Missile Defense Agency

The Missile Defense Agency is an organization known for it’s selectiveness in choosing candidates to work for them. Knowing this, I am submitting my resume in hopes of becoming a part of the MDA team at the Department of Defense. National security is an issue that every American must be concerned about in this era, and in my case I have prepared through my education and experience to become an employee of such an agency as this. The mission of the Missile Defense Agency is to develop, test, and prepare for deployment a missile defense system, and my experience in management and logistics has prepared me to work in a field such as this. I feel that my strength as an employee, my ability to problem solve and my abilities with strategic planning would make me a strong candidate to become a part of the Missile Defense Agency. The Missile Defense Agency plays an important role in the United States today. More than ever our country needs to be prepared for the unthinkable. Every day on the news there are many mentions of events happening around the world that renew my belief that a prepared Missile Defense Agency is essential to the national security of our country. To this end, I am dedicated to the mission of the MDA and the Department of Defense, not only because I am a citizen of this country and have a personal stock in the security of our nation, but because my own personal experience and education would lend a lot to the agency and my contributions would definitely be substantial. Furthermore, my daughter has recently enlisted in the United States Army, and I feel my personal connection with the importance of the security of this nation would make me an excellent candidate for the MDA Logistics position. My education has been the most formative experience of my life. My Bachelors of Science in Human Resource Management was obtained from Athens State University in Alabama. During my time at university I was able to learn a great deal about business, management, and how important it is to learn from every experience. Much of my education was not within the classroom, but outside of it, because I am a person that enjoys learning hands-on and obtaining new skill sets that will help me develop into a better person and employee. When I began to seek an institution to obtain my Masters degree I chose Florida Institute of Technology in Alabama because of the degree they offered in Management and Logistics Management. This degree has helped me to develop a strong aptitude for data analysis and a high attention to detail. Graduate college courses have exposed me to transportation security, transportation economics, strategic intermodel transportation, and much more to prepare me for a career in the logistics arena. Modes of instruction included correspondence courses, formal classes, developmental assignments, and independent studies. The courses I`ve taken in my major at Florida Institute of Technology have given me a broader understanding of logistics and distribution. The skill sets I’ve obtained as a student have prepared me to become a strong member of the Missile Defense Agency. The above training and experience will enable me to perform well at the Missile Defense Agency. Effective oral communication is critical to the mission of your organization, and I have this skill developed through years of education and career experience. Talent for ensuring proper staff direction at all times to maximize contribution of each individual including planning, directing, work assignments, and expediting problem resolution is one of my most valuable skills. The ability to analyze logistics support needs accurately and to establish and maintain satisfactory relationship with other employees is an important part of my prior work experiences, and I am adept at developing and maintaining detailed administrative and procedural processes that reduce redundancy, improve efficiency, and achieve organizational objectives. I performed the duties of logistics functions and principles by implementing a quarterly inventory control system, and my acute ability to transform organizational strategies into action and achievement with superior ability to lead performance-driven teams. I have also been able to demonstrate diverse skills by interacting with personnel from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. All in all, my skills and abilities have prepared me to become a successful and committed employee of the Missile Defense Agency and I look forward to joining your team. Â  

Film Analysis: Decalogue(10 Commandments) Essay

1)The Exodus’ literal meaning is the journey of the Israelites from Egypt under Moses. God wants the Israelites to not have other gods before Him because He, in the ways of the Exodus, has spoken to them. 2) Moses was subjected to death because of the pharaoh’s order to kill the first born son. His mother was scared for her first born to be killed so Moses was brought to the river and got dragged to the Princess palace. He got adopted even though she knew that he was a slave child. And from that event was Moses’ enlightenment shone. Through his life as a Egyptian child. Moses encountered God through the burning bush. God talked to him and told him that he was the chosen one, the one to free the Israelites. Moses disagreed because he doesn’t want to go back to Egypt and he’s already living peacefully in the desert camp. The Egyptians have many gods and they worship to of all of those gods. The Israelites has one God and was losing their faith to Him because of their torment of slavery. The desert people, on the other hand, celebrate as their form of worship; for great harvest. The plagues were: Plague of Blood; Plague of frogs; Plague of lice; Plague of flies; Plague of Pestilence; Plague of boils; Plague of hails; Plague of Locusts; Plague of Darkness; Death of the firstborn. God wanted the Israelites to worship only Him for what He has done and what He will be doing to them. God dictated the covenant to the Isralites, not negotiated. For He has a promised land to give to Israel. The Israelites complained that there were no food and water so Moses talked to God about their complaints. God sent manna from heaven which was the food for them. God then ordered Moses to break the rock with his staff from which flowed water. The two sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer. His father-in-law was Jethro and his wife is Zipporah whom he met from the desert camp when he escaped from Egypt. The Israelites spent about 400 years in Egypt. There were about 2.5 million Israelites that went out Egypt. They avoided the main road because the Egyptians would be ambushing them there to block them from escaping. The passover used Lamb to be sacrificed and eaten. Its blood would be shed on the top of their houses’ doors and be eaten at night of the Passover. From the bible’s scripture Exodus 13:21: â€Å"By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.†; And that was how they went out of Egypt day and night. The twelve sons of Jacob was Reuben, Gad, Joseph, Judah, Simeon, Levi, Zebulun, Issachar, Naphtali, Asher, Benjamin, Dan. The tribes were called; Reubenites; Gadites; Josephites; Zebulunites; Issacharites; Naphtalites; Asherites; Benjaminites; Kennizites; Levitites; Simeonites; And Judahites. 13) It was, for me, an epic movie. It amazed me how the people of God lived in Israel and how they went out of its slave order. The miracles of God are really touching stories. The movie was really great!

Childhood Obesity In United States Education Essay

The coveted subject of pick is childhood fleshiness in United States. Obesity has become a major factor with the immature coevals and continues to turn. Childhood fleshiness needs to be solved or our kids ‘s lives will be filled with unneeded diseases and wellness complications due to hapless wellness and eating wonts. Obesity plays a immense portion in the lifting population worldwide. Harmonizing to the Center of Diseases Control and Prevention childhood fleshiness has more than tripled in the last 30 old ages. ( Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 2012 ) Fleshiness can take to shorter life span, depression, figure of diseases and other physical and psychological jobs. There can be many factors are involved that can act upon childhood fleshiness. Cultures, environmental factors, life style ‘s picks can all play in the function of raising the population of childhood fleshiness in United States. It is of import to halt the tendency and give the following coevals of kids a healthy start in life. Who can the universe bend to educate our society in the right nutrients to eat, and physical activities so that the job of childhood fleshiness is corrected? It is true that kids in the United States are in problem in many ways. Of class, there are a batch of dissensions of precisely what all the jobs are, and even more dissension on how to work out the jobs of childhood fleshiness in United States. Many parents in United States do n't cognize what nutrient to function their kids, and physical activities for their kids. Because the parent does n't cognize what nutrient is healthiest, they provided their kids with nutrient that are non healthy for them. Who is precisely the incrimination for childhood fleshiness in United States? Parents must larn the right nutrients, and physical activities to assist cut down childhood fleshiness. Parents can act upon what their kids eat. Everyone is born with a sweet tooth and a salty one, but they must larn to bask other gustatory sensations. If parents are to protect their kids from fleshiness, they must look beyond the place, and their kids ‘s schools. When kids are introduced nutritionary nutri ents early in their lives, they tend to larn to eat smart. That ‘s why it is of import for kids to larn how to take nutrients before come ining school. Childhood fleshiness has become a turning epidemic and some may believe that the parents are the incrimination. Lee Haney stated, â€Å" More than of all time, we as parents, and a state must make something about the growing of fleshiness in our kids. â€Å" ( Haney ) Environmental factors, civilization, and life can play a immense portion in the lifting population of fleshiness worldwide. Obesity leads to a figure of diseases, shortens life span, depression, and a figure of other physical and psychological jobs. It is of import that grownups halt the tendency and give the following coevals of kids a healthier start in life. This is an issue that is non merely for persons, but it a job that affects society. The inquiry in who is the incrimination? Fleshiness is non-discriminating among male childs and misss and occurs in all ages, races, and cultural groups. Harmonizing to the Institute of Medicine, parents ( defined loosely to include primary health professionals ) have a profound influence on kids by advancing certain values and attitudes, by honoring or reenforcing specific behaviours, and by functioning as function theoretical accounts. These values start during the first hear of life, and can advance healthy life styles for kids if implemented right by parents. ( 2004 ) . Some blame genetic sciences for childhood fleshiness in United States. Children are more likely to go fleshy if their parents are corpulent. It is contributed through cistrons or household life styles and behaviours? Children are either feed excessively much nutrient, or non plenty nutrient? Is it possible that dietetic factors during the babyhood phases of kid development set the phase for future fleshiness? Birch states that fat cells ( adipose tissue ) develop in an baby during gestation and are distributed during childhood. Additionally, he states that one time the adipose tissue develops in the organic structure, it remains there for life. ( Birch, 2006 ) A kid ‘s eating wont is a combination of the nutrient and parts ‘ sizes that the kids are offered. Children depend on their parents and health professionals to supply their day-to-day nutrient consumption. With this being said, it is clip for parents and health professionals to get down going a positive function theoretical account in the kids ‘s life. It is clip now for parents and health professionals to be responsible for what and how much is being feed to kids. There are many more on the job parents working now than in the yesteryear, this has cause many parent s to turn to fast nutrients. A kid is exposed to over 40,000 fast nutrient advertizements yearly. These advertizements influence the nutrient picks of kids and striplings, and the nutrient is likely position while watching telecasting. Consumptions of fast nutrient among kids and striplings increased significantly from 1998-2001. ( Bowman, S.A, Gortmaker, S.L. , Ebbeling, C.B. , Pereira, M.A. , & A ; Ludwig, D.S. , 2004 ) Parents and child care givers are responsible for the nutrients that are selected to given at meal clip, and at snack clip. Many old ages ago more grownups turn to cooking a nutritionary repast daily. Timess have truly changed. Unfortunately many parents today face many challenges, such as non holding adequate clip to fix, and storage infinite many grownup non being able to supply healthy formulas, which makes it difficult to cook homemade repasts of old ages ago. With these jobs, no admiration many parents are trusting on fast nutrients, procedure nutrients and frozen nutrients. Parents and child care givers are responsible for the nutrients that are selected to be given at meal clip, and at snack clip. Many old ages ago, more grownups turned to cook a nutritionary repast daily. Timess have truly changed. Unfortunately, many parents today face many challenges, such as non holding adequate clip to fix, and storage infinite many grownups non being able to supply healthy formulas, which makes it difficult to cook homemade repasts of old ages ago. With these jobs, no admiration, many parents are trusting on fast nutrients, procedure nutrients and frozen nutrients. Many grownups depend on the readily available fast nutrient to feed their kids. Yes, it is easier to merely run by the thrust in eating house on your manner place from work, but it is more educational and alimentary to do the same meat at place. Children must larn about utilizing good nutrient picks. Food provider ‘s gives people what they want. In certain vicinities, fast nutrient is more accessible than healthier nutrient. Sometimes populating in a vicinity where fast-food eating houses are more accessible than food market shops straight affects how the kids eat. Peoples who live in nutrient piece of lands with greater handiness to fast-food eating houses than food market shops had higher rates of diet -related decease. ( Gallagher, 2006 ) One may experience that school tiffin plans are an of import beginning of day-to-day nutriment. This is particularly of import for kids that come from a low income place, where there are jobs with nutrient. Most schools provide kids with two repasts a twenty-four hours. These repasts are breakfast, and tiffin. Some kids are in drawn-out twenty-four hours plans where they are offered a bite, and sometimes supper. These schools are have bound Calories and saturated fats in the school tiffins, more that approximately 80 per centum of schools autumn to me these ordinances. Are these plans the cause of childhood fleshiness? It is difficult to state. Is it the peddling machines and competitory nutrient higher class schools? Some higher-grade schools offer school tiffin, every bit good as different nutrients on a separate nutrient line, and peddling machines. With the usage of these machines, or buying nutrient from the competitory line of nutrient this nutrient, pupils can buy extra nutrient to eat so the needed sum that each pupil is provided. Possibly these are the nutrients that are doing fleshiness? Could it be that there is excessively small physical instruction offered for the kids day-to-day life? Schools in United States offer physical instruction. Each kid is provided physical instruction at least one time a hebdomad. Each kid besides has physical instruction provide daily through the deferral, better known as kid ‘s drama. Each kid has limited deferral chances. Parent can seek to alter some of the things, to assist extinguish childhood fleshiness. It is really tough to learn a immature adolescent to listen to their organic structures, to eat when they are hungry. Lasting behavior alterations can non be done from the exterior. This is a alteration that has to be done internal. This can go a long-time conflict. This is why it ‘s really of import to larn the nutrients to eat, and the right physical exercising that can be usage to extinguish childhood fleshiness. There is a great demand to rectify childhood fleshiness. It is non every bit simple as inquiring, who is the incrimination for childhood fleshiness? There are many factors involved. What we need is instruction and information. United States is filled with people who are over worked, over scheduled, of activates. This is the sort of job that can non be solved nightlong. It is of import to derive control of the issue of childhood fleshiness ; this is non an person job, but a job that affects many people in United States. Who is the incrimination, everyone in United States plays a portion in the incrimination? Everyone must pull off their consumption and supervise the nutrient that enters the organic structure. The epidemic of childhood fleshiness is planetary. The effects can be long-run or even life threatening. If United States looked at the issue of childhood fleshiness, and seek to undertake it on as a society, instead than looking at it as who is the incrimination, we can if non extinguish, set a great large dent in the turning population of childhood fleshiness in United States. It can be solved. So, allow ‘s move.

Marketing Management Course Project wk6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing Management Course Project wk6 - Essay Example e stages including the introductory phase where the users or the audience is unaware of the existence of the product and its category (McMillan, 2013). The audience buys mainly for experimentation purposes only and competition is high. The growth stages witness customers increase in numbers and appearance of segments. Maturity takes place, the segment becomes distinct and the loyalty of the customer is established. Understanding the audience (customers) location, their types, and their needs and distinctive uniqueness will accomplish marketing. Achieving substantial marketing, then the size and the structure of the audience, associated trends, needs, and characteristics of the target audience is vital (Haydu & Hodges, 2008). The association between your firm’s value suggestion and the target audience can be complex for communal enterprises because of the range of exterior stakeholders concerned who usually determine the progress and the success of the firms. The marketing strategy defines how to communicate with the customers and available plans to propel the value proposition to the target audience. This considers the brand identification, the position of the firm in the market, and the available channels to the market (Haydu & Hodges, 2008). The foundational features and remuneration of value proposition forms the basis of the product distinctiveness. Value proposition entails efficiency, leadership, and innovation and audience intimacy. The marketing plan ought to identify necessary realistic actions and methods to achieve the marketing strategy. Marketing objectives targets creation of new customers and or recipients from the target audience while maintaining the earlier customers in order to improve the delivery of the products (Mudambi, 2002) and improve on sales. To improve on the customers’ base, achieve the objectives and increase sales, then enhancing the tools of pricing, placing, and promotion in the firm and the market will be paramount.

Aspect-Oriented Software Engineering Research Paper

Aspect-Oriented Software Engineering - Research Paper Example In the majority of huge software applications, it is difficult for the software development teams to understand the relationships between the software components and requirements. In fact, a number of software components can be implemented through a single requirement as well as each software component can have the ingredients of a number of requirements. In other words, the implementation of a change in the requirements can require from the software development team to completely understand and modify a number of other components. On the other hand, a software component is intended to provide some fundamental functionality however it can also contain code that can be used to implement a number of software requirements. In case when the software development team needs to reuse some of the important system components, it can be difficult or costly to reuse such components for the reason that reuse sometimes requires from software developers to make changes to these components in order to eliminate additional code that has no relationship with the key functionality of the software component (Sommerville 566; Nakagawa, Ferrari and Sasaki). In this scenario, AOSE is a very helpful technique for software development that has been developed to deal with this issue in order that it becomes easy for the software development team to maintain and reuse the software components. Basically, the fundamental idea of AOSE is based on the concept of abstractions which are acknowledged as aspects.  Additionally, these aspects are used to apply some of the core system functionality that can be required at various different sections or areas in a software application. In addition, these aspects are used to capture functionality that coexists and overlaps with other functionality that is the part of a system. However, these aspects are utilized in combination with other abstractions for instance methods and objects.

Teachers Strategy in a Class Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Teachers Strategy in a Class Management - Essay Example Remaining in control in the classroom is essential for a teacher. If one is not calm and firm then the students will get the signal that the teacher is not able to handle the pressure and they will always try to get away of it or enjoy the teacher’s weakness. When a stern look is sufficient one should avoid yelling. Students won’t get afraid instead will make fun at one’s back. A teacher can also follow the following guideline to manage the class. According to Leaman (2005), â€Å"positive encouragement and praise is the easiest and most powerful way to reward an individual: notice your students working quietly/being helpful/listening well/sitting still, as much as you notice them misbehaving. Draw attention to this and make them feel good about themselves.† (p. 17-18) The students will undergo a positive change and look forward to the teacher’s class to gain the opportunity to be praised in front of the entire class. Keeping the pupil in control do es not mean pin drop silence always. During any group activity, the pupil should be able to participate actively. If it’s not the case then the teacher should work upon this aspect too. It has been rightly pointed out in NASUWT website â€Å"class control is not an end in itself. It is the creation of a learning environment that is important. In different circumstances, the learning environment may be a totally silent classroom or the busy, bustling group activity session.†(para.3) During a lecture, it is often found that the backbenchers are busy exchanging glances or whispering to each other. This is quite disturbing for the teacher.

Ethical Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Ethical Behavior - Essay Example This is especially so by being the origin of all the wrong doings of all the rest. By following the logic of wrong doings, the moment one puts another individual in a position that compromises his or her beliefs morally and logically, one turn into the evil person. This is as is the case with the creation story, in which the tempter was the devil asking Eve to participate in wrongdoing (John, 2010). Therefore, in tempting his friends and acquaintances for exam papers, she is the most unethical person. This is despite the comments given by the acquaintances, which appear to be measures at stopping her from cheating in the exam, especially with Biff. The real deal comes with Rex who shows complete corruption of morality by both lying and extorting money from Babbs, which still appears as a creation of Babbs. However, it appears that Rex’s source of unethical behavior is his greed and innate desire to deceive, or offer punishment to Babbs for not taking her time to do that which is required of her, attend lessons and submit her own work on ethics. On the other hand, the professor’s lack of ethics is not dependent on Babb’s behavior on the exam but is based on his own bias. In relation to this, the professor is expected to be an individual of high moral standing, where they observe honesty, fairness and pay attention to cheating students, as well as respect their position in power (Friedman et al, 2005). However, professor Wind plenty only portrays his ethics with a bias by punishing Babbs appropriately and sparing another who cheats right before his eyes. This shows his lack of ethics as the concept of right and wrong is not based on relativity, but rather on black and white truth and untruth. Therefore, the professor offers partial justice by letting the student with disability go but still punishes Babbs. This is an extreme case of lack of ethics on the professors side, as it shows how easily swayed he is by explanation or reasons he

Industrial Law Assignment ( Contract Law ) Essay

Industrial Law Assignment ( Contract Law ) - Essay Example The Company A has accepted the contract with Company B with all the clauses. Company B, in effect offered to provide the equipment by a particular date. It agreed to do so for a particular amount, which is the consideration. Company B accepted the offer and communicated to Company A that they would complete the order. The letter issued by Company B stated that it was â€Å"accepting the order subject to our standard terms of business.† Clause 10 of the standard terms of business of Company B in effect stated that Company B would be liable to any defect in the equipment only if claim to that effect is lodged within seven days of supply of the equipment. The standard terms of Company B also provided that it would not be liable for any loss caused due to delay in supply of equipment. The Contract Manager of Company A communicated to Company B the details of the equipment it needed, and by implication agreed to the standard terms of business of Company B in their entirety. The first three terms were acted upon. The equipment was supplied to Company A well within time. Company B was paid for the same. The other two terms are not applicable to the problem at hand. Company A did not communicate to Company B the defect within time, and the liability of Company B as regards the defects ended on 8th July 2009. So the complaint communicated to Company B by letter Dt. 15th July 2009 can not be legally enforceable. The contract entered in to by the parties was fully acted upon, and no clause of the contract would be open for interpretation other than what was given to it in express terms. The contract was of the executed consideration type and ended in fulfillment when the Company B was paid by the Company B. Though the Contract Manager of Company A was unaware about the particular Clause 10 which ended the liability of Company B on expiry of period of seven days of the supply, it does not in any way alter the lack of the contractual obligation on

Reading response papers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 8

Reading response papers - Essay Example In the same manner, the individuality of phenomena is not commensurate with the pecuniary  Ã‚  principle. Money is concerned only with what is common to all: it asks for the exchange value,  it reduces all quality and individuality to the question: How much? All intimate emotional relations between persons are founded in their individuality, whereas in rational relations man is reckoned with like a number,like an element which is in itself indifferent. Only the objective measurable achievement is of interest. Thus metropolitan man reckons with his merchants and customers, his domestic servants and often even with persons with whom he is obliged to have social intercourse. These features of intellectuality contrast with the nature of the  small circle  in which the inevitable knowledge of individuality as inevitably produces a warmer tone of behavior, a behavior which is beyond a mere objective balancing of service and return. In the sphere of the economic psychology of the sm all group it is of importance that under primitive conditions production serves the customer who orders the good, so that the producer and the consumer are acquainted. The modern metropolis, however, is supplied almost entirely by production for the market, that is, for entirely unknown purchasers who never personally enter the producers actual field of vision. Through this anonymity the interests of each party acquire an unmerciful matter-of-factness; and the intellectually calculating economic egoisms of both parties need not fear any deflection because of the imponderables of personal relationships. The money economy  Ã‚  dominates the metropolis; it has displaced the last survivals of domestic production and the direct barter of goods; it minimizes, from day to day, the amount of work ordered by customers. The matter-of-fact attitude is obviously so intimately interrelated with the money

Drafting Introbodyconclusion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Drafting Introbodyconclusion - Essay Example They spend a lot of time and money in their quest for the perfect body. They spend time under the surgeon's knife, trying as hard to look the perfect person. Models on the ramp, play host to millions of probing eyes and have been taught to look their pleasing best. Life is never easy on the fast track. Leaving behind their personal feelings, and throwing caution to wind, these tall, slim-legged, hour-glass bodied women live a life of make-believe. Is life on the ramp a bed of roses, as most of us make it to be How true has the proverb, "All that shines is not gold" proved to be. Yes! The ramp is a stage, and the models, its actors. They are there to please the connoisseur and our senses. To follow them would be disastrous and to say the least, painful. Health and beauty industries thrive on women's senses. Not much can be said of men's apparel or health and beauty care. This multi-million dollar industry remains vibrant thanks to media hype and idol-worship. Not much is seen or heard of adversities. MTV shows women clad in minutiae bits and pieces of clothing flashing more of bodies than the cloth they are supposed to represent. This is far from the reality of what fashion should be today. It's true that there remains a few with genuine interest in clothing and its accessories, but for the majority, it's the flesh and blood that appeals most.

Response to an article od the new york time Essay

Response to an article od the new york time - Essay Example Having observed in my own community, the variety in the said parental stimulation that occurs from family-to-family has produced diverse results in the cognitive, social, as well as in the emotional development of the children. Parents who gave an enthusiastic interaction—through singing, conversations and acknowledgement of ‘BA BA BAs,’ resulted to more advanced child development; while children who lack parental stimulation and interaction, and had no choice but to learn words on their own, tend to have slow progress. Furthermore, problems in the home, as well as in the child’s hearing, oral motor and understanding, as pointed out by Dr. Klass, were truly linked with, and revealed by, the child response to interaction, which, in the case of babies, babbling. It is in this premise that, I concur with what was presented in the article, â€Å"Understanding ‘Ba Ba Ba’ as a Key to Development,† and trust in its impact in the child’s development. Reference: Klass, P. â€Å"Understanding ‘Ba Ba Ba’ as a Key to Development.† The New York Times. 11 October 2010. 27 May 2011.

Understanding the Novel Housekeeping Essay Example for Free

Understanding the Novel Housekeeping Essay The novel entitled â€Å"Housekeeping† is written by one of the most famous and talented author, Marilynne Robinson. As one of the certified Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Marilynne Robinson’s 1980 novel called the â€Å"Housekeeping† has been nominated for the category of Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, which later-on she also won for another novel entitled Gilead that paved the way for her Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for best first novel. As of the present time, this novel continues to receive and gain broad recognitions and honors that commemorate the work and contribution of a great American author in the industry of publishing and American literary writing scene. In the year 2003, the Guardian unlimited, a British online site owned by Guardian Media Group, named the novel â€Å"Housekeeping† as one of their top 100 list of selection of greatest novels of all time. In addition to this, the Time Magazine, one of the giants in the publishing business, included the said novel of Marilynne Robinson â€Å"Housekeeping† in their TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005. This inclusion and recognition shows the sterling quality of the novel and its elements. In a sense, there are various reasons and apparent explanations as to how and why this novel of Marilynne Robinson continues to attract the interest of the readers and still remain as one of the ever significant stories that has been written. One of the better rationales is that â€Å"Housekeeping,† just like any other widely admired novels, is written with a very strong plot that is designed to directly present and depict a significant personality and character through the representation of Ruth, one of the leading characters in the novel. In this regard, this essay would directly draw a clear picture and discussion about the character of Ruth and her identity in the main narrative of the novel. In the novel, Ruth is mainly depicted and stood as a character which has a stong personality that is composed and firm despite the negative events that have happened in their family and between her and Lucille, who is her sister. Ruth is presented in the main narrative of the novel as a brave woman who is filled with hopes and beliefs with their family and their eccentric way of living. Set to live and grow-up with a dysfunctional family, where she and her sister, Lucille, are abandoned by their biological parents with their mother committing a suicide, it is observable that the presentation of Ruth in the novel is a paradigm that the author has used to illustrate specific characteristics of an individual who is brave enough to live and move on with what he or she believes is right. As for the own perception of Ruth, it is observable that staying and living under the eccentric way of life by their family is what makes her complete as a person and as a normal individual on this world. In respect to the representation of Ruth, it is apparent that the main narrative of the novel further strengthens the notion that Ruth, though has been through different pictures and stories of pain and difficulties with her experiences of a dysfunctional family, still has that belief about the primary stance and role of family to her life as a living entity in their community. As seen apparent to the novel’s story, Ruths standpoint is that her family is the primal basis that gives her that distinct identity as a normal entity in this world. Ruth believes that living and adhering to their unconventional family lifestyle, more especially according to the life of her Auntie, Sylvie, renders her the particular details as a living member of their society. Thus, unlike her sister, Lucile, Ruth takes pride in living her life according to the legacy of their family despite of all the difficulties and many questions that she has in mind. Despite of the many differences and misunderstandings that she has against her younger sibling, Lucille, she has remained to be a loving and caring older sister for Lucille. As seen apparent in the narrative of the novel, Ruth’s character is an example of a typical protective and concerned elder sister for Lucille where she has stood before her sister for security. Ruth also expressed her love for her younger sister through their shared collection of quality and happy moments spent together prior to the decision of Lucille to go the opposite way and live a conventional life with another family residing in town. In addition to this, Ruths character is also affectionate and emotional as she grieved with so much pain with the departure of her sister to live a different way of life. Moreover, it can also be said that Ruth, despite the characteristic of being brave and composed in pursuing and sticking with the what she believe is right, is a character filled with different confusions and questions which she tries to find specific answers and enlightenment for. As the main narrator of the novel, who tells mostly the story of her experiences from childhood up to womanhood, Ruth herself has numerous thoughts and issues that she can not even answer by her self. There are things and actions that she is seeing, more especially from the eccentric lifestyle of her Auntie Sylvie and her grandmother from the moment they are forsaken by their own parents. Thus, Ruth’s main personality and character is shaped by many of her own undertakings and events in her life that leads her to be coherent in such a way that she is independent to make any decisions that is based from her own way of thinking. As compared to her sister, Lucille, Ruth is more composed and firm as she refused to embrace the extensive influence of the outside forces such as the predominance of modern civilization and beliefs of many individuals that surrounds them. Ruth is a character in the novel which has played a rather distinct important role. She served as the narrator of the story and her viewpoint says the distinct taste of the novel and it is on her personality from which the story depends on. She has a little sister whom she grew up with and as she became nonetheless taller than the rest, there is the need for her sister Lucille to remove the heels of the shoes in order for her to be able to move more naturally and allow her to stand more normally. In this respect, it is seen that Marilynne Robinson, the author of the novel, has the similar characteristic where she remains taller than the rest but tries to remove the heels that sets her apart from the rest. More so, she tries to remove the false pretentions and high expectations which come from the current notions of fiction from the people. Another characteristic of Ruth in the story is her ability to follow and adopt a particular characteristic that is embodied in the values of her mother. According to one statement of Ruth in the novel, the requests of her mother to wait for her has â€Å"established in me the habit of waiting and expectation which make any present moment most significant for what it does not contain† (Robinson, 214). This particular characteristic of Ruth, as a character in the novel, has shown her to be a child patiently and dreamingly wishes of a parent who has abandoned her. As her mother left them in the care of one another, they have continuously and expectedly tried to contain all the hardships and patiently waited for something which they are unsure would come to them anymore. Works Cited Robinson, Marilynne. Housekeeping: A Novel. New York: St Martins Pr, 2004.

Liver Functions, Anatomy and Diseases

Liver Functions, Anatomy and Diseases Sandra Marais Nikita Wiggil Charne Scott Chante Wiese   Sue-May van der Westhuizen Stephanie Willows Contents (Jump to) Introduction The Anatomy and function of the Liver Definition and description of the disease Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGY OF FATTY LIVER DISEASES: Treatment and prevention Introduction The Anatomy and function of the Liver Anatomy is the science of the structure and shape of entities. It is important for the knowledge of hepatic anatomy and surgery. The liver is one of the largest organs of the human body after the skin it is the second largest. The liver is the largest gland in the human body, with an average weight of 1500g. The transverse measurements ranges between 20 and 22,5cm, its vertical measurements (close to its right/lateral surface) between 15 and 17,5cm and its antero-posterior diameter between 10 and 12,5cm. Its measurement, from opposite the vertebral column, is reduced to roughly 7,5cm. It is found underneath the diaphragm -in the right upper abdomen, mid abdomen as well as in parts of the left upper abdomen. The shape of the liver generally has the form of a wedge or a prism. According to Synington the shape resembles that of a right-angled triangular prism with the right angle rounded off. Its base faces the right and its apex to the left, the colour of the liver is dark reddish brown it has a soft degree of density, it contains a large amount of vessels and is very brittle. In an adult, it is smaller than in a fetus. In the later (side) it contributes roughly one thirty-six of the body weight. In the former (side) it contributes roughly one-eighteenth of the body weight. The liver has three surfaces namely the superior (Facies superior), inferior (Facies inferior/ visceral surface) and posterior (Facies posterior). The posterior surface is divided from the superior surface by a sharp margin. The superior surface attaches itself to the diaphragm as well as the anterior abdominal by the falciform ligament (ligamentum falciform hepatis). The falciform ligament separates the liver into a right lobe (lobus hepatis dexter) and a left lobe (lobus hepatis sinister). The right lobe is larger than the left. Five fossae divide the inferior and posterior surfaces into four lobes. The fossae are arranged like the letter ‘’H’’. The left limb of the H is divided into what is known as the left sagittal fossa (fossa sagittalis sinistra/longitudinal fissure) consisting off the fossa of the umbilical vein and the fossa for the ductus venosus. The right limb of the H consists of the fossa for the gall-bladder (fossa vesicà ¦ felleà ¦) and th e fossa for the inferior vena cava (fossa venà ¦ cavà ¦). The two limbs of the H surfs as a transverse fissure- the porta (porta hepatis/transverse fissure). The superior surface is part of is part of the left and right lobe. This surface is convex. The middle part is found behind the xiphoid process and it makes contact with the abdominal wall. It is entirely concealed by peritoneum, with the exception of the line of attachment of the flaciform ligament. The inferior surface is concave. It is aimed downward, backward as well as to the left. The surface is infused in peritoneum- the only parts that are without it, is where the gall-bladder and the liver attaches as well as at the porta hepatis. The posterior surface has a curved surface and is broad on the right, but narrow on the left. The diaphragm is attached with a triangular and coronary ligament that intertwine connective tissue, it leads to the intimate connection of the inferior vene cava that is connected with hapatic veins that holds up the posterior part of the liver. The abdominal viscera full the abdomen, where the muscular walls are in a state of tonic contraction. The superior surface of the liver fits under the diaphragm surface, so that the pressure is enough to hold the diaphragm. The lax falciform ligament creates no support for the lateral displacement and the latter creates negative pressure that is held up in the thorax (Gray, Henry. Anatomy of the Human Body. PHILADELPHIA: Lea Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/107/. [DATE of Printout].) Functions of the liver The liver receives blood from two main sources: 30% is received from the hepatic arteries and 70% is received from the hepatic portal vein. The hepatic portal vein receives blood from the stomach, intestines, pancreas and spleen; which is then carried to the liver through the porta hepatis. All nutrients are absorbed by the small intestine, all nutrients reaches the liver by this route except for lipids. Arterial blood bound for the liver exists the aorta ant the celiac trunk. These arteries deliver oxygen and other materials to the liver. (SALADIN, p. 975-977) Digestion Liver produces bile; which is a mixture of water, bile salts, cholesterol and pigments of bilirubin. Bile is produced by hepatocytes in the liver. Bile passes through the bile ducts and is stored in the gallbladder. Fats are emulsificated by bile. Large fat clumps are turned into smaller pieces which makes it easy for the body to digest. Old worn oud red blood cells are destroyed by Kupffer cells in the liver. Kupffer cells pass their components to the hepatocytes. Haemoglobin is the red oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells, haemoglobin is metabolized into heme and globin components. Energy for the body comes from globin protein. Metabolism Liver is responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates , lipids and proteins into biologically useful materials. Blood entering the liver through the hepatic portal vein is rich in glucose from digested food. Some of this glucose is absorbed by hepatocytes. The glucose is stored as the macromolecule glycogen. Homeostasis is maintained by the absorption and release of glucose by the hepatocytes, it helps protect the body from spikes and drops that can be dangerous in the blood glucose level. Hepatocytes absorb and metabolise fatty acids to produce energy in the form of ATP. Through gluconeogenesis the hepatocytes convert glycerol and other lipid components into glucose. Cholesterol is a lipid which can also be produced by hepatocytes and gets excreted from the body as a component of bile. Amino acids is a component from dietary proteins. Amine groups are removed from the amino acids, by the hepatocytes, which is further converted into ammonia and urea. Urea can be excreted in urine as a waste product. Urea is less toxic than ammonia. Detoxification Hepatocytes cells of the liver monitor the contents of the blood and toxic substances are removed before they reach the rest of the body. Alcohol and drugs are metabolised into their inactive metabolites by the enzymes in hepatocytes cells. Storage Nutrients, vitamins and minerals obtained from the blood passing through the hepatic portal system are stored in the liver. Homeostasis of blood glucose is maintained by the storage of nutrients. Vitamins such as A, D, E, K and B12 is stored in the liver. Minerals such as iron and copper are stored in the liver. Production Vital protein components of blood plasma such as prothrombin, fibrinogen and albumins are produced by the liver. Prothrombin and fibrinogen proteins are factors involved in the formation of blood clots. Albumins maintain the isotonic environment of blood. Immunity Bacteria, fungi, parasites, worn out red blood cells and cellular debris are captured and digest by Kupffer cells. Large volumes of blood are cleaned very quickly by Kupffer cells due to the large volumes of blood passing through the hepatic portal system. (www.innerbody.com/image _digeov/card10-new2.html) American journal of Physiology: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology : physiology and pathophysiology of apoptosis in epithelial cells of the liver; pancreas and intestine. By Blake. A. Jones ; Gregory. J. Gores. Published 1 December 1997 (vol.273. no.6, G1174-G1188) Definition and description of the disease Fatty liver disease â€Å"Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical and pathological syndrome.† (Zeng, et al., 2008) The main feature of NAFLD is the swelling of the (liver cells) hepatocytes because of pathological factor, alcohol excluded, that injure the liver. NAFLD is ranged from fatty liver alone to steatohepatitis, steatonecrosis and non-alcoholic steatohepartitis (NASH). (NASH) is only a stage in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD may have the potential to progress into cirrhosis and liver failure.† Liver –biopsy features include steatosis, mixed inflammatory cell-infiltration, hepatocytes ballooning and necrosis, glycogen nuclei, Mallory’s hyaline and fibrosis.† (Angulo, 2002) According to Jansen (2004) NASH is an under diagnosed liver disease characterized by steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis. NASH can possibly develop into cirrhosis and hepatic cellular carcinoma. NASH incorporate mixed acute and chronic lobular inflammation, zone 3 perisinusiodal fibrosis and ballooning (Brunt, et al., 1999). Alcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) includes a variety of spectrum of injury that can be from simple steatosis to frank cirrhosis. There are 3 groups of histological stages of ADL. Fatty liver or simple steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis and chronic hepatitis with hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. ALD can be caused by different types of factors including dose, duration and type of alcohol consumption and risk factors like obesity iron overload ect. Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causes no signs or symptoms that can be noticed but when it is noticed, it show signs of: Fatigue Pain in the right upper abdomen Weight loss. Inflammation and scarring of the liver Possible progression to liver failure. Symptoms consists of four (4) stages namely Simple fatty liver disease ( steatosis), Non-alcoholic Fatty liver Disease (NAFLD), Fibrosis And Cirrhosis. Simple fatty liver (Steatosis)- There are no clear symptoms and it can only be discoverd by an abnormal blood test result. Non-alcoholic Steotohepatitis (NASH)- It is the most aggressive form of this condition, it causes the liver to become inflamed creating a dull or aching pain in the top right abdomen, covering the lower side of the ribs. There may be no signs of any symptoms at all and it can only be discovered by specialized testing. Fibrosis- Constant inflammation in the liver which leads to the formation of scar tissue. Cirrhosis- Over a long period of time, it creates inflammation which can lead to the loss of liver function- which may lead to creating primary cancer. ALCOHOL-RELATED (ARLD) It shows no symptoms until the liver has already been severely damaged and it causes symptoms such as: Feeling sick, weak or tired Loos of weight Loss of appetite Jaundice- the yellowing of the eyes and skin The swelling of the stomach and ankles Confusion or drowsiness The excretion or the vomiting of blood. Alcohol related fatty liver disease is constantly diagnosed because of other conditions or other tests. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGY OF FATTY LIVER DISEASES: Fatty Liver Disease encompasses two over head segments, namely Alcoholic Liver Disease and Non Alcoholic Liver Disease. ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE (ALD) Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) encompasses the manifestations of the liver that is caused by the over consumption of alcohol (ethanol). It includes Fatty Liver, Alcoholic Hepatitis, and Chronic Hepatitis with liver cell fibrosis or cirrhosis.*1 Ethanol metabolization takes place in the liver. There are two main pathways of alcohol metabolism, namely alcohol dehydrogenase and cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2 E1. The first pathway works as follows: Firstly ethanol is metabolized by Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) into Acetaldehyde in the cytoplasm. The second phase occurs in the smooth Endoplasmic reticulum of mitochondria, where Acetaldehyde is further metabolized by Aldehyde dehydrogenase into acetate. Acetate is then finally oxidized into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. CYP 2E1 also converts ethanol into acetaldehyde (OShea, et al., 2010). Liver damage occurs in a few mutually related pathways: Acetaldehyde can form hybrid-adducts with reactive residues acting on proteins or small molecules, mediating lipid peroxidation and nucleic acid oxidation. (French, et al., 1984) During further metabolization of alcohol, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is reduced. This causes a shift in the NADH/NAD ratio. A higher NADH (reduced form of NAD) concentration increases the production of fatty acids, while lower concentrations of NAD result in decreased fatty acid oxidation. This altered ratio impair the metabolization of carbohydrates and lipids, resulting in the diversion from gluconeogenesis to ketogenesis and fatty acid synthesis. The liver cells compound the fatty acids to glycerol to form triglycerides. These accumulating triglycerides result in fatty liver. This leads to oxidative stress, which plays a pivotal role in ALD development. (French, et al., 1984) Furthermore, Acetaldehyde interacts through covalent binding with reactive residues of proteins found on the membranes of liver cells. This binding results in the formation of stable protein by-products which have been shown to be immunogenic. Tissue damage and ALD may be caused by this, because the neo-antigens may induce an immune reaction with anti-body production. CYP 2 E 1, when exposed to chronicle alcohol use generates free radicals through the oxidation of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) to NADP (OShea, et al., 2010). This exposure activates hepatic macrophages, also known as Kupffer cells, which leads to Tumor Necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased by the mitochondria, which in turn was induced by the TNF-alpha. This also promotes oxidative stress, which leads to hepatocytes necrosis and apoptosis. Many alcoholics have a condition of malnutrition. The deficiency in anti-oxidants, such as vitamin E, only worsens the necrosis and apoptosis. Free radicals initiate the oxidative degradation of lipids, which causes inflammation and liver tissue becomes scarred. Although the over consumption of alcohol is the primary cause of ADL, it is not always a pre-requirement for ALD development. It is important to understand the mechanisms of liver damage. When liver cells are exposed to alcohol, ATP synthesis is reduced and the activity of mitochondrial complexes is depressed. This causes energy metabolism of liver cells to be severely weaker and results in tissue damage. Metabolization of ethanol takes place in the centrilobular area of the liver lobule. Hypoxia alters energy metabolism, therefore centrilobular hypoxia can also be responsible for liver injury. The pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease is very complex and further in depth investigation to understand the disease and how to treat it is being done. NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is an over arching term for a variety of conditions associated with fat depositions in liver cells. NAFLD ranges from Simple fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The first stage of NAFDL is simple fatty liver or steatosis. It is considered harmless and only consists of a fat build up in the liver. The second stage, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is more serious, but not many individuals progress to this state from simple fatty liver. Two liver insults may lead to the development of NASH. With the first insult or hit, macro-vesicular steatosis (abnormal retention of lipids within a cell) occurs as a result of an excessive amount of triglycerides accumulating in the liver. The cause of triglyceride accumulation can result from excessive importation of free fatty acids from adipose tissue.*5 The accumulating lipids in the liver cells seem to be caused by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to changes in the livers enzymatic pathways that control free fatty acid uptake, synthesis, degradation and the secretion of free fatty acids. A crucial paradox arises: the liver maintains its liver lipid metabolization, but carbohydrate metabolism is weakened or damaged. Hepatic steatosis caused by these factors can result into diminished hepatic free fatty acid oxidation, more hepatic lipogenesis or fewer lipids are secreted from the liver. Along with insulin resistance, obesity plays an important role in the development of NAFLD. These alterations make the liver sensitive for the second insult or hit, which is an inflammatory response and further liver damage (Carey, et al., 2013). Toxic inflammatory proteins are secreted by the cytokines in the liver.*6 Hepatocyte apoptosis, an organized form of cellular death, is a leading component of the second insult of NAFLD progression. Oxidative stress and resulting lipid peroxidation are involved in the progression of NAFLD to NASH. The term â€Å"oxidative stress† is frequently used to describe the imbalances in redox couples. *7 This metabolic reaction produce too much reactive free radicals called reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process usually occurs in the mitochondria. Lipid peroxidation can lead to changes in the cell membrane fluidity and these alterations cause tissue damage. Fibrosis is the third stage of NAFLD. NASH develops to form fibrosis if it is not treated. Fibrosis occurs where chronicle inflammation in the liver results in the formation of fibrous scar tissue around hepatic cells and blood vessels. The liver still functions normally, because there is still enough healthy tissue. The forth and most severe stage of NAFLD is cirrhosis. During this stage lots of scar tissue develops. This causes the liver to shrink and change morphologically. The damage caused by cirrhosis is permanent and cannot be saved or reversed. The progression of cirrhosis is slow, but it ultimately causes the liver to stop functioning.*8 Treatment and prevention Basic therapy: you have to work out a strategic plan of the intake of calories and adjustment of diet constitution. Medium aerobic exercise and the changing of some life styles and behaviour. Weight reduction: The most important fact of weigh reduction is not the amount of weight loss but how the weight is lost. Losing weight rapidly may increase portal inflammation and fibrosis. A relatively safe goal is to lose about 1.6kg per week. Liver transplantation: For some patients liver transplantation is recommended. Metabolic states should be examined before the transplantation. A BMI >40kg lm2 is a contrain dication (Zeng, et al., 2008) Abstinence: This is a very important therapeutic intervention for patients that have ALD. Abstinence helps to decrease portal pressure and lower progression to cirrhosis.

The Work Satisfaction And Motivation Questionnaire Psychology Essay

The Work Satisfaction And Motivation Questionnaire Psychology Essay According to Neuman, 2000 population can be seen as a number of things such as individuals or groups, the researcher wants to investigate. Whereas Cooper Schindler, 2001; Saunders, Lewis Thornhill, 2000; Sekaran, 2000 refers to it as an entire group that allows data to be sourced and investigated. By establishing this, I have concluded that 60 sales employees of Currys/PC World Mega Store would be investigated upon, this is because it would provide an accurate answer to the research question identified in chapter one. SAMPLE SIZE Sample also had a similar definition to population as cited by (Sekaran, 2000, p.226) a subset of the population. In their latest book Somekh and Lewin 2005, it refers to as individuals from whole selection of entire population. Neuman 1994 talk about the sample ratio, as he implies that size of population will determine the sampling ratio for example the limitation of handing out the questionnaire the higher the ratio need. By looking at this view the sample size I used should be around 60 to give a better result in response. However out of 60, 43 participated in this study. 17 out of 60 returned questionnaires which were uncompleted due to being misplaced or failed to complete questionnaire. 3.3.2 SAMPLING DESIGN In outlining the size of this investigation above, it can be said that the type sampling which was used for this purpose of research was in fact the non-probability. As cited by Welman Kruger, 2001 it is less complicated than a probability sampling design, incurs less expense and may be done to take advantage of the available respondents without the statistical complexity of a probability sample. 3.3.3 QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN Robert 2006 states which I have interpreted as a survey, is a technique for research that enables to gather information from a group of people, in this case sale employees only, even thought they are in different departments they still do the same job as others. Terre blanche and Durrheim 2003 also confirm this, however the process of questionnaire construction is very complex, as stated by Whiteley 2003:371. SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE As we move on, Edwards et al 1997:24 state the survey questions can be two put into two categories, one being open-ending they other closed- ending. Researchers main use closed-ended questions as it is the preferred because the answer are set in a way that can easily be quantified by the researcher, stated by Whiteley, 2002:345. With this understanding I have incorporated Likert rating scales because it would make it easier for the employee to answer the question based on how strongly they feel, positive or negative. I had used the five-point Likert scales the In my analysis of motivation and job satisfaction at Currys/PC World Mega Store. DATA GATHERING INSTRUMENTS Linde, Rothmann and Sieberhagen (1999 cited in van Zyl, 2002) add that as self evaluation questionnaires are usually quantified, it is easier to compare the scores of different individuals. Weiers (1988) further postulates that the analysis of questionnaires is easy due to the structured information in the questionnaire with minimal or no open-ended questions. Kerlinger (1986) however, found that the main problems experienced using questionnaires involve poor levels of response and the limitation of not being able to test the given responses for accuracy. Furthermore, the validity of self-evaluation questionnaires may differ from situation to situation as some items are ambiguous and could be viewed as having two possible answers (Smith, 1981 cited in van Zyl, 2002; van Zyl van der Walt, 1994). 3.4 RESEARCH STRATEGY 3.4.3 ETHICS CHECKLIST The study involves participants who are employees at DSGI only. All research carried out would be by myself. A statement would be provided on the questionnaire giving participant information about the research, that they understand the nature of the work and what is expected of them. The study will not involve discussion of sensitive topics (e.g. managers or employees dislike). No financial inducements will be offered to participants. Identification of the steps to be taken to ensure that participants do not feel pressurised to participate.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ 3.4.1 TIMEFRAME OF RESEARCH To conduct this research I had created a timeframe so it doesnt interfere with other commitment. It also enabled me to stay on top of study so I can get the best results needed, I had given myself 1 month period to complete study. Task Duration Resources Required Begin the secondary research 4 weeks Books, journals, internet Complete literature review 14 days Books, journals, internet; Computer Choose sample 21 days Design questionnaire in draft 14 days Books, computers Finalise questionnaire 4 days Computer; books Carry out questionnaires 6 weeks Transport and Appropriate venue Gathering of all data 1 week Paper, computer Analyse the data and responses to the questionnaires 5 weeks Computer, software e.g excel, Books, journals 3.4.2 RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION The required data will be collected by producing a questionnaire about views, thoughts and opinions of sales employees. It will include qualitative and quantitative data used open and closed questions. The results of the multiple choice questions can be produced into a tally table. Graphs can be produced using a computer to illustrate the research results. A quantitative method was used to gather data for the research. The measuring instruments included the Work Satisfaction and Motivation Questionnaire developed by De Beer (1987) and a self developed biographical questionnaire. 3.4.4 PRE-TEST OF QUESTIONNAIRE I had created a questionnaire which I was not satisfied with at first. I felt I should add or edit question that needed to be asked, also on back of my mind that too many question would results in more literature review, due to the limitation of study I had refined question that best suited the literature research i had undertaken. According to Zikmund 2003:229 had stated that a trial run with a group of five to seven would criticize the questions, structure and design of questionnaire. After the feedback was processed and analysed, some changes were made to wording and layout as well as the type of question asked i.e. from open question which need explaining of reason of choose at they stated time consuming and the most important fact that they are there to work. This is why i had introduced Likert rating scales question which made it easy to respond as they need to but an x in the statement they believe. 3.4.6 RESEARCH APPROACH A modified questionnaire tagged Work Motivation, Job Satisfaction was used for the collection of data on the study. The questionnaire was specifically designed to accomplish the objectives of the study. The first section collected information such as age, sex, experience, professional status, marital status, position, and so on. The second section contained the items, and was divided into three parts. The biographical questionnaire was used to determine the demographic profile of the sample. Questions tapped into the following personal information of the individual: age, race, gender, designation, years employed at the organisation, educational level, and language spoken. by De Beer (1987) Part1. This measures motivation. It is a 15-item questionnaire using a Likert scale with responses ranging from Strongly Agree= SA; Agree = A; Disagree = D; and Strongly Disagree = SD. The items were adapted from Work Motivation Behaviour Scale of the Akinboyes 2001 Executive Behaviour Battery. The modification yielded an r = 0.74 Cronbach Alpha. Part 2. This part contains fifteen items that measure organizational commitment, using a Likert scale of four points: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. Items were adapted from organizational commitment questionnaire (OCQ) by Mooday, Steer, and Porter (1979). The overall reliability co-efficient of the instrument yielded an r = 0.83 cronbach alpha. 3.5 PROCEDURE I had to ask for permission from managing director of Currys/PC World Mega Store to conduct the research on sales employees. This was the first hurdle as permission was then obtained from sales departments mangers. I had provided the questionnaires to managers direct to hand out as they discuss the sales figures in the brief which made it easy for colleague to participate. Cover letter explained the purposes of the research, that participation was voluntary and what the results would be used for. (Furthermore, respondents were assured that all responses would remain confidential, respondents would remain anonymous and that only grouped data would be presented. To stay anonymous i had suggested that they place questionnaire in a tray which was provided for each department, this was explained to managers. As to time frame and collecting enough data, I had chosen three of the most busiest days so I can have good range of answer which would give me an accurate answer to the question I was answering, 3.5 DISCUSSION RESEARCH APPROACH ADVANTAGE The data was gathered by means of self-report questionnaires. Rosnow and Rosenthal (1996) have outlined the advantages of using questionnaires as follows: It can be administered to large numbers of individuals The method also allows anonymity It is relatively more economical to use Linde, Rothmann and Sieberhagen (1999 cited in van Zyl, 2002) add that as selfevaluation questionnaires are usually quantified, it is easier to compare the scores of different individuals. Weiers (1988) further postulates that the analysis of questionnaires is easy due to the structured information in the questionnaire with minimal or no open-ended questions. DISADVANTAGES Kerlinger (1986) however, found that the main problems experienced using questionnaires involve poor levels of response and the limitation of not being able to test the given responses for accuracy. Furthermore, the validity of self-evaluation questionnaires may differ from situation to situation as some items are ambiguous and could be viewed as having two possible answers (Smith, 1981 cited in van Zyl, 2002; van Zyl van der Walt, 1994). DATA COLLECTION METHOD ADVANTAGES For the purposes of this research, a questionnaire was considered appropriate as data gathering instrument. Denzin and Lincoln (2002) postulates that there are specific benefits of utilising questionnaires: The cost per questionnaire is relatively low. Structured information in the questionnaire and few open questions makes analysing questionnaires is relatively straightforward. Questionnaires give respondents extended time to formulate accurate responses. This method of data collection produces quick results. Questionnaires are a stable, consistent and uniform method of collecting data. The advantage, Convenience sampling involves collecting information from members of the population who are most easily accessible and conveniently available to provide the required information (Kerlinger, 1986). The rationale for using this method is that it is convenient, quick and costeffective (Neuman, 1997; Terre Blanche Durrheim, 1999). DISADVANTAGES Based on discussion, I have identified ..of using questionnaire as following: The negative reaction of the public towards questionnaires. Usage of questionnaires is limited to literate respondents. Questionnaires are time consuming due to the construction of a linguistic questionnaire and the response time of respondents (Bless Higson-Smith, as cited in Roberts, 2005).Kerlinger, as cited in Roberts (2005) argues that the response rate for questionnaires tends to be relatively low. A response rate of between 20 to 4 percent (20% 40%) can be expected when utilising questionnaires as a datagathering instrument (Bless Higson-Smith, as cited in Roberts, 2005). The disadvantage however, is that the properties of the sample are likely to under or overestimate the true population values (Terre Blanche Durrheim, 1999). Moreover, the sample may misrepresent the population and the results cannot easily and accurately be generalised (Neuman, 1997; Sekaran, 2000).) 3.6 LIMITATIONS A limitation of this research could be, how the sample is going to be chosen amount of time i have to complete the dissertation, it also can affect the achievement on how much research we could gather and the various research skills that we could reflect in my work to gain information about motivation and job satisfaction. The availability of primary research carried out, as most or nearly all of primary research will be collected from journals, books and scalars. This will produce critical analysis which argues for and against represent all the population and a general view. So therefore results will only reflect what author think about motivation and job satisfaction in Currys/PC World Mega Store on sales employees. 3.7 SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTER This chapter outlined the description of the research design, provided a description of the sample and discussed the demographics of the sample. The data collection procedure were presented. The instruments used to gather the data were highlighted and described, and reference was made to the reliability and validity of the Work Satisfaction and Motivation Questionnaire. 3.7.1 INTRODUCTION OF NEXT CHAPTER Chapter 4 presents and discusses the data obtained in relation to literature reviewed in chapter two. The results are presented in a clear and coherent manner, using tables, graphs etc. This results are then critically discusses why this results are so in conjunction with motivation and job satisfaction.

The Truth Exposed in A Clockwork Orange Essay -- Clockwork Orange Essa

The Truth Exposed in A Clockwork Orange      Ã‚   Alex, the fifteen-year-old narrator of Anthony Burgess's novel, A Clockwork Orange, lives in a society where violence reigns. This novel has a very direct nature, and is often blunt to the point of offense, but this makes it more powerful and helps to further its point.   This point is that everyone is out for themselves, whether they be the police, government or citizens of this society.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this book, the police can be just as violent as Alex and his droogs, or gang.   In fact, by the end of the novel, his droogs have themselves become the police.   The police have no qualms about beating people almost to the point of death as they do with Alex both at the beginning,   "...they all had a turn, bouncing me from one to the other like some very weak bloody ball...and fisting me in the yarbles and the [mouth] and the belly and dealing out kicks...I [was] sick...on the floor..." (70) and at the end of the book for no other reason than they feel like it. "...It was all panting and thudding against this like background of whirring farm engines..."  Ã‚   (150) There seems to be no difference between the people being beaten by streets punks such as Alex and the police, who are supposed to protect them. The novel begins with the police doing little to protect the citizens, for how else could a fifteen year old kid and three of his friends rule the streets?   They also seem to relish beating Alex for the reason that they don't get to do it often.   However, by the third part of this book, crime is almost non-existent, but   the police are far more brutal. Neither of these scenarios is the bet... ...of the violence and decide to settle down and start families.   This is something the citizens, police and government never learn.   A young woman defends herself by beating Alex at the beginning of the novel, and an old man beats him at the end.   The government changes him one way at the beginning, and still not satisfied, change him again at the end.   The police beat him at the beginning and the end.   Even Alex's social worker spits on him.   However, maybe we see hope for the future with the true change in Alex at the end of the novel.    Works Cited and Consulted Aggeler, Geoffrey.   Anthony Burgess:   The Artist as Novelist.   University:   University of   Alabama, 1979. Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork Orange. New York, NY: W W Norton & Company. 1986. De Vitis, A. A.   Anthony Burgess.   New York:   Twayne Publishers, 1972. The Truth Exposed in A Clockwork Orange Essay -- Clockwork Orange Essa The Truth Exposed in A Clockwork Orange      Ã‚   Alex, the fifteen-year-old narrator of Anthony Burgess's novel, A Clockwork Orange, lives in a society where violence reigns. This novel has a very direct nature, and is often blunt to the point of offense, but this makes it more powerful and helps to further its point.   This point is that everyone is out for themselves, whether they be the police, government or citizens of this society.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this book, the police can be just as violent as Alex and his droogs, or gang.   In fact, by the end of the novel, his droogs have themselves become the police.   The police have no qualms about beating people almost to the point of death as they do with Alex both at the beginning,   "...they all had a turn, bouncing me from one to the other like some very weak bloody ball...and fisting me in the yarbles and the [mouth] and the belly and dealing out kicks...I [was] sick...on the floor..." (70) and at the end of the book for no other reason than they feel like it. "...It was all panting and thudding against this like background of whirring farm engines..."  Ã‚   (150) There seems to be no difference between the people being beaten by streets punks such as Alex and the police, who are supposed to protect them. The novel begins with the police doing little to protect the citizens, for how else could a fifteen year old kid and three of his friends rule the streets?   They also seem to relish beating Alex for the reason that they don't get to do it often.   However, by the third part of this book, crime is almost non-existent, but   the police are far more brutal. Neither of these scenarios is the bet... ...of the violence and decide to settle down and start families.   This is something the citizens, police and government never learn.   A young woman defends herself by beating Alex at the beginning of the novel, and an old man beats him at the end.   The government changes him one way at the beginning, and still not satisfied, change him again at the end.   The police beat him at the beginning and the end.   Even Alex's social worker spits on him.   However, maybe we see hope for the future with the true change in Alex at the end of the novel.    Works Cited and Consulted Aggeler, Geoffrey.   Anthony Burgess:   The Artist as Novelist.   University:   University of   Alabama, 1979. Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork Orange. New York, NY: W W Norton & Company. 1986. De Vitis, A. A.   Anthony Burgess.   New York:   Twayne Publishers, 1972.

The two Duffy poems I have chosen to compare the way she presents Essay

The two Duffy poems I have chosen to compare the way she presents the speaker’s relationship with the person she is speaking to are Havisham and Elvis Twin Sister. Havisham is in a form of a monologue. Choose two Duffy Poems. Compare the way she presents the speaker’s relationship with the person she is speaking to (or about) Most of Carol Ann Duffy’s poems are about love, but that does not always mean that they contain positive connotations. Some contain positive where as quite a few of them have negative. The two Duffy poems I have chosen to compare the way she presents the speaker’s relationship with the person she is speaking to are ‘Havisham’ and ‘Elvis’ Twin Sister’. ‘Havisham’ is in a form of a monologue. She begins by telling the reader the cause of her troubles. She states ‘beloved sweetheart bastard’ which is an oxymoron meaning an apparent contradiction for example loving hate. She uses words to describe her bitter and angry tone such as ‘bastard’, ‘strangle’, ‘Nooooo’ and also ‘bang’. Duffy has used these words to make the readers aware of the ange...

Comparing two short stories -My brother?s keeper and Do angels wear E

Comparative analysis of two stories : "My brother’s keeper " " and Do angels wear brassieres?" The two short stories that I am comparing are " My brother’s keeper" by Geoffrey Philp and " Do angels wear brassieres?" by Olive Senior. "My brother’s keeper" talked about history ,race , identity, friendship, family, age, motherhood and sexuality and how they are defined around cultural and traditional positions. It is about a young man named Paul and his account of the changes he went through dealing with a step brother he did not even know existed until the very first day the boy showed up at their door . His step- brother’s name was David and he was coming from America where he was lived with his mother and father until their death. " Do angels wear brassieres?" is about little girl named Beccka’s quest for knowledge and what she had to go through as a teenager living with two females in one house .In this story I saw the relationships among family, friendship, motherhood,voice, tradition, ethnicity and how these fit into the identity of the individual in addition to their gender ,age and sexuality. Although " My brother’s keeper" and "Do angels wear brassieres?" were written by two different authors, they had a lot in common .Both of them were set in the island country of Jamaica and were about single families. From the beginning, the narrator in " My brother’s keep...

Lincoln Electric Student Example

The way a company organizes and manages its workforce has increasingly become a source of competitive advantage Summers, 1 994), and for Lincoln it is no different. Lincoln Electrics competitive advantage is their most positive aspect revealed in the assigned case study that is embodied through its rewards system and human resource management techniques, along with quality management techniques Of value innovation and continual cost reductions to make Lincoln so successful, even through hard economic times. Competitive advantage has contain ally shifted over time.What is an advantage today may not be tomorrow; however, it seems that in the assigned case study that Lincoln Electric has created a system that makes the intention nearly irrelevant (Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness, 1995). Competing in an industry that is highly price-competitive and where price variations on standard items amounts to only one to two percent it immediately creates a realization that to sustain continual h igh performance, Lincoln Electric must have a business model built on creating a continual competitive advantage (Lincoln Electric, 1994).A competitive advantage is formed when a firm can add value through a strategy that isn't being simultaneously implemented by a competitor or is able to do so where another firm has failed to duplicate the benefits of such strategy Assonance's, 2008). The human resource techniques used at Lincoln Electric are a major key to its success and are what has helped drive Lincoln Electrics ability to gain a competitive advantage and continual high performance.It is suggested that there are sixteen different elements that help a company achieve a competitive advantage through its people to include: incentive pay, high wages, employment security, selectivity in recruiting, employee ownership, information sharing, participation and empowerment, promotion from within, training and skill development, symbolic egalitarianism, wage compression, names and job re design, cross-utilization and cross-training, long-term perspective, measurement of the practices, and overarching philosophy (Summers, 1994).From the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric, nearly every one of these techniques is being utilized, especially incentive pay, high and cross-utilization/ cross-training. One of the basic functions of Lincoln Electrics management system is a incentive-based compensation for employees (Houses, 1995). The incentive system is a key driver/ element used at Lincoln Electric that drives the employee's high productivity (Brown, 1992).In the case study, it is revealed hat Lincoln incentive pay system utilizes four elements that are suggested to be vital to success: it eliminates raises based upon seniority or cost-of- living, places everyone on some form of incentive pay, gradually increases the pay percentage, and it utilizes quality and customer satisfaction (Brown, 1992). The incentive system at Lincoln Electric rates employees on output, qual ity, dependability and ideas/ cooperation (Harris & Klein, 1993). Throughout this case study, we see fact after fact indicating the importance of the piecework pay incentive system utilized at Lincoln Electric (Harris &Klein, 1993) and how it keeps the employees motivated. One example shown in the case study is the interview with Jimmy Roberts, a 47 year old drill press operator, who stated that the bonus distribution plan along with biweekly pay Were the reasons for such high productivity (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Pay at Lincoln Electric is industry leading, and hourly shop workers with a high school education can earn around ninety thousand dollars a year between hourly pay and incentives/ bonus pay (Harris & Klein, 1993) and this has helped form a company with a highly motivated workforce (Schuler &MacMillan, 1984). Tying into the reward compensation system, beyond the piece-work pay, is the ability to obtain additional wages through knowledge sharing/ suggestions. According to t he case study, the value of suggestions for improvements results in recommendations for high performance scores that ultimately determine an individual's incentive bonus amount (Lincoln Electric, 1994). This type of system of â€Å"pay-for-knowledge† promotes investment in firm-specific human capital that has helped improve organizational productivity though a workforce that is both multi;skilled and flexible (Guthrie, 2000).A study conducted by Guthrie (2000) revealed that the pay systems that were primarily â€Å"skilled based† (primarily incentive based plans) were far less likely to have employee turnover than those jobs that were group based (strictly wage based plans), thus reinforcing the elemental need to gain a competitive advantage (Summer, 1994) such as that seen at in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric.Tying into this concept of a reward compensation system is the notable fact mentioned in the case study that Lincoln Electrics employees earn nearly twice as much a year as other factory workers in the Cleveland, Ohio area Lincoln electric 1994). This accounts for the second element that Lincoln Electrics management meets in creating a competitive advantage. Lincoln Electrics wage system, part from hourly pay and part from the previously mentioned incentive pay, meets the need of Masses,/s (Theory Z) hierarchy need of self-actualization (an individual's need for success) (Harris & Klein, 1993).Since this is the last step on Mascots hierarchy this indicated that all other needs are met below it as well (Harris & Klein, 1 993) and since Lincoln Electric meets its employees needs they feel no urgency to leave the company which leads us into the third key human resource element that creates a competitive advantage for Lincoln Electric: long-term, stable employment (summers, 1994). Lincoln Electrics quality management utilizes a continual practice of long- term employment security that has also been a key element of its competitive success (Katz, 1998).Motivating employees can take many forms and the difference between some of the best managed companies versus other companies is their individual methods of implementing their accompanied management techniques (Harris & Klein, 1993). In this case study it mentions that Lincoln Electric has not laid anyone off since World War II (Lincoln Electric, 1 994) which encompasses part of the accompanied management technique of motivating through superb human resource management (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Additional proof is given of a stable workforce in the case study showing that turnover is less than four percent for employees who have been on the job for eighteen months or longer (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Not laying anyone off for over forty years and the use of a guaranteed employment policy has created a waiting list of applicants at Lincoln Electric since nineteen hundred ND thirty-three (Harris & Klein, 1993).There are negative consequences of down (right) sizing, using contingent work forces, minimizing labor costs, outsourcing, and temporary/contract workers (Stevens, 2001 ) which Lincoln has managed to avoid through its practice of guaranteed employment. The use of this policy has created a proclamation that people are Lincoln most valuable assets (Stevens, 2001) which is reinforced by the founding principles of the company that after the customer the employee is the second most important person, even above the stockholders (Lincoln Electric, 1994).The fourth element that is observed in the assigned case study is that of its Lincoln Electrics selective job placement/ recruitment processes. Competitive pressures, greater recognition of human resources as a potential source of competitive advantage, and changing workforce demographics have made the hiring process more vigorous than ever for management (Boswell, Rolling, Lupine, & Monomania, 2003).The case study of Lincoln Electric reveals a company policy of promotion from within since ninet een- forty-four, that external hiring is only permitted for entry-level positions, and hat final selection of job candidates is made by the hiring supervisor after a committee consisting of the Vice Presidents and supervisors interview candidates and is approved by the personnel department (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Harris and Clinker (1993) give an additional account to the process in that it is a very vigorous one where each applicant is first screened by personnel and then is interviewed by four vice presidents who must all agree on the applicant. Each applicant is judged on their desire for success, evidence of dependability, and skills valuable to the current job (Harris &Clinker, 1993). It is suggested that management circles for a long time have known that promoting from within is good for employee morale and further more is beneficial to the company since the employee is already familiar with the ins-and-outs of the company and is well acclimated to its overall culture (Hoist & Klein, 2002).Since opportunity for promotion or advancement appears to be an important driver of attraction it is evident that this conceptual element is very apart of the Lincoln Electric accompanied management process that has helped it to maintain a competitive advantage (Boswell, et al. 2003). This also covers the element of promotion from within Summers' (1994) sixteen elements to promote a company's competitive advantage. Another competitive advantage element that is evident in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric is the promotion of employee ownership.First the Company promotes an employee stock ownership plan that has resulted in employee ownership of fifty percent of the common stock with seventy-five percent of the employees participating in the program (Lincoln Electric, 1994). A project at HP experimented with the use of stock payments as an incentive here it stock was offered for meeting completion dates and the ending result was that the project was completed six months ahead of time (Beer, Cannon, Baron, & Dailey, 2004).While a survey at the conclusion of the experiment revealed that seventy percent of the employees felt they would have worked just as hard on the project without the incentive program, sixty percent of the employees surveyed recommended that incentive programs be used with other projects at HP (Beer, Cannon, Baron, & Dailey, 2004) providing further support that stock ownership can promote growth and a competitive advantage as a whole.Second the case study on Lincoln electric reveals that employee ownership is utilized through idea sharing and employee suggestions (Lincoln Electric, 1994). This point focuses on employee ownership as well as information sharing, and the participation and empowerment of Summers' (1994) sixteen factors that help a company's competitive advantage. From the earliest years of the company James Lincoln encouraged employees to be involved and promoted an employee â€Å"Advisory Board† that has met every two weeks with the Chief Executive Officer (Lincoln Electric, 1994).It is suggested for employees to remain engaged and productive that their input be respected by management which encourages employees to participate in decision- making and creates a sense of belonging, thereby increasing their engagement and participation in future growth Of the company (Marko's & survived, 2010). Empirical evidence in a study of advisory boards backed the theory that advisory boards help promote growth in at least a small way with eighty-three percent stating that it was at least somewhat effective to very effective and only seventeen percent stating it was a waste of time (Morsel & Poster, 2002).Additionally a number of studies have found positive relationships between employee engagement (such as Lincoln Electrics employee Advisory Board) and increased organizational performance (Marko's & Survived, 2010). It is apparent that the advisory board suggestions have had an influence on Lincoln Electrics success, with nearly where fifty out of two to three hundred suggestions are implemented on a monthly basis (Harris & Clinker, 1993).Supplemental support can be made in the fact that Lincoln Electric continually reveals dividends to stock holders that exceeded eleven dollars a share and eave reached nearly thirty dollars per share (Lincoln Electric, 1994). A more subtle, yet still evident, element of Lincoln Electrics quality management that promotes a competitive advantage is its promotion of training and development. Harrington (1998) states that to maintain a company's most valuable resource, its people, training is necessary.Reality is that no company can maintain high performance without a knowledgeable workforce. In the Lincoln Electric Case study production workers are given a short on-the-job training when first hired, sale agents, already college radiates, are given on-the-job training in the plant, which helps them sell products and reduce welding costs, followed by a period of work and training at one of the regional sales offices (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Giving employees appropriate training to perform their job functions increases core skills and knowledge which in turn increases their confidence allowing them to work with very little if any supervision (Marko's & Survived, 2010). This may be evidence as to why Lincoln is able to retain high performance while first line supervisors generally supervise any. Veer up to a hundred employees with animal interaction as stated in the case study (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Previous studies have shown that training has a positive impact on organizational performance and is associated with a company's productivity and profitability (Hansson, 2007). An empirical study, utilizing four different mathematically tested models resulted in a the coefficient of the â€Å"training variable† that remained positive through all four models giving evidential proof that company training is linked t o higher performance on a accompanied level (Danville del Valley, ?Engel Aster Castillo, Rodriguez-Treated, 009).Additionally the case study points out that Lincoln Electric created a welding school in nineteen-seventeen on the recommendations of the Advisory board that is still in existence today, adding to continual education and the ability to learn and understand the company's primary products that revolve around the welding industry (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Saba, a Lincoln Electric Vice president, is quoted at the conclusion of the case study stating â€Å"Management has encouraged education, technical publishing, and long range programs that have resulted in industry growth, thereby assuring racket potential for The Lincoln Electric Company' further emphasizing Lincoln Electric commitment to training and knowledge that has help it maintain its high performance over the years; an element made in Summers' (1994) key elements to maintaining a competitive advantage.Symbolic egali tarianism, while not defined directly, is definitely revealed in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric. Many firms that are known for achieving and sustaining a competitive advantage have some form of an egalitarianism environment according to Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness (1995). Symbolic egalitarianism is promoting equality; it is a way of signaling o both the internal and external environment that the company has comparative equality (Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness, 1995).In the case study there is mention of one cafeteria where both blue collar and white collar employees all eat in the same cafeteria and there are no reserved parking spaces either, even one of the vice presidents has to park on the far end of the parking lot when arriving late one morning after giving on off-site speech that morning (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Another company who also utilizes both Of these same characteristics is ANNUM where the executive dining room was laminated, everyone eats togeth er and there are also no â€Å"reserved† parking spaces (Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness, 1995) both signs of egalitarianism.Symbolic egalitarianism helps promote a competitive advantage because there are no status distinctions to overcome and information/ ideas are more free-flowing (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995). Another way Lincoln Electric promotes competitive advantage that has helped them maintain high performance is through their lack of a corporate structure. While, it is pointed out within the assigned case study that at one point business school researchers created an organizational chart, management felt it was disruptive and no formal chart is used within the company today (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Also, the aforementioned employee stock purchase plan can also be considered a form of symbolic egalitarianism. There is evidence cited by companies showing that employees believe the existence of such stock ownership plans and other profit-sharing plans do in fact promote egalitarianism within their company (Moran, 2010). Empirical evidence also suggests that open office layouts encourage and facilitate inter- class interaction by reducing both status differentials and physical barriers (Moran, 2010).The case analysis alludes to the old plant of Lincoln Electric that runs like â€Å"clockwork† because of integrated layout and non-exclusivity of the design which helps to additionally support the fact that Lincoln Electrics high performance through competitive advantage is obtained through use of symbolic forms of egalitarianism. Wage compression is somewhat interpreted in the assigned case analysis on Lincoln Electric.At Lincoln Electric base pay is deemphasized and the reward pay system is emphasized more greatly, as seen in the fact that some employees make up to ninety thousand dollars a year on base wages that anger no more than nine to sixteen dollars an hour (Harris & Klein, 1993). Even at sixteen dollars an hour at forty hou rs per week for fifty-two weeks of pay that only amounts to roughly thirty-three-thousand dollars a year at the top and for those on the low end (nine dollar an hour) that's roughly on nineteen-thousand a year.This means that someone making ninety thousand dollars a year at Lincoln Electric earns only twenty to thirty-seven percent of their pay from hourly pay and anywhere from sixty three to eighty percent of their pay from the compensation system. Since workers from new hires to hose close to retirement are all condensed into a base salary range between nineteen and thirty-three thousand dollars this signifies that there is in fact wage compression at Lincoln Electric with emphasis on pay being directed towards the piecework pay system.According to the case study incentive pay has actually averaged ninety percent of pay since nineteen hundred thirty-four and the average worker makes just over sixteen dollars an hour which is about two dollars better than the average manufacturing wage in Cleveland, Ohio (Lincoln Electric, 1994). One Of the benefits of Wage compression is that it fuels high performance commendations; people are not constantly worried about their compensation, whether they are getting paid enough, and are not continually focusing on re-bargaining their pay scale (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995).A 2002 study investigated wage dispersion and training in Europe finding that training was more frequent when wage compression was higher (Hansson, 2007) emphasizing the earlier point of Lincoln Electric promotions of training. This study shows direct relation between wage compressions and training revealing that workers are more knowledgeable and well trained hen wages are compressed, both pointed out in the Lincoln Electric case study.The overall De-emphasis on pay through wage compression helps employees focus more on organizational goals and creating meaningful colleague relationship that work towards organizational success, producing higher overall performance (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995). Other elements included in Summers' (1994) key elements to maintaining a competitive advantage, which is the prime component of Lincoln Electrics abilities to maintain continually high performance are: teams and job redesign and cross-utilization and cross-training.Teams and job redesign, as well as cross-utilization/ cross-training aren't really focused on within the case study assigned on Lincoln electric however it is an essential element in today's ever changing global environment (Limit, T;KC, Kemp, 2008). According to Harrington (1998) Lincoln Electric does invest heavily in cross-training employees in many different aspects in an effort to make employees more valuable to the company.While the case study did not mention anything about cross-training another case study points out that at Lincoln Electric nearly everyone must complete the welding program; since it is the Meany's main product line and to graduate from t he program a requirement is that the attendee must materialize a recommendation of how to innovate the product (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995). Long-term perspective and measurement of practices were not directly pointed at within the assigned Lincoln case study either but are implied within it.Lincoln could not have the long-term, high performance it has had without looking to the future and continually reengaging itself to measure its standards of practice. Overreaching philosophy is another topic not directly it upon in the case analysis of Lincoln Electric but this philosophy is one of bringing everything together. Various things from sales, to training, to production, to finance are all discussed within the analysis and this underlining principle is a must for any company to succeed, because if the left hand and right hand don't work together then little can get accomplished.Beyond these competitive advantage elements described there are a few other notable items reveal ed in the case study that promote Lincoln Electrics continued high performance over the years to include: value innovation, costs deduction, avoiding an employee union workshop, and no long-term debt (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Value innovation is essentially the simultaneous pursuit of differentiation and low cost (Leave, 2005).The case study shows instances of Lincoln Electric differentiating itself from the competition in the advancement of its small motors as well as its contribution in the welding Inner-Shield process. Additionally, it is mentioned within the case study that cost reduction programs are in place around many areas including shipping, cost reductions around material procurement and purchasing, accountability o reduce scrap, energy conservation, and maintain overall initial product quality (Lincoln Electric, 1994) which all contribute to providing low costs, high quality products to end consumers.It is noted that value innovation can occur anywhere within a company's activities to include: products, services, delivery, costs, pricing, and the business model itself (Leave, 2005). Another minor item that can be considered minor contributions to the high performance of Lincoln Electric in the case study is the avoidance of employee unions.In the assigned case study James Lincoln was quoted as eying that Unions selfishly attempt â€Å"to better its position at the expense of the people it must serve† but understood that it was a â€Å"natural reactions of human beings† to counter the abuses of management with abuses of their own and emphasized that labor and management are â€Å"not warring camps; they are parts of one organization in which they must, and should, cooperate fully and happily' (Lincoln Electric, 1 994); a founding management strategy that has warded off any attempt for employees to unionize.Strong evidence is supported suggesting that higher union coverage within a company educes investment opportunities and are more c apital intensive than those firms that are Nan-unionized (Brogans, Deere, & Tracy, 1994). Avoiding union of the labor force has allowed Lincoln Electric to avoid these capital intensive investments. Finally management's ability to keep the company running with no long- term debt accrual is evident in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric that has helped to contribute to their high performance.When there is an unexpected shortfall of cash flow within a company empirical studies have shown that there is a significant negative price reaction for outstanding debt ND equity (Achieve & Easter-wood, 1997). Additional empirical studies show that firms that secure more debt tend to record lower earnings within that fiscal year and the year following (Achieve & Sisterhood, 1997).In the assigned case study it is noted that risk associated with Lincoln Electric stock is minimal because the company has little debt in capital structure, extremely stable earnings year after year which encour ages investments in the company, until nineteen-eighty Lincoln Electric borrowed no money, and currently liabilities consist mainly of accounts payable and short-term accruals (Lincoln Electric, 1994). These practices have helped the company maintain high performance as cash flow is available to keep the company running, like a â€Å"well-oiled machine†.The number Of things Lincoln Electric does that helps drive its high performance seems almost endless. More than sixteen different quality management elements that help drive Lincoln Electrics competitive advantage have already been identified. The key to any business is the ability to adapt and change; this has helped Lincoln Electric maintain the high performance demonstrated in the assigned case study. Even some of the aforementioned topics, such as training, could always be improved upon.Having an understanding of certain potential weaknesses observed in the case study will allow for recommendations to be made that can aid in Lincoln Electrics continued high performance levels. Recommendations for Continued Success Lincoln Electric is no doubt innovative in its management techniques but there are a number of concerns that are addressed throughout the assigned case study including: incentive system, education and advancement, and employee power. While each of these has been represented as the LincolnElectrics strengths, it is recognized that a company maintains a competitive advantage though readdressing the source of the competitive advantage (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995), or in other-words' realign company strategy to maintain competitive advantage as markets change. A simple change in economic or industry conditions can change a company's source of competitive advantage (Consonants, 2008), even when certain management practices have been uncontested in the past.In the assigned Lincoln Electric case study this was evident during the three year recession room nineteen-hundred eighty-one to nineteen-hundred eighty three when sales plummeted thirty percent one year and then another sixteen percent the proceeding year, and through strategic adaptive change the company prevailed without laying off one single worker (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Recent uncertainty has surfaced in regards to the supply of finances with the sub- prime crisis of 2008 (Assonance's, 2008) along with a changing global economy over the past two decades promote additional need for companies to remain flexible and adaptive.It is recommended that focus of restructuring Lincoln Electrics management practices around these three key areas will help Lincoln Electric remain adaptive to future cyclical changes: . Incentive system – Wages, Bonuses, & Benefits There are a few key indicators within the case study on Lincoln Electric that point to some concern over the current wage and incentive pay systems. Based on the contradictions even within the case study it is surprising how successful Lincoln ince ntive pay system has been in the past.The case study point outs that, while the past percentage of bonus pay has resulted in high compensation, employees expressed concerns that the bonuses arena rising n accordance with profits and that today's workforce is sharing in a bonus pool that is higher than in the last few decades (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Expectancy theory predicts that bonus pools that are based on a predetermined percentage will be more effective and empirical studies have proven that when a bonus pool is set as a percentage of company revenue it significantly increases revenue and thus the money allocated to the bonus pool (Long, 2000).Based on this study it is recommended, that to maintain the current employee satisfaction and to allow employees greater access to refit sharing, that Lincoln Electric create a formula for profit sharing where a pre-determined mathematical formula will levy the size of the bonus pool so that employees have a guarantee of the percentage that they will receive to help improve moral.