Instigating Racial and Cultural Separation: The Ku Klux Klan

AfricanAmericansAustin Samuelson English Comp. 1001 1030-1120 Research paper November 2, 2012 KKK â€Å"There is a race war against whites. But our people – my white brothers and sisters – will stay committed to a non-violent resolution. † This is one of the many lies and extremely contradictory statements that the head master of the Ku Klux Klan Pastor Thomas Robb tends to tell the general public. The Klan masks their ominous plans and devious hate crime behind a ploy that they are trying to protect the heritage and culture of the white race. They are driving force behind racial and cultural separation.They lie and plot and plant seeds in those who listen closely and are naive enough to listen, they scare and strike fear into the hearts of many while accommodating to the flaws that society tends to look over. They harness their dominance over communities by exploiting lack of segregation and making all those that live there feel as though it is okay to be strict ly one race. By doing this they have now planted their seed that anything outside of white is foreign and should not be tolerated. The Ku Klux Klan are the villains in every story, they are the evil in which kids are told about, the bullies you come across in life in America.The Blatant lack of respect for anything other than the Christian culture shows truly how much the United States has failed to change since civil war times, and how far the maturation of United States citizens has truly come? This group is the true poster child for moral corruption amongst the world and all its inhabitants. The Ku Klux Klan has had a major influence on the actions in many people’s lives. In some opinions they are good, they felt as though what they were being taught was the true way of life. In others they are extremely terrible causing them extreme emotional and in many cases physical harm.Either way the Klan has had a very significant touch on all those around them. With every action th ey performed and carried out for their own benefits really began to show everyone in the surrounding area, and in many cases, parts of the country just what the Klan really was, and what they were trying to do. The influences that the Klan has put forth have been different in the lives of many; a major example of this is William Joseph Simmons who single handedly brought forth a second coming of the Klan in 1915 after a fifty year hiatus.He turned the Klan from closet villains who committed small hate crimes against neighboring towns with Negros, to a new breed of Klan, a fraternal organization who banned together with their common beliefs in being anti-Catholic, anti-negro, anti-Semitism, and all those who were foreign born and had no ancestral ties to the United States. He created a system so complex that infiltration would be impossible, or in the case that a high ranking leader was captured there was always a next in line. In his childhood he was told stories about how the Klan was ran and what they used to try and accomplish.Simmons dreams were much larger and his organization was a lot more put together and thought out. He based his reincarnated version of the Klan on the legislative system by creating a court system and met annually. As the Klan began to progress, another man by the name of Edward Clark came into power because Simmons could not keep a large group. As Clarks reign over the Klan maturated so did its numbers jumping from 2,000 to 100,000. Just weeks later it membership grew to nearly 2. 2 million people through advertisements.They used their group to influence those in power to join the Klan in attempts to secure the nation’s top political positions. Although Klan membership has decreased drastically throughout the recent years, there are still hate demonstrations performed by the Klan. There are very rarely cases quite as drastic as there were during the KKK’s prime, yet Klan activity remains, and still strikes fear into the hearts of many minorities. Today’s Klansmen use one of the most symbolic and oldest forms of intimidation used by the Ku Klux Klan; cross burnings.Julian Borger, a news writer for The Guardian wrote a piece in 2002 entitled â€Å"Supreme Court to decide on Klan's burning cross: Is it freedom of speech or incitement to violence? † In this article, Borger cites recent incidents that have occurred involving cross burning. Cross burning is illegal in Virginia, along with many other states; but it remains legal in others. In 1998 three teenage men constructed a cross out of materials found at home and erected it outside of an African American families home. They continued to set the cross on fire, and let it burn.Cross burnings are not only immoral, but they strike fear into the home owner, and possibly people that cross by and witness the burning. Virginia’s attorney general, Jerry Kilgore states that â€Å"even a white man would feel threatened if he woke up and found a burning cross in his garden. † The Ku Klux Klan, which was created in the winter of 1865-1866, is the most iconic terrorist organization in this country’s history. However, according to the founders of the Klan, there was originally no malicious intent, but it quickly expanded, and adopted a new leader, and the Ku Klux Klan became what we remember it as today.Nathan Forrest was the main influence in turning the KKK into a hate group that terrorized African Americans. Forrest is a famed cavalry commander from the civil war. He and his soldiers tortured and murdered captured African American troops. This would be a sign of things to come for the Ku Klux Klan after he took over. The Klan soon spread like a vicious cancer throughout the south, and included political figures, mayors, and criminals, along with your everyday business man. The Ku Klux Klan showed no mercy towards any African Americans.They beat, whipped and murdered thousands, while at the same time inf licting great fear into tens, if not hundreds of thousands. In some of the more appalling and outright inhumane cases, Klansmen whipped a 103 year old woman, and would beat paralyzed Negroes. The only thing they cared about was the color of your skin, and whether or not your ideologies were the same as theirs. Just because someone was Caucasian did not mean anything. If a white man were to defend, be-friend, or stand up for a Negro, they were looked upon as a Negro by the Klansmen. One Negro wrote â€Å"We have very dark days here. The colored people are in despair†¦.God knows it is worse than slavery. † In conclusion, as we let this internal terrorist flood the hearts of white America and strike fear into all else that inhabit it we are not only hurting ourselves but showing the world we do not care for our people . The Ku Klux Klan has personally demoralized everything that the United States has fought to have. This group is the statue of disrespect, the monument of tr eason toward America. The Ku Klux Klan throughout the years has demonstrated a complete lack of respect towards minorities, and has absolutely not displayed a commitment to social responsibility.

The Motorcycle Diaries

It is an irony that the guerrilla Ernesto â€Å"Che† Guevara, one of the most intriguing figures of Latin America, has come to be immortalized as an icon of popular culture—a pin-up, poster boy of sorts that lends face to the mass-produced â€Å"Che† shirts and pins. This massive appeal, however, needs to be rooted in the context of what prompted him to become a revolutionary, to a time before he took up arms and became a legend. Retracing such route to a decisive era in Guevara’s early life is the book â€Å"The Motorcycle Diaries: A Journey Around South America.† The Motorcycle Diaries: A Journey Around South America is the memoir of twenty-three year-old medical student Ernesto Guevara de la Serna when he embarked upon a journey across South America with his older friend Rodrigo Granado. In search for fun and adventure, theirs is a rather grand route that spans Argentina, Chile, Peru, the Peruvian Amazon, Colombia and Venezuela. The two start out aboard a lumbering 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle they named â€Å"La Poderosa† (The Mighty One) which eventually crashes on the way and forces them to travel on foot. Chronological entries in The Motorcycle Diaries detail Ernesto’s narrative of the eight-month journey, in which they initially wanted to seek bourgeois pleasures like getting drunk and getting laid. Early on, they pose as Argentinian leprosy doctors in order to gain accommodations and hospitable treatment from local folks.   Further on the road, Ernesto and Alberto share a series of youthful misadventures, at times committing scams to get themselves by. In an event, Ernesto tries to work as a fireman but sleeps out on the sounding fire alarm so that the building on fire burns down. Even if the diaries present the characters’ bawdy behavior, it more importantly accounts for a great discovery that only such journey can offer them. As they themselves experience poverty and come face-to-face with indigent townsfolk, nameless people whose living conditions sharply contrast the lavish lifestyle they were born into, their view of the world changes. Incidents in the diaries concretely speak of these encounters with social injustice. When Ernesto sees a tuberculosis-stricken woman in her death bed, he realizes how dismal the public health system is. When he tours a copper mine (which has taken lives of miners), he discovers how laborers are famished and unfairly treated. Throughout the trip, not only does Ernesto stumble upon the endemic poverty and subjugation of the peoples across South America. He is also able to make his stand regarding a â€Å"unified Latin America.† A passage in the The Motorcycle Diaries reads Although we are too insignificant to be a spokesman for such a noble cause, we believe, and this journey has only served to confirm this belief, that the division of America into unstable and illusory nations is a complete fiction. We are one single mestizo race with remarkable ethnographical similarities, from Mexico down to the Magellan straits. And so, in an attempt to break free from an all narrow-minded provincialism, I propose a toast to Peru and United America. From various South American sights running parallel to each other, Ernesto sees his ideal of Pan-American unification which he would later brace politically. He maintains that since all of Latin America share a common experience and long history of oppression, hence should they have an integrated movement towards their liberation. (Later in his life, Ernesto demonstrated how he lived up to this ideal, touring across the continent to unite different guerrilla units and revolutionary forces in different countries.) What was originally meant to be a journey for fun and adventure turned out to be the provocation necessary to make a â€Å"revolutionary.†   Immersion and encounters with workers being laid-off and fighting for jobs, starving farmers, and other vestiges of feudal rule on agricultural communities make only a few threads weaving the larger story of oppression that proved strong enough to catapult individuals like Ernesto Guevara to the fray. These experiences caused such indignation in Ernesto, sending him to become the revolutionary who changed the history of South America. Both Alberto (who came back to Argentina to pursue medicine and dedicate his practice for the poor) and Ernesto show that the things they saw from their journey are hard truths—realities often obscured to the upper economic classes but inescapable realities nevertheless, needing to be dealt with actions more forceful than charity. The characters of The Motorcycle Diaries are a testament that revolutionaries are made, not born. The ‘life-changing’ theme that prevails in The Motorcycle Diaries is conveyed by other allegories pertaining to the characters’ awakening. For instance, the river separating the leper colony to the medical staff’s island symbolizes the gap between the powerful and the oppressed. Ernesto’s act of dissolving this symbolic divide is a portent to the way he would later take in his life. Ernesto’s Diaries is written with such vividness and animation, and is punctuated with a range of ordinary human emotions, from mischief and vulgarity to a sense of righteousness and justice. He states even his most roguish actions in a matter-of-fact tone that you would think of â€Å"shooting a puma in the dark of the night† (which turns out to be a neighbor’s dog) as if it is the most natural thing to do.   Even if Ernesto writes The Motorcycle Diaries from his own viewpoint, it does not render him heroically ‘larger-than-life.’ In 2004, a film bearing the same title was made based on the book. There are minor deviations from the book to account for, particularly the omission of several interesting incidents (like shooting of the â€Å"puma† and sneaking inside a shipment of melons, etc.). The film also romanticizes the love angle between Ernesto and his fiancà ©e, which, in the diaries, does not appear to be such a highlight.   Despite these, however, the film is still quite able to introduce the essence of the written memoirs to those who have not read them yet. The Motorcycle Diaries: A Journey Around South America has written down how witnessing concrete forms of social injustice could change a person’s worldview and awaken him from his ignorance and unconscious indifference. At least for the man who later became the revolutionary Che Guevara, the journey even served to fuel his future actions in defiance of the prevailing system he found oppressive. The catchphrase â€Å"Before he changed the world, the world changed him† (promoting the film version of The Motorcycle Diaries) speaks truthfully of the bereted man we see ubiquitously as a pop icon. In turn, the book speaks of demystifying the face behind the shirt and the poster and understanding, from his beginnings, the persona who the powers-that-be, for so long, have come to vilify. Guevara, Che, The Motorcycle Diaries: A Journey Around South America. October 1996. New York: Verso.   

Read articals and answer in discussion Assignment

Read articals and answer in discussion - Assignment Example Information Systems have the capacity to distinguish the performance of an organization from another. There are areas of information technology that have not been explored and fully exhausted. For example, the area of data mining, artificial intelligence and robotics, decision support system and system automation. In the dynamic business world, there are newly emerging needs of information technology that continues to raise the new needs of information System solutions. For example, the present business world requires real time systems such as mobile applications. The demand for new data communication methodologies is continuously rising and their efficiencies place organizations in different ranks (Dychà © 10). The third rule for IT management is right. IT managers should place more emphasis on the vulnerability as opposed to the opportunities that it offers. There reason for this is that IT already has a guarantee of opportunities, so there is no need of wasting efforts searching for them. Secondly, Information Technology faces unpredictable threats that can be extremely costly. IT systems should be able to take care of information within an organization and guard them from external malicious attacks. There is especially an emerging trend of cyber crime threat against Information System Solutions. This is what should worry an organization. In fact, for as long as the system is exposed to vulnerability, even the opportunities do not serve any purpose to the organization. Information Systems Risk management is an essential function that an organization cannot do without unless it is planning to remain at risk of attacks. The management of an organization must therefore have a method of iden tifying possible risks, their causes and possible controls to put in place to regulate the exposure of sensitive data to external entities. There should be a continuous review of the risks to identify the most critical dangers that the

Sa.1.2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Sa.1.2 - Essay Example Recruitment policy and strategy of a company should be coherent with its human resources management policy and with its business policy as a whole. Brewster and Hegewisch (1994) assert that organisations have to make decisions on a number of issues related to recruitment: Decisions between short-term organisational needs and long-term organisational requirements: the choice an organisation makes is not unchanging but varies according to the resources available on the external labor market. Decisions about how to achieve the qualification level the organisation is looking for: the choice makes affects the nature of the employer/employee relationship, the social climate, and the innovative ability of the organisation. An organisation, which wants to be effective, develops and realizes a recruitment strategy  to attract and hire more and best talents, who have the ability to perform job so that to support an execution of the company’ s business strategy. Top performing companies spend considerable resources and energy to create high-quality recruitment and selection systems. This linkage between HRM activities, the needs of the business, and organisational effectiveness is the core of the area called strategic human resource management (Schuler and Jackson, 1999). Wright and McMahan define strategic human resource management (SHRM) as: â€Å"the planned HR deployments and activities intended to enable [an organization] to achieve its goals† (1992, p. 298). Many researchers in the area of strategic human resource management have discussed the importance of having HRM practices supporting a firm’s strategy. For example, Schuler and Jackson (1987) argue that HRM practices can c reate or enhance competitive advantage by fostering and reinforcing role behaviors that help to lower cost and / or strengthen product differentiation. They successfully illustrate how different practices could support each of Porter’s (1980)

Urbanization essay 2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Urbanization 2 - Essay Example and the modern, bustling city of Toronto, has earned it a tourist destination reputation not only among nearby Canadian provinces but also to people outside the national boundaries. Through the years, the attractions offered by The Beaches has developed it into an urbanized neighborhood characterized by its highly diverse cultural structure, moderately dense population and its proximity to the rest of the city. According to the 2006 statistics released by the Social Policy Analysis & Research Section in the Social Development, Finance and Administrative Division of the city of Toronto, the Beaches has a total population of 20, 420. Furthermore, the statistics show that a large component of its population belongs to the working age, viz., 25-64% (see Fig. 1). Thus, a visit to The Beaches, especially its more busy areas like the Queen Street East strip, during the daytime on weekends reveals this evident demographic constitution: couples in their mid-forties, and middle-aged individuals can be found packing its numerous restaurants, diners and cafes and skimming through shops and grocery stores. There is a comparatively lesser presence of teen-agers and the younger set except for the occasional little children and babies in strollers out on the side streets with adults hovering over and walking with them. As a matter of fact according to the same statistics, only 10% of the population belong s to the age group 15-24, while children from ages 0 to 14 constitute 17% of it. Compared to the rest of Toronto, The Beaches has lower number of individuals in the age group of 15-24, higher number of children from ages 0 to 4 and lower number of children in the 5-14 age group. On the other hand, individuals whose ages range from and up constitute just a mere 9% of The Beaches population lower by comparison to the rest of Toronto. Looking at the gender distribution in The Beaches neighborhood, no one sex group seems to dominate the neighborhood as there is an equal number,

The Impact of Inward Foreign Direct Investment on Host Countries Essay

The Impact of Inward Foreign Direct Investment on Host Countries - Essay Example According to the research findings, Foreign Direct Investment has over the last three decades aroused conflicting responses from the first and third world. In essence, FDI gives the investor the power to operate a company in another country for the long term. Developed host countries are not too welcome to the idea on the premise that they fear foreign firms will end up dominating their local firms. In contrast to this, developing countries are more welcome to the idea on the grounds that FDI will bring additional capital, expertise and new technology into their country. Host countries record FDI flows as liabilities along with similar items in their balance of payments. In host countries like these FDI flows make up a large percentage of the total investment in the economy as compared to more developed countries; the effects of FDI on these countries differ as well, with developing countries showing a steady growth trend as compared to developed countries who showed boom and bust cy cles as a result of engaging in FDI. Growth is normally measured by looking at the trends in per capita GDP growth. Analysts relate FDI to per capita to GDP growth by looking at figures of gross FDI inflows and FDI inflows per capita to see if they have any impact on the economic growth of a country. Research has revealed a positive relationship between FDI levels and growth levels in an economy, in some cases, these results have been insignificant as well but these variables have never shared a negative relationship. The extraneous variable has a magnitude changing effect on this relationship. It has been seen that the more developed a country is, the better and greater positive effect FDI will have on its economic growth. Most studies that have analyzed the impact of FDI on the economic growth of the host country have found the results to be pretty elusive. Most established relationships are based specifically on the host country’s own specific economic characteristics. Thu s it is difficult to generalize these effects and apply them to other countries as the findings of a study. However, the probable effects are not completely elusive, as the endogenous growth theory provides a framework for the positive linkage between growth and FDI inflows.

Establish the terms of the contract between Yardly and BALIOL Case Study

Establish the terms of the contract between Yardly and BALIOL - Case Study Example It could be said that a fiduciary relationship is found where one party reasonably places his trust and reliance in another party to act in a loyal manner conducive to his best interests. However, useful though that definition could prove, Jill Martin may be being more realistic where she says that 'it may sometimes appear that the defendant may classified as a fiduciary, or not, in order to achieve the desired result.' As such the judiciary's approach to the fiduciary relationship might be best understood as an example of a purposive approach to the law where they have attempted to give effect to the spirit of the law as opposed to any strict definition. Under the rule in Keech v Sandford it is assumed that a fiduciary acts voluntarily and cannot charge for their time and trouble , but the law has long recognised that some fiduciary relationships require remuneration of some sort and it would be nave to suppose otherwise. In Robinson v Pett it was held that if a fiduciary could show a specific entitlement to remuneration they would receive it and similarly a fiduciary will receive any out of pocket expenses incurred doing business in their fiduciary capacity . If in a trust situation the beneficiaries are all sui juris and there is no possibility of undue influence they may agree to the trustee being paid. Under s29 of the Trustee Act 2000 a trust corporation is entitled to receive reasonable remuneration if there is nothing specifying otherwise, and a professional trustee who is neither the sole trustee, nor a corporation, may also receive such remuneration if all the other trustees consent in writing. The court also has an inheren t jurisdiction to order payment of fiduciaries if it feels that such payment is reasonable In most fiduciary relationships where remuneration is involved there will be an express clause, either in the trust instrument (which professional trustees can insert following the Trustee Act 2000), the articles by through which one party becomes a fiduciary, or in the contract of employment as in the case of a solicitor, thus circumventing the rule that a fiduciary may not make a profit. BY the rule of Equity, it clearly states that: "It is an inflexible rule of Equity that a person in a fiduciary position is not, unless expressly provided, entitled to make a profit; he is not allowed to put himself in a position where his interest and duty conflict." With Yardley's case, he violated the rule of Equity wich includes that trustee's have a duty not to make an unauthorised profit. However it is felt that the rigorous application of the rule can inflict considerable hardship, often in cases where it may seem somewhat unjust to do so. Unauthorized profit is defined as unlawful use of money or assets beyond the original agreed upon terms or purpose of the money or asset. It is necessary to investigate if Yardley purchased any properties or assets during the time of his departure from the company including the amounts of each asset or property. The basic rule that fiduciary is not allowed to make an unauthorised profit was established in the case of Yardley v BALIOL where there was a dispute over the company money entrusted to YArdley for wage management of the same company. In this case a trustee held the money on trust for a

Immigration and education Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Immigration and education - Research Paper Example om transportation to unofficial immigrants under 31 years of age; arrived in the United States earlier of age 16; have always been in the country for at least five years of residence; having not been sentenced for any crime, presently in school, having advanced from high school, or functioned in the U.S army. Thus the Obama administration is better to move on with immigration reforms which included: the immigration reform system legalized so as to function more successfully, taking precise response to labor market, thus, enhancing U.S effectiveness. Reinstates the reliability of immigration laws through an implementation system which disheartens managers and workers from their external action of the lawful system, safeguards Americas boundaries, and charges substantial consequences in touch with those who disrupt the guidelines; Proposes a just, caring, and arranged technique to permit numerous of the coarsely millions of migrants presently residing unlawfully in the U.S to receive the legal rights of living in the country. This is worth implementation since the immigrants could aid in increasing the U.S economy as they are very hard working persons, Registration of these immigrants with contextual authorizations would certify that we know who is here and will allow the U.S powers to pay attention to implementation properties on criminal essentials and safety pressures instead of meticulous intimate memberships. The possibility for getting a national policy failure sometimes can be explained by partisan actions. The September 11 outbreaks still a possible immigration reform package in its ways. Before the outbreak, President George W. Bush meeting with Mexican president, Vicente Fox, a number of times discussing about the Latinos becoming the significant individuals of swing voters known for nowadays ,hence calling for consensual immigration reforms. Subsequent to the bomber attacks, nevertheless, immigration implementation turn out to be identical with

The Boeing 747 Jet Versus the BAe-Aerospatiale Concorde Coursework

The Boeing 747 Jet Versus the BAe-Aerospatiale Concorde - Coursework Example Why build planes so big? The major reason is to carry more people for the same amount of money in the same amount of time, thus creating a profit which is the goal of every big business. The bottom dollar counts and so does the top dollar. But while some lines of big jumbo jets have been successful, other designs have not been so lucky and it is important to understand why one design worked and the other didn’t. For this paper, a study of two plane designs is reviewed: the Boeing 747, a continuously successful company design, now in several versions of the original, and the BAe-Aerospatiale Concorde, now defunct. At the heart of these two planes are the project structures of each and why one was a success and the other a failure. Every product and every service has a project plan that shows goals and how the project is to be managed along the way to the final goal. The truth is that sometimes everything can be well-thought out in a project management plan yet there can be a li ttle monkey wrench thrown into the mix that was never seen or envisioned, and a perfectly designed plan can go right down the drain in a flash (Noland 2012a). The Boeing 747 As commercial airlines began growing in business with more and more people taking to the skies in the 1950s and 1960s, Boeing moved to the forefront in the commercial airlines industry by providing the Boeing 707 in 1958. The 707 carried about 200 passengers and, with an eye towards profits, the concept for the 747 was roughed out which would carry 400 passengers. In fact, the design was initially based on one done for the Air Force’s C-5 military mega-lifter competition between airline designers to see who could build the most efficient heavy-load carrier for that time. While Boeing lost out to Lockheed in the military contest, Pan American Airline’s president Juan Trippe was already looking for a design in a plane that could carry 400 passengers. Boeing just happened to have the right design hand y that could be modified into a 400-passenger commercial plane. Pan Am subsequently ordered 25 747s for $550 million and the project was on (Noland 2012a). The New Boeing 747-8F in Flight Fig. 1(Boeing 2012) The 747 Project As sometimes happens in monumental decisions, the order was in and paid for, yet where to build it was another question that had to be solved quickly. With a plane this size, no current factory was large enough to contain it so one had to be built, and quickly. Time was money and Boeing began a massive building structure in Everett, Washington which would encompass 200 million cubic feet, twice the size of the Houston Astrodome, and would cost twice as much as the fee paid by Pan Am for the planes. Boeing invested $1 billion in constructing the building before even investing in materials to build the plane itself. Already operating at a loss, if the plane as a whole, failed, then so would Boeing (Noland 2012a). Yet the target was the market gain that could be mad e if the plane was successful. It was a huge investment for the future, albeit a somewhat risky one when considering how much in debt Boeing began with in terms of the project cost.

Business Strategies of the USA and UK concerning Iraq and Afghanistan Essay

Business Strategies of the USA and UK concerning Iraq and Afghanistan - Essay Example The banks faced the consequences of believing that the credit boom will go on forever which resulted in banks giving more and more â€Å"suicide loans† ranging to 120% of the house value (Macwhirter, 2008). The regulators like Financial Services Authority (UK) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (US) were unable to track the situation. They were in the awe of the banking sector and interpreted they knew what they were doing but their interpretation received a jolt as soon as the financial world was engulfed by the web of recession.The Banking crisis affected almost all the countries in the world but there were some exceptions like, if we look at the Indian Banking Sector, we will see it crunched a bit at the time of the crisis, but it stood firm after that. Indian financial sector’s huge dependency on US was evident that it would be largely affected by the crisis. Many were of view that the effect would be huge. It was told that the banking sector would suffer , as the companies and the household sector in India definitely felt the pinch of the crisis in the US. (Rammohan, 2010). But unlike the US and UK the Indian banks were stronger in dealing with the situation and succeeded in it. Firstly, it was due to the ability to maintain spreads- return on advance minus cost of funds. The Indian banks have been able to do so because of the high proportion of current and savings account (Casa) deposits. The current accounts have zero interest payment and savings account has a low interest payment on them. This way the banks have been able to minimize the cost. Secondly, the banks have been able to generate income from fee-based services such as sale of mutual funds and insurance products. The large untapped customer base helps to increase the income of the banks. Thirdly, the slowdown has not resulted in the increase of provisions in the rising NPAs. The deceleration of growth rate of 9% to 7% is not a disaster. The Indian companies entered the s lowdown with solid financials, which was not a bubble like that of the US. It was more of a genuine case of higher growth and demand. Fourthly, the Indian banks invested in Government securities in good proportions, which helped in maintaining profit levels at the times of crisis.

Bad School System Essay Example for Free

Bad School System Essay What are schools doing for us? If nothing then what can we do to improve them? I think they aren’t doing anything. I have never really thought about this idea until I started research. I think that I am fairly smart, but it is more of after school rather than school itself. I was watching a TED TALK from Ken Robinson and he was talking about how schools kill creativity. He talks about how schools are good at making people who do their jobs successfully. He also says that those same people are doing that job because they don’t have any other choice. By showing this he is trying to show that school kills creativity. Salman Khan the founder of Khan Academy talks about how students don’t get to work on their own pace. Dave Eggers the founder of 826 Valencia talks about how students need 1-1 attention to learn their talents. Ken Robinson has many different videos on school all talking about how school has problems that need to be solved. The one that I watched was â€Å"Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity†. He talks about how school trains you in a way that creates a fear of making mistakes. He says, â€Å"If you’re not prepared to be wrong, then you will never be original†. We are being educated out of creativity. Teachers are not ready to have things be wrong. When grading test or any kind of work there is no such thing as maybe, it is just right or wrong. There are always those kids who are over the top smart and there are those kids that are very creative but not as smart. In this scenario you know that the kid who has the brains is going to get the popularity. Nobody is going to go to the creative kid for help even though he/she might have something worth saying. Then those creative kids will also have to adapt to the school system and eventually lose their creativity. Salman Khan has one very important video on TED and it talks about how students do really get to learn on their own pace in school. The TED TALK is called â€Å"Let’s use video to reinvent education†. In this video he talks about his website www.Khanacademy.com. In this website he has different topics for which he has videos for. He also has sort of an online learning system on the same website. In that learning system they want you to master different concepts that you are having trouble with. So they show you videos on how to do the problem then set you on your own. If you still don’t have perfection then they allow you to repeat. They want you to master the concept by letting you do the whole process as many times as you like. By this you are allowed to learn at your own pace. In school you learn a chapter take a test then move on. Even if you didn’t understand you move on, also the students who get like 90 to 99.9% they still might have some problems that they didn’t understand. I also experienced Khan Academy, I have an account and I am always using it when I need help on something. Dave Eggers has one video on TED and it talks about why students are happier to go to tutoring rather than school itself. In his TED TALK â€Å"Once Upon a School† he shows the audience of a place that he created called 826 Valencia. This is a shop that he founded in which he connected a newspaper editor center, a pirate shop, and a after school tutoring center. He says that students come there running after school to do homework. That’s not really something that you think of. The students get help on any HW especially their English homework. He has his Newspaper crew and volunteers help students 1-1 on HW. He has students write books and then publishes the books. He says that students need 1-1 time with whomever they are working with. In school students don’t really get 1-1 time during school to talk about things that they are having trouble with and stuff like that. In a year he has over 1,400 volunteers helping run 826 Valencia. He thinks that if students are able to have 1-1 time with teachers on their work then they would be more creative. They students would never know if they were doing well or if they needed to improve in certain areas. If you haven’t watched this TED TALK them I recommend every one the watch it. All three of these guys show great ways to improve the School system. These guys are already doing it outside of school, which shows that our School System isn’t really great. There are many problems with our School System we just never think about them as students. You would never think that School would kill your creativity, but when you think about it†¦

The roles of three different people at John Lewis in the Sales Department Essay Example for Free

The roles of three different people at John Lewis in the Sales Department Essay We asked the Caroline ODonovan the Human Resources Training Manager to tell us about three different jobs in the same department. Here is the information she gave us. John Lewis is run on certain Principles that all staff have to keep to: * By a clear understanding of what the employer expect of them and what there duties are. * commutate clearly and regularly to ovoid misunderstandings. * Know they rites and responsibilities within the business this is what they are entitled to and what they must take responsibility for. Purpose The Partnerships ultimate purpose is the happiness of all its members, through their worthwhile and satisfying employment in a successful business. Because the Partnership is owned in trust for its members, they share the responsibilities of ownership as well as its rewards profit, knowledge and power. Power Power in the Partnership is shared between three governing authorities, the Central Council, the Central Board and the Chairman. Profit The Partnership aims to make sufficient profit from its trading operations to sustain its commercial vitality, to finance its continued development and to distribute a share of those profits each year to its members, and to enable it to undertake other activities consistent with its ultimate purpose. Members The Partnership aims to employ people of ability and integrity who are committed to working together and to supporting its Principles. Relationships are based on mutual respect and courtesy, with as much equality between its members as differences of responsibility permit. The Partnership aims to recognise their individual contributions and reward them fairly. Job Descriptions These are the details of what an employee is expected to do at John Lewis. People are given a job description when they apply for a job so they know what they are applying for. At John Lewis the job descriptions include: * Job Title * Who they are responsible to * Status eg, Non-management * Main purpose * Job responsibilities John Lewis do not use person specifications. These state the personal qualities and qualifications that the applicants need to do the job. John Lewis say they discuss these things but do not give them out to staff as official documents. At John Lewis jobs are split into sales or non-sales jobs. In the selling department there are actually four different levels of jobs: 1. Assistant Sales Cashier 2. Sales Cashier 3. Section Manager 4. Selling Department Manager The three jobs we are looking at are Sales Cashier, Section Manager and Selling Department Manager. As the jobs get higher up the scale there are more responsibilities to that job. 1. Job title: Sales Cashier-sports equipment department Responsible to: Department Manager Status: Non-Management I have chosen the sports equipment store to do my project on. The job description( in italics) is what has been set for the staff and the meaning next to it(non italics): * Provide courteous and informed customer service and sell the merchandise by knowing the stock and relating it to customer needs. This means that the partners in that department will have to know all of the stock what product is best for a peculiar purpose and whats the best product for the customers. (Not meaning the most expensive product). If the member of staff is slightly unsure which is the best product then he/she will get another member who would Know. * To maintain the housekeeping standards of the department by keeping the fixtures and displays clean and well stocked with a balanced assortment. This means that the partners will have to keep a regular check on the stock and make sure when one is sold the same item is replaced on the shelf. Also to check equipment is not tampered with. * To complete monetary and credit transactions within procedure outlined in Instruction for the use of Cash Registers * To maintain the housekeeping standards of the department by keeping the fixtures and displays. clean and well stocked with a balanced assortmen.t * To assist with the preparation and execution of stocktaking * * To maintain security of cash, cash registers, sales checks and stock within the department. This is to have a partner always around the tills so that nothing will happen. Be aware of shoplifters. * To observe the Partnerships written rules and regulations particularly in relation to general behaviour to colleagues, customers and others, standards of dress, security, stock handling, discount, fire and emergency procedures. * To carry out duties required regularly or occasionally, according to the circumstances and guidance of the Department Manager. * Benefits: à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½5 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½6 per hour depending on experience 2. Job title: Section Manager Responsible to Department Manager Main Purpose To assist in the management of the department by planning, organising and supervising the activities of the team; to ensure a high standard of service is maintained at all times. 1. Plan organise and supervise the activities of the team. (a) Plan and manage office floor cover. (b) Organise priorities and allocate tasks to match resources. (c) Review task completion against task allocation. (d) Coach on work performance to Partners. (e) Plan organise and supervise exceptional events as directed e.g. Stocktaking and Clearance. 2. Ensure Partners advise and sell to customers. (a) Monitor Partners selling skills. (b) Monitor Partners produce knowledge. (c) Encourage promotion of customer services. 3. Contribute to developing and maintaining customer service. (a) Develop and maintain positive relationships with customers. (b) Investigate and deal with customer complaints. (c) Control the procedure for dealing with complaints. (d) Maintain the Partnerships trading policy. (e) Identify, suggest and implement improvements to customer service. 4. Evaluate and monitor the receipt of payments from customers for goods and services. (a) Evaluate takings practices and procedures, (b) Monitor takings practices and processes at cash point. 5. Contribute to the continuous improvement of the department (a) Identify opportunities for solving problems and improving the department. (b) Recommend improvements for the department. Contribute to the implementation of improvements to the department. 6. Present and promote stock Maintain Partnerships display and merchandise standards. Organise, monitor and evaluate promotions of stock to increase sales. (c) Organise, monitor and evaluate the display of stock. 7. Maintain the availability of stock (a) Maintain stock availability. (b) Recommend measures to improve stock availability. (c) Monitor and assess stock levels against requirements. 8. Supervise the receipt and storage of goods (a) Supervise, organise and maintain stockholding areas. (b) Monitor and maintain stock movements. 9. Create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships (a) Create and enhance productive working relationships with your team and colleagues. (b) Maintain and enhance productive working relationships with your manager. (c) Identify and minimise conflict within your team. 10. Contribute to the training and development of your team. (a) Contribute to planning the training and development of your team. (b) Contribute to the training and development of your team. (c) Contribute to the assessment of training. (d) Take responsibility for your development. 11. Contribute to a secure safe and healthy workplace. (a) Implement procedures to maintain the security of cash and stock. (b) Monitor losses and investigate identified problems. (c) Assess and control risks to health and safety. (d) Implement procedures to deal with threats to security, health and safety. 12. Promote Partnership principles and practices. (a) Provide information to Partners on councils, committees and Partnership Social activities. (b) Maintain Partnership Rules and Regulations. (c) To assist with the preparation and execution of stocktaking. (d) To observe the Partnerships written rules and regulations particularly in relation to general behaviour to colleagues, customers, and others, standards of dress, security, stock handling, discount, fire and emergency procedures. (e) To carry out duties, required regularly or occasional, according to circumstances and guidance of Department Manager. 3. Job title: Selling Department Manager Responsible to : Head of Branch Main Purpose: To optimise sales, reputation and profitability of the department and branch through the management of resources and the development of Partners, ensuring we deliver quality customer service and exploit the opportunities presented by the merchandise. This is to be achieved within the spirit, policies and written regulations of the Partnership. 1. Maximise the sales performance of the department Use space and group merchandise effectively Offer the right stock Present stock to the best effect Ticket merchandise to aid customer selection Promote merchandise Maintain a clean and tidy, well stocked department Generate commercial awareness within the team 2. Contribute to the profitability of the selling department and branch by controlling wastage and costs Minimise known and unknown wastage Minimise costs to the department and branch 3. Maintain and improve customer service Evaluate performance against agreed standards of customer service Identify, agree and implement improvements to standards of customer service Manage and evaluate customer complaints and take steps to minimise them 4.Control the Stock Management System Monitor stock control information to ensure stock levels meet expected sales Establish and maintain the correct balance of stock assortment with buyers Evaluate the effectiveness of arrangements for receiving, marking off and distributing stock for the department Organise the stocktaking operation Monitor and control staffing resources within an agreed budget Plan and agree staff estimate and pay review Contribute to the selection of new recruits Monitor and control the department staff costs within estimate Encourage and maintain a learning and development culture for self, team and individuals to improve personal performance and achieve business objectives Take responsibility for own development and learning Develop section manager Develop the team Manage the development of individuals Support off the job learning opportunities to ensure Partners needs are identified and met Create, maintain and develop effective working relationships Establish and maintain trust and support of Parnters Establish and maintain positive relationship with branch and central management colleagues Identify and manage conflict Implement disciplinary and grievance procedures Provide support and guidance to deal with unacceptable performance Manage continuous improvement in the department Encourage Partners to contribute to the continuous improvement of the department. Visualise change Use stock control systems to develop our business Match stock to customer profiles Create administration systems to develop our business Raise Partners awareness of commercial developments Identify and manage proposals to improve the department Maintain the security, health and safety of the working environment Control and monitor all aspects of security for cash, stocks and Partners Organise, monitor and update Risk Assessment in the department Minimise risks to health and safety of Partners and customers Maintain and promote an interest in partnership principles and practices Encourage Partners to demonstrate a sense of responsibility as members of a democratically owned business Generate and sustain teams interest in, and knowledge of Partnership matters Maintain all Partnership Rules and Regulations and ensure individuals in team do likewise

Human Resource Management the employer employee relationship

Human Resource Management the employer employee relationship The main focal point of human resource management (HRM) is on managing people within the employer-employee relationship, in more specific terms, it involves the productive use of people in accomplishing the firms strategic business objectives and the satisfaction of individual employee needs. As HRM is a strategic process incorporating the interests of the firm and the individuals, it goes far beyond a set of activities co-ordinating human resources related practices. HRM specifically is a major contributor to the success of an enterprise because it is in a key position to affect customers, business results and ultimately shareholder value (Gubman, 1995; Wright, McMahan McWilliams, 1994). HRM in a sense is classified as management, but management is more than HRM. HRM is only a sector of management which deals with individuals, whereas management also includes other functions that is marketing, research and development, etc. Managers manage people and the role of the HR Manger is somewhat changing and becoming more relevant to organisations due to our fast paced and growing society. Due to the changing trends within technology, diversity, ethics and globalisation it creates a perception of what functions the modern HR manger undertakes in order to react to competition and create organisational success. Some companies might consider the role of a HR manager to be only a minor driving force of their strategic objectives, whereas others may argue this case and indicate the increasing role that the HR manager plays in their strategic success. By defining the concept of HRM with relations to strategic business and people relations hopefully, this will give you a greater understanding of the roles that a HR manager performs in the workforce. 2) Summary of articles: In a paragraph or two for each study, briefly explain the purpose, how it was conducted (how information was gathered), and the major findings. When referring to an article, use the last name of author or authors and date of publication in the text. Example: Calvin and Brommel (1996) believe family communication. Communication serves two primary functions in familiescohesion and adaptability (Galvin and Brommel, 1996). The role of the HR manager has been and is still currently changing drastically. We see that the concept of HRM has gone through many transformations in order to get to the current HRM practices that are followed today. Its origins erected from the Industrial Revolution where the workers did not have any protection and undertook dull jobs. As an expansion from this concept an adoption of Taylorism which seen jobs being broken down into various elements in which was the most efficient way of performing the job. Post Taylorism the Trade Union movement involved the collective bargaining process and combated against unfair labour practices and introduced laws with relevance to pay and benefits. This idea was later enhanced by the Human Relations movement and driven by Elton Mayo which identified that there are vast psychological and social factors that affect the performance of an employee, thus resulting in the productivity output. We see now that the Human Resources approach dominates the workplaces, which is based on job satisfaction and motivating employees. This new philosophy within the HR context which focuses on the long term approaches and adopts encourages the dual contribution of management and employees in order to achieve the strategic goals of the organisations.In the recent past, many organisations thought of the HR role as simply a support service to the real operations departments of the firm (Buhler, 1999). There was a period when the majority of human resource activity was in processing the payroll, so that the human resource section formed part of the Finance and Administration department (Santiago, 2003). Stone (2008) indicates that as HRM becomes more business oriented and strategically focused in which four methods of HR can help deliver organisational excellence (Ulrich, 1997). Firstly, HR should assist with the strategic implementation with the firm (Strategic Partner). Secondly, the efficiency and effectiveness should be contributed by HR in order to increase the performance of work and as an outcome maintain the quality and be cost effective (Administrative Expert). Moreover, ensure that there is a balance of representation towards employees and senior management in order to ensure that employees contribute to the organisation to express commitment to the organisation (Employee Champion). Lastly, HR should, on a regular basis, assist in the changing process to enhance the organisations capacity to grow and react to competition (Change Agent). According to Ulrich (1997), the key to the HR role as a strategic partner is the participation of HR in the process of defining business strategy, not merely responding to the strategy edicts presented by senior management. HR professionals play a strategic partner role when they have the ability to translate business strategy into action (Ulrich, 1997). In a sense, this makes leverage or way for the HR manager and facilitates them into the business team. In other words, the HR manager must be able develop business like acumen and adapt their expertise and skills and link them to the business strategy to HR policies and practices. Alas, (Nankervis, 2000) that the strategic partner role is not being fulfilled, research indicates that executives position such as CEOs do not adequately involve their HR managers within the business strategy field. P9:50. There is an awareness that proves that there is a necessity and growing need for the HR managers to become active in the strategic leve l and identify that that the significance of HRM have a competitive advantage. P9:53 (Fisher and Dowling). In saying that practices and policies in HR need to be sophisticatedly up to date and consistently need to be reviewed so that it doesnt lead to alienation, reduced motivation and labour unrest (Jackson, 2002) P9:52. Evidently Australia comparing its statistics on a global scale (McCaw and Harley, 2003) they are behind or in other words lagging. P9:51 Administrative expert = refers to the efficiency of HR managers and the effective management of HR activities (i.e. RS, TD, PM, Rewarding) so that they create value Ulrich (1997) outlines that HR professionals must be able to re-engineer HR activities through use of technology, rethinking and redesigning work processes and the continuous improvement of all organisational processes; see HR as creating value, and measure HR results in terms of efficiency )cost and effectiveness (quality) P9:54 Employee champion = requires the HR manager to be the employees voice in management discussions Be able to meet needs of employees Ulrich (1997) achievable by being employees voice in management discussion by being fair and principled, assuring that the concerns of employees are being hears, finding new resources to perform jobs successfully. P10:56 Change agent = a person who acts as a catalyst for change In other words the channel for change in the org. or firm Can be achieved through (Brockbank, Ulrich, 1994) leading change in HR functions and by developing problem solving communication and influence skills. In other words how to manage change A past CEO of Sharp once said all companies have access to the same information and the same technology. The true difference in our firms, he suggested, is found in our people (Buhler, 1999). People are the core of a companys competitive success in the marketplace, and this is where the HR department becomes critical to a firms success (Buhler, 1999). The HR departments today are emphasising higher value activities with company wide benefits that add value to the organisation (Buhler, 1999). Achieving organisational excellence must be the work of HR (Ulrich, 1998). The work of HR cannot be disconnected from the real work of the firm, but rather must be clearly integrated with the work of the business More organisations are restructuring their human resource departments to reflect the true partnership with operational managers throughout the firm (Buhler, 1999). Some organisations choose to structure in a more centralised manner with a corporate HR department that supports each of the strategic business units Including specialists providing service to SBUs This structure allows for HR employees to become resident experts in their given field and the managers throughout the organisation benefit from this expertise (Buhler, 1999). The most important part of the role change for HR is change in perspective of managers, meaning managers must view their HR counterparts as true strategic partners rather than as administrative support appendages to the company (Buhler, 1999). When managers utilise their human resource partners to their full extent, they can realise much higher levels of performance in their own units (Buhler, 1999) The recognition that all managers in the firm are essentially HR managers (Buhler, 1999). There is a relationship between line managers and HR professionals (staff) which has been viewed as adversarial in the past (Buhler, 1999). Today however, the new perspective requires each side perceive the relationship as an interdependent one, one whereby each needs each other (Buhler, 1999). Saul conducted as part of Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills (1995) found major changes in the work and job design of first line supervisors. They found there had been a major shift in their role from cop to coach. This required a significant increase in leadership, communication, interpersonal and learning competencies. It also required them to be proactive and resourceful problems solvers In addition, the role of the HR departments is being transformed as line managers assume greater responsibility for a number of people management activities and as HR specialists focus more closely on integrating HR and corporate strategy. (Kramar 1999) In view of the ongoing debate about the future of HR managers and departments (Pfeffer, 1994: 190-6) it will be increasingly important for HR professionals to demonstrate how they contribute to organisational effectiveness in both the short and long term. Today, HR departments are expected to contribute to organisational performance (Ettore, et al., 1996; Fitz-enz, 1994; Matthes, 1993) and many organisations now believe that the success of the strategic management process largely depends on the extent to which the HR function is involved (Butler, et al., 1991) To better manage this human factor, organisations continue to move toward a SHRM approach (Martell and Carroll, 1995). SHRM refers to the pattern of planned HR deployments and activities intended to enable an organisation to achieve its goals (Wright and McMahan, 1992: 298). The trend towards and enlarged role for HR managers in strategic planning calls for researchers to gain a better understanding of the perceptions of HR managers regarding the effectiveness of their organisations and the factors they use to judge organisational effectiveness. (Zellars Fiorito, 1999) 3) Conclusion: Briefly summarize the major findings of the studies chosen. Comments about what questions need to still be answered may be included. 4) Reference List Ulrich, D. (1997) Harvard Resource Champions: The next agenda for adding value and delivery results, Boston, Harvard Business School Press Zellars, K.L. Fiorito, J., (1999), Evaluations of Organisational Effectiveness Among HR Managers: cues and implications, Journal of Managerial Issues, Vol. 11(1), pp. 37-55 Buhler, P.M. (1999), Managing in the 90s the changing role of HR, partnering with managers SuperVision. vol. 60(6), pp. 16-18. Wright, P. G. McMahan, (1992). Theoretical Perspectives for Strategic Human Resource Management, Journal of Management, 18: 295-320 Butler, J., G. Ferris N. Napier, (1991) Strategy and Human Resource Management, Cincinnati, OH: Southernwestern Publishing Co. Matthes, K. S. Carroll, (1995), How Strategic is HRM? Human Resource Management, 34: 253-267 Ettore, B., D.J. McNerney B. Smith, (1996), HRs shift to a center of inflence, HR focus 73(6): 12 (5) Fitz-enz, J. (1994) HRs New Score Card, Personnel Journal, 73(2): 84(4) Gubman, E.L. (1995) People are more valuable than ever, Compensation and Benefits Review, 27(1), p.12; and Wright, P.M. McMahan, G.C., and McWilliams, A. (1994) Human Resources and sustained competitive advantage: a resource-based perspective, International Journal of Human Resource Management, 5(2), pp. 301-26. From architecture to audit Harvard Business Review (January-February 1998): Ulrich, Dave: A new Mandate for Human Resources Pfeffer, J. (1994), Competitive advantage through people. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press Pfeffer, J. (1997) Does Human resources have a future in D Ulrich, M. Losey and G. Lake (eds), Tomorrows HR management, (pp.190-6). New York: John Wiley Sons Sheldrake, P. Saul, P. (1995) First line managers: a study of the changing role and skills of first line managers. In industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills, Enterprising nation: renewing Australias managers to meet the challenges of Asia-Pacific Century. Karpin Report, Canberra-AGPS Kramar, R. (1999) Policies for managing People in Australia: what has changed in the 1990s, Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 37(24), pp. 26-32 Seven (7) dimensions of effective people management (HRM) that produce sustainability enhanced economic performance: Employment security Rigorous selection Self managed teams and decentralised decision making Comparatively high compensation linked to individual and organisational performance Extensive training Reduced status distinctions Extensive sharing of financial and performance information throughout the organisation Pfeffer (2008) P44 (8) Other indications of extensive research within the field illustrate that such high performance HR management policies and practices generate profitability gains, share price increases, higher company survival rates increase sales, higher export growth and lower labour turnover P44 (10) In other words the new sources of sustainable competitive advantage available to organisations have people at the centre their creativity and talent, their inspirations and hopes, their dreams and excitement (Stone, 2008) Stone (2008, P9) indicates that as HRM becomes more business oriented and strategically focused, four key roles for the HR manager can be identified: Strategic partner Administrative expert Employee champion Change agent Human resource management (HRM) is basically the policies and practices that influence employees behavior, attitudes, and performance within an organization. There are several important practices involved in HRM: analyzing work and designing jobs, attracting potential employees (recruiting), choosing employees (selection), teaching employees how to perform their jobs and preparing them for the future (training and development), evaluating their performance (performance management), rewarding employees (compensation), creating a positive work environment (employee relations), and supporting the organizations strategy (HR planning and change management) (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2007, p. 19). These practices have now begun to branch into the different trends that makeup many organizations today. E-business has been a huge part of human resources. A lot of companies have adopted a web-base system know as the Oracle Human Resources Management System (HRMS). This allows access to centralized workforce data through a core HRMS system not only enables companies to measure and leverage their workforce capabilities, it also allow them to manage risk by monitoring and recording compliance with statutory, regulatory, and industry requirements relating to their employees.(AME Info, n.d.). The stronger use of technology has allowed HRM professionals to invest more time in counseling, outreach, more careful selection, and coaching managers and front-line supervisors. Senior level human resource executives are being brought into the CEOs office as corporate leaders recognize how critical human resource capability is to their success. The growing integration of economies and societies around the world has resulted in most organization to rely on globalization. To guard against the downside of global competition, HRM must be more proactive in recruiting and maintaining a responsive and efficient work force. Planning should start at the early stages so that organizations do not bloat needlessly. Human resource managers must be able to map out human resource strategies such that flexible, dynamic employees are attracted, selected and then trained and motivated to be more productive than the competition (Santiago, in press). In every organization ethics should be include in business decisions as well as HRM decisions, but the evidence suggests that is not always what happens. Recent surveys indicate that the general public and managers do not have positive perceptions of the ethical conduct of U.S. businesses (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2007, p. 19). In the context of ethical human resource management, HR managers must view employees as having basic rights. Such a view reflects ethical principles embodied in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Ethical, successful companies act according to four principles. First, in their relationships with customers, vendors, and clients, ethical and successful companies emphasize mutual benefits. Second, employees assume responsibility for the actions of the company (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2007, p. 19). Third, such companies have a sense of purpose or vision that employees value and use in their day-to-day work. Finally, they emphasize fairness; that is, another persons interests count as much as their own (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2007, p. 19). HRM has a key role in transforming the organizational culture so that it more closely reflects the values of our diverse workforce. Some of the reason why diversity has become such a key word in human resources is that Women and minorities are now playing a significant role in society. Women are now major bread winners for the family as they takeover roles of leadership and decision making positions. A large majority of the working population now balances career responsibilities as well as dependent children. There is also an increased number of dual income families as well as changes made to the conventional family structure with single parent families (Small Business Bible, n.d.). Some of the skills needed to understand diversity are: an understanding and acceptance of managing diversity concepts, recognition that diversity is threaded through every aspect of management , self-awareness, in terms of understanding your own culture, identity, biases, prejudices, and stereotypes ,will ingness to challenge and change institutional practices that present barriers to different groups (Berkeley, n.d.). In conclusion, HRM policies and practices influence employees behavior, attitudes, and performance within an organization. Some companies might consider it to be an important part of the companys strategic plan as well as aiding in developing and implementing the organizational goals. It is safe to say that HRM is the key to helping organizations deal with the rapid change of technology, diversity, e-business, and ethics and growing demands to better serve customers and to better differentiate themselves from competitors.

Hop Frog as a Love Story Essay -- Hop Frog Essays

Hop Frog as a Love Story "Hop Frog", by Edgar Allan Poe, is a short story in which the title character, after enduring much abuse by the king, gets revenge in the end. Hop Frog is not only the king's jester, but is also a handicapped dwarf. The king perpetually berates Hop Frog and plays practical jokes on his poor jester. At one point, king and his seven ministers summon Hop Frog before them so that he may give them ideas for an upcoming masquerade. The king forces him to drink wine (which Hop Frog always has an adverse reaction to drinking) and becomes very upset at him. Hop Frog is saved only by the intercession of Trippetta, a woman from Hop Frog's own land and his only true friend. Trippetta succeeds, but only after suffering great humiliation at the hands of the king. Nevertheless, Hop Frog gives the eight an idea for their masquerade disguises. After tarring them, covering them with flax, and chaining them together, they have the rough appearance of eight orangutans, and Hop Frog leads them into the m asquerade. Here his vengeance plot unfolds, as he hoists the into the air and sets them on fire. He then makes his escape, probably with Trippetta and the two are never seen again. But this story is not just about escape from oppression. Instead, it is a love story, because Hop Frog’s entire course of action was inspired only by his love for Trippetta.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hop Frog had suffered through years of torment at the hands of the king. To begin with, Hop Frog was kidnapped from his own land and sent as a captive to the king. Hop Frog was made to suffer verbal abuse for his physical shortcomings and sufferings.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For example, he was given the insulting nickname of "Hop Frog", though ...through the distortions o... ...e being abused himself, but when his love is mistreated, something just snaps. His cool plot is created solely to avenge the injustice done upon Trippetta. If Hop Frog only wished to escape or to have revenge for his own trials, he would have just killed the king. But instead, he kills the king (committer of the injustice) and the ministers (who all laughed at the humiliation of Trippetta). He does so in a public forum so as to humiliate them in the way they humiliated his love. After inflicting his vengeance on these men, Hop Frog escapes with his love and they disappear from the kingdom. One can only assume that they returned to their homeland, but wherever they did go, they went there together. This truly is a love story. Works Cited: Poe, Edgar Allen. "Hop-Frog." Collective Works of Edgar Allen Poe. Ed. Thomas Ollive Mabbott. Massattusetes: Harvard, 1978.

The Death of Creativity in Brave New World :: Brave New World

The Death of Creativity in Brave New World      Ã‚  Ã‚   Aldous Huxley, in his distopian novel,Brave New World, presents a horrifying view of a possible future in which society has become a prisoner of the very technology it hoped would save us.   In Brave New World Huxley's distortion of technology, religion, and family values, is much more effective than his use of literary realism found in his depiction of a savage reservation. Through his use of distortion Huxley tells a classic tale with the theme of, be careful what you wish for, because it may not truly be what you wanted.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Huxley effectively uses distortion in -Brave New World through his depiction of social values of the future. For example, when Barnard Marx hears somebody talking about Lenina in the locker room, he becomes upset. Leaving the building, everyone he passes recommends soma for his bad mood. Huxley shows the reader that drug use is becoming more and more an acceptable way out for a weak society.   He is showing society that we are becoming emotionally incapable of dealing with pain and hurt. Furthermore, the students, while speaking with the director of the London Hatchery, are told at one time people were viviparous, and were disgusted and outraged. Huxley is trying to warn society that its lack of commitment and endurance will eventually be its downfall.   Lack of the experience of pregnancy severs the emotional ties of the woman and her child.   An emotionless society feels no guilt.   In addition, Lenina, when accused of lack of promiscuity by Fanny while in the locker room, religiously denies it. Monogamy requires commitment, pain, and work.   Huxley is predicting humans progressing to a society of people who are unable to focus on anything but pleasure; unable to handle the work of a commitment.   He knew the road we were on would lead the wrong way.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Huxley also uses distortion to open peoples eyes to the world of religion.   For example, Bernard Marx hurries and frets about being late to his orgy-porgy session because he is running behind.   Huxley's prediction of the church moving away from God and towards man is becoming evident even sixty-three years after his book appeared.   Church figures, such as, Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggert, have appeared numerous times on the news and in the papers for using the church for money and sex.   Furthermore, when Bernard and Lenina visit the reservation they are appalled at the practice of a cross of Christianity and Hinduism.  Ã‚   A warning that lack of religious tolerance could be one of the greatest downfalls of our time.

The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Essay -- Disorder Mutism Chi

The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Among the vast range of anxiety induced disorders that exist, Selective Mutism may be the most disabling to its victims. It has been estimated that approximately one in a thousand children suffer from this presumed psychiatric ailment wherein the ability to speak is limited to the household or other areas of comfort. (2) Public places and schools elicit so much anxiety within these children that their natural capacity to speak is suppressed. Once a child under five years of age exhibits the behavior described, for over a month, and without having other speech impeding barriers affecting them such as autism or a second language, he or she will most likely be diagnosed with selective mutism. (2) Many hypotheses have been posed as to what causes selective mutism, however, no determinate conclusions have been made. In most cases it has been proven that anxiety disorders are hereditary, thus, nearly all children who become selectively mute have family members who were afflicted with the same or more serious anxiety disorder, like obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, or social phobia. The fact that anxiety disorders pass through generations implies that brain chemistry is perhaps genetic or that serotonin levels are inherited. Other suggested causes of selective mutism have been speculated upon, however, little research has been instated. Abuse, neglect, extreme shyness, extremely embarrassing experiences like vomiting or having diarrhea in a classroom setting, or living in a home environment with exceptionally nervous parents may also lead to become selectively mute. These theorized causes tend to describe the background of children who have no similar disorders r unni... ...e Mutism Foundation, a support sight to better understand the disorder http://www.cisinternet.net/errorpages/404.shtml 3)Philadephia Page, a site with excerpts about selective mutism from the Philadelphia Inquirer https://registration.philly.com/reg/login.do?url=http://www.philly.com%2Fmld%2Finquirer%2Fliving%2Fhealth%2F3939354.htm 4)Selective Mutism UK, an interesting article about the seriousness of selective mutism http://www.selectivemutism.org/smg/ukarticle.htm 5)Anxiety-Panic Website, a site which describes several other anxiety disorders http://anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dicts.htm 6)Mental Health web page, a helpful site providing several articles about selective mutism http://www.mental-health-matters.com/ 7)Anxiety Network, illustrates well the treatment available for those selectively mute http://www.anxietynetwork.com/spsm.html The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Essay -- Disorder Mutism Chi The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Among the vast range of anxiety induced disorders that exist, Selective Mutism may be the most disabling to its victims. It has been estimated that approximately one in a thousand children suffer from this presumed psychiatric ailment wherein the ability to speak is limited to the household or other areas of comfort. (2) Public places and schools elicit so much anxiety within these children that their natural capacity to speak is suppressed. Once a child under five years of age exhibits the behavior described, for over a month, and without having other speech impeding barriers affecting them such as autism or a second language, he or she will most likely be diagnosed with selective mutism. (2) Many hypotheses have been posed as to what causes selective mutism, however, no determinate conclusions have been made. In most cases it has been proven that anxiety disorders are hereditary, thus, nearly all children who become selectively mute have family members who were afflicted with the same or more serious anxiety disorder, like obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, or social phobia. The fact that anxiety disorders pass through generations implies that brain chemistry is perhaps genetic or that serotonin levels are inherited. Other suggested causes of selective mutism have been speculated upon, however, little research has been instated. Abuse, neglect, extreme shyness, extremely embarrassing experiences like vomiting or having diarrhea in a classroom setting, or living in a home environment with exceptionally nervous parents may also lead to become selectively mute. These theorized causes tend to describe the background of children who have no similar disorders r unni... ...e Mutism Foundation, a support sight to better understand the disorder http://www.cisinternet.net/errorpages/404.shtml 3)Philadephia Page, a site with excerpts about selective mutism from the Philadelphia Inquirer https://registration.philly.com/reg/login.do?url=http://www.philly.com%2Fmld%2Finquirer%2Fliving%2Fhealth%2F3939354.htm 4)Selective Mutism UK, an interesting article about the seriousness of selective mutism http://www.selectivemutism.org/smg/ukarticle.htm 5)Anxiety-Panic Website, a site which describes several other anxiety disorders http://anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dicts.htm 6)Mental Health web page, a helpful site providing several articles about selective mutism http://www.mental-health-matters.com/ 7)Anxiety Network, illustrates well the treatment available for those selectively mute http://www.anxietynetwork.com/spsm.html

Parkinsons Disease

PD normally affects people over the age of 50. It becomes more common with increasing age. ‘About 5 in 1,000 people in their 60s and about 40 in 1,000 people in their 80s have PD'1. It affects both men and women but is a little more common in men. PD is not usually inherited, and can affect anyone. However, genetic factors may be important in the small number of people who develop the disease before the age of 50. PD therefore affects a lot of people in the UK and I have chosen this topic so I have a greater understanding of what they go through and how we can help those affected. Background: Biology of Parkinson's disease? Parkinson's disease is a chronic disorder of part of the brain called the substantia nigra. It mainly affects the way the brain co-ordinates the movements of the muscles in various parts of the body. This area of the brain sends messages down nerves in the spinal cord to help control the muscles of the body. Messages are passed between brain cells, nerves and muscles by chemicals called neurotransmitters. Dopamine is the main neurotransmitter that is made by the brain cells in the substantia nigra1.Muscular System: Muscle Metabolism In PD, cells in the substantia nigra are damaged and die. The cause is unknown. Over time, more and more cells become damaged and die. The more cells that are damaged the less dopamine is produced. The reduction of cells and the low level of dopamine in the cells in this part of the brain causes nerve messages to the muscles to become slowed and abnormal1. In the long term PD will ultimately lead to death. Causes We are still unsure of the causes of PD but here are the most likely and most talked about suggestions: 1. The hereditary form of PD occurs in fifteen per cent of cases2. The genes affected help clear nerve cells of excess proteins. Scientists are not sure but it is thought that when the ‘production process for protein manufacture breaks down, little clumps of ill-formed proteins begin to accumulate in cell' 17, causing cell death. Tests carried out on rats using rotenone imply that pesticides and toxins may lead to PD. The rats experienced shaking and a loss of muscle control as well as developing Lewy bodies (spherical lumps found in dying brain cells), which are commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. However, researchers are yet to find evidence for any definitive link to a particular toxin or drug in humans. 2. There seems to be a link between variants of the mitochondrial genes and PD. The Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda states that â€Å"mitochondrial dysfunction has numerous consequences, including energetic failure, generation of reactive oxygen species, disregulation of calcium homeostasis and induction of apoptosis, each of which may be important in Parkinson's disease†3. 3. High concentrations of free-radicals in the body and a lack of antioxidants. Free radicals damage cells and if too many dopamine-producing cells were damaged then this could lead to PD. Antioxidants prevent the production of free radicals and repair damage done by them. Symptoms and effects There is no easy test to diagnose PD, so it is diagnosed by ruling out other diseases and looking for the classic symptoms: * Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)1. It will become more of an effort to walk or get out bed. People may just think they are getting old and it is not till other symptoms develop that you may think about PD. * Stiffness of muscles (rigidity) and muscles may feel tenser. Also, your arms do not tend to swing as much when you walk. * Shaking (tremor) is common, but does not always occur. It normally affects the fingers, thumbs, hands, and arms, but can affect other parts of the body. It is most noticeable when you are resting and may become worse when you are anxious or emotional. It's generally less obvious when you use your hand to do something such as picking up an object or writing. Symptoms will tend to get worse and worse and as the disease develops. Some other symptoms may develop due to problems with the way affected brain cells and nerves control the muscles. These include: * Fewer facial expressions such as smiling or frowning. Less blinking. * Difficulty with fine movements such as tying shoe laces or buttoning shirts. * Difficulty with writing (handwriting tends to become smaller), balance and posture and swallowing. * Speech may become slow and monotonous. * Tiredness aches and pains. As PD gets really bad, symptoms such as the following might develop, dependant on the individual: * Constipation- †PD prevents the proper transmission of the neurological messages that tell the rectal sphincter muscles to open†7 * Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or smelling things that are not real) * Sweating- PD can affect the autonomic nervous system8 that controls the autonomic functions (functions done automatically by the brain and body without conscious thought) such as sweating, breathing etc. * Difficulties with sleeping * Weight loss- there is a generally decreased appetite associated with PD. This may largely be due to swallowing difficulties and other gastrointestinal disturbances8 * Pain * Depression & Anxiety- anxiety disorders occur in up to 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD)9. The article states †Current evidence suggests that anxiety may not be a psychological reaction to the illness but rather may be linked to specific neurobiological processes accompanying PD.† * Problems with controlling impulses (for example compulsive eating, shopping or gambling) Most people will only suffer form a few of these symptoms and which ones will get worse and the speed at which they get worse varies hugely from person to person. Some rare brain diseases can have very similar symptoms in which case a specialist brain scan can often be used to distinguish between them. The Treatments At the moment there is no cure for PD and most treatments simply have the job of relieving symptoms. 1. Drugs Intro: there are two main types of drug used in PD treatment. Firstly, drugs that target the neurotransmitter systems (e.g. dopamine) or secondly drugs that are designed to interfere with steps in the neurodegenerative processes (they may aim to sustain nerve cells or tackle the issue of free radicals). Drugs are cheap and effective, especially in relieving symptoms but show little potential as a full cure to the disease. Most also need to be taken daily for the remainder of a patients lifetime. Many drugs may have minor side affects. Some side affects have social impacts such as mood swings or may not allow the user to fly or travel to certain places. Dopaminergic Agents- use to activate the production or use of Dopamine. Levodopa- is an amino acid that is converted in the brain into dopamine. According to the WE MOVE website10 ‘Levodopa was introduced as a PD therapy in the 1960s, and remains the most effective therapy for motor symptoms' although there are many drugs that do a similar job such as Rasagiline. It reduces the effect of and helps control the symptoms of PD. Like most amino acids levodopa is absorbed into the blood stream through the wall of the intestines. Amino acids require a ‘transporter' to transfer them across the membrane of the intestines and into the blood stream. These transporters can only work at a certain rate and so diet is important. To much dietary protein can slow the transport of levodopa into the blood stream meaning the dose may be ineffective. Alternatively to avoid the competition with other amino acids, doses should be taken between meals. Levodopa has to cross from the blood stream into the brain using the same transport system again, making diet and timing doubly important. MAO-B Inhibitors- slow the breakdown of dopamine in the brain and aim to prevent or slow the death of neurons. ‘MAO is responsible for the mitochondrial metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin.'11 Ethical implications Some of the many ethical issues revolve around the decision to move from testing on artificial tissue (often grown from stem cells, which may in the future replace animal testing altogether. Stem cells, however create there own ethical issues) to animals, and further on the line, of animal testing to trails on human patients. The graph below shows the stages involved in developing a new drug and is taken from the MSD website (21/3/10): (http://www.msd.com.hk/health_info/drug_education/e_ddp_introduction.html) Animal testing is very closely regulated in the UK however many, often false, accusations of animal abuse have lead to darkened perceptions of animal testing in the public eye. Animal abuse is definitely a reality but ‘improved transparency, accountability and regulations'12 should reduce it happening and make sure those responsible are prosecuted. Unlike humans, animals are unable to consent to testing. It is forced upon them and often involves a certain amount of pain, stress, suffering and discomfort. Researchers will try to reduce this, possibly using anaesthetics although this can often interfere with the drug being tested so the animal may have to suffer the full amount of pain. Unfortunately, in PD, a number of animals are tested on normally starting with mice or rats before moving on to monkeys and finally human trails. Some people believe that animals like monkeys and most primates shouldn't be experimented upon as they aren't in the same plentiful supply that rats and mice are in, nor are they considered pests. However, for potentially dangerous drugs it is essential animals with a similar genetic make up (primates) are tested on to greatly reduce the risks in human clinical trails. Economics of drugs in PD As shown in figure 1.2 drug development requires a huge amount of research and testing and can take more than 10 years before a useable drug is created. This obviously requires a huge amount of investment and general drug development costs vary between 500 and 2,000 million dollars. R;D is often done by independent companies or government organizations. Most companies or organizations will link with universities to share information and facilities and hopefully quicken to process of discovering a new drug. ‘After approval, pharmaceutical companies have a short period of exclusivity before patents expire and other companies can market the same drugs as generics. This time is used to recoup the massive investment required to develop and launch a new drug. However, the companies must also continue to test their drugs and monitor the feedback from healthcare professionals in order to identify undiscovered side effects, risk factors and interactions.'13 Drug companies are some of the most profitable industries in the world and although a large amount of money is needed in research and development (R;D) only 1 in 5 dollars made is then invested in further research. Many companies spent nearly twice as much money on advertising and marketing than R;D and demand is so much higher than it needs to be that companies can afford to boost prices to maximise profit. Luckily with PD this becomes less of a problem as people are unlikely take and therefore buy drugs that are meant for PD when they don't actually need it. This is because the symptoms tend to be quite clear and drugs like levodopa are not readily available unless prescribed. Benefits to humans Drugs can have a massive impact on people suffering from PD and they aim to do a number of things: 1) Improve standards of living- by reducing the affects of PD and slowing the process of neurodegeneration it should allow the person suffering to do basic things (such as tying shoelaces, writing etc) more easily and for longer before they require full time medical care. This allows them to be more independent. 2) The use of drugs such as levodopa, in the long term, will reduce the affects of symptoms such as tiredness, aches and pains. Painkillers like amantadine will also be used for more short term relieve along side drugs like levodopa. This will simply make life less painful for a PD patient. 3) Drugs are the most well know and reliable of PD treatments. This reduces the risks of any unknowns or mistakes and far fewer mistakes will be made than in using other treatments. Risks to humans 1) Unfortunately Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of using levodopa that are due to the building up of dopamine in the bloodstream. The most serious and severe effect of this treatment is dyskinesias. ‘Dyskinesias are uncontrolled movements, including writhing, twitching, and shaking. Dyskinesias result from the combination of long-term levodopa use and continued neurodegeneration. They typically begin to develop in milder forms after 3 to 5 years of treatment, but are more severe after 5 to 10 years of treatment.'10 2) There is always risk of allergies when using drugs and for some unfortunate people drugs may do more damage than good. 3) Side affects of drugs vary from person to person and it is impossible to know beforehand how a certain drug will affect an individual. For some, side affects may be far worse than for others. 4) Dosages need to be got right and it is a common problem that people take to little and don't get the full benefit of the drug or take to much and suffer more/worse side affects. A massive overdose will likely lead to death. Alternative Cures? 2. Gene therapy- is still in early research stages and it is likely to be a while before this technique is actually used on humans. Like stem cells it has exciting potential to provide a future cure and avoid the ethical issues associated with stem cells. How it works? Gene therapy aims to introduce new and functioning genetic material into cells that have abnormal genes that are causing proteins (in the case of PD, dopamine) not to be created or created faulty. The genetic material can normally be inserted into the cells using viruses. ‘Some types of virus, such as retroviruses, integrate their genetic material (including the new gene) into a chromosome in the human cell. Other viruses, such as adenoviruses, introduce their DNA into the nucleus of the cell, but the DNA is not integrated into a chromosome.'13There is still much development needed as scientists are still unable to target specific cells and there is the potential threat of virus mutation which may cause even further problems. There is also major worry about the potential for gene therapy to be used to improve basic human traits such as height, intelligence etc. People could simply choice characteristics and this in many people's eyes could be used for the wrong reason. For example, this may be used to give some athletes a major advantage over others or possibly creating super humans. 3. Stem Cells I think stem cells have shown exciting potential and will hopefully provide a full time future cure for the disease. How they work? Stem cells are unspecialised cells that have the ability to develop into highly specialised cells like nerve cells. They can also self-renew, which means they are capable of replenishing themselves for long periods of time by dividing4. For Parkinson's disease it is hoped that large numbers of the brain cells that produce dopamine can be produced and inserted, through transplantation, into a patient's brain. Therefore, nerve messages to all parts of the body will be normal again. However, stem cells not been successfully used to cure PD yet and there are many problems facing researchers. Therefore stem cells are relatively useless for PD at the moment but may be able to provide an easy and affective cure in the future. Problems with the types of Stem cells There are three main types of stem cells: 1. Adult stem cells can come from Skin, Bone marrow, Brain, Blood vessels, Liver and Skeletal muscle. However, adult stem cells are found in such small quantities it is difficult to identify and isolate them in viable numbers. Because adult stem cells aren't as ‘young' as embryonic stem cells, they contain more DNA abnormalities acquired with age4. These can be caused by the environment, toxins or errors in DNA replication. Adult stem cells have limited potential because unlike embryonic stem cells they can not differentiate into any specialised cell in the body. 2. Cord blood cells are normally found in the umbilical cord and placenta after the cord is cut. One problem is the lack of cells obtained and these may not be enough relative to a patient's size. Cord blood cells generally take longer to grow, therefore completion of therapy will take longer. It obviously requires a pregnant woman to donate the cells. 3. Embryonic stem cells are found in human embryos and have a seemingly unlimited potential to develop into any cell in the human body. However they are surrounded by a number of ethical issues. Many people and especially religious group condemn the use of embryonic stem cells as they believe it is destroying a life. They believe it is immoral to save a life at the expense of another. However new developments in stem cells research means that Totipotent* stem cells can now be collected without the loss of embryo life: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) – nucleus is removed from a somatic cell and is then implanted into a donor egg that has had its nucleus removed6. It divides just as normal before forming an embryo. Cells from the inner cell mass are extracted and cultured to provide embryonic stem cells but the technique destroys the embryo. Although the embryo is destroyed it is a created clone and so may not be considered the loss of new, individual life. Altered nuclear transfer (ANT), however, prevents an embryo from actually being created. The nucleus of the somatic cell is altered, or genetically reprogrammed, before being transferred into the egg. The alteration consequence is that the somatic cell DNA still produces stem cells but does not generate an embryo. Blastomere Extraction is performed on a two-day old embryo, following the division of the fertilized egg into eight blastomeres (cells). One blastomere is removed and can be triggered to divide and the resulting stem cells could still be used for research and disease treatment. The embryo, ‘now with only seven blastomeres can still be implanted into the mother and assuming no defect has been found these embryos will still grow into healthy babies'4. 1. Name of article: Parkinson's Disease Url: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Parkinson's-Disease.htm Date accessed: 15/2/10 Evaluation: The article is certified as a reliable source of health and social care information. It certificate states- ‘The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest.' The article states that Parkinson's disease affects the part of the brain know as the substantia nigra. WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders- http://www.wemove.org/par/par_subn.html) states: ‘In PD, cells of the SN (substantia nigra) degenerate, and therefore can no longer produce adequate dopamine.' This information is further backed up on the Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda that states ‘cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine die in a small brain area called the substantia nigra.' As the information provided is backed by what I consider to be reliable resources I think that the i nformation on the website is also therefore reliable, but should be checked with other sources before being used. 2. Name of article: Possible Causes of Parkinson's Disease (PD) Url: http://www.healthtree.com/articles/parkinsons-disease/causes.php Date accessed: 20/2/10 3. Name: Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda URL: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/plans/nihparkinsons_agenda.htm#Parkinson Date accessed: 20/2/10 Evaluation: Parkinson's disease Research Agenda is written by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It primary aim is to †reduce the burden of neurological disease – a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world.† It is funded by the government so should provide no bias and the site aims to educate people about various neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease. It states â€Å"mitochondrial dysfunction has numerous consequences†¦ each of which may be important in Parkinson's disease.† This is also backed by an article: http://www.nature.com/nrneurol/journal/v6/n2/full/nrneurol.2009.221.html that states † dysfunctional energy metabolism might be a central element of the pathological process underlying the development of PD.† The site was last updated on the 25th of July 2008. As the site is run and updated by the government with no other purpose but to inform I think it can be used a very reliable source of information.