Affirmative action plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Affirmative action plan - Assignment Example g that equal rights and treatment are present within the workplace1.The purpose of affirmative action plans is to ensure that there is equal opportunity for all people. However, this approach differs from a traditional equal opportunity approach, because equal opportunity attempts to eliminate discrimination when it occurs, but affirmative action plans are more active, and aim to prevent discrimination happening2. This is an important distinction and is critical in the way that organizations develop and enact affirmative action plans. Despite their prevalence throughout the United States, and the legislative support that is present for them, there is considerable controversy about the use of affirmative action plans. Opponents argue that they promote discrimination through the process of reverse discrimination, where people who are not part of a minority group have less opportunities and benefits than those who are in a minority. The purpose of this paper is to examine this history surrounding affirmative action plans, their use in present day organizations, the controversy about them and to consider what this is likely to mean for affirmative action plans in the future. People of racial or ethnic minority groups as well as women have often experienced legal or social exclusion in many areas. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hispanic Americans and African Americans were mostly segregated into low income jobs, leaving some categories of employment for white males only, including fire departments and police departments in many major cities. In contrast, roles that required hard manual labor tended to be almost exclusively occupied by people from ethnic minorities. Although there were significant improvements to civil rights, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the creation of equal opportunities for women and minority groups was often difficult. This was in part due to the difficulties in implementing the changes and the fact that organizations could easily ignore the

Models for Web Based Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Models for Web Based Learning - Essay Example Thirdly, web based learning also helps in small group collaboration. There is also a possibility of using web-based learning as blended learning processes. We can broadly look at web based learning to mean delivery and support to an educational and learning course over the web. Essentially comprising of course materials, quizzes, tests and direct discussions are all made over the web. The course materials created on many occasions are made for contact based learning. When this gets used in web based learning the impact that is realised out of it is limited. Of course, on many situations web based learning would require basic information which can be supplemented by such books. Whereas the requirements of web based learning is different and requires a different style of approach. If they are not employed then the effectiveness of using technology for course delivery is lost. Since most of the technology components are typically asynchronous in nature, delivery has to necessarily go through asynchronous course management. The best way to deliver web based learning might find itself in a multitude of options. It is not possible to arrive at a specific conclusion that would help us in deciding on the right kind of learning processes. ... As AW Bates (1995) says, new technologies such as computers and video conferencing are not necessarily better; it is just that they are different. But then the content of the program and the learning exercise itself is the same old thing and has to be done much in the same way. Web based learning starts from a pure distance learning exercise to a face to face learning system where distance education is used to support the normal program. This is looked at as a continuum and the delivered training depending upon the methods adopted might have varying degrees of personal contact in them (Judie McKimm, 2003). The Learning and Teaching Support Network (LTSN) is formed in UK to make use of the available technology and to provide quality programs to students across the country specifically in dentistry, medicine and veterinary science. Most of the pure distance learning systems would work towards understanding the individual's requirements; it would ideally provide for the needs of the individuals and tries to personalise them to the extent possible. Figure 1: Teaching Process To some extent web based programs could help in drawing out conventional programs and incorporate web based program features in it to enhance the value of the programs. While conventional distance education programs lack the ease of connectivity and communication between the student and the teacher, web based learning could provide the person the same. The other important aspect of web based learning is the asynchronous nature of the communication. This is both a disadvantage and an advantage. Advantage because the timings of the student and the teacher need not go together. Disadvantage is also the same, since this will mean the

Performance Analysis Between Ibsens Play Ghosts and Robert Lepage Blue Essay

Performance Analysis Between Ibsens Play Ghosts and Robert Lepage Blue Dragon - Essay Example Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen Henrik Ibsen is known for his plays that portray issues regarding morality. Ghosts is also one of the plays that represent 19th century morality through its characters. This is a story of a woman Helen Alving who is about to establish an orphanage in the memory of her dead husband. Mrs. Alving consults her spiritual adviser Pastor Manders as well. Throughout the play, Mrs. Alving is seen dealing with different issues related to morality thrown at her from different aspects of life. Mrs. Alving has been trying to save her family from her philandering husband throughout the story. In order to save her son from being corrupted by his father, she sends her away. Her worries double when it is disclosed that her son is suffering from an inherited sexually transmitted disease which cannot be cured. In addition to a large number of moral issues, another issue is raised in the play when Mrs. Alving finds out that her son Oswald has fallen in love with Regina Engstrand, Helen Alving’s maid. The morality comes into question when it is disclosed that Regina is an illegitimate daughter of Captain Alving, thus Oswald’s half-sister. Amid all the problems, Mrs. Alving is occupied in the dilemma of whether or not to euthanize her son as he wishes. Thus, another issue of morality i.e. euthanasia is raised towards the end of the play. Regarding the performance of the play, it was observed that the acting was not psychologically engaged. The actors did not put their heart and mind into bringing the play to life. It felt like a flat delivery of the script and did not have any feel to it. The fact that Ibsen’s script is very strong cannot be denied but in order to show the significance of the play, it has to be acted well as well. Thus, it can be said that the significance of the issues raised by this play were lost somewhere amid the poor acting by the actors. The overall theatrical setting was not impressive as well, as it was observed t hat the theatrical setting required rich context but here it was merely flat which lowered the significance of the play. In some of the scenes, it was observed that the lines were delivered in a flat manner rather than in a dynamic tone. For example; when Manders interrogates Regina, the interrogation seemed reckless and flat rather than being serious and dramatic. The delivery of lines was mostly flat and without any expressions. In order to bring the feel into a play, it is highly important that the lines be delivered in just the manner as intended by the writer otherwise the meaning of the lines may be lost. This was the case with this play where the meaning and significance of the lines were lost amid the lack of expressions by the actors. It was noticed that there was lack of sufficient discussion among the actors before the play. There was no psychological connection between the actors and everyone seemed to deliver his own lines without considering the intensity of the respon se from the opposite actor. It was also observed that actors crashed into one another’s lines. This was the evidence of the fact that there was lack of sufficient practice. The characteristic of a good theatre is that it connects its audience emotionally but this attribute was missing in the overall performance. There were certain bits where the actors emanated feelings such as the grief shown by Oswald upon his condition. The point that was done well was the representation of the tension

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - Research Paper Example However, the underlying score is to attach the quality to the demands of the market as determined by the marketing department in a commercial organization. Additionally, every commercial organization has a growth and expansion as their key objectives. The feature is reliant on the production of goods that meet the demands of the market thus expanding the market share; this implies that quality is among the most fundamental aspects of either a product or service that attracts the customers (Fournier, 1998). The American association for quality has one of the best definition of quality stating that quality is a â€Å"combination of several qualitative and quantitative perspectives for which everyone has his or her definitions†. The definition permits and propagates the relativity of the concept by permitting everyone to define the perspectives differently. Different commercial organizations operate in the sale and delivery of diverse products and services. Such organizations hav e different target markets which they must therefore entice and develop the brand among them. To those companies selling products, several factors both qualitative and quantitative influence the quality of their products. Qualitative factors relate to the different attributes of the products that contribute to meeting the market demand. Such arise from the raw materials used in the manufacture and the entire process if manufacture. Quantitative perspectives on the other hand concern the measurable aspects of the products that contribute to them satisfying the market demand. A company should for example produce adequate products to infiltrate the entire market thus ensuring no shortages of the products among a particular market. This implies that the organization must manufacture a specify number of goods in order to prevent loses resulting from both surplus production and inadequacies of underproduction. Commercial organizations operating in service delivery also have their own rela tive definition of quality of their services to their diverse target markets. Such organizations must ensure the provision of adequate hospitality and hygienic services that are commensurate to the amount of money they charge for their services. The consideration of the diverse operations by different companies in either service delivery or sale of products validates the definition of quality as per the American association of quality. The definition of quality according to the Philip Crosby equally meets the diversity of operations by different companies in different markets. The marketing scholar and author define quality as â€Å"the conformance to requirements†. The definition allows users to set their own unique features thus determine different conformance. Such is the nature of marketing since different organizations have different markets and thus carry out different marketing strategies. As defined earlier, marketing refers to the determination of the demand from the market and influencing the production and the delivery process to meet such demands. The organizations must therefore determine the demands from the market and couple them with effective production of the products in legally accepted methods thus creating life sustaining products and services that do not only serve the population but also sustain the profitability objective of the organizations (Kotler & Fox, 2002). In view to the relativity of the definition of the requirements used in the definition of

Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Strategy - Essay Example uploaded in YouTube website under the title â€Å" the Boy Scouting.† The video could also be viewed frompersonal social networking websites such as Facebook. 2. We sent a copy of the video to Narragansett Council so that it would be published in its website as well. This is a linking strategy which translates to an effective advertisement that is free of charge.The video would be submitted in the guise of a giftfrom â€Å"Magnificent group† to Narragansett Council. 3. We have also sent a proposal to Johnson & Wales University in order to persuade the school into granting scholarship to one of the participants in the Boy Scouting at Narragansett Council. Once this scholarship element is successful, then it would help to encourage the children to be involved in the Boy Scouting activities at Narragansett Council. 4. We invited Jason Dugan director of program in Narragansett Council to attend our presentation, which will be held on July 30, 2009. Hopefully, the activity would further cement a good relationship for future cooperation. 2. We will tap our existing relationships and tie-ups with other universities just so more people and resources could reinforce the campaign to disseminate information about Narragansett Council, including the benefits for boys who will join their scouting camps. Part of this campaign is a audio-video presentations about scouting activities and testimonies from scouting participants. The success of the abovementioned strategy is certainly dependent on the implementation of each outlined elements. We will be serious to apply and follow our plan – both short-term and long-term - so that we would be able to achieve our goals. The short-term goal – the making of the video and its propagation, including other activities, were undertaken mostly during the class period. The long-term plan would be carried out even after

Answer 3 required and 3 of the optional questions from the uploaded Research Paper

Answer 3 required and 3 of the optional questions from the uploaded information - Research Paper Example These financial statements are to be prepared using a predefined set of standards and guidelines, widely known as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) (Types of Accounting, 2013). Managerial accounting is an accounting process that reportedly produces information for the sole us of management of the organization. The form and the details to be included in the reportorial information would depend on the intricate and extensive requirements and purpose of management. It was actually disclosed that the information could be more detailed, as compared to financial accounting statements which were identified to be prepared exclusively for external uses. Thus, management could require budgets, forecasts, and financial highlights that would be used to make decisions regarding strategies and plans that would achieve identified goals. Cost accounting was noted to be a branch of managerial that focuses on monitoring and controlling costs. Tax accounting, on the other hand, as the term implies, focuses on accounting facets which are tax-related and are reportedly governed by tax rules and regulations, as well as observance to the GAAP. Governmental accounting, or also known as public accounting (or even fund accounting) was noted to be a type of accounting process and information system that is used by government agencies or public organizations. The main disparity of this type of accounting with private organizations’ accounting system is that their funds are governed by budgets set by the federal government. Likewise, the disbursement of funds are to be allocated subject to the aims or goals of the government agency. Internal auditing accounting focuses on an ongoing appraisal of the financial condition of the organization subject to conformity to accounting standards and accounting laws. Finally, international accounting is the type of accounting process or information system governed by international accounting standards, as contrasted with GAAP. 2. Describe the purposes of financial statements and corporate annual reports. The purposes of financial statements and corporate annual reports include the provision of accurate financial information to various users to serve various needs (Purpose of Financial Statements, 2013). For instance, financials statements are mandated to be published to the public to give them a general overview of the organization and provide information regarding the potential effects of the organization to the local community or to the economy, as a whole. Likewise, financial statements and annual reports are needed by management for decision-making purposes. The companies’ shareholders, on the other hand, use these financial information to determine returns on their investments and any potential risks from currently disclosed external or internal factors that impinge on the organizations’ operations. Concurrently, the investors of the organization need to be given accurate information on the financial condition and status through financial statements and corporate annual reports that contain profits, returns on investment, risks, and market value, as needed. In addition to these various users, financial statements are needed by other financial institutions, such as banks or lending institutions when organizations apply for loans or financial assistance in various endeavors. Suppliers also need the information disclosed in financial stateme

Growth strategies in small businesses Dissertation

Growth strategies in small businesses - Dissertation Example Business process digitalisation, in this study, is defined as an enterprise-wide information system based on the technological foundation of the Internet. To date, the majority of research on SME’s BPD has focused on the antecedents of SMEs engaging in one or few specific types of e-business practice or process (Wymer & Regan, 2005, 442). While these studies provide good understanding of the antecedents and the financial consequences of BPD, how BPD affects SME’s development is still unclear. As a key indicator of firm innovation, organisational growth is crucial to the survival and success of business and enterprise, including SMEs (Huang, Soutar & Brown, 2002, 32). Aims and Objective This study aims to understand how SMEs can use BPD as their growth strategy. Building upon insights from the knowledge based view and the organisational learning theory, the central thesis of this study is that the extensive use of BPD enhances the firm’s knowledge-base resources a nd improves its organisational learning, therefore contributing to SME’s further growth. Research Question How Business process digitalisation can be used as a growth strategy for SMEs? Methodology Sample and Data Collection The initial sample will be consisting of 414 small and medium-sized manufacturers in engineering, electronics, computer and software industries of the UK.