Facilities Management Essay free essay sample

Discuss the process and considerations that a new business would need to deal with in relation to facilities planning ‘Facilities Management is all about collecting and interpreting data on diverse facets of property use. ‘ -Facilities Management. An explanation. Alan Park 1998. A principle objective for any new business would be to manage the property and contents as efficiently as possible. It is important to maximise the usage of the building whilst minimising wasted space and inefficient departmental interfaces. The facilities manager must consider the bottom line cost as the over-riding important factor when beginning the process of designing or choosing the business premises. I will go on to identify the supporting considerations which underpin the facility manager’s planning. Facilities planning is a multi-stage process in which all areas of the business are covered and this is the stage in which weaknesses can be identified in order to try and avoid mishaps and an unsuccessful property. We will write a custom essay sample on Facilities Management Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Firstly, it is important to choose the location of the property and determine whether it will have to be a newly constructed site, or if renovating an existing building would be the better option. Secondly, the facilities manager must define the facility requirements, design and undertake a cost estimate. The third factor of the process includes a final design review, approval, and freezing the design at the end of that stage. Phase four is the project bid where the building comes under construction and is modified suitably for the purpose of that business. Phase five concludes the process through project management which oversees building construction, equipment installation and commissioning and any project follow-up work. There is a myriad of considerations when undertaking facilities planning, however, I have chosen to concentrate on some of the more important generic factors. Under health and safety regulations the facilities manager will need to record suitable and sufficient risk assessments with the intention of identifying the actions needed to comply with statutory requirements. For example, specific regulations cover such aspects as manual handling operations, display screen equipment use, personal protective equipment and working at height. The facilities manager will need to ensure that all employees understand the safety requirements for their activities within the workplace. Following the risk assessments, a health and safety policy needs to be provided which is freely available and easily understood by the employees. In short, the facilities manager must understand the safe and proper functioning of the premises and equipment through controlling the program of internal safety audits. Associated with risk assessments is the need for strategic planning. The facilities manager needs to understand his role in the organisations business continuity planning. Specifically he will need to understand the four stage process of prevention, preparedness, reaction and recovery in terms of maintaining or assuring facilities to support the business need. Of particular importance would be recovery and backup systems following any catastrophic event. Another consideration is service provision, whether or not to contract out services, or retain ‘in house’. There are various options available and this has to be a careful and thorough consideration if value for money (VFM) is to be maximised. The facilities manager will define the service requirements and concentrate on those attributes which are most important for his particular business. He will consider customer service, flexibility and speed of response, management implications, control and all costs as the important service provision attributes. The facilities manager will wish to constantly improve the use of the building and facilities through adopting appropriate quality assurance schemes, in order to supply services and products to the correct quality and to be able to ensure that all requirements are met. Services and products need to match the facilities manager’s expectations in terms of accuracy, durability, serviceability and ease of operation. Importantly, correct quality does not necessarily mean best possible quality as that could be wasteful of resources. The choice of quality assurance scheme is an important consideration when planning facilities and business structure. The facilities manager will also need to consider installation and operational services. Such factors as heating and lighting, duct work and ventilation, cable management, telephones and communications and security systems all fall under installation services. The facilities manager will look at all of these services to determine how best to get full use of the facility. Taken together these installation services provide a complex picture of the functionality and operation of a facility but the facilities manager’s goal ill be to achieve acceptable performance in each and every area of the installation. Turning to operational services, the facilities manager will need to service the needs of the workforce in terms of security, catering, creche provision, cleaning and maintenance. Whilst the operational services are an HR responsibility, the effectiveness of the se services do rely upon the facilities manager’s support in providing the infrastructure and underlying services. The final consideration I wish to look at within this assignment is benchmarking. In his desire to seek continual improvement, efficiency and quality, the facilities manager may well wish to measure the performance of his facilities against those in other businesses. A barrier to this approach would be businesses reluctance to share information but facilities managers could provide a cross-fertilisation of ideas on procedures and policy interpretations that could be mutually beneficial to their parent organisations. Therefore, while benchmarking may be difficult to achieve, it is an important consideration when looking at well established facilities management. So far I have looked at the multi-stage process and some of the important facilities planning considerations, throughout the rest of the assignment I will analyse three online journals with a view to highlighting some key aspects of the process and considerations above. Within Mei-yung Leung’s, Xinhong Lu’s and Hon-yan Ip’s article about the facilities management in secondary schools in Hong Kong, they identified six different characteristics of facilities management concluding that ‘it aims to provide end-users with a comfortable, effective and quality environment with minimum resources to enhance organisational effectiveness’. They go on to examine these characteristics in terms of hard facilities (seat allocation, density, noise, temperature etc) and soft management (hygiene services, technical support etc). Their research methodology centred on a questionnaire survey to investigate the level of facilities management satisfaction. Their approach highlighted considerations that I had not seen in other areas of my research and I particularly liked the distinction between hard and soft factors. Additionally their explanations of how temperature affects thermal comfort of human beings provided a great insight into one particular aspect of facilities management considerations. Indeed their findings were consistent with other research on temperature and comfort ‘temperature affects thermal comfort of human beings. However, a room with a slightly cool temperature leads to more effective learning (McAndrew, 1993; Clothier, 1996). ’ I also liked their use of polling within the question set which is a well trusted method of identifying satisfaction with products/services. In their article on the ‘Barriers to the operation of the facilities management’, Pitt and Hinks highlighted structural, strategic, operational and professional barriers to the successful integration of facilities property management. Whilst they argued convincingly about the barriers, their conclusion that effectiveness can be improved by the incorporation of facilities managers into strategy management over-emphasises the importance of facilities management. Whilst I fully accept that facilities management is a key enabler for any business organisation, it is there to support the operation of the business and not to substitute for an operational output. In Liz Clark’s and David Rees’s article, on the role of facilities management within the NHS and local government in England and Wales, they compare the levels of facilities management awareness, the ability of FM managers to influence the decision making process and the delivery of effective facilities management services. They conducted interviews with very senior executives which, while valid, could have produced slightly skewed results (just a top down view). They went on to compare how FM is integrated into the organisational structures and concluded that it was difficult to make direct comparisons on ‘best value’. They also concluded that there is growing evidence within these pubic sectors that FM is ‘not a business opportunity but a key element in ensuring that the public are provided with best-value services’. This leads them to an overall conclusion that FM is a profession within its own right. Several things struck me about their conclusions; firstly, government departments have sufficient resources to devote to effective Facilities management, secondly, government departments will automatically adhere to government policy and would be willing to share best practice (commercial considerations may be a barrier for sharing practice against competitors in the same industry) and thirdly, the public sector is focussed on service as a core component of its business operation. Accordingly I would agree with their assessment that facilities management should be viewed as a profession. The process and considerations that I have looked at within this assignment can not be seen as the definitive set of facilities management factors and I realise that facilities management is a hugely complex business area. For such a fundamental aspect of supporting the business need, the hard and soft factors touched upon above may well be a very useful way of more easily breaking down facilities management considerations.

Huntingtons disease report essays

Huntingtons disease report essays An individual with Huntington's disease often has problems in three areas: control of bodily movements, intellectual functioning and emotional control. The intensity and number of the above symptoms, however, varies with each Huntington's disease patient. (3) Early symptoms of HD can differ from person to person, and are easily ignored or misinterpreted. The affected person may experiences mood swings, become irritable, apathetic, lethargic, depressed or angry. Sometimes these symptoms disappear as the disease progresses; sometimes they develop into hostile outbursts or deep depression. Uncontrolled movements may develop in the fingers, feet, face or trunk. These tics are the beginnings of chorea, and can become more intense if the patient is anxious or disturbed. In time, new symptoms begin to emerge: mild clumsiness, loss of coordination and balance problems. Walking becomes increasingly difficult, and the person may stumble or fall. Speech may become slurred. The patient may begin having trouble swallowing or eating. Gradually he or she may lose the ability to recognize others. In rarer variations of HD, the disease is characterized not by its onset age but by the unique nature of the symptoms. Some adults with HD never develop chor ea. Instead, they become rigid, moving little, if at all. Their condition, called akinesia, gives rise to the distinguishing name akinetic-rigid HD, sometimes referred to as the Westphal variant of HD. (1) The source of Huntington's disease lies in the most basic element of human heredity: a single gene. The gene that produces HD is found on chromosome 4, one of the 22 non-sex-linked or "autosomal" chromosome pairs. This means that men and women are at equal risk of inheriting the disease. Because HD is an autosomal dominant disorder, only one copy of the defective gene, inherited from either parent, is needed to produce the disease. Because each parent cont ...

Video Game violence and the effects it has on children and Teens Essay

Video Game violence and the effects it has on children and Teens. Arguementative Paper discussing both sides and choosing a side to work with - Essay Example because even if the video game depicted violence (such as the Atari boxing game), the game was unrealistic and much tilted away from the real experience of the activity. ‘Boxing’ involved tiny â€Å"men† with square limbs who fought one another through a series of repetitive movements. (History, 2007) The world of present times has witnessed a change – for the worse. Our young ones have been enticed into a world of their own, one which is filled with terror and brutalities. To put it in a meticulous manner, the violence ‘imparted’ through the video games is just too much to handle and it is about time an end to this epidemic has to be discerned, for a better and prosperous tomorrow. Today for a gamer, video games resemble mere dots on a screen. By the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, personal computers were becoming much more powerful and with the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System, to some extent more realistic games started to make their mark. The characters in the games began to take on more â€Å"human† (physical) attributes; they actually looked human so to speak. In the light of an understanding which is reached between the ethical norms of video games and the people at the helm of affairs calling the shots, in recent years there have been many attempts to either censor video games or to limit access to them by children and young audiences. (Outlaw, 2007) Some have even linked violent video games to a greater propensity for murder. (CBS, 2005) Thus the difference between video game simulation and actual reality began its long progress to the current situation in which some of the most advanced video game systems, such as the Playstation 3, have high definition graphics that approach the point at which the characters being controlled by the gamer could be mistaken for real human beings in a film. As video games developed during the 1970’s and 80’s and then literally exploded in the 1990’s, different genres of video games

Intercultural Communication Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Intercultural Communication Paper - Essay Example Most migrants have assimilated into America’s traditions and ways of life. Although conventional cultural values and beliefs have been preserved by the originating migrants, their children have completely adapted and adjusted to Western culture. It is interesting to delve into finding out the factors which contribute to the academic performance of migrants’ children, specifically Korean Americans. Adolescents from today’s generation have grown with relatively antithetical thinking and preferences compared to generations that their grandparents and parents were accustomed to. Likewise, academic performance, attitudes and behaviors of previous generations were influenced by communication, among others; as well as traditional and conventional norms. Communication is the â€Å"process of transmitting thoughts, feelings, facts, and other information† through verbal or non-verbal means. (Delaune and Ladner 2006) Verbal messages are messages communicated with the use of words and language. These messages can either be spoken or written. Non verbal communication, on the other hand, is the process of transmitting messages without words, that is, through body language. (Delaune and Ladner 2006). In this regard, the objective of this essay is to proffer a scenario which manifests the relevance of intercultural communication in the academe, affecting the performance of students from another culture, particularly from Korea. A review of literature would initially be presented delving into the effect of communication to cultural diversity. Likewise, the methodology used would be explained in determining the academic achievement of Korean-American adolescents in schools in the US where a hypothesis is developed. Finally, through the interview conducted and through secondary sources, the effect of family, communication and culture in the academic achievement of Korean-American adolescents

Flying Dry - Air Tahoma Fuel Starvation Research Paper

Flying Dry - Air Tahoma Fuel Starvation - Research Paper Example One type of turbine engine error that may occur is fuel starvation. This type of failure occurred in the August 2004 crash of the Air Tahoma Flight 185, in which the Convair 580 twin engine turboprop was destroyed on impact only one mile short of the runway, resulting in the death of the first-officer and damage to surrounding property (Aircraft Accident Report). The history and details of the Air Tahoma Flight 185 crash, the cause of the accident, and the relevance to current safety issues are each important in learning from this crash and taking preventative measures against this type of incident in the future. Air Tahoma, a spin-off from Cool Air, Inc., was a Columbus based father-son operated company that was looking to grow and expand its current fleet of thirteen turboprops. Like many small and ambitious companies before them, there is some speculation that in the hurry to expand critical safety checkpoints may have been relaxed. The company had recently contracted with DHL as freight parcel delivery company, and Flight 185 was scheduled for a routine roundtrip flight from Memphis to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport when the crash occurred (Pilcher, 2004). The company had previously had several run-ins with federal safety inspectors before the crash, as records show, including citations for maintenance problems three times in the previous four years, including one resulting in a $5000 settlement for problems in providing an airworthy aircraft by the company (Pilcher, 2004). Air Tahoma operated two types of twin turboprop planes, the Convair 240 and the Convair 580 (Pilcher, 2004). Unlike the much larger much larger Boeing 727s, DC-8s and Airbus 300s operated by the main local carrier for DHL at the time, Astar Air Cargo, these are small aircraft capable of holding only fifty-six passengers, but more commonly used for transport (Frawley, 1998). These aircraft are converted from the original

Effect of Social Responsibility on Organisation Productivity

Effect of Social Responsibility on Organisation Productivity Can social responsibilities effect the productivity of organisations in the Hospitality and catering Public thinking and opinion are the contents of the crucible from which the social fabric of a community, town, region, nation and international community are borne. The very nature of this arena (social consciousness), is an on-going evolutionary process which is reflective of the era one chooses to examine. Within the European Union legislation in varied areas has been enacted to improve the overall quality of services delivered to the public at large as well as for the benefit of workers. And while the United Kingdom is not a member of this body, the reforms, legislation and policies enacted become known and thus places the government under social pressure to enact changes in response to the overall public welfare. The progressive foundation of the United Kingdoms social policies provides a climate whereby the public expects that government stay abreast of new socially oriented developments as they develop and with such progress comes cost. The cost of enacting and overseeing same is borne by either the government, which translates is its people, and or by business. Sometimes referred to as the welfare state the United Kingdom has demonstrated historically demonstrated sensitivity to social issues and reform and this underlying foundation is comprised of three key elements which; Guarantees a set of minimum standards which includes a minimum income Provides for social protection And that services will be carried out in the best possible manner. The social welfare consciousness in the United Kingdom is extensive in terms of its embracing a broad spectrum of initiatives, thus private enterprises are bound by regulations and laws in keeping with this responsibility as established by the public trust. Those organizations that engage in extensive contact or service to the public and are particularly scrutinized and susceptible to implementation of both required (meaning legalized or regulated social policy mandates) and generally accepted norms of behaviour as well as conduct, and rightly so. Such public mandates carry with them implementation as well as ongoing maintenance costs which can manifest themselves in wage, compliance, training as well as standards in delivering and providing services. Such is the cost to the government, its populace and businesses to live in an environment which is in keeping with and reflects our modern society. These standards are particularly important when industry directly services the public as the impact of said services is immediate and on a mass scale. Given the relatively high content of labour intensity in the hospitality and catering industries, regulated or legislated changes can result in additional costs and thus reduce productivity as a result. New legislation which has been enacted for the hospitality and catering sector as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦essential regulatory guidanceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ with such having an effect that it encompasses some 1,500 pages of information. The sheer volume of this data can be overwhelming to an industry sector which is primarily composed (80%) of small sized firms (SMEs) employing 10 or fewer people. The new legislation sets standards in wages, the workplace, food preparation mandates, equipment and facility requirements which are in the publics interest as well as its employees which is the social responsibility of both the government and the industry sector (hospitality and catering), with the cost in time, expense, upgrades, modifications and compliance resulting in net expenditures that affect bottom line performance. Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Historical Social Climate The centralized governmental structure that is utilized in the United Kingdom nationalizes a social implementation process that can be traced back to the Poor Laws. These reforms, the first of which was enacted in 1598 and which drew to an end in 1958, started with; 1. the establishment of a poor rate foundation (meaning the level which established this as a social phenomenon), 2. utilization of overseers to administer relief, 3. and provisions designed to put the poor to work The Poor Laws were replaced by the passage of the; 1. 1946 National Insurance Act, which ushered in the foundations for social security 2. 1946 National Health Service Act 3. 1948 National Assistance Act that eliminated the Poor Law 4. and the 1948 Children Act The preceding developments effectively placed the countrys social policy on the path that defines its present day terms. The manner in which social policy is viewed in Europe, and its influence on the United Kingdom is an important variable in understanding why consistent changes and modifications to existing regulations, legislation and laws is necessary to keep pace with progressive developments that are in the interest of all concerned (government, citizens and the business community). This mood and historical climate help to shape the psychological parameters that act upon this area. Anderson (1983) has postulated that the social bond of deep horizontal comradeship is a key foundational element in nationalism and the corresponding socio-psychological ideology. Connor (1993) adds that the idea of nation is an emotional process and in global terms it forms an aspect of an individuals identity. The devastation in Europe that was a result of World War II created the social climate for welfares which was adopted as foundation for social policy in many European countries, including the United Kingdom. The mass scale of fragmentation as a result of refugees, displaced persons, the destruction of towns cities and the breach of national security created what leaders termed a lack of social cohesion which needed to be reinforced to provide the populace with the belief that circumstances would indeed improve as a result of policies and programs being put into place. To make this work, leaders believed that the establishment of a base level of political and economic provisions for citizens would provide assurances of the foregoing. In order to implement such policies they had to be introduced on a national level through institutions and agencies that needed to be created to administer a uniform code of social and financial services. The preceding was a major factor in why social policy in Europe is more liberalized and generous than in the United States. World War II also resulted in an elimination and or erosion of historical European monarchies and the formation of constitutional frameworks reflective of20th century thinking. The foregoing historical, political, economic and social variables are the key components blended into the European term which is the called the welfare state. The British Labour Party platform after winning the election in 1945 stated Jobs for all along with Social insurance against the rainy dayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and included plans to attain said goals. The victory by the Labour Party was unforeseen and helped to establish a tone not only in Great Britain, but the rest of Europe as the publics vote heralded the beginnings of heightened social consciousness. 1.2 Sector Ramifications Hospitality and Catering The preceding understanding of the United Kingdoms social fabric is important in equating the recent legislation affecting the hospitality and catering sector. Both sectors are highly dependent on labor and as a result any new regulations or legislation have a deeper impact due to the labour dependant composition that characterizes its makeup. Said changes must not only be communicated, but overseen as well and these changes cannot be simply written into a software program or changes in assembly line methods, they are by and large done by individuals. Additionally the general low wage composition of this sector for a good percentage of its employees means that additional compliance slows productivity as it is primarily manual in nature. The new legislation is estimated to affect and estimated 81% of the business in this sector Economically the increase of compliance and legislative changes in the service sector as a factor of a countrys GDP decreases the economic growth rate with a corresponding decline in productivity rates due tithe costs involved. The hospitality and catering sectors are within the broader classification termed Travel and Tourism and this industry is projected to become the largest classification globally during 2005. As such the major issue facing the hospitality and catering sector is increasing productivity so that it will affect the profitability of operations. With this industry sector (hospitality and catering)representing an estimated 1 out of 12.4 jobs throughout all industry classifications the implications of increased productivity represents sizeable gain in economic strength and the corresponding effect upend (Gross Domestic Product). The composition of the companies within this industry (hospitality and catering) forms a critical component in equating the influence of social responsibility and the resultant impact on productivity as a result of expenditures to comply. It is important to understand that fully 94% of the 2.7 SMEs within the travel and tourism sector are comprised of what is termed micro-enterprises that employ less than ten (10) individuals, and 94% of this total represents approximately fifty present (50%) of the labour force. The newly enacted legislation encompasses social responsibility in that it seeks to standardize not only the delivery of services within this sector, it also benefits the individuals employed therein as well. An examination of the varied factors comprising productivity in the hospitality and catering sector to correlate the effect of social responsibilities requires an understanding of the structural as well as staffing variables within each sector along with any new regulations, laws and or legislation which might act upon bottom line performance. Chapter 2 Methodology 2.1 Gaining a Perspective As the subject of this paper asks the complex question of how social responsibilities act upon productivity, the logical point to first understand is the nature and breathe of where social responsibility emanates from and what it indeed means. The preceding broad context was undertaken to permit the gathering of information on an ad hoc basis rather than utilizing the blinders of preconceived notions or understandings which might not reflect actual circumstances or conditions as they transpired. Research methodology, regardless of personal knowledge, demands that one look at the subject with a clean mental slate in order to maintain objectivity. This means exploring the process from all conceivable angles. As understanding the implications of the foregoing formed the starting point, delving into searches via the internet was determined to be the point of origin from which to gain a perspective. The subject of social responsibility is a fluid rather than static subject. It is based upon the point in time one is looking at as social changes reflect human consciousness and awareness which is consistently evolving. However, it also based upon what preceded it in the past. The area of social responsibility has its roots in the temper and climate of the society it is borne into and how that idea was/is expounded upon. The social bond of deep horizontal comradeship as put forth by Anderson (1983) forms an important base element in the formation of nationalism as well as the corresponding socio-psychological ideology. As the historical significance of all the component parts required background information, secondary research was conducted utilizing Internet search engines to gather data from journals and articles as well as to determine what literature sources (books) to be explored. The nature of the subject is well suited to secondary research ahistorical events held the factual records of the evolution of the social policy process. Secondary research provides the benefit of obtaining detailed facts, dates and information which can be analyzed against the subject matter at hand. And while primary research gathers opinion, viewpoints and information first hand, it is a structured process that requires prior experience with the subject to formulate the basis for questions, interviews and information which form the prevailing view but not necessarily the answer. Following the historical timeline of events in society, the industry sector, government and labour provided the inputs that revealed the sources and underpinnings which contained the answers. While there are varied voluntary aspects and areas that a firm can undertake which qualify as social responsibility said measures would be difficult to equate in terms of their application, use and affect unproductivity. Therefore, the source of any social responsibly issues needed to consist of something that applied on a broad basis and was identifiable as well as fit the parameters. In this instance the source is the legislation adopted by the United Kingdom from the European Union such as the Employment Rights Act 1996) which set forth a broad spectrum of regulations, compliance and rules as well as catering legislation and regulations that have been enacted. Chapter 3 Literature Review 3.1 A Broad Spectrum of Inputs As the United Kingdom is connected by history and geographic location to the European Union, even though it has not become a member, it recognizes the broader implications of keeping in step with the developments, rules and regulations this body enacts. Within this context the United Kingdoms recent legislation affecting the hospitality and catering sectors finds its roots in said organization. Organizations such as: 1. The European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT), and 2. HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurant and Cafes in Europe, were two contributors to the EU Commission from which the broad compendium of laws, rules, regulations and policy was adopted. The following summarizes those organizations: 1. The European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT) This organization is a federation that represents 120 trade unions throughout Europe in 35 countries (European Union and non-European Union nations). With a membership roster in excess of 2,600,000 it utilizes their input and consensus to investigate and formulate policies in a multitude of areas. EFFATs policy statement mentions that the organization is committed to sustainable development in areas such as pollution, drinking water quality and availability as well as ecological problems through dialogue and cooperation and recommendations. The organization is also cognizant of migration and immigration issues in the industries it represents and how these types of individuals form a good portion of the labour pool for the sectors it represents, thus indicating the need for effective training techniques and the associated laws and regulations to protect the interests of these groups as well as turning them into productive workers. 2. HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurant and Cafes in Europe) As one would assume the hotel, restaurant, and cafÃÆ' © sectors are governed by strong social laws, externally (for the protection of the public), and internally (for the protection of employees). The extensive numbers of measures (in excess of fifty [50]), has been identified as a source of concern by this organization as these industries are labour intensive that compliance will increase the operating costs and potentially affect employment as well as growth. Milton Friedman explains that since individuals run businesses, the social responsibility of these firms is an outgrowth of the management culture and their understanding as well as identification with the notion of social precepts. Friedman poses the question that the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦first step toward clarity.. entails understanding the context of social responsibility in terms of what it ..implies for whom. Friedman explained the fit of social consciousness in business should not become lost in the complexity as the process is simple, people run enterprises and as individuals they are influenced by society as well as being a part of it. Thus as ones influence and responsibilities increase, so does the need to expand their vision in terms of the effects of that influence and act accordingly. The requirement that individuals thinking terms of the implications and ramifications of the sphere of influence exerted by a company as well as the generation of profits. The reminder and assertion being put forward is that regardless of the profit motive, business has an obligation to other individuals as a result of the humanity of our global community. The acts of labour, government and the industry has shown that the concept of social responsibility is an active component of the hospitality and catering sector as evidenced by the following organizational meetings which included or focused on social responsibility issues as an important part of their agendas; A. World Summit for Social Development, International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme B. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms C. Ministerial Conference on Human Rights of the European Social Charter D. International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme E. Tripartite Meeting on Human Resources Development, Employment and Globalization in the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Sector The following organizations helped to set the framework for the European Commission and are examples of governmental, industry, jaborandi social consciousness which provided the specifics concerning social responsibility and its effects upon productivity, as well as means to harness this in a method which is positive for employers and employees; A. World Summit for Social Development, International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme The World Summit for Social Development meeting of March 1995 in Copenhagen pledged to reduce poverty, work toward the objective of full employment, and to foster social integration. As a United Nations organization the importance of the influence of this program is obvious, making the issues a global concern via utilization of a formal stage under the aegis of the U. N. The conference convened in Geneva in2000 to review the commitments made in Copenhagen in 1995. The importance of this initiative has moved the sphere of social policy tithe forefront of global attention. B. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Organized under the Council of Europe, the name of the Convention explains its origins as well as purpose. As a natural outgrowth, social policies were tabled and have helped to shape the social responsibility concerns which business needs to embrace as part of the broader human community. C. Ministerial Conference on Human Rights of the European Social Charter This Conference put forth an extensive list of employment related social and legal accords which were agreed to by the countries comprising Europeans a foundation for commercial regulations ensuring fundamental as well as progressive social rights. This list forms the underpinning of all social responsibility areas in the public arena and thus sets a standard for social corporate behaviour. The extensive list shall be elaborated on in Chapter 4. D. International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme As a separate organization devoted to labour issues the International Labour Organization segments its Sectorial Activities Programme into industrial classifications. This organization brings together business, government and people, Tripartite, so that initiatives undertaken have balance due to all entities being represented. The policies implemented by this organization have a binding effect as a result of this tripartite mixture. It actualizes discussion at other levels (meaning organizations and programs), into working realities. E. Tripartite Meeting on Human Resources Development, Employment and Globalization in the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Sector This is the industry Programme specifically devoted to the Tourism classification. The policies and areas identified by these organizations helped to form parts of the European Union enactments which was then adopted by the United Kingdom and subsequently resulted in the 1,500 pages of legislation for the Hospitality and Catering sectors which covers: 1. The Employment Rights Act of 1996 2. Working Time Regulations of 1998 3. Employment Relations Act of 1999 4. Part-Time Workers Regulations of 2000 5. 1990 Food Safety Act and subsequent amendments a. General Product Safety Regulations b. Hygiene Legislation c. Food Control Regulations d. Food Law Guide The extent of the foregoing is so extensive that they shall be discussed under the following section. Chapter 4 Analysis of Data 4.1 Social Responsibility in Modern Society In order to understand the aspect(s) of social responsibilities with regard to their effect on the productivity of firms within the hospitality and catering sector of the travel and tourism industry classification, one must first be cognizant of the broader spectrum from which this emanates, social policies which evolve from public opinion. This is also termed as a social contract which is a term that has been derived from political science and sociology to signify both real as well as hypothetical understandings or agreements within country concerning the rights and responsibilities of citizens as well as the nation. Jean Rousseau (1762) stated that the social contract is an understanding that in order for individuals to live in a society they must agree that in exchange for this society (nation) giving them certain rights such as the right to live, they also must give up certain aspects such as harming others, and that as a result the society (nation) is obligated to administer laws and rights equally as well as fairly. This social contract is a living entity that is modified, amended and adjusted by public opinion that changes the context of laws and regulations as the social consciousness of the society (nation) evolves. The implication of the foregoing is that if individuals demand and require more rights these rights carry with them the caveat that the individuals within said society (nation) also must agree to and take on more responsibilities and the nature and weight of these responsibilities increase with more rights. Simply stated, more rights mean more responsibilities and less responsibility mean fewer rights. The prior statement has been utilized to provide a foundational point of understanding to illustrate that social responsibility factors are an outgrowth of said social contract and the process is evolutionary in nature. Individuals within a society become familiar with the implications of this contract through the educational process, media, elections, voting and other communication forms. Most of the contents of this contract are understood by high percentage of the population which know that voicing said opinions through activist groups and contacting elected officials is the process by which newer theories and or applications of social practice and behaviour are updated to contemporary terms. As companies and corporations are an inherent part of the societal fabric they are bound by social codes of conduct and behaviour both legislated as well as those that are considered part of progressive thinking and behaviour. Governmental reforms and acceptance on an official basis of new theories, understandings and precepts of social conduct and responsibility is necessarily a slow process because it must weigh and consider the ramifications of each aspect and how this affects existing and accepted social norms, as well as the negative impacts and how such affect all aspects of the social fabric. This simplified summary explanation is neither in defence of or a comment on government reaction to new inputs. Not all forms or aspects of this social contract(understandings) are formalized, meaning being a part of laws or regulations, they can tend to be rules of accepted conduct or progressive thinking (and living) which become an expected part of these progressive circles. 4.2. UK Legislation As stated by Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, the number of the regulations enacted by the United Kingdom covering the hospitality and catering sectors, some 1,500pages, represents a compliance maze has become a time, cost and administrative burden for an industry primarily comprised of smaller firms. He indicated that even with amendments to reduce the total number it would still à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦impose new cost burdens which are just as onerous. The European Laws introduced since 1997 under this and other legislations has increased the compliance and administrative cost to businesses by 46% (currently  £30 billion), in what the Derby Council calls à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦red tapeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce has stated that the laws covering the protection of data, maternity as well as paternity leaves and other areas are costing businesses billions of pounds, and in a study conducted by the Burdens Barometers this figure was calculated as being in excess of  £10 billion since being put into effect in 1999. In all the total bill for areas indicated as red tape have been estimated as adding  £9 billion in costs just in 2003.The following will summarize the extensive nature of the preceding: 1. The Employment Rights Act of 1996 Consisting of 245 segments under Chapter 18 the Act sets forth Employment Particulars which are the foundation for a broad number of areas affecting the hospitality and catering sectors within the context of this paper. This Act also forms the framework for the Working Time Regulations of 1998which contains a number of amendments that represent part of the new legislation. Some highlights of this Act are: a. Employment Particulars b. Protection of Wages c. Guarantee Payments d. Sunday Working for Shop and Betting Workers e. Protection from Suffering Detriment in Employment f. Time Off Work g. Suspension from Work h. Maternity Rights I. Termination of Employment j. Right not to be Unfairly Dismissed k. Remedies for Unfair Dismissal 2. Working Time Directive The additional paperwork, regulations, new benefits and associated measures comprising the amendment to the Working Time Directive which specifies minimums for health and safety under Article 2 of Directive89/391/EEC and Article 17. The Directive amendment sets forth provisions for the following in the private and public sectors: a. rest period minimums for a days, weeks and annual vacation as well as break periods, maximum weekly hours b. aspects covering certain areas concerning night shifts, shifts and work patterns. The following sets forth provisions under the preceding sections: a. Minimum Rest Periods: 1). Article 3 Daily rest Specified as a minimum daily period of rest between working periods of 11 hours 2). Article 4 Breaks Specifies that when the shift exceeds six hours each employee is entitled to a rest break as specified and laid out in collective agreements 3). Article 5 Weekly rest period During a seven-day period each worker is entitled to the indicated11-hour daily rest and a minimum 24-hour rest period which is specified as Sunday 4). Maximum weekly working time This is subject to the prevailing country law and the total working time for the seven day period shall not exceed 48 hours (in the United Kingdom), which includes overtime b. Night Work Shifts and Patterns of Work 1). Workers on the night shift are to receive a health assessment free of charge prior to being assigned and any worker who is determined to have a health problem that is diagnosed as connected to night work shall be transferred as soon as possible to day work shifts 2). The indicated health assessment must conform to medical terms of confidentiality 3). Employers compliance with the indicated health assessment can be performed via the national health system c. Night work guarantees Certain night worker categories shall receive guarantees as specified by legislation of that country concerning risks at work to their health and or safety 1). Article 11 Notification concerning the regular utilization of night employees health and safety protection If so requested by authorized agencies and or individuals information concerning night workers shall be provided by the company 2). Article 12 Pattern of work Countries shall see that regulations are in place to guide employers in setting procedures for night employees that minimize repetitive patterns and set a rate that provides safety and health specifications 3). Article 13 Safety and health protection Countries shall see that night employees as well as shift employees have the appropriate safety and health protection applicable to the work being performed The preceding are provisions that are applicable in this instance for the hospitality and catering sector concerning social responsibility aspects whereby costs are incurred as a result of their enactment. The Employment Relations Act of 1999 sets forth those provisions that are cost additives for businesses under social responsibility: a. Maternity and Parental Leave 1999 Maternity leave is granted to employees who meet certain criteria and conditions: 1).That said employee notify the employer of the maternity leave period 21days prior to the date said leave shall commence as long as she has notified the employer of said pregnancy, the expected day of delivery and the date of maternity leave commencement. 2). Said employee shall provide the employer with documentation on said pregnancy from a licensed medical practitioner, or midwife and that such be in writing if so directed. That the employer shall allow foresaid maternity leave be at least 18 weeks. The cost additive under social responsibility in this instance is that said provision applies to all workers. In the past part time workers were not entitled and thus their return to their positions was subject to the discretion of the employer and not a right. 3). Parental Leave If an employee has been with the firm on a continual basis for a period of not less than 1 year and has direct legal responsibility for amino, then said employee shall be entitled to 13 weeks parental leave(not consecutive) and shall not lose their job as a result. a. Time off for domestic incidents Employees are entitled to paid time off for domestic incidents as set forth in collective agreements. b. Part-Time Worker Regulations of 2000 Under this provision part-time workers shall be paid at the same rates full time employees for comparable work and shall also be paid for overtime under the same understanding. The seasonal as well as temporary workers within the hospitality and catering sectors are benefited by the Act, however employers who formerly utilized this category as a justification to pay lower wages now have this as a cost additive. Part-time workers are entitled to the same coverage and other provisions of full time workers on a pro-rata basis. c. 1990 Food Safety Act and subsequent amendments The importance of regulating and ensuring the public safety is a function of government and the Food Safety Act of 1990 was enacted

effects of interracial relationship on children Essay -- essays resear

Effect of Interracial relationships and the child   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Interracial marriages can include the union between Asians, Hispanics, Blacks, Whites, and any other groups. However, when people talk about race relations, the focus is on Blacks and Whites. No matter what type of ethnic groups are involved in these type of relationships, one important result of these marriages are children. After doing some research and looking over some materials, I now have a strong understanding of the issues surrounding children of interracial marriages, and the problems parents encounter with their mixed race children. Children from interracial marriages are no longer denied the same benefits and privileges as the children prior to Loving. Celebrities like Tiger Woods may have changed society's views on interracial children, but are there more serious effects on these children than what is shown by Tiger Woods? More than 1.5 million children lived with biracial parents in 1990.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many books have been out about the effects of interracial marriages on children. One of the biggest problems facing interracial children is an identity crisis. However, Tiger Woods and other famous children of interracial marriages have helped to...

MHCC is just for Me Essay

When I graduated high school, I knew that if I wanted to get ahead in life I was going to have to get into college. Not knowing exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up, made me worry about spending money on a traditional four year university. I realized that there were several cheaper options for a higher education were around my area. Starting my education at a community college seemed like the right step for me once I understood that the credits would all transfer to a university that I could choose at a later date. This was my first sensible step towards furthering my education. The problem was trying to decide which college to go to. I had to choose from Portland community college (PCC), Clackamas (CCC) or Mount Hood (MHCC). After sorting through the pros and cons, some of which were proximity to home and work, class availability and, helpful resources, it became clear which college was right for me. MHCC was my choice because it convenient for me. When choosing which community college to attend, the first thought was the distance from both work and home. I knew that I needed a place that was close enough to where I work so that I could take as many classes as I needed and not have to worry that I am going to be late for work because of traffic or some other distraction. Another reason that I need a place that was close is to save gas, as I am currently paying my own tuition and saving money is essential for a financially deprived student. It turns out Mt. Hood is only five miles away from my house, and even more convenient was that it was right down the street from where I work. With MHCC being so close to my work and home and I am only late to class because of my oversleeping. I have also been able to fit in extra classes every semester because of the time I save to squeeze it in without having to ask for any additional time off from work. I am currently working part time job at Bi-Mart so flexibility with scheduling is necessity for my schooling. My current situation for school is that I get to decide which two days I am off, and with those two days I can create my school schedule. MHCC scheduling is so convenient because that the same class that I may need could be taught by several different instructors which all have different times and different days allowing me to shape a schedule that will fit. This has really allowed me to appreciate the classes that are held twice a week for that reason. My usually schedule for school can sometimes take me all day. It starts with a morning class around eight all the way through the day until an evening course till around eight. Without the classes held only two days a week I don’t know how long it would take for me to graduate. One of the resources that I keep constantly using at Mt. Hood is the Learning Center’s tutors up on the second floor of the main campus l ibrary. I know that I am not the only student in the class room, so when I cannot get a meeting with the teacher to go over class items that I do not understand clearly I go to the tutor center. When I am up there I can receive all the help that I need for any school work that I am behind in. I know this because I go to the math tutor all the time for help just to get help that I need. I also have gone to the writing tutor in the past to help with papers that I get stuck on. I know that I am not a very strong writer and not all the rules of grammar stick with me, so knowing that there is a person that can help me makes me a more confident student and it makes me feel like I can achieve more. The convenience of the tutoring center has allowed me to be a better student. To be honest without MHCC, I don’t know if I would have the drive to go to another school. When thinking about the future it makes me cringe sometimes. If anything I have learned from working at Bi-Mart, I know that working dead end jobs as a lifestyle is not going to be in my best interest if I want to achieve something in my life. For that I consider Mount Hood to be a great school to attend. I am glad that I could find a school that could fit into my life and my future goals. At MHCC I have learned so much, and have improved both my writing and math. I know that furthering myself with an education is only going to benefit me in the time ahead and with the education at Mt. Hood I know that when I am able to transfer to that four year university I know that I will have the tools to be able to succeed not only there but beyond the university as well.

How to Survive College Essay Example

How to Survive College Essay Example How to Survive College Essay How to Survive College Essay Success College may be intimidating if an incoming student is not given desirable preparation. One of the major misconceptions when entering college is that many students believe it will be Just like high school, which it is not. Also, students need to learn as freshmen the study habits which work best for them. The campus provides substantial resources that the student should take advantage of, but are usually unaware of these services when entering college. Sometimes stress can lead to unhealthy habits which result in even more stress and it becomes a revolving cycle. It is essential for students to learn how to manage their stress. Sometimes orientation and campus tours do not provide enough preparation in order for incoming students to succeed. In order to aid in students college success, I have created a handbook. I have included detailed components in this handbook and have identified key activities and behaviors which will lead the students to success. There are many ways I plan on distributing my handbook, including during campus tours, during freshman orientation, and in freshman classes such as University 100 and introductory Composition courses. Students will be required to read this handbook and will then be tested. Eventually, this group of students will be asked to elaborate how they felt about its effectiveness. The issue of freshman success is highly significant because without a positive and constructive first year, students may feel discouraged and hopeless to any future taking advantage of what college has to offer, a student may find it difficult to adapt to all challenges in the future. It is essential not only to a students academic future, but personal future, that the first year in college is an enjoyable and constructive one. This handbook will provide significant tips and tricks freshmen can consider during their first semester as an undergraduate. Literature Review I have investigated different factors that assist in determining an incoming freshmans overall success in college. Many of these factors are focused on their success academically, but I will also discuss techniques they can use in their personal life. The students transition from high school to college should become smoother after applying the following theories and concepts to their life. Goal-setting Theory Throughout life, goals are essential to achieving anything but in college they come even more substantial. By applying the goal-setting theory to ones academic endeavor, a student becomes more likely to succeed at their highest potential. The goal-setting theory is the discovery that by implementing higher goals, it will guide a person to achieve a greater accomplishment (Phillips Gully, 1997). With college being so stressful, incoming freshmen need to learn the importance of setting goals in order to succeed. Self-Worth Theory of Motivation In addition to goal-setting, creating intrinsic motivation is beneficial. The self- worth theory of motivation declares that ability is directly related to self-worth. This relation is that when uncertainty is present in a students capability to perform, they become uncertain of their self-worth (Martin, Marsh, Williamson, Debus, 2003). When students become intrinsically motivated, versus extrinsically, their self-worth increases which eventually results in higher performance. Self-Efficacy Self-efficacy goes hand in hand with goal-setting and motivation. Phillips Gully (1997) agreed that self-efficacy indicates a students self-identified ability and their personal role of motivation as the students purpose of accomplishing various tasks. This concept directly relates to incoming freshmen because self-efficacy influences their goal-setting options. It has been found that as self-efficacy increases with greater ambitions, the students accomplishments increase as well (Phillips Gully, 1997). Student Engagement Lastly, student engagement is a huge component for ensuring student success. Student engagement is noted as the students commitment to their academic involvement measured by the amount of drive the student dedicates to becoming engaged. While in college, these experiences may be physical or psychological and may not be the same for everyone. Some students may commit more time and energy than others, while other students may choose to spend their energy in different aspects of the academic experience. Student engagement involves: participating in all the opportunities that college has to offer, communicating with professors and staff, Joining various extracurricular clubs or organizations while interacting with peers Ounce, 2012). A few studies have found a correlation between goal-setting and self-efficacy. Phillips Gully (1997) hypothesized that the greater an individual sets their goal, the higher their performance will be after maintaining factors such as self-efficacy. They and performance. This particular study focused on two types of goals: educational goals and performance goals. Educational goals significantly influenced self-efficacy, while performance goals did not. Overall, this study concluded that self-efficacy produced greater self-set goals and created greater performance (Phillips Gully, 1997). Another study that was conducted was related motivation with procrastination. Martin et al. (2003) interviewed incoming freshmen which were identified in either the high or low range for self-handicapping and defensive pessimism. The main hinges the researchers looked at were the students motivation and behaviors behind the acts and feelings they partook in. They investigated deeper into these students personal insights. They found that students who were in the low-range for self- handicapping were more motivated and hardworking while studying. It was noticed that even though the students in the low-range for self-handicapping were conscious of various distractions, they were unaware of the consequences of the various distractions. Overall, when students were highly motivated, they procrastinated less (Martin et al. 2003). Procrastination has been noted to be a process which the mind can use to redirect a persons attention from doing important tasks to believing the next day would better. This concept can be thought of as a form of perfectionism, where students would rather be told they did not try than they were not able to complete the task (Marina, 2006). Self-worth relates to many factors in a students li fe such as procrastination, making friends, and even going to a counselor if needed. When the students ability becomes doubted, so does their self-worth. Hopefully, by making this issue recognizable from the beginning of their higher education, it will reverent them from going further into self-handicapping and defensive pessimism. Junco (2012) did a study to find correlations between Faceable usage and overall GAP. It was found that the frequency of Faceable usage and overall GAP were significantly correlated. As the students Faceable usage increased, their overall GAP would begin to decline. But, Faceable usage was not strongly correlated with the amount of time the student took to prepare for class. Another important result to note is that sharing information on Faceable was highly predictive to the outcome and socializing on Faceable was not significantly predictive Ounce, 2012). Another study was done involving Faceable and the transition into college. Many students stated they loved how convenient it was to connect and interact with people on Faceable. Incoming freshmen also enjoyed Beckoning their future roommates well in advance before moving into housing. Students also felt Faceable was useful in order to connect with their peers from various clubs and organizations. The majority of students felt that Faceable created a sense of community when transitioning to college (Stephenson-Abet Holman, 2012). Even though social media can encourage procrastination, it can help students become more engaged. Twenty years ago, someone may have written a How to Succeed in College handbook and it may have consisted of many of the same factors I am including like, how to study, using resources, and finding intrinsic motivation. But, there is a major factor that was not present back then, social media. Social media has added a whole spin on things in todays society, making it more difficult to be intrinsically motivated and achieving a I have created a How to Succeed in College handbook which will be distributed during campus tours, freshman orientation, and in classes such as University 100 and introductory Composition courses. The distribution of handbooks during campus tours and freshman orientation is mainly to ensure that all incoming students have received it. But, the purpose of distributing the handbooks in introductory courses is to assign this material as a required reading. These handbooks will always be available in many offices on campus, including academic advising, learning resource center, and the university writing center. In addition, they will be available for download in a PDF file on the schools website. University 100 is a class focused on college success, so this handbook would support the curriculum. This class will require students to read over the handbook and rate themselves at the beginning of the semester in specific areas such as preparedness, confidence in success, and work ethic. This same survey will be distributed at the end of the semester so students can compare their scores. Throughout the semester, the student will have one-on-one meetings with their professor to ensure their success. The introductory composition courses are meant to support incoming freshmen in the adventure of improving their composition skills. This course helps facilitate a new approach to the students hinging and writing development. One main goal of the introductory composition classes is to acknowledge the vast differences between high school and college. By using this handbook for writing assignments, it ensures that the students will read it. In addition, it will support freshmen throughout their first year undertakings. The following are significant factors incoming freshmen should consider applying to their college experience. It is useful to apply these strategies to a persons life, academically or socially, in order to become highly motivated and will achieve greater success. By setting realistic goals, becoming intrinsically motivated, having high self- efficacy, and engaging in student affairs, a person will ultimately prepare themselves for success. Realize That College is Different than High School In college, expectations are much higher for everything: exams, reading, essays, participation, and attendance. A way to ensure that students achieve their highest potential in college is by setting attainable goals. If a student receives a C on the first exam, it would be beneficial to set a goal to achieve an A or B on the next exam. As a detent, it is crucial to create a will and develop a drive to do well. By becoming intrinsically motivated, students challenge and empower themselves to accomplish tasks without needing an extrinsic force. As opposed to high school, there is no parental push to make students attend class. With all the separate factors that are different from high school, students may find it difficult to transition into this new way of life. Find Which Study Habit Works Best Students need to learn the concepts of how to study. Also, students need to realize that what study habit works for their friend, may not be the best for their individual personality. There are different types of learners and it is important for a student to fugue out how they learn: visually, auditory, synthetically. Some study strategies include creating outlines, taking notes, highlighting important sources, and creating flash cards. A students self-efficacy may become greater after developing study strategies. Once a student becomes competent in studying, their perception of Campus Provides Students pay various fees with tuition and never utilize those services so their money is essentially wasted. Different resources include the learning resource enter, the university writing center, academic advising, and the health center. These various organizations are created to help students set short-term and long-term goals. The learning resource center and university writing center can assist in setting and accomplishing various academic goals. Academic advising is very useful when creating goals in a students personal and academic life, while providing a structured plan for their future. The health center provides basic health care, as well as counseling services that students should take advantage of. Seeking out counseling revise has been given a stigma which students should not be ashamed of. The counseling center can help students set goals, become motivated, and increase their self-efficacy. Choose a Healthy and Sane Lifestyle One way to create a positive lifestyle is to make friends in class and in the dorms. Student engagement is very prominent in a students first year in college. Also, exercise not only does the body good, but the mind as well. Staying active helps maintain motivation and promotes a higher self-efficacy. A student should know that it is perfectly acceptable to have some them time. Finally, as hard as it may seem, do not fall into the trap of procrastination. A student can avoid procrastination by setting goals, becoming intrinsically motivated, and engaging in different aspects of student life. Evaluation There are various different methods I can use to conclude how successful my handbook was or was not. Some of these methods include conducting campus-wide surveys, creating focus groups, and producing an app for the Phone. The surveys would include questions about how useful they felt this handbook was, any suggestions they would like to add, and how to better improve the handbook. By conducting these surveys, it may provide me with input for possible things to add or remove from the handbook. I would like to create focus groups with students who read the handbook prior to starting college, during their first year of college, and after they have been a student for at least two years. In the focus groups, we would discuss topics such as the students overall experience as a college student and how well the handbook prepared them. By conducting a focus group with a diverse group of students, it will provide supplemental information to how effective this handbook as been to students at different stages, not Just incoming freshmen. This will help gauge who my audience is and how effective the handbook is by hearing students feedback. Finally, I would produce an Phone app that will help students utilize the strategies the handbook mentions. For instance, it will have an option for students to create a short-term and long-term goal at the beginning of each semester. Following the semester, the student will be reminded what goal they set and determine if they achieved it or not. The app will also have different functions such as a grade book, a Allendale, an exercise log, and upcoming events at the school. By producing this Phone app, the students will receive important resources that will encourage their success as a college student. Discussion A future research topic may include the effectiveness of campus tours and freshman for incoming freshmen. It is irrational to believe that one handbook will change the lives of all incoming freshmen. But, providing better resources and events that educate students may help the difficult transition better. This research could consist of surveys or interviews conducted after events like orientation or campus tours. Some aspects discussed may include: how useful these events are, what additional information may be useful, if two days of orientation is too much, and if moving into housing earlier could help students better adapt to the college lifestyle. Overall, students experience many unexpected problems when starting their college career. Making the transitional shift from high school to college can be difficult. Students should not be afraid or nervous to ask for assistance when needed. In addition, they should figure out what methods and habits work best for them while using the resources that are available.

The Ideal Bureaucracy Essay Example

The Ideal Bureaucracy Essay Example The Ideal Bureaucracy Paper The Ideal Bureaucracy Paper Max Weber was a German sociologist who studied a variety of human interaction and developed a number of social theories. One of the highlights of his career work was his ideal bureaucracy theory, to which he defined bureaucracy as having certain characteristics that make up the bureaucratic entity. According to Max Weber, the authority in ideal bureaucracy revolves around legal competence and functions according to these criteria: 1) they are personally free and subject only to their impersonal official obligations; 2) they are organized in clearly defined hierarchy of offices; 3) each office has clearly defined competence; 4) there is free selection; 5) candidates are selected based on technical qualifications; 6) they are remunerated by fixed salaries; 7) the office is the primary occupation; 8) there is system of promotion; 9) the official works independently and without appropriation of his position; and 10) the official is subject to strict and systematic discipline and control in the conduct of the office. He also posited that, if given the chance, the monocratic variety of bureaucracy is capable of attaining the highest degree of efficiency and would be the most rational known means of carrying out the imperative control over human beings. The primary source of the superiority of bureaucratic administration lies in the role of technical knowledge. He also likened that bureaucratic apparatus should be independent and possess there own means of subsistence. Like in the case of war, if the bureaucratic machinery is technically efficient, it will continue to function normally just as it had for the previous legal government. This model of ideal bureaucratic organization can be summarized to possess the following characteristics: 1) Management by rules. A bureaucracy follows a consistent set of rules that control the functions of the organization. 2) Division of labor. Authority and responsibility are clearly defined and officially sanctioned. 3) Formal hierarchical structure. An organization is organized into a hierarchy of authority and follows a clear chain of command. 4) Personnel hired on grounds of technical competence. Appointment to a position within the organization is made on the grounds of technical competence. 5) Managers are salaried officials. 6) Written documents. Written documents ensure that there is continuity of the organization’s policies and procedures. Given the ideal picture of how a bureaucracy should function, this model offers a stable and hierarchical model for an organization. The term bureaucracy may have gained negative connotation but some of its criteria still applies in modern organization. Firstly, the employment based on technical qualifications should be upheld, both in public and private sectors, if efficiency is highly valued. If employees hired posses the specific characteristics demanded by the job, it is most likely that a function will be properly carried out. Aided with an evaluation based on particular performance standard, it will provide an objective goal to perform as much as possible. Currently, both private and private organizations used the performance-based incentives as a way of motivating employees to excel and give beyond the minimum requirements of their positions. Secondly, the characteristic of being purposely impersonal also has positive implication. By treating co-employees and customers equally, individual differences may be lessened, leading to rendering of services without the biases. If such action is demanded from each employee, equal treatment may be given to all regardless of social classes. Thirdly, the concept of written rules and decisions is still applicable even in a highly evolving business and organizational environment. Documentation is one of the requirements in quality management systems, such as ISO 9000 family of standards, to ensure that they meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders. Decisions are documented to serve as guide of actions, which can be used by the managers in initially assessing a problem. Though no two situations are the same, documentation is a way of tracing the different parts of an operation, which even a newly hired member of an organization can use to guide how a job should be done. Bureaucracy is often associated with delay and inefficiency. Some theorists argued that Weber’s model may have worked during his time but considered obsolete now. In the words of Dwight Waldo, â€Å"Why would an instrument (bureaucracy) designed to be impersonal and calculating be expected to be effective in delivery sympathy and compassion?† Indeed some points in the given model were criticized by many theorists. Firstly, the top-down and centralized authority is considered too slow and unresponsive to the world of rapid change, technological revolution, global competition and demanding customers. By strictly adhering to the hierarchy of authorities, timely resolution of conflicts or addressing a simple matter may be difficult. The employee may choose not to do anything to resolve a problem, on the basis that it is beyond his or her jurisdiction, to avoid conflict with the manager who may have different views. Secondly, the government sector is now venturing into entrepreneurism through its public-private partnership efforts. The spirit of flexibility is required which emphasizes â€Å"getting a job done†, by considering whatever is at hand rather than looking at the strict rules on â€Å"how a job should be done†. Aside from cost, time is another consideration of efficiency. The centralization of authorities and rigid hierarchy may make it difficult to attain time efficient decisions. Thirdly, most organizations in private and public sectors benchmark on teamwork in attaining its goal. Weber’s model of a knowledge-equipped yet isolated worker, whose primary concern should be confined within his/her explicit functions, would find it very difficult to adjust in multi-tasking environment. Managers who follow strict hierarchy in giving decisions may also find it difficult to accept or consider suggestions coming from the rank-in-file, however sharp those suggestions are. Bureaucracy is of great importance in carrying out the ideals of a government. Its people are one of the important factors of translating government programs to actual services. An efficient and well-disciplined bureaucracy may also translate to good governance. Max Weber’s ideal bureaucracy may be considered outdated in certain aspects but it still possessed some relevant considerations. Bureaucratic competence would assure the citizenry that only equipped individuals hold important positions, especially those that would be affecting a large number of people. Bureaucratic neutrality is still also highly valued. Neutrality does not necessarily depersonalize the government, rather, it values equal treatment and unbiased distribution of government services, regardless of social classes. Affected by various factors, our culture change and evolve. Our concept now of how our government should be may differ after a while. In the same way, our ideals of how our bureaucracy should be may also change in the future. Nevertheless, the Filipino bureaucracy, as partner of our government, must aspire competence and efficiency in carrying its tasks. Reforms may come in different names. Trials may beset our country, but a well-disciplined and competent bureaucracy will always be a plus-factor to any regime of government.

A health intervention plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A health intervention plan - Essay Example Such a plan is also aimed at improving the health and quality of life of the community. This is done by setting up ways of preventing and treating diseases, attending to physical and mental conditions, surveillance of these conditions and lastly through the promotion of healthy behaviors (Anderson & McFarlane, 2010). Implementing a community health intervention plans is a difficult and labor intensive process that requires dedication and resources from all the stakeholders in order to ensure success. The process is tedious and involves a variety of issues. First of all the implementers must have a clear goal or purpose why they want to undertake the exercise, and the community they want to involve in such a plan. They must identify the health problem that exists and what they want to achieve by setting up the intervention plan. The implementers need this, as it will help them to communicate to the community why such an intervention is needed and why their participation is of great im portance. The next thing in the process is to have knowledge of the community in terms of its economic conditions, political setup, norms and values, demographic information, history, and their previous reactions to such plans. For the implementation process to succeed the implementers also need understand the community’s perceptions of the people conducting the exercise. At this stage of the process it is important to establish relationships, work on trust, and engage with both the formal and the informal leaders of the community. The process also requires the participation of the community organizations in mobilizing leaders and the community to ensure the success of the process. It is known that for such a program to be successful the community must play the integral part in all spheres of the program. In the process of implementing the program, it is of great importance to let the people own the process rather than forcing ideas on them. This will make it easier for the i mplementers of the project to accomplish the task successfully (Katz, 2010). The implementers then move to another stage of identifying and mobilizing the community’s assets such as skills and experiences of individuals, developing capacities and resources such as materials and economic power. These are used for continuously to implement decisions and to initiate actions. Here training in leadership, meetings and discussions will be of great importance with experts who will deal with a variety of issues (Anderson & McFarlane, 2010). The last part of the process is to engage the people full in the intervention program by initiating actions and interventions to the community. These should be flexible and enough to help the community in solving their changing needs. As the community participates in these activities, they experience a high level of behavior change. The implementation process requires commitment from the organization and other stakeholders to ensure its success. T he commitment will come from continuous training and offering of technical assistance to emerging problems (Katz, 2010). The community nurse plays a variety of roles in such health intervention plan. He/she acts as a leader by guiding the community in coming up with ways of improving the health of the community. He/she identifies the problems that require interventions and proposes ways to address them. He/she will also act as an advocate for good health to the community by arguing on behalf of the community so that they get the best health care services available. Another role is to construct caring such that they create caring environments by assessing, controlling, correcting and

Reflection Paper #4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflection Paper #4 - Essay Example This thwarts economy and general development of the developing nations. As a new Chief Ethics Officer, I would empower institutions of anticorruption and give them authority in performing their functions without influence. It is worth noting that leaders are the ethics officers of their organizations they are given responsibility to manage them. In addition, I would advocate for the adoption of instrumental, law and order, caring, rules and independence to create good climate in the organization. Besides empowerment to improve ethical climate in the organization, I will also advance communication policies and procedures so that information can flow swiftly from, between managers and employees, and vice versa. Corruption was justified in Germany by 1999. This is because most operations of Siemens Global during this time were full of corruption and bribery. It is reported from the journal that Siemens Global channeled payments to governments, transferred money to foreign accounts and other government officials to bribe them so that they secure contracts of various kinds. A radical change in the organizational policy will change employees’ behavior towards an ethical climate. This helps to shift and refine the organization ethical climate too. In the recent past, Siemens has joined the corporate ethics initiative in Russia. This initiative aimed towards fostering an ethical climate in its organization. It has also influenced many companies, which will soon join the initiative with an aim of increasing their participations in ethical matters. Most global companies such as Siemens believe on the profitability of their business activities, which go hand in hand with the company’s reputation. Therefore, there is need for companies to embrace ethical climate in their financial matters. This will in turn create regulations regarding the proper handling of the financial matters. As a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of my company, I will