GEOGRAPHY 141 PROJECT 2 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

GEOGRAPHY 141 PROJECT 2 - Term Paper Example The article sheds light on environmental degradation occasioned by the deforestation in search of wood fuel or emission from kerosene stoves. The stove developed is partly some of the strategies that Keberenge suggests should be rolled out mostly in rural Kenya to save the environment. Chanji, Tobias. Nema threatens to sue Coast hotels for pollution. 19 February 2013 . 15 April 2013 . Coastal city is a major tourist destination city in Kenya. Nonetheless, the article raises concerns regarding some of the hotels in the city that fail to treat the effluent from their hotels before releasing them to the environment. The article further sounds a warning that if expeditious measures are not taken to address the issue Kenya might lose out on tourists who are the major contributors to the foreign exchange. Njoroge, Karanja. Nairobi sewage chocked by population. 2 December 2012. 4 April 2013 . The article essentially talks about the strain that population growth in Nairobi is having on the i nfrastructure and more so the sewerage system. According to Njoroge, the sewerage system than serves Nairobi metropolis was meant to serve a population of one million in 1961 when it was constructed. Unfortunately, the same system is being used 50 years later to serve a population that is three times more to that of 1961. The impact has been constant bursting of sewerage system causing environmental and health hazards to the city residents. Nyasato, Robert. Experts worried about waste disposal in Kisii. 07 April 2013. 15 April 2013 . The article by Nyasato tackles the red flag raised by Richard Omboga, who is a waste management consultant based in Kisii County, regarding the inappropriate disposal of solid waste in the county. Omboga is worried that if nothing is done to provide appropriate dumping site from household and medical facilities, then the lives of the residents around is endangered. He further asserts that the garbage and other solid wastes are toxic and if allowed to be swept by running water it could harm the communities that utilize the water. Basically, the author raises concerns over unavailability of proper waste dumping site in Kisii County. Nyong'o, Anyang'. Our future lies in rapid urbanisation but we are not planning for it. 14 October 2012. 14 April 2013 . The article covers the strain of resources orchestrated by rapid urbanization. The authors raises concern that the developmental and urbanizations of Kenya is likely to face hurdles as no structures are being put in place to match the developmental agenda. Otieno, Jeckonia. Cement firm dust chokes residents’ lives. 26 February 2013. 15 April 2013 . The article talks about the environmental impacts of a cement manufacturing factory located long Mombasa-Nairobi Highway. Otieno Jeckonia, who is

Movie One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Essay Example for Free

Movie One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Essay Nurse Ratched: Thats okay, Nurse Pilbo. If Mr. McMurphy does not want to take his medicine, we will just have to arrange for him to have it some other way, although I dont think hed like it very much. In the movie, although most of the patients are not chronics (committed forcibly), nobody ever leaves to establish their autonomy. Nurse Ratched, under the guise of a counselor interested in helping them to overcome their problems and establish independence, actually uses implicit and explicit measures to oppress them and keep them captive in a de facto dictatorship. One of the ways to keep the patients docile and puerile is exemplified in the foregoing dialogue. The ingestion of pills indicates an oral fixation and an inability to progress to the proper phallic stage. Even if the pills are not the catalyst of the arrested development, and their neuroses are the result of arrested development that preceded their admission to the hospital, the pills preclude any possibility of ameliorating their problems. McMurphy, who is the quintessential representation of democracy and rugged individualism, has no such problems. However, in an attempt to control him, Ratched threatens to forcibly insert the pill into his body rectally. Such an action, if completed, would symbolize a regress to the anal stage,  successfully removing him from the world writ large and the Law of the Father. Luckily, McMurphy feigns swallowing the pill to appease her, and then spits in out. Two incidents that support psychoanalytic reading Billy Bibbitt is a stuttering, virginal, thirty-year old boy child. His inability to establish solidarity with anyone, especially of the opposite sex, and his profound difficulty articulating himself, show an inability to successfully enter the Symbolic realm and establish a name for himself. He is strikingly similar, in many ways, to the monster in Frankenstein. However, towards the end of the movie, he is wheeled in a wheelchair into an isolated room, where he has sex with a strumpet. As he sits in the wheelchair, he is ill, malignant to society, a cancer who has been successfully removed.However, after coitus, he becomes confident, holding his head high, laughing, and most importantly, he does not stutter. Nurse Ratched asks him if he is ashamed of what he did. He says, No, Im not as articulately as an ambassador. Unfortunately, Ratched threatens to tell his mother, which once again removes him from the Symbolic realm, forcing him to stutter again, losing the linguistic facility h e required. It is too much for him to bear. He kills himself. Charlie Cheswick, an insecure neurotic, becomes enraged, overtly challenging Nurse Ratched when she hides his cigarettes. Inspired by McMurphy and his democratic, paternalistic ideals, he begins to see the cigarettes as a phallic symbol, his absent father, desperately attempting to return to the imaginary stage so that he can accept his fathers dominance, disabuse himself of an overwhelming need for his mother, and enter the Symbolic realm, thereby gaining his autonomy. Unfortunately, Ratched and the sadistic orderlies put an end to his fustian ranting, and he is led away, crying, to receive electro-shock therapy. L Interpretation of one character using psychoanalysis Martini, played by Danny Devito, not only has a childlike physicality, but  has a puerile affect as well. He does not speak throughout the entire film, except for non-sequiturs and sibilant and monosyllabic utterances in response to McMurphys remarks and always has an innocent smile on his face, oblivious to the meaning of language (he cannot understand McMurphys explanations of how to play cards). This shows an inability to escape the imaginary realm, as he is not able to successfully construct meaning with others. However, towards the end of the movie, after all of the patients reveled in bacchanalian bliss, Nurse Ratched asks him to pick up her soiled cap, which lay on the floor. He understands her and, smiling, carries out her order. He may not be able to understand the Law of the Father, but he can understand Ratcheds language (the signifier) and the thing that it signifies (oppression that relegates him to eternal childhood). Themes and Issues ** McMurphy (Law of the Father) versus Ratched (the maternal thing and object a which the patients are seeking, but can never recover. However, the faà §ade of possibly grasping it Ratched strings them along- keeps them hostage). ** Taciturnity versus fluency Symbols ** Cigarettes are symbolic of the phallus ** Pornographic playing cards, which can possibly be symbolic of a mother figure, are here used (I believe) to stimulate sexual desire in an attempt to draw the patients towards the Symbolic realm). ** Pills are symbolic of an oral fixation. ** Wheelchair is symbolic of paralysis (stifled by Ratcheds dictates), but when Billy Bibbitt falls out of the wheelchair, into the arms of a woman, Ratcheds control is vitiated. Why I believe in this reading Because mental illness, or the perception of mental illness, is the focus of the movie, psychoanalytic criticism is perhaps the best critical theory to analyze the themes and characters. The aberrant behavior manifested by the patients can easily be explained using the imaginary and symbolic realms, and metaphoric connections can be drawn, as the heading symbols shows. This is not only an easy and productive theory to use for this movie, but one which yields (I believe) truthful explanations. Reader Response Textual Passage But Doc, she was fifteen years old, going on thirty-five, Doc, and, uh, she told me she was eighteen and she was, uh, very willing, you know what I meanI practically had to take to sewin my pants shut. But, uh between you and me, uh, she might have been fifteen, but when you get that little red beaver right up there in front of ya, I dont think its crazy at all now and I dont think you do eitherNo man alive could resist that, and thats why I got into jail to begin with. And now theyre telling me Im crazy over here because I dont sit there like a goddamn vegetable. Dont make a bit of sense to me. If thats whats bein crazy is, then Im senseless, out of it, gone-down-the-road, wacko. But no more, no less, thats it. In the foregoing passage, McMurphy defends his sanity with an apology that would be difficult for anyone in society to disagree with. He portrays the female as the lascivious one, so interested in satisfying her sexual desires that she prevaricates about her age to copulate with the unsuspecting McMurphy. He portrays himself as the all-American male, respectful of women, yet having a strong libido, ready, willing, and able to cleave the beaver at a moments notice. J He becomes the victim when he ascertains her true age, and derides the system for questioning his mental health for acting as any other man would in his situation. He concludes his defense with verbal  irony, acerbically vociferating that if such behavior is abnormal, then he is indeed the king of craziness. Two incidents that support reader-response McMurphy knows that the others are not crazy, and although he may not be able to articulate it, knows that they are all being governed by an autocrat with no interest but self-interest. In an effort to overcome the totalitarian regime, he knows he must win the other patients over to his side. To become victorious over Nurse Ratched, he feigns watching the World Series, creating his own game, a game which is a foundation of democratic ideals, as American as apple-pie. Nurse Ratched looks on in disbelief and rage as the patients, usually reticent and phlegmatic, become excited and happy, buying into McMurphys ideals. She immediately importunes them to stop, but as the scene ends, they continue their revelry. It appears that McMurphy has the upper- hand. The movie takes place in the 1960s, when racism was still prevalent. It is important to note that all of the patients are white, yet powerless, and all of the orderlies, a menial job, are black, yet dominate the patients throughout the movie. Not only do they physically control the patients, but also are mentally and emotionally healthier, and they have more freedom (they listen to the World Series, while the patients cannot). Perhaps even implicitly, the director is advocating equal rights for African Americans, or perhaps even insinuating that blacks are superior to whites. However, since they must answer to those in charge (who are also white) the latter theory does not seem plausible. The director most likely wants to show how powerless the mentally ill truly are, to be controlled by people who were subjugated and kept in bondage for hundreds of years. They are truly the dregs of society. Interpretation of one character using reader-response Although Chief Bromden seems to be more powerless than McMurphy throughout most of the film, it is he who survives and escapes into the world writ  large at the movies end. Bromden has intrinsic strength, but is unable to find it throughout most of the movie because it is concealed by a hatred for the world (fostered by his fathers alcoholism). However, he buys into McMurphys democratic ideals, his vision of freedom, and desires to break free from the bondage and begin a life full of promise. Unfortunately, he is forced to do it alone because McMurphy, who appears to be so powerful throughout the entire film, is only affecting interest in freedom. He knows that he is a pariah, and desires to be incarcerated to escape the pain of the world. He lies to himself and to others when he spreads his vision of autonomy. He has several chances to escape to freedom during the movie, but forsakes them in favor of wild antics. However, intractability and totalitarianism do not mix. His obstreperous antics and unwillingness to escape from his subjugation cause his demise. After he is lobotomized, and Bromden understands McMurphy will never be free, he knows that he can never be free unless he escapes from the institution. Hanging on to the ideals of democracy, which he now firmly believes in, he knows he must be strong enough to accomplish the dream that McMurphy could not fulfill. He suffocates McMurphy so that he can enjoy freedom after all, and then uses brute strength to experience a freedom of his own as he throws the fountain, which McMurphy could not lift, through the window). It appears that Bromden is the stronger of the two after all, and McMurphys strength was always artificial. He was not able to change any of the other patients with his worldview, but it appears verisimilitude can have posit ive effects after all. Where is Chief Bromden now, I wonder? Themes/Issues ** Democracy versus totalitarianism **Perception versus reality ** Black versus white ** Femininity versus masculinity **Criminality versus insanity ** Nature versus nurture ** Social constructs and identity formation Symbols ** Music symbolizes regimentation and control ** Sex symbolizes freedom ** Race, affect, cognitive development, gender, and mental stability symbolize stratification. ** Mental facility symbolizes a microcosm with the macrocosm, which is directly antithetical to the ideals the macrocosm embraces rationing of personal effects, bedtimes, facilitated and monitored conversations, etc. ** Choice symbolizes the taboo. Why I believe in this reading Without reader response, subjectivity cannot exist. When myriad ways of looking at the world do not exist, provincialism ensues, and eventually a maniac like Nurse Ratched may govern us all. J To preclude myopia and societal malignancies (racism, classism, chauvinism, and other biases), it is necessary to view texts, and by texts I mean everything society that can be analyzed, as objectively as possibly, analyzing them from many perspectives. I am grateful to have the ability to use my mind to attempt to develop solutions to the ills of the world, because some people live in worlds that preclude them from using their minds to seek justice for themselves and others. Nurse Ratcheds must be thwarted before they establish power! Feminist Approach Textual Passage Nurse Ratched: Why did you ask that girl to marry you Billy? Billy: I, I, I, loved her Nurse Ratched. Nurse Ratched: Why didnt you tell your mother about it? Your mother told me you didnt tell her. Billy Bibbitt: ( He is silent and hangs his head in shame). Charlie Cheswick: (Fearfully and hesitantly) Nurse Ratched, let me ask you a question. Nurse Ratched: (Angered, with fire in her eyes, affecting concern) Go ahead, Mr. Cheswick. Charlie Cheswick: Nurse Ratched, cant you see hes uncomfortable. I mean, if he doesnt want to talk, cant we just go on to some new business. Nurse Ratched: ( Impatiently and caustically, verging on a diatribe) The business of this meeting, Mr. Cheswick, is therapy! While it might appear that Nurse Ratched is genuinely concerned about Billy at first glance, after further examination it is apparent, from this discourse and other interlocution throughout the movie, that she has deep seated sexual problems and loathes men, hatred that may be the product of inequalities or abuse that she has experienced at the hands of men. While adult men should not have to apprise their parents of relationships with the opposite sex, Nurse Ratched thinks it is imperative. She is remembering promises of fidelity from sweet-talking Lotharios, men who proposed marriage, but did so clandestinely, all in an effort to use her for sexual pleasure! She loves Billys inability to articulate himself, because he  cannot flatter women with lies, and break their hearts, as men broke hers. She values men who are close to their mothers because such relationships are built on trust and innocence. Those who keep secrets can conspire to hurt others for their own selfish gain. Mothers hate that! When she attempts to counsel Billy, she does so from a personal bias, even if she does not see it. In an effort to assuage her own pain, and the oppression of all women in society, she destroys Billys self-image, emasculating him, making him as powerless as she is. Interpretation of Mildred Ratched using feminist criticism Mildred Ratched shows a desire, a compulsion really, to completely control every man on the ward throughout the entire movie. She knows she cannot establish such power with completely healthy men, so she cherishes her time at the ward (if one is on the qui vive during the movie, it is apparent that she comes when the sun just rises and leaves when it is dark shes a fanatic!). She is attempting to create her own world, one where she is completely in charge, and the oppressive ideologies of a patriarchal society become a de facto fiction. Almost all of the men are taciturn, or when they do speak, the language is fragmented and uncertain. Her language is omnipresent and omnipotent, superseding and threatening to completely obliterate the language of the outside world. When McMurphy, an intractable democratic ideologue with glib on his tongue and subversion on his mind comes to the facility, her own suppression becomes a reality once again, and she knows she must fight until she tames t his wild beast. Although McMurphy proves to be a formidable foe, she defeats him in the end, proving that a womans language can defeat the oppressive language of men when the two collide, and that others will still accept it after the battle is over. It is interesting that a male, Chief Bromden, who is thoroughly emasculated throughout the entire movie, has to generate the strength to escape from feminine language to enter the masculine language of the world writ large. It is NO LONGER the world writ large. Nurse Ratcheds world has turned into the macrocosm, and everywhere else is just a microcosm, only tangentially connected to reality proper, a reality that the virtuous Nurse Ratched creates. Two incidents that support this kind of reading I have already covered a lot, so I will give two brief examples. Randall McMurphy says: Theyve been giving me ten-thousand volts a day and I/ hot to trot. The next woman to take me ons gonna light up like a pinball machine and pay off in silver dollars. Nurse Ratched shows anger at first, and then affects amusement before changing the subject. She in sickened by his objectification of women, but then understands that she has him under her control. He wont be gettin any nookie if she can help it! J Earlier in the film, she hides the patients cigarettes as punishment for gambling. The cigarettes represent phalluses, which she has complete control of. She emasculates them, and will only give their members back if they are good boys and follow her rules.

100 years of change :: essays research papers

100 Years of Changes   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This century has been one of many changes and incredible inventions. If a person was to think about it, this century has taken us from horseback to fuel-injected horsepower, from gaslights to sodium-vapor streetlights, from crystal radios to digital television, from compasses to GPS navigation systems, from wood burning stoves to microwave ovens, from Victrolas to DVD players and of course from hot air balloons to jet propulsion aircraft.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the past 100 years, we have made much advancement in all areas of society. The way people live has changed drastically just in the past century. Technology in particular has advanced more in these last 100 years then all previous time combined. For example, because of the research done by many innovative and dedicated individuals such as the Wright Brothers who were the first to sustain flight in a powered airplane, we are able to fly all over the world in a matter of hours in jet propelled pressurized aircraft. One hundred years ago, the thought of man flying in a machine was insane. The Wright Brothers helped to realize the dream of manned flight. Many years later, after the idea of manned flight becoming a reality, space exploration was the next step. In 1969, many people did not believe what happened. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. They posted an American flag, explored, collected space rocks and came back home. Many Americans did not be lieve that the technology existed to go that far. Today, several missions a year are launched using manned space shuttles that can be flown back to earth like gliders and reused on future space missions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another example of the change in our technology over the last century is the change in the computer. In 1946, the first electronic computer called the ENIAC took up the space of a large room. Instead of using transistors and IC chips, the ENIAC used vacuum tubes. Compared to many computers now, the ENIAC is about as powerful as a small calculator. That may not be much, but it is a milestone because there would not be computers today if it were not for the ENIAC. As the years passed, the computer became smaller and more powerful. Today, more than half of the American population has a computer in their home. The personal computers today are thousands of times more powerful than the most powerful computers fifty years ago.

Foundations of Management and Organisation

Is rationalization a desirable strategy for managing and organizing Junction Hotel in the current economic climate? Discuss your answer with reference to the topic of organisational change. Rationalization is an organisational concept that aims to increase a firm’s productivity, as it grows in size, through a reorganisation of its current system of operations. Throughout this essay I will be referring to the Junction Hotel case study along with other articles and critiques of the rationalization theory to determine how suitable rationalisation is as a solution for the problems facing Junction Hotel within the current economic climate.Throughout the 19th century Frederick Taylor, a mechanical engineer, was one of the pioneers of the organisational management approach to business. He was renowned for his theory of scientific management, which focused primarily on increasing the physical efficiency of the individual worker. â€Å"The principal object of management should be to s ecure the maximum prosperity for the employer, coupled with the maximum prosperity for each employee† (Fredrick Taylor, 1911, pg. 09).One of Taylor’s most famous studies involved designing shovels that could load the most efficient amount of material (21 1/2lbs) consecutively to save workers time and, in turn, increase productivity. Having a clear and structured command over workers allowed Taylor to experiment with efficiency, which was something he saw as paramount to having a successful workforce of employees. Relating this specifically to the Junction Hotel case study, it is apparent that there are some clear organisational problems that could be resolved using a more rational work design, such as the methods introduced by Taylor.Primarily there is a lack of any concise structure between the task expectations of the employees. The job roles of the General Manager, Deputy Manager, Head Chef and Company Accountant all contradict one another making it further unclear t o the rest of the workforce who they should report to as their boss. A rational organisational solution to this problem would be to introduce a more modern, bureaucratic style of management. â€Å"Though earlier societies had organisational structures, they were not nearly as effective as the bureaucracy† (George Ritzer, 1996, pg.  09).This can be implemented through the use of computer analysis of such things as employee timetables, busy periods, and popular items among customers. Specifically, organisational charts, which provide a clear formation of different job roles that are allocated in a hierarchy of either horizontal or vertical structure, would work effectively in restoring order and control. A hierarchy is most effective in assigning control to different regions of management in order to maintain a more specific level of control over a growing workforce.For Junction Hotel, this would be most appropriate for the separation of the different working areas, which, at the moment, are all under the control of the Deputy Manager. Instead, each area should be operated by group of employees that specialise in that service. From here, each section of workers can then have their own specific manager to report to for daily duties. This way the general manger can take more of an active role within the organisation relieving some of the pressure off of the Deputy Manager and allowing the Head Chef control over his own workforce.This would provide specific segmentation to each individual work force, allowing for a more direct focus from each manager. This would be the most appropriate way of applying a rational, bureaucratic work design to Junction hotel without having to sacrifice any quality of service. However, if Junction Hotel want to remain a competitive company within the hotel industry, some of the personal relationships between the cleaning and reception staff and the general manager may have to be limited in order to increase efficiency during t he working day.Taylor made it clear that he never saw the benefit of a social relationship between workers and managers. Eventually, he became so focused on increasing productivity that he began to see his employees as just another ‘cog in the machine’ of the production process. As time went on, employees would try and use this to their advantage by demonstrating their ‘asymmetric knowledge’. After years of practising their trade the workers would be able to determine the amount of time it would take to complete a specific task before they began it.With Taylor’s approach to his employees being so cold-hearted, it was often the case that the employees would exaggerate the time they needed to complete a task so as to insure they weren’t being over worked. This is an example of some of the social problems that Taylor had to face due to having such a strong rational approach to work. As a result, Taylor quickly began gaining criticism. Max Weber, a German sociologist, was one of Taylor’s biggest critics. Weber summarised Taylor’s scientific management theory as an ‘iron cage’ environment leaving workers trapped in working conditions that left them feeling dehumanized.As a counter belief, Weber explained that promotion by merit with career opportunities for employees was a superior option to the traditional hierarchy of power. However, Weber was aware this would not always be attainable in a realistic world. â€Å"Weber knew the bureaucracy he was designing was an ideal type and that it could not always be perfect† (French & Rayner, 2011, pg315-316). Weber developed the belief that there is no one perfect method of managing an organisation. Organisational change occurs when a business has a need to alter it’s current system of operations.Social, political, technological and economical factors are the four main external aspects that can influence change within an organisation. â€Å"No t only are there different types of change, which manifest themselves in different organisations, change also appears at different levels of an organisation† (Barbara Senior, 2001, pg. 57). Specifically, organisational change relates to the larger changes within a company, rather than just small adjustments to products or branding.â€Å"Organisational change refers to organisation-wide change rather than to small changes such as adding a new role or making minor modifications to a process. † (French & Rayner, 2011, pg. 574). For example, advancements in the technology used by a company would dramatically speed up the production process forcing them to alter the size of both their workforce and production outlets. Henry Ford, of Ford Motor Industries, was one of the most famous examples of an organisation implementing a change within their production process  through the Taylorism ideology.â€Å"Taylor and scientific management allied to Fordism† (Senior & Flemi ng, 2006, pg. 8). Instead of having a specific number of workers collectively working on one motor vehicle, Ford instead realised that he could save time and increase productivity by assigning each individual worker to a particular station on his assembly line. Therefore, Ford could just move the car around the assembly line where it would stop at each station to have a new part added to it.This enabled Ford to expand and increase his workforce whilst still increasing the amount of automobiles he was producing. â€Å"Only by doubling wages to his famous ‘5-dollar-a-day’ was he able to stabilize the work situation and persuade workers to accept the new technology† (Morgan G, 2006, pg. 25). This organisational change would be an example of a naive approach to change, which sees organizational change as a simple solid set of building blocks that are controlled from the top down, with a limited view of only the techno-structural side of the organisation.With one of t he main purposes of a business being to constantly strive to improve output and lower costs in order to increase revenue, the Taylorism and Fordism approaches became popular around the world and production efficiency was now of the utmost importance. However, this high level of efficiency came at a price for the employees. Many of Taylor’s and Ford’s workers found it difficult to maintain any humanistic grasp on their machinelike work due to its repetitive and boring nature.This led to a decrease in efficiency as workers became fatigued and after a while could no longer keep up with the rate of production. Charlie Chaplin outlines this perfectly in his video Modern Times (TheCharlesChaplin, 1936, Modern Times) whereby the worker is dragged along the conveyor belt assembly line because he is incapable of keeping up with the pace. In the Junction Hotel case study a similar situation is outlined with the front of house staff not being able to keep up with the orders given by the kitchen staff, leading to conflict between employees.Ultimately, this will lead to problems in the satisfaction levels of the customers, which can cause huge reputation problems for Junction Hotel, a company who pride themselves on having a high level of traditional customer service. One of the most effective ways of tackling employee confrontation is through the use of team building exercises. Team building exercises are effective as they encourage employees to collaborate with one another to achieve particular goals without having the stress element of actual work.Being new to the team building approach, the waiting and kitchen staff at Junction Hotel would benefit most from a more relaxed outdoor operation, such as raft building. â€Å"For a group that has never done team building before, outdoor experiences can be an exciting way to begin† (French & Rayner, 2011, pg. 410). As a result, when both sets of employees go back to work there will be a greater understandi ng between each member of staff creating a new atmosphere as a group identity. This social aspect of employees during working hours is a factor that was often overlooked by traditional methods of management, such as Taylorism.As a result, this 21st century social method of management is now considered a more popular modern alternative than the traditional Taylorism perspective. In the 1920s, Elton Mayo, an Australian psychologist, stumbled upon the importance of group dynamics whilst conducting a study investigating the levels of productivity in employees. His experiments, on 29,000 workers at the Hawthorne factory, examined the effect light had on productivity. His objectives were to discover the optimum level of lighting needed to gain maximum efficiency from workers.However, Mayo found that the level of lighting had no direct effect on production levels but instead the human cooperative systems that the workers were a part of had a huge effect on increasing worker efficiency. Wor kers being able to establish themselves within an occupational community introduced the concept of ‘group norms’ whereby workers had their own set of regulations to abide by that were considered more socially acceptable. â€Å"Members derived valued identities or self-images, directly from their occupational roles. † (Van Maanan & J & Barley, S, 1984, pg.  298).Expressions and labels such as; ‘rate buster’ and ‘the chisler’ became nicknames that were used to define workers as either an over-worker or under-achiever. The power of an informal organisation, where man is more than just a machine but as a social being was one of Mayo’s greatest findings. This became known as the Hawthorne Effect. Conversely, a bureaucratic style of management is most appropriately suited to those organisations that are willing to sacrifice quality in return for an increase in quantity of revenue.For example, Travelodge, a competing company within the hotel industry, make it clear to their customers that the service they offer is simple but covers all the necessary essentials needed for a comfortable stay. â€Å"If you’ve ever stayed at a Travelodge Hotel, you might have noticed they don’t have shampoo in the bathroom. † (Davis, Evan, 2009) This is known as value engineering and it is a smart way for larger companies to cut production costs whilst still keeping up a respectable level of quality.Higher-end hotels tend to ignore this strategy as it can harshly diminish their unique selling point of providing the best quality goods and services. This would be particularly true for Junction Hotel. Throughout the case study it is clearly outlined that Junction Hotel are a company who pride themselves on having a traditional approach to customer service. This would specifically involve having a very high focus on self-presentation, customer relations, and particularly individual customer requirements.Rationalisati on revolves more around a very routine and strategic attitude whereby all customers are greeted with the same standardised mannerisms and production is aimed at being a quick process, which sacrifices quality for speed. This is the first indication from the case material that suggests that rationalisation might not be the most appropriate method of management for a company that markets itself as ‘an oasis of calm in the city’ as Junction Hotel does. McDonald’s is a perfect example of how quality over quantity has been sacrificed to maximize output.A quick service where customers can walk in and point to a number on the menu as they order means workers can speed up the transaction process of payment for food allowing them to switch to new customers swiftly. â€Å"The manager ensures that all employees are allocated to those jobs in which they perform most efficiently, known as ‘aces in their places†. (Hill, Terry, (2005) McDonald's Corporation). This type of McDonaldization means there is no room for flexibility making it a real problem if customers request to manipulate the menu.This slows down the  process from kitchen staff to front of house staff, if one individual burger is needed to be adapted this will take precious time out of an employee’s schedule, which will have a domino effect on the time taken to serve other customers. Ultimately, the efficiency of the entire operation will have slowed dramatically, especially if this happens on more than one occasion throughout the working day. As Weber explained, dehumanization and lack of motivation are due side effects as a result of having such strict time schedules and regulations to keep to.â€Å"Nevertheless, organisations continue to strive for maximization in the hope that they will at least increase efficiency† (Ritzer, G, 2008, The McDonaldisation of Society). Junction Hotel, on the other hand, has a slightly different demographic to that of the market t hat McDonalds are focusing on. With the emphasis on high-end, premium quality goods and services Junction Hotel are attracting an older age range of those customer who can afford to spend extra on hotel costs. This will most likely be older people enjoying their retirement along with businessmen and women who have their expenses paid for.The reason this is important to identify is because of the current economic position of the UK. Having just emerged out of a recession, consumer spending within in the UK is still continuing at slow pace. This means, that for the more expensive and luxurious organisations it has become just as hard to keep current customers as it has been attracting any new ones. This is the second indication that suggests a complete rationalisation for Junction Hotel would not have much of a positive impact considering it would only increase the similarities they have with already well established rival companies such as Travelodge.In an economy that is still recov ering from a recent recession due to a ‘run on the banks’ consumer confidence is still very low which means less people are going to be willing to experiment with new organisations, especially the more expensive ones. However, some of the most recent economic reports have identified a rise in gross domestic produce, which is a positive sign for Junction Hotel as it means more consumers are starting to get comfortable with spending a little extra money.â€Å"The Office for National Statistics said its first estimate for gross domestic product (GDP) showed the economy grew 0. 3% during the first quarter of 2013. † (Hugh Pym, 2013, UK economy avoids triple dip recession). Although the increase is not a significant one this will benefit Junction Hotel in the long run as it shows signs of a slow but steady growth which is a good climate to begin setting up a new organization in. â€Å"Economists say the news should give a small psychological boost to consumers and bu sinesses†. (Hugh Pym, 2013, UK economy avoids triple dip recession).Keeping with the premium quality approach should provide a competitive edge in the favour of Junction hotel. This type of organizational change is a strategic intervention to provide Junction Hotel with a competitive advantage over their rivals in the hotel industry by aiming their services at a different demographic who will, in the current economic climate, be more likely to afford hotel accommodation. In conclusion to this essay, Junction Hotel will need to introduce a more rational work design to their organisation in order to maximize efficiency and start making a respectable profit.It is vital however that the rational approach is put into action in the most applicable places of the organisation as otherwise it could cause a detrimental effect to production the rates, as was evident with some areas of the McDonaldization. Firstly, a bureaucratic design should be implemented through the use of organisatio nal charts that clearly layout the different tiers of management throughout the entire organisation in a hierarchal fashion.This should enable each section of the work force to have a structured view of where they stand within the organisation and know exactly who to report to. Secondly, team-building exercises must be put into place at least quarterly throughout the year to dispose of any unwanted negative energy and allow workers to voice any concerns they may have with their superiors, especially kitchen and waiting staff. A formal relationship must be of the utmost importance in front of customers between all of the employees.Although, where customer service is not of a high importance, such as in the kitchen, a more relaxed attitude should be taken if it means the social side of individual worker will promote a higher level of efficiency. Overall, it is clear that with the right leadership and a positive attitude towards organisational change from the workers, rationalisation i s strategy that could have significant positive implications for Junction hotel.

Diversity Organization

It is visible to see that women have come a long way in our nation to now from the beginning of our construction. It was not easy, and many issues are still not completely solved, because of stereotypes and discrimination against women. Stereotypes such as â€Å"women are bad drivers† and â€Å"women should not be paid as much as men†. However, there are many organizations that have been founded and used to help in fighting against such discrimination, and help in supporting women in equal rights, in places, such as the workplace and society in general. When our country was first forming, women were unable to vote for a very long time after it was decided they could not. They also had were expected to play certain roles, such as staying at home to do the housework, take care of the children, clean, and cook. The strength of women â€Å"shined† through in the most visible way during WWII. Many women were obligated to maintain their usual roles, and do a lot of the work the men would be doing, because the men were away at war. Women were also not offered the educational benefits men were in our history also. It was pretty set in stone that the men were â€Å"the thinkers†, and that there was no need to educate women. It is much different now. Women are able to receive education just as easy as a man can, not to mention the laws that have been made to protect the equality rights of women and men. The roles in women have changed drastically. It is now â€Å"the norm† to see a woman with a career, and many that have families too. Many households now share all of the household responsibilities, and often time the finances too. However, not everyone agrees that this has been a positive step in our nation since the Civil Rights Act. Many people still believe a woman should stay home and continue the role that was planned for them in the first place. A major issue that raises these opinions is the amount of crime and problems our nation has with our youth. Many believe that this has increased because of the amount of time that is taken from parents and their children because of both parents working. The â€Å"male vs. female† concept is seen in today’s society has equal in most parts, but there will always be the differences in both. They are each different in anatomy and many mental factors. Our society and media base many things on sexuality and gender. For example, the body washes and bathroom line designed for men, called Axe shows images that â€Å"prove† to attract women to them because of their smell and good looks. People have been used as sex idols, both male and female, but the disrespect and objections that have been formed around women are at a higher risk. This type of advertisement promotes sexuality and creates more issues in equality and respect of both genders. Socially GLBT people have faced much discrimination throughout time. Much of this has to do with religion, and the belief that homosexuality is wrong. I believe historically it was not to be spoken of, and even homosexuals themselves would never â€Å"come out† about their sexuality, because of how negative society was about the issue. With this being said there were no studies or research being done about it for society to gain knowledge about the topic. Today GLBT people face discrimination, but have been given more rights. Many scientists and psychologists have also done a tremendous amount of studies and research on the topic, giving society more knowledge about them and their reason and choice of lifestyle. Religion is the main barrier now between society and GLBT people. Even though there have been laws that reserve the rights of GLBT people, many people will not â€Å"budge† in their opinion on the topic, because in most religions it is considered a sin. This makes it hard for society to want to reserve certain rights for them, such as marriage. However, throughout time there has been much change in many people’s opinions, because of knowledge in diversity, science, and psychology. They have more welcoming atmospheres than they did in the past. For example, in Chicago there is an annual â€Å"Gay Pride Parade† that invites people to support the rights of homosexuals. Workplaces have been more acceptable also, not only because of laws, but also, because they are more familiar with the topic due to the knowledge provided today through media, school, and our communities. It is a more open topic, and even though it is not approved of by many people, it is being more accepted. The main issue that GLBT people are dealing with and fighting for today is the right to be married to another person of the same sex. For laws to be passed, citizens must vote for them, and many people still do not believe it should be allowed. However, there are some states that have made it legal. With diversity and knowledge our country can improve these attitudes and opinions about equality in women and GLBT people of our nation. Our nation has come a long way, especially for how young we are. Our human service organizations and law can be of the most aid in solving these issues. There has been a lot of damage in equality throughout our history, and unfortunately some will never be solved because of the believes that have been taught and practiced for many years. However, our Constitution and many laws give society the chance to fight against non-equal acts and rights as an American citizen.

Report Card Comments for Science

Report Card Comments for Science Report cards provide parents and guardians with essential information regarding their childs progress in school. Besides a letter grade, parents are given a brief descriptive comment that elaborates the students strengths or what the student needs to improve upon. Finding the exact words to describe a meaningful comment takes effort. Its important to state a students strength then follow it with a concern. Below are a few examples of positive phrases to use as well as examples comments that indicate some concerns are evident. Positive Comments In writing comments for elementary student report cards, use the following positive phrases regarding students progress in science. Is a leader during in-class science activities.Understands and executes the scientific process in class.Has an analytic mind for science concepts.Takes pride in his science projects.Did a wonderful job on her __ science project.Strongest work is in science.Is drawn to our science corner in all his or her free time.Continues to turn in top-notch science assignments.Continues to conduct top-notch science experiments.Particularly enjoys hands-on science experiments.Has a naturally investigative nature in science.Is quite proficient in all science concepts and vocabulary.Is able to identify and describe all science vocabulary.Demonstrates an understanding of target science content and makes relevant connections.Demonstrates an enhanced understanding of science content.Meets all learning standards in science.Shows an understanding of systems that are designed to accomplish a task.Uses the appropriate science vocabulary in her oral responses and written work.Demonstrates a clear understand ing of the concepts and skills learned. Makes a great effort in science and is very inquisitive.Is doing a great job in science and always is the first to hand in assignments. Needs Improvement Comments On those occasions when you need to convey less-than-positive information on a students report card regarding science, use the following phrases to assist you. Needs to study for science tests.Needs to learn science vocabulary.Has difficulty memorizing scientific concepts.Many science homework assignments have not been handed in.Reading comprehension often interferes with __s ability to perform well on science tests.Understanding of scientific terms often interferes with __s ability to perform well on science tests.I would like to see __ improve her note-taking skills.I would like to see __ improve his vocabulary skills.Seems to show no interest in our science program.Needs to review science concepts and vocabulary as she is having a great deal of difficulty.Lack of attention in class may account for the difficulty he has with assignments.Needs to improve in science.Needs to develop more self-confidence in science.Does not appropriately use scientific inquiry skills.Demonstrates a week understanding of science content.Does not yet use science vocabulary appropriately.__needs to explore the connections between researched information and real -world applications. __needs to describe his observations more fully and link them clearly to the purpose of the experiment.__needs to use more information from previous learning and research to support his opinions.___needs to use exact measurements when recording scientific observations.___needs to acquire science and technology vocabulary and use it in both oral and written responses.

Free Essays on Spouse Abuse

â€Å"Spouse Abuse† Though we live in this amazing country of the United States of America, there will always be problems that must be worked on. Conflicts between family members in America are a growing problem, namely spousal abuse. Spouse abuse is a complicated issue and controversial concerning the question whether or not it is a large problem in our society. First it is crucial to define what exactly is spouse abuse. According to the Survey of Social Science it is the â€Å"Physical, psychological or sexual mistreatment that occurs in a relationship between married couples or among individuals in a sustaining partnership†(Harpaz). This mistreatment is often hiding, the spouse that’s being beat is very commonly afraid to let their situation be known to others. The woman being beat feels that it is her fault. From constant verbal and mental abuse, she is convinced that she must have done something wrong. With this feeling that she is the one which has done something wrong, she is ashamed of what is going on. Women come to think it was their fault. They feel guilty for not doing a good enough job as a mom because they are unable to protect themselves, or their children. A major obstacle to leaving is â€Å"women are in more danger when they are leaving- though everyone always asks why they stay.†(Marano) Another major obstacle to leaving is battered women’s fear of losing their children or of being unable to protect them. â€Å"A Massachusetts study documented that in 70 percent of cases where fathers attempted to get custody of their children, they did so successfully. So when the abuser says to her, Sure, you can leave, but I’ve got the money to hire a good lawyer and I’ll get the kids, he might be ri ght.†(Marano) It is only when shame is gone, those abused women can ask for help. But who can help these women so they can get out of an abusive relationship? Unfortunately, the clinics that are there to he... Free Essays on Spouse Abuse Free Essays on Spouse Abuse â€Å"Spouse Abuse† Though we live in this amazing country of the United States of America, there will always be problems that must be worked on. Conflicts between family members in America are a growing problem, namely spousal abuse. Spouse abuse is a complicated issue and controversial concerning the question whether or not it is a large problem in our society. First it is crucial to define what exactly is spouse abuse. According to the Survey of Social Science it is the â€Å"Physical, psychological or sexual mistreatment that occurs in a relationship between married couples or among individuals in a sustaining partnership†(Harpaz). This mistreatment is often hiding, the spouse that’s being beat is very commonly afraid to let their situation be known to others. The woman being beat feels that it is her fault. From constant verbal and mental abuse, she is convinced that she must have done something wrong. With this feeling that she is the one which has done something wrong, she is ashamed of what is going on. Women come to think it was their fault. They feel guilty for not doing a good enough job as a mom because they are unable to protect themselves, or their children. A major obstacle to leaving is â€Å"women are in more danger when they are leaving- though everyone always asks why they stay.†(Marano) Another major obstacle to leaving is battered women’s fear of losing their children or of being unable to protect them. â€Å"A Massachusetts study documented that in 70 percent of cases where fathers attempted to get custody of their children, they did so successfully. So when the abuser says to her, Sure, you can leave, but I’ve got the money to hire a good lawyer and I’ll get the kids, he might be ri ght.†(Marano) It is only when shame is gone, those abused women can ask for help. But who can help these women so they can get out of an abusive relationship? Unfortunately, the clinics that are there to he...