic information resources. Therefore, my research question is that whether the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students or not. Aim and Objectives This research will conduct by a questionnaire. The overall aim of this research is intended to evaluate the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. The outcome of this research will be a guide of using the eSearch, especially for those who still do not know what the eSearch application is. As for explicit objectives of this work, it will focus on: To find out what benefits of use of eSearch has of value to NTIC students. To investigate why NTIC students use eSearch engine on NTU website. To indicate to what extend the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. Literature Review In point of fact, the eSearch is a web-based and academic search engine. The main purpose of this literature review is going to provide an overview that explores some evidence of primary research or book into the use of academic search engines, which will relate to the eSearch and selected research question area. The literature review is going to divide into two sections. At the first section, it will look at what advantages and disadvantages of use of academic search engine have been referred to and what is still not mentioned. At the second section, it will look at some actual use and relative reason that students use academic search engine. The advantages and disadvantages of the eSearch The eSearch application can be used in the field of information gathering and subject research. There are many research finding shown that the use of academic search engine has advantages and disadvantages. Kruse (2004) argues that eSearch provides a fast and convenient way that learners obtain useful information resources. Ma (2006) agrees with him and he also indicates that the learning by eSearch can be lifetime learning with the low cost. In fact, the essence of eSearch belongs to the scope of e-learning system. Holmes and Gardner (2006) argue that e-learning style based on web or other information and communication technology, the learners can learn what they want to learn by internet. Meanwhile, some finding also showed the disadvantages of use of academic search engine. Kruse (2004) considers that sometimes there are some technical issues that the possibility of obtaining wrong information when using eSearch application access to the resources, which will waste time. Moreover, Allen (2003) mentions that the e-learning system is faultiness, which lack of effective and collaborative learning and so much research research by e-learning way that results a pool performance. In spite of these literature mentioned are both advantages and disadvantages of using eSearch style, all finding are surface and general, which seems just about the way that acquires information by web based application like eSearch is good or bad. The scope of data collection is very broad. They did not focus on a special group and mention any advantages or disadvantages of using eSearch application that relate to students who want to obtain academic information resources, especially for those who want to know whether advantages of using eSearch to do a research project outweigh disadvantages among the NTIC. This seems like that more work need to do in this specific area. The practical use of eSearch At present, the academic search engine as a common practice is likely playing vital role in a majority of learning institutions. On the one hand, Allen (2003) points that many students obtain information by using eSearch style because it is more flexible and interesting for their learning. On the other hand, Allen also mentions that some students think that eSearch applicatons are boring, useless, a weak searching function that cannot access useful resources after they tried eSearch applications. In spite of that, the eSearch application is still play an active role on learning of research. In practical case, positive attitudes are more than negative attitudes (Burgess, 2007). It seems like that the development of information and communication technology lead to an inevitable outcome. However, their finding did not mention that how important or useful when using an eSearch application to do a academic research. Furthermore, due to eSearch style can get academic information resources validly and reliably, many libraries of learning institutions develop electronic library as an academic information research tool. Gibbons (2007) argues that the academic library is based on Web 2.0 with abundant academic information resources, which can simply search a book or other academic information. Meanwhile, Gibbons highlights that eSearch style provides wonderful chance for students who live in the web generation. Nevertheless, all previous results just show obtaining academic information resources by eSearch style is recommended, but for NTIC students, there is no research finding to show that the advantages of using eSearch on NTU website outweigh disadvantages. Probably, this gap will be filled by this research. Methodology This section is going to state what research method was choose for the data collection of this research and how to administer it. Research methodology is not only about what methods the study use, the logic behind the method is quite important as well and it also need to explain why the particular method was selected and why did not choose others (Kumar, 2008). Method of Data Collecting A questionnaire that based on chosen topic area has been used for data collection. This is main and unique method of data collection this research used. Others like interview or observation have been considered, however, due to lack of times, those are complex method for this research. To use those way, which are harder to administer and probably will cost more time. Therefore, in order to collect suitable information immediately and efficiently. The questionnaire was chosen. To see how good the questionnaire done, which is a relatively appropriate way for the purpose that collecting useful information among students who study at NTIC. Questionnaire Administering The questionnaire of this research was administered via both email and face to face way. These two ways are both work well. To deliver questionnaires via face to face way, it seems like an optimum approach to get the information of the research back. In fact, sometimes to ask questions and get answers from others especially those who are stranger and do not know where do their answers going. They not only worry about the security of some privacy but also introverted when face to a stranger. Forasmuch there is a little difficult via face to face way, in order to supply a deficiency, some questionnaires sent via email. The respondents randomly came from the email list of NTIC students. Description of Questionnaire There are thirteen questions in the questionnaire (appendix 1) and include two question types. Most of questions are list question. There were nine questions are list, which gave several or more choices for respondents. Other four questions are scale question, which provide different stages of scaling for respondents. There were four important questions out of thirteen on the questionnaire. They were numbers 6, 7, 8 and 11 on the questionnaire. The most important question was number 11. The aim of this question was to indicate to what extend the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. This question was asked because the answer may provide very useful information from NTIC students, which was concentrated on the research question area. Questionnaire Piloting There were some worth the whistle information when the questionnaire was piloted. The questionnaire was given to thirty people. The people were students at NTIC. Among these thirty students, there were twenty-eight returned the questionnaire back. The twenty-eight respondents were from different levels at the NTIC. Why those two people who did not accept the questionnaire? The reason is that one of them had been answered too many questionnaire at the same time. Another one accepted the questionnaire by email but did not return it. Probably due to he has no enough time to do. Anyway, twenty-eight available questionnaires were available. In addition, some respondents mentioned that per questionnaire spent about time 3 minutes and the question type and layout of the questionnaire are acceptable. However, there were one person mentioned that there were one question is not appreciate for the data collecting about this research question. It was question 10. This question talked about lectures and trainings for the use of eSearch engine by NTU or NTIC. He thought this question is unnecessary because the research question is about balancing advantages and disadvantages. Why asking question about training. I have checked this question. I think this is a useful question because the answer is how essential eSearch trainings are. If most people think the eSearch training is essential, which means using eSearch is important. This answer could affect the final finding. Sampling Strategy In order to carry out a significative finding from based on the research question, a sampling technique will be considered. The questionnaire was focus on students who study at NTIC. At the beginning of this research, the whole NTU was considered. However, this is too broad way to collect data for the research area. NTIC students as a representative of the NTU as a whole, they use the eSearch engine on the NTU website as well. To choose this group would be better than choose whole NTU, because the collected data is available for the chosen research area, and it is also easier to reach this group at different level then produce a good sample. Ethical Considerations The privacy issue had been considered. Indeed, a research problem based on human activities has been virtually involved in some ethical issues (Bernard, 2000). Furthermore, the trust issue is important as well. These issues will cause valid and reliable of data collected. Hence, an anonymous survey was adopted. Findings and Discussion This section is going to carry out findings for the research question. Following data analysis and discussion was based on the primary research. Figure 1 shows that there were twenty-eight NTIC students use online search engine to acquire information, which means all respondents were using online search engine although they were different majors and taking different programmes. It can be seen that there were twenty students use online search engine, who are taking graduate diploma programme. There were five diploma students and three foundation students use online search engine. It is clearly to see that graduate diploma students use online search engine were more than both diploma and foundation students. There is a strong possibility that graduate diploma students who are preparing for the master course, which means their work need to do more research and then they searching online intended to acquire more information. Furthermore, we can see that diploma students more than foundation students, which probably due to the degree of diploma higher than foundation and they did more research than foundation. If so, it seems like that the result just demonstrated the previous speculation. As for business students, there were five students use online search engine to acquire information but there were no statistical figures refer to diploma and foundation students. It is likely not business students of taking diploma and foundation programme did not use online search engine but probably due to the questionnaire did not reached diploma and foundation group at business field. The top group of using online search engine was computing students. There were nine students responded yes in total. In comparison with media students, statistics were quite similar and just a little less than computing students. There were eight students responded yes in total. Most respondents belong these two groups. The possible reason is that they are both IT guys. Media students probably were a little bit weaker in computer and Internet operating skills. There were three students who taking law programme use online engine to acquire information and same number in other students group, which is the least statistics in this survey. There were two students are graduated diploma students, which have about 66% of total. Only one diploma student was marked. Maybe graduate diploma students need to do more research and then they use online search engine to acquire information. Totally, all respondents use online search engine to acquire information. Although the proportion of graduate diploma students is more than others, this is not the focus of the research project. The key finding from this figure is likely that everyone need to use online search engine regardless of what programme the student does. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that students could benefit more from using search engine to acquire information. This pie chart shown the proportion of different attitudes that how important to NTIC students is accessing academic learning resources by an eSearch engine. It can be seen that the rate of important is quiet high than others. Many NTIC students thought using eSearch engine accessing academic learning resources is important. The proportion reached 67%. This is the highest number. Probably these respondents use eSearch engine on the NTU website frequently because they think it is important for their learning. Meanwhile, there were 18% respondents think accessing academic learning resources by an eSearch engine is very important. Although the number is not in the top, it still reached the second. Combining with the rate of thinking eSearch is important, which likely means there were majority of respondents who prefer using eSearch engine to obtain academic learning resources. Regarding to others, the proportion of respondents who thinking the use of eSearch is slightly important has 11%. Maybe there are some technical issues leads to those who think eSearch is slightly important. Only 4% respondents think that is not important by eSearch engine to acquire academic learning resources. It seems they just do not care it instead of never use it. According to the figure 2, total 96% respondents have thought eSearch style is important for academic information acquiring. Merely the extent of importance of using eSearch displayed different levels. An realistic estimate would be that using eSearch on the NTU website to access academic learning resources is a important way for NTIC students who writing a academic essay or doing a research project. Further speculation would be that using eSearch might have more beneficial and helpful than without it. From figure 3 we can see the numbers of respondents which balancing the advantages of using eSearch and disadvantages. It shows the rate which NTIC students think the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages by three different programme groups that include foundation, diploma and graduate diploma. There were total seventeen graduate diploma students, five diploma students and six foundation students. Almost all respondents consider that the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. There were only few thoughts (one graduate diploma students and one foundation students) of respondents between these two extremes. And there was nobody thinks the disadvantages of using eSearch outweght advantages. There were five graduate diploma students believe that using eSearch engine possess absolute advantages, the disadvantages could be ignored. There were one diploma and two foundation students who think the advantages of using eSearch is undoubted. This statistical range is not a topmost but it shown nearly more than 28% of respondents who strongly affirmed the advantages of using eSearch. Maybe their feeling of dependence to the Internet is strong and seems they use eSearch frequently. There were eighteen respondents picked extent four, which means they agree with that the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh disadvantages. This is not absolute but somewhat. These statistical numbers were more than half of total respondents. The numbers of graduate diploma students reached a peak at this range. There were eleven respondents choose somewhat advantages for using eSearch. Probable reason is that most respondents came from graduate diploma students just less numbers of respondents who taking other programme. Respondents who taking diploma and foundation programme have five people, which four were diploma students and three of were foundation students. Taking one with another, respondents who think absolute advantages eSeach has, the numbers raised about one-third of total numbers of respondents. Adding the two together, there were twenty-six respondents think that the use of eSearch has advantages. This is an overwhelming majority. There is a strong possibility that most NTIC students recognized the advantages of using eSearch on the NTU website, which probably due to the use of eSearch is beneficial and helpful regardless the concerns. From description of statistics and discussion above, the research incessantly deepened. It first looked at the current circumstance of NTIC students using online search engine to acquire information. And then, it analysed the practical using of eSearch. Finally, it took the focus to whether the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages. This part had done its task and gradually unveiled the answer of the research question. Conclusion and Recommendations In this research, the main finding was that most of the NTIC students who came from three different programme groups recognize that the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh disadvantages. By the literature review, it has been found that many researchers or authors have had some different viewpoint about using the online search engine such as eSearch is an important way to acquire academic information resources. Some people argued that academic search engines have clear advantages and using this way to access academic learning resources is an effective measure. Some disagree. Anyway, it can be understood because things always have advantages and disadvantages. This mainly depends on which way can be looked firstly. Or depends on which area can be used in. Whatever which argument, it was only focus on a surface of using search engine or not even just describe the search engine as a product. There was no any findings been found, which focus on a particular area or learning groups. Come back to the research question of this study, the purpose of this research has been carried out. Eventually, the questionnaire unveiled this finding. Most of respondents who came from NTIC gave distinct responses. They use online search engine as well as eSearch engine on the NTU website frequently. Furthermore, the main limitation of this research is limited method of data collecting. There were two reasons caused this limitation. On the one hand, there was no plenty of time to do more research. To design a comprehensive methodology that can be used in data collecting. Now, due to lack of time, the research just simply distributed questionnaire. There was no enough testing for reliability and validity of data. If the time for researching is sufficient, respondents can be divided into different group. There were foundation, diploma and graduate diploma. More segmentation according to different major groups might be feasible. Particularly, the finding was displayed clearly on the graduate diploma students of the NTIC. It is likely to recommend those students who need to do more research and then they may use eSearch engine on the NTU website and benefit from it. They probably experienced the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages. Maybe it was truth already and everybody knows that but nobody to prove it. Therefore, the finding could be specific for those who want to use academic search engine to acquire useful information conveniently and effectively. In addition, it can be guidance toward NTIC students and especially for those who still do not what is eSearch.

Capital Punishment: Fair Or Unfair? Essay -- essays research papers fc

The most severe form of punishment of all legal sentences is that of death. This is referred to as the death penalty, or â€Å"capital punishment†; this is the most severe form of corporal punishment, requiring law enforcement officers to actually kill the offender. It has been banned in numerous countries, in the United States, however an earlier move to eliminate capital punishment has now been reversed and more and more states are resorting to capital punishment for such serious offenses namely murder. â€Å"Lex talionis†, mentioned by the Bible encourages â€Å"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth† mentality, and people have been using it regularly for centuries. We use it in reference to burglary, adultery, and various other situations, although, some people enforce it on a different level, some people use it in reference to death. An individual may steal from those who have stolen from him/her, or an individual wrongs those who have wronged him/her, but should an individual have the right to kill to seek retaliation? Four issues are on the hot topic in the United States, stirring up America’s feelings towards this issue. There is controversy debating capital punishment today and whether or not it works, or if it is morally right. We have a certain privilege in our own lives, but should the lives of others belong to us as well. Do we have the right to decide on the lives of others, of people we may not even know? If we find someone guilty of murder, we sentence him to death. This makes us murders ourselves, but is there possibility in justifying these acts? Those who assist in the death penalty are they not partners in crime? Is the death penalty a cruel and unusual punishment or is it now just a necessary tool in the war of crime? With today’s increase in crime and violence in our society, the death penalty effects every American, whether interested or not, and has existed for quite some time now. The use of the death penalty has actually declined throughout the industrial Western World since the 19th century. In 1972, a movement in America to have the death penalty declared unconstitutional arose, during the landmark case of Furman vs. Georgia, declaring the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment, nonetheless, a Supreme Court decision in 1975, Gregg vs. Georgia, stated capital punishment did not violate the eighth Amendment rights, and the executions began... ...cause we do not live in a civilized society, whereas mass murders and those who create such devious and heinous crimes will surface at different times, and there needs to be a way of ending their madness. We live in a day and age where killing happens everyday though, and first time offenders, for example, should receive a life sentence, teaching the individual, and those around the individual that if â€Å"You do the crime, you pay the time.† Stricter bans on parole for those who receive life, more equality in sentencing and, a lot fewer death sentencings to capital punishment would vastly improve the United States’ legal system, and put an end to this exhausting argument. Bibliography: Sources Cited #1.) Jacoby, Jeff. â€Å"The Accuracy of Capital Punishment.† Boston Globe Feb. 2000: 37+. #2.) Horwitz, Joshua L. Frontline: The Execution. New York: Knopf, 1998. #3.) Bonevac, Daniel. Today’s Moral Issues; Classic and Contemporary Perspectives. California, Mayfield, 1999. #4.) Bailey, William. Social Science & Capital Punishment. Boston: Beacon, 1996. #5.) Discussion: Topic on Capital Punishment, Joseph Chapel, Tony Fusco, Raymond Brown, Deborah Jacobs. Seton Hall University, 2001.

Hardships in Boys and Girls by Alice Munro :: Boys and Girls Alice Munro

In her story, Boys and Girls, Alice Munro depicts the hardships and successes of the rite of passage into adulthood through her portrayal of a young narrator and her brother. Through the narrator, the subject of the profound unfairness of sex-role stereotyping, and the effect this has on the rites of passage into adulthood is presented. The protagonist in Munro's story, unidentified by a name, goes through an extreme and radical initiation into adulthood, similar to that of her younger brother. Munro proposes that gender stereotyping, relationships, and a loss of innocence play an extreme, and often-controversial role in the growing and passing into adulthood for many young children. Initiation, or the rite of passage into adulthood, is, according to the theme of Munro’s story, both a mandatory and necessary experience.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Alice Munro's creation of an unnamed and therefore undignified, female protagonist proposes that the narrator is without identity or the prospect of power. Unlike the narrator, the young brother Laird is named – a name that means "lord" – and implies that he, by virtue of his gender alone, is invested with identity and is to become a master. This stereotyping in names alone seems to suggest that gender does play an important role in the initiation of young children into adults. Growing up, the narrator loves to help her father outside with the foxes, rather than to aid her mother with "dreary and peculiarly depressing" work done in the kitchen (425). In this escape from her predestined duties, the narrator looks upon her mother's assigned tasks to be "endless," while she views the work of her father as "ritualistically important" (425). This view illustrates her happy childhood, filled with dreams and fantasy. Her contrast between the work of her father and the chores of her mother, illustrate an arising struggle between what the narrator is expected to do and what she wants to do. Work done by her father is viewed as being real, while that done by her mother was considered boring. Conflicting views of what was fun and what was expected lead the narrator to her initiation into adulthood.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Unrealistically, the narrator believes that she would be of use to her father more and more as she got older. However, as she grows older, the difference between boys and girls becomes more clear and conflicting to her.

Critically Assess Whether Strategic Hrm Leads to ‘High Performance’’

Essay Question 1: ‘Critically assess whether strategic HRM leads to ‘high performance’’ Introduction There is a controversy whether the Strategic Human Resources Management (SHRM) leads to ‘high performance’. A general idea of SHRM is that â€Å"the linkage of management and deployment of the individual within the firm to the business overall and its environment whereas HRM is the activities that take place under this area. † Truss and Gratton (1994). It spotlights on long-term strategy.Two theoretical perspectives to the Strategic Human Resources Management (SHRM) will be introduced and compared to determine whether they manage to ‘high performance’ or not. First, the Universalist approach is ‘one best way’ of dealing human resource to improve business performance. Second, the Contingency approach is to align HR policies and practices with the details of business strategy to create a positive impact on business. In addition, two examples: a large company and a medium-size company will be used to illustrate both approaches practically.At the same time, there are issues associate with theoretical perspectives that need to be discussed. Such issues are the implementation problems as well as the measurement problems. After all, the question will be answered with analysing all of the above. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach will be identified by gathering views of researchers. To the final stage, both approaches are being recognised if the linkage is existence to ‘high performance’ and to the level of measure that are being noticed. Different approaches to SHRM * Universalist approachA Universalist approach is known as ‘best practice’ human resource management (HRM). This approach describes there is ‘one best way’ to manage people in order to improve organizational performance. It argues that all organizations, regardless of sector, size or country, will benefit from identifying, gaining commitment to and implementing a set of best HRM practices. The job of a researcher is to identify what the practices are, and a job of HR professional to implement them. For example, a research from Delery and Doty (1996) identify certain practices that improve organizational performance.The detailed components are ‘high performance work systems (HPWS)’ Berg (1999); Appelbaum et al (2000), ‘high commitment management’ Walton (1985); Guest (2001a, 2001b) and ‘high involvement management’ Wood (1999a). Another researcher by Jeffrey Pfeffer (1998) identifies that seven universally applicable practices will benefit all firms. The components include: 1) Employment security, 2) Careful hiring, 3) Self-managed teams and decentralized decision-making, 4) Comparatively high compensation, 5) Extensive training, 6) Low status distinctions and barriers, 7) Extensive sharing of financial and performance info rmation.The implication is that when a coherent bundle of HR practices is outlined, the integrated HR practices will impact positively on organizational performance. The ‘best practice’ HRM sees there is ‘one best way’ of managing people and that is appropriate across all circumstances. * Contingency Approach On the other hand, the Contingency approach is known as ‘best-fit’ HRM. It takes account of factors such as organizational size, location, sector, strategy and the nature of work. Baird and Meshoulam’s (1998) model advocates that HRM approaches will differ giving to different life-cycle stages.These life cycle stages ranges from start-up to maturity. While an organization is growing and maturing over time, it becomes gradually complex. Therefore, more sophisticated HR structures and policies are needed. This approach focuses on two types of ‘fit’ and ‘line management integration’. The first type is ‘E xternal fit’ and it is commonly known as ‘vertical fit’. It is in coherence and alignment with business strategy and external market factors. When HR policies and practices are aligned to strategic focus, performance will improve.Porter’s (1985) strategic options on 1) Cost Leadership, 2) Differentiation and Innovation and 3) Focus are adopted. The second type is ‘Internal fit’ and it can also interpret to ‘horizontal fit’. HR policies and practices are all fit together so that they are in coherence. They are also mutually reinforcing and are applied continuously. Jeffrey Pfeffer’s (1998) seven practices are adopted. Lastly, ‘Line management integration’ is when line managers act as a critical character in implementing HRM strategy. Best-fit’ HRM suggests that the best to manage people will vary depending on organizational circumstances, and hence, the link to business strategy is key. Empirical evidence of SHRM model * A large company – Tarmac The UK quarrying company Tarmac has over 12500 employees at present. The operations function is key to overall company’s performance. It needs the support of finance managers, zone managers and HR managers. A finance manager delivers financial and management accounts to contribute the strategic decision-making process by forecasting financial performance.A zone manager manages operational performance. They meet and improve targets for cost, quality, delivery, safety and business ethics shown in key performance indicators (KPIs). Lastly a HR manager ensures business managers apply HR policies and procedures. The company’s goal is to achieve objectives by motivating all individuals working together as one team across the business units and functions. Each objective has its strategies. The followings practices are to achieve ‘Engage employees’ and ‘Act Responsibly’ objectives.Firstly, Tarmac focuse s on a high level of employee involvement and encourages high employee commitment to the organization so that workers feel they are trusted and treated in an open and positive attitude. For example, employees regularly discuss with managers about their viewpoints within development teams. This helps workers feel part of the wider team, strengthens employee engagement and commitment to the company. Secondly, team-working practices create a closer supervision and a flat hierarchy. A coaching style manager develops employees to manage themselves rather than to manage each task.Employee’s suggestions are offered, and this contributes to improvements in organizational performance. An example of Tarmac targets and measures a decline in waste. In 2010, eighteen workshop-training sessions were held for all site employees on CO2 awareness and energy. All district managers were involved in the programme. Some external experts from Carbon Trust were also invited to support the rollout o f the training programme. As a result, Tarmac gained benefit from 500 energy and CO2 reduction. Overall, Tarmac adopted a high commitment strategy to meet the objectives.Therefore, it improved the company’s performance. * A small-medium size company – i-LEVEL i-Level is one of the most innovative digital media companies and is ranked the ‘Sunday Times 100 best companies to work for’ in 2004. It has a size of workforce of 60 employees. The i-Level company has a high level of financial performance. There was a 33 per cent increase in earnings per annum. Their guiding principles are used as a framework. This is to ensure the internal fit and the external fit of company. The company is at the growing stage which a lot of the recruitment effort is on discovering the potential staff. -Level frequently seeks appropriate employees to be supported to work with the company. To fit HR policies and practices together, i-Level uses physical arrangements to remove top-d own hierarchy in order to encourage employees’ participation, communication, creativity, self-managed teams and organisational values. As a result, a complete, open plan office is the environment where employees conduct their normal day-to-day operations. Moreover, i-Level sees pay is significant for performance. 15 per cent of the company’s pre-tax profit is kept for performance bonuses from 2003 to 2004.Meanwhile, the company argues pay is not their primary motivating force. On the other hand, the company aligns with business strategy and external environment by providing training courses for technical skills in media advertising. The company also offers an unusual training budget. There is an annual allowance provided for personal training and development purposes that are no obvious relation with work. The belief is to develop the skills and interests of workers in ways not studied before. This is expected to enhance i-level workers’ innovative thoughts at w ork through practices outside the company’s work area.To summaries, i-LEVEL achieves competitive advantage through innovation and which competes in very tight labour markets. It adopted Porter’s strategic option of ‘Focus’ and Pfeffer’s 7 practices to enhance the company's performance. Additional issues to reflect * Problems of implementation Line managers are central HRM performers in the organization, and they play a vital role in implementation of HR policies and practices. They influence their team‘s performance in a direct manner. A number of factors account for the line management problem. Firstly, it seems there is devolution to line managers.For instance, line managers do not want the responsibility of being a line manager or do not have enough time to deal with it accurately. They might not have the skills to handle HR issues successfully or are unaware of recent developments in view of HRM. Some managers do not consider a long-term v iew of the company or are inefficient for making policy in this area. Secondly, McGovern et al (1997), Marchington (2001) and Hutchinson and Purcell (2003) identify there are differences between ‘espoused’ and ‘actual’ policies that are relatively recognized to line managers.For example, some policies are normative rather than positive. Some descriptions of policies and practices are in general terms rather than analytical about actual situations. Hence, managers are unable to implement them specifically to meet the company’s goals. Furthermore, a broader issue, the line manager jobs in firms become progressively complex due to new firms’ structures. For instance, virtual and network companies have less clear line manager characters than the layered hierarchical company. One observable implication is pressure for reducing the size of the HR department.There will be a cut down in numbers of HR professionals. Ultimately, these factors all affect the organizational performance due to unsuccessful implementation of HR policies and practices. * Problems of measurement Fitzgerald (1991) and Neely (1998) stated that performance measurement is a key issue in guaranteeing the effective implementation of a firm’s strategy. However, using inadequate measurements is poor in supporting managements’ business objectives. The followings are the circumstances. Scientists use large-scale data groups made self-completed questionnaires.This will lead to two problems. First of all, there is dependence on one person, to represent the whole group. Secondly, there is dependence on a design of questionnaires. For example, respondents are answering yes or no questions rather than giving thoughts and opinions. This type of questions may generate a less accurate result. Moreover, there is uncertainty of how the data should be gathered, presented and analysed. The major problem is mis-reporting single respondents. Respondents may have limited knowledge of the area and use of policies.Furthermore, the measures of performance commonly take account of the financial performance, whereas there is a few findings focus on the broader issue of employee attitudes and well-being. Equally, there are matters to the range of HR practices. For instance, a report shows statistics of whether a company has self-managed teams, some may look at the proportion of workers running in a self-managed team. Lastly, Atkinson (2005) suggests that the measurement of productivity in the service sector can be exceptionally challenging.It is always easy to get typical, comparable financial statistics. To sum up, the measurement of data are related to the level of relevance to business performance. Critical analysis of the beyond * Best practice Pros ; Cons Research states there is a positive link between the HR practices and organisational performance. Firstly, Huselid (1995, p. 667) discovered that ‘the degree of returns for investments in High Performance Work Systems is significant’. In fact, ‘A one standard deviation rise in High Performance Work Systems practices is associated with a comparative 7. 5 per cent drop in labour turnover. On ‘per employee’ base, $27,044, $18,641 and $3814 more in sales, more in market value and profits respectively. Secondly, the workplace employee relation survey (Cully et al 1999) indicates that there is 14 per cent of organisations adopted high commitment strategy. In contrast, researcher (Delery 1998) also emphasized ‘deadly’ bundles of practices need to be avoided. For example, it occurs to managers giving reward based on individual performance while they are working as a team.Furthermore, Boxall and Purcell (2003, p. 64) commented while multi-national companies make the effort standardise their practices across nations, national perspective and organisational sectoral perspectives show criticism on the effectiveness of these practices. M archington and Grulis (2000, p. 1117) argue the most common example is in labour intensive organisations recognise costs are expensive when they use these practices. To summaries the best practice approach, Guest’s (1987) argues that there is no best practice.At the same time, he also suggests a set of best practices such as high commitment management is the route to survival of UK business. This leads to an argument that in order to enhance company performance, managers must alter their HR policies and practices to the framework that is operational. The interpretation comes to ‘best-fit’ approach. * Best-fit Pros ; Cons Thompson (2000) conducted two studies of firms in the UK aerospace industry. His first study in 1997 showed that with higher levels of value added per worker encourages greater diffusion of innovative working practices with their non-management employees.These organisations are towards to more heavily engaged in specialist production for niche ma rkets and hired technical and professional workers. The second study in 1999 showed evidence that organizations introduced a larger number of high performance work practices had much enhanced business performance. As a result, companies moving from less than five to more than six innovative practices created a 34 per cent increase in value added per worker. On the other hand, Miles and Snow (1984) align suitable managerial types to three genetic strategies of prospector, defender and analyser.If managerial properties and skills are aligned to company strategy, there will be a higher level of link to organisational performance. Thomas and Ramaswamy (1996) offered such support. As a result, performance in aligned firms was statistically excellent. In comparison, (Purcell 1999 p. 35) outlines that a number of successful organisations features that are unable to model. These are the cultural norms that have been developed gradually over a long period associated with accomplishment. It i s easy to identify the key factors that drive to success. Especially when the organisations are large and complex.Imaginably the major problem is that many organisations exist inside complex external environments with multiple contingencies that are not to be ignored or recognized. * Comparing both approaches Each approach has advantages evidence and disadvantages evidence. It could be argued that different approaches can apply in different sectors. For example, Guest (2001) advocates that there is the possibility that a high commitment management is most applicable in manufacturing i. e. Tarmac, while strategic choice for fitting with business strategy, is more credible in the service sector i. . i-LEVEL. As a whole, critically discuss the link between SHRM and performance. Evidence from Patterson et al (1997) examined sixty-seven manufacturing businesses in the UK for a period. The outcomes were 19 per cent of profitability and 18 per cent of the variation in productivity could be certified to HRM practices. This demonstrated HRM practices has a positive impact on organisational performance. Conclusion In summary, SHRM consists of a number of practices and is an organization level analysis of how HRM systems impact on performance.Two theoretical perspectives outline different views. The ‘best-practice’ approach defines there is ‘one best way’ of managing people. It is appropriate across all circumstances. Whereas ‘best-fit’ approach terms the best to manage people will change depending on organizational circumstances. It highlights the essence of linking business strategy. Tarmac was used as an example. It applied the ‘best practice’ approach and adopted a high commitment strategy to meet the objectives. Hence Tarmac improved its firm’s performance.I-Level was used an example to describe the competitive advantage the company had achieved through innovation while competing in extremely tight labour ma rket. It adopted Porter’s strategic option of ‘Focus’ and Pfeffer’s 7 practices to enhance the firm’s performance. Empirical evidences show both organisations are successful with adopting different approaches to their specific, targeted firms. These firms had a positive impact on performance. This can be concluded that SHRM has a clear link to business performance practically. In depth, other issues such as implementation and measurement roblems are considered. Problems of implementation affect the organizational performance due to unsuccessful implementation of HR policies and practices in line management. On the other hand, problems of measurement are valued on the basis of how easy and difficult the data is to represent and most importantly the level of relevance to business performance. If the relevance is slight, it may have little or no impact on business performance. In the final stage of comparing both approaches, many researchers’ po int of views is gathered. ‘Best-practice’ approach has advantages and disadvantages.It seems to argue that high commitment management is the route to successful business performance. On the other hand, the advantages and disadvantages of ‘best-fit’ approach suggest that applying this approach can be rigid and inflexibility due exists of complex external environments. Furthermore, in recent arguments, the product labour market seems to be emerged to a new post-industrial age where employers will tend to hire self-employed workers to carry out specific, time-limited projects for companies. This is due to the prediction of radical change.It can lead to a view that ‘best-fit’ approach should to be managed appropriately. This means practices should be adequate in different company’s life-cycle stage and align with different strategies. So that, it can feasibly enhance the organizational performance. Finally, strategic human resources manageme nt gives evidences, views, researches and facts to enhance organizational performance. However, the degree of high performance in context varies in different organizations under their circumstances. Hence, it does not necessary impact to ‘high’ performance.