Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Diversity And Equality In The Workplace Social Work Essay

Decent variety And Equality In The Workplace Social Work Essay The work environment is always showing signs of change. With the quantity of working ladies rising consistently for a considerable length of time and the normal age of the workforce expanding (BBC News 2008), it is more differing than any other time in recent memory. Overseeing decent variety and balance in the work environment is a significant administrative competency. Rewarding individuals similarly is basic to being a powerful and fruitful association. In regard of the a wide range of measurements in which individuals contrast, regardless of whether by age, sex, race, religion, incapacity, or sexual direction, associations have an obligation to proactively advance equity all through their foundation. Inside these associations representatives despite everything face numerous difficulties and experience parts of disparity and separation. These issues in their particular associations are a block that forestall movement and achievement and can cause the vocation improvement of worker s to endure. Segregation can come in numerous structures, notwithstanding, the key factor that will be centered around with respect to separation is the discriminatory limitation and the negative impacts it has on ladies and their profession improvement. In this article, the term unattainable rank will be characterized, reasons clarifying how and why ladies are probably going to experience the unfair limitation will be talked about and ideas, for example, the Queen Bee Syndrome, sex pay hole and sexual orientation philosophy will be investigated. The paper will at that point look at the measures Human Resources experts can take to address the issues of imbalance experienced by ladies. For ladies in the work environment, the battle to ascend the professional bureaucracy and arrive at the top appears to be far off a direct result of the discriminatory limitation. The hypothesis known as the discriminatory limitation is characterized as fake hindrances dependent on attitudinal or authoritative inclination that keep qualified people from progressing to places of intensity offering more significant compensations and greater duty and authority (International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 2008). It has been realized that ladies experience critical degrees of disappointment at each phase because of the hindrances of movement despite the fact that the special jobs are inside sight and capacity. Flanders (1994) proposes that the explanation the hindrance of the discriminatory limitation exists and is applied upon ladies is a direct result of societys disposition, preference towards ladies and the assumption that the work environment and administrative position are on the whole male based. There are different manners by which ladies can encounter the unreasonable impediment with additionally a tremendous measure of proof to help this. The sex pay hole is the most generally utilized guide to show the imbalance among people. The compensation hole is characterized as the deficiency between how much men gain and how much ladies win (Padavic Reskin, 2002, p121). Looking at time-based compensation of people, in light of the mean profit, the 2009 figures expressed that womens time-based compensation was 16.4% not as much as men for full time workers and 13.2% for low maintenance representatives, in contrast with the 2008 figures of 17.4% and 15.2% individually (Office for National Statistics, 2010), yet the figures despite everything stand as a high rate. In spite of the fact that the Equal Pay Act (1970) was presented which makes it unlawful for businesses to separate among people in their compensation and conditions when they are doing likewise or comparable work, work appr aised as proportional, or work of equivalent worth (Government Equalities Office, 2010), ladies in the workforce despite everything keep on gaining significantly not exactly their male partners. The compensation hole is unquestionably of worry in the account segment, in spite of ladies and men making up equivalent extents of the workers, ladies acquire essentially not exactly their male partners, when examined by the commission of equity and human rights (2010), the outcomes were surprising, the request found that on normal ladies win 55% not as much as men in their yearly pay rates, this figure contrasted with the normal compensation hole was fundamentally higher. The immense distinction in the compensation hole shows that the imbalance among people is as yet present and is a zone in the work environment where there is cause for concern. For those that have broken the discriminatory constraint and have arrived at senior administration positions, they have not been influenced by what is known as blocked advancement. Ladies on all levels face blockages and think that its difficult to climb the company pecking order. Davidson and Cooper (1992) express that at present advancements depend on the capacity to be portable and move to various destinations if vital. It is likewise expressed that The condition of existing conjugal connections and the propensity of most associations to advance by work move in this way make it amazingly hard for ladies to propel their vocations extremely far (Davidson and Cooper, 1992). Sex imbalance and a sex-sexual orientation chain of command have been framed based on societys treatment towards the genders in which men are preferred over ladies (Padavic Reskin, 2002). It is this idea wherein society has framed assumptions that the keeps an eye on occupation is better than the womans. Along the se lines doubtlessly a choice as stupendous as migration would not occur based on the advancement of a lady. Ladies are additionally connected with the quality of being accommodating; this thusly would likewise be a contributing variable to ladies being less inclined to migrate with their family for work in contrast with men. With the discriminatory constraint, sex pay hole and societys generalizations, ladies in the work environment as of now face numerous difficulties of imbalance and separation. Presently theres a significant, and fairly startling, expansion to the rundown known as the female chief, who displays the Queen Bee Syndrome. The Queen Bee Syndrome happens when ladies in administrative positions victimize other ladies, frequently to do with their own instabilities and feeling undermined, this disorder may at times be as significant as sexism in keeping down womens vocations (Dobson Iredale, 2006). It is normal for ladies to feel undermined by other ladies which would bring about protections being raised. Poe Courter (1994) exhibit how ladies administrators are not generally thoughtful with respect to other ladies, in an investigation of 2,405 pregnancy-separation claims in Ohio somewhere in the range of 1985 and 1990, specialists found that 36% of the directors who would not recruit pregnant ladies or let them come back to work were ladies (Poe Courter. 1994, p5). For ladies to beat the unfair limitation the Queen Bee Syndrome should be destroyed. Davidson Cooper (1992) clarifies how in their discoveries, the Queen Bee Syndrome is a kind of conduct that isn't displayed in all ladies, and there are those that have declared to put forth attempts to support other ladies. Destruction of this condition will possibly occur when the ladies that are in a situation to apply this conduct have confirmation that their job isn't under danger. This thusly will dispense with all territories of instabilities and consequently the conduct that follows. Sex generalizations are the most widely recognized motivation behind why lady face separation and experience the unreasonable impediment. These generalizations are socially shared convictions that connection genders with properties and aptitudes and are a piece of sexual orientation belief system (Padavic and Reskin, 2002). The commission for fairness and human rights (2010) states that businesses despite everything have cliché perspectives on what is characterized as womens work and mens work. This clearly can be formed and risen above into the enlistment and choice procedure of a particular activity job and separation can happen. These steady generalizations create a nearby distinguishing proof among men and the board (McTavish Miller, 2006). It is contended that administration is a sex composed occupation and there is a high proportion of men as of now in the board jobs because of the qualities required for the executives firmly connected with the attributes of men (Kakabadse, Ba nk Vinnicombe, 2005). Cliché thoughts corresponding to the workforce and the executives propose why there is word related isolation in the working environment and why men are in the senior administrative positions and why ladies experience the biased based impediment. The hypothesis of sexual orientation philosophy utilizes a lot of shared suspicions about the way genders are to conduct and certain standards and qualities related with those genders to clarify why ladies face imbalance and the discriminatory constraint in the work environment (Padavic and Reskin, 2002). This belief system limits womens business alternatives as they might be esteemed inadmissible for specific jobs. Padavic and Reskin (2002) at that point lead on to talk about how this belief system prompts physical isolation which keeps ladies near the home and away from the workforce. This to a great extent identifies with societys assumptions of men being socially acknowledged as providers in the family. Since forever a male centric social framework, wherein men have authority over ladies has won (Powell Graves, 2003). It was in the nineteenth century dependent on this social framework that the idea of the family wage hypothesis was presented. The hypothesis was a goal received by male exchange unionists at the turn of the nineteenth century in their battle for improved wages dependent on the contention that a compensation ought to be adequate to keep up a family (A word reference for Sociology, 2008). These days it is regularly refered to as a factor in clarifications of womens hindered position in the working environment (A word reference for Sociology, 2008). The male centric framework and the hypothesis of family wage have imparted desires that men are the providers and suppliers for their family and ladies are sub-par compared to men. This has created after some time and has added to why ladies face the unfair limitation in the work environment. The job of Human Resource experts is a troublesome one; they face the job of tending to disparity by actualizing approaches to determine the issue. Unmistakably systems and arrangements should be set up to address the issue. An unmistakable issue that encompasses ladies is family and the capacity to think about the family. The arrangement and maintenance of fami

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Full Review PowerScore SAT Reading Bible by Victoria Wood

Full Review PowerScore SAT Reading Bible by Victoria Wood SAT/ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips PowerScore is a test prep organization with fingers in numerous pies, including the SAT prep pie (the most normalized of pies?). They have distributed a set of three of SAT Prep books: SAT Math Bible, SAT Writing Bible, and SAT Reading Bible (which is the thing that I'll be investigating today). Like most prep books, the SAT Reading Bible has some positive and some negative angles. Peruse on to make sense of whether this book is proper for you and on the off chance that you should include it into your own test prep. Why trust this survey? At the point when you're assessing guidance (both in life as a rule and on the Internet specifically), it’s v. essential to know why that counsel is reliable and reasonable. Furthermore, as you likely definitely know whether you're perusing this blog, your SAT score is significant (we even have an infographic with that impact), and following an inappropriate guidance may prompt an awful score and loss of opportunity to improve it. So for what reason is this audit deserving of your trust? Since I hear what I’m saying. I took the (current) SAT twice in secondary school and scored an ideal 800 on the Critical Reading segment the multiple times. I've additionally been doing top to bottom investigation of the SAT inquiries by range of abilities and composing articles on every expertise. Different analysts don’t essentially have the mastery to have the option to separate between books, so they wind up suggesting books as a kind of idea in retrospect (and it’s truly self-evident). Moreover, I'm not getting paid for this suggestion, and don’t get paid on the off chance that you wind up purchasing the book (not at all like different destinations like about.com and reviews.com, which get paid for including books and on the off chance that you click on their connection to get it). I do have one disclaimer, be that as it may. Disclaimer I work at PrepScholar, an instruction organization that produces online SAT and ACT prep programs. PrepScholar analyze your qualities and shortcomings and modifies a test prep program to suit your necessities. My essential occupation comprises of composing and altering articles (like this one) for the related blog and reviewing the papers of understudies taking practice tests through the program. While I imagine that PrepScholar gives the best prep stage at present accessible, you don’t essentially need a prep program to excel on the SAT. Composing this audit may really lost us a few clients, since you may choose you don’t need a program all things considered. Be that as it may, in the event that you choose you don’t need to need to manage 5 unique books and need a coordinated program that tweaks to your learning, in any case, you should give PrepScholar a trial (that was an absolutely unexpected test play on words, however now I saw it and there is no returning). PowerScore SAT Reading Bible Book Review When contemplating any (test prep) book in view of an audit, I will in general spotlight in on the accompanying three focuses: will in general go with three significant inquiries to assess it Who’s the creator and what’s her experience/foundation? How compelling is this book in general? What are the professionals and what are the cons of this book? About the creator Victoria, or Vicki, Wood has some expertise in GMAT, GRE, and SAT prep. She is the Senior Curriculum Developer (as indicated by her book bio) cut Director of SAT Development (as per her LinkedIn page) at PowerScore, a test prep organization that’s been around since 1997. She went to Michigan State University for her undergrad instruction, has understanding as a teacher just as a test prep expert, and presently composes for PowerScore's SAT blog. How viable is this book? As I probably am aware from my own experience coaching, SAT Reading is the most troublesome score to improve, in light of the fact that the aptitudes you have to ace it (coherent/basic thinking abilities) are not as effortlessly instructed as the substance on the Writing and Math areas. To plan for SAT Reading, you need to concentrate in on various inquiry types and the aptitudes they’re posing for so as to move toward the inquiries in an efficient manner. While the PowerScore SAT Reading Bible divides up question types, however I didn’t discover their way to deal with figuring out how to manage them such accommodating. Then again, the PowerScore Reading Bible was the #1 about.com best SAT prep book of 2014, and is additionally a top-positioning test prep book on amazon.com, which implies a few people think that its valuable. Screen shot taken 2015-07-02 at 2.37.20 PM by Laura Staffaroni. All rights saved. It’s so well known that it positions higher for ACT prep than for SAT prep on Amazon, in spite of being a SAT prep book. Pause, what? Amazon, what's happening with you. Upsides and downsides of PowerScore SAT Reading Bible Masters 1. Precise order of sentence types. For sentence finishing, the general classes (differentiate, similitude, definition, and circumstances and logical results) appear at any rate to some degree precise and valuable. All things considered, recognizing what sort of sentence a sentence culmination question is may make it simpler for you to make sense of how the missing word identifies with the remainder of the words in the sentence. 2. Novel and valuable proposals for contemplating vocab. On page 150, there is a fascinating rundown of techniques for considering vocab words that I think may be useful (regardless of whether a portion of the things are gracelessly worded) in light of the fact that it addresses non-verbal students, with systems for visual students and sound (sic; I think they implied aural) students. For instance, rather than simply perusing a jargon word in a sentence, Wood recommends perusing it out loud (for aural students) and attracting an image to speak to the word (for visual students). On the off chance that learning vocab (and realizing how to utilize it) is the fundamental territory wherein you are battling, I figure this specific rundown of methodologies would be extremely helpful - it may even animate you to concoct better approaches to learn vocab that function admirably for you! 3. Open. There are fun statements, tips, jargon, and more in the edges of this book. The design additionally has a little assortment, with even the infrequent picture tossed in! 4. Catchphrases for section based inquiries. Beginning on page 178, Wood records an assortment of catchphrases that are useful to page consideration regarding when perusing the section. These incorporate alter of-course words and expressions like be that as it may and instead of just as correlation words and expressions like likewise and similarly as. If you battle with extricating significance from entries, figuring out how to recognize these words is incredibly useful. That being stated, there are some genuine drawbacks to the SAT Reading Bible. Cons 1. There must be one...way to move toward the section. Wood claims there is just a single method to assault the sections, which is to peruse the whole entry. She is very inflexible that you should peruse the whole entry to score in the 95th percentile or higher, which I have an issue with in light of the fact that consider the possibility that that is not what you're focusing on and. where is she getting those numbers? (I was doing some basic perusing of my own there) Saying that there's best way to step through the examination and that you should follow these means is superfluously prohibitive. I find that the most ideal approach to peruse the section is to be adaptable - some of the time skimming is the correct answer, now and again taking a gander at the inquiry first aides, and now and again you simply need to control through the entry and answer the inquiries after. To make sense of which procedure is directly for you, click here. 2. An abundant excess spotlight on sentence finish questions. This will in general be an issue with a great deal of prep (books and something else), on the grounds that vocab is simpler to pinpoint as a region of shortcoming, and you get a (fake) sentiment of fulfillment from learning records and roots and suffixes.Even mulling over that, be that as it may, the extents are misguided for the SAT Reading Bible: pages 36-154, 395-455 (190 pages, plus or minus) are all on sentence fruition or vocab; out of a 458 page book, that appears to be a tremendous extent, especially considering just pages 162-385 (234 pages, plus or minus) are dedicated to section based inquiries. The overall measure of pages/time spent on vocab in this book isn't relative to the measure of room the inquiries take up on even the present SAT (190:234 ≠19:48. For those of you truly wishing there was some reward math in this book audit: my pleasure). Except if your ONLY shortcoming is vocab, you are burning thr ough your time spending it as this book recommends. 3. The sentence fruition counsel isn’t applicable to most understudies. All the systems given appear as though they would be futile in the event that you didn't have a clue about the vocab word, and trivial on the off chance that you did; essentially, the counsel is just pertinent to a specific subset of understudies. For instance, take The PowerScore Four-Step Solution (beginning with the procedures on p. 41). In the event that you don’t know any of the appropriate response decisions/don’t know the vocab, experiencing the difficulty to cross out unimportant information, reword the sentence, read just pieces of the sentence, and afterward attempt to relate the sentence to your own life is much additional time than this inquiry is worth. Sentence fulfillment questions are not worth anything else than other SAT Reading questions †why invest so much energy? On the off chance that you do know the word, at that point including additional methodology is superfluous and will simply remove time from the entry based inquiries. Maybe these procedures are focused on those understudies who kind of realize what the word implies, or can figure by procedure of disposal, yet do this all actually rapidly so as not to lose an excessive amount of time. This not just is by all accounts a restricted gathering of individuals, yet the way that the methodologies are focused at that segment is rarely unequivocally expressed (in any event not to the extent I saw). 4. Clarifications are tangled, and the jargon utilized in clarifications is superfluously confounded. For example, Wood reliably utilizes the expression question stem to allude to inquiries on the SAT. I guess I can sort of observe where she's coming from (on the off chance that you simply call th

Thursday, August 6, 2020

MIT Startups in Dorm Room Fund

MIT Startups in Dorm Room Fund Opportunities abound for student entrepreneurs amongst the MIT community. Today Id like to take a look at Dorm Room Fund, a venture fund run by students for students. At DRF, college students become investment partners and scour their campuses for the most innovative student startups to invest in. I found out about them from one of my friends, Yasyf M. 17, who is an investment partner there, Ive been following them ever since. Whats interesting is that a lot of DRF backed startups in the Boston chapter have been founded by MIT, Harvard, and Tufts students. Theres also a lot of grad student startups, as DRF isnt only limited to undergrads. Theyve expanded greatly since they started, with chapters in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and the Bay Area, and an average investment of $20,000 per new startup. DRF has invested in over 100 student-run companies. Here are some of the many MIT students alumni involved in these DRF backed startups: Gabe Blanchet, co-founder and CEO at  Grove Labs, an intelligent indoor garden that enables people to grow fresh food year-round.  B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at MIT. Jamie Byron, co-founder at Grove Labs. B.S. in Aeronautics Astrononautics at MIT. Sergey Gorbunov, co-founder at  Aikicrypt, a new way to encrypt cloud data.  PhD in Cryptography and Information Security at MIT. Chidubem Ezekea, co-founder at  Bevspot, an online platform to bring smart data to bartenders.  M.S. in Computer Science at MIT. Sean Grundy, co-founder at Bevi, a smart water cooler that helps you create your own flavored and sparkling drinks. MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management. Frank Lee, co-founder at Bevi. MBA at MIT Sloan. Charles Huang, co-founder at Charitweet, allowing you to make donations to your favorite charity with a simple tweet. B.S. in Material Science and Electrical Engineering at MIT. Colin Sidoti, director of product at Charitweet. MIT Computer Science and Engineering Department at MIT. Samantha Simmons, founder at Curative Orthopaedics, designer of comfortable orthopaedic garments. MBA focusing on healthcare innovation at MIT Sloan. Alessandro Babini, co-founder and CEO at Humon, an algorithm and wearable sensor company that empowers athletes with unique insights. M.S. in Management Studies at MIT Sloan. Daniel Wiese, co-founder and CTO at Humon, Masters PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering at MIT. Wombi Rose, co-founder at Lovepop, greeting cards with intricate 3D paper sculptures. M.S. in Computation for Design and Optimization at MIT. Harrison Hunter, co-founder and CTO at MaestroIQ, which help apps and sites build a better customer experience. B.S. in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at MIT. Demetrios Kellari, part of the core team at Potluck Energy, coordinating construction and allocation of electricity from shared solar installations. M.S. at MIT in Technology and Policy. Nick Horelik, co-founder at  RapidSOS, a universal mobile safety security system to provide peace of mind for you and your family at home and on the go.  M.S. and PhD in Nuclear Engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship at MIT. Siping Wang, co-founder and CTO at TetraScience, connecting scientific instruments to the cloud. M.S. in Electrical Engineering Computer Science at MIT. Most of these companies are new to me, but I have heard of some of them before. Grove Labs came to speak at my 15.390 New Enterprises class, one of my friends now works at RapidSOS, and I got to attend a Shark Tank viewing party for Lovepop. What amazes me the most about the MIT students in DRF startups is their breadth of backgrounds, different majors, different interests, and different levels of experience. Theres clearly no one required pathway to be an entrepreneur as some of these MIT students have founded companies in areas completely unrelated to their majors. Over the past few years Ive gotten very involved in the Boston startup ecosystem, and yet Im still surprised each day by the amazing number of opportunities available not just to MIT students but to students in general.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Parenting Styles And Its Effects On A Child s Development

Research in parenting styles has found a large amount of correlation between parenting behavior and certain long-term outcomes for children. Specifically, parenting styles have been shown to correlate to a child’s obedience level, school competence, delinquency, violence, sexual activity, antisocial behavior, alcohol and substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and self-perception. The members of your family are the most prevalent relationships you will have in your life. Therefore, they will have the most influence in your future behavior. This paper examines the similarities and differences among authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and neglecting parenting styles and the effects on a child’s development and the resulting adolescent’s behavior. Diana Braumind, a clinical and developmental psychologist, was known for her research of parental styles in the late 1960s. In her study, she and her research team followed more than 100 children of preschool-age. Baumrind s primary research methods were interviews and observation. With her results, she was able to categorize three different types of parenting styles: Authoritarian, Authoritative, and Permissive. Elaborating on the work of Braumind, two researchers named Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin later added the classification of â€Å"neglecting† parenting. Parenting style can be defined as the emotional climate in which parents raise their children. It refers to two significant elements of parenting: parental responsivenessShow MoreRelatedParenting Styles Have A Key Effect On A Child s Development862 Words   |  4 Pagestrust you?† These are just some of the questions that many teenagers encounter on a daily basis, when growing up under the rule of authoritarian parents. Parenting styles have a key effect on a child’s development, impacting both present and future relationships in all aspects of life, and a highly common type of parenting is this authoritarian style. Authoritarian parents focus on discipline, and show little to no warmth. A ‘helicopter parent’ is a term used to describe parents (commonly mothers)Read MoreEffects Of Parent Child Dynamics On Emotional Development1262 Words   |  6 Pages Effects of Parent-Child Dynamics on Emotional Development in Infants Jovana Capric Florida Atlantic University Abstract Misinformation and lack of education often lead parents into uncertainty about how to raise their child to be the best person they can be. When raising children, the connection and relationship that is shared between parents and child are significant. Multiple studies and research proves that different engagements and experiences such as affection, disciplineRead MoreDifferent Parenting Styles, Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, And Uninvolved Essay1538 Words   |  7 PagesThis essay explores the four different types of parenting styles, authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. The exploration of each parenting style is examined, and the outcomes of each parenting style for the child is learned. Each parenting style has positives and negatives, but overall this essay informs the reader about which parenting style is best linked to success in their child’s education. Information for this essay has been gathered from three sources, the sources beingR ead MoreWhat Kind Of Parenting Style Is The Best Overall Method For The Most Children? Essay1434 Words   |  6 PagesWhat kind of parenting style is the best overall method for the most children? That is the question that will be explored as the three major styles of parenting are examined throughout this essay. I will be analyzing these three styles known as permissive, authoritarian and authoritative parenting. Each style has various levels of what Diana Baumrind classified as demandingness and responsiveness. These characteristics determine which style or category of parenting that a person best fits. The conceptRead MoreFamily Systems Effect the Environment and Development of Each Other697 Words   |  3 PagesFamilies are a system of individuals who interact and effect the environment and development of each other. One integral part of a family system is the style of parenting. There are four types of parenting styles that are often discussed: authoritarian, authoritative, uninvolved, and permissive. The different types of parenting style can have a big effect on the children and the behavior and mannerisms they develop. This in turn can have an effect on the family as a system. The authoritarian parentsRead MoreHow Does A Parent Decide Their Caregiving Style1516 Words   |  7 Pagesparents in particular whether they are biological, nuclear, foster or adoptive have a heavy task through a child’s development. How does a parent decide their caregiving style? Of course it is not as simple as picking and choosing a preferred parenting style as it may depend on the child or the parent themselves. Many have researched the topic of parenting styles, but one psychologist s findings in particular have continued to build the groundwork of this topic. â€Å"[Diana] Baumrind found that parentsRead MoreSocioeconomic Status And Parenting Styles869 Words   |  4 Pagesis a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and parenting styles and these factors have a huge impact on the outcome behaviors of children. For instance, low-income status parents have a low self-regulation compared to higher-income status parents, which affect their parenting styles (Le ngua, L. J., Kiff, C., Moran, L., Zalewski, M., Thompson, S., Cortes, R., Ruberry, E., 2014). Therefore, the family structure and parenting styles are correlated with the socioeconomic status and have significantRead MoreDiana Baumrind s Effect Of Parenting Styles On Children Essay1312 Words   |  6 PagesDiana Baumrind’s effect of parenting styles on children Baumrind was born into a Jewish community in the New York’s Jewish enclaves. She was the first two daughters of Hyman and Mollie Blumberg. Diana, the eldest in an extended family of female cousins, inherited the role of eldest son, which allowed her to participate in serious conversations about philosophy, ethics, literature, and politics. She completed her B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy at Hunter College in 1948, and her M.A. and Ph.D. inRead MoreParenting Styles : Parental Child Rearing1262 Words   |  6 PagesParenting styles play an integral role in the development of a child. During the first few years of life, the parents assume a special role of importance as their child progresses through a unique period of human development. As parents guide their young children from complete dependence into the beginning stages of self autonomy, parenting styles can have both immediate and lasting effects of the child s social functioning in addition to their mental and physic al development. In order to ensureRead MoreAnalysis Of Helicopter Parenting By Cline And Fay1664 Words   |  7 PagesHelicopter parenting, first introduced by Cline and Fay in their 1990 parenting book series, refers to overly protective and involved parents, who overly involve themselves in their children’s lives with behaviours including constant communication, intervention into children’s affairs, taking control of decision making, personally investing themselves in their children’s goals and the removal of any obstacles that their children may encounter. Studies have shown that this parenting style is most prevalent

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The Triumph Of Love During Handel s Giulio Cesare

The Triumph of Love in Handel’s Giulio Cesare An Examination of the Character Cleopatra Through Motive and Music In George Frideric Handel’s masterful 18th century opera, Giulio Cesare, one may find many examples of the classic operatic archetype of power, particularly in relation to love and fear in how they are both tools that are oftentimes used to gain power. In this specific opera, Handel heralds the greater power-seizing potency of love when compared to its counterpart-- terror. In this essay, I plan to examine how the Egyptian character Cleopatra utilizes the power of love in order to achieve her own political and personal gains. I shall use text examples from the libretto to show how she triumphs over the darker forces of her enemies, Ptolemy and his great general named Achillas. In order to demonstrate the success that was achieved by Cleopatra in her quest to take power over Egypt as well as to take the hand of the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, it is necessary to show exactly what kind of individual she was required to take power over-- namely the tyrannical emperor of Egypt n amed Ptolemy. Ptolemy also happened to be Cleopatra’s brother. In the first act of the opera, Ptolemy has his general Achillas present Caesar with the disembodied head of Caesar’s enemy-- Pompey. Caesar had originally planned on allowing Pompey to live as long as he asked for Caesar’s pardon. This was at the request of Pompey’s wife, Cornelia, and his son, Sextus, who both came to Caesar

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

SAP APPEAL Free Essays

My attention and time were constantly strained by all of the extensive materials required by the courts in this case. Moreover the date of my trial was changed several times dragging through this past summer and all of this is behind me now. Am looking forward to starting college again and experiencing some positive growth in my life and career, ND to also set a good example for my daughter as I am a single parent trying to make a difference. We will write a custom essay sample on SAP APPEAL or any similar topic only for you Order Now My desired outcome of my financial aid appeal is to be approved which means to have another chance at finishing college because if don’t get this chance again I know for a fact that I will never finish college, as work a minimum wage job and have a child to take care of, and I want to better our life. I understand will be put on financial aid probation. I feel very nonevent that I am able to continue my coursework and improve my academic progress. I intend to register and repeat the coursework in the classes that failed. I will also use the assignment planner to help me stay on track. Am enclosing a part of my divorce decree showing when we got separated and when moved out DCE 201 2 but we were having problems way before that, and my daughters surgery follow up appointment date. Appreciate you time, understanding, and consideration of this request. Thank you in advance. How to cite SAP APPEAL, Papers

Friday, May 1, 2020

Implementation of Enterprise Systems †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Implementation of Enterprise Systems. Answer: Introduction Chris and Richard's Legal support (CRLS)is family-owned law firm located in Sydney, Australia. CRLS provides free legal support and advice for the local community and has extended its services to cities including Melbourne and Brisbane. To be able to satisfy their clients, CRLS has a total of about 50 volunteers in their 3 branches including 30 attorneys and about 18 administrators. Currently, CRLS uses a manual system to record office transactions. The manual system has resulted to major problems challenges with book keeping and updating. Files get lost or can easily be misplaced. It also leads to a bulky storage of manual files. The manual system is time consuming since it takes long to retrieve customer details. Theres a los a lot of mismatched data since the files are not uniformly updated. Theres also a lot of data redundancy and inconsistencies. Therefore, the firm would like to adopt computer technology and implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The computerized system will streamline all the firms records and help generate reports in time (Velcu, 2007). CRLS current business processes Abusiness processis a set of linked activities that find their end in the provision of a product or service to customers (AppianGuide, 2017).Business processes are set up together to help accomplish organizational goals. The procedures should involve clearly put and defined inputs and data outputs. Data inputs include all the factors that contribute to adding value to business products or services either directly or indirectly. Such factors can be characterized into administration processes, operating processes and all procedures that support business processes. The production process is dependent on administrators and attorneys who have offered their services to CRLS clients. It is possible for lawyers to confuse the cases they are handling in case of mix-ups and management cannot easily tell which lawyer offered which service. Marketing: CRLS does not have a clear marketing strategy and procedures as the clients they serve have been solely gotten by referrals from old clients. Finance: CRLS depends on donations from local donors. Systems and technology: CRLS uses a manual information system to record cases and communicate which has a lot of challenges such data and information inconsistency. Communication: The firm solely depends on administrators for any communication between clients and attorneys offering law advice and support. Theres therefore no clear communication procedures. Proposed changes to the business processes For efficiency and effectiveness, CRLS need to computerize its business processes. This will ensure organized and systematic ways of executing its production, marketing, personnel management, financial management, communication, and managing functions. The proposed business process include the systems and technology procedure. This is because changing this one procedure will touch on and improve all the other processes including administration, production, finance, marketing and advertising. Using technology will transform all these procedures. Technology provides great impacts when it comes to a business modernizing its processes for improved business productivity and especially in implementing law firms. Functional practice areas have been reported to have changed radically as a result of adopting technology in law systems including in digital documents production using word processing software, bookkeeping, timekeeping, deadline tracking, financial management and planning; clients filing details, information, conflict checking personal practice organization and case super vision; virtual research and obtaining access to government facilities including amalgamations and title hunts; lawsuit support and expressive evidences in court have been transformed by technology. It is no doubt then that technology will transform every business process in CRLS for increased business productivity. The ERP system stands for enterprise resource planning. It is essentially an information system that integrates diverse subsystems into one system(Almgren Christian, 2014). CRLS has three major subsystems including human resources; finance and production (Hasselbring, 2000). An ERP will combine these systems into one so that they can share uniformly updated data. ERP systems are meant to increase effectiveness and efficiency for organizations (McGaughey Gunasekaran, 2007). Traditional ERP systems usually referred back-office systems are exclusively used by company employees and are not meant for the general public or customers. They involve the core business processes of an organization organizations minus the customers(Al- Mashari Al-Ghofaili, 2014). Their main goal is improving efficiency (McGaughey Gunasekaran, 2007). Traditional ERP systems do not fully maximize business processes. However, the modern ERP system has already deal with the challenges of traditional ERPs such as back office systems and now includes the front office processes including customers (Jacobs, 2007). They include customers to better accommodate customers issues with regard to organization operations and therefore improve business productivity (Jacobs, 2007). It is therefore, important for businesses such as CRLS to implement modern ERP systems that fully cover all business stakeholders including current and potential clients. An example of a modern ERP system is a cloud based ERP system. Adopting a cloud based ERP system for CRLS A cloud - based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is software that is accessed via the Internet. Usually, cloud based ERP systems are implemented through cloud computing technology- a technology that takes place over the internet and provides computing services including software and infrastructure (Elmonem, et al., 2016). An ERP system is considered as a cloud-based when it influenced by the characteristic of cloud computing. The cloud based ERP system should be accessed via the user browser over the internet without installing or configuring the system at the user side (Elmonem, et al., 2016). A cloud based system will transform all the business processes at CRLS. The rightcloud ERP software for CRLS will help the firm streamline all its business functions including administration, finance, marketing, communication and Information Technology (IT) (Yoon, 2009). CLRS will then be able to reduce firm expenses, and will be able to improve business operations. According to (Elmonem, et al., 2016), a cloud based ERP system has the capability to offer CRLS with the following benefits: Reduced upfront costs: enterprises are not required to pay for ERP development, they only pay for accessing the ERP via the internet. Low operating costs: Cloud providers are responsible for providing and operating ERP cloud services Quick ERP execution: ERP providers offer a wide range of ERP solutions, which can then be rapidly installed after a business makes a selection Scalability and updates: Cloud services can be extended whenever a business requires extra modules to match its business requirements Concentration on business core capabilities: Cloud ERP systems allow business to focus on their central functions and therefore manage their business more professionally Implementing cutting-edge technology: accessing the cloud for work procedures allows businesses to use specialized technology and advanced computing resources ERP updates and upgrades: since they are hosted on the Internet cloud based ERP updates and upgrades are quicker unlike with traditional ERP applications Value-added convenience, flexibility, and usability for business employees: cloud based ERP allow company staff to work from anywhere as long as they can access the system through the Internet Stress-free integration with cloud services: There are lots of software to help with cloud ERP integration procedures for business operations Improved system availability and backup plans: ERP system providers provide policies and procedures to allow data recovery and backup, information restore, and any other functions concerned disaster recovery policies Transparency of costs : businesses are able to see their subscription models before committing to ERP implementation Improved security procedures: ERP providers install security modules for such systems to ensure business information is not accessed by unauthorized persons Free software trials: cloud ERP providers allow potential clients try the workings of the ERP systems before procuring them Challenges of adopting a cloud based ERP for CRLS Adopting a cloud based ERP can also be challenging although the advantages overweigh the disadvantages. According to (Elmonem, et al., 2016), if CRLS adopts a cloud based ERP system, it may face some of the following challenges: Subscription costs: To be able to use a cloud based ERP, an organization is required to pay monthly subscription expenses as long as it uses ERP services. Security threats: Due to the fact that a cloud based ERP is accessed via the Internet, it could suffer malicious activities that occur online Performance risks: Network failures and other connection issues can affect ERP access since it can only be accessed via a network through the Internet affecting performance. ERP Customization challenges: ERP systems require to be customized with business procedures and in the process of doing so can suffer integration problems unlike with traditional ERP systems. Additional contract costs: Cloud ERP systems implementation may come with extra costs for organizations including maintenance, transition and monitoring costs Reduced technical know-how: IT employees can lose their technical expertise after organizations they work in implements cloud ERP systems Startup support: organizations often require additional support To from cloud ERP providers to simplify its operation for a period of time Organizational challenges: Implementing cloud ERP systems may disrupt an organizations entire operations including poor communication procedures Risks associated with BPR and ERP customization Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) refers to the study and planning of business processes and workflows in an organization (Rouse, 2014). Implementing ERP systems usually require the analysis and redesign of business process (Fryling, 2014). Customizing an ERP to business process is challenging as some processes may fail to match with the ERP in question(Hong, et al., 2016). Some major risks involved with customization of BPR and ERP according to (Jeff, 2015) include the following: Cost increases - modifying ERP to match business processes may require skills from ERP experts which will be costly for the business. Difficult maintenance and upgrades customizing CRLS business processes with an ERP can be difficult to implement and maintain. System insecurities and vulnerabilities adopting software use via the Internet creates a lot of system vulnerabilities from hackers who intrude systems to manipulate and steal information. Feasibility analysis A feasibility analysis is an investigation of how effectively a project plan in an organization can be accomplished with regards to factors that can affect it such as financial, technological, scheduling and legal issues (Investopedia, 2017). A feasibility is commonly done to test the practicability of a project or idea (Mukund, 2017). An ERPfeasibility study is therefore an investigation of a business approach in terms of a chosen ERP system (Datix, 2015). ERP system implementation feasibility study usually occurs before the commencement and installation of ERP systemproject, and majorly checks the fitting and integration of an ERP system with business processes (Salvaggio, 2005). It allows the selected project committee to perform a SWOT analysis inside the organization to determine whether or not to continue with the proposed project implementation. The committee then decides determine if the project is worthy of investment, or the business needs to consider an alternative project solution (Samehara, 2017). In the case of CRLS, it is important for the firm to perform a feasibility analysis. Its outcome will be that CRLS will be able to know whether implementing an ERP is necessary for the organization bearing in mind its services and objectives. The analysis will also tell the organization where they can pull of an ERP implementation in terms of available resources and human resource availability (Nah, et al., 2001)and whether the ERP system is a viable project or they should consider another alternative. Conclusion There are many modern technological developments including cloud computing and ERP systems. Such technologies have the capability to transform the way we work and do business. Currently, many business organizations internationally have already adopted ERP implementation to improve their business operations. They have adopted change management procedures that come about to improve business operations to help them improve efficiency (Aladwani, 2001) Organizations that have embraced technological advances have registered enormous benefits and increased business productivity. Recommendation The researcher recommends CRLS to implement a cloud based ERP because of the benefits discussed in this report. Implementing a cloud based ERP means that the law firm will be adopting technology to perform its business operations. If a successful ERP implementation is done, CRLS will be able to integrate all their business processes. All data and information across its operations from management, administration, marketing, finance and production will be uniformly updated. In turn, the business will be able to generate timely reports whenever they need to. In addition, a cloud based ERP will help the company to grow in terms of attorneys offering legal advice and support to clients. Implementing a cloud based ERP will also increase CRLS organization future sustainability. References Al- Mashari, M. Al-Ghofaili, A., 2014. ERP system adoption traditional ERP systems vs. cloud-based ERP systems. IEEE. Aladwani, A. M., 2001. Change management strategies. Business Process, 7(3), pp. 266-275. Almgren, K. Christian, B., 2014. ASEE.ORG. [Online] Available at: https://www.asee.org/documents/zones/zone1/2014/Student/PDFs/6.pdf [Accessed 28 August 2017]. AppianGuide, 2017. Appian. [Online] Available at: https://www.appian.com/bpm/definition-of-a-business-process/ [Accessed 28 August 2017]. Datix, 2015. ERP Feasibility Study. [Online] Available at: https://blog.datixinc.com/blog/erp-feasibility-study [Accessed 29 August 2017]. Elmonem, M., Nasr, E. Geith, M., 2016. Benefits and challenges of cloud ERP systems A systematic literature review. Future Computing Informatics Journal, 1(1-2), pp. 1-9. Fryling, M., 2014. ERP Customization vs. Business Process. [Online] Available at: https://proc.conisar.org/2014/pdf/3316.pdf [Accessed 28 August 2017]. Hasselbring, W., 2000. Information system Integration. Communications of the ACM, 43(6), pp. 32-38. Hong, S.-G., Siau, K. Kim, J.-W., 2016. The impact of ISP, BPR, and customization on ERP performance in manufacturing SMEs of Korea. Emerald Sight, 10(1). Investopedia, 2017. Feasibility Study. [Online] Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/feasibility-study.asp [Accessed 29 August 2017]. Jacobs, R., 2007. Enterprise resource planning(ERP). Journal of Operations, 25(2), pp. 357-363. Jeff, 2015. Risks Associated with ERP Implementations: Customization. [Online] Available at: https://www.meritsolutions.com/business-insights/risks-associated-with-erp-implementations-customization/ [Accessed 28 August 2017]. McGaughey, R. E. Gunasekaran, A., 2007. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Past, Present and Future. Issue 3 ed. s.l.:Hershey PA. Mukund, 2017. Feasibility Study An Important aspect of Project Management. [Online] Available at: https://www.simplilearn.com/feasibility-study-article [Accessed 30 August 2017]. Nah, F. F.-H., Lau, J. L.-S. Kuang, J., 2001. Critical factors for successful implementation of enterprise systems.. Business Process management, 7(3), pp. 285-296. Rouse, M., 2014. business process reengineering (BPR). [Online] Available at: https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/business-process-reengineering [Accessed 28 August 2017]. Salvaggio, T. . A., 2005. Enterprise Resource Planning. [Online] Available at: https://www.doa.state.wi.us/Documents/DET/RFO/RFO%20EXE13-03%20Attachment%20B_ERP%20Feasibility%20Study%202005.pdf [Accessed 29 August 2017]. Samehara, 2017. Feasibility Study of SAP ERP. [Online] Available at: https://www.samehara.com/en/services/Feasibility-Study-of-SAP-ERP/33/view/ [Accessed 29 August 2017]. Velcu, O., 2007. Exploring the effects of ERP systems on organizational performance: evidence from Finnish Companies. Industrial Management Data Systems, 107(9), pp. 1326-1334. Yoon, C., 2009. The effects of organizational. Computers in Human Behavior citizenship behaviors on ERP system success, 25(2), pp. 421-428.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Improvement Of Motor Skills In Physically Handicapped Children After I

Improvement Of Motor Skills In Physically Handicapped Children After Inclusion Motor abilities can be defined as innate and enduring. Motor skills, however, can be learned and developed through repetition. Combining a number of motor abilities develops these motor skills, and with practice these skills become perfected. In children, these skills are unfamiliar at first, but once used in everyday and recreational activities, they become ordinary and effortless. However, some children are born with less developed motor abilities, and some skills never become natural and effortless; these individuals are characterized as physically handicapped. The result of combining these lower-level abilities creates an inferior level of motor skills in physically handicapped children. Therefore these children will never be at quite the same level as those children with normal motor abilities. For this reason, some handicapped children are not able to participate at the same level of physical activity as their peers. Kasser, Collier, and Solava (1997) address the consequences of this lack of involvement: ?The resultant inactivity negatively affects developing children in many ways, especially their physical health? (p. 50). Kasser, et al. (1997) suggests inclusion as a solution to this issue, and mentions the positive effect that including disabled children in physical education classes has on the children's value in the eyes of their peers. In these cases when handicapped students are involved in activity classes, specialists become involved in helping the student improve their motor development. In most of these cases, the physical educator and a physical therapist work together to improve gross motor performance and fitness (Kasser, et al., 1997). The physical educator helps build upon the child's social, emotional, and motor development and brings the know-how in the area of effective teaching. On the other hand, the physical therapist focuses on the child's functional motor skills. The physical therapist also has an understanding of functional and age appropriate sport activities that will motivate the individual to take an active role in improving his or her own motor skills (Kasser, et al., 1997). This will also enhance the handicapped child's self-esteem, as well as their gross motor skills, when they see that they are participating in the classes along with their peers. In a study done by Block and Vogler (1995) on including handicapped children in physical education classes, the issue of self-concept and motivation was addressed. This study stated ?self-concept and motor performance were favorably enhanced in inclusive settings for both children with mild and moderate disabilities? (p. 41). Kasser, et al. (1997) also recognizes this, but adds that the rate of learning in handicapped individuals compared to typical students is much lower, and therefore must be considered when establishing the number of skills that are taught in that class or period of time. As an older sibling of a handicapped child, I have seen the results of what both these articles discuss. Block and Vogler (1995) discuss the concept of having the handicapped child work on a more fundamental skill as the rest of the class participates in the actual sport itself: students with varying abilities can all be accommodated in the same physical education setting? (p. 42). My younger sister was often involved in physical education classes with the rest of her peers in high school, and as they played five-on-five basketball (closed movement) she worked on dribbling and catching the ball (open movements). This is an example of establishing a sport specific motor skill. By combining fundamental movement skills, handicapped students (especially at the middle and high school level) learn sport skills and acquire the benefits associated with acquiring motor skills. There are three main benefits that are tied to these sport specific skills. The first of these benefits is the idea of motivation. By learning a socially valued and usable skill, handicapped students feel there is more purpose to what they are learning (Kasser, et al., 1997; Block and Vogler, 1995). For example, the educator and therapist could have the student using a computer program that helps them develop reaction time. An alternative would be involving the handicapped individual by teaching them in the gym with the rest of the children, allowing them to improve their reaction time via a specific sport skill. Although both of these examples don't take the

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Scallop Facts

Scallop Facts Found in saltwater environments like the Atlantic Ocean, scallops are bivalved mollusks that can be found around the world. Unlike their relative the oyster, scallops are free-swimming mollusks that live inside a hinged shell. What most people recognize as a scallop is actually the creatures adductor muscle, which it uses to open and close its shell in order to propel itself through the water. There are more than 400 species of scallops; all are members of the Pectinidae family. Fast Facts: Scallops Scientific Name: PectinidaeCommon Name(s): Scallop, escallop,  fan shell,  or  comb shellBasic Animal Group:  InvertebrateSize: 1–6 inch valves (width of shell)Weight: Varies depending on speciesLifespan: Up to 20 yearsDiet:  OmnivoreHabitat:  Shallow marine habitats around the worldConservation  Status:  Varies depending on species Description Scallops are in the phylum Mollusca, a group of animals that also includes snails, sea slugs, octopuses, squid, clams, mussels, and oysters. Scallops are one of a group of mollusks known as  bivalves. These animals have two hinged shells that are formed of calcium carbonate. Scallops have anywhere from 50 to 100 eyes that line their  mantle. These eyes may be a brilliant blue color, and they allow the scallop to detect light, dark, and motion. They use their retinas to focus light, a job the cornea does in human eyes. Atlantic sea scallops can have very large shells, up to 9 inches in length. Bay scallops are smaller, growing to about 4 inches. The gender of Atlantic sea scallops can be distinguished. The females reproductive organs are red while the males are white. Bobby Ware/Getty Images   Habitat and Range Scallops are found in saltwater environments worldwide, ranging from the intertidal zone to the deep sea. Most prefer beds of seagrass amid shallow sandy bottoms, although some attach themselves to rocks or other substrates. In the United States, two kinds of scallops are sold as food. Atlantic sea scallops, the larger kind, are harvested wild from the Canadian border to the mid-Atlantic and are found in shallow open waters. Smaller bay scallops are found in estuaries and bays from New Jersey to Florida. There are large scallop populations in the Sea of Japan, off the Pacific coast from Peru to Chile, and near Ireland and New Zealand. The majority of farmed scallops are from China. Diet Scallops eat by filtering small organisms such as krill, algae, and larvae from the water they inhabit. As water enters the scallop, mucus traps plankton in the water, and then cilia move the food into the scallops mouth.   DEA PICTURE LIBRARY/De Agostini Picture Library/Getty Images Behavior Unlike other bivalves such as mussels and clams, most scallops are free-swimming. They swim by clapping their shells quickly using their  highly developed adductor muscle, forcing a jet of water past the shell hinge, propelling the scallop forward. Theyre surprisingly speedy. Scallops swim by opening and closing their shells using their powerful adductor muscle. This muscle is the round, fleshy scallop that anyone who eats seafood will instantly recognize. The adductor muscle varies in color from white to beige. The Atlantic sea scallops adductor muscle may be as big as 2 inches in diameter. Reproduction Many scallops are hermaphrodites, which means that they have both male and female sex organs. Others are only male or female. Scallops reproduce by spawning, which is when organisms release eggs and sperm into the water. Once an egg is fertilized, the young scallop is planktonic before settling to the sea floor, attaching to an object with byssal threads. Most scallop species lose this byssus as they grow and become free-swimming.​ Conservation Status There are hundreds of species of scallops; in general, they are not endangered. In fact, according to NOAA: U.S. wild-caught Atlantic sea scallop is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations. Bivalves such as scallops, however, are threatened by  ocean acidification, which affects the ability of these organisms to build strong shells. Species Scallops are marine  bivalve  mollusks of the family Pectinidae; the best-known are species  of the  genus  Pecten. The family Pectinidae includes about 50 genera and subgenera and more than 400 species which live around the world. Scallop species vary in their habitats; while some prefer coastal areas and intertidal zones, others live deep under the ocean. All scallops are bivalves, and in most species, the two valves of the shell are fan-shaped. The two valves may be ribbed or smooth or even knobbed. Scallop shells vary radically in color; some are white while others are purple, orange, red, or yellow. Scallops and Humans Scallop shells are easily recognized and have been a symbol since  ancient times. The fan-shaped shells have deep ridges, and two angular protrusions called auricles, one on either side of the shells hinge. Scallop shells range in color from drab and gray  to vivid and multihued. Scallop shells are an emblem of St. James, who was a  fisherman in Galilea before becoming an apostle. James is said to be buried at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, which became a shrine and pilgrimage site. Scallop shells mark the road to Santiago, and pilgrims often wear or carry scallop shells. The scallop shell is also the corporate symbol for the petrochemical giant Royal Dutch Shell. Scallops are also a major commercially harvested seafood; certain species (Placopecten magellanicus, Aequipecten irradians, and A. opercularis) are highly prized. The large adductor muscle is the part of the scallop that is typically cooked and eaten. Scallops are harvested around the world; the most productive scallop grounds are off the coast of Massachusetts and in the Bay of Fundy off the coast of Canada. Romona Robbins Photography/Getty Images   Sources Foster, Kelli. Whats the Difference Between Bay Scallops and Sea Scallops? TheKitchn.com.  13 May 2016.  Goff, Stanley. What Do Sea Scallops Eat Where Do They Live?​  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Sciencing.com.  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹25 April 2017.Madrigal, Alexis C. Did You Know Scallops Have *Eyes*? Me Neither, but Look. TheAtlantic.com. 28 March 2013.Ramos, Juan. What Exactly Are Scallops? ScienceTrends.com. 17 Jan. 2018.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Answering the given questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Answering the given questions - Assignment Example Venezuela mainly adopted capital controls so as to protect its domestic economy from the volatile or unpredictable capital movements. The sole aim of doing so was to allow full domestic employment and maximizing of social welfare, saving of foreign exchange  and keeping both international and domestic finances under the national control. Generally, the motivations at the back capital controls often ranged from the rising revenues, buying time for managing a speculative aggression, and the international monetary transformation.   On the other hand, controls were adopted in Venezuela due to its provision of a substitute for insufficient solvency supervision regarding banks and all the other financial firms, reduction of the amount of unstable temporary foreign credits with regards to the prevailing economy, and the aspect of limitation with regards to international financier’s power (Knight & Satchell, 2007).   From the Venezuela’s case, there can be a cognitive distinction between the black and gray market. Black market is often not a physical region or place, but is rather a fiscal activity whereby goods and/or services are transacted illegally. On the other hand, gray market refers to a commodity trade through the distribution channels in which, as much as they can be legal, they are unofficial, unintended, or unauthorized by the primary manufacturer (Knight & Satchell, 2007).  The Santiago’s financial analysis is based on its choices and can be summarized in a simple manner. The entire financial mishap was due to the attempt of trying to meet the U.S Dollar obligation. This was after a transaction that saw the disbursement of $30000 worth products from a U.S based vendor to a specific customer who went to the extent of reselling it. He then opted for a dollar exchange through a gray market whereby there was an involvement in a deposit of up to 20%. This deal was hence s ealed after two business days. The un-official gray market

Monday, February 3, 2020

Compare and contrast Stopping by woods on a snowny evening & The Road Essay

Compare and contrast Stopping by woods on a snowny evening & The Road Not Taken - Essay Example The woods, although beautiful and serene, represent a dark and lonely place away from society and responsibilities. This isolation is tempting and seems to offer peace and quiet but is something no one would want or advise. For example, even the owner of these woods is away in his village on this â€Å"darkest evening of the year† (8). The village symbolizes society and civilization and is separate from this lonely, isolated spot so that even the owner won’t know that this visitor was here. In â€Å"The Road Not Taken†, the narrator comes across a fork in the road and is presented with two choices. Both are seemingly the same and there is no sure way to choose the right one, â€Å"the passing there/ Had worn them really about the same† (9-10). What matters most is that a choice has to be made. The narrator does, however, spend a lot of time judging his decision (Fagan 295). For example, he looks down one path and analyzes it as best he can, â€Å"long I stood /And looked down one as far as I could/ To where it bent in the undergrowth† (3-5). Also, the narrator realizes that any choice he makes will lead him to other choices and he won’t be able to come back to the first one. In both poems, Frost uses nature imagery to symbolize the journey of life. For example, in â€Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening†, the woods represent a place and choice away from society, free from any obligations. Similarly, in the â€Å"The Road Not Taken†, the two paths in the woods are symbolic of life’s critical choices and decisions that one has to make (Fagan 295). Also, the imagery of grass represents the people that have already traveled down that particular path. Both poems also allude to the fact that both narrators have a long way to go and that their journey does not stop at these woods or cross roads of life. For example, in â€Å"The Road

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Research Design Location And Research Time Psychology Essay

Research Design Location And Research Time Psychology Essay This chapter will present the methodological approach and research technique used in this thesis along with how the data will be gathered to find the answer or solutions of the research questions and problems, such as research design, theoretical perspective, data collection method, data analysis method as well as the validity and reliability of the data. Research Design, Location, and Research Time This research was planned and designed to obtain answer to research questions. Research design is the framework or plan for study, used as a single guide to collect and analyze the data. It is the blueprint that is followed to complete a study. According to Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 24), a research method or approach/design gives details on the most suitable methods of investigating the nature of the research, instruments, the sampling plan and the type of data to be used. Furthermore, Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 24) also report that a research method or design forms the framework of the entire research process. Therefore, if it is a good method or design, it will thus ensure that the information obtained is important to the researchers problem and those objectives and economic procedures in collecting it are all within limits. It simply is a systematic quest for undiscovered truth. In pursuit of this undiscovered truth, a researcher needs facts, published documents from primary sources and secondary sources. This research was using a cross sectional study which the data are gathered just once (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 119). Research location was done at six locations: Central Jakarta, North Jakarta, South Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta and Tangerang city to household customers of PT. Perusahaan Listrik Negara between March to July 2012, with the distribution of questionnaires within June 2012. Research Framework The research framework of this thesis is shown in Figure 3.1 below. The first research step is to define the research problem, followed by research objective. The third step is a literature review, followed by data collection, data analysis, hypothesis test, and finally generate conclusion and recommendation. Source: Author Figure 3.: Research Framework Research Questions and Hypotheses In this study, researcher would like to answer the questions and analyze the hypotheses below: RQ1: How do cultural factors, social factors, personal factors, psychological factors, and PLN services influence customer decision in using electricity at peak load hours? H1: From those factors, all factors are positively influence customer decision in using electricity at peak load hours. RQ2: How is the correlation between the decisions in using electricity during peak load hours with the household customers behavior towards saving electricity? H2: There is a correlation between the decisions in using electricity during peak load hours with the household customers behavior towards saving electricity. RQ3: How do pro-social intensions, motivations, access to information, and knowledge influence customer behavior in saving electricity? H3: From those factors, all factors are significantly influence customer behavior in saving electricity. RQ4: How is the correlation between customer awareness of consequences, aspiration of responsibility, personal norms towards their pro-social intensions in saving electricity? H4: There is STRONG correlation between customer awareness of consequences, aspiration of responsibility, personal norms towards their pro-social intensions in saving electricity? RQ5: What interventions or instruments are most likely to affect households saving electricity behavior? H5: The intervention or instrument most likely to affect households saving electricity behavior is by increasing their motivation, knowledge, and access to information about saving electricity programs. RQ6: From the classification of household segments, which class is the most involved in saving electricity? H6: From the classification of household segments, class R1:2.200VA is the most involved in saving electricity. Conceptual Framework Source: Author (Adapted from Kotler, 1999, and deGroot Steg, 2009) Figure 3.: Conceptual Framework Research Data Type and Source of Data There are two types of data that researches collected depending on the purpose. The data of research consists of both primary and secondary data. The primary data are the first-hand information acquired by the researcher on the variables under study while the secondary data refer to information gathered from sources that already exist which may come from archives or organizational files (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 180). This research was used both primary and secondary data. The primary data sources were obtained through the survey method by distributing structured questionnaires to household customers of PT. PLN Jakarta Raya and Tangerang Distribution. The secondary data were obtained from the company internal data such as figures in customer-base segmentation, and existing data in books, journals, publications, reports, and websites. Data Collection Method The data collection for primary and secondary data is done through the following methods: Literature Review. According to Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 38), a literature review is a step-by-step process that involves the identification of published and unpublished work from secondary data sources on the topic of interest, the evaluation of this work in relation to the problem. In this research, the literature review is done by search and study books, reports, journals, research reports, internet website related to electricity business and customer behavior. The information related to the company is obtained through the companys website and published reports. Questionnaire. Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 197) define questionnaire is a pre-formulated recorded series of questions to which the respondents giving their answers usually within rather closely defined alternatives. For this research, the questionnaire is formulated and distributed to the respondents in two methods. First method used is by distributing the questionnaire to respondents through email. The second method is the direct questionnaire to respondents, by asking them to give their answer on the questionnaire paper provided. Questionnaire Design Questionnaires are efficient data collection method when the researcher knows the information to gather and how to determine the variables of interest (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 197). Questionnaire survey is formulated to answer the research questions. It is a tool that may be conveniently distributed personally or electronically to respondent. According to Burns and Bush (2006, p. 300), there are six key functions of a questionnaire: To translate the research objectives into specific questions. To standardize the questions and the response categories to let every participant responds to identical stimuli. To reinforce cooperation and motivates respondents to respond. To serve as permanent records of the research. To speed up the process of data analysis, depending on the type of questionnaire used by the researcher. To contain the data which may be addressed for reliability and validity. The first part consists of the demographic attributes questions such as gender, age, education, occupation, annual income, and the second part consists of questions analyzing customer behavior in terms of cultural, social, personal, and psychological factors that base on Griffin and Eberts model (2006, p. 283). Part two in the questionnaires use Likerts scale which enables the respondents to give level of the attributes stated in the questions. A Likerts scale was used in the research, in which respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement on a systematic agree-disagree scale for each of a series of questions (Burns Bush, 2006, p. 281). Each question in the questionnaire on this part is ranged from 1 to 5, where 1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Disagree ; 3 = Neutral or Not Applicable ; 4 = Agree ; 5 = Strong Agree. The questionnaire format for this research is shown in Figure 3.3 below. Source: Author Figure 3.: Questionnaire Design for This Research Table 3.1 shows the distribution of items in order to measure the variables in the questionnaires. Table 3.: Variable, Scale of Data and Category of Questions Part 1: Respondent Profile No. Variables Scale of Data Category of Questions 1. Gender Nominal Male Female 2. Age Interval 20-30 years old 30-40 years old 40-50 years old 50-60 years old à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 60 years old 3. Occupation Nominal Government employee Private company employee Self-employed Professionals Retired Others 4. Number of Family Members Interval Small: à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 4 members Medium: 5-6 members Big: à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 7 members 5. Educational background Ordinal Basic / Junior High School Senior High School College Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree PhD 6. Income per month Ratio à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 2 million rupiahs 2 to 5 million rupiahs 5 to 10 million rupiahs à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 10 million rupiahs 7. Classification electricity Nominal 900 VA 1.300 VA 2.200 VA 8. Domicile Area Central Jakarta West Jakarta East Jakarta South Jakarta North Jakarta Tangerang City Part 2: Exploratory Questions (Data are in Likert scale) Customer Decision in using electricity at peak load hours No. Variables Category of Questions A. Cultural Factors Regularly using electricity at peak load hours (between 17.00 to 20.00). Household activities were dominated by using electrical equipment. Regularly using electrical equipment in day time. B. Social Factors The capacity of installed electricity is in accordance with the requirement. Able to pay if electricity tariff is go up. Electricity tariffs are still cheap. Its normal to reduce electricity subsidized and to increase tariffs when oil prices are up. C. Personal Factors Able to pay electricity and can afford the electricity bills. It is necessary to increase capacity because the need of electricity will increase. Electricity bills are relatively small compare to the total expenditure. D. Psychological Factor When using electricity at peak time, we will pay more expensive. Feeling guilty when using electricity at peak time. Feeling happy if every rooms are bright. E. PLN Services Power failure was rarely, so it is convenient to use it, especially at peak time. Recording of electricity is on time and the bill is in accordance with the use. Since electricity is stable, we are not worry to use it at peak time. Part 2: Exploratory Questions (Data are in Likert scale) Customer behavior towards saving electricity No. Variables Category of Questions A. Access to Information Get information about saving electricity from friends, family, neighbor, PLN, or community leaders. Get information about saving electricity from television, radio, magazine/newspaper, and internet. Often receiving information about saving electricity. B. Knowledge Knows electricity-saving equipment. Electrical equipment will be more efficient when turned off than in standby. Using electrical equipment at its maximum capacity will take more energy. C. Motivation Being motivated to prioritize electricity saving behavior. Being motivated to respect environment. D. Pro-social Intensions There are negative consequences of any actions that do not respect the environment. Feel responsible for environmental damage. Having a moral obligation towards energy efficiency and environmental protection. Questionnaire Format In this research, the questionnaires were prepared in printed and online formats using Indonesian language, because some of the respondents were not able to read and speak in English language. During the pre-test stage, the questionnaire was distributed only through email to 30 respondents to find out the validity and reliability of the data or questions in the questionnaires. At the post-test stage, the revised questionnaire was printed and distributed door to door. Due to time limitation, researcher employed a strategy by setting up a team consist of 6 (six) members to meet the respondents in 6 (six) different locations (domiciles). The revised questionnaire was also distributed by email. By using email, it was very convenient in terms of shortening the time spent to send the questionnaire and receiving the responses from the respondents. However, there were difficulties because the respondents were depended on a computer and internet service. Survey Sampling Method According to Sekaran and Bougie (2009, pp. 262-263), a sample is a subset of the population. It comprises some members selected from it. A sample is thus a subgroup of the population, which represents the whole group of people, actions, or things of interest that the researcher wants to investigate. According to Burns and Bush (2006, pp. 372-374), the size of the sample affect the sample accuracy of results, thus sample accuracy refers to how close a random samples statistic is to the populations value it represents. The most correct method of determining sample size is confidence interval approach. In order to calculate the proper sample size of the survey, Burns and Bush (2006, p. 366) said, there are three items required: Amount of variability of population Desired accuracy, and Required confidence level. Sampling Methodology In this research, the population is the total number of customers of PT. PLN Jakarta Raya and Tangerang Distribution from the Household segment, which according to the statistics are 3.330.815 number of customers. For this amount of population, the sample size may be calculated using the formula recommended by Burns and Bush (2006, p. 372): Where: n = the sample size z = standard error associated with the chosen level of confidence (1.96) p = estimated percentage in the population q = 100- p e = acceptable sample error Sample population sample size = population sample size x In this research, researcher chose to use a probability of 90% with a 95% level of significance equivalent to a z value of 1.96 and sample error 4%. The sampling calculation was determined by using a software application, PHStat2. PHStat2 is a Windows-based software that assists students and professionals in learning the statistic concepts while using Microsoft Excel. Table 3.: Sampling Size Determination Data Estimate of True Proportion 0.9 Sampling Error 0.04 Confidence Level 95% Intermediate Calculations Z Value -1.95996398 Calculated Sample Size 216.0820587 Result Sample Size Needed 217 Finite Populations Population Size 3.330.815 Calculated Sample Size 216.0681064 Sample Size Needed 217 Source : Data on File Based on the calculation in Table 3.2, the minimum number of sample size needed is 217 samples; however in this research the number of samples is added to another 10 percent in order to produce greater accuracy. Therefore, this research will be used 240 samples. This research will use a cross sectional-study in which the data are gathered at once in order to answer the research questions (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 119). Sample Withdrawal Techniques The populations in this research were household customers of PT. PLN Jakarta Raya Tangerang Distribution. Sampling technique was done by using stratified random sampling, involves a process of stratification or segregation, followed by random selection of subjects from each stratum. The population is divided into stratum, and then sampling conducted in each stratum (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 272). In this research, customers who become household population were stratified based on electrical power and is divided into three groups, namely: 900VA, 1.300VA and 2.200VA. It is based on the Regulation of the President of Republic Indonesia No. 8, 2011, p. 9 (see Appendix A2). The sample selection techniques are described in Figure 3.4. Source: Author Figure 3.: Sample Withdrawal Techniques Data Analysis After data are obtained through questionnaires, the next step is to analyze them to test the research hypothesis. To ensure that the data obtained are reasonably good and ready for use for statistical analysis, Sekaran and Bougie (2009, pp. 306-330) recommend followings: Getting the data to be ready for analysis: Coding and data entry Coding the responses Data entry Editing data Data transformation Getting a feel for the data: Relationship between variables Correlations Testing goodness of data Reliability Validity Testing the hypothesis Hypothesis testing and data analysis will be conducted using appropriate statistical method and based on sample data associated with software such as PHStat2, SPSS version 20, and AMOS version 20. Descriptive Analysis Descriptive analysis such as the mean, mode, standard deviation, and range are used by researcher to describe the sample data matrix in such a way as to portray the typical respondent and to reveal the general pattern of responses. Descriptive measures are regarded as the steps undertaken by the researcher earlier in the process of analysis and become foundations for subsequent or more complex analysis (Burns Bush, 2006, p. 424). Descriptive statistics were used to portray the main characteristics of a collection of data in quantitative terms and distinguished from inductive statistics in that they intend to quantitatively review a data set, instead of being used to support reports regarding the population that the data are supposed to represent. Even when a data analysis obtains its major conclusions using inductive statistical analysis, the descriptive statistics are usually presented alongside the formal analyses to show the audience an overall perception of how data being examined. Validity and Reliability Test A good quality measurement instrument is needed in order to obtain precise data of this research. The ideal instrument has to be reliable and valid. The researcher must address both validity and reliability of the measures in assessing the degree of measurement error present in any measures. Any measure designed or adapted for use in any research should both be reliable and valid. A reliable measure is one in which a respondent acts in response to the same or a very similar manner to an identical or nearly identical question (Burns Bush, 2006, p. 290). The reliability of a measure is a test of how consistently a measuring instrument measures whatever concept it is measuring. In testing the reliability of the questionnaire, the test-retest reliability test was used which measures the correlation between the same respondents obtained at the two different times (Sekaran, 2010, p. 162). To achieve reliability of a measure, the researcher was using SPSS software with Cronbachs Alpha as the measurement. Cronbachs Alpha is a reliability coefficient that determines how well specific items of the measurement tools are positively correlated to one another. Cronbachs Alpha is computed using the average intercorrelations among the items measuring the concepts. If Cronbachs Alpha is greater than 0.70, it means that the data are more consistent and reliable. The closer the alpha value to 1 indicates the data are most consistent and reliable. A high quality reliable instrument can be used as a guide to draw a conclusion and making decisions (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, pp. 324-325). Validity is a test of how fine a developed instrument to measure the particular concept it is planned to measure. In the other words, validity is related to measurement with the right concept and reliability with stability and consistency of measurement (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, pp. 158-160). Correlation Analysis Correlation analysis is an analysis done to trace the mutual influence of variables on one another. A correlation coefficient that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship can be computed by applying a formula. There could be a perfect positive correlation between two variables, which is represented by 1.0 (plus 1), or a perfect negative correlation which would be -1.0 (minus 1) (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 322). The formula to calculate the coefficient of correlation is: Source: Burns Bush, 2005 Where: r = coefficient correlation n = samples xi = variable X x = mean X yi = variable Y y = mean Y Table 3.3 presents the rules of thumb in interpreting the correlation coefficient values. Table 3.: Rules of thumb of degree of correlation Coefficient Range Strength of Association  ±0.81 to  ±1.00 Strong  ±0.61 to  ±0.80 Moderate  ±0.41 to  ±0.60 Weak  ±0.21 to  ±0.40 Very Weak  ±0.01 to  ±0.20 None Source: Burns Bush, 2005 Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a statistical approach for testing and estimating causal relationship using a combination of statistical data and qualitative causal assumptions. Typically, this theory represents causal processes that produce examinations on multiple variables. The term structural equation modeling expresses two important features of the procedure: causal processes, represented by a sequences of structural (i.e. regression) equations, and these structural relationships can be displayed pictorially to allow a clearer conceptualization of the theory. Then, the hypothesized model can be examined statistically in a simultaneous analysis of the entire variables to conclude the degree of its consistency to the data. If goodness-of-fit is adequate, the model argues for the credibility of hypothesized relations among variables. If it is inadequate, the reasonability of those relations is rejected (Byrne, 2010, p. 3). Statistical models provide an efficient and convenient way of describing the latent structure underlying a set of observed variables. Expressed either diagrammatically or mathematically via a set of equations, such models explain how the observed and latent variables are related to one another. Typically, a researcher postulates a statistical model based on his or her knowledge of the related theory, on empirical research in the area of study, or on some combination of both. Once the model is specified, the researcher then tests its plausibility based on sample data that comprise all observed variables in the model. The primary task in this model-testing procedure is to determine the goodness-of-fit between the hypothesized model and the sample data. As such, the researcher imposes the structure of the hypothesized model of the sample data, and then tests how well the observed data fit this restricted structure. Because it is highly unlikely that a perfect fit will exist between the observed data and the hypothesized model, there will necessarily be a differential between the two; this differential is termed the residual. The model-fitting process can therefore be summarized as follows: Data = Model + Residual Where: Data represent score measurements related to the observed variables as derived from persons comprising the sample. Model represents the hypothesized structure linking the observed variables to the latent variables and, in some models, linking particular latent variables to one another. Residual represents the discrepancy between the hypothesized model and the observed data (Byrne, 2010, p. 7). Structural equation models are schematically portrayed using particular configurations of four geometric symbols: a circle (or ellipse), a square (or rectangle), a single-headed arrow, and a double-headed arrow. By convention, circles (or ellipses; ) represent unobserved latent factors, squares (or rectangles; ) represent observed variables, single-headed arrows (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢) represent the impact of one variable on another, and double-headed arrows (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬ ) represent covariance or correlations between pairs of variables (Byrne, 2010, p. 9). In building a model of a particular structure in this research, the researcher uses these symbols within the framework of four basic configurations, each of which represents an important component in the analytic process. These configurations, each accompanied by a brief description, are as follows: Path coefficient for regression of an observed variable onto an unobserved latent variable (or factor) Path coefficient for regression of one factor onto another factor Measurement error associated with an observed variable Residual error in the prediction of an unobserved factor The Path Diagram Schematic representations of models are termed path diagrams because they provide a visual portrayal of relations which are assumed to hold among the variables under study. Essentially, a path diagram depicting a particular SEM model is actually the graphical equivalent of its mathematical representation whereby a set of equations relates dependent variables to their explanatory variables (Byrne, 2010, p. 10). Using path diagram as a structural equation modeling tool, the pattern of causal relationship can be detected. Causal relationship describes interrelations among a set of latent (unobserved) variables and a set of observed variables. Path diagram is a relationship structure between the exogenous and endogenous variables. The independent (X) variables are called exogenous variables. The dependent (Y) variables are called endogenous variables. Model Measurement According to Hair et.al (2010) measurement model validity depends on establishing acceptable levels of goodness of fit (GOF) for the measurement which indicates how well specify model reproduces the observed covariance matrices, smaller the difference between covariance matrices estimate with the observe covariance matrices, more fit the model. (Hair et. al, 2010, p.639). The GOF value contains several parameters to be considered by the researcher as stated by Hair et.al (2010, p.640-650), this thesis confirm the overall model fit the parameter will used the following: Chi-square (CMIN) or minimum discrepancy (), it is to test whether there is the different covariance matrices estimate within the covariance matrices observe, smaller () shown the different of both not significant and the model more fit. df (degree of freedom), more positive (>=0) of the df which shown with minimum was achieved the process of the estimate could be done. CMIN/DF. CMIN represents the minimum value of the discrepancy while DF is the degree of freedom. According to Wijaya (2009, p. 45), the model could be accepted if the CMIN/DF is à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 2.00. RMR (root mean square residual), this is called badness of fit whether the value is less than 0.1 than it is better because deference between sample and the estimate is smaller (Hair et.al 2010, p.642) GFI and AGFI (Goodness fit index and Adjusted Goodness fit index), GFI and AGFI value between 0 to 1, more closed to 1 more fit the model (Hair et.al 2010, p.643)

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Labor Relations

In this paper, unions and labor relations will be defined and their impact on organizations will be elaborated. Also, the impact of changes in employee relations strategies, policies, and practices on organizational performance will be examined. After this, the question â€Å"Are unions still relevant in the U.S.?† will be answered. Furthermore, the campaign, the election, contract negotiations, grievance handling, arbitrations, labor relations, and strikes will be addressed. Labor unions and labor relations Labor unions, which are the watchdogs and negotiators for the American workforce, are a way of collectively bargaining with employers for fair working conditions and fair wages. The craft unions or skilled laborers and industrial unions or laborers in the same industry, regardless of skill are the two types of labor unions that are organized. In the U.S. Groups of highly-trained carpenters, tailors, printers, and weavers in the colonial age, the seed of modern labor unions were the guilds. Guilds, which are economic and social in nature, are associations of persons who are involved in the same craft or business. The workers who members of guilds are banded together so that the quality standards would be maintained and the employers’ hiring of skilled laborers from home would be ensured. In the mid-19th century, there was an increase in the number of new industrial unions which were created for the assertion of workers’ rights. This change in the personality of the American workforce was due to the invention of the steam engine and other industrial advancements. The Knights of Labor, which inaugurated the Labor Day holiday in 1882, was one of the most important industrial unions. In the 1890s, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was formed. It is composed of the craft unions which include both skilled and unskilled laborers. The federation was formed because its member craft unions were opposed to the composition of the Knights of Labor’s membership. The United Mine Workers and the Danburry Hatters case in 1902 were ones of the early conflicts and strikes included in this period. In the 1930s, when the Great Depression took place, the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was formed. Many of the members of CIO were the dissidents of the AFL who favors industrial unionism. Workers in the steel, rubber, auto, maritime, glass, and meat packing industries were some of the major constituents of the CIO. In spite of the conflicts during the 30s and 40s, a powerful body known as the AFL-CIO was formed from the merging of the two national organizations in 1955. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent agency of the U.S. government. It was created under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 or the Wagner Act and was amended by the acts of 1947 or the Taft-Harley Labor Act and 1949 or the Landrum-Griffin Act. The board affirmed the rights of the labor to organize and bargain collectively through representatives they chose or to refrain from such activities. The board which is composed of five members is assisted by 33 regional directors. The members are appointed by the U.S. President with the approval of the Senate for five-year terms. The proper bargaining units are determined, the elections for union representation are conducted, and the charges of unfair labor practices by employers are investigated by the board. Coercion, interference, or restraint in labor’s self-organizational rights is included in the unfair practices (Villanueva Siasoco). A research study revealed that the collaboration of an organization (such as community organizations) and a labor union is an impetus for change. For example, the labor unions and community organizations in Greater Boston, which have worked together in recent years, have achieved remarkable successes. Some of their victories include the passing of a Boston living wage ordinance, an increase in the minimum wage in Massachusetts, improvement in union contracts and in workplace conditions, an earned income tax credit on state income taxes, $6 million state job training program for 1, 500 workers, and a number of progressive tax policies which includes a new tax on capital gains. These significant achievements in Boston are reverberated throughout the country. This is manifested by the continuous formation of alliances by community organizations with the organized labor. Again, these alliances are formed for the purpose of tackling problems that affect the lives of the low-wage workers. The Service Employees International Union, which is known for its successful Justice for Janitors campaigns, is one of the unions that organize low-wage workers. The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Union is also a low wage-workers union. These unions are included in the most vibrant and fastest growing organizations in the country. The collaboration of labor unions and community organizations is really needed for the achievement of long-term goals of economic and social justice. The need for the collaboration is being intensified by the changes in the national economy over the last few decades. One the changes that forces for a collaboration of labor unions and community organizations is the shifting of the economy from higher-paying manufacturing jobs to lower-paying jobs in the service sector. Similarly, the public policy efforts for the promotion of the welfare of working families in general are being broadened by the labor movement. The national AFL-CIO, under the new leadership since 1995, has devoted increased resources to advocate policies. These policies include the universal health care coverage which is intended to benefit all American who are working (not only those who are members of unions) and the raising of the federal minimum wage. One of the impacts of labor unions in policies is the announcement of support of amnesty for undocumented immigrants by the AFL-CIO in February, 2000. In addition, the AFl-CIO also played a major role in organizing, planning, and supporting the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride of 2003. This ride is a nationwide effort which aims to raise the visibility of the issues of the immigrant workers (Ranghelli 4). On the other hand, the impact of changes on employees is the decrease in the purchase of labor by employers because of the higher wages won by unions. The success in asserting for higher wages and better working conditions also reduced the number of jobs available (Reynolds). Are unions still relevant in the U.S.? The question â€Å"Are unions still relevant in the U.S.?† does not need anymore time to think about. Unions are absolutely relevant in the U.S. Considering the economic situation today, wherein the trend is to shift from higher-paying jobs to lower-paying jobs, to use more machines than labor force, and to employ contractualization, the exploitation of the labor sector becomes more intense. Thus, unions play a vital role in achieving economic and social justice. Considering the opinions raised by Reynolds, it is very shallow to say that the labor unions are the anticompetitive force in the labor markets. It is very inhumane to think of workers as simply inputs that are needed to be purchased in order for a process such as production or manufacturing to materialize. It is in this thinking where the exploitation of the laborers’ rights arises. Regarding campaigns and elections, union officers are elected based on the standards established by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA). Officers in the local unions are elected through secret balloting. On the other hand, officers of the national and international unions are elected either by secret balloting of the members or by delegates who are chosen by the secret ballot. The election of the officers of the national and international unions is held at least every five years. For the intermediate bodies, the election of officers is held at least every four years and for the local unions, election of officers is held at least every three years. The funds of a union may be used in conducting an election. Also, it is an option for the employers and unions to use their funds in promoting the candidacy of any candidate (http://www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/unions-elections.htm). Collective bargaining refers to the negotiations between an employer and a group of employees. Negotiations are done so that the conditions of employment would be determined. The result of the procedures of the collective bargaining is called collective agreement. Union or other labor organizations represent the employees in bargaining. Federal and state statutory laws, judicial decisions, and administrative agency regulations govern collective bargaining. Arbitration refers to the method of dispute resolution. This method is used as an alternative to litigation. Arbitration is usually used to resolve disputes between employers and employees during a collective bargaining (http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Collective_bargaining#collective_bargaining_and_labor_arbitration:_an_overview). Usually, strike is the last resort taken by workers in addressing their grievances. Holding mass pickets is the most effective way to involve all strikers. Although strikes may mean decrease in wages or dismissal from work, success in such solidarity actions is effectively achieved through picketing the workplaces of the workers (http://libcom.org/organise/guide-to-taking-strike-action). The aforementioned concepts support the answer that unions are still relevant in the U.S. For example, the funds of unions are very vital during an election because may be used to promote the candidacy of a certain candidate who, when elected, must address the concerns not only of the workers but the families in general. Also, it is very significant in addressing the welfare of the people because what labor unions fight for is not just their interests but the interests of the masses. Again, labor union should not be viewed as a hindrance for the economic development. It is not enough to say that a country is developed based on a high gross national product which is achieved through lower cost of production that includes lower wages for the laborers. Higher gross national product which is achieved through exploitations of workers does not mean economic and social justice. Reference Collective bargaining and labor arbitration: an overview. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Collective_bargaining#collective_bargaini  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ng_and_labor_arbitration:_an_overview John. (November 11, 2006). Guide to taking strike action. Retrieved November 18, 2006,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   from http://libcom.org/organise/guide-to-taking-strike-action National Labor Relations Board. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/bus/A0834954.html Ranghelli. (March 2005). Joining Forces Community Organizations and Labor Unions Form   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   New Collaborations. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from Unions and Union Members: Union Elections. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/unions-elections.htm Villanueva Siasoco, Ricco. Hard Labor. How unions fought to honor the American worker.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved November18, 2006, from http://www.factmonster.com/spot/labor1.html       Labor Relations Labor relation entails policies and daily practices that are concerned with the regulation and management of individual and team relationships within the organization. Essentially, employee relations are centered on the ability to resolve and prevent conflicts that involve either an individual or the teams in the organization which directly affect work situations and performance. Efficient communication ensures that information is passed to the employees in order to allow them understand better the company’s goals and objectives. Most employee relations managers uphold the responsibility of handling grievances, individual code of conduct while in the office, evaluation of employee performance and counseling programs. Sound employee relations are based on participation and effective communication for both the management and the employees. There are various management styles that cover the way employee relations must be conducted in order to achieve the best from the employees. (Selid, 1995) Trade unions are organized groups of employees officially recognized by both the government and their employer that have come together to promote their common interests. Trade unions have a responsibility of ensuring get the value of what they work for. They are directed to provide a communication channel between the employer and the employees. In some cases, In the United States, trade unions are registered by the specific State that it operates from and they are ratified by the federal government. The United States have a national advisory board referred to as Employee Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) that is concerned with formulating national policies which must be adhered to by individual Employee Relations Advisory Organization (ERAO) which every institution including airline companies must have. At least one representative of ERAO is elected to sit at the Employee Relations Advisory Board. In an airline setting for example, their union is responsible for providing the company’s management with suggestions on how to solicit and disseminate information on plans and programs that are designed for employees who will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace. (Employee Relations Advisory Organization, 2004) There are impact of changes in employee relations strategies, policies, and practices on organizational performance. For example if employees within an organization are represented by a trade union fully recognized by the same organization e.g. the airline company and the government, cooperation between the employer that is airline company and its employees will be enhanced the workplace. Good and sound formulated strategies and policies that relates to labor relations in organization particularly the airline companies will lead to attainment of organizations goals and pursuing the company’s mission statement in the direct path. There are various management styles that cover the way employee relations must be conducted in order to achieve the best from the employees. These management styles are intended to teach employees the following; applicable regulations and policies, bargaining agreements, grievance and appeal rights, and discrimination and protection of whistleblowers. The impact of changes in employee relations has broadened its definition from the initial industrial relations to such aspects as employer-employee relations, personal contracts, workplace environmental safety, and socio-emotional factors. In developed countries like in the U.S and mostly in airline industries, there is a growing trend of harmonization in almost all levels of government mainly because of the government commitment to enhance employee relations programs. (Sparrow and Hilltop, 1994) Trade unions plays a very major role in trying to protect the rights of employees who form there membership and research indicates that they still relevant in the U.S. administration because they have the task of ensuring that employees rights regarding to the workplace are protected. However, due to corruption and other malpractices the effectiveness of these trade unions has been compromised over the last few years. Research indicates that the employers in the U.S. for example employers in the airline industry are reported to be harassing there employees in the pretext that they are giving out instructions to be obeyed in order to achieve the stated organizational goals, a development which does not auger well with trade unions in the U.S. (Delaney and Huselid, 1996) In general, these trade unions has the following roles, labor climate assessment, positive employee relation programs, union campaigns and election objectives, unfair labor practices such as poor wages and unfounded dismissals, dealing with workplace harassment, coordinating and implementing cooperate relations programs, and handling complaint/issue resolution processes in the respective organizations among others. The only problem that normally cause misunderstanding between the trade unions and the companies or government is that the trade unions can organize go slows, strikes, destructions etc when round table solutions to issues fails. This is very hard for a company to control but with negotiations, it can reach an agreement. Trade unions officials are responsible to their members and they are usually elected to office mainly through secret ballots. This implies those vying for any seats have to campaign for votes from the union members. Sometimes some officials use unfair campaign strategies that do not foster fairness and equality among the contenders. Also these trade union officials play a significant role in any country’s general election because they can influence their members on what directions to vote e.g. advising the members to vote out the present government because of some dissatisfaction that they have with it. Trade unions plays an important role contract negotiations; almost everything can be bargained these days and therefore with employee relations through trade unions such issues as awarding contracts, compensations, benefits, and work schedules can be sorted out by discussing them until a solution is achieved. The bargaining approach settles conflicts that arise as a result of contract matters. It also outlines the rules with which the basis of handling specific work agreements is sorted out. Normally, if this approach is well utilized, employee relations are greatly improved. Grievance handling in any organization is very crucial to all organizations and at least every company has some way of dealing with their grievances. In fact, it is considered that a few individuals in a company are so arrogant that they are font of harassing their workmates leading to poor productivity. Companies need to develop a grievance handling procedure that will ensure that conflicts are eliminated in the organization. Without proper handling grievances of the employees well trade unions may call for strikes to force the government to implement their desired changes. In the recent past strikes and go-slows have become common methods which employees use them to pass their grievances to their employers. (Brewster, 1995) It is therefore prudent for management of any organization to adopt employee recognition strategies. This is another factor that the employers put into consideration for the organization to improve its employee relations; this is basically a communication instrument, which strengthens and compensates the most significant production that the employees have created for the organization. The recognition structure is always made simple, instant, and effectively supportive to the employees’ relations and the organization at large. (Chevrier, 2003) Reference: Brewster. 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