Garbage and Recycling

One of the most pressing environmental issues facing the contemporary society is the issue of garbage. As much as the global population continues to rise, people have become more wasteful and the products of modern convenience such as plastics have rendered the earth a dumping ground for non biodegradable refuse. This problem crosses all international boaders and touches of all the world people. Although some specialists argue that recycling is not good and beneficial from an economic perspective, some people believe it will reduces the need for new landfills, creates job, saves energy, and conserves resources. Increasing in Population results an increase in waste which requires finding and buying more landfills to bury the increasing amount waste, and this is becoming a very serious problem in many areas around the world. The question is how can government find a place for the huge quantities of material where does not affect humans health. Every Canadian knows that Toronto has world-class garbage problems. A growing number of Torontonians feel uncomfortable about shipping garbage to distant landfill sites. Until 2010, our trash will continue to be shipped to Michigan, and then it will be dumped at a newly purchased landfill site near London, Ontario (News at U of T). But within the next four or five years, the city needs to choose more alternate method for dealing with residual wastes. Diseases from poisonous gases and micro-organisms in the air near garbage dumps and poisoning by polluted underground water and soil may result in serious health problems too. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that more than five million people die each year from diseases related to inadequate waste disposal systems. Therefore, Landfills are not seen as attractive additions to the neighborhood. Neighborhoods are concerned about not only health hazards but also noises, increased traffic, lowered property values, toxic gases and effluents, and all these problems mean for the government spending more money to overcome such problems, but recycling seems to be the only solution. Recycling can reduce some of these costs, and communities can even make money by selling certain recyclable materials (Lopez). Many people think that landfills and incinerators are more cost- ffective than recycling, but it is not true. Statistics show that when recycling programs are designed properly, they save at least as much money as landfills an incinerators would. A large percentage of waste that is brought to the landfills can be recycled or reused. By paying close attention to what we are putting in our garbage cans and recycling materials whenever possible we can increase the stream of goods produced by recycling rather than using up precious space and money in landfills. Recycling not only cut down our litter it can add to our growing economy by saving energy. Energy savings can be seen when most materials are recycled. One example of valuable energy savings is the recycling of aluminum cans. It takes 95 percent less energy to recycle an aluminum can than it does to make a new can from bauxite ore (denver). Plastic bags made from recycled polythene rather than virgin materials save two thirds of the energy required for production and reduce the water used by almost 90% , or recycling a single glass bottle can save enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours (Thrope). According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2000, recycling resulted in an annual energy savings of at least 660 trillion BTUs, which equals the amount of energy used in 6 million households annually (Denver). Companies that make new products from recycled material use 30 percent less energy. That's because they don't have to process the raw materials from scratch. For example, a company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, called Cedar River Paper makes cardboard boxes by recycling paper products from all over the Midwest. If Cedar River Paper didn’t use recycled materials, they'd use up a lot of a trees – and a lot of energy to cut them down, transport them hundreds of miles and grind them into paper pulp (Rinaldi). http://www. alliantenergykids. com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phk_ee_001509. hcsp Recycling generates significant economic benefits by creating jobs for communities. In fact, the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive estimates that recycling and remanufacturing industries account for approximately one million manufacturing jobs and more than $100 billion in revenue. As a matter in fact, the drive for efficient handling and use of recycled materials spurs innovation which is a key to long-term economic growth. Recycling is a very important step in slowing down and eventually stopping wasting of earth's natural resources. In other words, The less we concentrate on recycling, the more we will rely on use natural resources which will results in depletion of the world’s natural resources and the increase of garbage mass. By reusing materials and re-manufacturing them into new products we are reducing the amount of virgin natural resources that we need to use. . For example, for every ton of recycled paper that we use we can save 17 trees (denver),but unfortunately, paper and its derived products such as carton are now being recycled successfully everyday. Can you imagine that 44 million newspapers are thrown away every day in the United States. This is like throwing 500 000 trees into a landfill each week. The loss of natural resources affects animals too. Our landfills are taking over animal’s habitats and causing many species to become endangered. For example, Animals like black footed ferrets and prairie dogs are in danger of becoming extinct (Baron). We should think broadly because recycling has a large impact in our economy over the past few decades. Although recycling of wastes entail large hidden costs in collecting, sorting, and manufacturing, it can solve issues concerning landfills. When we recycle our waste products rather than throw them all in the garbage we save room in landfills. Recycling plants also create many more jobs than people would think. Recycling activities around the country promote community development while reducing the need for new landfills, preventing pollution, saving energy, and preserving natural resources. The economic value of clean air, water and land is significant, but difficult to quantify. Since recycling plays an important role in protecting these natural resources it must be attributed an economic value in this context, as well (Rinaldi).

Continuing Education Essay

Continuing education (called further education in the United Kingdom and Ireland) is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada. Recognized forms of post-secondary learning activities within the domain include: degree credit courses by non-traditional students, non-degree career training, workforce training, formal personal enrichment courses (both on-campus and online) self-directed learning (such as through Internet interest groups, clubs or personal research activities) and experiential learning as applied to problem solving. GENERAL CONTINUING EDUCATION General continuing education is similar to adult education, at least in being intended for adult learners, especially those beyond traditional undergraduate college or university age. However, it is not normally considered to include basic instruction such as literacy, English language skills, or programs such as vocational training or GED preparation. Instead, as the term suggests, it is assumed that the student already has an education and is simply continuing it. Frequently, in the United States, continuing education involves enrollment in college/university credit-granting courses, often by students enrolled part-time, and often offered through a division or school of continuing education of a college/university known sometimes as the university extension or extension school. Also frequently in the US, it can mean enrollment in non-credit-granting courses, often taken for personal, non-vocational enrichment (although many non-credit courses can also have a vocational function). Also, in the US, many such non-credit courses are offered by community colleges. The University of Wisconsin–Madison, in 1907, was the first academic institution in the US to offer what today would be considered an identifiable continuing education program. [1][2] In 1969, Empire State College, a unit of the State University of New York, was the first institution in the US to exclusively focus on providing higher education to adult learners. In 1976 the University of Florida created its own Division of Continuing Education and most courses were offered on evenings or weekends to accommodate the schedules of working students. [3] In the spring  of 2009, Eduventures, a higher education consulting firm, released the results of a study that illustrated that the recession had made a significant impact on the views of prospective continuing education students. A survey of 1,500 adults who planned to enroll in a course or program within the next two years determined that while nearly half of respondents believed that the value of education had risen due to the recession, over two-thirds said the state of the economy had affected their plans to pursue continuing education. CATEGORIES OF CONTINUING EDUCATION. Continuing education can be broken down into three categories: Formal education * Structured and organized education, training or professional development that takes place in a school, in the workplace or through a professional credit-granting organization. * Learning takes place under the set rules of the school and the education must be completed within specific time lines. * Results in a formal certification. Non-formal education * Education, training or professional development activities that are provided by by education institutions, community organizations and training agencies. * More flexible about meeting the student’s needs. * Depending on the program, this kind of education does not always result in a formal certification. Informal education * The process of gaining knowledge, skills and values from daily experiences at home, in the community or at work. * Individuals learn in order to enrich themselves. * May result in a certification, but not always. To learn out more about continuing education policy, explore these reports and papers: * Harnessing the power and potential of adult learning and education for a viable future – Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI), UNESCO, December 2009. * Qualifications Systems: Bridges to Lifelong Learning – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, April 2007. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PROFESSIONALS Within the domain of Continuing Education, professional continuing education is a specific learning activity generally characterized by the issuance of a certificate or continuing education units (CEU) for the purpose of documenting attendance at a designated seminar or course of instruction. Licensing bodies in a number of fields impose continuing education requirements on members who hold licenses to practice within a particular profession. These requirements are intended to encourage professionals to expand their knowledge base and stay up-to-date on new developments. Depending on the field, these requirements may be satisfied through college or university coursework, extension courses or conferences and seminars attendance. Although individual professions may have different standards, the most widely accepted standard, developed by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training, is that ten contact hours equals one Continuing Education Unit. [5] Not all professionals use the CEU convention. For example, the American Psychological Association accredits sponsors of continuing education such as PsychContinuingEd. com and uses simply a CE approach. In contrast to the CEU, the CE credit is typically one CE credit for each hour of contact. METHOD AND FORMAT OF CONTINUING EDUCATION The method of delivery of continuing education can include traditional types of classroom lectures and laboratories. However, many continuing education programs make heavy use of distance learning, which not only includes independent study, but can also include videotaped/CD-ROM material, broadcast programming or Online Education which has more recently dominated the distance learning community. Many universities such as Southern New Hampshire University, have begun to offer hybrid courses; where adult learners have the option of in-classroom learning, as well as taking online courses. [6] Online courses have brought the possibility of obtaining an affordable college education to many of those of to whom it was previously out of reach. In addition to independent study, the use of conference-type group study, which can include study networks (which can, in many instances, meet together online) as well as different types of seminars/workshops, can be used to facilitate learning. A combination of traditional, distance, and conference-type study, or two of these three methods, may be used for a particular continuing education course or program. CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT A continuing education unit (CEU) or continuing education credit (CEC) is a measure used in continuing education programs, particularly those required in a licensed profession in order for the professional to maintain the license. Examples of people who need CEUs include: teachers, interior designers/interior architects, lighting designers, architects, engineers, educators, nurses, mental health professionals, and social workers. Generally, a CEU is defined as ten hours of participation in a recognized continuing education program, with qualified instruction and sponsorship. CEU records are widely used to provide evidence of completion of continuing education requirements mandated by certification bodies, professional societies, or governmental licensing boards. The records also provide employers with information on training pertinent to particular occupations. The term CEU is in the public domain. Any organization may award a traditional CEU without requiring any accreditation. With a traditional CEU an employer or other organization must decide on an individual basis whether to honor the CEU from a training provider. Due to certain CEU providers not adhering to high standards, and the lack of standards for specific fields, there is sometimes a distrust of the value of a CEU, and accrediting organizations have been created to standardize what a CEU means. [1] Of these, the International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET) offers the accreditation of CEUs for the most industries. Specific industries, such as nursing, health, etc. , have their own accrediting processes for CEUs. Any accredited CEU generally has a preface of the accrediting body. For instance training institutions accredited by the IACET can offer IACET CEUs. THE GOALS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION Ideally, continuing-education programs benefit both businesses and workers. Businesses encourage continuing education in order to sustain a highly skilled and specialized workforce—a workforce with the skills to perform a variety of tasks or workers with â€Å"cross-functional† skills. Workers, on the other hand, may receive promotions, gain more power in the job market, or become more valuable employees by enrolling continuing-education programs. Courses are available through a variety of channels. High schools, community colleges, universities, and trade/professional societies and organizations all provide continuing-education programs. Many offer night courses or run weekend-only programs that provide a convenient alternative for those with traditional Monday through Friday schedules. Schools sometimes team up with businesses and organizations to offer programs jointly. In addition, many companies run their own continuing-education programs, ranging from workshops and seminars to full-fledged college-credit curriculums. For example, Associated Spring, of Bristol, Connecticut, a division of the Barnes Group, cosponsors a voluntary on-site training program for employees that allows participants to earn credits toward associate degrees. The classes are run by instructors from Tunxis Community-Technical College in nearby Farmington. Classes range from basic subjects such as English composition to advanced managerial courses, such as organizational behavior, business and society (the study of public policy), and labor relations. By offering such courses, businesses can ensure that they have a steady supply of qualified workers. While advancing technology played a role in creating the need for continuing education, it also created new avenues for providing continuing education. The Internet, for example, eased the burden of enhancing business skills by allowing professionals to learn at home whenever convenient, alleviating the commuting and the time constraints associated with traditional classes. Universities as well as professional societies and organizations set up Internet classrooms or web sites that provide audio and visual instruction in such fields as insurance, accounting, real estate, and computer software. Not all continuing-education courses are aimed at professionals. Some schools offer training facilities and programs for tradespeople such as plumbers and carpenters. Classes in such programs provide not only practical information on the tasks of the trades, but also information on how to start and manage businesses. THE BENEFITS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION People who upgrade their work skills and knowledge not only can keep up with the latest technologies and business techniques, but they also can receive other benefits, such as the training needed to climb the corporate ladder and to realize additional career goals. Training facilities often house state-of-the-art equipment such as computers and computer-based training equipment. Computers can facilitate interactive training through computer networks such as the Internet. With this technology, learners have instant access to experts in virtually every vocation. While continuing education is sometimes perceived as largely a means to career advancement, researchers in the late 1990s argued that continuing education was becoming less of an option and more of a necessity. Hence, one of the greatest benefits workers may derive from continuing education is simply keeping their jobs. Nevertheless, additional education still can help employees receive promotions and land better jobs. Besides these basic advantages, some experts contend that continuing education provides additional benefits at a more abstract level. Continuing education allows workers to clarify and understand the purpose and goals of their occupations. In addition, continuing education can help advance various occupations by giving employees the opportunity to acquire both theoretical and practical occupational knowledge and to improve their problem-solving skills. Continuing education also facilitates establishing and regulating occupational standards for some professions. Perhaps the ultimate benefit of continuing education, however, is its ability to impart an attitude or disposition that encourages workers to find and use the best techniques available at any given time and to realize that these techniques will need to be improved or replaced, according to Cyril 0. Houle in Continuing Learning in the Professions. This attitude became all the more important late in the 20th century with the persistent technological advances, the growth of competition for jobs, and the shift from a manufacturing-based economy to a service based economy. Continuing education provides Canadians with skills and knowledge. Most importantly, continuing education provides people with options. See how continuing education can help you: Career and skills development * increase job opportunities * change careers or get a promotion * upgrade or develop new skills * get exposure to new ideas and best practices. * improve your competitive edge on the job market * keep pace with technology and industry trends * turn hobbies into job skills * get tools to cope with economic downturns * expand your professional network Academic enhancement * get your high school diploma * improve basic literacy * get prerequisites for college or university * retake courses to improve your academic grade point average * qualify for academic scholarships Personal development * explore new interests * get a richer awareness of different topics * meet new people and expand your network * become engaged with your community. * better understand issues affecting you and your community * improve self-esteem CONTINUING EDUCATION CENTRE (IITR) Learning is a lifelong process It is a pioneering centre in the area of continuing education in the country. It has completed more than 50 years of service and has played a very important role in the promotion of knowledge upgradation activity in our country by organizing refresher/specialist courses for in-service technical and professional person from various Govt. /Semi Govt. organisations, public and private undertakings, research institutions and industries. The Centre conducts about 60 to 70 short term training programmes in Continuing Education every year in various disciplines of management, engineering, science and technology in which the professionals are trained from all parts of the country as well as from the neighbour countries. The Centre is fully equipped with the facility of conference hall, accommodation, dining and recreation. This Centre acts as a window to disseminate information and awarenedd of latest technological developments. Courses organised by this Centre are innovative, accessible and stimulating and address to the current needs of the professionals. Programs reach students in all corners of the country/from all walks of life. To meet a variety of needs, Centre offers flexible, comprehensive course curricula in many formats. In the face of rapid technological advancement taking place around the globe, continuing education of in-service professional to new technologies is the need of the day to update knowledge much after completing formal education. Courses are being organised through the technical expertise available in the departments and centres of the Institute. Experts from industries and R&D organisations are also invited to deliver lectures wherever necessary. Centre organizes the courses in the beautiful campus of the Institute and also outside the Institute in consultancy as well as in sponsored mode that respond to client’s continuing professional development needs. Who comes to attend the courses Participants who enroll in our courses are interested in lifelong learning. Many participants attend courses to develop professional skills, many because they love learning and many for both of these reasons. The participant of the courses are in-service technical persons from various Govt. /Semi Govt. organisations, public and private undertakings, research institutions and industries. CLIENT ORGANISATIONS An illustrative List †¢ ALSTOM Projects India Limited †¢ Associated Cement Company †¢ Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. †¢ Central Pollution Control Board †¢ Central Water Commission †¢ Centre of Excellence in Disaster Mitigation & Management †¢ Construction Industry Development Council †¢ Damodar Valley Corporation †¢ Department of Science & Technology †¢ Electricity Board Utility †¢ Ethopian Electricity Agency †¢ Ghana Irrigation Development Authority †¢ HAUC, Sweden †¢ HIMC †¢ Hindustan College of Science & Technology †¢ HPGEDA †¢ Indian Railway †¢ Irrigation Management Training Institute. †¢ Japan International Cooperation Agency †¢ LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd. †¢ Ministry of Home Affairs †¢ Ministry of Human Resource †¢ Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources †¢ Ministry of Power †¢ Ministry of Water Resources †¢ Moradabad Institute of Technology †¢ National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development †¢ National Hydropower Corporation Ltd. †¢ National Programme on Earthquake Engineering Education †¢ National Rural Roads Development Agency †¢ National Thermal Power Corporation †¢ Oil & Natural Gas Corporation †¢ PBSTI †¢ Power Finance Corporation †¢ PRAGYA †¢ Prasar Bharti †¢ Project Management Unit Punjab State Electricity Board Research Designs & Standard Organisation †¢ Rural Engineering Services †¢ Security Paper Mills †¢ Smt. Ram Rati Gupta Women’s Polytechnic †¢ Tamil Nadu News Print and Papers Ltd. †¢ TIFAC-CORE †¢ Uttaranchal Academy of Administration †¢ Uttaranchal Gramin Sadak Vikas Abhikaran †¢ Uttaranchal Renewable Energy Development Agency †¢ Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka †¢ Xerox Modi Corp. Ltd. BACKGROUND This Centre provides high quality, professionally delivered short term courses covering a wide range of subjects. Provision is made for individuals, organisations, and professional groups. The present rate of development in any scientific area makes the specialized knowledge of a person in that area obsolete very soon. Continuing Engineering Education plays a vital role in the education and training of professionals which will keep them more productive and creative throughout their professional career. The goal of the country’s education system is to provide a very good basic education, train the students in a wide range of academic and professional disciplines to fulfill personal, societal and national needs. It is therefore the responsibility of companies and organisations to build a work force of their own on this foundation by providing training, continuing education and re-education. Developed countries have demonstrated that Continuing Engineering Education leads to better job performance and job satisfaction contributing to higher levels of economic development. The need for Continuing Engineering Education at the present juncture is all the more evident because the Indian engineering industry has to survive global competition in the light of new economic reforms proposed by opening our industrial sector for foreign investors. Vision A front line centre in science, engineering , technology and management making significant contributions to human resource development envisaging dynamic needs of the professionals Objective †¢To create opportunity for gaining experience and more knowledge in a particular field. †¢To create awareness in the technical community regarding the advances in their area of interest and expertise of IITR. †¢To provide a platform for interaction of Faculty, Consultants, Industries and users. †¢To provide an opportunity to study at IIT Roorkee for a short period of time. To provide requisite inputs for improvements. CONCLUSION Continuing education refers to any type of post-secondary education, used to either obtain additional certifications, or as credits required to maintain a license. Almost anybody can take continuing education courses for personal or professional enrichment; fitness trainers, nurses, and safety instructors are examples of professionals who fall into the second category. This type of education is aimed exclusively to adults who already possess a college or university degree. People take continuing education in the form of workshops, seminars, home-study or online courses, conferences, and hands-on training. There is no specific format or length for this type of program: some may take a weekend, while others can span weeks or even months. In the case of education for personal advancement only, students usually don’t receive college credits, as the courses are not considered part of the standard educational system. A common characteristic to all continuing education programs is a registration process. Attending a conference or cultural event that is open to the general public does not give attendants any type of education credits, and cannot be considered formal training.

Legitimate Businesses Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Legitimate Businesses - Assignment Example These are some of the most significant reasons behind the improper role of the organized crime making its mark under the aegis of the legitimate businesses in the time and age of today3. The legitimate businesses therefore receiving a number of issues through the collective working ideologies as put forward by the organized crime philosophy4. The mafias destroy the basis of a working environment that exists in an organization and it is for this reason that the top management is most wary of its existence and propagation in the long term scheme of things. The legitimate businesses therefore enact ways and means to make sure that these problems are kept at bay and the hindrances do not appear for one reason or the other5. What is most worrisome is the fact that the mafias keep on getting increased with the passage of time and the legitimate businesses are on the receiving end most of the

Patient-centric healthcare Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Patient-centric healthcare - Coursework Example e has become of great help to most people since people can choose to receive medical help even outside hospital; for instance for outpatient services. However, patient-centric healthcare may not be supported by all healthcare organizations hence the need for public awareness whereby the public is reminded of the need to decide their healthcare services. The clinical decision support system (CDSS) as explained by Rick Mansour and Martha Thorne in another Case Study is most essential in the patient-centric healthcare (Mansour & Thorne, 2014). This is because it is a strategy that upgrades the quality of services offered to the patient’s right from diagnosis to prescription. The system accomplishes its tasks through collection of data from various hospital departments and also analysing the satisfaction of the patient with the services offered. Therefore the CDSS is very important in ensuring that all patients are attended to in the best way possible and given the best healthcare ever. The CDSS has also helped hospitals to make meaningful conclusions on the various kinds of data it collects. The data can be narrowed down into reports which will be later used to provide the best guidelines of handling specific conditions in the report e.g. a report written about asthma will indicate the successes and failures encountered when handling the condition and the various reactions to treatment by patients. Some countries e.g. the United States have created a forum whereby the data is exchanged through various healthcare centres for better services and also for brainstorming purposes (Wilkerson, Henricks, Castellani, Whitsitt, & Sinard, 2015). However CDSS has a task of collecting only viable and useful data and this involves very sophisticated techniques. The data should be highly filtered and gotten from various sources so that irrelevant data is avoided hence it is a very tedious activity and it also involves high risks. Another negative effect of CDSS can be the

Statement of Career Goals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Statement of Career Goals - Essay Example I believe this noble phrase is relevant to my case and pursuit of excellence. After my MBA attainment, I still feel incomplete and seek to pursue education to the heights and exhaust management concepts. Besides, I am aware of the increasing dynamism in any social organization hence need to adopt culture of flexibility. In that respect, I strive to take up more courses related to management and grasp ICT concepts which has proved to be instrumental in the contemporary management practices. I strongly believe in ethical practices in line with the requirements of good administration responsibilities. My current enrolment for MPA (Master In Public Administration) graduate program is targeted at strengthening my ability to realize desirable results for any organization and assignment. I strongly believe that blending my theoretical knowledge with practical application in management will bring about the best in me. My central goal is to become an acclaimed public administrator with critical management

British Petroleum Oil Spill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

British Petroleum Oil Spill - Essay Example Findings   3.1 Summary of findings of your analysis   4. Conclusion   4.1 Discussion of findings in context of theory and prior literature 5. References 1. Introduction   1.1 Theories used in case analysis The paper talks about the oil spill caused by British Petroleum’s (BP) in 2010 that occurred in the Mexican Gulf and caused irreparable damage to the environment and life in and around that area. It looks at the company’s behavior post the oil spill and their reaction in front of the media and as expressed in their annual reports. More specifically, this paper looks at how BP’s reaction post the disastrous oil spill ties in with the theories about company behavior. Some theories used as reference for this paper include the legitimacy theory, the stakeholder theory and the institutional theory etc. 2. The case   2.1 Context   Background information about the case   British Petroleum (BP) is the 6th largest oil and gas company worldwide. BP is invol ved in all stages including the extraction of oil to the retail of the final product (BP, 2012, p.1). In â€Å"2010† the company faced a ruinous crisis when the drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon blew up on April 20, 2010. This cataclysmic disaster resulted in the killing of 11 persons and critically wounded many others (BP Annual Report, 2010, p.6). The spill continued for almost three months, making this catastrophe the biggest disaster of its kind (Mason, 2010, p.1). The scientists who had been vigorously studying the possible repercussions were still not sure about the complete extent of the environmental damage even after a whole year had passed. Further research is still required to provide a holistic detail on the matter because the destruction caused by the BP oil spill is too far reaching in a ripple effect caused by direct environmental damages. (Kinver, 2011, p.1). 2.2 Data   description of corporate disclosure vehicles chosen for analysis The annual report for 2010 was highly reflective of BP’s reaction to the disaster. O’Donovan (2002, p.344) says that companies reveal information in the annual reports only with the purpose of gaining support from the society and to retain their legitimacy in society. Companies that find themselves in situations that BP found itself in often try to improve their image by providing more information in their annual reports that â€Å"concerns† ethics and environmental issues (Deegan et al., 2002, p.312). This information is used by the company to clean up the mess it has somehow created in a disaster that has happened on its watch (Deegan and Rankin, 1996, p.50). BP increased greatly the amount of environment related information in its annual report under the law of legitimacy and to counter the bad press it was receiving in the aftermath of th disaster. It kept repeating to the media how it would clean up its mess, compensate the people and make amends for its mistake, thus making sure th at all stakeholders, including the society and the government, continued to foster a positive image of the company, as explained by the stakeholder theory once more. These changes in the annual report were useful for the investors, accountants, regulators, environmental groups and the community because they provided these stakeholders with additional insight about the disaster and how BP proposed to go ahead with the scenario (Summerhays, 2011, p.3). BP’s reaction was timely, even â€Å"instantaneous† according to the institutional â€Å"theory† (BP, 2010, p.1) however they were condemned by the government because they failed to contain the spill before it reached the coast (Robertson

Contemporary Management Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Contemporary Management Practice - Essay Example Various theories have been created in the past about management and researchers continue to use old theories and come up with new ones. Over this time period, great approaches to management have been identified. This paper will cover various management approaches and how these approaches are used by managers and those who are studying management. Body Empirical or case approach is one of the various management approaches that have been studied and often used in organizations. It is based on the assumption, that current managers can solve their problems through the experience of previous managers and what those managers did to solve issues faced by management (KOONTZ, 2004, p.16). This study states that people new to the management positions in the organizations can learn from the successful and the unsuccessful experiences that other managers have already been through. This approach is used in management educational centres for the help upcoming managers. This kind of management appr oach does not provide any practical aid until it is applied to practical problems. The downside of this approach is that this approach is based on generalization. This means that managers who follow this approach end up applying same problem solving methods to new scenarios although new scenarios may be different from older ones. Human behaviour approach is yet another approach that scientists came up with to explain what managers have to do to operate an organization successfully. The behavioural approach of management suggests that managers can operate in a better fashion if they learn about individual as well as group behaviour and they can use this knowledge to make people to work for the interest of the organization (DAFT, 2011, p.33). The theorists of this approach suggest that satisfied workers work harder and their levels of productivity are high. Behavioural studies only pay emphasis to the human part of the organization and exclude the remaining parts with which managers h ave to deal. Vilfred Pareto and Chest Bernard came up with the social systems approach, according to this approach an organization consists of various individual who work together to achieve organization’s aims and objectives (JACKSON, 2000, p.100). This approach states that managers need work in cooperation with workers by understanding the behaviour of individuals working in an organization to achieve organizational goals. Socio technical systems approach is a management approach that suggests that managers should not only pay emphasis to the social system of the organization, they even have to give importance to the technical system (CHASE, 2006, p.195). The approach further suggests that if an organization has to run successfully, then both the technical system and the social system of the organization should work together. This approach of management does not only focus on the human part of the organization, it even pay emphasis to the technological part of the organizat ion that managers have to deal with to bring in change and keep the organization updated. Every manager’s main duty is to make decisions to help solve organization’s problems. One management approach that only pays emphasis to the decision making side of a manager is known as decision theory approach (FLOMBERG, 2008, p.60). The theory suggests that all managers have to make decisions each day and the main task of all managers is to make rational decisions. They have to ensure that the decision they are making is in the best interest of the organization and the people they are representing. The downside of this approach is that this approach ignores other elements of management and only emphasises on the decision maki

Environmental Factors Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Environmental Factors - Research Paper Example Marketing environment factors profoundly influence company's marketing operations. The paper attempts to explore various environmental factors such as free-trade Agreements, global demographic changes, increased competition, technological advances, legislative compliance that influence marketing decisions of General Motors (GM) in its domestic and international operations. Impact of Free-trade Agreements In 1994, the US entered into a Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada called NAFTA. Just in the prior year in 1993, GM exported only 1600 vehicles to Mexico but in 1999, gearing its marketing efforts, the company could export 52,000 vehicles to Mexico despite currency crisis in Mexico (The Trade Partnership, 2004). This demonstrates that GM could take advantage of free trade agreement to boost their sales. Demographics and Physical Infrastructure People’s behavior, characteristic, their growth trends will largely influence the demand of goods and it becomes extremely impo rtant for a company to know about demographic changes taking place locally and globally so that company can divert its marketing efforts to exploit these changes. Different countries have different population growth rates. Higher population growth rate in a country or region is likely to create higher demand for a product. China and India both have huge populations of over 120 billion with huge untapped market of passenger vehicles. Both have been growing at much higher GDP growth rates relative to world average. GM recognized this fact and directed its marketing efforts toward fastest growing automobile markets in the world. GM formed a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC), China in 1997. The joint venture markets its most popular brands such as Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet and in 2010, it sold 1 million vehicles. China sales are rising at a record rate and in 2011 it touched over 1200,000 units. In order to harness full potential, GM has formed 11 jo int ventures in China and currently, GM is a leader among all automakers in China selling almost 2.5 million vehicles there. Saturated markets of Western Europe and many developed countries show either negative or near zero population growth rates and it is obvious that GM is not likely to achieve favorable results by any level of marketing efforts in that region (General Motors China, 2012). Legal/Political Environment Marketers need to understand the legal/political environment of the country before embarking on the business in an alien land. GM expanded into the countries such as China, India, and Russia for manufacturing and marketing their products only after when these countries liberalized in their bid to become market economies. No company would like to work in a hostile environment. Legal setup is equally important so that whenever required the company can approach an independent judicial system for a fair hearing and remedy. The company needs to follow local laws on enviro nment, on emission standards, corporate laws and the laws that are enforced by regulatory bodies in that country. That is why it becomes extremely important for the company to get fully acquainted about all applicable legal requirements of the country where it plans to market its products. This will also ascertain whether it is in the benefit of the company to operate there or not if the stringent laws may impede its growth. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977 and Social Responsibility The

The Relationship Between Alexander and the Great General Hephaestion Essay Example for Free

The Relationship Between Alexander and the Great General Hephaestion Essay Alexander III of Macedon, or better known as Alexander the Great was king of Macedon, a state in northern Ancient Greece. He was born in Pella in 356 B. C. and was tutored by Aristotle until the age of 16. By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from the Ionian Sea to the Himalayas. He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of history’s most successful commanders. Alexander was an outgoing charismatic man, who had many friends, but his dearest and closest friend and confidant was Hephaestion. Hephaestion, son of Amyntor, was a Macedonian nobleman and a general in the army of Alexander the Great. He was born in Macedonia in 356 B. C. He was a member of Alexander the Great’s personal bodyguard, which then he went on to command the Companion cavalry, and was entrusted with many other tasks through Alexander’s ten-year campaign in Asia. Apart from being a soldier, engineer and diplomat, he corresponded with the philosophers Aristotle and Xenocrates, and supported Alexander in his attempts to integrate Greeks and Persians. Their relationship lasted through Alexander’s becoming of king, through the hardships of campaigning and the flatteries of court life, and their marriages. In all that Alexander undertook, Hephaestion was at his side making their friendship a working partnership. They worked well together making Alexander trust him and rely on him. When Alexander had to divide his forces he trusted Hephaestion with half of his men knowing that in him he had a man of unquestionable loyalty, who understood and sympathised with his aims, and above all, who got the job done. Hephaestion played a full part in Alexander’s regular consultations with senior officers, but he was also the one whom Alexander would talk to in private, sharing his thoughts, hopes and plans. Curtius states that Hephaestion was the sharer of all his secrets. At Alexander’s first wedding Hephaestion was the torch bearer (best man). This showed not only their friendship but also Hephaestion’s support for Alexander’s policies, as Alexander’s choice of an Asian bride had not been a popular one. When they returned to Persia Hephaestion was officially titled Alexander’s second in command. Hammond sums up their public relationship well: â€Å"It is not surprising that Alexander was as closely attached to Hephaestion as Achilles was to Patroclus†, and â€Å"At the time of his death Hephaestion held the highest single command, that of the Companion Cavalry; and had been repeatedly second in command to Alexander in the hierarchy of the Asian court, holding the title of Chiliarch, which had been held by Nabarzans under Darius. Thus Alexander honoured Hephaestion both as the closest of his friends and the most distinguished of his Field Marshals. It has been said that as well as being close friends Alexander and Hephaestion were also lovers. It cannot be proved that they were lovers as none of the ancient sources states this in so many words. However, Arrian describes the occasion when Alexander and Hephaestion publicly identified themselves with Achilles and Patroclus, who were acknowledged, by Plato and Aeschylus among others, to have been lovers. It happened at t he begging of the campaign in Asia when Alexander led a contingent of the army to visit Troy. He laid a wreath on the tomb of Achilles, and Hephaestion laid a wreath on the tomb of Patroclus, and they ran a race, naked, to honour their dead heroes. Robin Lane Fox, writing in 1973, says: â€Å"It was a remarkable tribute, uniquely paid, and it is also Hephaestion’s first mention in Alexander’s career. Already the two were intimate, Patroclus and Achilles even to those around them; the comparison would remain to the end of their days and is proof of their life as lovers, for by Alexander’s time, Achilles and Patroclus were agreed to have enjoyed the relationship which Homer had never directly mentioned. Nothing shows better the nature and length of their relationship than Alexander’s overwhelming grief at Hephaestion’s death. As Andrew Chugg says, â€Å"†¦ it is surely incredible that Alexander’s reaction to Hephaestion’s death could indicate anything other than the closest relationship imaginable. † Arrian says that Alexander â€Å"†¦ flung himself on the body of his friend and lay there nearly all day long in tears, and refused to be parted from him until he was dragged away by force of his companions. Arrian also said that Alexander, after Hephaestion’s death, described him as â€Å"†¦ the friend I valued as my own life. † In conclusion Alexander and Hephaestion’s relationship was extremely close. They may or may not have been lovers but the friendship they shared was one of a kind. Their tutor, Aristotle, described such a friendship as â€Å"†¦ one soul abiding in two bodies†. Paul Cartledge describes their closeness when he says: â€Å"Alexander seems actually to have referred to Hephaestion as his alter ego. † They truly were soul mates and had one of the strongest relationships in history.

Movie Analysis Essay Example for Free

Movie Analysis Essay There are many versions of Spiderman, but â€Å"Amazing Spider-man† is the best version ever. The graphic works, the music, and the plot are amazing like the movie title. The Amazing spider-man is not connected to the previous Spiderman movie. One online film critic stated that there is a silent war ongoing right now between two of the big comic book flicks hit theaters in July of 2012: Warner Bros. ’ The Dark knight Rises and Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man (Sandy Schaefer). In addition, I do believe that this movie really sound like a more genuinely contemporary portrayal of the eponymous webslinger than that offered in Raimi’s previous movie trilogy. Although some of the character I do not like the way they act and somehow they cannot give me a clear mind what they should able to act, I could still agree this version of the Spiderman is the best I have seen. The characters in the movie are very rich for the audience to watch. Every action movie are essential to have the element of love scene, fighting scene, the falling scene, and the return scene. The main character is obviously the Spider-man Peter Parker. Here is the aforementioned from Amazing Spider-Man: â€Å"Like most teenagers his age, Peter [played by Andrew Garfield] is trying to figure out who he is and how to be the person he is today. In his journey to put the pieces of his past together he uncovers a secret that his father [Campbell Scott] held†¦ a secret that will ultimately shape his destiny as Spider-Man. This is the first in a series of movies that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story. † (Schaefer). Peter Parker has struggled to find his purpose in life, ever since Peter’s parents disappeared 13 years old. Like other movies, he must face the ultimate challenge on the brink of unlocking the mystery. Thus, he is absolutely hero archetype that he defeats Dr. Connors and safe the whole New York City. The female character, Spider-man girlfriend, Gwen Stacy is knowledgeable and wise. For some moment, she is charismatic and rebellious when she deal with her family. Gwen is the chief intern at Oscorp, a position she takes very seriously. However, her mentor Dr. Connors is the competitor of Spiderman. Captain Stacy is an esteemed police officer who leads the investigation into Spiderman. Captain Stacy is highly alert to his family more than the city, especially his only daughter, Gwen. Apparently, the villain is Dr. Connors. It is not clear that he is the lizard when it comes to the end. He is a scientist that attempts to engineer a revolutionary regeneration serum to help regrow limbs and human tissue. He became so horrible at the end. The hero’s journey is always followed by the 17 stages of Joseph Cambell’s Monomyth. But for nowadays movies, they eliminate some of the stages in a simply form. Not surprisingly, Campbell’s idea is generally applied to many Hollywood screenwriting and literature as well. The Ordinary World- Peter Parker is a student at Midtown Science High School, and he lives with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. His parent is a mystery and left him with no explanation when he was young. As a result, Peter is frustrated and longs to find out more about his father and why he left. Peter is weird around his peers, but he still sticks up for the underdog. Call to Adventure- Peter found out a file and lead him to research his father’s lab partner who works at Oscorp Tower, Dr. Connors. He goes to him and look out for answers. Later, he is bitten by a spider that is being used to create biocable. He starts to have the abilities of spider. He has been introduced to the Special World that is opposite of what he knows. Refusal of the Call- Peter begins to test his power, and using them to beat the bully who picked on him, Flash Thompson. His emotion change and have argument with Uncle Ben. Because Uncle Ben feels his strange behavior, so he follows him and that make the tragedy of the thief shoots Uncle Ben. Meeting with the Mentor- Dr. Connors is a mentor to him when it comes to science. Another crucial mentor is Uncle Ben of course. Hence, he gives a big influence on Peter, and when he dies, Peter is pushed to his limits. Crossing the Threshold- Because of the death of Uncle Ben, Peter pushed himself into the Special World. Peter tries to hunt the thief who murdered Uncle Ben. Test, Allies, Enemies- When Peter fights crime, he confronts criminals and makes enemies. At school, he developed a friendship with Gwen. His tests are increasing in difficulty: Dr. Connors displayed a semblance of friendship toward him, but as his identity shifts into the Lizard, this will change. Captain Stacy, Gwen’s father, shows an antagonistic attitude toward Peter and his alter-ego. Approach- Spiderman tries to stop the creature on the bridge. The Lizard got a big fight at Midtown Science high School, and Peter tries to stop him with Gwen’s help. Ordeal- Spiderman was shot by a police bullet that stuns him electrically. It is a hard time to Spiderman to fight his way out, reveals his identity to Captain Stacy. Reward- Captain Stacy lets him go, showing his trust in Peter. Resurrection- The Lizard is strong and powerful. Captain Stacy and Peter Parker finally work together to restrict the activities and take the Lizard down. Return with the Elixir- Dr. Connors has been returned back to normal. He has saved Gwen, but Captain Stacy was killed. As he dies, he asks Peter to keep Gwen out of his life to protect her. It is not only a promise to Captain Stacy, but also in a carton of eggs. He is a different person, and even though he may not have all of the answers he wanted, he has learned to put others ahead of himself during the search. The Elixir Peter Parker has brought back from his journey is that of a new hero. He is no longer just Peter Parker, fatherless teenager. He is Spider-Man. (Milles). Peter Andrew Garfield who is the actor of Spiderman did a good job in the movie because it is a challenge to an actor to have a big different from being a normal person to an amazing ultimate hero. Andrew Garfield can express and show on his face that the inner features of Spiderman to the audience. Honestly, the only person I do not satisfy is Emma Stone, who is the actress of Gwen Stacy, and I reckon many of the commends on the internet board criticize that she has not done a great job on her part. For instance, there is a frightening scene that she is holding a knife hiding when Dr. Connors has become the Lizard and chasing her. I am sorry to say that, but I cannot feel any scary moment in the scene. For the love scene, I do not think she acts like a spouse of Peter Parker. Also, she did not have the interaction with her family show that she is rebellious. The plot is moving smooth and clear when I follow along to the hero’s journey. Refer to the hero’s journey, the plot is developed and excited. I would not find any boring scene in the entire movie. When I watched along with it, I would have many unexpected things happen, and really influence the audience to keep watching on it. Moreover, the music composer of the movie is James Horner. Indeed, he is a great composer of film music. James Horner also composes some great movies such as Titanic and Avatar. He is currently as famous as John Williams and the music they composed does make the audience impressed. His music moved the audience, and there is no doubt that film music is so significant because we are not only watching the screen, but listen to the music also. Amazing Spiderman is well-developed movie as following the classic hero’s journey. It does make the audience easy to follow and a feeling of unexpected. Also, the action scene is exciting to watch. Even though I know it is not real, but I really get into it. Furthermore, the music do influence the audience and no movie can neglect music because it is an crucial tools.

Motorolas Tools And Techniques Of Tqm Information Technology Essay

Motorolas Tools And Techniques Of Tqm Information Technology Essay This research paper is made about Motorola Inc. America, and describes how Motorola started its operation like an ordinary firm and reached to the zenith of excellence by developing and implementing new quality control techniques. Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) is the core technique of continuous improvement program of TQM which was first developed and implemented by Motorola inc. Further more, it tells about how and why firm ought to adopt the Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) techniques for their success. The data integrated in this research is exclusively presented by the help of various informative sources. Other than focusing the Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) program the research also tells about why and how the organizations continuously strive to capture largest market share in tight completive environment by using different tools of total quality management. Overall the research embeds the importance of total quality management, its significance to gain a competitive edge and remarkable breakthroughs in the history of organizations. Motorola is a well known American multinational telecommunication company based in Schaumburg, Illinois. It is the manufacturer of wireless telephone handsets, and also designs and sells wireless network infrastructure equipment such as cellular transmission base stations and signal amplifiers. They have achieved a high level of success throughout the world by being innovative and promoting creativity among their employees. This companys prosperity is dependent upon developing cutting edge technology and in new product design. To accomplish these goals, Motorola actively encourages employees to generate creative ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and look towards the future. Motorolas home and broadcast network products include set-top boxes, digital video recorders, and network equipment used to enable video broadcasting, computer telephony, and high-definition television. Motorola uses TQM techniques to be successful and improve employee creativity within the organization. Some of these methods include employee empowerment and risk taking, training and education techniques, participative management, and team collaboration. The innovation of TQM technique is one of the fundamental stand of Motorola Inc. Motorolas business and government customers consist mainly of wireless voice and broadband systems used to build private networks and public safety communications systems like Astro and Dimetra. Motorolas handset division is now focusing on smartphones using Googles open-source Android mobile operating system. Motorola Vision Statement: Our history is rich. Our future is dynamic. We are Motorola and the spirit of invention is what drives us. Motorola Mission Statement: We are a global communications leader powered by a passion to invent and an unceasing commitment to advance the way the world connects. Our communication solutions allow people, businesses and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola Slogan: Hello Moto Motorola has a successfully working TQM process. Motorolas fundamental objective is Total Customer Satisfaction. They have won the Baldrige award and are corporate leaders in TQM. HISTORY Motorola started in Chicago, Illinois as Galvin Manufacturing Corporation in 1928 with its first product being a battery eliminator. The name Motorola was adopted in 1930, and the word has been used as a trademark since the 1930s. Founders Paul Galvin and Joseph Galvin came up with the name Motorola when the company started manufacturing car radios in 1930; the name is a combination of motor and the suffix ola. Many of Motorolas Products have been radio-related, starting with a battery eliminator for radios, through the first walkie-talkie in the world in 1940, defense electronics, cellular infrastructure equipment, and mobile phone manufacturing. In 1943, Motorola went public and in 1947, the name changed to its present name. The present logo was introduced in 1955. In 1952, Motorola opened its first international subsidiary in Toronto, Canada to produce radios and televisions. In 1953, Motorola established the Motorola Foundation to support leading universities in the United States. In 1955, years after Motorola started its research and development laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona to research new solid-state technology, Motorola introduced the worlds first commercial high-power germanium-based transistor. Beginning in 1958 with Explorer 1, Motorola provided radio equipment for most NASA space-flights for decades including during the 1969 moon landing. In 1960, Motorola introduced the worlds first large-screen (19-inch), transistorized, cordless portable television. In 1963, Motorola, which had very successfully begun making televisions in 1947 introduced the worlds first truly rectangular color TV picture tube which quickly became the industry standard. In 1974, Motorola sold its television business to the Japan-based parent company of Panasonic. In 1976, Motorola moved to its present headquarters in Schaumburg. In September 1983, the firm made history when the FCC approved the DynaTAC 8000X telephone, the worlds first-only commercial cellular device. By 1998, cell phones accounted for two-thirds of Motorolas gross revenue. The company was also strong in semiconductor technology, including integrated circuits used in computers. Motorola has been the main supplier for the microprocessors used in Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Color Computer, and Apple Macintosh personal computers. The PowerPC family was developed with IBM and in a partnership with Apple (known as the AIM alliance). Motorola also has a diverse line of communication products, including satellite systems, digital cable boxes and modems. In 1986, Motorola invented the Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) quality improvement process. This became a global standard, in 1990. In June 2000, Motorola and Cisco supplied the worlds first commercial GPRS cellular network. In 2002 Motorola introduced the worlds first wireless cable modem gateway which combined a high-speed cable modem router with an Ethernet switch and wireless home gateway. In 2003, Motorola introduced the worlds first handset to combine a Linux operating system and Java technology with full PDA functionality. MOTOROLAS SIX SIGMA PROGRAM Motorola invented the Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) quality improvement process in 1986 and in 1988, Motorola Corp. became one of the first companies to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The award strives to identify those  excellent firms that are worthy role models for other businesses. One of Motorolas innovations that attracted a great deal of attention was its Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) program. Motorola Saved $22 Billion from 1986 to 2009, reflecting hundreds of individual successes in all Motorola business areas including: Sales and Marketing Product design Manufacturing Customer service Transactional processes Supply chain management. To quantitatively measure the performances Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) uses statistical analysis. That process can involve manufacturing, business practices, products, or service. To be defined as Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) means that the process does not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO) which translates to 99.9997% efficiency. A Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) defect is considered anything that can cause customer dissatisfaction, such as being outside of customer specifications. A Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) opportunity is the total number of chances for a defect to occur. Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) Concept The Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) concept was developed by Motorola in 1986 with the stated goal of improving manufacturing processes and reducing product defects and variation. Building on earlier quality improvement methods, Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) assumes the following: Ongoing efforts to achieve stable, predictable process results are essential for business success Manufacturing and business processes have characteristics that can be measured, analyzed, improved, and controlled Sustained quality improvement requires commitment from the entire organization Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) Implementation In order to achieve Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) performance, the causes of manufacturing and business process defects and variation must be identified and eliminated. Two Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) sub-methodologies were developed for this purpose: DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) and DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify). DMAIC is used to improve existing processes that are below specification; DMADV is used to develop new processes or products at Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) levels. Borrowing martial arts terminology, a key innovation of Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) was the creation of a professional quality management hierarchy. This structure works to involve all levels of the organization in the success of Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) projects: Executive Leadership includes the CEO and other top management Champions, drawn from upper management, are responsible for Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) implementation across the organization Master Black Belts, identified by champions or by executive leadership, function as in-house coaches, mentors, and trainers; 100% of their time is devoted to Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) to ensure business and leadership alignment Black Belts focus on the application of Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) methodology to specific projects; 100% of their time is devoted to Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) Green Belts are involved with Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) implementation along with other job responsibilities Lean Sigma is a current industry trend in which a process is made lean through efficiency improvements before Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) is applied to reduce variation. Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) Calculation In order to calculate Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™), the engineers at Motorola set up a scale to evaluate the quality of a process based on these defect calculations. At the top of the scale is Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™), which equates to 3.4 DPMO, or 99.9997% defect-free. In other words, if you have a process running at Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™), youve almost eliminated all defects its nearly perfect. Of course, most processes dont run at Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™). They run at Five Sigma, Four Sigma or worse. Heres the full scale to get an appreciation of the numbers involved. The calculation of a sigma level is based on the number of defects per million opportunities (DPMO). The formula to calculate DPMO is: DPMO = If, for example, there are 38 defects, 10,000 units and one defect opportunity/unit, the results would be: DPMO 3,800 Defects (%) 0.38 Yield (%) 99.62 Process sigma 4.17 Motorola and other software have devices several soft wares that easily calculate sigma of a process or activity. The table given below maps the Sigma and %accuracy. Sigma Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO) % Accuracy One Sigma 691,500 30.85% Two Sigma 308,500 69.15% Three Sigma 66,810 93.32% Four Sigma 6,210 99.38% Five Sigma 233 99.977% Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) 3.4 99.9997% Seven Sigma 0.020 99.999998% LSL lower sigma level USL: upper sigma level Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) Benefits Achieving measurable and quantifiable financial goals (cost reduction/profit increase) with Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) projects sets this methodology apart from other quality improvement tactics. Financial benefits of potential process improvement projects are used to help prioritize the projects; these benefits are then reassessed during the analyze phase of both DMAIC and DMADV and verified in the control phase of DMAIC and the verify phase of DMADV. Closely linking Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) projects to a companys bottom line gives everyone in the organization a stake in the success of these projects. It also helps identify projects that involve critical-to-quality aspects of the process and will provide substantial process improvement. Scores of organizations continue to improve their performance by taking advantage of their Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) process. Since Motorola implemented its Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) process in 1987, their results have included: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Sales growth of greater than 300 percent. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Employee productivity growth of more than 12.3 percent per year. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Elimination of more than 99.7 percent of in-process defects. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reduction by 84 percent of costs associated with poor quality. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Savings of $11 billion in manufacturing costs. By the late 1990s, approximately two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies had started Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) projects; as of 2009, Motorola had reported more than $19 billion in savings as a result of Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™). In addition to significant financial gain, Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) provides organizations with the methodology and structure to make decisions based on verifiable data and statistical analysis and thereby to achieve measurable quality improvements in manufacturing and business processes. Six Sigma (6à Ã†â€™) projects are truly a win-win situation as product quality is greatly improved while product defects and variation are reduced, employees are meaningfully involved in the outcome of the projects, company profitability is measurably increased, and customer loyalty and satisfaction are significantly enhanced. PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT (PDCA) Motorolas PDCA is a problem solving process and consist of a Plan to identify and analyze the problem, Do, to develop and implement solutions, Check to evaluate the results, and Act to standardize the solution, capitalizing on opportunities. Demings Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle Plan select and analyze the problem Do implement the solution Check check the results of the change Act act to standardize the solution for the long-term PARETO CHART The Pareto chart is a very useful tool which Motorola uses to separate the important from the trivia. The chart, first promoted by Dr. Joseph Juran, is named after Italian economist/sociologist Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923). He had the insight to recognize that in the real world a minority of causes lead to the majority of problems. This is known as the Pareto principle. Pick a category, and the Pareto principle will usually hold. For example, Motorola has found that all the kinds of problems that can be named are only about 20% of them who produce 80% of the product defects; 80% of the cost associated with the defects will be assignable to only about 20% of the total number of defect types occurring. By Examining the elements of this cost it is revealed that once again 80% of the total defect costs spring from only about 20% of the cost elements. A Pareto chart became very handful for Motorola by the discovery of these ratios and has helped in the segmentation of the customers on the bases of imperative problems and opportunities. CAUSE-AND-EFFECT DIAGRAMS Motorola Cause-And-Effect team typically uses a cause-and-effect diagram to identify and isolate causes of a problem. The technique was developed by the late Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, a noted Japanese quality expert, so sometimes the diagram is called an Ishikawa diagram. Motorola has developed the software of cause-and-effect diagram which tells about how internal or external event affects the organizational processes. It is the only tool that is not based on statistics. This chart is simply a means of visualizing how the various factors associated with a process affect the processes output. HISTOGRAM Histograms are used by most of the companies including Motorola to chart frequency of occurrence. How often does something happen? Any discussion of histograms must begin with an understanding of the two kinds of data commonly associated with processes: attributes and variables data. An attribute is something that the output product of the process either has or does not have. An electronic assembly either had wiring errors or it did not. For Example, in a process used in making Motorola electrical resistors would use the scale of electrical resistance in ohms; another process might use a weight scale, and so on. Variables data are something that results from measurement. EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT The history of Motorola reflects that it has strived to ensure continuous improvement and lasting success by following fundamental principles that emphasize change. One principle is known as leadership of renewal, which stresses the need for change to stay ahead of the advancing technology market. Motorola has tried to create a corporate structure that can anticipate and manage change in order to gain a competitive advantage. A key aspect of accomplishing this is to teach managers and lower level employees to take a proactive approach toward change (Winston). Another standard they adhere to is called renewal of leadership. At Motorola it is important that employees have freedom to take risks and utilize creativity. Therefore, Motorola looks for managers who can inspire and empower subordinates rather than inhibit their creative freedom through rigid authority or control. Their renewal of leadership system uses an intricate 360-degree feedback program for all divisions of the company. This allows every worker to get opinions about their strengths and areas needing improvement from peers, managers, subordinates, and customers. Motorola also has a structure that encourages the rotation of managers from all levels of the organization. This is done to reenergize managers and ensure that problems will continually be looked at from a fresh perspective (Winston). An essential concept the Motorola Corporation advocates to their employees is to think the unthinkable. The notion here is to think differently and find innovative solutions to any type of problem encountered. To encourage this initiative, Motorola passes power on to their employees to make critical decisions and tells them it is okay to make mistakes. Open to new ideas, devoted to nurturing, and encouraging those who question the oldest assumptions and propose the boldest changesthese are enduring characteristics of Motorola (High Performance Working Research Project). Motorola also encourages their employees to exhibit desired performance through rewards and positive reinforcement. Counter-intuitive thinkingthe thought process of standing against the crowd and challenging conventional wisdomis prized, encouraged, and rewarded. In fact, it is the basis on which Motorolas success is founded (Winston). Motorola is very good about giving their employees a high level of autonomy and encouraging independent thinking. This results in a greater sense of confidence and creative freedom while on the job. In order for workers to consistently apply the values that Motorola preaches, they must be properly motivated. Thus, Motorola offers many extrinsic rewards to employees that can make them feel appreciated and motivate them to be successful. The company provides extensive training each year for all employees, tuition reimbursement for attending school, sports and recreation facilities, and promotions based on achievement rather than tenure (Inside Motorola: Benefits). These incentives, along with competitive salaries, can help workers feel a greater sense of commitment and purpose for their jobs. It is also common for people to be more productive and creative when they are valued and feel comfortable in their surroundings. The preceding examples illustrate why so many employees view Motorola as a first class organization and are passionate about their careers. BENCHMARKING Benchmarking is often applied to such business practices as payroll, payables, customer billing, receivables, information technology, purchasing, and inventory management. Despite the various definitions of benchmarking, the goal is always the same: to identify best practices. The benchmarking allowed Motorola to climb the learning curve quickly by benefiting from the experience of other companies. According to Greg Hackett, founder and president of The Hackett Group, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦you get to steal the learning curve of othersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.  [i]   Ultimately, benchmarking results in more efficient processes which, in turn, can generate substantial cost savings. According to Mark Krueger, managing director of AnswerThink Consulting, cost reductions can range from 15% to 45%. The basic premise behind benchmarking is that to deliver quality, you need to compare your business against the best in class business and then make changes to your operation so that quality is enhanced. Benchmarking is the process of determining who is the very best, who sets the standard, and what that standard is. JUST-IN-TIME (JIT) Just-in-Time is method of fast response to customers used my Motorola. The Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing is, to a large extent, based upon a system of total quality management, as well as strong emphasis upon training and involvement of workers in all phases of manufacturing in Motorolas workshops. JIT is particularly conducive for some areas of manufacturing and viable for other manufacturing control systems too. JIT utilizes a full involvement and method of manufacturing, emphasizing such aspects as order to delivery, eliminating waste, enforcing problem-solving and continuous improvement, total quality management, parallel processing, purchasing, and others. The essential philosophy behind JIT manufacturing has largely to do with competitive effectiveness. TAGUCHI CONCEPTS Pioneered by Dr. Genichi Taguchi whose fundamental thinking was to develop products that hold up to adverse conditions (i.e, Motorola telephones are designed to be dropped because this commonly happens). Motorola apples this quality principle to service, they know that they should plan for the worst when designing our service. When the adverse condition occurs, they should maintain the quality in service. CONCLUSION TQM is frequently touted as the necessary next step in the evolution of modern business management. In theory, it is often hard to argue with the logic of the quality focus advocated by the TQM approach. Unfortunately, TQM initiatives often fail when implementation begins. The failure of TQM is largely due to the fact that all the philosophical, strategic, and measurement dimensions of the TQM concept are not adequately addressed. These three dimensions of TQM should be stressed at different levels of the management hierarchy to varying degrees. The responsibility for establishing the philosophical dimension of TQM falls mostly on top management so that the emphasis of quality can be fully integrated into an organizations missions. The essential elements of TQM are then incorporated into strategic decisions for various functions of the organization. Functional management teams within the same organization should be allowed to define quality that is most appropriate for their function al areas. Based on the specific functional, working definitions of quality, it is possible to develop a comprehensive quality measurement system capable of capturing the vital information relating to quality. Data can then be analyzed and aggregated when reported to the upper level management for decision making and continuous improvement.

Guilt in Crime and Punishment Essay -- Crime Punishment Essays

Guilt in Crime and Punishment  Ã‚   In Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky tells a story of a young man that has been forced out of his studies at a university, by poverty. In these circumstances, he develops his theory of an extraordinary man (Frank 62). This conjecture is composed of the ideas that all great men must climb over obstacles in their way to reach their highest potential and benefit human kind. In Raskolnikov's life, the great obstacle is his lack of money, and the way to get over this obstacle is to kill a pawnbroker that he knows. The victim is a rich, stingy, and heartless old crone, and by killing her, taking this evil from the world, Roskolnikov does many great deeds for mankind (Jackson 99),(Kjetsaa 182). "The little old crone is nonsense!' [Raskolnikov] thought, ardently and impetuously. 'The old woman was a mistake perhaps, but she's not the point! The old woman was merely a sickness†¦I was in a hurry to step over†¦it wasn't a human being I killed, it was a principle!" (C&P, Pevear 274). Consciously, Raskolnikov refuses to accept guilt for committing the crime because he believes that there is nothing to be sorry for. Subconsciously, he knows that he has taken a human life and must suffer the consequences. His guilt and suffering because of it can be seen in his delirium. Right after Raskolnikov kills the pawnbroker he falls ill. When he sleeps, he has nightmares; when he walks, he sees ghosts. These visions are his subconscious telling him that he is wrong for not taking fault and confessing his sin. In his delirium Raskolnikov believes that he sees ghosts. "And just now I imagined that perhaps I really am mad and was only seeing a ghost"(C&P, Pevear 295). He believes that he has seen a ... ...e Sonia (C&P, Pevear 547-549). This is where he begins to appreciate her goodness and purity and to learn to enjoy life and to abandon his egoistic theory. The chosen people are the ones that are like Sonia, kind, quiet and faithful, not the rationalists and superior ones (Mortimer 116). So in this dream, Raskolnikov sees that for his unrepentant thoughts, he would die in the pestilence. Through Raskolnikov's fears, the reader is able to see that he does feel guilt. When he is awake and sober in mind, he is an egoist and believes that he is extraordinary. It is through his visions of ghosts and phantoms, that one can feel the guilt haunting him. Through his dreams, he sees for himself that his beliefs are wrong. Works Cited: Dostoevsky, Fyodor M. Crime and Punishment. Trans. Jessie Coulson. Ed. George Gibian. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1989.

Indian Nationalism :: Asian Asian History

Indian Nationalism Factors Promoting Nationalism Racial arrogance - on the part of the British created resentment by Indians. They were treated as second-class citizens and were given only the poorest jobs. British in positions of power, such as General Mayo (Viceroy of India) openly made statements of racial superiority. Educated Indian professionals - felt they were denied equal opportunities within the "machinery" of British rule (such as the Indian Civil Service). They founded a nationalist movement that initially sought equal status for Indians and eventually sought full Indian independence. Anti-Westernisation - Britain had changed India's traditional institutions with apparently little respect for the existing culture and religion. British modernisation - probably helped spread the nationalist message. They had improved transport and communications. Indian Association 1885 - Began as a powerless "talking shop" but turned into the Indian National Congress, where Indians could voice their complaints against the British. Educated politicians used this parliament to rally support for the movement. Lord Curzon (Viceroy 1898-1905) gave no concessions to the natives. He allowed them no representation and saw them as inferior. Division of Bengal 1906 - was unpopular because it divided the regional cultures. In India, many people had greater affinity to their region than to the whole country. Splitting Bengal led to a swell of nationalist support. Factors Restraining Nationalism India was divided regionally - There was great cultural and religious divide across the regions. There were 200 different languages spoken across India so communication on a large scale was difficult. There were also many religions (including Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus) who would not co-operate with each other. Indian Congress was divided - Liberal wing led by Gokhale, and extremist wing led by Tilak.

History 5.01

Step 1: Think about these big questions: 1. When was the tipping point at which the United States could no longer be considered an isolated nation? OI think the tipping point could either be when Pearl Harbor was bombed or when the Lusitania was attacked 2. At what point could the United States no longer avoid involvement in World War II? OI think when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor was when the United States could no longer avoid being involved in the war. Step 2: Respond to each of the prompts below in a separate paragraph: 1. Explain the reasons for U. S. neutrality during the 1920s and 1930s.How did ideas about neutrality change during the period from the end of World War I to the passage of the Lend-Lease Act? Be sure to include any events, terms, or people that may support your response. ODuring the 1920s and 1930s the US had always been an isolationist country. The United States ended up sending help to the Allied forces because they were more democratic. The Axis forces I believe were more authoritarian. I think the United States felt they had to help the other countries because it would make them stronger allies and could benefit us. 2. In your opinion, what was the point at which U.S. actions were no longer neutral? Explain your reasoning with supporting details from the lesson. OI think when the Lend-Lease Act was involved the United States was no longer neutral. 3. Criticize or defend each of the U. S. actions surrounding World War II that are listed below. Justify your opinion with supporting details from the lesson. o1st Neutrality Act OI would agree with the first Neutrality Act because the United States was doing what they were familiar with sense they had been neutral for a long time. I think it could also benefit the US if we were to be attacked. oCash and CarryOI would have to disagree with the Cash and Carry amendment because we were supplying war efforts to our allies. oU. S aid to China OI think I would support this act because China was under attack by Japan. I think the fact that the Japanese were allies with Germany who was also at war with our allies, means that we should have stepped in and helped China. oLend-Lease Act OI would totally agree with this act. I think this act will help make things better between the United States and other countries if we feel like we can trust each other. It also helped Britain who was struggling with Germany.

Police Ethics Essay

For every profession, there is an associated code of ethics, which dictate the norms for the practice of that particular profession. Thus we have business ethics and medical ethics to guide professional in the relevant fields. These guidelines are ethical codes, based on moral reasoning, formed to deliver the good (product or service) through proper means. Sometimes the codes of ethics are formed and evaluated with respect to relevant laws and sometimes with respect to moral laws. Police ethics is applying the above principles to policing. It should be noted here that police ethics is considerably under developed compared to medical or business ethics. This is mainly because of the misunderstanding of the need of police ethics. Law and ethics are different perspectives that are relevant for professions. The lifeline of law and order for any society is obviously its police force. Only when the police are seen to be righteous, the people would have respect and confidence on them. The public would be willing to cooperate and help police personnel, only when they remain trust worthy. It is therefore very important for the police personnel to command the respect and goodwill of the people, to function effectively. The public-police relationship is vital, for maintaining law and order, and this relationship can be strengthened only when police conduct themselves in appropriate manner. Every police officer must realize that they need to be law-abiding citizens too, and serve the society with an unbargained commitment and desire (Proctor, 1997). Members of the police department have to adhere to a code of morality or ethics, if they have to win and retain the trust and respect of the society they serve. It is only when they act in an unfair or inappropriate manner, compromising on their responsibilities and values, that they fall low, in public esteem. High ranking officers in police department have powers and privileges given to them, to help them to perform better in their duty of service to the public. When these are misused, used with bias, or unused for reasons of personal interest; then they defeat the purpose for which they were established. In doing so, the relevant officers have used their power and privileges to harm the society, instead of using it to help society. Police department personnel should avoid relationships that can be interpreted as being unfair or partial. They should realize that accepting gifts and favors are not too far from direct bribes, as these too must carry a sense of gratitude and obliging. Favors particularly, keep flowing out for any police staff, either on duty or off duty. Small time favors that don’t look bad include free transport, low pricing, meals and refreshments, and home-based delivery/services. Even if the officer accepts these with a mindset of not going to oblige, or go out of the way to repay the favor, the provider of the favor expects one. It is unethical if such a gesture is not repaid. If these are unconsciously accepted at the initial stages, an urge to receive more, gradually develops, which soon gets transformed as a right to receive. The community and police service expect law enforcement personnel to lead a honorable and decent life. Inappropriate conduct in private life, disrespecting the law or seeking special privileges reflect appropriately, not only on the officer but the police service as a whole. Police officers need to refrain from accepting such favors in the course of executing their duty. Most department members do not hesitate to seek favors directed towards cutting departmental expenses; on most occasions. This looks normal to the police higher officials too, as they are under instruction to reduce expenditures. Sometimes they may have received administrative orders too, saying that repair or replacement would take time, or cannot be done till the close of the financial year. Such policies only encourage the relevant police staff to look to external free sources. These include repair and maintenance of their premises, small stationary requirements, convict needs etc. It is unfortunate that no one within the government machinery is either aware or realize the negative consequences of such policies. These officers need to realize the extent of public participation in law enforcement, in accordance with binding ethics. Even in their interaction with their own suppliers, the department can be benefited with higher quality and lower costs, when the officers concerned stand up to the same without accepting favors. There are several ways to benefit, directly or indirectly, from unethical conduct. A twisted officer can develop opportunities of benefit from any and every situation. It requires a honest and duty bound officer to turn down benefit aspects and execute the job. Honest and straightforward officers carry with them the credibility of their department. It requires self-commitment and voluntary adoption of ethics to perform in a manner worthy of public respect. It is indeed sad that many police officers have preferred to amass wealth through their disrespect of integrity. As these officers are mostly part of the law enforcement machinery, they often get away unchecked. The only way such tainted officers can be reformed is by self-judgment and choice, rather than external enforcement. Although there are several such dishonest and corrupt policemen, it is only those few, who uphold values and ethics against all adversities, that the department still commands respect and trust. The code of ethics helps police officers to make decisions in dilemma situations, on a day-to-day basis. The ethics toolkit issued by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, emphasizes on the do’s and don’ts of the police, with regard to legal and ethical conduct. It identifies accountability as â€Å"the duty of all officers to truthfully acknowledge and explain their actions and decisions when requested to do so by an authorized member of this agency without deception or subterfuge†. Although the toolkit does not bar police officials from receiving gifts and other items of value, it emphasizes that those receiving unsolicited gifts and items should report the receipt of such things. If required, they should also provide a detailed report of the circumstances under which they were received. Officers should also not buy or keep articles or properties found, impounded, recovered or abandoned. Police officers, through their position in law enforcement, gain access to information; which again should not be used for financial gains or benefits. An important misuse of police power is when they use their powers to resolve personal problems (i.e. problems and issues of the police officer or his friends and relatives). Officers should not involve themselves in ordinary roles like arresting, booking traffic violations, etc., when they are not traveling in a marked police vehicle. The duty of a law enforcement officer is primarily to be in self-compliance with the law, himself. The officer should be aware of law enforcements upon himself, when he is on duty, enforcing it. The officer should realize that his presence in the force and the force itself has been established in line with the community welfare aspirations. Whether the officer is engaged at the local, state or federal level, he plays a role in enforcing the community or public will, a will of safety, security and equality of all. Through all his actions, the officer should defend this system and be careful not to encroach upon it. The law enforcement officer should use his powers to arrest offenders, only in accord with all existing laws (IIT, 2008). At time of arresting, the officer should respect the rights of the offender. In executing the arrest, the officer should only use the minimum physical force necessary. The officer needs to conduct himself with respect to self-compliance, to uphold the law, when dealing with both, law abiders and law violators. It is evident that police officers, who are properly educated and trained, are able to respond better to ethical and moral situations demanded by their professions. It is very important for police officers to be able to overcome their moral and ethical dilemmas, for them to perform their duties and obligations in a professional way (Pagon, 2003). The police officer should be familiar with the principles of police ethics and needs to be trained in moral reasoning and ethics based decision-making. Supervisors have an important role in establishing and promoting the spirit of the code of ethics. They should be role models in the community’s effort of delivering impartial, effective and professional policing service. The supervisors should ensure that individuals under their guidance and responsibility develop their professional performance. They should question and address behaviors which violate conduct codes, apart from reporting wherever appropriate (NIPB, 2007). The supervisor’s responsibility of maintaining professional standards and integrity can be facilitated by advice, corrective or appropriate action. When complaints of misconducts are brought by public, the supervisor must investigate and take appropriate actions. He should send a message that there would be no compromise on any actions by any staff that are directed to personal interests. The police officers of today face a tough challenge of maintaining law and order in the society like never before. The enforcement officers of today combat crimes, law and order situations and risks that were not relevant ever before. Life style changes, technological developments and international relevance for all happenings, have made the job tougher. There is no doubt that for the compromising officer, such situations open up newer avenues of quick money and wealth. But for the honest officer, he would be without all such illegal benefits. Tainted officers may go free, enjoy their ill-gotten wealth; but it is the money earned by honest means that give the satisfaction and peace of mind. Apart from satisfaction, there is an immense sense of self-value, that one would cherish forever. Living on legitimate earnings, is in several ways, a pride to the family and the community, to which the officer belongs. An honest officer needs no certificate. He is easily identified and respected by the public and his very own colleagues. The most capable and respectful officer is perhaps one, who can say each day to himself â€Å"I don’t fall for money or favors†. REFERENCES Proctor S.T. 1997. Metropolitan Police Department Ethics and Integrity. [Electronic Version] retrieved on 24th March 2008 from http://www.dcwatch.com/police/971215.htm International Association of Chiefs of Police (2002) Ethics Toolkit [Electronic Version] retrieved on 25th March 2008 from http://www.theiacp.org/profassist/ethics/model_policy.htm Illinois Institute of Technology CSEP (2008) Canons of police ethics [Electronic Version] retrieved on 25th March 2008 from http://ethics.iit.edu/codes/coe/int.assoc.chiefs.police.canons.html Pagon M. (2003) Police ethics and integrity [Electronic Version] retrieved on 26th March 2008 from http://www.police-studies.com/papers/police-ethics-integrity.pdf Northern Ireland Policing Board (2007) Code of ethics for the police service of Northern Ireland integrity [Electronic Version] retrieved on 26th March 2008 from http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/nipb_ethics.pdf

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Existentialism

What if everything gets one nothing? What if it was true that man has the power to do whatever he pleases, but in the end all of it will mean – for lack of a better term – nothing? This school of thought is called existentialism, which is crucial in Tom Stoppard's play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead – an absurdly written response to William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern experience times of enlightenment, humor, and sorrow throughout their journey, leading them to ponder whether their livelihood actually has some sort of positive meaning. However, the ultimate gift of death crept up on them, without any explanation or hope, for all eternity. The ideas of existentialism are shown in the play through unstable identities, uncertain knowledge of the past, and anti-heroes which lead to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s ultimate fate – their feared deaths. Unstable identities in the play contribute to the idea of existentialism by making Rosencrantz and Guildenstern indistinguishable, emphasizing their need for meaning. When introducing themselves to the Player and the tragedians, Rosencrantz announces, â€Å"My name is Guildenstern, and this is Rosencrantz†¦I’m sorry – his name is Guildenstern and I’m Rosencrantz† (Stoppard 22). Their own deprivation of identity shows that the meaning in their individual lives is lost, making them into cynical, unrecognizable objects. In addition, they have lost their idiosyncrasies, creating a problem for other characters in distinguishing between the two. During a discussion about the King giving them an equal amount of money, Guildenstern exclaims that the king â€Å"wouldn’t discriminate between [them]† (Stoppard 104). To the King, Ros and Guil are simply two objects that are willing to assist in any way possible; to him, there is no point in getting to know them individually. The King’s lack of differentiation between the two shows that Ros and Guil have lost a deeper meaning to the King, leading to the bereavement of identity. The ambiguous identities of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern obliged their characters to embody no purpose, inflicting the idea of existentialism. Ros and Guil’s doomful deaths were caused by their nonexistent individuality. The pair’s past also lead them through an existential drift; without meaning in their past, the pair still have nothing to go on. The uncertainty of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s past supplements the idea of existentialism by making the play enigmatic. While walking along the path to Elsinore Castle, Ros and Guil attempt to comprehend what they are doing before making the expedition to the estate; Guil asks Ros, â€Å"What’s the first thing you remember? † and Ros replies, â€Å"Oh, let’s see†¦the first thing that comes into my head, you mean?†¦ Ah. It’s no good, it’s gone† (Stoppard 16). Ros and Guil are not able to recollect past events due to the fact that the prior matters adhered no meaning. Even when Ros and Guil are dying, they cannot recall what they have done to deserve this with Ros crying, â€Å"We’ve done nothing wrong! We didn’t harm anyone. Did we? † and Guil replies â€Å"I canâ₠¬â„¢t remember† (Stoppard 125). At their dying second, Ros and Guil are still unable to fathom what they have or have not done. Their past events are proven to be meaningless, leading them to an existential wandering containing no answers. Also through the use of anti-heroes, Stoppard made Rosencrantz and Guildenstern useless individuals who could not carry out a duty without the succor of one another. An anti-hero, in some cases, considers his or herself to be incapable of completing tasks while being corrupt, sullen, and disaffected. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern entrust each other to get through all dilemmas and yet they still become confused. When deciding what their next undertaking shall be, Guil asks Ros, â€Å"What are we going to do now? and Ros replies, â€Å"I don’t know. What do you want to do? † (Stoppard 17). Using a popular decision-making device, Ros and Guil reveal that they do not have the confidence to decide what to do and to execute the decision. Confidence is an indicator of optimism, responsibility, and initiative; Ros and Guil occupy none of these positive attributes, giving manifestation of anti-heroes. Also, Ros and Guil count on the King’s letter to get through the peregr ination, with Guil saying, â€Å"Everything is explained in the letter. We count on that† (Stoppard 105). Ros and Guil refer to the letter whenever a predicament arises, urging them to resolve the issue. With the letter epitomizing their fate, it is what they count on the most. The pair fails to envisage that one another and the letter were the ultimate factors that lead to their demise. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern live up to the idea of anti-heroes in existentialism by being each other’s hopeless backbones and depending on the letter, which leads them to their fateful deaths. Through the utilization of vacillating identities, unforeseeable knowledge of the past, and anti-heroes, existentialism augmented Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s ultimate kismet – their anticipated deaths. Tom Stoppard leads Ros and Guil through an obscure existence that turns out to encompass nothing. With this, the reader might ask, â€Å"What is life without purpose? † – And one can say that it is certainly no life at all.