Importance of Understanding Cultural Diversity Essay

Social and Ethnic decent variety keeps on affecting everyday life making assorted variety in the working environment progressively normal. Assorted variety alludes to the characteristics that are unique in relation to our own and can incorporate race, sex, ethnic gathering, age, character, foundation and considerably more. In addition to the fact that diversity involves how individuals recognize themselves, yet how they see others also, which, thusly, can influence their associations in a socially assorted workplace. Tolerating and understanding the distinctions of any culture, and grasping assorted variety can diminish struggle and help group working in the work environment. â€Å"Different voices of a various workforce are regarded and heard (Bell, 2007, p.5).† Perceiving and understanding social contrasts in the work environment is only the start. Subordinate gatherings suppositions that have created after some time may cause protective and wary practices and endeavoring to overcome any barrier among predominant and subordinate gatherings could give better correspondence. Chiefs and administrators need to take a stab at a more profound information and comprehension of social contrasts. By building up connections at work with people not the same as yourself, you can start to gain proficiency with the information that culture may bring to the table your association. Partiality and prejudgment likewise should be tended to including the confusions dependent on social qualities or generalizations. For instance, it might be believed that men work more earnestly at their occupations and are more dedicated than ladies, or that more youthful representatives have no inspiration to work, or even that a Jamaican worker is apathetic in light of his/her laid back culture. An administrator can turn into a good example for all representatives to grasp social assorted variety in the work place by standing up to these prejudgments. â€Å"Managing decent variety is a thorough administrative procedure for building up a domain that works for all representatives (Bell, 2007, p8).† Most of nursing homes have come to understand that workers from different ethnic and social back-grounds, just as those of various sexual orientation can bring a totally alternate point of view. It is getting progressively essential to have a comprehension of various social foundations since there are an ever increasing number of patients being thought about in this nation with totally different social foundations. Simultaneously it is fundamental that the nursing unit is running easily and that patient consideration is the most elevated need. Errors with respect to culture or ethnic foundation can affect the patient’s care and his/her view of treatment. There must be a parity of various societies, ethnicities and sexual orientations so it is imperative to remember the significance of making the units as different as conceivable while employing medicinal services staff. With the goal for representatives to feel good in the working environment and accomplish fulfillment, training and instructing on culture and decent variety is basic. On account of the expanding training among nursing staff on social decent variety, changes are being found in the nursing calling. The lefty for a day was a significant test. Attempting to prepare supper, composing, doing schoolwork was all exceptionally troublesome and I couldn't utilize the scissors I had since they are explicitly made for being correct given. This experience gave me a greater amount of a comprehension of what it must resemble for those of various societies to adjust in new environmental factors and another thankfulness for the difficulties looked by those that don't fit into what society considers to be ordinary. References Ringer, M. (40). Assorted variety in Organizations (second ed). Recovered from http://devry.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781285700878/pages/70644609

6 steps to set yourself up for career success

6 stages to set yourself up for profession achievement Would you like to set yourself up for progress? Obviously, you do-we as a whole need that-a large portion of us make progress toward upbeat, effective lives. Be that as it may, what achievement intends to every one of us is an exceptional and individual thing, in light of our particular wants and objectives. It additionally changes after some time for every one of us-your expert objectives and measurements for progress when you’re toward the start of your vocation way will likely appear to be unique than when you’re more seasoned and further along in your excursion. Forbes as of late distributed an article that features some supportive moves that you can make to make profession progress. As indicated by the article, â€Å"no matter what your expert objectives and dreams are, there are six center activities that will bolster you to make more noteworthy progress and satisfaction over the long curve of your expert life.†Consider exploiting these systems to set yours elf up for an effective future.Make a strong plan.If you need to accomplish some proportion of vocation achievement in your life, you initially must have a plainly detectable and quantifiable objective to seek after. There’s nothing more unsettling and unmotivating than an aimless future. Characterizing an unmistakable objective for yourself-one that will possibly convey satisfaction and satisfaction when reached-will assist you with increasing a sound proportion of clearness and permit you to cut out the means important to accomplish it.Don’t be hesitant to set a particular objective out of dread that you’ll be bound to it until the end of time. Keep in mind, your objectives will probably change after some time and over the range of your profession. Additionally, don’t be hesitant to fall flat a real existence very much lived regularly contains a progression of triumphs and disappointments. The objective is to gain from both and take these important exer cises to help direct you towards future success.Transform your depression.Depression can bring all forward advancement in your life to an abrupt halt. The Forbes article examines putting forth the attempt to transform your downturn into motivation so as to get yourself back on the way to progress: â€Å"This is an indispensably significant undertaking to move away from feeling edgy, defrauded and wild even with your expert challenges. The key is to figure out how to be progressively responsible, capable and competent survey what’s occurring as a route for you to learn and grow.†There is never when things will consistently go your direction. You are going to confront mishaps and disappointments for a mind-blowing duration, and notwithstanding your earnest attempts they can drag you down into a funk. Battle against it as well as can be expected. Evaluate why you’re down, what turned out badly, and how to maintain a strategic distance from a similar circumstance later on. Make an arrangement about how you’ll move out of your misery and self-question. Activity gives you control, which can cause the skies to appear to be a little clearer.Enforce boundaries.Once you have set a make way towards progress for yourself, it’s up to you to define and uphold limits that will permit you to keep on target. Fend off propensities, individuals, and practices that will just drag you down. Contingent upon your objectives, these limits will include your own â€Å"mission statement†-catching the needs and steps required for you to learn, develop, and push ahead toward vocation achievement. It will likewise explain things to maintain a strategic distance from en route those undesirable and negative things that lone serve to crash your advancement. In all everyday issues, limits assist us with remaining on target and arrive at our ideal goal use them to further your full potential benefit and don’t be bashful about standing up for yo urself and what you need.Commit yourself fully.Achieving your expert objectives can be a genuine test notwithstanding extreme rivalry and difficult work, there are an assortment of unexpected difficulties and deterrents that can possibly lose you track en route. Indeed, even the most fortunate and best among us face these difficulties the key distinction between the individuals who in the long run make progress and the individuals who surrender before they arrive at their objectives is frequently responsibility. Put in those additional hours. At the point when you fall flat, attempt once more. At the point when you get dismissed, apply elsewhere. Remember your arrangement and objective and don’t stop when you veer off base and youâ will veer off kilter, so plan on it.Learn how to speak with power.Your voice can be an incredible asset as you advocate for yourself in the expert world. Fruitful people in all strolls of like ensure they are plainly and unhesitatingly articulatin g their thoughts, contemplations, dreams, and objectives to their general surroundings, and are continually their own best promoters, endeavoring to make constructive results at whatever point conceivable. As you venture out along your way to progress, ensure you follow the equivalent mindset.Maintain solid connections.Although we each endeavor to be the draftsman of our own fruitful future, we should concede that none of us work in detachment we are for the most part some portion of a group of people whom we backing and draw support from, and sustaining these connections is regularly a significant advance towards making progress. As per the Forbes article, â€Å"†¦highly fruitful experts comprehend that they can't accomplish their dreams alone or in a vacuum. They put time and vitality in building commonly useful connections, and strong bonds and empowering associations that keep going over time.† On your excursion to progress, make certain to perceive, worth, and dea l with these significant connections and construct new ones along the way.If you’re moderately new to the universe of work and are in the beginning periods of your profession way, consider following these supportive rules to help you either characterize what an effective future resembles for you, or to assist you with accomplishing the objectives you have set for yourself and discover achievement. Good karma!

Essay Topics With Three Aurgents to Support That Topic

Essay Topics With Three Aurgents to Support That TopicIn order to write an essay that will hold up and make sense, you must choose a topic and research a few things about it before you begin writing. By taking some time to explore this topic, you will gain an understanding of the specific things you should do to support your chosen topic.One of the easiest ways to research essay topics is to simply look at what others have done. Read a few essays that have similar themes and base your essay around them. By doing this, you will become familiar with the types of essay topics that are the most successful.Another way to research subjects is to find information from other sources and write from that. If you read articles that are similar to your own, that means you can start writing from these that contain similar topics. This will help you identify which essay topics work best when used in essay writing.When researching essay topics for essay writing, make sure that you research the spec ific topic of the essay. The reason for this is that you want to be certain that the material you are using is relevant to the topic of the essay. Having this knowledge will help you write an essay that will not only make sense, but also helps you understand the proper language to use.By researching essay topics, you will be able to narrow down your options by narrowing down your topic. You will also know exactly what type of essay you should write. Researching the topics is usually the first step to successfully writing a successful essay.One of the benefits of choosing essay topics that have already been written is that you can gain valuable insight on the process of writing the essay itself. You can see how the essay was written, the goals of the writer, and the expectations of the reader. By knowing all of this, you will be better able to create a topic that will suit the needs of your audience.As you write the essay, always take into consideration the advice of others that have already written a topic. Ask questions of the writers and follow their instructions as much as possible. Even if the writer does not approve of your idea, they can give you hints and pointers to help you develop a better idea.You should always have an idea of the theme of your essay before writing, and this will help you determine which essay topics to use. Take your time and select the topic that will best represent your topics. That way, you will be able to write an essay that has the appropriate theme for your audience.

An Analysis of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye

In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is portrayed as a young, troubled individual. He tells us his story from the mental institution where he is currently residing. Holden is a 16 year old going through many different adolescent changes. He is expelled from his prep school for flunking too many subjects. He drinks, smokes, sees a prostitute, is punched by her pimp, goes on dates, spends a great deal of time in the park, and really does not do a great deal else. Holden is a very hard person to figure out and analyze. Throughout the whole book, Holden constantly changes his mind about things and has various conflicting thoughts. The experiences that Holden goes through illustrate the divide between adults and†¦show more content†¦Adolescents today are afraid of change for many different reasons. One of the biggest reasons is the fearing of growing up and getting older because getting older means you are closer to death (Hennessy, 2010). T he death of Holden’s brother, Allie, is what caused Holden to not want to grow up and to keep his childhood adolescence. He states that people live for a while but will eventually just die. Holden decides to â€Å"numb himself† to his feelings about life to the point where it seems like he is no longer truly living but is just going through the motions day by day. Going through adolescence can be a difficult time. At some times it may feel like everyone is against you. This is similar to what Holden experienced in Catcher in the Rye. He continuously tried to alienate himself from society; he suffers from a self-imposed delusion that he is different. Throughout the story, Holden realizes that growing up indicates that he should assume responsibility in a world where he thinks only superficial and insignificant issues occur (Abdulatif, 2010). Holden is caught in the transition of his life- from the state of childhood into adulthood. According to the article †Å"Alienation in Adolescence in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye,† alienation is a feeling that inflicts adolescents due to certain reasons. As they grow up, adolescents tend to face certain psychological disturbances. They somehow feel indifferent to theirShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Movie Holden Talks With Mr. Spencer Essay1569 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis: This quote is from the part when Holden talks with Mr. Spencer. Since Holden failing all his classes except one, Mr. Spencer is advising Holden about the importance and the impact of his actions in his life. Holden’s perception of adults is depicted when he curses Mr. Spencer in his mind. By nodding silently to Mr. Spencer’s words, Holden actually disrespects adults. We can easily perceive that Holden feels alienated when Mr. Spencer tells him that he is one of those people on â€Å"the otherRead More Catcher in the Rye Essay: Holden - The Misfit Hero2101 Words   |  9 PagesThe Misfit Hero of The Catcher In The Rye      Ã‚     The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger was published in 1951. A recurring theme in J.D. Salingers stories concerns people who dont fit in with the traditional American Culture. Salingers misfit heroes, unlike the rest of society, are caught in the struggle between a superficial world and a conscious morality (1 Wildermuth). In his attempt to create a new and realistic portrayal of the times, Salinger first, effectively creates Holden CaulfieldRead MoreCatcher in the Rye - Phony Essay945 Words   |  4 PagesCatcher in the Rye Ââ€" Essay The theme of phoniness, illustrated by J.D. Salinger is the key of a better understanding the story line as a whole. Phony or fake more often than not means not real and is mostly referred to some religions by non believers or sometimes even to people. J.D. Salinger has used the term phony in a very common manor. By the interpretation of common manor, many of the people at that time period suited to the style of Holden Caulfields dialogues through J.D. SalingerRead MoreAnalysis Of Characters And Themes Of The Catcher Rye 1537 Words   |  7 Pages Analysis of Characters and Themes in The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger was born in 1919 to a wealthy Manhattan family. He grew up in the same social conditions as Holden Caulfield does in The Catcher in the Rye. The last thing Salinger cared about was being a successful student because he was very lazy, without care for his responsibilities and tasks. Salinger flunked out of many prep schools, and his parents sent him to a military academy named Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, where he graduatedRead More The Catcher in the Rye - Character Analysis of Holden Caufield741 Words   |  3 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye - Character Analysis of Holden Caufield In J.D. Salingers novel The Catcher in the Rye, the main character, Holden Caufield, describes in detail the parts of his life and his environment that bother him the most. He faces these problems with a kind of naivety that prevents him from fully understanding why it is that he is so depressed. His life revolves around his problems, and he seems helpless in evading them. Among others, Holden finds himself facing the issues ofRead MoreCatcher in the Rye4413 Words   |  18 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye â€Å"Is The Catcher in the Rye, as a work of literature still relevant for today’s youth?† Name: Sara Sigurdson Course: English A1 Supervisor: Mr. Peter Steadman Word count: 3851 Candidate number: 00136022 Table of Contents Content Page Number Abstract 3 Introduction 4 The Actual Catcher in the Rye 4 The Sexual Matter 5 The Caulfield Family 6 Narrator and Protagonist 8 Role Model 9 Mr. Antolini 10 Targeted Audience 10 Guidance 12 Read MorePsychoanalysis of Holden Caulfield1173 Words   |  5 Pagesunconscious elements in a human mind by bringing fears to the conscious mind. According to Sigmund Freud, â€Å"The unconscious silently directs the thoughts and behavior of the individual† (Freud 95). Holden Caulfield, the main character in J.D Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is sixteen years old and does not act his own age for he is stuck in his own private world, filled with pain and suffering. In the novel, Holden can be observed through a psychoanalytical view, which provides the reader a clearRead MoreThe Catcher In The Rye Analysis1657 Words   |  7 PagesOne must inevitably confront the daunting face of adulthood. In J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger depicts the disheartening journey from adolescence to adulthood that Holden Caulfield endures. Although holden seeks the freedoms that mark adulthood, he has yet to take up the role of a truly matu re citizen as the society conforming nature of those adults disgust him, leading him to his gradual mental decline. J. D. Salinger uses the immature character of Holden Caulfield as a meansRead MoreJ.b. Salinger s The Catcher s The Rye 1319 Words   |  6 PagesJ.D. Salinger’s Use of Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger is well known for his works. His most famous being The Catcher in the Rye. Two other of his famous works include Nine stories and Franny and Zooey. J.D Salinger is also well known for his sense of humor that he includes inside of his books. The Catcher in the Rye has become an essential work to be studied in academic literature and its course of study. This book entails many uses of symbolism throughout theRead MoreCatcher in the Rye- Holden as a Dynamic Character Essay example660 Words   |  3 PagesAlexa Noelle Mrs. Mow American Studies 27 March 2012 Analysis of Holden Caulfield Throughout the novel The Catcher in the Rye Holden sees the world as an evil and corrupt place, however it is clear that he gradually comes to the conclusion he cannot change it. The first instance demonstrating Holden’s progression is when he sees the profanity written all over Phoebe’s school. In this moment he finally understands that it is inevitable to enter adulthood and realizes the impossibility to try

Copernicus A Renaissance Mathematician And Astronomer

Copernicus Nicolaus Copernicus was a renaissance mathematician and astronomer. Born on February 19th 1473 in Torun, Poland. The youngest child born to Nicolaus Copernicus Sr. and Barbara Watzenrode. When Copernicus was 10 years of age, his father passed away. His uncle Lucas Watzenrode took up the parental role to ensure that Copernicus would get the best education possible for him. ` In 1491, Copernicus entered the University of Cracow, where he studied painting and mathematics. Although Copernicus did not study astronomy at this university, it is the place where he first started developing an interest in the cosmos. He graduated from the University of Cracow in 1494, he then returned to Torun where he took a canon’s position, arranged by his Uncle in the Frankfurt Cathedral. This is typically an opportunity only offered to priests. This new position allowed him to fund the continuation of his studies for as long as he liked. This job of his was very demanding however and could only go study for short periods of time when his job allowed him free time. Regardless of the lack of time, Copernicus traveled to Italy in 1496 to the University of Bologna, where he enrolled in Religious law. While studying at this university, Copernicus meets Domenico Maria Novara, an astronomer, and became a pupil of his. In 1500 Copernicus completed his studies of religious l aw studies in Bologna. â€Å"Copernicus’ arrival in Italy, it may be believed, refined him and cleansed him of the pollutionShow MoreRelatedThe Progression to Proving a Heliocentric System615 Words   |  2 Pagesformulated by influential astronomer Ptolemy. In the Ptolemaic system the Earth is at the center of all celestial bodies. This theory was widely accepted especially by the Church who held much prominence in Europe. The Catholic Church believed that God formed the earth therefore it should sit at the center of the universe. It wasnt until the 16th century, when a man name Nicolas Copernicus presented a theory which contradicted all that was known in the world of astronomy. Copernicus presented a heliocentricRead MoreNicholas Copernicus : The Father Of Modern Science1728 Words   |  7 PagesGalileo Galilei, the most renowned scientist of the Renaissance period, or the â€Å"father of modern science† was known as a jack-of-all-trades: he was an astronomer, ph ysicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician just to name a few. But perhaps what he is most known for is spurring the scientific revolution in the late seventeenth century. Galileo challenged what was then considered common knowledge for almost 30 years: for example, the idea of a heliocentric universe. The most controversial ofRead MoreEssay on The Life of Nicolaus Copernicus566 Words   |  3 PagesNicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance mathematician and astronomer. He is famous for his formulation of a heliocentric theory of our galaxy. This theory suggested that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun, which is in the center of our solar system. This heliocentric model was the opposite of what people had believed before, which was that the sun and other planets revolved around Earth. Copernicus was a genius of his time and had a breakthrough in astronomy. He is known as the initiatorRead MoreThe Science Of Science Is Not Always Stable, It Is Becoming True And Le aving Behind The Old Ideas848 Words   |  4 Pagesachieved. In the 1400s it was still believed that the Earth was the center of the universe but, Nicolaus Copernicus an astronomer and mathematician, developed a model in which the sun was the center rather than the Earth. This lead to future findings that in fact it was the Sun and not the Earth in the center. Galileo Galilei, who was influenced by Copernicus, played a major role during the Renaissance s scientific revolution. His findings came during the late 1500s and one of his major quotes statesRead MoreThe Impact of Scientific Revolution on Physics as an Independent Field of Study1214 Words   |  5 Pagesthought process. It was an intellectual revolution -- a revolution in human knowledge. Even more than Renaissance scholars who discovered man and Nature the scientific revolutionaries attempted to understand and explain man and the natural world. Thinkers such as the Polish astronomer  Nicholas Copernicus  (1473-1543), the French philosopher  Renà © Descartes  (1596-1650) and the British mathematician  Isaac Newton  (1642-1727) overturned the authority of the Middle Ages and the classical world. And byRead MoreThe Revolution And Reformation During The Renaissance1205 Words   |  5 Pagesrepercussions. The Renaissance is a prime example of this interconnectedness, as it was a time of rebirth, revolution and reformation. During the Renaissance, many changes ensued as a result of scientists, scholars and humanists who realized that they weren t being taught or treated properly. This idea of unsatisfactory treatment as a result of the humanist spirit of the Renaissance led to the Scientific Revolution and The Protestant Reformation, movements that occurred during the Renaissance that changedRead MoreWhat Were the Causes and Consequences of the Scientific Revolution and How Did It Change the World from 1500 - 1800?1 611 Words   |  7 PagesEnlightenment. This essay will examine the various, but not inexhaustible, causes that may have contributed to the Scientific Revolution; the teaching and philosophies of Aristotle, Ptolemy and Descartes, The Renaissance, Humanism, the decay of the Catholic Church, the influential theories of Copernicus and Kepler followed by the idea of Scientism. To finish, the essay will discuss some of the consequences brought about by the Scientific Revolution; the Protestant Reformation, the Counter Reformation, theRead MoreAge of Enlightenment and Glorious Revolution622 Words   |  3 Pages 1. Complete the following outline, as you read online about the events in England that were milestones in the development of democracy. (There are ten items that need information.) Answer: A Bird’s-Eye View 1 Renaissance and Reformation During the Renaissance, Europe was charged with a new spirit of inquiry. 2 English monarchy The Glorious Revolution 1 Charles II King Charles II, like his executed father, found Parliament troublesome and tried to rule withoutRead More The Scientific Revolution: Copernicus and Galileo Essay1067 Words   |  5 PagesThe Scientific Revolution: Copernicus and Galileo The scientific revolution brought on new and important change. People began to see things extremely differently. Up to this point religion had been an issue of pure faith. A person could not use any empirically based data or reason to justify or develop ideas on religion. People who contradicted the church were considered heretics and were punished. At this time, people believed in the universe that Ptolemy had theorized: that the earth wasRead MoreSuppressed Darkness On The Medieval Mind Map1582 Words   |  7 PagesSuppressed Darkness on the Medieval Mind Map William Manchester’s A World Lit Only By Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance unveils an in- depth look at the Late Medieval Ages in Europe and touches upon the Renaissance. It is most well known as the time period that occurred after the fall of the Roman Empire- when the eastern world seemed to have plummeted into an age of regression and darkness. Manchester’s central proposition was â€Å"The power of the medieval mind had been irrevocably broken†

Asian Americans Asian American Women - 868 Words

Asian Americans Asian Americans (AAS) are diverse ethnic group’s origins from the Far East Southeast Asia and Indian continents. More than 800 languages are spoken among AAS. They are one of the fastest growing populations in the US. 43 percent increase between 2000 2010. There are 15.5 million Asian Americans living in the United States (2012 Census Bureau population). Even if all Asian Americans have the same traits, such as strong family values, importance in educations, following tradition and valuing personal relationship, still there are many differences in language and culture among Asian American groups as well. In 2012, the total private insurance coverage for Asian Americans was 68.8 percent, as compared to 74.4 percent for the non-Hispanic White population. 15 percent of Asian Americans were uninsured, as compared to 10.4 percent non-Hispanic White Americans. The current health status of Asian American Asian Americans experiencing few health problems related to other ethnic groups. Asian American women have the highest life expectancy (85.8 years) of any other ethnic group in the U.S. There are many risk factors in Asian American health such as fear of deportation, language and culture barriers and lack of health insurance. 2 million AAS do not have the health insurance in the US. Their most high incidence of health conditions are cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetics, COPD, Hepatitis B, HIV, TB and lung disease. In 2012, tuberculosis was 24 times moreShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Media as a Mirror of the Asian-American Women1566 Words   |  7 Pagescentury Hollywood movies of Asian American actresses. After watching those movies, what might the researchers conclude about the characteristics of Asian American women in the movies? Certainly, they will view Asian American women as sexual and erotic objects of the society that white men can score with ease. Why do I assume they will think that way? The answer is a simple, yet controversial one: mostly, the media, as the history proves, portrays Asian American women either as erotic sex slavesRead MoreHow Race And Gender Affect How Asian American Women And Men Are Viewed As Potential Leaders Essay921 Words   |  4 Pagesimpact on how Asian American women are viewed as leaders, and also have some implications for Asian American men. A prototypical leader is often a Caucasian male and leadership roles are prominently defined as masculine or agentic, therefore, Asian American woman and men may not be viewed as prototypical leaders. The purpose of this research is to examine how race and gender affect how Asian American women and men are viewed as potential leaders. The first hypothesis is that Asian Americans will be viewedRead MoreAfrican American And Asian American Women2189 Words   |  9 Pagesexperiences of African-American and Asian-American women mirrored each other’s in many ways, seen through the filters of their varied experiences during different time periods in the last hundred years. While at this point, freed African-American women had been on American soil for a hundred years’ plus prior to that, Asian-American immigrants were just beginning to move into the United States, looking for an improved quality of life and the opportunity to make their fortune. African-American families, althoughRead MoreEssay on Asian Women in the Eyes of Americans2297 Words   |  10 Pages Introduction The history of Asian women has many facets. I am about to touch on two key monumental points over a sixty year span that have shaped the views of Asian women in the eyes of Americans. As a brief overview, from as early as the 1940s, Asian women were recruited to serve their soldiers during World War II as sex slaves. Forty years later, the dawning of the 1980s brought about the desire of Asian women into American households and sparked the mail order bride phenomenonRead MoreAsian-American ´s Suicide1143 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to research, California State Fullerton professor Eliza Noh states that Asian-American women of the age 15 to 24 have the highest rates of suicide than any other racial, ethnic, or gender group. The â€Å"model minority† pressure—â€Å"socially produced pressure internalized by families of some Asian-American children to be high achievers at school and professionally†Ã¢â‚¬â€plays a large factor to the issue, especial ly since girls, who are more affected by it than boys, are expected to become the â€Å"perfectRead MoreHollywoods Asians Essay1016 Words   |  5 PagesHollywood’s Asians Asian Americans have been part of America for almost as long as its existence. From the Chinese laborers building the transcontinental railway, inner cities laundry services, to Asian farmers who have helped build the agriculture communities around the country, Asian American have contributed to the industries and economy of America. Despite their loyalty and contributions to this country, Asian Americans have been discriminated and considered as â€Å"unassimilable† by many Americans. RacismRead MoreWho Is An Asian American?1566 Words   |  7 PagesWho is an Asian American? The name â€Å"Asian American† holds different meaning to people. According to Tamura (2003), â€Å"Asian American is a relatively recent term that was first used by non-Asians and then adopted by Asian American themselves during the late 1960s in the heyday of ethnic and political activism† [†¦] (Tamura, 2003). The simplest definition of an Asian American is an American with an Asiati c background. Therefore, making assumptions about an Asian would be absurd because the term is broadRead MoreThe Second Generation Asian Americans1034 Words   |  5 Pages1920s with the emergence of second generation Asian Americans. Although some Asian Americans were born in their homeland, coming to the U.S. at the age of six still classified them as Asian Americans as they were raised within assimilation of America. Second Generation Asian Americans experienced America more than their parents ever did and that caused a lot of concerns and tension between them and their parents. The Second Generation Asian Americans experienced tension between their parents withRead MoreMiss Saigon Musical1214 Words   |  5 PagesThe heat is on in Saigon. With larger than life visual spectacle, that dazzles audiences, Miss Saigon does not fall short of its difficult subject matter. Centering around tragic love tale, in which an American GI soldier falls hopelessly in love with a Vietnamese gi rl, the story quickly unravels and begins to test the true idea of love at first sight. As one of the most successful musicals in the world, Miss Saigon addresses the ideas surrounding war and imperialism while exposing the egregiousRead MoreAccidental Asian Analysis Essays891 Words   |  4 PagesThe Accidental Asian analysis paper sociology Eric Liu grew up doubting his own identity. Early on he had trouble dealing with the problems of being an Asian-American. Growing up in a white suburban neighborhood Liu constantly felt out of place in. The suburbs that he grew up in caused him to struggle with his individuality. Who and what was he? How did he fit in the â€Å"big picture† as an American? He grew up with a family that allowed him to choose what he wanted to be never forcing any culture

Short and Long-Run Macroeconomic Equilibrium - Free Sample Solution

Question: Discuss about the Short and Long-Run Macroeconomic Equilibrium. Answer: Introduction In the determination of an equilibrium level, both the supply and demand curves are put into consideration. In the whole economy, this determination involves the analysis on the aggregate demand and the aggregate supply. The AD is responsive to prices at all levels and hence it slopes downwards; meaning that demand goes down as price rises. This argument is based on the fact that it is obtained by combining all the individual demands in the economy; individual demand curves slope downwards. In an exception scenario, this paper shall also show that price is not a major factor explaining the slope of the AD. However, when we get to the aggregate supply, we shall note that the curve is upward sloping meaning that supply goes up as price rises. This however is only observed in the short run; in the long run, the supply curve tend to be vertical meaning that a further increase in the price level will not stimulate an additional increment in the quantity supplied (Gwartney, Macpherson, Sob el, Stroup, 2006). It is a combination of individual supply curves in an economy whose slope is positive. The vertical AS curve is the optimal level of the output supplied in an economy (Mankiw, 2016). The AD curve, the AS in the short run and the AS in the long run intersects at a certain point. This is the point considered by many economists as the macroeconomic equilibrium. It is an essential condition that the three curves intersect for the economy to be considered stable. The short run AS curve is important as it shows that there is a possibility for the production level to deviate from the optimal level (Hubbard, Garnett, Lewis, O'Brien, 2012). The deviation could take any side. I.e. it can be a reduction in the output supplied or there can be a surplus production beyond the optimum level. The AS in the long run indicates the position of the optimum level. The reason explaining the need for the three curves to intersect is that there is an assumption that any deviation from the optimum level is only temporary as after sometime a recovery back to the optimum level is observed. The slope of each is explained by the following arguments. The first is the slope of the AD where economists argue against price as the major determinant. The argument is that only the money supply can be held constant as it is impossible to hold constant the income earned by households and the prices for other goods that they demand. There are three major factors related to the negative slope of the AD; the origination of the employment of these factors begins with the price change though. The three factors are; wealth effect, interest rate effect and net export effect. As price go up, the wealth held by households lose its purchasing value. Since the households income become insufficient to cater for the initial demand level, the demand falls. This is the point where the interest rate effect comes in; the insufficiency of income creates a need for borrowing from lending institutions. The fact that money supply is assumed not to vary leaves a room only for the interest rate to rise as the money demand rises. The cost of servicing debt goes up and households avoid borrowing and opt to cut their demand instead. The last factor is based on what the component of AD constitutes. The AD is derived by AD = C + I + G + (X-M). Any change in either of these components cause a change in AD. In our case we are considering the net export effect. High domestic prices raises the need for more importing. Since domestic goods are sold at a high price, other economies demand less exports. An increment in imports and a cut in exports reduces the size of the net export component causing the AD to fall. The above diagram is a representation of the point where the equilibrium in the macroeconomics is reached. The equilibrium point is at B where price is 1.14 and real GDP is 12000. The production beyond optimal is represented by shifting of demand curve from point B to point A to the right of the optimal level (McEachern, 2009). The production below optimal is represented by AD shifting from B to point C to the left of the optimal level. According to Tucker (2010) the long run AS curve is vertical since all the resources in the economy are taken to be fully employed. The short run AS curve slope upward because factors such as wages and prices remain sticky in the short run (Boyes Melvin, 2013). For instance the inability for a worker to negotiate price increment in the long run lowers the real wage causing a need to employ more workers. The ratio in which nominal wage is raised in the short run may be different; workers may receive an increment in nominal wage at a ratio that is unequal to the price increment and have a wrong perception that the real wage has been raised. This boosts their morale for supplying more. Production below capacity is represented by AD shift from AD to AD2. Lower demand causes price to fall. Lower price lower production cost and results in a higher supply shifting SRAS1 to SRAS2. This is a shift back to macroeconomic equilibrium but price is lower. As AD rises from AD1 to AD2, the price goes up and production cost increase. This results in supply falling from SRAS1 to SRAS2 back to equilibrium but the price is higher. Conclusion This paper has an important analysis that shows there is a possibility of the quantity supplied in an economy being above the optimum level. Both positive and negative deviations from the optimum are recovered after sometime as the production continue to occur. The common intersection point is therefore to affirm that an economy has a potential to produce beyond the optimal point after full employment of all the production of resources. It is also meant to show that the production beyond optimal is not possible to maintain and the economy moves back to the initial equilibrium (optimal point). The AD is sloping downward since consumers ability to pay is reduced as price rise both in the short and the long run. References Boyes, J. Melvin, M. (2013). Economics. Australia: Cengage Learning South-Western. Gwartney, D., Macpherson, A., Sobel, S., Stroup, L. (2006). Economics: Private and public choice. Mason, Ohio [u.a.: Thomson/South Western. Investopedia (2016). Short and Long-run Macroeconomic Equilibrium - CFA Level 1 | Investopedia. (2016). Investopedia. Retrieved 20 January 2017, from https://www.investopedia.com/exam-guide/cfa-level-1/macroeconomics/short-long-macroeconomic-equilibrium.asp Hubbard, R., Garnett, A., Lewis, P., O'Brien, A. (2012). Essentials of economics (1st Ed.). AU: Pearson Higher Education. Mankiw, G. (2016). Business Economics. Cengage Learning. McEachern, W. A. (2009). Macroeconomics: A contemporary introduction. Mason [Ohio: Thomson/South-Western. Tucker, B. (2010). Macroeconomics for today. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Umn.edu (2017). 22.2 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply: The Long Run and the Short Run | Principles of Economics. (2017). Open.lib.umn.edu. Retrieved 20 January 2017, from https://open.lib.umn.edu/principleseconomics/chapter/22-2-aggregate-demand-and-aggregate-supply-the-long-run-and-the-short-run/.

Differences Of World Essays - Educational Psychology, Evaluation

Differences Of World We should look at the differences of the world and try to learn from them. All people have their good points and bad points. We live in a world that is not all white, all black, or not even all yellow. We live in a world where all races interact among themselves. The university in the United States is where this is easily seen. At the university, we see people of all color and ethnicity from our neighborhoods and from around the world. This is the place, where we are hoped to be forged into begins that will be a contribution to the world that we live. But to be a good contributor to the world, we have to know who lives among us in the world and why we are different. This is where the university plays an interracial part in shaping the future. The university forms a miniature version of the world we live in. Because the university represents the diverse world we live in, the uniersitry gives the futures of the world a good base to learn, to experience, and take advantage of the strengths of the different races in their miniature world to help them to become better members of society. In our neighborhood, we live among many people. Not all the people in our neighborhood are the same as you or I. Down the block there is a black family, and around the corner, there might be an Indian couple living in the red brick house. There might be a Korean family that just moved into neighborhood. But do we know them; do we know how they live or what their impressions of the neighborhood are that we share? Most likely we have only seen them in the morning when we are getting into our cars to go to work or seen then as they were walking back to their homes from the T stop. We probably do not know if they are interested in the same things as you are, such as the safety of the neighborhood, or a nice baseball game? Most people do not know the other culture that resides in their neighborhoods. The university gives most people the opportunity to talk and get to know people of other cultures, for hardly any class we take are only full white students or only full of black student. One might have the opportunity to sit between a Spanish person and a Japanese person and find out they all enjoy a nice beer on the weekends and happen to have been patrons of the same local bar. Or from an essay of a classmate, one might find out the Latin Americans are big fans of soccer. You may even learn the black student in front of you hates rap music and loves Mozart. From the other students in our class we learn that all black people are not like all black people, or all white people are not like all the other white people. This helps us to understand who our neighbors are. In the multi-cultural universities we attend, we learn about each other's strengths and weaknesses through social contact. With this knowledge we can apply the strength of other cultures and disregard or try to improve in ourselves the weaknesses we see in other's or ours cultures. The black student might find out that the study habits of the Korean students are effective and try to implement them. The white student might learn that the work habits of the German people are productive and try to emulate them. The university gives the opportunity to look at other races at a person level instead of a passer-by. At the universities, students of all races are evaluated by their performance, not by the color of their skin. This might not be the best way to evaluate each other, but it is better then just visual clues. The removal of the color factor will give a better impression of the strengths and weaknesses of each race. The multitude of classes that the universities now offer help the students better understand the differences of the fellow students that attend the same classes. In the classes we learn that the races have different problems and similar problems. Such classes help others look at the problems and successes of a culture in a different perspective. In a class of Asian studies, a student can learn how a defeated nation after a war, such as Japan, has become an economic leader

Focus vs. Locus

Focus vs. Locus Focus vs. Locus Focus vs. Locus By Mark Nichol What’s the difference between a focus and a locus is it all just hocus-pocus? and where does nexus fit in? The technical meaning of focus is â€Å"a point of convergence or divergence, or seeming divergence,† in terms of particles of matter. It also refers to adjustment for clear vision as well as the field of clear vision, and it has a geometrical definition of a fixed point. From the scientific sense have developed literal and figurative connotations of a point, center, or area of activity or occurrence, as well as direction, emphasis, perception, and understanding. The original plural spelling of the word, borrowed directly from Latin and meaning â€Å"hearth† (the area of premodern households that was the center of activity), is foci, but focuses is an alternative; the adjectival form is focal. Focus can be employed, depending on context, with or without a preceding article: â€Å"This plan lacks focus†; â€Å"His story doesn’t have a focus†; â€Å"That is the focus of the argument.† A locus, meanwhile (in Latin, the word means â€Å"place†), is a site or location. As is the case with focus, the sense can be figurative or literal. (Unlike focus, locus has only a Latin plural: loci.) The difference between focus and locus, then, is subtle. Both words can refer to a place where something happens, but the fine distinction is that the former denotes a center of attention and the latter refers to the location itself. A locus may become the focus, but the reverse is not true, because the site preceded the attention focused on it. Nexus, from the Latin word nectere, meaning â€Å"to bind† (the root term is also the basis of connect), can also mean â€Å"focus,† but it is better reserved for the senses of â€Å"connection† or â€Å"link,† or of a connected group or series. And what of other related – or seemingly related – terms? An axis is a geometrical or physical or figurative line, or a vertebra or a stem. It can also be somewhat synonymous with the terms defined above, relating to a point or a spectrum, or, as in the manner in which it was used in World War II to refer to the alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan, a partnership. (The Latin word refers to a line or an axle; the plural in both Latin and English is axes.) A cynosure is a guide or a center of attention. (The word is from Greek by way of Latin and means, literally, â€Å"dog’s tail†; it refers to the constellation Ursa Minor, or the Little Bear.) An omphalos (the word is Greek for â€Å"navel†) is a focal point or a hub, and a hub (perhaps a variant of hob, a word for a shelf on a hearth) is a center of activity, either on a large scale or at the center of a wheel. An epicenter is, in figurative usage, a center of activity; the original meaning is the point on Earth’s surface above an earthquake’s point of focus. Now, how about that hocus-pocus? It evidently originated with itinerant performers who incorporated mock-Latin incantations into their magic or juggling acts to impress gullible onlookers, who associated the classical language with learned scholars and ancient mysteries. It is likely a corruption of the blessing â€Å"Hoc est corpus meum,† meaning â€Å"This is my body.† Hokey-pokey is probably a further variant, but neither it nor hocus-pocus has any focus, locus, or nexus. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:4 Types of Gerunds and Gerund PhrasesWhat is Dative Case?Sentence Adverbs

How Everyman presents the idea about Religion and Hypocrisy Essay

How Everyman presents the idea about Religion and Hypocrisy - Essay Example How Everyman presents the idea about Religion and Hypocrisy Even though we are unable to see God, religion makes us believe in our hearts that He exists and observes everything we do all the time, wherever we go. Due to religion, most people believe that we live our lives in order appease God by trying to make it good since he will approve the manner in which we lived our lives. Through living in the will of God, according to gospel, we believe that He will enable us have eternal life. This makes religion to appear very important to man since no one would prefer going to hell to having eternal life. The writer of â€Å"Everyman† discusses the ideas on religion and hypocrisy in his article. In the story, at the beginning, the messenger assures us that we might be relaxed about our sins at the period they take place, and we can also enjoy our earthly wealth not knowing that all these will come to pass in the day of reckoning (2121). As the story continues, the messenger explains that when we die, our good deeds and sins are taken with us in grave. However, he says that it is good that our good deeds overcome our sins in order to face God with a little hope in the Day of Judgment. The good deeds we had are the only ones that determine our eternity. God’s character reveals to us that the story is about Christian beliefs since God is presented as Jesus, being hanged on the cross. Everyman’s character presents a real example of hypocrisy. In the outside view, he appears to have everything. For instance, he had a family, wealth, beauty, knowledge and strength. His state is admirable and is the kind of life most people wish to have.

Dissertation Topic Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dissertation Topic Proposal - Essay Example Behavior and characteristics of ethnic entrepreneurs has caused much debate, many academics have stamped their authority on the subject by declaring five, six or even more than ten key characteristics of an entrepreneur, in many cases this research contradicts one another and these characteristics differ across national boundaries. Different countries adopt entrepreneurship in different ways. This paper will help to identify key characteristics of an ethnic entrepreneur and to build a coherent argument in order to see the extent in which the ethnic entrepreneurs are motivated to start-up their own business. The fundamental reason for choosing this topic is that having searched literature I found that very few works have been conducted concerning the impact of practices of ethnic entrepreneurs on their businesses. Since most of the studies have been focusing on the differences of performance levels of native and non-native entrepreneurs. Some of them have focused on the effects of the contributing factors in the difference of performance levels. ... Reasons for Choosing this topic The fundamental reason for choosing this topic is that having searched literature I found that very few works have been conducted concerning the impact of practices of ethnic entrepreneurs on their businesses. Since most of the studies have been focusing on the differences of performance levels of native and non-native entrepreneurs. Some of them have focused on the effects of the contributing factors in the difference of performance levels. This fact has encouraged me to do this piece of work in order to contribute to the existing knowledge about the subject by adding a new point of view to find out the effects of ethnic entrepreneurs' practices on their businesses. Another reason is that most of the researchers give least importance to entrepreneur's norms while undertaking the evaluation, of different businesses. The dissertation will also highlight the problems faced by the ethnic entrepreneurs while undertaking business in US. research design Philosophy Research is a fact finding activity (Dominowski, 1980). The aim of primary research is to make known something previously unknown to human beings and to advance human knowledge by making it more certain or better fitting; the aim is discovery (Elias, 1986). Kerlinger (1970) uses more technical language to define it as the systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about presumed relations among natural phenomena. The research philosophy depends on the way we think about the development of knowledge and this thinking affects the way we do search (Saunders 2000). Whilst undertaking the research, a clear understanding of research philosophy is essential. Easterby-Smith et al (1997)

Financial strain Essay Example for Free

Financial strain Essay I agree with the need of practicing consistency in the physician’s clinics. Evidence-based practice is a very useful tool and is something that is highly recommended to be integrated into the daily clinical practice like in the high quality care of diabetes. Diabetes at present ranks seventh as a primary reason of death in the first world countries and in the United States, for example, costs approximately more than $132 billion annually in healthcare and is still expected to rise yearly to as much as $192 billion in 2020 (Molinaro, 2008). This financial strain in the healthcare system could have been one of the triggers why the American Diabetes Association launched the Diabetes Physicians Recognition Program (DPRP) as a tool in effectively addressing this disease. The management of diabetes is important in the children population as well since it affects not only their health and safety but also their emotional and intellectual growth (Meyers, 2005). Like any other program that is put in place, the challenge always lies in sustaining them after they are implemented. Although the new process of diabetes check for every office visit demands longer time for both the patients and mid level providers, parties involved should be constantly reminded that this preventative program would ultimately benefit everyone by the early detection of diabetes and resultantly, its proactive treatment and prevention. The physician of the practice should be reminded that a lot of effort and resources were expended in getting the DPRP accreditation and implementing its various elements and processes are vital in making the program effective and achieve its desired end. Early intervention of the practice physician to ensure compliance of mid level providers is required to continuously sustain the program. This would set the example for patients to also do their part in ensuring that they also comply with requirements. References Biotech Week (11/Mar/2009). Bone Research: Research from the University of Ferrara. Bone Research Area. Profitt, W. (2000). Masters of esthetic dentistry: The soft tissue paradigm in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, 12, 86. Meyers, Laurie. (2005). Safe at school: Treating Diabetes in the Classroom. Diabetes Forecast, 5, 44. Molinaro, R. J. (2008). Targeting HbA1c: standardization and clinical laboratory measurement. Medical Laboratory Observer, 40 (1), p. 10.

Tragedy in Oedipus the King and Dolls House Essay example -- essays r

Faults Written in the Stars During the Ancient Grecian time periods, tragedy meant death because one defied against an outer prophecy. Modern day tragedy was simply realism, the unspoken way of life. In Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Ibsen's A Doll's House, the main characters - Nora and Oedipus, are both constructed to illustrate flaws in society and how naive people are. Ibsen and Sophocles both developed tragedy into a central idea that all people surreptitiously understand. Nora and Oedipus make incompetent decisions that assist in discovering their fundamental nature as tragic heroes and provoke sorrow and pity among the audience. Oedipus lived his entire life in a dark shadow of ignorance, just like Nora. Oedipus' archetype of a tragic hero begins as an all-powerful, honorable king that believed he could solve any riddle, and acts rapidly on decisions. Oedipus lacked complete self knowledge, â€Å"I will speak out now as a stranger to the story, a stranger to the crime. If I’d been present then, there would have been no mystery, no long hunt without clue in hand† (Oe...

Mgc1 Study Guide

Strategic Management (Chapters 4 & 9) 1. Identify elements of the external environment and internal resources of the firm to analyze before formulating a strategy. a. External Environment: Industry and market analysis (industry profile, growth, and forces), Competitor analysis, Political and Regulatory analysis, Social analysis, Human Resources analysis, Macroeconomics analysis, and Technological analysis. Also forecasting future trends b. Internal Resources: Financial analysis, marketing audit, operations analysis, other internal resources analysis (such as research and development, management information systems, engineering and purchasing. ), human resources assessment. 2. Define core competencies and explain how they provide the foundation for business strategy. a. Core Competencies: A unique skill and/ or knowledge an organization possesses that gives it an edge over competitors. A core competence is something a company does especially well relative to its competitors. b. Think of core competencies as the roots of competitiveness and products as the fruits. c. It can provide a sustainable advantage if it is valuable, rare, difficult to imitate, and well organized. 3. Summarize the types of choices available for corporate strategy. a. Concentric i. focuses on a single business competing in a single industry. b. Vertical Integration i. involves expanding the domain of the organization into supply channels or to distributors. Vertical integration generally is used to eliminate uncertain-ties and reduce costs associated with suppliers or distributors. . Concentric Diversification i. involves moving into new businesses that are related to the company’s original core business. ii. Often companies such as Marriott pursue a strategy of concentric diversification to take advantage of their strengths in one business to gain advantage in another. Because the businesses are related, the products, markets, technologies, or capabilities used in one business can be transferred to another. Success in a concentric diversification strategy requires adequate manage-ment and other resources for operating more than one business. d. Conglomerate Diversification i. a corporate strategy that involves expansion into unrelated businesses. For example, General Electric Corporation has diversified from its original base in electrical and home appliance products to such wide- ranging industries as health, finance, insurance, truck and air transportation, and even media, with its ownership of NBC. Typically, companies pursue a conglomerate diversification strategy to minimize risks due to market fluctuations in one industry. 4. Discuss how companies can achieve competitive advantage through business strategy. . Two different business strategies generally lead to gaining a competitive advantage: Low Cost Strategies and Differentiation Strategies b. Low Cost Strategy: Businesses using a low- cost strategy attempt to be efficient and offer a standard, no- frills product. (i. e. Walmart and Southwest Airlines). To succeed, an organization using this strategy generally must be the cost leader in its industry or market segmen t. However, even a cost leader must offer a product that is acceptable to customers compared with competitors’ products. c. Differentiation Strategy: With a differentiation strategy, a company attempts to be unique in its industry or market segment along some dimensions that customers value. This unique or differentiated position within the industry often is based on high product quality, excellent marketing and distribution, or superior service. (i. e. Nordstrom’s commitment to quality and customer service). The most competitive strategy is one that competitors are unwilling or unable to imitate. 5. Describe the keys to effective strategy implementation. a. Step 1: Define strategic tasks. Articulate in simple language what a particular business must do to create or sustain a competitive advantage. Define strategic tasks to help employees understand how they contribute to the organization, including redefining relationships among the parts of the organization. b. Step 2: Assess organization capabilities. Evaluate the organization’s ability to implement the strategic tasks. A task force typically interviews employees and managers to identify specific issues that help or hinder effective implementation. Then the results are summarized for top management. In the course of your career, you will likely be asked to participate in a task force. c. Step 3: Develop an implementation agenda. Management decides how it will change its own activities and procedures; how critical interdependencies will be managed; what skills and individuals are needed in key roles; and what structures, measures, information, and rewards might ultimately support the needed behavior. A philosophy statement, communicated in terms of value, is the outcome of this process. d. Step 4: Create an implementation plan. The top management team, the employee task force, and others develop the implementation plan. The top management team then monitors progress. The employee task force continues its work by providing feedback about how others in the organization are responding to the changes. e. *Strategy must be supported by structure, technology, human resources, rewards, information sys-tems, culture, leadership, and so on. Ultimately, the success of a plan depends on how well employees at low levels are able and willing to implement it. Participative management is one of the more popular approaches executives use to gain employees’ input and ensure their commitment to strategy implementation. . The 6 Barriers to Strategy Implementation (or Silent Killers) a. Top- down or laissez-faire senior management style: With the top team and lower levels, the CEO/ general manager creates a partnership built around the development of a compelling business direction, the creation of an enabling organizational context, and the delegation of authority to clearly accountable individuals and teams. b . Unclear strategy and conflicting priorities: The top team, as a group, develops a statement of strategy, and priorities that members are willing to stand behind are developed. c. An ineffective senior management team: The top team, as a group, is involved in all steps in the change process so that its effectiveness is tested and developed. d. Poor vertical communication: An honest, fact- based dialogue is established with lower levels about the new strategy and the barriers to implementing it. e. Poor coordination across functions, businesses, or borders: A set of businesswide initiatives and new organizational roles and responsibilities are defined that require â€Å" the right people to work together on the right things in the right way† to implement the strategy. f. Inadequate down- the-line leadership skills and development: Lower- level managers develop skills through newly created opportunities to lead change and drive key business initiatives. They are supported with just- in-time coaching, training, and targeted recruitment. Those who still are not able to make the grade must be replaced. 7. What are the steps in the strategic planning process? Why should companies engage in strategic planning? a. Step 1: Establishment of mission, vision, and goals b. Step 2: Analysis of external opportunities and threats c. Step 3: Analysis of internal strengths and weaknesses d. Step 4: SWOT Analysis and Strategy Formulation e. Step 5: Strategy Implementation f. Step 6: Strategic Control 8. What are the components of a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis? a. SWOT analysis: A comparison of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that helps executives formulate strategy. b. Strengths and weaknesses refer to internal resources. i. For example, an organization’s strengths might include skilled management, positive cash flow, and well- known and highly regarded brands. Weaknesses might be lack of spare production capacity and the absence of reliable suppliers. . Opportunities and threats arise in the macroenvironment and competitive environment. i. Examples of opportunities are a new technology that could make the supply chain more efficient and a market niche that is currently underserved. Threats might include the possibility that competitors will enter the underserved niche once it has been shown to be profitable. 9. What is the difference between strategic vision, strategic intent, strategic objectives, and strategic mission? a. Strategic vision: The long- term direction and strategic intent of a company. b. Strategic Intent: The direction a company intends to go c. Strategic Objectives: d. Strategic Mission: The mission is a clear and concise expression of the basic purpose of the organization. It describes what the organization does, who it does it for, its basic good or service, and its values. 10. What is the value chain concept? a. A value chain is the sequence of activities that flow from raw materials to the delivery of a good or service, with additional value created at each step. b. A value chain describes the way in which value is added to various areas of an organization. Porter’s value chain model categorizes an organization into five primary and four support activities. Primary activities include inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, sales and marketing, and service. Support activities are company infrastructure, technology development, human resource management, and procurement. c. According to Porter’s model, you can achieve competitive advantage by reducing costs or restructuring one or all primary activites to gain a cost advantage. 11. What is the purpose of the value chain analysis? a. Managers can add customer value and build competitive advantage by paying close attention to their organization’s value chain— not only each step in it, but the way each step interacts with the others. 2. Describe Porter's Five Forces model. a. Michael Porter provided a framework that models an industry as being influenced by five forces. The strategic business manager seeking to develop an edge over rival firms can use this model to better understand the industry context in which the firm operates. i. Force 1: Rivalry 1. DEGREE OF RIVALRY a. -Exit barriers b. -Industry concentration c. -Fixed costs/Value added d. -Industry growth e. -Intermittent overcapacity f. -Product differences g. -Switching costs h. -Brand identity i. -Diversity of rivals j. -Corporate stakes ii. Force 2: Threats of New Entrants & Barriers to Entry: It is not only incumbent rivals that pose a threat to firms in an industry; the possibility that new firms may enter the industry also affects competition. In theory, any firm should be able to enter and exit a market, and if free entry and exit exists, then profits always should be nominal. In reality, however, industries possess characteristics that protect the high profit levels of firms in the market and inhibit additional rivals from entering the market. These are barriers to entry. 1. Absolute cost advantages 2. Proprietary learning curve 3. Access to inputs 4. Government policy 5. Economies of scale 6. Capital requirements 7. Brand identity 8. Switching costs 9. Access to distribution 10. Expected retaliation 11. Proprietary products iii. Force 3: Buyer Power: The power of buyers is the impact that customers have on a producing industry. In general, when buyer power is strong, the relationship to the producing industry is near to what an economist terms a monopsony – a market in which there are many suppliers and one buyer. 1. Bargaining leverage 2. Buyer volume 3. Buyer information 4. Brand identity 5. Price sensitivity 6. Threat of backward integration 7. Product differentiation 8. Buyer concentration vs. industry 9. Substitutes available 10. Buyers' incentives iv. Force 4: Threat of Substitutes: The competition engendered by a Threat of Substitute comes from products outside the industry. The price of aluminum beverage cans is constrained by the price of glass bottles, steel cans, and plastic containers. These containers are substitutes, yet they are not rivals in the aluminum can industry. 1. -Switching costs 2. -Buyer inclination to 3. substitute 4. -Price-performance 5. trade-off of substitutes v. Force 5: Supplier Power 1. Supplier concentration 2. Importance of volume to supplier 3. Differentiation of inputs . Impact of inputs on cost or differentiation 5. Switching costs of firms in the industry 6. Presence of substitute inputs 7. Threat of forward integration 8. Cost relative to total purchases in industry 13. How does Porter's Five Forces model influence strategic planning? 14. Discuss why it is critical for organizations to be responsive. a. Responsiv eness is the quickness, agility, and ability to adapt to changing demands. b. Businesses today must be responsive because of the fast-changing business environment. 15. Describe the qualities of an organic organization structure. . The organic structure stands in stark contrast to the mechanistic organization. It is much less rigid and, in fact, emphasizes flexibility. The organic structure can be described as follows: 1. Jobholders have broader responsibilities that change as the need arises. 2. Communication occurs through advice and information rather than through orders and instructions. 3. Decision making and influence are more decentralized and informal. 4. Expertise is highly valued. 5. Jobholders rely more heavily on judgment than on rules. 6. Obedience to authority is less important than commitment to the organization’s goals. 7. Employees depend more on one another and relate more informally and personally. b. People in organic organizations work more as teammates than as subordinates who take orders from the boss, thus breaking away from the traditional bureaucratic form. The more responsive a firm is, the more responsive it will be to changing competitive demands and market realities. 16. Identify strategies and dynamic organizational concepts that can improve an organization's responsiveness. a. New and emerging organizational concepts and forms include core competencies, strategic alliances, learning organizations, and high-involvement organizations. b. Participative management is becoming increasingly popular as a way to create a competitive advantage. c. High-involvement organization: high- involvement organization, top management ensures that there is a consensus about the direction in which the business is heading. The leader seeks input from his or her top management team and from lower levels of the company. Task forces, study groups, and other techniques are used to foster participation in decisions that affect the entire organization. 17. Explain how a firm can be both big and small. a. Historically, large organizations have had important advantages over small organizations. Today, small size has advantages, including the ability to act quickly, respond to customer demands, and serve small niches. The ideal firm today combines the advantages of both. It creates many small, flexible units, while the corporate levels add value by taking advantage of its size and power. 18. Summarize how firms organize to meet customer requirements. a. By using Customer Relationship Management (A multifaceted process focusing on creating two- way exchanges with customers to foster intimate knowledge of their needs, wants, and buying patterns. ) b. By continually changing in order to connect with customers, even without waiting for customers to make the first move. c. Research and development focus on innovation and new products. Inbound logistics receive and store raw materials and distribute them to operations. Operations transform the raw materials into final product. Outbound logistics warehouse the product and handle its distribution. Marketing and sales identify customer requirements and get customers to purchase the product. Service offers customer support, such as repair, after the item has been bought. d. Utilizing Total Quality Management e. Firms have embraced principles of continuous improvement and total quality management to respond to customer needs. Baldrige criteria and ISO 9001 standards help firms organize to meet better quality specifications. Extending these, reengineering efforts are directed at completely overhauling processes to provide world-class customer service. Total Quality Management (Chapters 5 & 9) 1. Define total quality management. a. An integrative approach to management that supports the attainment of customer satisfaction through a wide variety of tools and techniques that result in high- quality goods and services. 2. Discuss Deming's 14 points of quality. a. Deming’s â€Å" 14 points† of quality emphasized a holistic approach to management that demands intimate understanding of the process— the delicate interaction of materials, machines, and people that deter-mines productivity, quality, and competitive advantage: 1. Create constancy of purpose— strive for long- term improvement rather than short- term profit. 2. Adopt the new philosophy— don’t tolerate delays and mistakes. 3. Cease dependence on mass inspection— build quality into the process on the front end. 4. End the practice of awarding business on price tag alone— build long- term relationships. . Improve constantly and forever the system of production and service— at each stage. 6. Institute training and retraining— continually update methods and thinking. 7. Institute leadership— provide the resources needed for effectiveness. 8. Drive out fear— people m ust believe it is safe to report problems or ask for help. 9. Break down barriers among departments— promote teamwork. 10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations, and arbitrary targets— supply methods, not buzzwords. 11. Eliminate numerical quotas— they are contrary to the idea of continuous improvement. 12. Remove barriers to pride in workmanship— allow autonomy and spontaneity. 3. Institute a vigorous program of education and retraining— people are assets, not commodities. 14. Take action to accomplish the transformation— provide a structure that enables quality. 3. Discuss Six Sigma. a. One of the most important contributors to total quality management has been the introduction of statistical tools to analyze the causes of product defects, in an approach called Six Sigma Quality. b. The product defects analyzed may include anything that results in customer dissatisfaction— for example, late delivery, wrong shipment, or poor customer servi ce, as well as problems with the product itself. When the defect has been identified, managers then engage the organization in a determined, com-prehensive effort to eliminate its causes and reduce it to the lowest practicable level. At Six Sigma, a product or process is defect- free 99. 99966 percent of the time— less than 3. 4 defects or mistakes per million. Reaching that goal almost always requires managers to restructure their internal processes and relationships with suppliers and customers in fundamental ways. 4. Identify ways that firms organize around different types of technology. . Small batch: Technologies that produce goods and services in low volume. b. Large Batch: Technologies that produce goods and services in high volume. c. Continuous Process: A process that is highly automated and has a continuous production flow. 5. Define reengineering. How is reengineering important to an organization's success? a. The principal idea of reengineering is to revolutionize key organizational systems and processes to answe r the question: â€Å" If you were the customer, how would you like us to operate? The answer to this question forms a vision for how the organization should run, and then decisions are made and actions are taken to make the organization operate like the vision. b. Reengineering is not about making minor organizational changes here and there. It is about completely overhauling the operation, in revolutionary ways, to achieve the greatest possible benefits to the customer and to the organization. 6. What are the benefits of implementing a total quality management system? a. Total quality management (TQM) is different from the old concept of quality because its focus is on serving customers, identifying the causes of quality problems, and building quality into the production process. b. When it is properly implemented, this style of management can lead to decreased costs related to corrective or preventative maintenance, better overall performance, and an increased number of happy and loyal customers 7. What is continuous improvement? a. Continuous improvement, called kaizen by the Japanese, requires that the company continually strive to be better through learning and problem solving. Because we can never achieve perfection, we must always evaluate our performance and take measures to improve it. 8. What are the steps for building a quality management system? a. 1. Customer focus — learning and addressing customer needs and expectations. 2. Leadership — establishing a vision and goals, establishing trust, and providing employees with the resources and inspiration to meet goals. 3. Involvement of people — establishing an environment in which employees understand their contribution, engage in problem solving, and acquire and share knowledge. 4. Process approach — defining the tasks needed to successfully carry out each process and assigning responsibility for them. 5. System approach to management — putting processes together into efficient systems that work together effectively. 6. Continual improvement — teaching people how to identify areas for improvement and rewarding them for making improvements. 7. Factual approach to decision making — gathering accurate performance data, sharing the data with employees, and using the data to make decisions. 8. Mutually beneficial supplier relationships — working in a cooperative way with suppliers. . What is the difference between quality assurance and quality control? a. Quality control is the set of activities performed to ensure that the products or services meet the requirements as defined during the earlier process for assurance of quality. These activities are done during the manufacturing process and once the product is manufactured. b. Qual ity guarantee or assurance is the set of procedures developed and activities done before the product or service is manufactured or delivered to assure of good quality to the customers. This is a proactive approach. 10. What is a quality audit? When is it used? Entrepreneurial Perspective (Chapter 7) 1. Summarize how to assess opportunities to start new companies. a. You should always be on the lookout for new ideas, monitoring the current business environment and other indicators of opportunity. Franchising offers an interesting opportunity, and the potential of the Internet is being tapped (after entrepreneurs learned some tough lessons from the dot- bomb era). Trial and error and preparation play important roles. Assessing the business concept on the basis of how innovative and risky it is, combined with your personal interests and tendencies, will also help you make good choices. Ideas should be carefully assessed via opportunity analysis and a thorough business plan. 2. Identify common causes of success and failure. a. New ventures are inherently risky. The economic environment plays an important role in the success or failure of the business, and the entrepreneur should anticipate and be prepared to adapt in the face of changing economic conditions. How you handle a variety of common management challenges also can mean the difference between success and failure, as can the effectiveness of your planning and your ability to mobilize nonfi-nancial resources, including other people who can help. 3. Discuss common management challenges. a. When new businesses fail, the causes often can be traced to some common challenges that entrepreneurs face and must manage well. You might not enjoy the entrepreneurial process. Survival— including getting started and fending off competitors— is difficult. Growth creates new challenges, including reluctance to delegate work to others. Funds are put to improper use, and financial controls may be inadequate. Many entrepreneurs fail to plan well for succession. When needing or wanting new funds, initial public offerings provide an option, but they represent an important and difficult decision that must be considered carefully. 4. Explain how to increase your chances of success, including good business planning. a. The business plan helps you think through your idea thoroughly and determine its viability. It also convinces ( or fails to con-vince) others to participate. The plan describes the venture and its future, provides financial projections, and includes plans for marketing, manufacturing, and other business functions. The plan should describe the people involved in the venture, a full assess-ment of the opportunity (including customers and competitors), the environmental context (including regulatory and economic issues), and the risk (including future risks and how you intend to deal with them). Successful entrepreneurs also understand how to develop social apital, which enhances legitimacy and helps develop a network of others including customers, talented people, partners, and boards. 5. How does an organization cultivate entrepreneurship within the organization (intrapreneurship)? a. Intrapreneurs work within established companies to develop new goods or services that allow the corporation to reap the benefits of innovation. To facilitate intrapraneurship, organizations use skunkworks— special project teams designated to develop a new product— and allow bootlegging— informal efforts beyond formal job assignments in which employees pursue their own pet projects. Organizations should select projects carefully, have an ongoing portfolio of projects, and fund them appropriately. Ultimately, a true entrepreneurial orientation in a company comes from encouraging independent action, innovativeness, risk taking, proactive behavior, and competitive aggressiveness. 6. What role does entrepreneurship play within an organization? 7. Should organizations encourage an entrepreneurial spirit within their organization? Why or why not? 8. What is the relationship between innovation and entrepreneurship? a. Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of lucrative opportunities by enterprising individuals. . Entrepreneurship is inherently about innovation— creating a new venture where one didn’t exist before. 9. What are the common characteristics of an entrepreneur? a. 1. Commitment and determination: Successful entrepreneurs are decisive, tenacious, disciplined, willing to sacrifice, and able to immerse themselves in their enterprises. 2. Leadership: They are self- starters, team builders, superior learners, and teachers. Communicating a vision for the future of the company— an essential component of leadership that you’ll learn more about in Chapter 12— has a direct impact on venture growth. 7 3. Opportunity obsession: They have an intimate knowledge of customers’ needs, are market driven, and are obsessed with value creation and enhancement. 4. Tolerance of risk, ambiguity, and uncertainty: They are calculated risk takers and risk managers, tolerant of stress, and able to resolve problems. 5. Creativity, self- reliance, and ability to adapt: They are open- minded, restless with the status quo, able to learn quickly, highly adaptable, creative, skilled at conceptualizing, and attentive to details. . Motivation to excel: They have a clear results orientation, set high but realistic goals, have a strong drive to achieve, know their own weaknesses and strengths, and focus on what can be done rather than on the reasons things can’t be done. 10. Do the financing issues that new businesses face differ from those faced by a well-established business? How? Conflict and Change (Chapters 14, 16, 7 18) 1. Identify ways to manage conflict. a. Managing lateral relationships well can prevent some conflict. But conflict arises because of the sheer number of contacts, ambiguities, goal differences, competition for scarce resources, and different perspectives and time horizons. Depending on the situation, five basic interpersonal approaches to managing con-flict can be used: avoidance, accommodation, compromise, com-petition, and collaboration. Superordinate goals offer a focus on higher- level organizational goals that can help generate a collaborative relationship. Techniques for managing conflict between other parties include acting as a mediator and managing virtual conflict. 2. Identify different conflict styles. a. Avoidance, accommodation, compromise, competing, collaboration 3. Discuss the role of a mediator. a. A Mediator is a â€Å" third party† intervening to help settle a conflict between other people. Third- party intervention, done well, can improve working relationships and help the parties improve their own conflict- management, communication, and problem- solving skills. 4. Explain the difference between avoidance, accommodation, compromise, competing, and collaboration as conflict styles. a. Avoidance: A reaction to conflict that involves ignoring the problem by doing nothing at all, or deemphasizing the disagreement. . Accommodation: A style of dealing with conflict involving cooperation on behalf of the other party but not being assertive about one’s own interests. c. Compromise: A style of dealing with conflict involving moderate attention to both parties’ concerns. d. Competing: A style of dealing with conflict involving strong focus on one’s own goal s and little or no concern for the other person’s goals. e. Collaboration: A style of dealing with conflict emphasizing both cooperation and assertiveness to maximize both parties’ satisfaction. 5. Describe four types of control systems. a. Bureaucratic Control: Bureaucratic control is the use of rules, regulations, and formal authority to guide performance. It includes such items as budgets, statistical reports, and performance appraisals to regulate behavior and results. b. Market Control: Market control involves the use of pricing mechanisms to regulate activities in organizations as though they were economic transactions. Business units may be treated as profit centers and trade resources ( services or goods) with one another via such mechanisms. Managers who run these units may be evaluated on the basis of profit and loss. . Clan Control: Clan control, unlike the first two types, does not assume that the interests of the organization and individuals naturally diverge. Instead, clan control is based on the idea that employees may share the values, expectations, and goals of the organization and act in accordance with them. When members of an organization have common values and goals— and trust one anotherâ₠¬â€ formal controls may be less necessary. d. Dynamic Control: 6. What types of control systems have you seen in operation in your organization (or one you know well)? 7. What is functional conflict? Describe the conflict process. 8. What are some conflict-resolution techniques that can be employed in an organization? 9. What is the controlling function within an organization? 10. What are the steps in the control process? 1. Setting performance standards. 2. Measuring performance. 3. Comparing performance against the standards and determining deviations. 4. Taking action to correct problems and reinforce successes. 11. What are the stages of change within an organization? a. Unfreezing: breaking from the old ways of doing things b. Moving: instituting the change c. Refreezing: reinforcing and supporting the new ways 12. What strategies can mangers use to overcome resistance to their change initiatives? a. Understand why people often resist change (inertia, timing, surprise, peer pressure/ self interest, misunderstanding, different assessments, management tactics) b. Force- field analysis: involves identifying the specific forces that prevent people from changing and the specific forces that will drive people toward change. c. Education and Communication: Management should educate people about upcoming changes before they occur. It should communicate not only the nature of the change but its logic. d. Participation and Involvement: change requires reflection and dialogue. It is important to listen to the people who are affected by the change. They should be involved in the change’s design and implementation. e. Facilitation and Support: Facilitation involves training and other resources people need to carry out the change and perform their jobs under the new circumstances. This step often includes decentralizing authority and empowering people, that is, giving them the power to make the decisions and changes needed to improve their performance. . Negotiation and Rewards: When necessary and appropriate, management can offer concrete incentives for cooperation with the change. Perhaps job enrichment is acceptable only with a higher wage rate, or a work rule change is resisted until manage-ment agrees to a concession on some other rule ( say, regarding taking breaks). g. Manipulation and cooptation: One form of manipulation is cooptation, which involves giving a resisting individual a desirable role in the change process. The leader of a resisting group often is coopted. For example, management might invite a union leader to be a member of an executive committee or ask a key member of an outside organization to join the company’s board of directors. As a person becomes involved in the change, he or she may become less resistant to the actions of the coopting group or organization. h. Explicit and implicit coercion: Some managers apply punishment or the threat of punishment to those who resist change. With this approach, managers use force to make people comply with their wishes. Human Resource Mgmt & Diversity (Chapters 10 & 11) 1. How do companies use human resource management to gain a competitive advantage? a. To succeed, companies must align their human resources to their strategies. Effective planning is necessary to make certain that the right number and type of employees are available to implement a company’s strategic plan. It is clear that hiring the most competent people is a very involved process. Companies that compete on cost, quality, service, and so on also should use their staffing, training, appraisal, and reward systems to elicit and reinforce the kinds of behaviors that underlie their strategies. 2. Give reasons companies recruit both internally and externally for new hires. a. Some companies prefer to recruit internally to make certain that employees are familiar with organizational policies and values. In other instances, companies prefer to recruit externally, such as through employee referrals, job boards, newspaper advertising, and campus visits, to find individuals with new ideas and fresh perspectives. External recruiting is also necessary to fill positions when the organization is growing or needs skills that do not exist among its current employees. 3. Identify various methods for selecting new employees. . There are myriad selection techniques from which to choose. Interviews and reference checks are the most common. Per-sonality tests and cognitive ability tests measure an individual’s aptitude and potential to do well on the job. Other selection techniques include assessment centers and integrity tests. Background and reference checks verify that the informati on supplied by employees is accurate. Regardless of the approach used, any test should be able to demonstrate reliability ( consistency across time and different interview situations) and validity ( accuracy in predicting job performance). In addition, selection methods must comply with equal opportunity laws, which are intended to ensure that companies do not discriminate in any employment practices. 4. Evaluate the importance of spending money and time on training and development. a. People cannot depend on a set of skills for all of their working lives. In today’s changing, competitive world, old skills quickly become obsolete, and new ones become essential for success. Refreshing or updating an individual’s skills requires a great deal of continuous training, designed with easurable goals and methods that will achieve those goals. Companies understand that gaining a competitive edge in quality of service depends on having the most talented, flexible workers in the industry. 5. Explain alternative selections for those who appraise an employee's performance. a. Many companies are using multiple sources of appraisal because different people see different sides of an employee’s performance. Typical ly, a superior is expected to evaluate an employee, but peers and team members are often well positioned to see aspects of performance that a superior misses. Even an employ-ee’s subordinates are being asked more often today to give their input to get yet another perspective on the evaluation. Particularly in companies concerned about quality, internal and external customers also are surveyed. Finally, employees should evaluate their own performance, if only to get them thinking about their own performance, as well as to engage them in the appraisal process. 6. Describe the fundamental aspects of a reward system a. Reward systems include pay and benefits. Pay systems have three basic components: pay level, pay structure, and individual pay determination. To achieve an advantage over competitors, executives may want to pay a generally higher wage to their company’s employees, but this decision must be weighed against the need to control costs ( pay- level decisions often are tied to strategic concerns such as these). To achieve internal equity ( paying people what they are worth relative to their peers within the company), managers must look at the pay structure, making certain that pay differentials are based on knowledge, effort, responsibility, working conditions, seniority, and so on. Individual pay determination is often based on merit or the dif-ferent contributions of individuals. In these cases, it is important to make certain that men and women receive equal pay for equal work, and managers may wish to base pay decisions on the idea of comparable worth ( equal pay for an equal contribution). Also, the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that employees have a safe and healthy work environment. 7. Summarize how unions and labor laws influence human resources management. a. Labor relations involve the interactions between workers and management. One mechanism by which this relationship is con-ducted is unions. Unions seek to present a collective voice for workers, to make their needs and wishes known to manage-ment. Unions negotiate agreements with management regard-ing a range of issues such as wages, hours, working conditions, job security, and health care. One important tool that unions can use is the grievance procedure established through collective bargaining. This mechanism gives employees a way to seek redress for wrongful action on the part of management. In this way, unions make certain that the rights of all employees are protected. Labor laws seek to protect the rights of both employees and managers so that their relationship can be pro-ductive and agreeable. 8. Describe how changes in the U. S. workforce make diversity a critical organizational and managerial issue. a. The labor force is getting older and more racially and ethnically diverse, with a higher proportion of women. And while the absolute number of workers is increasing, the growth in jobs is outpacing the numerical growth of workers. In addition, the jobs that are being created frequently require higher skills than the typical worker can provide; thus, we are seeing a growing skills gap. To be competitive, organizations can no longer take the traditional approach of depending on white males to form the core of the workforce. Today, managers must look broadly to make use of talent wherever it can be found. As the labor market changes, organizations that can recruit, develop, motivate, and retain a diverse workforce will have a competitive advantage. 9. Distinguish between affirmative action and managing diversity. a. Affirmative action is designed to correct past exclusion of women and minorities from U. S. organizations. But despite the accomplishments of affirmative action, it has not eliminated bar-riers that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. Managing diversity goes beyond hiring people who are different from the norm and seeks to support, nurture, and use employee differences to the organization’s advantage. 10. Identify challenges associated with managing a diverse workforce. a. The challenges for managers created by a diverse workforce include decreased group cohesiveness, communication problems, mistrust and tension, and stereotyping. These challenges can be turned into advantages by means of training and effective management. 11. Define monolithic, pluralistic, and multicultural organizations. a. Monolithic: An organization that has a low degree of structural integration— employing few women, minorities, or other groups that differ from the majority— and thus has a highly homogeneous employee population.. b. Pluralistic: Pluralistic organizations have a relatively diverse employee population and try to involve various types of employ-ees ( e. g. , engaging in affirmative action and avoiding discrimination). Conflict is greatest in a pluralistic organization. c. Multicultural: Multicultural organizations not only have diversity but value it, and they fully integrate men and women of various racial and ethnic groups, as well as people with different types of expertise. 12. List steps managers and their organizations can take to cultivate diversity. a. To be successful, organizational efforts to manage diversity must have top management support and commitment. Organizations should first undertake a thorough assessment of their cultures, policies, and practices, as well as the demographics of their labor pools and customer bases. Only after this diagnosis has been completed is a company in position to initiate programs designed to attract, develop, motivate, and retain a diverse workforce. 13. What is strategic human resource planning, and how does it benefit an organization? 14. What legal considerations must organizations consider when hiring employees? 15. What is the job characteristics model (JCM)? a. Hackman & Oldham proposed the Job Characteristics Model, which is widely used as a framework to study how particular job characteristics impact on job outcomes, including job satisfaction. The model states that there are five core job characteristics (skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback) which impact three critical psychological states (experienced meaningfulness, experienced responsibility for outcomes, and knowledge of the actual results), in turn influencing work outcomes (job satisfaction, absenteeism, work motivation, etc. ). 16. Why are certain types of diversity protected by law? What are they? a. Female, minorities, immigrants, disabled people. 17. What are some barriers to cross-cultural communication in an organization? a. isunderstandings, inac-curacies, inefficiencies, and slowness. Speed is lost when not all group members are fluent in the same language or when additional time is required to explain things. Sometimes diversity may decrease communication, as when white male managers feel less comfortable giving feedback to women or minorities, for fear of how criticism may be received. The result may be employees who do n ot have a clear idea of what they need to do to improve their performance. 18. When are organizations required to modify their workplace in order to accommodate the needs of an individual employee? a. When the employee is unable to accomplish his job without reasonable accommodation. 19. What is an effective diversity training program? a. A program that has 1. Position training in your broad diversity strategy. 2. Do a thorough needs analysis. 3. Distinguish between education and training. 4. Use a participative design process. 5. Test the program thoroughly before rollout. 6. Incorporate training programs into the core training curriculum. CHAPTER 10 QUIZ QUESTIONS 20. Conducting demand forcasts is the most difficult part of HR planning. 21. Job analysis provides job descriptions and job specifications. 2. Which of these is the most popular selection tool? – Interviews 23. The behavioral description interview explores what candidates have actually done in the past. 24. Which of these is a managerial performance test in which candidates participate in a variety of exercises and situations? –Assessment center 25. The degree to which a selection test predicts or correl ates with job performance is called validity. 26. While laying off 160 employees in a cost cutting move, Peel and Seal, Inc. is also helping these laid-off employees regain employment elsewhere. This is referred to as outplacement. 27. Development involves teaching managers and professional employees broader skills needed for their present and future jobs. 28. The law that prohibits gender based pay discrimination between two jobs substantially similar in skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions is Equal Pay Act. 29. MBO is one approach to results appraisals. 30. The decision that prices different jobs within the organization is pay structure 31. Internal factors affecting the wage mix include compensation policy of organization. 32. Individual incentive plans are the most common type of incentive plan. 33. The use of a neutral third party to resolve abor dispute is called arbitration. CHAPTER 11 QUIZ QUESTIONS 1. What percent of women currently make up the workforce? -46% 2. Rosalie reached the level of regional manager at Bike Tools Etc. nine years ago. Three of her counterparts have been promoted to vice president level. Although Rosalie has more experience and better performance numbers, she has no t been promoted. As a matter of fact, white males occupy all senior positions at Bike Tools Etc. Rosalie appears to have hit the glass ceiling. 3. William was denied promotion because he rejected the sexual advances from his boss, Reba. This appears to be a case of _____ harassment. Quid Pro Quo 4. Minorities and immigrants hold approximately _____ jobs in the United States. –1 out of every 4 5. All of the following statements are true except: African American workforce is growing the fastest in the United States followed by Asian and Hispanic workforces / by 2020, most of California's entry-level workers will be Hispanic / the younger Americans are, the more likely they are to be persons of color / three in ten college enrollees are people of color / foreign-born workers make up more than 15 percent of the U. S. civilian labor force 6. _____ are the largest unemployed minority in the United States. People with disabilities 7. The most common negative effect of diversity is c ommunication problems. 8. A(n)____ is an organization that has a relatively diverse employee population and makes an effort to involve employees from different gender, racial, or cultural backgrounds. –pluralistic organization Organizational Structure (Chapters 8, 9 , 15, & 17) 1. Explain how differentiation and integration influence an organization's structure. a. Differentiation means that organizations have many parts. Specialization means that various individuals and units throughout the organization perform different tasks. The assignment of tasks to different people or groups often is referred to as the division of labor. But the specialized tasks in an organization cannot all be performed independently of one another. Coordination links the various tasks in order to achieve the organization’s overall mission. An organization with many different specialized tasks and work units is highly differentiated; the more differentiated the organization is, the more integration or coordination is required. 2. Summarize how authority operates. a. Authority is the legitimate right to make decisions and tell other people what to do. Authority is exercised throughout the hierarchy, as bosses have the authority to give orders to subordinates. Through the day- to- day operation of authority, the organization proceeds toward achieving its goals. Owners or stockholders have ultimate authority. 3. Define the roles of the board of directors and the chief executive officer. a. Boards of directors report to stockholders. The board of directors controls or advises management, considers the firm’s legal and other interests, and protects stockholders’ rights. The chief executive officer reports to the board and is accountable for the organization’s performance. 4. Discuss how span of control affects structure and managerial effectiveness. a. Span of control is the number of people who report directly to a manager. Narrow spans create tall organizations, and wide spans create flat ones. No single span of control is always appropriate; the optimal span is determined by characteristics of the work, the subordinates, the manager, and the organization. 5. Explain how to delegate effectively. a. Delegation— the assignment of tasks and responsibilities— has many potential advantages for the manager, the subordinate, and the organization. But to be effective, the process must be managed carefully. The manager should define the goal, select the person, solicit opinions, provide resources, schedule checkpoints, and discuss progress periodically. 6. Distinguish between centralized and decentralized organizations. a. In centralized organizations, most important decisions are made by top managers. In decentralized organizations, many decisions are delegated to lower levels. 7. Summarize ways organizations can be structured. a. Organizations can be structured on the basis of function, division ( product, customers, or geographic), matrix, and network. Each form has advantages and disadvantages. 8. Identify the unique challenges of the matrix organization. a. The matrix is a complex structure with a dual authority structure. A well- managed matrix enables organizations to adapt to change. But it can also create confusion and interpersonal dif-ficulties. People in all positions in the matrix— top executives, product and function managers, and two- boss managers— must acquire unique survival skills. 9. Describe important integrative mechanisms. a. Managers can coordinate interdependent units through standardization, plans, and mutual adjustment. Standardization occurs when routines and standard operating procedures are put in place. They typically are accompanied by formalized rules. Coordination by plan is more flexible and allows more freedom in how tasks are carried out but keeps interdependent units focused on schedules and joint goals. Mutual adjustment involves feedback and discussions among related parties to accommodate each other’s needs. It is at once the most flexible and simple to administer, but it is time- consuming. 10. What is the difference between forward vertical integration and backward vertical integration? a. Forward Vertical Integration b. Backward Vertical Integration: 11. What are the benefits and challenges of a matrix organization structure? . Benefits: i. Decision-making is decentralized to a level where information is processed properly and relevant knowledge is applied. †¢ Extensive communications networks help process large amounts of information. †¢ With decisions delegated to appropriate levels, higher management levels are not overloaded with operational decisio ns. †¢ Resource utilization is efficient because key resources are shared across several important programs or products at the same time. †¢ Employees learn the collaborative skills needed to function in an environment characterized by frequent meetings and more informal interactions. Dual career ladders are elaborated as more career options become available on both sides of the organization. b. Challenges: i. Confusion can arise because people do not have a single superior to whom they feel primary responsibility. †¢ The design encourages managers who share subordinates to jockey for power. †¢ The mistaken belief can arise that matrix management is the same thing as group decision-making— in other words, everyone must be consulted for every decision. †¢ Too much democracy can lead to not enough action.