Compare and Contrast Essay

At multiple points in life, people are faced with judgments ranging in difficulty and significance. And every decision could be affected by outside influences which could persuade people to make a choice. Sometimes, one is faced with the choice of which juice to drink in the morning, a very minute decision to make. There are other, more substantial decisions like choosing which college to attend or whether or not it is the right time to buy a home. Depending on the size of the decision and influence, everything that happens in one’s life could be crucial moments that determine the final outcome of one’s life. This was seen in Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima and Bernard Malamud’s The Natural. Both author’s used the main characters to show that one’s future is determined by the choices made throughout life, and the outside influences that guide the choices. Anaya and Malamud use other’s expectations, other’s guidance, and decisions made as significant points that help determine the outcome of the main character’s future. A main comparison between the two stories was that both of the main characters faced constant expectations on them placed on them. In Bless Me, Ultima, Anthony is the rope in a tug of war between his two families, the Yanez and the Lunas. He is judged by his more rebellious and spirited brothers, who display characteristics of the Yanez vaqueros, and is ridiculed that he will become like his mother (Anaya 68). Also, when he goes to his Luna uncle’s house for a time, he is tried be persuaded into becoming farmers like them, for â€Å"he has the feel of the earth in his blood† (Anaya 142). Both families tried to show him how he is more like the other, and both had the expectation of him becoming the next honored person to represent the family. Similarly, in The Natural, Roy is criticized nonstop by the fanatics of the ball club, but only when he is in a slump or having a bad game. But when he is in a great streak and crushing the baseballs, then he is adored. Roy is loved and hated constantly based on his actions, and the fickle nature of the crowd eventually determined how he was to be viewed after making his decision of selling out. The people close to the main characters helped determine the route that their future took, whether it was for the better or worse. Unlike the previous point, the guidance that the main characters of the story received severely contrasted. In Bless Me, Ultima, Tony had the guidance of the curandera, Ultima. Her supervision and direction of Tony helped him combat and overcome struggles by giving him hope. Ultima’s supervision of Tony was crucial so that he would not make an innocent mistake that could lead to his harm. Ultima’s protection of Tony was seen in action when Tenorio, the wicked bar owner and father of three witches, attempted to kill Tony in his drunken revenge. When he pointed his rifle at him, however, he was attacked by Ultima’s spirit in the form of an owl. Ultima died that night to protect the well being of Tony, showing how she is ultimately Tony’s keeper and protects him at all costs (Anaya 258). On the other hand, Roy’s manager Sam guided Roy in his beginning years as a ball player looking for a team. Roy was useless without Sam. He didn’t know â€Å"how to do simple things† like dress himself or even how much to tip a person (Malamud 5-6). As Harry Sylvester noted, Roy was a player who â€Å"operates with ease and the greatest skill, without having been taught†¦ [who] left alone†¦ might achieve his real fulfillment. † Roy did posses these great qualities, but Sam was like Roy’s judgment, and his absence really helped shape the outcome of Roy’s life because he wasn’t there to council Roy during tough situations. This absence of guidance and advice was the difference of Roy achieving his predicted greatness. Much like the first point, a main comparison that could be made for both writings is the decisions both main characters take in the process of determining their future. Tony stresses out a lot throughout the entire story about his life and becoming either a pastor or a cowboy, even though he is only seven. He is also very cautious with each move and step he takes so that he won’t commit an error in his development of becoming a man. Tony’s display of caution and care leads to him making the rightful decision of choosing elements of both families and using them to his advantage (Anaya 247). In contrast, Roy always displays a careless nature in his choices. As Orrin Judd put it, Roy continuously chose â€Å"pleasure over principle and dissipation over dedication† throughout the plot. This is certainly true because in many instances, Roy followed his primitive human nature in desire for pleasure and success, like following his desires for Harriet Bird or constantly wanting to be called â€Å"the best there ever was in the game† (Malamud 27, 34). Roy’s choices of following his temptations and the search for fame eventually led to him tragically failing in the end. Both characters faced tough situations, but their decisions in those situations  helped plan out their future. In all, the comparisons and differences of both The Natural and Bless Me, Ultima lead the audience to believe that a person’s future lies within their choices and the people’s reaction to them. Both stories displayed how key aspects of a person’s life can help determine their future. The many choices and decisions one makes in life can determine the outcome of their future, for the better or worse. Also, if one is loved by many or has great guidance to help them, then one will have a greater chance of achieving greatness and vice versa. In the end, the human being is responsible for their decisions and they must take the necessary precautions and steps to ensure the best future possible. Works Cited Anaya, Rudolfo. Bless Me, Ultima. New York: Grand Central, 1972. Print. Judd, Orrin. â€Å"Review of Bernard Malamud’s The Natural – BrothersJudd. com. † Brothers Judd Good Books and Recommended Reading – 27-Mar-11. 23 Mar. 2001. Web. 27 Mar. 2011. Malamud, Bernard. The Natural. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003. Print. Sylvester, Harry. â€Å"With Greatest of Ease. † New York Times. The New York Times Company, 26 Aug. 1952. Web. 27 Mar. 2011. .

Manager Role-Henry Mintzberg’s Management Roles Essay

There are three type levels of managers which are top level manager, middle manager, and first-line manager. Managers carry out functions, roles and skills. Management functions are planning, organizing, leading and controlling as stated by Henri Fayol. However, Henry Mintzberg defined management roles into three parts which are interpersonal roles, informational roles, and decisional roles. Besides, Robert L. Katz states that managers need three essential skills or competencies which are technical skills, human skills, and conceptual skills. The objective of this essay is to discuss the roles of manager in practice relate to Henry Mintzberg’s management roles. Based on the interview, it was found that the manager actually put into practice the skill introduced by Henry Mintzberg. Following discussion will be relates the manager interviewed with Mintzberg’s management roles. Description of the manager interviewed The manager interviewed (Ms. Ong) is thirty-five years old and has a marketing degree. She had been involved in managerial position for nine years. Now, she is the Corporate Affairs Manager in her current company, which is a position of middle manager. This company relates to communications technology. It is a multinational company which operate local and internationally. Instead, she has to plan and organize events to enhance relationship with business partners and customers. This is to ensure the company keeps on track with the suppliers and buyers from time to time on the updated products and services. Besides, she plan and organize the customer’s satisfaction survey to ensure customers satisfaction maintained at all times. Due to the survey, it is to improve and maintain the company’s reputation among customers. Her greatest achievement in the company is developed a new website for the group. She is maintaining the website to ensure the news is up to date. Definition and introduction to Mintzberg’s management roles The term management roles refers to specific categories of managerial behaviour (Robbins et al, 2006). From this sagacity, it shows the different roles have different behaviours are expected in different position. In Mintzberg’s ten management roles, he grouped the roles in three categories. First, those who concerned with interpersonal relationships (Interpersonal), follow up with those who concerned with the transfer information (Informational), and those who concerned with decision making (Decisional). Firstly, interpersonal roles required to perform duties that involve people and other duties that are ceremonial and symbolic in nature (Robbins et al, 2006). There are three interpersonal roles, which are figurehead role, leader role, and liaison role. These interpersonal roles are primarily concerned with provide information. Secondly, informational roles are managerial roles that involve receiving, collecting and disseminating information (Robbins et al, 2006). There are three informational roles, which are monitor role, disseminator role, and spokesperson role. It is primarily concerned with the information process with the information aspects of managerial works. Thirdly, Mintzberg identified decisional roles which revolve around making decisions (Robbins et al, 2006). This is the unique access of using information to the organizational decision making. There are four decisional roles, which are entrepreneur role, disturbance handler role, resource allocator role, and negotiator role. The top managers will make the decisions for the organization as a whole, while the supervisor makes decisions for his or her particular work unit. Henry Mintzberg’s management roles with manager interviewed As described above, Ms. Ong is a middle level manager. Middle managers included all levels of management between the first-line level and the top level of the organization who manage the work of first-line managers (Robbins et al, 2006). Ms. Ong as a middle level manager is responsible to attain the goals set by the top management. The first roles, which is the interpersonal roles is implemented much in the manager management roles. The manager interviewed mentioned that she uses very much interpersonal skills to ensure the ability to work with individuals and groups. This helps the manager to communicate with first-line and top management to process the information. The manager takes the responsibility to motivate members of the organization and ensure the organization keep on track with their goals to be attained. In the liaison role, the manager interacts with media on publicity for the organization to maintain the reputation. The leader role helps the manager to maintain relationship on developing network with the subordinates and media. This role gives the manager a unique position to collect information for her job. Secondly, the informational roles is the role the manager uses very much in managerial roles. In the monitor role, the manager receives and collects information. The information collected will processes and hand to the top management for decisions making. As an example, the manager will develop the Marketing Communication plans, promotional strategies and communication programmes to improve customers’ relationship. Yet, these plans need approval from the top management before it launch in the market. In the role of disseminator, the manager will produce monthly and quarterly newsletters and all other company’s publications into the organization. Besides, the manager plays the role of spokesperson by compile corporate information for release to press or public. Instead, the manager liaise with business partners on events or promotions pertaining to each products and services. As a corporate affairs manager, the manager plays her informational roles very well in the organization. Thirdly, as a middle level manager, the manager involves moderate little amount in decisions making. The manager accesses the information to the top management while the top level management will analyse and decide the best undertakings for the organization. Yet, as the corporate affairs manager, she has the responsible to review and approve selection of promotional media and agencies, then evaluate the cost effectiveness of the advertising programmes and campaigns to ensure maximum publicity for the organization. This shows how the manager captures the role of disturbance handler. It shows the manager will do the decisions making for her particular job unit not other than that. Overall, the manager interviewed has good social communication skills to communicate with the customers and business partners. These will ensure the organization’s reputation is well protected. The manager plays her roles well by applying Mintzberg’s management roles in her job. A manager should always apply the ten roles in Mintzberg’s management roles to handle their job. In addition, the manger mentioned that human skills stated in Katz theory is very much needed to deal with subordinates and business partners. By having the best performance of the subordinates, the manager will take action on giving some motivation rewards. Somehow, the manager thinks that rewards lead motivation in the overall performance in their group. This will ensure the overall group performance to be more efficient and effectively. Two stakeholders that impacts on the work of the manager interviewed Stakeholders are any constituencies in the organisation’s external environment that are affected by the organisation’s decisions and actions (Robbins et al, 2006). From the manager interviewed, there are many stakeholders such as employees, customers, business partners, media, and others. In this case, two important stakeholders chosen are employees and media. The manager states, employees are the important stakeholders in the organization. Employees are the subordinate that will contribute a lot in the organization. Each employee contribute one information or data, meanwhile the manager will collect and analyse the information or data. In the end of the day, it will process as an important document in the organization. To ensure the good relationship between employees, the manager will organize a party when they had done their project. This is to motivate the employees due to the organization goals are attained. Other than that, the manager will provide subordinates a cup of coffee or tea during the tea time break. Without a good relationship with the employees, the manager’s work will be futile. In the same time, the employees will willing to sacrifice and support the manager when the manager making decisions. Secondly, as a corporate affairs manager, the manager deals a lot with the media. Media plays an important role in helping the organization to achieve the goals. Meanwhile, it may create bias to the organization as well. In brief, media divided to two which are mass and electronic. In mass media, the manager deal with the editors to prevent bad press. Additionally, the manager will build good relationship with the editors in mass media to do advertising on new product releases or successful projects in the mass media. In electronic media, the manager will post all press articles on organization in the company website. This is to keep the company’s stakeholders update information. In conclusion, keeping a good relationship with stakeholders, the manager can achieve the organizational goals effectively and efficiently. The stakeholders will fully co-operate with the manager in the decisions making. They will serve or obey the order in advance. Conclusion The main objective of this essay is to understand the work of a manager in practice relates to Mintzberg’s management roles. Based on the interview of a corporate affairs manager in a multinational organization, it was found that Mintzberg’s ten management roles are being applied in the organization. In brief, Mintzberg’s management roles is categorized in three groups which are interpersonal roles, informational roles, and decisional roles. Besides Mintzberg’s management roles, in real life manager should apply other skills and theories to be more effective and efficient. References List McShane, V. G. (2003), Organizational behaviour, 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill, New York. Robbins,S. P. , Bergman,R. , Stagg,I. & Coulter, M. (2006), 4th edn, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Ethics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Ethics - Assignment Example Liberal tolerance is good. However, there are limits to liberal ethics. It is essential for politicians to comprehend that a comprehensive argument, whether written or in oral form, is significant at all stages of policy formulation. For instance, the electorate, the political parties, the executive, the local courts, interest groups and the media often involve themselves in reciprocal persuasion and continuous debates. According to liberal theorists, the above process commences with expression of general concerns and ends with decisions that are concrete. Arguments are essential not only in clarifying politicians’ position regarding an issue but also focusing people around their position. For instance, when a policy is perfectly explained by a group of individuals seeking self interest or goals, those who aim to justify the policy must plea to the interest of the public and the intellectual merits of the case under discussion. Individuals often miss a great point when they try to comprehend the process of policy making in terms of influence, bargaining and power to the exclusion of argument and debate. Arguments are the only avenue through which policy makers and citizens arrive at moral policy choices and judgments. As a result, debates produce outcomes that are far beyond the authoritarian capabilities or policy making technocratic methods (Majone, 1989). In environmental project, conflict is inevitable as change appears to be. As a matter of fact, it is impossible for individuals with backgrounds, norms and skills that are diverse to make decisions, work together and try to meet project objectives and goals without conflict. This raises the need to formulate tangible strategies of handling conflicts. According to Follet (1973), there are three principal ways of managing conflict. These include integration, compromise and domination. Domination is the triumph of one party over another. It is perceived to be

Portfolio Management, Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Portfolio Management, - Research Paper Example The limitations of the study are listed. Economic liberalization and globalization have brought about a new and competitive environment for the common and small investors who are willing to participate in the equity of the corporate sector in our country. Understanding the firm's investment decisions under imperfect market conditions is one of the central issues of the financial economics. Studying firm's investment in such environment can provide insight into the dynamics of its growth as a function of internal and external financial sources. Fazzari et al. (1988) argue that in the presence of financing constraints the firm's investment vary not only with the availability of the profitable investment projects, but also with the internal funds. Consequently, the severity of the financing constraints is proposed to be measured by the magnitude of the cash flow sensitivity of investment. The memo was found at moneycontrol.com. The memo talks about the investment option of a venture capitalist. It provides details of investments in various countries for a period of seven years and advises the manager in taking up an investment decision. The colours in the chart are used appropriately and the chart is easy to read. In the chart, real numbers have been used and in the Y axis instead of real numbers some legend might have been given to represent millions. The lines are used very effectively and the he line in the chart indicates the support level of the investments that the company can afford. I liked the chart and it provides a lot of information and is very effective. 2. Graphic Memo Introduction This memo describes how I spend an average day. First, I list all activities and schedule them. The entire activity is an application of planning. Then after arriving at the activities, a table is prepared showing the minutes of each activity. Finally a chart is drawn illustrating the percentage of time spent. Body The various activities that I perform in an average day includes Travel/Driving, Grooming, Studying, Class Attendance, Leisure Time, Work, Meals, Sleep, Etc. More detailed list is shown in the table. Then time is spent in each activity is calculated after organizing and scheduling the activities in a sequence. Then these activities are put in a table. Finally a pie chart is drawn to display hours. Table 1. List of Activities Activity Start Time End Time Minutes Grooming 7.00 A.M 8.00 A.M 60 Breakfast 8.00 A.M 8.15 A.M 15 Travel/Driving 8.15 A.M 9.00 A.M 45 Studying 9.00 A.M 10.00 A.M 60 Class Attendance 10.00 A.M 1.00 P.M 180 Meals 1.00 P.M 1.30 P.M 30 Leisure Time 1.30 P.M 2.00 P.M 30 Travel/Driving 2.00 P.M 3.00 P.M 60 Work 3.00 P.M 7.00 P.M 240 Travel/Driving 7.00 P.M 8.00 P.M 60 Dinner 8.00 P.M 8.30

Carbon Emissions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Carbon Emissions - Essay Example It has plans of using the latest science to be able to reduce the percentages of the gas that is daily being emitted. By the year 2030, it hopes that it would have been able to reduce the percentage by 60%. (Grubb, 1989) However, the consumers' lifestyle in the U.K. has also contributed to the increase of carbon emissions. Being the director of communications for carbon trust, I would want to see that these levels go down and that the problems caused by carbon emissions are managed. The problems associated with carbon emissions are many. This is why I want to look for a Public Relations consultancy firm that will be able to educate U.K. citizens about the dangers of emitting a lot of carbon in the atmosphere. Carbon emission is the major cause of global warming. This results due to greenhouse effect and it is a detrimental and the worst thing that can ever occur. The accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere causes temperatures to rise by approximately 3.6 F. Consumers' lifestyles in the U.K. have really played a major role in the increase of carbon that is emitted daily to the atmosphere. There are some things that they need to be warned about if the level is to go down. 40% of the carbon is produced by vehicles. The citizens have not been using environment friendly forms of transport. To start with, vehicles are owned by almost everybody. Journeys by public vehicles would reduce 90% of the emissions that is caused when everyone uses their personal vehicles. (Fraser, 1994). Then, the exhaust emissions of the vehicles are not made in such a way that it can limit the amount of exhaust fumes released. The more the exhaust fumes being released, the more the level of the emission of carbon dioxide to the air. The fuels they use produce a lot of carbon. It has been noted that the use of petrol as fuel contributes to large amounts of carbon emission. If alternative fuels are sought and the citizens encouraged using these, then there would be u p to 75% reduction in the amount of carbon that would be emitted to the atmosphere. Fuels such as ethanol have been proven to produce low levels of emissions. Therefore, it would be prudent enough for the citizens to adopt this type of fuel. The government wants to come up with a program that will enable filling stations to be able to lease out electric car batteries to car owners. Citizens of the U.K also use the heating system, which has been known to emit some levels of carbon. (Rose, A. et al, 1998). This fact has been discussed in meetings organised by the government. It was decided that the heating system was mainly used because of the poor standards of the houses that the people lived in. Therefore, the government set up a policy that required all landlords to build houses up to standards that do not require any heating system. This was in the faith that it will help towards reducing the levels of carbon emission. The use of garden floodlights and incandescent light bulbs have been on the increase in the U.K. These are also responsible for the carbon emission. These causes of carbon emission are not known by most of the people in the U.K. A lot of people contribute to the levels of carbon emission without knowing. Therefore, this calls for an introduction of some channels through which the relevant information can reach them. This is why I thought of consulting a Public Relations

Ancient Mythology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ancient Mythology - Essay Example We come now to the year of 1982 when Marion Zimmer Bradley published her astonishing book The Mists Of Avalon. We will compare Bradley's work with the original tales, to demonstrate that while the myth of Arthur was and is still powerful, the women in Arthur's life took center stage and became legends in their own right with Bradley's book. In the original legend, Arthur was born to Uther Pendragon and his wife Igraine. Arthur had an older half-sister Morgaine, also later known as Morgan Of the Fairies. Merlin the Magician was originally known as Taliesin, a Druid High Priest who transformed over time and many authors. The original tale of Arthur's destiny is kept true to form in Bradley's book, where Arthur winds up with a fatal wound at the hands of his son, Mordred. Some claim that Mordred was the son of Arthur and the golden-haired Guenivere, and others claim that Mordred was a bastard child of Arthur's who later attempted to lay claim as Arthur's heir to the throne since Arthur had had no other sons. Bradley's rendition of the Arthurian legend centers on the women of Arthur's life and court. Igraine was married to Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, with whom she had a daughter, the dark-haired, solemn-eyed Morgaine. Igraine loved her husband but felt a powerful draw to the beautiful, blonde Uther Pendragon. They were in love with each other, but could do nothing about it. Finally, Gorlois was killed in battle and Igraine married King Uther Pendragon, taking little Morgaine into the royal household with her. Later, their son Arthur was born, rightful heir to the Pendragon throne. This story took place in the early Christian times, when the pagans still held their festivals and Christianity had not yet dominated the land. When Arthur came of age, after having been tutored in the arts of kingscraft and druidism, he was to defeat the King Stag at the Beltain Fires and make love to the Maiden, representing Mother Earth. Arthur went to battle with the King Stag and won, then was led to the fires where he bedded with a prepared young virgin priestess. He later found to his horror that he had bedded his half-sister Morgaine. The child of Beltane would be Mordred. Bradley's book goes into a deeper explanation of the old religion, where the Isle Of Avalon was the place where the Lady Of the Lake (the High Priestess) was head of a special school for maidens who had the potential to become priestesses. In those days, unwed girls either went to nunneries or to the Isle Of Avalon. Viviane, the Lady Of the Lake, was Morgaine's grandmother with a vested interest in keeping the pagan traditions alive and defeating the Christian priests with their dirges and liturgies that oppressed women and insulted the Goddess. Morgaine trained under Viviane and did her bidding, like it or not. The first betrayal to Morgaine was the Beltane ceremony; Viviane knew full well that the royal blood of the Goddess must continue, and Morgaine and Arthur were the only two people possessing Viviane and Taliesin's bloodlines. Where the original legends portray Morgaine (Morgan Of the Fairies) as an evildoer determined to undermine Arthur's efforts, Bradley's Morgaine is the actual heroine as she struggles to keep the realm of the Goddess alive under the continued intrusion of the Christian pri

The role of the brain in addiction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The role of the brain in addiction - Essay Example Photoreception and Signal Transmission: The photoreceptor cells of the retina are the cones and rods. Light stimulus causes changes in the visual chemical of the cones and rods producing a receptor potential. This passes through the bodies of the rods and cones and acts at the synapses to induce a signal in the bipolar cells. This signal is then transmitted to the ganglion cells. The axons of the ganglion cells leave the eyeball posteriorly to become the optic nerve. The two optic nerves enter the cranial cavity and join to form the optic chiasma. In the optic chiasma, the axons from the nasal (medial) halves of the retinas cross over to the opposite sides. From the optic chiasma on either side of the brainstem, the optic tracts continue. The optic tracts relays information to the LGB (lateral geniculate body) of the thalamus. From here, information is carried to the occipital lobes of the cerebral cortex, where the information is perceived as conscious vision. Due to the crossover, the right visual field is perceived within the left hemisphere, and the left visual field is perceived within the right hemisphere (Lesson assignment, n.d.) The nervous pathways for sound The neuron associated with the hair cells of the organ of Corti (located in the basilar membrane of the inner ear) carries the sound stimulus to the brainstem. Through a series of connections, the signal reaches Brodmann's area number 41, in the temporal lobe of the brain where the stimulus is perceived as sound.

The Morality Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Morality - Case Study Example d that by doing the right thing for the right reason, a person’s values and moral ideas become even more solid if undergoing a similar situation (Hamm 151). Simply put, morality of actions create less harm but not necessarily much more positive events for all parties involved (Brandt 58). As an example regarding morality is the raising of children in full awareness of all things that are universally known to be moral and ethical. Parents can either choose to let others do it for them, by letting the children become aware of what is right or wrong, under the guidance of authorities such as teachers, law enforcement officers, and the like. If the parents could possibly can, they could also teach their own children instead, and using their own words, ideas, beliefs as well as their own personal experiences, bring to them either simplified or complex thought patterns that would be accepted by the society as moral and just. Still another way of teaching children would be by using the power of punishment in cementing the ideas of morality by association with pain, physically or otherwise. However, there is still a debate as to whether punishment would be able to send the message or not to younger folk (Hamm 114). Punishment could very much bring the idea of right or wrong but at times the effect would not last as long due to other factors that may well be outside of the sphere of influence of the home. Still, despite the fact that children can be very much affected by anything from outside the home, parents would still be judged based on the actions of their offspring, thus bringing up the idea that parents have a greater moral obligation of raising children that would be functional and effective members of the society, rather than letting them grow up blind to the morals of the society. In relation to the concept of moral obligations, another aspect of morality is the application of the concept of utilitarianism, wherein the final result would justify the means by

Technology and its advantages Essay Example for Free

Technology and its advantages Essay Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has served as a tool to improve the standard of living in most countries. We receive a lot of benefits from modern technology in everyday life. The benefit can be so great that you notice it, or something small you can take for granted. Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technologies create many kinds of products and also a heated controversy. Computers, cloning technology, and video games are some of these technologies. Joshua Quittner writes about the benefits and problems of computer technology in his essay Invasion of Privacy (353). He demonstrates how useful computers are and also how to eliminate problems related to computer use. He insists that the benefits of electronic technologies are worth to the risk of being deprived of his privacy (Quittner 356). In fact, electronic technologies seem almost inevitable in todays society. Other technologies have also contributed to solve other problems as well. For instance, Lee M. Silver states that cloning is a proper operation under the right procedure (364). Although he points out that it will be disastrous if cloning operations are used abusively, he stresses in his essay Jennifer and Rachel that cloning is beneficial for a person who wants to have a child but has problems conceiving one (Silver 363). In When life imitates video, John Leo maintains that violent games reflect recent cruel crimes (360). Because of this, some people are very cautious about the use of those advanced technologies and stressing the drawbacks of them. Most of the drawbacks are preventable with the right education and legal restrictions. Moreover, modern technology becomes not just beneficial but almost essential in recent society because of its great advantages. Providing our society with convenience, safety, and making many things possible are three examples of advantages that modern technology brings us. One of the advantages of modern technology is its convenience. Quittner  writes how people receive benefits from the electric technology in their daily life (354). He gives examples such as ATM, E-Z pass, and online service and shopping (Quittner 354). The benefits are common and we take this convenience for granted as a part of everyday life. However, this was not natural fifty years ago. Before, people needed to wait in a long line at the counter of a teller before withdrawing money. Today, in busy days during Christmas season, people can order a present on line from a computer. They can see a big smile of their family member by giving the present on time. Besides, one can compare cheaper and better goods on line instead of going several shopping malls. This is impossible without modern technology. Of course, there are drawbacks of electric technology such as a matter of privacy. However, they are preventable. Quittner suggests paying cash instead of using credit cards, or refusing to divulge Social Security number as some examples on how to prevent leaks of private information (356). He also mentions that protecting the privacy of E-mail by encrypting it with secret codes so powerful that even the National Security Agencys supercomputers would have a hard time cracking it. (Quittner 357). According to Quittner, this kind of code is legal within the U.S.(357). So if the law for protecting from leaking privacy by electric technology is made universally, the problem of leaking privacy will lessen considerably. I agree with Quittner that the issue of privacy relating to electric technology is mostly preventable by self-protection and legal restriction. Another advantage of technology is to provide society with safety. John Leo warns the potential problem of modern technology such as video game (359). On the contrary, he also partly admits advantages of modern technology if used as a safe tool (Leo 360). For example, he mentions that the army uses shooting games of high quality in their practice (Leo 360). This kind of simulation game is used in aviation practice as well. Repetitious practice of flight games before practical flight will provide the trainees more safety than to beginners with no practice. This will give less injury or accident in flight training. The drawback of this technology warned Leo, is moral deprivation of young children who cannot make a clear distinction between the virtual and real world (Leo 360). As a result, there is the possibility that they might commit a cruel crime like the massacre in the  Littleton without hesitation (Leo 360). However, the connection between the violent game and crime is just a hypothetical possibility. It is natural to think that the cause is relationship between children and grown-ups around them including their parents and their communities. To the certain age when children have a sense of true and false, it is the responsibility of grown-ups to keep them away from violent games. We need to think about relationships with children and their moral education instead of blaming modern technology like video games. The greatest advantage of modern technology is to make impossible things possible. Lee M. Silver writes a story about a single woman called Jennifer who gives birth to her clone called Rachel in his writing Jennifer and Rachel(362). Silver insists the benefit of the technology is to grant a child for infertile people or for someone who wants a child but has no chance to have one. Modern technology contributes to the well being of minorities such as homosexual couples and infertile couples (Silver 364). Silver also mentions the cloned sheep named Dolly. Modern technology including clone technology could give a way to save the world from starvation (365). Cloned cows with traits of cows producing abundant milk will provide stable milk supply to developing countries. Or, other modern technology including genetically modified food also will provide a more stable food supply of plants and vegetables tolerant to cold climate and bugs. People in the developing countries can secure stable food supply and commodity. People insist there might be an ethical issue, however, the fact that technology has brought new options is undoubted. Again, although Silver refers to technology abuse problem relating to modern technology (367), this also can be controlled by emphasizing education and making a new law. Only shifting the society along with the technology changes can solve the problems related to modern technology. It is not the problem of modern technology itself. Modern technologies have settled or lessened many problems and difficulties of the society by its advantages. Making society more convenient and safe and making impossible things possible are similar features of the change which previous people have experienced by social change, like shifting from  a hunting society to an agricultural society and establishing a commercial society due to the invention of new tools. To consider these advantages and change of society, modern technology, which we use today, might be not only a new tool but also the tool, which makes a dramatic change in history. There might be social problems generated by inability to correspond with modern technology use. However, the contribution of modern technology to society should not be eliminated and should be distributed evenly.

Scanning The Environment Essay Example for Free

Scanning The Environment Essay Business organizations, especially those dealing with particular industry must encounter situation where the success of their operations depend on both internal and external factors. The situation suggests that it is useful to carry out an analysis that takes into account not only the company’s internal factors but also external factors such as activities of the company’s competitors and current industry situation as well. In many cases, the elaboration of internal and external environment of particular industry must be elaborated by using business analysis tools that specifically discuss internal and external factors the businesses. Some common business analysis tools include Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT analysis, BCG Matrix, PESTLE analysis, Value Chain analysis, and many others. Some of them deal with both internal and external factors while others only address one of them. Concerning the analysis of internal and external factors in an organization, this paper will develop strategic development of Airbus by using analysis of Strategic Factors, which is based on IFAS and EFAS factors. The others are strategic alternatives and recommended strategy, implementation, and evaluation and control of the recommendation. 1.Analysis of Strategic Factors The strategic analysis on the Airbus includes all that encloses a business’s marketing purpose. Business environment in this term can be described as the whole thing that enfolds in the Airbus system. With the intention of being successful, and as the players in the environment cannot be managed by the Airbus, the Airbus be obliged to observe the environment for transforms and incessantly become accustomed to them. The Airbus’s environment can be separated into the micro environment and the macro environment (â€Å"Introduction to Hot Topics in Marketing†, 1999). In airline industry, the analysis of strategic factors involves two major issues; they are capacity and quality. In terms of capacity, Airbus Company recognizes their strength and their competitive advantage the customer value the most. Meanwhile, regarding the quality factors, the airline continues practicing ethical standards and keeps honoring their commitments. The company is found to improve quality of services in order to delight customer, employee, and community satisfaction. Delighted customers are important elements of the company’s success. To e specific, below is the specific elaboration of internal and external factors analysis that Airbus Company experiences. 1.1.Internal Factors Analysis Summary The internal analysis illustrates factors/issues that impinge on The Airbus straightforwardly (â€Å"Assessing the Micro-Environment†, 2006), which can be elaborate through following factors: 1.1.1.Organizational structure Airbus is managed by an Executive Committee led by President and Chief Executive Officer Christian Streiff and appointed by the Shareholders Committee, which consists of five members from EADS and two from BAE Systems. Each member of the Executive Committee has responsibility to manage core functions and strategy in his field. There are four General Managers; each has geographical responsibilities representing four countries where Airbus exists; the countries are France, Germany, Spain and the UK, while the subsidiaries in China and Japan are each headed by a President and in North America by a Chairman.   Currently, Airbus Company employs a hierarchical, ridged, and semi autocratic management style. Airbus Company must change their organization culture and structure in order to maintain and build on its worldwide dominate position as a major producer of commercial jet aircraft. 1.1.2 Coordination Airbus Company regards skills, strengths, and perspectives of their diverse team as the most import things to sustain the company’s growth. Therefore, the airline continues encouraging an atmosphere that encourages employees to involve in decision making. In every way, Airbus Company is executing the strategy. Airbus Company is running healthy core businesses. They are experiencing strong growth in adjacent businesses such as aerospace services. Moreover, Airbus Company has exhibited that the company is well-prepared to make tough decisions to make sure real leadership in the aerospace industry extensively to come. 1.1.3. Supervision Poor vertical and horizontal communications within the Airbus Company make employees feel separated from the staff management of the company. Grass battles restrain cross-functional and cross-divisional communication. Airbus Company has labor problems. 1.1.4. Training Airbus Company realizes that their most important resource is their staffs. The staff is the people who work and manage the company’s products and service to the customers.   That is why Airbus Company gives them the right combination of skills, training, communications, environment, and leadership. Beside Airbus Company provides a safe workplace and protects the environment, they also promote the health and well-being of the staffs and their families. 1.2. External Factors Analysis Summary The external factors describe issues that a company like Airbus has a little influence but affect the company severely. It includes universal tendencies and powers that possibly will not directly influence the links that Airbus has with their consumers, suppliers and mediators. Furthermore, Airbus separates the macro-environment into many sections, as the following: 1.2.1.   Economical factors One major external factor is an aircraft manufacturer like Airbus is prone to the political and economical situation. According to a research and observation, it is found that airline companies’ growth has a very close connection to economic growth and trade, which in turn prevent airlines from buying new airplanes from Airbus and other aircraft manufacturers. For example the gulf war in 1990s has damped the airline industry as the war resulted worldwide economic recession. In the era, IATA’s member airlines suffered $20.4 billion losses within 1990 to 1994 (â€Å"The Airline Industry†). The 9/11 tragedy has give the economy a significant down phase, especially the airline industry which has a direct involvement in the tragedy. Almost all airlines suffer losses during the following periods of the incident. Safety and security concerns have been major discussion topics on government bodies, business firms and common society in general.