Hofstede’s Model Of Organisational Culture The WritePass Journal

Hofstede’s Model Of Organisational Culture ABSTRACT Hofstede’s Model Of Organisational Culture ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONWHAT IS..â€Å"CULTURE†?ORGANIZAITONAL CULTUREProcess oriented vs goal orientedParochial vs professionalOpen system vs closed systemEmployee oriented vs job orientedTighter control vs loose controlNormative vs pragmaticCRITICISMS OF HOFSTEDE’S MODELARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF HOFSTEDE’S MODELA CASE STUDY OF SONY ERICSSONORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN SONY ERICSSONCONCLUSIONREFERENCERelated ABSTRACT Organizational culture has become the buzzword in popular management with many experts suggesting it as an important determinant for organizational success. Management researchers have been quick to point out the impact that organizational culture may have on the effectiveness of the organization and have called for an increase in the attention paid to organizational culture. With more emphasis being placed on organizational culture, it becomes important to understand the appeal of this concept and examine its impact on management within the organization This paper thus explores on the concept of â€Å"organizational culture† and examines its impact on behaviours and management of the organization. This will involve identifying one associated mode or theory and evaluating or determining the extent to which the chosen model plays a part in defining the style of management. A case study of Sony Ericsson will also be employed to help illustrate the application of hofstede’s model of organizational culture. The study will also identify limitations of this model and the strengths that have enabled it to be used as a basis for most research analyses. INTRODUCTION Organizational culture has become the buzzword in popular management with many experts suggesting it as an important determinant for organizational success (Schein 1999). While the association between organizational culture and organizational success is far from certain, it is obvious that each organization has its own unique social structure which drives much of the individual behavior within that organization. Management researchers have been quick to point out the impact that organizational culture may have on the effectiveness of the organization and have called for an increase in the attention paid to organizational culture (Siehl Martin 1998).   With more emphasis being placed on organizational culture, it is important to understand the appeal of this concept and examine its impact on management within the organization. This study thus explores on the concept of organizational culture and examines its impact on management style. This will involve identifying one associated mode or theory and evaluating or determining the extent to which the chosen model plays a part in defining the style of management. In this regard, Hofstede’s ideas will form the basis of our analysis of organizational culture. WHAT IS..â€Å"CULTURE†? The term culture has been given varied set of definitions by various scholars. Kroeber Kluckholn (1952), for example, defined culture as consisting of patterns of behaviour acquired and transmitted through symbols, and which constitute distinctive achievement of human groups including their embodiment in artifacts. Hofstede (1980), on the other hand, defined culture as the collective programming of the mind which differentiates members of one human group in the society from the rest. While Symington (1983) defined it as a complex whole which include belief, knowledge, morals, art, customs, capabilities and habits acquired in the society.   These definitions suggest culture to consist of a set of value systems that are shared equally by members in the society and which binds people together. With the above conceptualization of culture, we can now define what we mean by organizational culture. ORGANIZAITONAL CULTURE Organizational culture can simply be defined as a set of values, assumptions and beliefs that define the behaviours and style of management in an organization (O’Reilly et.al, 1991).  There are three main sources of influence believed to interact to create organizational culture. These are the beliefs and values held by the leaders of the organization, the characteristics of the industry in which the organization is within, and the broader society in which the organization operates (O’Reilly et.al, 1991). The most influential model used by management researchers and which has formed the basis of most analyses of organizational culture is Hofstedes model. While most noted for his groundbreaking work on dimensions of national culture, Hofstede also identified six dimensions of organizational culture which can be used in defining the style of management in an organization. Process oriented vs goal oriented The process oriented vs result oriented dimension is concerned with the effectiveness of the organization. A key feature of a process oriented culture is the means or rather the way in which work has to be conducted. While in a result oriented culture, emphasis is placed on the goals of the organization. That is, employees are primarily out to achieve specific organizational goals even if the risks involved are substantial (Hofstede 2001). Parochial vs professional This dimension reflects the internal and external frame of the organization (Hofstede 2001). In a local culture the identity of the employees is with the immediate manager. Hence employees within this culture are internally focused and directed and there is also a strong social control. The converse is true in a professional culture where the identity of the employees is largely determined by the profession and content of the job. Open system vs closed system The open system vs closed system dimension reflects the communication climate of the organization (Hofstede 2001). For an open system, new employees are welcomed and there is the belief that everyone fits well in the organization. While for a closed system, it is difficult to join and it is believed that only a certain kind of individuals may fit in the organization. Employee oriented vs job oriented This dimension relates to the management philosophy in the organization. In an employee oriented organizational culture, concern is mainly on employee satisfaction. The staff members feel that their own personal problems and welfare is taken into account by the organization. While for a job oriented organizational culture, work is characterized by heavy pressure to perform the specific task at the expense of the employee (Hofstede 2001). Tighter control vs loose control This dimension relates to structuring, control and discipline in the organization. A tight control culture is characterized by seriousness and punctuality while the features of a loose control culture are casual and improvisation (Hofstede 2001). Examples of organizations that are often found within tighter controls are banks and pharmaceutical companies while those found in loose control are research laboratories and advertising agencies (Hofstede 2001). Normative vs pragmatic This dimension reflects on the methods employed by organizations when dealing with the environment in general and customers in particular. It describes the level of customer oreintation. Pragmatic cultures are flexible and more market driven while normative cultures are rigid and often emphasize on following applicable laws and rules (Hofstede 2001). Hofstede labeled organizations involved in the sale of services as pragmatic while those engaged in application of laws and rules as normative. CRITICISMS OF HOFSTEDE’S MODEL Hofstedes ground breaking work on culture has indeed provided valuable insights into the management styles and dynamics of cross cultural relationships. However, his highly influential findings have not been without criticisms. A number of academics have discredited his work in part or whole. Critics have argued that survey was not an important instrument that could be used in accurately determining and measuring the culture of organizations (Jones 2007). A survey of a set of limited questions certainly cannot adequately and comprehensively provide an in-depth understanding of culture of an organization. In response to this criticism, Hofstede argued that survey was one method and certainly not the only method that was used. Hofstedes model has also been criticized on the basis that the five or six dimensions did not provide sufficient information about cultural differences (Jones 2007). In this regard, Hofstede agreed that his analysis was too narrow to credibly argue for the universal validity and sufficiency of the six dimensions of organizational culture that he identified. And in fact, suggested for additional dimensions to his original work. He also noted that some of the six dimensions that he identified may be less useful when analyzing other types of organizations in other countries (Jones 2007). A third criticism is that Hofstede’s work is seen as outdated, especially with the rapid changes in the global environment (Jones 2007). This critique has further been put forward by Holden (2002) who points out that the data used by Hofstede in his dimensions of organizational culture seem to have been gathered over 30 years ago and is therefore no longer applicable to the modern day world. In response to this criticism, Hofstede (1998) pointed out that a number of recent replications had confirmed his findings. Hofstede’s model is also criticized on grounds of his one company approach. Hofstedes analysis supposed that a single IBM organizational culture could be used to make inferences about the entire world wide organizational cultures (Jones 2007). A study fixated on one company certainly cannot be used to make inferences about the entire world wide organizational cultures. The validity of his dimensions of organizational culture has thus been questioned and his model considered to be non-comprehensive as the study was based on data collected from a single company using questionnaires that lacked academic foundation. Critics have also argued that Hofstede failed to recognize the diversity in his analysis of IBM culture (Jones 2007). He ignored extensive literature which suggested that there were multiple, dissenting and emergent cultures in an organization. If we are to ignore the assumption of a single culture in IBM and acknowledge the diversity in culture at IBM, then his analysis is likely to collapse. After years of publication of his analysis on organizational culture based on the IBM survey data, Hofstede begun to acknowledge the presence of cultural diversity within and between units in the same organization. However, despite recognizing flaws in his work, Hofstede fails to admit error or weakness in his analysis. Accepting that organizations had multiple cultures as opposed to his assumption of a single culture would seem to undermine a crucial part of his analysis. ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF HOFSTEDE’S MODEL Despite these criticisms, Hofstedes work is widely acknowledged and used by many scholars and practictioners due to its mainly appealing attributes. Sondergaard (1994) noted that hofstedes analysis on corporate culture received 1,036 citations in comparison with another highly regarded study by Miles Snow (1978) which only received 200 citations. Moreover, a number of researchers have replicated Hofstedes study including Trompenaars Hampden-Turner (1997). Some of the strengths that have enabled it to be used as the basis of most research analyses include: Relevance: Hofstedes discoveries came at a time when there was very little known about culture and businesses were just globalizing and were in need of advice (Jones 2007). Hofstedes framework exceeded this demand and became widely accepted by many scholars and practitioners. His work offered guidance to managers who were expanding their businesses as cultures were clashing and creating difficulties (Jones 2007). Rigour Hofstede model is based on a rigorous research design with systematic data and is built on a coherent theory (Jones 2007). Simplicity: Knudsen Loloma (2007) argues that hofstedes model has remained influential and successful due to its simplicity of appliance. His analysis of culture offered a simple way of understanding organizational culture. The six dimensions that define organizational culture put forth by Hofstede made it easier for managers and researchers to understand corporate culture without the need of expert knowledge. Relative accuracy: strength of Hofstedes model is also reflected in its level of accuracy. Majority of the replications conducted by other researchers have confirmed Hofstedes findings. Four replications have concurred fully with Hofstede’s findings while fifteen showed partial confirmation (Jones 2007). Moreover, Hofstedes framework has become very influential in management studies and is most widely cited in social sciences. His work remains instrumental in the implementation of various business systems in organizations including entrepreneurial behaviour, workgroup performance and dynamics, leadership styles, participative management and management control systems among many others (Jones 2007). A CASE STUDY OF SONY ERICSSON In order to explore on the extent to which hofstede model plays a part in defining management style, we will conduct a case study of Sony Ericsson, a joint venture between Sony and Ericsson. Sony Ericsson has its headquarters and all of its management based in the UK. The firm aims at becoming the most innovative and attractive mobile brand globally (Cooper Ross 2007). ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN SONY ERICSSON Organizational culture has long been acknowledged as an important factor for driving behaviour, decision making and shaping management style at Sony Ericsson. With regard to the rules and procedures, Sony Ericson follows a certain procedure laid down by the firm (Cooper Ross 2007). While it is not a requirement for employees to follow strict dress code and office timings, it is mandatory for employees at Sony Ericsson to abide by the business ethics and code of conduct (Cooper Ross 2007). Since the firm does not follow a strict dress code and office timings, it can be concluded that the organization employs a loose control culture. With regard to employee evaluation and performance, the staffs at Sony Ericsson are not differentiated on their individual performance and are allowed to participate in decision making except at the higher level which requires the executive management team only (Cooper Ross 2007). Sony Ericsson’s corporate culture is also more employee oriented with managers more concerned on the welfare and employee satisfaction. Sony Ericsons organizational culture is also very professional as employees are subjected to scrutiny checks prior to their appointment to ensure that individuals hired are competent and have a certain level of experience deemed necessary for the position (Tayeb 2001). With regard to normative and pragmatic approach, the firm is seen in between, as its organizational culture is both normative and pragmatic oriented. While Sony Ericsson focuses on meeting customer and market needs, the firm also adheres to certain rules and guidelines in meeting these needs (Tayeb 2001). Clearly, Hofstede’s model plays a significant part in defining the management style and organizational behaviour at Sony Ericsson. CONCLUSION There is no doubt that Hofstede’s model is one of the most widely acknowledged and used piece of research. His ground breaking work on culture has indeed provided valuable insights into the management styles and dynamics of cross cultural relationships as evident in Sony Ericsson. A number of academics have however discredited his work in part or whole. Although Hofstedes work on culture has been heavily criticized on grounds of his one company approach, survey methodological approach, and for fewer dimensions and his assumption of a single organizational culture; majority of his findings have had remarkable effect on practitioners and researchers and continue to guide multi-national practitioners into the global future. While there is a high level of controversy in his analysis of culture, there is no doubt that his study is one of the most influential in the analysis of organizational culture. REFERENCE Hofstede, G., 2001. Culture’s consequences. 2nd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage publications Hofstede, G., 1998. Attitudes, Values and Organizational Culture: Disentangling the concepts. Organization Studies 19(3): 477. Hofstede, G., 1980. Cultures Consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications. Hofstede, G., Neuijen, B., Ohayv, D. D., and G. Sanders, 1990. â€Å"Measuring Organizational Cultures: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study across Twenty Cases†. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35(2), 286-316. Holden, N., 2002. Cross-Cultural Management – A Knowledge Management Perspective. Harlow: Prentice Hall. Jones, M.L., 2007. Hofstede culturally questionable? Oxford, UK. Kroeber, A. L. and C. Kluckhohn, 1952. Culture: A critical review of concepts and definitions. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University press Knudsen Loloma, 2007. The consequences of cultures consequences. A critical approach to culture as collective programming applied to cross-cultural crews. Journal of Maritime Affairs. Vol . 8 (2), pp.105 -121 Miles, R and C. Snow, 1978. Organizational Strategy, Structure, and Process. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. O’Reilly, C., Chatman, J., and D. Caldwell, 1991. â€Å"People and organizational culture: A profile comparison approach to assessing person-organization fit†. Academy of Management Journal, 34:487-516. Rose, R., 2008. Organizational culture as a root of performance improvement: research and recommendations. Contemporary management research. Vol.4, p. 43-46 Schein, E., 1999. The corporate culture survival guide. San Francisco: Jossey Bass. Schwartz, S.H., 1994. â€Å"Beyond individualism/collectivism†. In: Kim, U., Triandis, H.C. et al. (eds) Individualism and Collectivism: Theory, Method, and Applications: Vol. 18, Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage Siehl, C. J. Martin, 1998. â€Å"Measuring Organizational Culture: Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods†. In: Jones, M.O, et al. (eds), Inside Organizations: Understanding the Human Dimension, Newbury Park, CA, Sage Publications, pp.79-103. Sinha, 2000. Patterns of work culture. Sage publications Sà ¸ndergaard, M., 1994. Hofstedes consequences: A study of reviews, citations and replications. Organization Studies 15(3): 447. Symington, J. W., 1983. Learn Latin America’s Culture. New York Times. Tayeb, M. H., 2001. International Business Partnership. New York: Palgrave. Trompenaars, F. and C. Hampden-Turner, 1997. Riding the waves of culture: understanding cultural diversity in business. London, Nicholas Brearley.

Special Character Chart for German

Special Character Chart for German Both PC and Mac users sooner or later confront this problem: How do I get à ¶, Ä, à ©, or ß out of my English-language keyboard? While Mac users dont have the problem to the same degree, they too can be left wondering which option key combination will produce a  « or a  » (the special German quotation marks). If you want to display German or other special characters  on a Web page using HTML, then you have yet another problem- which we also solve for you in this section. The chart below will clarify the special German character codes for both Macs and PCs. But first a few comments on how to use the codes: Apple/Mac OS X The Mac option key allows users to easily type most foreign letters and symbols on a standard English-language Apple keyboard. But how do you know which option combination will produce which letter? After you get past the easy ones (option u a ), how do you discover the others? In Mac OS X you can use the  Character Palette. To view the Character Palette you click on the Edit menu (in an application or in the Finder) and select Special Characters. The Character Palette will appear. It not only shows the codes and letters, but also how they appear in various font styles. In Mac OS X theres also an Input Menu (under System Preferences International) that allows you to select various foreign-language keyboards, including standard German and Swiss German. The International control panel also allows you to set your language options.   Apple/ Mac OS 9 Instead of the Character Palette, the older Mac OS 9 has Key Caps. That feature lets you see which keys produce which foreign symbols. To view Key Caps, click on the multicolored Apple symbol at the top left, scroll down to Key Caps and click. When the Key Caps window is visible, press the option/alt key to see the special characters it produces. Pressing the shift key and option simultaneously will reveal yet another set of letters and symbols. Windows - Most Versions On a Windows PC, the Alt option offers a way to type special characters on the fly. But you need to know the keystroke combination that will get you each special character. Once you know the Alt0123 combination, you can use it to type an ß, an , or any other special symbol. (See our Alt-code chart for German below.) In the related feature,  Can Your PC Speak German?, I explain in detail how to find the combination for each letter, but the chart below will save you the trouble. In the same feature, I explain how to select various languages/keyboards in Windows. Character Codes for German These codes work with most fonts. Some fonts may vary. For the PC codes, always use the numeric (extended) keypad on the right of your keyboard and not the row of numbers at the top. (On a laptop you may have to use num lock and the special number keys.) For this German character, type: German letter/symbol PC Code Alt + Mac Code option + 0228 u, then a 0196 u, then A e, acute accent 0233 e 0246 u, then o 0214 u, then O 0252 u, then u 0220 u, then U sharp s, es-zett 0223 s

Analysis and Differentiation between Issues in Contemporary Social Research Paper

Analysis and Differentiation between Issues in Contemporary Social Justice System and Criminal Justice System - Research Paper Example questions and contradicts the resolutions and decisions of the criminal system as the criminal system is more inclined towards punishment than rehabilitation. There are several forms of issues and concerns implying the differences in the social and criminal justice system that contradict the basic approach of the other system however this thesis specifically discusses the issue of whether social position and race/ethnicity play a major role in the extent and probability of a punishment in the criminal justice system? Though racism and discrimination of people ofcolor has been a major issue, language or religion has been a social curse for centuries and even after awareness and pacts to remove this from the society, the trend is still a big threat in the modern American society. Often it has been observed that poor or people from the lower class of society are more prone to be caught and executed for their crimes in comparison to the people from upper class who either remain uncaught or have various ways to escape the punishment. In an interview Michelle Anderson publicly says that racial discrimination is still active in the American culture and as a result the African American community in the country has been continually forced to live a life in the most under privileged surroundings with the least amount of access to better education, job or quality of life. In addition to all this these people are the most vulnerable to be caught for minor acts of crimes and be put in with serious criminals. This rigid attitude of the criminal justice system with even the young members of such minorities labels them as felons for the rest of their life and takes away any opportunity to improve the quality of their life or for their families (Alexander, 2012). There is a controversial explanation for this scenario by the civil right advocates and the criminal justice system each with its own beliefs and goals. This thesis will discuss the issue with a perception from both

Individual Sales Activities Paper and Flowchart Essay

Individual Sales Activities Paper and Flowchart - Essay Example Business to business sales mainly involves sales between two different organizations and there are different strategies such as online marketing that can be used during the current period (Kotler & Armstrong, 2004). There are various selling activities that are involved in business to business sales process as shown in the flow-chart below. Info negotiate info money info Info influence info goods info Figure 1 A model for e-commerce: B2B Source: Cloete, E 2004, E-Commerce: A contemporary view, Pardus Publication, CT. As shown in the diagram above, there is a seller and a buyer and there are different process involved when they try to exchange goods or services for money. The selling activities of the seller are shown on top of the diagram. The first activity is related to arrangment of information. The seller ought to arrange the information such that they are fully aware of what their intentions are and how they will execute the. The seller needs to find information about the custom er. The second activity that is involved in B2B is related to finding the customer. The seller has an obligation of finding the customer so that they can negotiate if a sales deal can be reached. Before a sales deal is conducted between two businesses, negotiation takes place. The seller approaches the buyer and they try to influence them to buy the goods or services offered. On the other hand, the buyer would need to agree on the terms and conditions upon which the deal can be conducted. The third sales activity in a business to business sales is concerned with arranging the terms. The seller arranges the terms upon which the sales can be conducted. These terms ought to be agreed between the two parties involved. These terms may include payment terms as well as conditions for delivery of the goods and services once the transactions have been conducted. Such a sales type cannot be fast tracked since it is supposed to go through different stages. The deal may not succedd when there i s no agreement. The fourth activity in a B2B sales is related to fulfilment of the order. When an agreement has been reached and the sale conducted, the seller would need to fulfil the deal. It becomes thr duty of the seller to make sure that the products or services purchased are delivered to the customer. Unless the deal has been reversed by both parties, it can be observed that the seller would need to fulfil the promise nomatter what. The final activity in the B2B sales is support. The seller needs to support the customer so that they can return for repeat business. This helps to create mutual understanding between the two parties involved and this can significantly contribute to the growth of business. Customer loyalty is likley to be promoted if the seller contibues to offer support to them. However, business to business sales differ from business to customer sales in different ways. The main difference is that B2B sales are formalised since they involved business between two organizations while B2C sales can be conducted in an informal way since they involve an organization and a customer (Cloete, 2001). A lot of logistics are involved in B2B sales as well as activities that require the input of several people. On the other hand, it can be noted that B2C sales can be conducted in an informal way and they are flexible since they do not involve a lot of activities. a sales person

The Case of Marquee Garments Essay Example for Free

The Case of Marquee Garments Essay Question no1: â€Å"SR has taken a risk in entering a market that is large, but offeres little flexibility in terms of price and business eenvironment†. Discuss. Entering Indian market was quite a challenge for Simon not only convincing the board but taking up the responsibility to personally assist the whole process of franchising in India was a major challenge in his career. Indian market is famous for its â€Å"value buying† behavior; and SR is a brand known for its high quality and value for money all around the world. Unfortunately in India however the tariffs and strict regulation for direct foreign investment has been major hurdle in offering low prices. Though the launch of the two franchises have been a huge success but Simon believes asking for premium prices for the products is soon going to turn this profit into long term loss. He believes that as soon as the novelty factor wears off the customers will opt back to the value for money buying behavior. Question no.2: This may be the right time to enter India. But has S R positioned its brand right? The festivities .such as Christmas and Diwali has been the best time for Smith and Robin to take over the market for increased sales. This helps their two stores’ initial stocks to be sold out in three days flat. Since while positioning the brand, it is necessary for the organization to identify a market niche for a brand, product or service utilizing traditional marketing placement strategies (i.e. price, promotion, distribution, packaging, and competition). S R is well aware of their preposterous prices, but that ultimately makes Smith and Robin a premium brand, one with aspirational trimmings. This made their direct competitors turn into the boutiques. They were also perceives as a high end value for money brand. Question no.3: Do you think the current retail environment in India is conducive for the entry of a high-profile foreign brand? If yes – why? If not, state the reasons clearly. The current retail environment in India is not conducive for the entry of a high-profile foreign brand. Indian customers are becoming more self aware and conscious of the market trends. Therefore, post modernism along side the globalization has given the Indian market an edge to their customers. Indian economy has been raising substantially due to their own products and manufacturing plants. Despite that companies such as SR enjoy a brand equity in the Indian markets, the novelty factor surrounding SR’s launch wears off. Also, since these brands have to pay high tariffs, the brands offer premium prices, which are questionable by the customers. With such brands, their franchises would not be ready to show any interest in expanding a loss-making operation. Keeping in mind all these factors, one also has to remember the existing competition. A grey market already does a thriving business in both branded products smuggled into the country, and ersatz ones.

Listening Skills :: Communication

CLOSE LISTENING According to scholars in the field of listening, â€Å"Listening is the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and/or nonverbal messages" (qtd in Thompson, et al. 1994). While we may feel that we are already good listeners, we are also aware that sometimes our attention wanders, we space out completely, or we lose track of a speaker because we begin thinking about our own ideas. By asking you to practice listening, we are not suggesting that you are not a good listener already, but that by thinking about listening -- what qualities make a good listener, the various kinds of listening roles we play, and the personal challenges we have in effective listening – and doing some listening exercises, you’ll maintain the listening skills you have and perhaps develop new ones. Getting Started (Class 1) 1. First, working in groups of 4 or 5, generate a list of 8 qualities that good listeners have. These might include both visible and non-visible items. 2. Next, create a list of 8 things that can get in the way of ones ability to listen fully and effectively. For example, what kind of environments are best for listening? What kinds of emotional states make it harder to listen accurately? 3. Next, think about the different kinds of listening people engage in; what roles do listeners play from day to day? 4. Finally, come together as a class and compile a master list of your group’s findings. The â€Å"What I heard† Exercise (Class 2) Because a big part of engaged listening involves giving feedback to a speaker, sometimes we have to be able to both listen and think simultaneously. While focusing too much on our own thoughts can get in the way of effective listening, making simple connections to explore later can be very useful. In this exercise, you will listen to your classmates describe the main points from their Close-Reading papers (from Assignment One), and follow-up with a segue to your own paper. 1. First, one person says what passage his or her Close Reading is about and either reads all of it or an excerpt aloud. 2. Next, that person tells the class about the main points of his or her Close Reading, using the Close Reading paper as notes. 3. At this point, anyone whose passage is similar (some may even have identical passages) or raises similar issues, enters the conversation with an affirmation that he or she has heard the previous speaker by saying something like, â€Å"What I heard you say is †¦Ã¢â‚¬  followed by the link that the student sees between his or her own paper and the paper of the previous speaker. Listening Skills :: Communication CLOSE LISTENING According to scholars in the field of listening, â€Å"Listening is the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and/or nonverbal messages" (qtd in Thompson, et al. 1994). While we may feel that we are already good listeners, we are also aware that sometimes our attention wanders, we space out completely, or we lose track of a speaker because we begin thinking about our own ideas. By asking you to practice listening, we are not suggesting that you are not a good listener already, but that by thinking about listening -- what qualities make a good listener, the various kinds of listening roles we play, and the personal challenges we have in effective listening – and doing some listening exercises, you’ll maintain the listening skills you have and perhaps develop new ones. Getting Started (Class 1) 1. First, working in groups of 4 or 5, generate a list of 8 qualities that good listeners have. These might include both visible and non-visible items. 2. Next, create a list of 8 things that can get in the way of ones ability to listen fully and effectively. For example, what kind of environments are best for listening? What kinds of emotional states make it harder to listen accurately? 3. Next, think about the different kinds of listening people engage in; what roles do listeners play from day to day? 4. Finally, come together as a class and compile a master list of your group’s findings. The â€Å"What I heard† Exercise (Class 2) Because a big part of engaged listening involves giving feedback to a speaker, sometimes we have to be able to both listen and think simultaneously. While focusing too much on our own thoughts can get in the way of effective listening, making simple connections to explore later can be very useful. In this exercise, you will listen to your classmates describe the main points from their Close-Reading papers (from Assignment One), and follow-up with a segue to your own paper. 1. First, one person says what passage his or her Close Reading is about and either reads all of it or an excerpt aloud. 2. Next, that person tells the class about the main points of his or her Close Reading, using the Close Reading paper as notes. 3. At this point, anyone whose passage is similar (some may even have identical passages) or raises similar issues, enters the conversation with an affirmation that he or she has heard the previous speaker by saying something like, â€Å"What I heard you say is †¦Ã¢â‚¬  followed by the link that the student sees between his or her own paper and the paper of the previous speaker.

Genetically Modified Food Speech Essay

Attention Material :How awesome would it be if your pet glowed in the dark? Or your family had a zebra-dog? How about a family dog that could take out the entire neighborhood in one lick? Now how about owning this dairy cow? Looks normal but its not. All these animals have been genetically modified and their genes have been altered. The cow is injected with a growth hormone rBGH to increase it’s milk production, only problem, that hormone has been found to cause different types of cancers as well as a number of other health hazards. This hormone has been banned in Canada and Europe but sadly in American this hormone linked to 3-4x higher cancer rates was approved by the FDA in 1993 after the consumer tested it for 90 days on 30 rats. Today, we are seeing the long-term affects of drinking this potent milk. Before the genetically modified food explosion only 1:11 individuals had cancer, today 1:2 men and 1:3 woman will develop cancer and nearly half of you can expect it in your lifetime. Today 2/3rds of all foods in your local grocery store are GM and in 2013 it will have raised to 90%. The problem here is that GM foods are hardly ever tested before consumed, they have a number of associated health problems and they are not labeled so you cant pick to not eat them or not. Credibility Material: I have always been interested in GM organisms but a few years ago my professor at IU intreguied me with the effects of GM foods. Today, I’ve done countless hours of research on the subject and wrote many papers about it. Thesis Statement: Today I want to inform about GM foods Preview: Today I want to inform you about GM foods, what they are and why we should push for labeling of GM foods in our grocery. Transition: To begin, allow me to inform you about GM foods. BODY I. GM foods are everywhere but what are they? Are they good, bad, or okay? Should I eat them or should I not? A. Genetically Modified (GM) foods are food items that have had their DNA changed or altered entirely through genetic engineering creating completely different variants. 1. GM products include medicines and vaccines, foods and food ingredients, feeds and fibers. B. GM foods first appeared on the marked in 1990 C. Between 1997-1999 GM food ingredients suddenly appeared in 2/3rds of all U. S. processed foods 1. If you consumed soy sauce with Chinese, popcorn at movie or occasional candy bar you’ve undoubtfully consumed this new food. a. Nearly every American has eaten GM foods but only 26% believe they have. b. No labeling and no regulation 2. â€Å"Potentially, GM could breed new animal and plant diseases, news sources of caner and novel epidemics in human health†, Dr. Wald, Prof of Biology at Harvard University. Transistion: Now that we know what GM foods are, lets discuss the health concerns associated with them. II. There are extensive health hazards that have been shown to be caused by modified foods. A. Study done in 1999 showed GM foods have decreased levels of vital nutrients- esp. those that protect us from heart disease and cancer. B. Modified proteins exist in GM foods, new proteins never before eaten by humanity. 1. Foreign GM ingredients produce allergies a. 25% of Americans have mild adverse RXNs to foods and at lease 4% have life threatening allergies to food. b. Soy allergies have doubled since GM soy introduced. â€Å"c. No labeling of GMO in foods and people experience allergies they were unaware of-Anaphylatic shock 2. In last decade, percent of children in U. S. affected by serious food allergies has significantly increased. a. Today 6-8% children under 3 yrs old affected. C. As we ingest transgenic human/animal products there is no real the impact of human evolution. 1. Research mice show increase in birth defects and shorter life spans when feed GM soy. a. Mothers feed GM soy- nearly all babies died (10% died in control) b. Males developed changed testicle color. c. Infertility when feed GM corn. 2. Other animal studies indicate serious health risk associated with GM foods; fertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regression, changes in major organs and gastroninteitinal region. a. There are more than casual associations between GM foods and adverse health affects b. Confirmed in animal studies-consitancy and association between GM foods and disease 3. Number of autoimmune diseases are enhanced by foreign DNA fragments not fully digested in stomach and intestines a. DNA fragments are abundant in bloodstream. b. Potentially mix with normal DNA. Transition: Considering these factors about GM foods, let me explain why I think it is so very important that these GM crops be labeled. III. In other countries, GM crops are almost always labeled but in the U. S. no GM foods are labeled. A. Unlabeled GM foods can cause serious health problems for those with allergens to it. 1. Most people by a tomato and aren’t worried about their soy allergy but with GM foods and ingredients, soy genes can easily be placed or accidently cross pollunant 2. Many unlabeled GMO’s in our food are causing people to experience allergies they were unaware of- a. It’s possible that they can go into anaphylactic shock. b. DEATH. B. There are no regulated health safety tests. 1. FDA only requests that firms conduct their own test of new GM products a. FDA makes no reviews of those tests. b. No long term effects of eating GM foods. 2. Louis Pribly, an FDA microbiologist explains, â€Å"Companies tailor tests to get the results they need. † C. Why labeling and what you can do. 1. Choose hormone-free beef and rBGH-free Dairy products a. Foods that carry â€Å"USDA-certified organic† label contain no artifical hormones. 2. Lack of labeling of GM foods violates the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, â€Å"Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires added substances to be labeled. † a. Without labels, our public health agencies are powerless to trace problems of any kind back to their original source b. Crisis? c. Why do you think labeling hasn’t occurred yet? Because, the manufacters of GM crops would lose buisness. Would you buy GM foods if you had a choice? Probably not. CONCLUSION Summary Statement:In conclusion, I hope that everyone gained some knowledge towards the effects of genetically modified foods and why it needs to be taken more seriously when involving peoples health. Concluding Statement:â€Å"Its like playing Russian roulette (referring to the lack of testing done on GM foods) with public health, We have became involuntarily guinea pigs in vast genetic experiences,† Louis Pribyl, FDA microbiologist. Be a Voice, Sign a petition for GMO’s labeled in our foods, get the knowledge & protect your future generations. Sign The World Science open letter to all governments calling for GMO’s to be properly labeled in our foods. Who wants to become sick from food they eat? We have the right as Americans to know what is put in our food. Don’t We? Work Cited Works Cited Admin. (2010, Apr 29). GM. org. Retrieved Feb 24, 2011, from Genetically Modified Foods: http://www. gm. org/category/gm-foods/ Batalion, N. (n. d. ). Genetically Modified Food. Retrieved Feb 22, 2011, from Raw-Wisdom. com: http://www. raw-wisdom. com/50harmful. Boston University College of Engineering. (2010, Feb. 12). Low Levels of Antibiotics Cause Multidrug Resistace in ‘Superbugs’. Retrieved Dec. 5, 2010, from Science Daily: http://www. sciencedaily. com/releases/2010/02/100211151647. htm GMO Dangers. (2010). Retrieved Feb 24, 2011, from Institute For Responsible Technology: http://www. responsibletechnology. org/ The National Agricultural Library. (n. d. ). (USDA) Retrieved Feb 22, 2011, from United States Department of Agriculture: http://www. nal. usda. gov/.

An essay considering whether Romeo and Juliet Essay

‘Romeo and Juliet’ was a play written by William Shakespeare in 1595. William Shakespeare died on St. George’s day, 23rd April, 1616, making ‘Romeo and Juliet’ one of his earlier plays; written in what is now described as his second period, from his joining the Lord Chamberlain’s men in 1594 to the opening of the Globe Theatre in 1599. The diversity of Shakespeare’s work included comedies, histories and tragedies as well as poetry. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ comes under the category of a tragedy, tragedy meaning an event in which something dreadful occurs, or in a theatrical sense a serious play with a tragic theme, often involving a heroic struggle and the downfall of the main character. This definition of tragedy relates to ‘Romeo and Juliet’ because it is a play in which both the principal characters die in preventable circumstances at the close of the play. The downfall of Romeo and Juliet occurs by the fact that both characters start as young, beautiful descendents of powerful families and find themselves fleeing the city of Verona in fear of their lives and their relationship – both banished by the authorities or their own households. However, an alternative view could be developed by looking at the perception of the word tragedy when the play was written; in the late 16th century. People of the time were of the view that if something tragic were to happen it must happen to a person of innocence, otherwise it is not technically tragic. Romeo is not an innocent person because he takes the life of another person on more that one occasion, with the murders of Tybalt and Paris. Even though there is the argument that these crimes were a consequence of his obsessive and at times over-enthusiastic love for Juliet, they are still actions that take away his virtuousness. Juliet damages her purity by treating the wishes and guidance of her parents with contempt and disregarding the arranged marriage to Paris. These egocentric actions help develop another, more imperfect impression of the two protagonists which provides an argument against ‘Romeo and Juliet’ being a tragic play. In further illustration, tragic storylines generally end in unhappy circumstances, which on the one hand ‘Romeo and Juliet’ does with the many deaths, â€Å"for never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.† Whilst on the other hand it could be argued that a more exultant conclusion occurs by the fact that the long-standing feud between the Montagues and the Capulets is finally resolved through their deaths. Basis for this statement is provided in the final scene by Capulet, â€Å"O brother Montague, give me thy hand, this is my daughter’s jointure, for no more can I demand.† In Shakespearean times ‘Romeo and Juliet’ would have been compared to such tragic plays as ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Macbeth’ which were tragedies to the exact definition because they entailed stories of monarchs with flawed characters diminishing from the highest place in society to death over the course of the play. These stories fulfilled the public criteria for a tragic tale; a concept initially introduced by Aristotle, a Greek philosopher who lived from 384 to 382 BC. He produced directives for the perfect tragedy, concepts which heavily influenced academics and writers throughout Europe. He dictated that, â€Å"the tragic heroes of any play must be people of royal or other high-born backgrounds.† Therefore, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ can be argued against being a tragedy because the two central characters are not royalty or part of any particular hierarchy. Many contend that being young and beautiful puts them in a social position to surpass most to begin with, although this does not fit unerringly into Aristotle’s theory. Aristotle exactly specifies the protagonists must be of â€Å"royal or other high-born backgrounds,† explicitly kings or generals, which Romeo and Juliet are not. The aforementioned statement can be supported by the following quotation from act three, scene one, in which Romeo’s killing of Tybalt is analysed, with the prince announcing, â€Å"Immediately we do exile him hence.† The fact that he has been exiled prior to his death illustrates further the fact that he is at a low point in society. Additionally, Aristotle also expresses his belief that these high born protagonists should have fatal flaws which lead to their downfall. Romeo’s fatal flaw is his impetuous and spontaneous nature which causes him to act before thoroughly thinking about what he is doing and considering the consequences of his actions. An example of his rashness comes when Balthasar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead, not knowing it is a faked death, â€Å"hire post-horses, I will hence to-night.† Here he is saying he will return to Verona, which he has been banished from, without waiting for news from Friar Lawrence; an action, as the audience soon finds out, that causes his death. His hot-headed rashness develops into the fuel for his uncontrollable obsession for his love, Juliet; who herself is fatally flawed by her notorious and narcissistic disobedience which causes her to defy the instructions and beliefs of her family. Juliet becomes so caught up in the irrepressible ardour of her relationship with Romeo that she fails to see the outrage and hatred she is rousing from an already hostile feud between two households. An example of her defiance comes when her mother tells her of her arranged marriage to Paris, â€Å"He shall not make me there a joyful bride.† Here she refuses to marry Paris, which infuriates her parents, causing them to reject their daughter; and inevitably her character’s downfall as she is now shamed. These self-centred actions defiantly caused their demise leading to their death because if they both were to act with less haste when fuelling their love for each other then some of the consequences that occurred may have been p revented. Therefore, it is possible to maintain that Romeo and Juliet both suffered dramatic downfalls due to their own actions. On the contrary to this it could also be argued that as both their families recognised their lives by erecting statues of them, â€Å"for I will raise her statue in pure gold,† their characters therefore living on in a manner of speaking, meaning that their characters were not entirely degraded by their actions, thus rendering their characters not downfallen. Moreover, another notion primarily introduced by Aristotle was centred around the audience’s perception of a tragedy, and how this could be used to define a tragic play. He said that the audience should feel pity and terror, pity for the hero and terror at the importance of the gods. This relates to ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in the sense that the heroic characters are Romeo and Juliet themselves, whom the audience does feel a certain amount of pity for because of the unfortunate and seemingly preventable misfortunes that happen to them throughout the course of the play. Juliet is pitied for the fact that she is disowned by her family, â€Å"do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.†

Free Essays on Frankenstien Research

There are obvious similarities between Victor and his creation; each is abandoned, isolated, and both start out with good intentions. However, Victor’s ego in his search for god-like capabilities overpowers his humanity. The creature is nothing but benevolent until society shuns him as an outcast on account of his deformities. The creature is more humane than his own creator because his wicked deeds are committed in response to society’s corruption; while Frankenstein’s evil work stems only from his own greed. Victor Frankenstein and his creation are very much alike. Both are abandoned by their creators at a young age; Frankenstein is left without his mother after her death, the creature is rejected by Frankenstein's abandonment. Frankenstein and the monster are also similar in that they are isolated and outcasts of society. Frankenstein is hypothetically an outcast when he consumes himself in work and is isolated when the creature kills those he loves, and the creature is obviously isolated as a hideous outcast of society. Victor Frankenstein starts out with good intentions; he is merely seeking to gain knowledge of natural philosophy. Soon, his greed for god-like power overcomes him and he becomes consumed with the idea of creating life. â€Å"Summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit† (32). The creature also starts out with kindness, he tells his creator, â€Å"Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?† (66). However, after society refuses to accept him based on personal appearance, the creature becomes angry. The creature has an overwhelming capacity to love as can be seen in his admiration for the peasants, â€Å"The creature’s thoughts now became more active, and Frankenstein longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures, Frankenstein thought (foolish wretch!) That it might be in... Free Essays on Frankenstien Research Free Essays on Frankenstien Research There are obvious similarities between Victor and his creation; each is abandoned, isolated, and both start out with good intentions. However, Victor’s ego in his search for god-like capabilities overpowers his humanity. The creature is nothing but benevolent until society shuns him as an outcast on account of his deformities. The creature is more humane than his own creator because his wicked deeds are committed in response to society’s corruption; while Frankenstein’s evil work stems only from his own greed. Victor Frankenstein and his creation are very much alike. Both are abandoned by their creators at a young age; Frankenstein is left without his mother after her death, the creature is rejected by Frankenstein's abandonment. Frankenstein and the monster are also similar in that they are isolated and outcasts of society. Frankenstein is hypothetically an outcast when he consumes himself in work and is isolated when the creature kills those he loves, and the creature is obviously isolated as a hideous outcast of society. Victor Frankenstein starts out with good intentions; he is merely seeking to gain knowledge of natural philosophy. Soon, his greed for god-like power overcomes him and he becomes consumed with the idea of creating life. â€Å"Summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit† (32). The creature also starts out with kindness, he tells his creator, â€Å"Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?† (66). However, after society refuses to accept him based on personal appearance, the creature becomes angry. The creature has an overwhelming capacity to love as can be seen in his admiration for the peasants, â€Å"The creature’s thoughts now became more active, and Frankenstein longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures, Frankenstein thought (foolish wretch!) That it might be in...

First-Year Residency Requirements for College

First-Year Residency Requirements for College At many colleges and universities, you will need to live in the residence halls for your first year or two of college. A few schools require campus residency for all four years. Even if your school allows students to live off campus, consider the pros and cons of living on campus before making a final decision. Why Youre Required to Live on Campus Your First Year of College Students are most likely to stay at a college when they feel like they belong. This sense of belonging has a direct impact on a colleges retention rate and graduation rate. When new students live off campus, they are less likely to get involved in campus clubs and activities and will have a harder time making friends among fellow students.When a student lives on campus, the college has an easier time helping out should that student encounter trouble on the academic or social front. Resident Advisors (RAs) and Resident Directors (RDs) are trained to intervene and assist when students are struggling, and they can help direct students to the appropriate people and resources on campus.A college education is about much more than taking classes and earning a degree. Residential life teaches many important life skills: resolving conflicts with a roommate, suitemates, and/or students on your hall; learning to live with people who may be quite different from you; building a living and learnin g community; and so on. At most schools, campus residence halls are much closer to important facilities (library, gym, health center, etc.) than off-campus apartments.Colleges have little ability to monitor illegal behavior off campus, but within the residence halls, activities such as underage drinking and illegal drug use can be detected and responded to much more readily.  When you are a new student, it can be a huge benefit to be living in the same building with upper-class students and/or RAs who know the campus and academic expectations well. Youre also more likely to find mentors in a campus residence hall than in an off-campus apartment.Along with having upper-class mentors, youll also have a peer group that will include students taking some of the same classes as you. Living on campus gives you ready access to study groups, and peers can often help if you are forced to miss a class or if you find material from a lecture confusing. Along with the obvious benefits of living on campus, colleges have a few reasons for keeping students on campus that may be a bit less altruistic. Specifically, colleges dont make all of their money from tuition dollars. For the great majority of schools, significant revenues also flow from room and board charges. If dorm rooms sit empty and not enough students are signed up for meal plans, the college will have a harder time balancing its budget. If more states move forward with free tuition plans for in-state students at public universities (such as New Yorks Excelsior Program), all college revenue will come from room, board, and associated fees. Exceptions to College Residency Requirements Keep in mind that very few colleges have residential policies that are set in stone, and exceptions are often made. If your family lives very close to the college, you can often get permission to live at home. Doing so obviously has significant cost benefits, but dont lose sight of the valuable experiences you might miss out on by choosing to commute. By living at home, you wont be getting the full college experience, including learning how to be independent.Some colleges with two- or three-year residency requirements allow strong students to petition to live off campus sooner. If youve proven your academic and personal maturity, you may be able to move off campus earlier than many of your classmates.At some schools, it may also be possible to petition to live off campus for reasons related to specific health and wellness needs. For example, you might be able to petition to live off campus if the college cant meet your atypical dietary requirements or if you need access to regular healthcare that simply isnt feasible in a college residence hall.   A Final Word About Residency Requirements Every college has residency requirements that were developed for the unique situation of the school. Youll find that some urban schools as well as some universities that have been experiencing rapid expansion, simply dont have enough dormitory space to handle all of their students. Such schools often cannot guarantee housing and may be happy for you to live off campus. At any school, its important to weigh the pros and cons of living off campus before making a decision. Time spent cooking meals and commuting to campus is time that wont be spent on your studies, and not all students do well with too much independence.

Consistency in Building and Fire Plan Review Essay

Consistency in Building and Fire Plan Review - Essay Example S. D E D I C A T I O N This simple work is humbly dedicated to my loving wife Tami, and my inspiration Ronnie and Emily Salvaggio. R. S. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3 DEDICATION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 LIST OF TABLES Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9Statement of the Problem ---------------------------------------------------- 10 Significance of the Study --------------------------------------------------- 10 Theoretical Framework of the Study ------------------------------------- 11 Hypotheses ------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Scope and Delimitation of the Study ------------------------------------- 12 DEFINITION OF TERMS ------------------------------------------------- 12 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ----------------------------------- 13 RELATED LITERATURE ------------------------------------------------ 13 3. METHODOLOGY ------------------------------------------------------------- 17 The Research Method ------------------------------------------------------ 17 The Study Area... The researcher's friends: Chesterfield County Virginia Commercial plan review Division; Jeff Ughi, City of Cherryville, NC; Bonnie S. Terra, Fire Marshal, Alameda County Fire Department, Vandergriff, Mike Ashley, and Gary who in their simple ways contributed to the completion of this work; and Above all, the researcher's supportive children, Ronnie and Emily who have sacrificed by giving him the inspiration and encouragement to pursue higher goals in his career, and his loving wife Tami, who was always there to sustain him all the way, from the achievement of his college degree to the completion of this manuscript as a firefighter. To determine the need for the development of a unified plan review check list is the interest of this study. This will be used by new fire plan inspectors of Collier County Fire Code Official's Office. The consistent chart will largely increase the reduction of multiple rejections. It will also facilitate the issuance of permits for building occupancy. Plus, this will ensure accuracy of gathered information. An identical evaluation measure would resolve inconsistencies resulting from the increasing number of evaluators.