Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Case Study Example 2. The HR department will also offer monthly training to all employees. This is because 76 % of the respondents signified that they needed additional training. Employees will be categorized into two groups based on the training they need. The trainings available are computer and communication training. Computer training will be offered by a local- based institution, providing training on computer packages, for 4 months. Training will be offered on every afternoon of Friday and Saturday. Much of the training will focus on computer packages, as networking is an essential tool of communication, in the modern corporate world. On the other hand, five members of the staff will lead their colleagues in leaning communication techniques. This will be done daily as from 3pm to 5pm. 3. The facilities and comfort provided by the company are pretty reasonable; however, the HR department will consider improving medical and transport facilities because 90 % of the respondents need modern welfare administration. In the next 3 months, the company’s heath unit is going to be stocked with modern medical equipment to improve service delivery. Additionally, one doctor and three nurses are going to join the medical team, in the next one month. Two more luxury buses will be delivered to the fleet department, in two months time. This, in addition to the existing buses, will enhance movement of employees from one point to another. 4. The HR department will also review its promotion and transfer strategies because 63 % of employees need regular employee movement. It is necessary to note that this will only depend on an employee’s performance and efficiency. Therefore, those who need regular movements must improve their work output and efficiency. While interviewing employees, most of the correspondents complained that relationship between labour force and management is

See attachment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

See attachment - Essay Example Adequate working ambience and other motivators then act towards maximizing the productivity and satisfaction. Job design and work organization work towards complementing each other’s roles. This set of analysis is the specification of the contents, method and relationships of jobs to satisfy technological and organizational requirements as well as the personal needs of job holders1. A systematic body of knowledge on the design of jobs is a result of the Industrial revolution and the rise of large-scale economic enterprises. Principles of scientific management developed by Frederick W Taylor2 around 1900 form the basis for designing jobs in most organizations. The primary emphasis of scientific management was on planning, standardizing and improving human efforts at the operating level in order to maximize output with least amount of input. But now behavioral part is also included into managing the human resources. Now profit maximization is not the only motive, but establishing a relationship with the customers and employees have become equally important parts of the managerial tasks. Management Driven Approach: According to this school of thought management will be most effective if it devises rules and procedures to govern the staff for the task to be undertaken. In this approach management is assumed to be a class apart and more effective than labor at devising methods for executing the work and then at planning and organizing. Workers as Economic entities: According to this school of thought, human beings are considered as rational economic beings. And maximum output is thought to be the direct consequence of the policy of relating pay levels to the output. This theory assumes that primary goal of human beings is the monetary compensation and the reward systems. As such, humans will examine a situation and identify a course of action likely to maximize their self interest and act accordingly. All that is required to

Business Essay about Mergers Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business about Mergers - Essay Example It is vital to note that federal and state laws are controlling systems for mergers. This occurs for notable reasons. To begin with, the government regulates such arrangements because of the elimination to competition (Halibozek & Kovacich, 2005). Competition is beneficial for the government because it drives entrepreneurship. Large firms motivate smaller firms to strive to their levels. In the event of the same, the smaller firms expand to generate substantial revenues for the governments (Truitt, 2004). In addition, such firms expand their marketing scope by improving on aspects such as advertising. This means that there is an interrelation, of firms, that create mutual benefits among the same. In turn, industries provide employment to population and accord social benefits to particular countries. In the sense of mergers, the same minimizes competition between the bigger and small firm. It is vital to note that mergers benefit the bigger firms in terms of pushing the same towards m aintaining their market capture. On the other hand, it is vital to note that mergers could result controlled market power. This relates to the power of monopolies. In this aspect, monopolies could exploit the market in two notable ways. To begin with, they would minimize on their output. This results into deficient products for consumers. In addition, monopolies would constrain output and raise prices. This reduces on the relative income of consumers because their previous income affords fewer goods. The monopolies ensure interaction of these two aspects in order that they generate super normal profits. The reason why the same is exploitation relates to the idea that consumers pay for products at a value that exceeds the production costs of the same. It is vital to note that consumer welfare demands production at a level whereby production costs equal prices. Production costs relates to marginal costs in economics (Mankiw, 2006). Mergers cause monopolies that may create other econom ical dangers. This relates to the idea that they could prevent growth of other firms. Monopolies acquire expansion advantages in the form of economies of scale. In this sense, other firms experience a difficulty in reaching the minimum efficient scale. It is vital to note that the minimum efficient scale refers to the state of production where a firm acquires maximum benefits out of the same (Mankiw, 2006). It is the most prominent level of production. This means that the merged firms would become the sole operators in the market. In the end, smaller firms would strive to rise and extinguish sooner. In case of an industry’s decision towards self-expansion, there would be notable obstacle to the same. This relates to the idea that such a firm would expand by use of capital projects. The benefits of self-expansion relates to the idea of self-dependence. In this sense, an industry faces limited obstacle form actions of other firms. It is vital to note that self-expansion leads t o maximum benefits because a firm enjoys all its revenues (Truitt, 2004). However, the aspect, of capital projects, constrains the same in the quest for independent expansion. To begin with, capital projects consume significant resources in the same. This poses notable dangers. For instance, the industry would require huge amounts of capital for expansion. In case it utilizes its own capital, it will constrain the advancement of

See attachment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

See attachment - Essay Example Adequate working ambience and other motivators then act towards maximizing the productivity and satisfaction. Job design and work organization work towards complementing each other’s roles. This set of analysis is the specification of the contents, method and relationships of jobs to satisfy technological and organizational requirements as well as the personal needs of job holders1. A systematic body of knowledge on the design of jobs is a result of the Industrial revolution and the rise of large-scale economic enterprises. Principles of scientific management developed by Frederick W Taylor2 around 1900 form the basis for designing jobs in most organizations. The primary emphasis of scientific management was on planning, standardizing and improving human efforts at the operating level in order to maximize output with least amount of input. But now behavioral part is also included into managing the human resources. Now profit maximization is not the only motive, but establishing a relationship with the customers and employees have become equally important parts of the managerial tasks. Management Driven Approach: According to this school of thought management will be most effective if it devises rules and procedures to govern the staff for the task to be undertaken. In this approach management is assumed to be a class apart and more effective than labor at devising methods for executing the work and then at planning and organizing. Workers as Economic entities: According to this school of thought, human beings are considered as rational economic beings. And maximum output is thought to be the direct consequence of the policy of relating pay levels to the output. This theory assumes that primary goal of human beings is the monetary compensation and the reward systems. As such, humans will examine a situation and identify a course of action likely to maximize their self interest and act accordingly. All that is required to

Henry James referred to TTOTS as a potboiler Essay Example for Free

Henry James referred to TTOTS as a potboiler Essay Henry James referred to ‘TTOTS’ as a potboiler. In light of this comment, explore the establishment of a simple ghost story in the prologue and first five chapters. Henry James stated that ‘TTOTS’ was a potboiler, meant only to be perceived as a simple ghost story which in the Victorian era was how it was originally accepted. However a more modern audience ay interpret the novella as something more. Relating back to the idea of a simple ghost story, the novella starts with a typical ghost story setting – ‘The story had held us, round the fire’ emphasised by the description of the house being ‘gruesome’ and it being ‘Christmas Eve’ informing us that it is night time. All are contributing factors to an ideal ghost story and all of these points start to build the tension and suspense up already within the first few lines. ‘Held us, round the fire’ tells us how they are clinging to this materialistic substance for comfort and warmth, typical connotations of fire. Use of language such as ‘dreadful’ and ‘terror’ increases this sense of a greater impending ghost story – that of which we hear about the Governess. Moreover this sets the mood and creates the atmosphere for the audience to fully appreciate the ‘horror’ of this ghost story. In addition, the idea of them telling ghost stories gives us an immediate impression that there is a ghost story awaiting the audience. The use of more dramatic language such as ‘for sheer terror?’ and ‘for dreadful – dreadfulness’ start the steep incline of suspense and tension we will feel throughout the story. The idea of authenticity throughout this novella is key for the audience to focus on. To increase this idea of the story being real, James uses a framed narrative to draw the reader in to believe that the tale is true. Overall the story could succeed without the prologue but with it, the audience is a lot more likely to proceed through the book with an idea or reality. The main character in the prologue, Douglas, tells the unnamed narrator and the rest of the group of a ghost story much worse than any that have been told. ‘If the child gives the effect of another turn of the screw, what do you say to two children ?’ Obviously hinting that his tale contains two children, increasing the horror the audience are now sure that they are reading a simple ghost story. However this idea can be argued as we continue throughout the prologue and the first chapter. We learn that about the Governess, moreover, we learn Douglas’ opinion of her. ‘Is in old faded ink and in the most beautiful hand’. From this we can interpret that Douglas’ may be fond or possibly in love with the Governess making his opinion biased thus taking away from the reliability of the story. The use of characters in the prologue almost acts as a metaphor for the reader. ‘Everybody will stay!’ and ‘I will – and I will!’ could be used to represent how James wants the reader to react to reading the actual ghost story. Straight away in the first chapter we learn about how the governess suffered ‘a succession of flights and drops’. Already we start to suspect the volatility of her and the reliability of her tale which obviously argues against the idea of it being a simple ghost story and starts to lay down the foundation for the idea that there may be undercurrents of something more suspect. However her description of Bly is incredibly positive. ‘A lovely day’, ‘summer sweetness’ and ‘a friendly surprise’ are all used in one sentence and all are incredibly optimistic, giving us the idea that the governess is a very positive person. However she does seem to be very hyperbolic, describing the first child, Flora, as ‘one of Raphael’s holy infants’. Obviously this is taking it to extremes, which hints that this might not be the only thing that she is exaggerating throughout the novella. Towards the end of chapter one, she describes parts of the house with language such as ‘empty chambers’, ‘dull corridors’ and ‘crooked staircase’ al of which are very negative descriptions, however she immediately starts to describe the house as ‘a castle of romance’ and something from a ‘story book’. Moreover, as she is peppering her negative quotes with positive and vice versa massively showing her incredible volatility. This is a major idea that the rest of the story may be exaggerated or maybe not even true. This could also foreshadow her personality later on into the novella. Throughout the chapters the language of Mrs Grose becomes increasingly questionable. As an audience we are constantly told that she is ‘simple-minded’ however she sees to know a lot more than she is letting on. ‘Are you afraid he’ll corrupt you?’ This is odd as she is talking about Miles, a ten year old boy. This make the audience think, how can a young child corrupt a fully grown woman? Leading us on to thin she may be talking about somebody else. As we progress through the story we learn about the Governess’s sexual frustration toward the master. Accompanying this idea is that she sees the apparition of Peter Quint upon the tower. This is could imply that she is projecting her sexual frustration onto an imaginary figure as a release to wanting to see the master. ‘A charming story suddenly to meet someone’ and later ‘He did stand there!’ She only sees this figure stood there when she is imagining the master, a suspicious idea that the reader may look into. ‘The man who met my eyes was not the person I precipitately supposed’. This quote backs up my previous point of the projecting this idea of meeting the master on her walks. During these first few chapters we experience a reasonable amount of religious language, ‘Raphael’s holy infants’, ‘divine’ and ‘he has red hair’ these all imply ideas of how the plot is affected by the religious aspects of the Victorian era and their views on ghosts. As they did believe in ghosts and were mainly very religious, these ideas were accepted avidly and only increased any emotions felt within the Victorian reader as they progressed through the story. Overall, my personal views are that there are underlying psychological ideas in ‘TTOTS’ and that although it can be read as a straight ghost story, to fully appreciate the novella the reader must delve deeper and retrieve any obvious ideas that suggest more than just a typical ghost story. James uses a variety of techniques which make his characters seem a lot more emotional deeper than just a person who is afraid in a big house. However the idea of authenticity throughout does back up the point of it being a straight ghost story. I do believe that it is a mazed reader and can be open to a variety of interpretations.

Second Hand Smoke Prevention Policies

Second Hand Smoke Prevention Policies EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the Smoke-free Cars Bill in NZ. I am currently a Population Health student at the University of Auckland, an interest which stemmed from my realisation that many illnesses and injuries are largely preventable. With volunteering experience for World Vision NZ, I am also an advocate of children’s health. My approach to health is based upon population health. In the case of smoking, there exists significant population health ramifications: of not only the impact tobacco has on smokers’ health, but of also the dangers of second-hand smoke (SHS) to those around them. This policy is therefore important for not only the wellbeing of children, but also for achieving widespread positive health gain for all New Zealanders. Like many health organisations in NZ, I urge the promotion of a Vision for Tupeka Kore Aotearoa; a tobacco-free New Zealand by 2020 so that future generations of New Zealanders will be protected from exposure to tobacco products and enjoy tobacco-free lives. I support the bill to ban smoking in all vehicles when children are present. Firstly, considerable scientific studies have produced convincing evidence that exposure to SHS in vehicles has serious health consequences for children. Moreover, there are marked deprivation and ethnic inequalities in in-vehicle SHS exposure. Thirdly, the need to protect children, a vulnerable group, from these harms forms the ethical rationale for regulatory action. Finally, ought such a bill be implemented, it would enjoy widespread public support from smokers and non-smokers, adults and children alike. Key Recommendations I recommend that awareness campaigns are needed to highlight the risks associated with SHS, the benefits of maintaining smoke-free cars, and the rationales behind a law banning smoking in vehicles carrying children. I recommend that the government continue supporting media campaigns and other initiatives which encourage smoking cessation. Based on the range of fines imposed in Australia and the fine linked to the safety belt law in NZ, I suggest an on-the-spot fine of $150 be set for those breaching the smoke-free ban. As a more long-term strategy, I recommend that the possibility of restricting smoking in all private vehicles (regardless of whether they are carrying children) to be explored. POLICY STATEMENT The harmful effects that SHS causes to children’s health is well documented. Although the general public is protected by the smoke-free regulations in enclosed public places and workspaces in NZ, most children remain at risk of exposure to high levels of SHS when confined in vehicles. For the purposes of this submission, â€Å"children† refers to anyone under the age of eighteen. In order to reduce children’s exposure to SHS in vehicles, I am championing the Smoke-free Cars Bill, banning smoking in any vehicle with children present. Using supporting evidence, I outline the reasons behind my position below. HEALTH AND WELLBEING RATIONALE Second-hand Smoke SHS is highly toxic; it contains thousands of hazardous chemicals, many of which are cancer-causing (carcinogenic). When non-smokers are exposed to SHS (passive smoking), they also inhale many of the toxins and carcinogenic substances as smokers do. Health Hazards in Children Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of SHS, as they have smaller airways and lungs, faster breathing rates, and less developed immune systems. For children, exposure to SHS is a known cause of many adverse health consequences. SHS increases the risk of respiratory diseases (such as bronchitis and pneumonia) , middle ear infections , and sudden infant death syndrome . Exposure to SHS is especially harmful for asthmatic children, who experience more severe symptoms and more frequent asthma attacks. SHS can also cause asthma in children with no prior symptoms. An estimated one million asthmatic children in the United States have had their condition worsened due to SHS exposure. Yet, a study reported that only half of the parents of asthmatic children maintained smoke-free vehicles. Children exposed to SHS in vehicles have been found to exhibit nicotine dependence symptoms, even though they had previously never smoked cigarettes. A review by the British Medical Association concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to SHS for children; low levels of exposure are still associated with harmful health effects. Pollution Levels of Smoke in Vehicles Pollution levels from SHS with vehicles reach dangerously high levels that can cause serious health risks for all riders, particularly children. Unhealthy levels of pollution generated from SHS were detected across multiple studies, even with vehicle windows and air vents opened, and the fan set on high. The levels of pollution from SHS a child is exposed to in a fully ventilated vehicle was found to be greater than that of smoke-filled bars and restaurants , and smokers’ homes ; they also exceeded air quality levels on Auckland’s poorest air quality days. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health found that effects of SHS in vehicles continue to be harmful, long after the smoke had dissipated. This is due to the build-up of chemicals from cigarette smoke, which clings to the carpet and upholstery. In all cases, the studies’ authors recommended the enactment of smoke-free vehicle regulations to protect the health of not only children, but all non-smokers. EQUITY RATIONALE MÄ ori and Pacific Island children were found to have greater SHS exposure in vehicles. This, however, is not a localised phenomenon, as previous studies in the United States found similar ethnic disparities. Martin et al. observed that children of low socioeconomic status have a higher risk of exposure to SHS in vehicles, and therefore, may contribute to health inequities. This is consistent with a study in the United States, which reported that lower income households were less likely to maintain smoke-free cars. Jarvie and Malone concluded that a bill protecting children from SHS in vehicles promotes equity, because children who are already social disadvantaged (of minority populations, and deprived neighbourhoods and families) would derive the most benefits. ETHICAL RATIONALE Children are a Vulnerable Group Legislation is important to protect children because they are a vulnerable, dependent group of individuals, who – unlike adults – are unable to protect or speak for themselves. Preventing smoking by adults in vehicles containing children constrains adults freedom (or autonomy) temporarily, as they would only be restricted in vehicles. However, for children who are unable to protect themselves from SHS exposure, the effects of SHS are serious and permanent. Protecting the Interests of Children Ethicists asserted that adults who choose to smoke in vehicles with children present are not acting in the interests of the child, because their action places children at high risk of serious harm from SHS exposure. This is a circumstance where the interests of children and parents conflict: the health and wellbeing of children, versus adults freedom to smoke in vehicles. Given that SHS exposure is profound in its potential to cause preventable morbidity and mortality among children, the government – as the ultimate guardian of children – has a duty to ban smoking in vehicle with children present. This bill is further supported by ethical principles of non-maleficence and beneficence: it both obliges adults to not inflict harm to children, and promotes the interests of children. INCREASING PUBLIC SUPPORT Numerous studies found that while smokers were less likely to be supportive of smoke-free laws in all vehicles, they were largely supportive of banning smoking in vehicles when children are present. It is fair to conclude that there would be even higher levels of support among non-smokers. The vast majority of people would therefore be calling for and supporting the enforcement of a smoke-free law for vehicles carrying children. Survey data in NZ and overseas alike have indicated that support for laws banning smoking in cars carrying children has been increasing over time. A NZ study found that children expressed negative feelings toward smoking, and were aware that smoking in cars with children present is ‘wrong’. Some specifically stated that smoking should be banned, which suggests that children themselves would be supportive of a bill restricting smoking in vehicles. RECOMMENDATIONS Alongside legislation (which urges responsible behaviour), I recommend that awareness campaigns are needed to highlight the health risks for children associated with SHS, the benefits of maintaining smoke-free cars, and the rationales behind a law banning smoking in vehicles containing children. I recommend that the government continue to support media campaigns by Quitline NZ and other initiatives which encourage smoking cessation, as it is the single most effective way of reducing children’s exposure to SHS without forcing behaviour change. I suggest an on-the-spot fine of $150 be set for those breaching the smoke-free ban. This has been made in consideration of the range of fines imposed in Australia (where there already exists a smoking bans on vehicles carrying children) , as well as the $150 fine associated with breaching the safety belt law in NZ . As a more long-term strategy, I recommend that the possibility of restricting smoking in all private vehicles should be explored, as this would be much more straightforward and practical than a ban limited to smoking in vehicles only if children are present. Exposure to SHS in vehicles is also a significant risk to the health of adults. CONCLUSION Thank you for the opportunity to submit on the Smoke-free Cars Bill in NZ. In this submission, I have outlined the health and wellbeing, equity and ethical rationales, as well as evidence of increasing public support, for why a law banning smoking in all vehicles containing children is required. I have made practical recommendations on how the policy, if implemented, could be improved and strengthened. I look forward to seeing the regulation of smoking in cars as one step closer to realising Tupeka Kore Aotearoa, a tobacco-free New Zealand, by 2020.

What do you understand by the own-price elasticity of demand for a good

What do you understand by the own-price elasticity of demand for a good? 1. (a) What do you understand by the own-price elasticity of demand for a good? (b) Will a linear (straight line) demand curve have a constant own-price elasticity of demand? Explain your answer. (c) Following the terrorists attacks in the USA on 11 September, there was a marked fall in business travel. In respomse, many hotels cut their prices to business travellers; for example the Hyatt Hotel group offered discounts of up to 50 per cent off regular room rates. Under what circumstances would this lead to increased revenue for these hotels? Before we define the meaning of the own-price elasticity for a good we must understand elasticity and its concept in general. Elasticity is basically a comparison between the sizes of change in the quantity demanded, in the case of the own-price elasticity, of a certain good and in the variable that caused this change. According to Mankiwelasticity is a measure of the responsiveness of quantity demanded or quantity supplied to one of its determinants. The law of demand implies that an increase in a price of a good will subsequently lead to a fall in the quantity demanded for that good. The formulae which calculates this amount is the division of the percentage of change in quantity demanded by the percentage of change in price. The sign of price elasticity of demand, and elasticity as well, is always going to be negative due to the fact that quantity and price demanded are usually in opposite directions. Elasticity is going to be negative as well since neither the percentage change in price nor the the percentage change in quantity ar... ...sequent repurcusion this had in economy as a whole brought a downfall in business travelling. The hotels in order to manage this crisis effectively reduced their prices and offered discounts in order to increase the quantity of customers visiting them. If we consider the law of demand in this case, hotel reservations should increase in this period as well as the total revenue of the business but this would happen when the price elasticity of demand is elastic. This happens when the percentage change in quantity is larger than the percentage change in price. Concluding, we would easily say that it is assume that the hotels would increase their total revenue with discounts and better prices but this is not always the case. There are other factors influencing customer behaviour after these terrorist attacks that would not be easily predicted or affluenced.