Desperate Air

What would I do if I was in George Nash’s position as Vice President of Real Estate at Desperate Air Corporation (a company in dire financial straits), and my pending sale of Florida property potentially had toxic waste buried beneath the surface. I found this to be the least challenging question posed thus far in terms of my own ethical beliefs. In this instance I would proceed with the sale without disclosing the information regarding what I had heard about the toxic waste. Clearly Florida law states that you do not have to disclose that there is a hazardous substance on commercial property as long as there is not a fraudulent statement about the property. Nash did his due diligence by hiring someone to do an environmental study. The company hired found nothing and a report was submitted to the buyers. Nash also consulted his attorney about what should be disclosed. Fledgling, the company purchasing the property, had the responsibility of performing their own due diligence. While a representative walked the property and found nothing, the article did not state whether or not Fledgling did a full environmental study as well. That should have been part of the purchaser’s process. If you purchase a home it is your responsibility to hire an impartial building inspector to look at your home and report on its condition. The Fledgling representative had the same responsibility to obtain an impartial environmental study. Had the representative done so, they probably would have discovered the toxic waste. It doesn’t matter that the DAC report did not include the disclosure. Unfortunately Fledglings representative was at fault here in my opinion. The fact that Nash prayed about the situation shows that he is not a cold hearted capitalist with only selfish motivations. Similarities between â€Å"Desperate Air† and the Seglin article are that two executives had to make choices that they believed would prevent their companies from potential financial ruin. Although I believe there are differences in the level of disclosure (I believe the CEO of the aircraft company had a financial responsibility to disclose his findings to the auditors), the process of deciding what to disclose is similar. Both parties consulted their attorneys whose guidance instructed them that they did not have to disclose the information. The motivating factor in both decisions was to protect the livelihood of their companies. The facts of the information that had been revealed to each company had not been proven. Had Nash followed the RDCAR process I believe the outcome of his decision may have been different. Nash did not go through the process of recognition. There was no survey of stakeholders. He did not even disclose the findings to his CEO. There was no chance to find out if withholding the toxicity information was something that would make other staff members uncomfortable. Nash did not engage in discovery. There was no attempt to build internal and external transparency. Fledgling did not have the opportunity to react to the information. There was a possibility that the sale would not have progressed if the information on toxic waste had been disclosed. It may have only delayed the sale, but there was no way to find that out. There was no cognition. No one in DAC management or any other DAC staff was presented with a â€Å"what would you do? scenario that would have spelled out company values. No policy or action was put into place to deal with the situation. The only action taken was that Nash consulted an attorney. Nash did reflect on the decision, but no one else in the company had the opportunity to do so. Due to the fact that there was no legal reason to disclose the information of toxic waste to Fledgling, and the fact that they failed to do their own due diligence, in this instance I would agree with Nash’s decision to proceed with the sale in order to help protect the financial position of DAC.

Alvar Alto Design Theory Paimio Sanatorium

The figurehead of modernism and leader of bringing architecture back to the human scale that once was, Alvar Aalto is now an architectural inspiration to us all. Aalto did not use his architecture as a learning tool but more as a gesture toward the emotional and physical needs of man. His architecture was meant to enrich the lives of those it served. Aalto focused on context in site in relation to the human body. Forms, light and shadow were inspired by the Finnish forests Aalto grew up near.When he was a child he made drawings of the landscape that influenced his later built projects in their relationships to horizons and vertical connections, sections and ground plan. He brought us buildings that involved form, light, and color, along with many other attributes all over the world including the Viipuri Library, the Paimio Sanatorium, and even Mt. Angel Library here in Oregon. Functional Room Functional Design The rooms in the patients' wing are arranged on the north side of the corr idor.By siting the rooms on one side only, Aalto was able to bring natural light into the corridor and give the patients the feeling that they were in control of the space. Aalto studied the angle of the sunlight in conjunction with the heating system. Sun blinds were fixed outside the windows to cut down solar gain. The whole building was designed in every aspect to make the patients confinement tolerable and to assist in their healing. Their room's were designed with a horizontal person in mind.The source of heat comes down from the ceiling, one wall was lined in absorbent insulation to make acoustics more restful, and the window frames in the rooms were timber to reduce condensation and be warmer to touch. the washbasins were designed to run silently and had to be hygienic and easy to clean (unsuccessfully in practice). The pipe work was concealed in the walls, whereas prior to this pipes were usually surface-fixed. Aalto had his own ideas about the ceilings for example. The ceil ing of the room should be the colour of the sky,† The lighting came from a wall mounted uplighter out of the patients sight where it was diffused throughout the room. Since the ceiling was painted in darker tones, the ceiling area reflecting the light had to be painted a lighter one. The door handles were created with as much methodical attention to detail. They were designed so coat sleeves or pockets couldn't get caught and they had rounded edges in case patients should happen to knock into them. Rose cellar In the Sanatorium death was an everyday reality, so naturally there was a mortuary on the site.The Rose Cellar, as the mortyary was called, disappeared into the terrain and took its name from the roses covering the mound of earth in front of it; only the holes drilled into the wooden door in the form of a cross gave a clue as to the use of the building. The mortuary is a light, whitewashed concrete vault lit by a roof light. A black-painted wooden catafalque rests on the brick-red floor and the partition that divides the curved vault has an abstract painting by Aalto and the Turku artist Eino Kauria. Viper hall The nurses' home, known as the ‘hall of vipers', was designed and built in 1060-63.It is a two-storey, four-part building, with each part joined to the next by an drawn-in linking element. It departs from Aalto's 1930s buildings mainly in that, instead of a flat roof, it has a pitched roof and the detailing does not focus nearly as much on metal. The name is derived from the fact that the building wriggles gently across the terrain. Stairs Tuberculosis was treated with fresh air, so that sun beds suitable for external use were needed. They emerged as the result of some specialist design work, as did the ‘winter sleeping bags' made of sheepskin that were part of the sun beds.The whole interior of the building is pervaded by health giving light, most powerfully in the stair cases, where sun spills down huge areas of glazing. Where the effort of climbing was incorporated as part of the healing process. Tree section Aalto believed that â€Å"the health of every person depends to a great extent on his submission to the conditions of nature† This came from the fact that medicine was not advanced enough to heal alone, so healing came from being take out of the crowded, disease infested cities where the sun, space and breeze of the country would help heal.The flat finnish landscape made a stepped section unsuitable, the roof terrace is then used for treatment for summer and winter alike stretching the entire length of the patient ward, where the healthier patients could go and take in the spectacular views across the vast forest, each sun-deck beneath was cantilevered to take in the sunshine, like the branches of a tree. Organism for Healing The health of every person depends a great extent on his submission to the condition of nature.The outer buildings are module starting with the head physicians house the y grow and multiply like they are a dividing organism until you get to the patients ward and the rooms are almost exponential in comparison. The building is designed to be a organism for healing, each room is catered to the patient with the use of sun, greenery, and space it helps them in their healing process. Forest The Patients rooms looked out over an unhabited forest which is visually brought into the building as posts, vertical lines, windows and columns.The pine forest was a powerful source of healing and hope for the finish patients, it is also therapeutic to the community who's collective soul deeply embraces the protective wood's and tree's. It is hard to imagine the impact the sanatorium must have had on patients. The dedication to serving their needs manifested in every detail and the optimistic uplifteing quality of it's light filled spaces. Symmetry as parts (medical and proper man) vs. Asymmetry as a whole (natural and living) The plan of the building is laid out in d ifferent sections.Each section is symmetric or on a central axis. The building as a whole does not have a central axis but is asymmetrically in balance. Sort of like a human body that is being treated for a certain condition. The focus is put on parts of the physical body, but as a whole the body makes up a person or a human being. Technology is manmade – human creating a function from natural sources Aalto liked to use materials in their natural state in his buildings. He also liked to take advantage of how modern technology could assist the daily needs of the people in his buildings.In the Sanitarium, he created manmade elements made from elements close to their natural state as a gesture towards to needs of the patients, doctors, and nurses using the spaces. Plasticity and Fluidity (like natures organic forms) Throughout the Paimio Sanitarium, certain spaces have a plastic form that is almost like a landmark in that area of the building. These forms seem to mimic the organ ic forms that can be found in nature like the curve of the terrain on the hill, or the edge of the tree creating a fluid line that separates its branches from the sky.They are found in the central stair of the tower and the overhang above the entrance to the building. Facing the Sun During this time there were not any antibiotics or specific medicines for the treatment of tuberculosis. The best treatment for the condition was dry climate, greenery, fresh, clean air, and a lot of sun. With having a south facing slope it makes sense to position the patients' rooms and the roof terrace to face the sun. A Landscape representing time – modern, ancient, and current. This picture really represents a lot of different times in the culture of the area.The pastures and fields in the foreground represent the current lives of the citizens of Paimio – they are healthy, providing resources and going about their daily lives. In the middle ground there is the forest- it is natural grow th and holds a sort of history in the culture of the people. Then, rising above it all is the Sanitarium – a modern piece of architecture at the time that still stands as a landmark. Architecturally, it was a glimpse into what would be in the future and functionally it was a humble reminder of the hard times.Conclusion. The solution Aalto created for solving the needs of people to fit in with their comfortable natural state while gaining the positive effects of the industrialization at the time was to give people the creative freedom to make their spaces unique to themselves and their needs. He wanted people to remember their individualism. Finding the potential value in humans and emphasizing their common needs became Aalto's main purpose in architecture in his later years. This can be seen in his public buildings as well as in his churches and houses.Aalto believed that people should live a democratic and individualistic lifestyle. He called for the humanization of all thin gs including his architecture. It was important to address how humans move and travel through space and also how they inhabit it. The needs of the user were considered. In all of his projects, Aalto stressed meaning of the project to the client as well as to himself. He looked at the perspectives of the users and found ways to enhance those perspectives, for example the chairs in the Sanatorium were designed to make it easier for the patients to breathe.His architecture was meant to enrich the lives of those it served. In the Paimio Sanitarium in particular, Aalto's attention to psychological spaces enhancing the quality of life for the users, relation to the other buildings in the area, having a form that follows the function, and specific detail in the technical equipment made it all come together to create a well designed approach to the site and the people that dwell within it in a beautiful piece of modern architecture.

Altar Is a Sign of Religious People Essay

Filipinos have forever been said to be religious people – in fact, too religious, if one might say. It is one characteristic of Filipinos that describes their identity. Try entering houses of Filipinos you know, you would notice there would always be a special place for their altars. They always reserve a certain part in their houses not always necessarily as a â€Å"place of worship† but sometimes just for the traditional way of being religious. Altars are first introduced in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial times. They mostly consist of saints in different carvings, either with the use of wood or ivory. Eventually, having an altar inside the house grew as a Filipino tradition that until now is observed. In an altar, the primary attraction is either the figure of Jesus or the Virgin Mary, perfectly crafted and painted. When the figure does not include carved garments, rich ornate robes of satin were fashioned. Beads of gold and silver accentuate their clothing. Altars in different homes may vary depending on their size, location or adornments. There are altars exaggeratedly huge and elegant, adorned with different statues of angels and saints in a rock formation backdrop. Sometimes, altars and gardens are combined as one, producing a beautiful scenery. These kind are those seen outside their houses, located in their backyard. Such altar may contain of a small pond surrounded by flowers of different colors and plants of different sizes with the statue of the Virgin Mary centered inside. There are also the simple and ordinary altars inside their houses. It is usually easily seen upon entrance inside a house of a Filipino. The reason for this is because when they enter and leave the house, they touch or kiss the forehead of the figure. Mostly, the important components of such altars are candles, rosary, the Bible, a crucifix and of course, the figure of the Virgin Mary and/or Jesus. Ornamentation are only added optionally. Plastic plants/flowers may be used or sometimes the better, fresh flowers. Specifically, Filipinos most often prefer sampaguita. Aside from the fact that it has a unique sweet smell, it is cheap. Sampaguitas are hung like a lei on the body of the figure. Not only are altars found in a Filipino’s home. Even schools hear in our country have small altars located inside their classrooms. Most commonly, they are located on one corner of the classroom. Usually, a small table covered in clean white cloth serves as the base of the altar. The usual things are placed on top of the table, only that they are in a much smaller version. Pictures of the Holy Family are also sometimes posted on the wall. Altars symbolize the devotion of the Filipinos to their Catholic religion. It had been an important part of their tradition. Hopefully, as years go by, they may not be forgotten.

Biological Theories of Crime Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Biological Theories of Crime - Research Paper Example According to Johan Caspar, the facial features, as well as the shape of the skull, have an impact on the human conduct. Cesare Lombroso echoed this opinion. He theorized that other aspects of body organs, such as the size of hair and ears, were related to the conduct of individuals. This was so in that those individuals who had longer hair had higher chances of being criminals as they behaved to match the primitive nature of other primitive animals (Velden, 2010). The earlier theories of criminality tried to relate the physical features of an individual’s body, such as deformity, disability and ugliness with crime (Brewer, 2000). Fundamentally, the biological theories of crime put the biological traits of an individual as the main factor that affects their behavior and the way they act. However, the modern biological theories of crime have related their observations and arguments to the works of Charles Darwin (Wilson, 1980). These theories postulate that crime is a factor of the process of man trying to adapt to the environment. There are various theories that have been put across to establish the relationship between the biological make up of an individual and their behaviors and actions. Such theories include the constitutional theories and the psychological theories. Psychoanalytic Theory is one of the psychological theories postulating that all human beings have some aspects of natural urges that are suppressed in their subconscious (Velden, 2010). According to this theory, all individuals have criminal urges and tendencies. However, through the process of behavioral development, socialization and the build of self-control such urges and tendencies are restrained (Brewer, 2000). If there is that lack of control learnt by individuals during their childhood, and if there happens to be a faulty identification by a child with his parents, a criminal behavior develops. The aspect of lack of proper development in a child may develop personality disturbanc e, which is a responsible for developing antisocial tendency either inwardly or outwardly. According to this theory, a child who directs the antisocial impulses inwardly becomes restless, while the one who directs them outwardly becomes a criminal (Wilson, 1980). Cognitive development theory is another psychological theory that postulates that criminal behavior emanates from the way individuals organize their thoughts on morality and law (Brewer, 2000). According to this theory, individuals undergo three levels of morality development, where each stage can shape the tendencies for individuals to become criminals, based on their moral character development at each stage. At the first level of moral development, which is the preconventional level, individual’s moral reasoning is based on obedience and the fear of punishment (Velden, 2010). This is mostly found at the early stages of childhood. When individuals get to the middle stages of childhood, they enter the conventional l evel of moral development. At this level, individuals develop moral reasoning and behaviors based on what their families and others expect of them. After this stage, an individual proceeds to early adulthood stage. This is the post-conventional level of moral behavior development. At this stage, individuals do value the social conventions and laws, but are at a freedom to adapt changes that will eventually change such social convention

Hand Hygiene of Nurses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hand Hygiene of Nurses - Essay Example Action planning involves active participation in the hand washing process, for example, nurses may list when they are supposed to wash their hands. This was also supported in the study by Nicol, et.al., (2009; Curtis, et.al., 2009) where the authors emphasized the theory of planned behavior. The study revealed that the theory of planned behavior could sufficiently help improve the education and training of nurses in hand hygiene behavior (Nicol, et.al., 2009; Curtis, et.al., 2009). This study was also able to demonstrate that deep-seated habits which are incorporated well into a person’s activities have a significant potential of improving a certain activity or behavior (Nicol, et.al., 2009; Curtis, et.al., 2009). The theory of planned behavior also points out that where individuals unconsciously apply certain activities, they also learn to carry out hand washing activities where necessary (Nicol, et.al., 2009; Curtis, et.al., 2009). This study provides a more in-depth and per sonalized verbalization of how habits and planned activities can lead to better hand washing compliance. The value of planned behavior in the promotion of hand washing was also explored in the study by Curtis, et.al. (2009; Nicol, et.al., 2009). The authors were able to establish that hand washing is a habitual behavior and planning it into a person’s life can help ensure that it would always be carried out. This study explored the value of planned and habitual activities which can eventually be incorporated into a person’s life (Curtis, et.al., 2009; Nicol, et.al., 2009). It also relates the value of building habitual behavior in relation to hand washing. Through this study, a holistic and specific picture of hand washing is obtained, including the impact of planned habits and behavior on its compliance.

Accountability Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Accountability - Research Paper Example In a world that is increasingly becoming globalised with transnational companies reigning in economic power and supremacy, there is growing laxity in regard to the implementation of environmental regulations and high tolerance to human rights violations.The transnational companies currently are not liable to charges in regard to the destruction of the environment under international law which means that when harm is caused to individuals and by extension to future generations by a party, the party is bound to go scot free. What this implies is that international law does not give due respect to environmental accountability. While nations have instituted laws that regulate anthropogenic activities in relation to their impacts on the environment, many of these are lax giving people and organizations to become less accountable to future generations as they degrade the environment. Many have argued repeatedly that the world belongs to the future generation. The future generation in this context is the children and those who are yet to be born. However, the children have neither the power to vote nor the financial or political power to influence decisions made by the government that may affect their future well-being according to the World Commission on Environment and Development (1997) . This implies that their future wholly depends on the institutional and governance mechanisms put in place by the government.This implies that their future wholly depends on the institutional and governance mechanisms put in place by the government. Therefore, to ensure the well-being of the future generation, the government must be accountable to the children at different levels. Accountability, according to the free dictionary, is the duty bestowed upon an organization or individual to account for its actions and accept liability for them as well as disclosing the outcomes of activities to the stakeholders2. Accountability for future generation, therefore, implies protecting the rights of every child in the country by ensuring that they live in an environment that is secure and has adequate health facilities to promote their well-being. Accountability also entails managing and protecting the environment for the benefit of both present and future generation. This can be achieved by guaranteeing both the present and future generations the right to public participation in decision-makings, access to information and justice in matters related to the environment3. This paper examines the concept of accountability in light of the rights and interests of future generation. Part I Various stakeholders demand for accountability, sometimes their demands contrasting one another. Businesses for example demand that the government provide an environment that is safe and secure – one in which business can thrive with minimum threats. Furthermore, businesses demand that the environment is conducive for living. In this respect, the organizations call upon the governm ent to be more accountable in ensuring that the natural environment is clean and devoid of physical threats. On the other hand, the government and members of the public demand that businesses take action to minimize the negative effects of their production activities on the environment. For example, the by instituting carbon accounting laws and instituting regulations regarding the control of environmental pollution by individuals and organizations, the government calls for greater accountability to the environment. The parties of which accountability is demanded, however, often find the responsibility taxing as it is associated with certain costs. It has been noted by several quarters that the future of the planet and generations to come depend on how accountable the present generation is to the environment. With this being the case, the issue of sustainable development has become a subject of great debate as businesses and governments strive to strike a balance between the present use of resources for the profit of organizations and the present generations and the good of future generations. The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and

What are the Elements of a Successful Counter-terrorist Strategy Dissertation

What are the Elements of a Successful Counter-terrorist Strategy - Dissertation Example It is properly defined as the creation and exploitation of fear through the use of violence or threat of using violence (Burke 2006). Because of the effect of terrorism on the social, economic and political aspect of states and non-states, various methods have been devised to prevent terrorist attacks, or at least reduce its negative effects. Thus, counterterrorism has been considered as yet another important agenda of states and other juridical entities (Durmaz 2007). This study aims to look into the different methods falling under the umbrella of counterterrorism as well as the elements that the same must contain in order to ensure its success. This chapter aims to provide an introduction to the topic at hand as well as to the aims and contents of this dissertation thus dividing it into the following sections: first, background of the study; second, research objectives; third, statement of the problem; fourth, research questions; fifth, significance of the study; sixth, scope and l imitations; seventh, operational definition of terms; and finally, an overview of the dissertation. Background of the Study As earlier mentioned, counterterrorism refers to an important agenda of states and non-states in their attempt to respond to terrorist threats and attacks (Orttung and Makarychev 2006). More specifically, counterterrorism pertains to the different practices, tactics, techniques and strategies that various juridical personalities (i.e. departments and corporations) make use of in order to effectively prevent and respond to terrorist threats and acts whether they be real or not. In this regard, counterterrorism focuses on both the detection of potential attacks as well as to the development of effective responses in... The intention of this study is terrorism that has been one of the most significant problems that the World has been dealing with in the twenty-first century. It generally pertains to the systematic use of terror as a means by which a person or a group of people could coerce another into doing something. In its common usage, the word terrorism pertains to those acts committed to cause fear and compromise the safety of the civilians. Most importantly, the prevalence of this problem in this particular era has led to the perception that it is often perpetrated by groups guided by their desire to attain a certain religious, political or ideological goal. Terrorism, thus, is considered as both a tactic and a strategy. It is properly defined as the creation and exploitation of fear through the use of violence or threat of using violence. Because of the effect of terrorism on the social, economic and political aspect of states and non-states, various methods have been devised to prevent terr orist attacks, or at least reduce its negative effects. Thus, counterterrorism has been considered as yet another important agenda of states and other juridical entities. Because of the importance of strategies related to counter-terrorism, it has been expounded that all aspects and segments of the society are of paramount importance in designing a counter-terrorist plan. In the same manner, it has also been argued that it is of utmost significance that propaganda and indoctrination be properly understood for the two lie at the heart of terrorism.

Facebook Marketing Should Be Used For Business Research Paper

Facebook Marketing Should Be Used For Business - Research Paper Example Therefore, Facebook is one of the marketing tools that organizations can apply to advertise their products, and inform their customer on their brand offering. Nevertheless, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of Facebook as a marketing tool for organizations. Thus, this discussion seeks to analyze the application of Facebook as a marketing tool for businesses. First, the greatest advantage offered by Facebook marketing for business is its accessibility to many prospective customers. Facebook hit one billion active users by September 2012, creating a platform that has among the highest number of people interacting throughout the world (One Billion Factsheet, n.p.). Therefore, the application of Facebook as a Marketing tool for business will be advantageous, considering that it will be possible for the business to reach many customers, since Facebook offers the platform where a business can interact with over one billion customers in form of individuals, grou ps and corporate, thus providing the best target market platform that any business can reach. (Treanor, n.p.). In addition, by September, 2012, Facebook reached a high of 140.3 billion active subscribers with friendship connections throughout the world, making Facebook one of the interconnected platforms that any business can apply to advertise its products, and thus reach many customers, through the friendship interconnections (One Billion Factsheet, n.p.). Further, Facebook has become a major trend in the world, with the 2012 Social Media Marketing Industry Report indicating that 94% of all organizations that have an advertising department are utilizing social media as one of their major marketing tool, with 60% of such business dedicating time that is equivalent to full day, in developing social media marketing, as well as maintaining it (Bosari, n.p.). Secondly, in addition to being a highly accessible social networking platform, Facebook combines the advantages of word-of-mouth advertising with the ability to interconnect links and thus enable the prospective customers to view the advertisement, as well as the news related to the business, its products and services (Kang, 22). Word-of-mouth advertising remains one of the most effective advertising mode that customers are well acquitted with, and Facebook allows individuals to share information regarding the existence of a business and its products through sharing such information, using the share option that is offered by Facebook, where individuals can share any useful information with their friends who are on the same social media network (Treanor, n.p.). Therefore, Facebook offers an opportunity where businesses can create a fan page, and then share the same with people and groups who are on the same social network or even those who are in other different social networks, thus building up an interconnection that would allow the company, its brand and services to be viewed by millions of customers, who will in turn make purchase decisions regarding the same, based on the information provided by the business in their fan page (Bosari, n.p.). The other reason why Facebook should be used by businesses for marketing is the fact that; it is one of the few marketing tool that combines the advantage of visual, audio and written media, making it one of the favorite platform for advertisers (Kang, 47). When most of the mass and print media offers either audio-visual or print advertisement, Facebook combines

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT - Article Example Further, the managers at Wal-Mart would work closely with the government to ensure that incentives offered are utilized for the growth of the company. Government is working hard to put in place long term measures that will save businesses such as Wal-Mart in case of an economic meltdown. For instance, introduction of greater ties between the interests of business and society influenced operation of Wal-Mart in terms of designing its products and services for its customers. The new regulations that the government has put place aim to promote desired behavior by preventing the company from exploiting customers. For example, Wal-Mart Company had to ask its suppliers to report about its sustainability programs by asking them to report on their environmental concerns such emission of greenhouse gases. In addition, Wal-Mart is offering funding for the development of the second party consortium, which aims to give information about the environmental footprint of its products. Other public c oncerns such as creation of environmental friendly products, workplace education, and training influence how Wal-Mart operates. As Wal-Mart aims to expand outside the US, government is decreasing control across national borders which implies that it is easy to circumvent tough business regulations at home while at the same time getting more friendly rules overseas where the company will be able to make profits (Reich, 2009). The move by the government to be less involved in the operation of businesses has created a close working relationship between government and businesses. For instance, Wal-Mart is opening supercenters and small shopping centers across the US to reach all customers. More so, this has enabled it to venture into other businesses such as banking, travel services, internet services and used cars. Reich (2009), states that, the government is coaxing its operations but not regulating it, which in turn has made the company successful. If the government engaged in regula ting behavior, it would have blocked innovation at Wal-Mart but the introduction of coaxing measures has encouraged its innovation and expansion in US and other parts of the world. Furthermore, the government has allowed Wal-Mart to decide how to achieve its desired outcomes. For example, rather than force the company to offer specific employee benefits, Wal-Mart has been allowed to offer a minimum amount per employee into a common fund accessible to those who do not get such benefits. Wal-Mart managers engage with the government as opposed to shielding it from participating in its activities. In this manner, it is of great benefit because the system is efficient and affordable whereby both parties benefit. For any business to succeed, managers need to devote attention to public concerns and try to come up with solutions before those concerns develop into political action. For instance, it is important for Wal-Mart to convince its customers that they will produce quality goods at lo w prices. Wal-Mart has been vulnerable to attacks regarding ethical issues. In this purview, they have been accused of providing low pay and poor working conditions to workers. Environmental issues also threaten Wal-Mart’s success. This is against government demands, which requires that all businesses must be responsible for the activities. Further, they have to develop public trust to enable the business thrive. Managing the extended enterprise Corporate social responsibility is the ability of a company to conduct its business

Racial Profiling Essay Example for Free

Racial Profiling Essay Racial profiling has been a very heated issue from past few years. Race and location are the dominant characteristics authorities look at when engaging in this type of profiling. The undeniable pattern of race-based stops by police is a dilemma that millions of African-American and Latino-American motorists regularly encounter on this countrys highways. This phenomenon has been sardonically dubbed as being pulled over for DWB (Driving While Black or Brown). This play on words of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) refers to the commonly employed police practice of using an alleged traffic violation as a pretext to stop any black or Hispanic motorist they suspect of being involved in criminal activity unrelated to driving. These officers have no legal cause for carrying out the stop besides enforcing traffic regulations. Being subjected to a DWB stop is, according to House Representative John Conyers Jr., an experience that virtually every African-American male has been subjected to. (American Civil Liberties Union online). However, when someone says that there is a difference between white and black people, everyone is afraid they may offend someone, or come across as a racist. The basic fact is there are differences between races. Every race is different is some way, not white or black people. This is not to say that one race is better or should be treated better It is saying there is a difference for example; each race has its own cultural background, which can cause language barriers. Also different races have different views on how things should be done and this can cause conflicts locally or nationally. Although some observers claim that racial profiling doesnt exist, there is a plenty of stories and statistics that document the practice. One case where law enforcement officers were particularly bold in their declaration of intent involved U.S. Forest Service officers in Californias Mendocino National Forest last year. In an attempt to stop marijuana growing, forest rangers were told to question all  Hispanics whose cars were stopped, regardless of whether pot was actually found in their vehicles. The practice of racial profiling has been a prominent topic for the past several years. In this February address to Congress, President George W. Bush reported that he had asked Attorney General John Ashcroft to develop specific recommendations to end racial profiling. Its wrong, and we will end it in America. (The Myth of Racial Profiling online.) Minorities are not only more likely to be stopped than whites, but they are also often pressured to allow searches of their vehicles, and they are more likely to allow such searches. Once the police officer has legally stopped the vehicle, the harm of being discriminated against unfortunately does not end. Besides being subjected to unwanted delay, the officer now has the opportunity to investigate for evidence of criminal activity completely separate and unrelated to the traffic violation. The entire interior of the car is now exposed to the eyes of the officer, allowing him to discover and seize any objects that are potentially incriminating within his plain view. If a legal arrest of the driver can be made, the arresting officer is justified to conduct a full-fledged body Search  of the motorist and the entire interior of the car. However, in the majority of cases, the police officer is unable to view anything criminal in plain view or able to find a legal justification for arresting the driver based on the traffic violation. But the probing nature of the officers investigation does not end here. The officer does not issue a ticket or warning and allow the driver to go, but he will attempt to obtain consent from the driver to search. Although drivers are under no legal obligation to consent, many still do. Motorists simply arent fully aware that they can refuse. The Constitution does not require the police to inform citizens they can freely withhold consent from the officer. However, the use of class probability in police investigations is correctly regarded with extreme suspicion, as it violates a basic principle of  justice: The legal system should treat all citizens equally, until there is specific, credible evidence that they have committed a crime. In the case that was discussed, we can say that the odds that any particular young black or Hispanic man will be hassled by the police are much higher than for a white man who, aside from his race, is demographically indistinguishable from him. These minority men, no matter how law-abiding they are, know that they will be investigated by the police significantly more often than other citizens who are not members of their racial group. It did not take long for those in law enforcement to conclude that their best pull would come from seizing goods from who lack the resources to win them back. In one highly publicized case that occurred in 1991,federal authorities at the Nashville airport took more than $9,000 in cash from Willie Jones, a black landscaper who was flying to Houston in order to purchase shrubs. According to the police, that money could have  been used to purchase drugs. After spending thousands of dollars and two years on the case, the landscaper was able to convince the courts to return most of the seized cash. (Jhon Cohen, 2000). Sam Thach, a Vietnamese immigrant, found himself in a similar situation last year. He was relieved of $147,000 by the DEA while traveling on Amtrak. Thach was investigated because the details of his ticket purchase, which Amtrak shared with the DEA, fit the profile of a drug courier. He was not charged with any crime and is now fighting to retrieve his money in federal court. (Gene Callahen Online). Some racial profiling defenders agree that the drug war bears a large part of the blame for racial profiling. Many of the stop-and-search cases that brought this matter into the headlines were part of the so-called war on drugs, (Gene Callahan Online). He contends that even if drugs were legalized tomorrow, the practice would continue. If we really wish to end the scourge of racial profiling, we must address its roots: drug laws that encourage police to consider members of broad groups as probable criminals. We must redirect law enforcement toward solving specific, known crimes using the particular evidence available to them about that crime. Whatever ones opinion on drug legalization may be, its easy to agree that the state of seizure law in America is reprehensible, even given last years minor federal reforms. It should be obvious that theres something nutty about a legal system that assumes suspects in murder, robbery, and rape cases are innocent until a trial proves otherwise, but assumes that a landscaper carrying some cash is guilty of drug trafficking. Work Cited Arrest the racism. David A Harris. On-Line, Dec4th, 2001 http://www.aclu.org/profiling/report/index.html American Renaissance (1999). Nov.25 2001 Heather Mac Donald. Myth of racial profiling, On-Line, Dec.4th, 2001 http://www.city-journal.org/html/11_2_the_myth.html Is Jim Crow alive and well in America today. American Civil Liberties Union/ Freedom Network. On-Line, Dec4th, 2001. http://www.aclu.org/profiling Jhon D. Cohen End of Racial Profiling Copyright 1999 Recruits Still Low, Randy Diamond, The Bergen Record. On-Line Dec. 4th, 2001. http://www.bergen.com/news/recruitr200008237.htm. Roots of Racial PROFILING, Gene Callahan and William Anderson. http://reason.com/0108/fe.gc.the.shtml Supt. Williams Sues NJ for Race Bias, Wendy Ruderman, New Jersey On-Line Dec.4th, 2001. http://www.nj.com/news/times/stories/10-ukbbfqsb.html Fired State Police

Why Is Effective Communication Important?

Why Is Effective Communication Important? Introduction: Effective workplace communication skills are among the skills we assume every worker picked up along the way. The problem is that not all the communication skills and habits we picked up at home, in school or social circles are appropriate in the workplace. Some people would be fired immediately if they communicated in the workplace the way they do at home or among friends. Understanding how to speak, write and manage your nonverbal messages is critical to your success at work. As you will discover from a few surveys we will review, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, Human Resource Managers, and other business leaders rate communication skills highest among the skills needed to advance in the workplace. Written by Peter Adebi, organization development expert, leadership coach, and human resource consultant, this seminar, Achieving Optimal Workplace Success through Effective Communication, is designed to help you acquire the skills you need to be an effective communicator. What is Communication? Communication is simply the sending of a message to another person. The person sending the message first needs to formulate the message in his head. This involves determining the meaning that the sender intends to convey to the other person. To formulate the meaning of the message, the sender usually draws upon his background attitudes, perceptions, emotions, opinions, education, and experience.   The message is then sent to the listener through both verbal talking and non-verbal gestures. The person receiving this message then interprets its meaning. To do this, the listener uses his background, attitudes, perceptions, emotions, opinions, education, and experience.   Effective communication exists between two persons when the person receiving the message interprets it in the same way as the sender intended it. Sounds really simple doesnt it? Well, it can be. Communication is essential for achieving managerial and organizational effectiveness. Without communication, employees will not be able to aware of what their co-workers are doing, will not have any idea about what their goal are, and will not be able to assess their performance. In absence of channels of communication, supervisors will not be able to give instruction to their subordinates and management will not receive the information it requires to develop plans and take decision. Good communication always helps employees become more involve in their work and helps them to develop a better understanding of their jobs. Clear, precise and timely communication of information also prevents the occurrence of organizational problems. Effective communication is essential for achieving organizational goals, but ensuring such communication has been a major problem for most organization. Although the word communication is often used, there has been no consensus among communication experts regarding the definition of communication. In general, communication may be defined as the process by which the information is exchanged between individuals. There are many components to communication. Consider verbal communication skills, listening skills, written memorandums/email, telephone skills and non-verbal communication. Also, reflect upon all the people we communicate to: subordinates, peers, supervisors, customers, and groups of people. In addition, ponder some of the reasons, why we communicate: to get and give information, to discipline subordinates, to make assignments, and so on.   Why is Effective Communication Important? We already know that communication is a big part of our daily existence. Even when we dont want to communicate, the very actions we take not to communicate such as being quiet in meetings, avoiding people, declining to respond to emails or give feedback, communicate something about us. In a survey of 480 companies and organizations conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers and published in the Wall Street Journal, effective communication ability ranked first among the desirable personal qualities of future employees. reference: December 29, 1998. Wall Street Journal, Work Week, p. A1. In a national survey of 1000 human resource managers, oral communication skills are identified as valuable for both obtaining employment and successful job performance. reference: Winsor, et al., 1997    In yet another survey, executives in Fortune 500 companies indicate that college students need better communication skills, as well as the ability to work in teams and with people from diverse backgrounds (Association Trends, 1997). The point of these examples is that honing your communication skills should be a priority for you as you seek to advance in the workplace. Research Although many articles and books have dealt with interpersonal and organizational communication, most of them are not based on systematic research findings. However, the Real Managers Study (conducted by Fed Luthan, Richard M. Hodgetts and Stuart A.Rosenkrantz) is based on original research in communication. The researches observe managers at work in various organizational setting and also studies the self reports submitted by them to understand the process of communication in organization. They developed the managerial communication model to explain the different style of communication used by the managers and to provide a framework for understanding how managers communicate in organization. Henri Fayols Contribution to Communication In formal organizations, the design of communication channels is based on the assumption that all the divisions and departments are self contained and do not facilitate communication among employees at the same level. This poses the serious problem when circumstances demand such communication. If an individual wants to convey some message to an individual from another department, the message has to be passed up to the highest managerial level and then down to the individual. The reply from that individual is also received in a similar way, leading to huge delays. Chester Barnards Contribution Chester Barnard felt that communication played an important role in shaping organizations. According to him, Communication forms one of the three primary elements of an organization, the common goals and willingness to serve customers beings the other two elements. Communication links the number of the members of an organization with organizations goal and facilitates and enhances cooperative action among the individual and department of the organization. Communication whether written or oral, helps an organization attain its golas, but it can also give rise to problems. For instance, if a particular message is misinterpreted, an inappropriate decision may be taken. This decision may be taken. This decision may result in losses to the organization in long-run. Barnard related communication to the concept of authority. According to him, for authority to be delegated from a manager to sub ordinate, all communication originating from the manager must be clearly understood by the subordinate. He believed that a manager should try to understand the meaning of the message before communicating it to his subordinates. Barnards indentifies seven communication factors that helps establish and maintain objectives authority in an organization. The member of an organization should be aware of all the available channels of communication. Every member of organization must have access to specific formal channel of communication. Communication with an organization must follow the shortest and most direct path. All communication should involve the use of entire, formal line of communication. Competent persons should serve as communication centers. There should be no interruption in the time of communication during the functioning of an organization, and All communication should be authenticated. Who is Responsible for Communicating Effectively? Managers share the responsibility in communicating effectively with the individual employees themselves. The manager is 100% responsible for communicating effectively with their employees. This includes establishing an open and trusting climate for communication, as well as demonstrating good communication techniques to their employees. The employee is 100% responsible for taking advantage of the climate for communication to express what is important and relevant. For example, it is expected that a manager will ask are there any questions? after giving an employee an assignment, but it is also expected that an employee will say, I have a question, if one should occur to the employee, without waiting for the manager to ask.   The following communication is useful for organizational communication. Non verbal communication Downwards communication Upward communication Lateral communication Interactive communication Barriers to Effective Communication A number of obstacle may restrict the receivers understanding of a message. These interruption act as barriers to communication, which may totally prevent communication, or delete a aprt of the message, or convey the wrong meaning. Some of the barriers to effective communication are discuss below. Filtering: This refers to the manipulation of information by the sender so as to obtain a favorable opinion from the receiver about the project in which there is significant progress but does not inform him of the project that are lagging behind. Selective perception: A person perceives information on the basis of his needs, values, experience and background. His personal interest and expectation influence the way he decodes information. For instances, if an interviewer believes that women give more priority to their family than their professional career, he is likely to perceive this Characteristics in all female applicants, regardless of whether the applicants feel that way or not. Defensiveness: People intentionally attempt to block communication when they feel that other person is threatening their self image and prestige. They react in a defensive manner by the making sarcastic comments, by the passing judgment on the others, ot by questioning the motives of the other party. This type of defensive behavior impedes effective communication. Language: As per our first assignment, an organization has different kind of people from different cultures. In such cases language is one of the important factor for communication towards different cultural people. Because each employee may have a different meaning or pronunciation for the same word. The business units of a company operating in different geographical territories may also use terms and phrases in a unique way. Hence, the sender has to modify the style of communication depending on the people he is addressing (workers, clients or business partners).