Investing in TUFS

The success of a project is highly dependent on the project implementation process. Proper project implementation should discover red flags in the project and formulate methods of overcoming the problems, before the IT project goes live (Crum, 2002).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Investing in TUFS specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Incorporating the ultimate users of the project in the design and implementation of an IT project is one of the key factors that determine the success of the project. Failure to follow the right procedure in project initiation and implementation would make an IT project face many problems. This is the major issue that faces the Technical Underwriting Financial System (TUFS) of Northern Insurance. Northern Insurance implemented Technical Underwriting Financial System (TUFS) to increase the efficiency of the underwriting process. However, the software was unable to solve the problem . Northern Insurance spends vast sums of money fixing errors in TUFS. This necessitates the company to determine the source of the problem to prevent continued spending on an inefficient system. One of the major factors that led to TUFS’ current problem is failure to incorporate employees who would use the system in the design and implementation of the system. Failure to incorporate relevant employees increased employee resistance to the system. Therefore, it is vital for the company to incorporate the ultimate users of the software in the design and implementation of TUFS. In addition, the company should ensure that it trains employees on how to use the system (Kerzner, 2003). Testing is one the critical phases of an IT project implementation. A company should ensure that there is ample time for testing the IT project. Testing helps in detecting red flags in the system. Northern Insurance did not undertake sufficient tests on TUFS prior to its implementation. This led to the discovery of various problems when the company had already implemented the system. Undertaking alterations to a system when it is up and running is usually more expensive than doing the alterations during the testing phase (Martin, 2011).Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Northern Insurance needs to undertake an overhaul of TUFS to realize its real benefits. Doing minor changes to the system would not solve all the problems. It is evident that most of the problems arose during the project initiation phase. The project implementation team did not seek the views of the users of the system. In addition, the project implementation team implemented the project in a hurry to beat the deadline. This led to the abandonment of various critical aspects of the system. In making the necessary changes to the system, the IT department should incorporate the views of employees of the u nderwriting department. Employees of the underwriting department should form an integral part of the project implementation team. In addition, the company should train employees of the department on how to make maximum use of TUFS. Proper implementation of TUFS would make the company reap maximum benefits from the system. The company should measure its benefits by determining the man-hours that it would save due to use of the system (Waller, 2005). TUFS would enable underwriting managers receive underwriting reports with a click of the mouse. For Northern Insurance to reap the full benefits of TUFS, employees in the underwriting department should embrace the system. They should use the system in their daily operations (Ewusi-Mensah, 2003). Therefore, it is vital for the company to determine the level of employee acceptance of the system. References Crum, J. (2002). Using Oracle 11i. Indianapolis, IN: Que Publishing. Ewusi-Mensah, K. (2003). Software development failures: Anatomy of abandoned projects. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Kerzner, H. (2003). Advanced project management: Best practices on implementation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Investing in TUFS specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Martin, J.W. 2011. Unexpected consequences: Why the things we trust fail. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Waller, A. (2005). IT for property people. London: Taylor Francis. This case study on Investing in TUFS was written and submitted by user Ian U. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Alternative Medicine Essays

Alternative Medicine Essays Alternative Medicine Essay Alternative Medicine Essay In this century, a wide rang of people choose alternative and complementary medicine to help alleviate their diseases or improve their general health. According to the World Health Organization (1996, p. 1), â€Å"The term complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to ways of protecting and restoring health that existed before the arrival of modern medicine†. Instead of taking a pill, some patients are opting for alternative medicine, such as yoga, tai chi and massage therapy. Other patients would prefer Chinese traditional medicine, which has no side effects, but is necessary to continue with long term treatment. However, critics argue that patients who receive CAM treatment expose themselves to high potential risks, such as medication interactions. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of unconventional therapies. The benefits of the CAM include relief of pain and help with psychological illness with few known side effects. On the other hand, the drawbacks of these medicines are that they are inappropriate for many conditions and lack of medical instructions. One of the key benefits of the complementary and alternative therapies is they can ease pain and relieve mental illness. The movement asserts that more than 600 surveys have demonstrated the benefits of it. Most experts hold it can ease stress, high blood pressure and insomnia. According to Regg (1997, p. 25), studies have shown that half the population uses complementary therapies annually and twenty percentages of those people using CAM are workers. For instance, patients can choose massage, yoga and chiropractors comforting their daily pressure. It is also available that CAM therapies can primary health care without chemicals or doctors. Furthermore, some suffers can relieve their mental stress or help alleviate mental psychological diseases through the CAM treatments. Donarski states that in the past two decades, children and adolescents,who have increased suffering from depression (i. e. , psychopharmaceuticals), are usually using the treatment of conventional medicine. Some studies, however, have shown that CAM is more effective in alleviating mental diseases. For example, they can do exercise, followed by meditation and orthomolecular supplements. Another advantage of unconventional medicine is the absence of side effect. Some surveys illustrate that a wide range number of alternative medicine is safer than conventional drugs. Nowadays, a large number of people who choose herbal products a lieu of prescription medication assume that these products are safe due to their natural features. In some developing countries, patients still continue to use traditional medicine because their primary health care are always associated with a variety of species of plants and animals. Medicine plant plays an important role in potent therapeutic agents. During 1950-1970 about 100 plants are introduced in American market (Verma, 2008, p.345-350). According to some Chinese history records, ancient people often used herbal medicine to alleviate or cure their illness. CAM, however, is inappropriate for a number of conditions. Compared with CAM, modern medicine therapies are more effectively in the serious illnesses and accidents. Complementary drugs are not able to treat serious trauma, such as broken leg, acute peritonitis and heart attack. These diseases should associate with modern diagnostic tests, medical equipments and related drugs, which are not appropriate using CAM to mend patients’ diseases. Buzescu emphasizes that unconventional medicine is more dangerous to cure acute peritonitis than conventional drugs are (2011, p. 127-132). In addition, non-conventional medicine has no medical instructions, including lack of dosage instructions and no regulation. Some traditional medicine has high potential risks because patients can self-dose with herbals. The studies show that the general population, who excessive dosage of this drug can result in allergic reactions (Anonymouse, 2009, p. 624). Moreover, the non-conventional medicine is also lack of regulation. For example, Acupuncture, an old therapeutic method, includes both needle and nonneedle acupuncture. They are absence of controlled studies. Some needles are not disinfected with alcohol, which is not diasostic for patients’ health because of bacterial infections. In conclusion, complementary and alternative medicine has benefits and drawbacks. According to Buzescu (2011, pp. 127-132), conventional and nonconventional are difficult to compare due to the various needs by the patients. Unconventional medicine has some advantages including alleviating Prev Page patients’ physical and psychological pain, and having less or even no side effects. Their disadvantages, however, are inevitable because they are not appropriate for a number of situations and lack of regulation. In recent years, a great number of people have begun to choose the CAM treatments, but others are still worried about their safety. Some experts advocate that when using alternative therapies, it is essential to educate yourself about the cure or system you want to use. Keep the alternative and complementary medicine’s pros and cons in mind. That can make the difference between you having positive experiences or not. Reference List Buzescu,M (2011). Advantages and disadvantages of complementary medicine in otitis media in children . Brasov,Romania. Retrieved from http://gateway. library. qut. edu. au/login? url=http://search. proquest. com. ezp01. library. qut. eduau/docview/1010816657? accountid=13380 Donarski, Janene M (2007). Medical and mental health practitioners perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for depression in children and adolescents. Retrieved from http://gateway. library. qut. edu. au/login? url=http://search. proquest. com. ezp01. library. qut. edu. au/docview/304699018? accountid=13380 Mark,R (1998). Good medicine. In H. Kaye (Ed. ), Alternative medicine (pp. 24-25). Balmain,N. S. W. Schafer, Lisa M. , Hsu, Clarissa. , Eaves, Emery Rose. ,Ritenbaugh, Cheryl. , Turner, Judith. , Cherkin, Daniel C. , Sims, Colette. , Sherman, Karen J. (2012). Complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)providers view of chronic low back pain patients doi:http://dx. doi. org. ezp01. library. qut. edu. au/10. 1186/1472-6882-12-234 Verma,Sheetal. ,Singh,S,P (2008). Current and future status of herbal medicines. Veterinary World, 1(11), 347-350. doi:10. 5455 /vetworld. 2008. 347-350 Prev Page

Summary and Analysis of Platos Euthyphro

Summary and Analysis of Plato's 'Euthyphro' The Euthyphro is one of Platos most interesting and important early dialogues. Its focus is on the question: What is piety?  Euthyphro, a priest of sorts, claims to know the answer, but Socrates shoots down each definition he proposes. After five failed attempts to define piety Euthyphro hurries off leaving the question unanswered. The Dramatic Context It is 399 BCE.  Socrates and Euthyphro meet by chance outside the court in Athens where Socrates is about to be tried on charges of corrupting the youth and impiety (or more specifically, not believing in the citys gods and introducing false gods). At his trial, as all of Platos readers would know,  Socrates was found guilty and condemned to death. This circumstance casts a shadow over the discussion.  For as Socrates says, the  question hes asking on this occasion is  hardly  a  trivial, abstract issue that doesnt concern him.  As it will turn it will turn out, his life is on the line. Euthyphro is there  because he is prosecuting his father for murder. One of  their servants had killed a slave, and Euthyphros father had tied the servant  up and left him in a ditch while he sought advice about what to do.  When he returned, the servant had died.  Ã‚  Most people would consider it impious for a son to bring charges against his father, but Euthyphro claims to know better.  He was probably a kind of priest in a somewhat unorthodox religious sect.  His purpose in prosecuting his father is not to get him punished but to cleanse the household of blood guilt.  This is the kind of thing he understands, and the ordinary Athenian does not. The Concept of Piety The English tern piety or the pious translates the Greek word hosion.  This word might also be translated as holiness or religious correctness.  Piety has two senses: A narrow sense: knowing and doing what is correct in religious rituals. For example, knowing what prayers should be said on any specific occasion, or knowing how to perform a sacrifice.A broad sense: righteousness; being a good person. Euthyphro begins with the first, narrower sense of piety in mind.  But Socrates, true to his general outlook, tends to stress the broader sense.  He  is less interested in correct ritual than in living morally. (Jesus attitude toward Judaism is rather similar.)   Euthyphros 5 Definitions Socrates says, tongue in cheek, as usual, that hes delighted to find someone whos an expert on piety.  Just what he needs in his present situation. So he asks Euthyphro to explain to him what piety is.  Euthyphro tries to do this five times, and each time Socrates argues that the definition is inadequate. 1st Definition: Piety is what is Euthyphro is doing now, namely prosecuting wrongdoers. Impiety is failing to do this. Socrates Objection:  Thats just an example of piety, not a general definition of the concept. 2nd Definition:  Piety is what is loved by the gods (dear to the gods in some translations). Impiety is what is hated by the gods. Socrates Objection:  According to Euthyphro, the gods sometimes disagree among themselves about questions of justice.  So some things are loved by some gods and hated by others.  On this definition, these things will be both pious and impious, which makes no sense. 3rd Definition: Piety is what is loved by all the gods. Impiety is what all the gods hate. Socrates Objection:  The argument Socrates uses to criticize this definition is the heart of the dialogue. His criticism is subtle but powerful.  He poses this question: Do the gods love piety because it is pious, or is it pious because the gods love it?  To grasp the point of the question, consider this analogous question:  Is  a film funny because people laugh at it, do people laugh at it because its funny?  If we say its funny because people laugh at it, were saying something rather strange. Were saying that the film only has the property of being funny because certain people have a certain attitude towards it.  But Socrates argues that this gets things the wrong way round.  People laugh at a film because it has a certain intrinsic property, the  property of being funny.  This is what makes them laugh. Similarly, things arent pious because the gods view them in a certain way.  Rather, the gods love pious actions such as helping a stranger in need, because such actions have a certain intrinsic property, the property of being pious. 4th definition: Piety is that part of justice concerned with caring for the gods. Socrates Objection: The notion of care involved here is unclear. It cant be the sort of care a dog owner gives to its dog since that aims at improving the dog, but we cant improve the gods. If its like the care a slave gives his master, it must aim at some definite shared goal.  But Euthyphro cant say what that goal is. 5th Definition: Piety is saying and doing what is pleasing to the gods at prayer and sacrifice.   Socrates Objection: When pressed, this definition turns out to be just the third definition in disguise. After Socrates shows how this is so, Euthyphro says in effect, Oh dear, is that the time?  Sorry, Socrates, I have to go. General Points About the Dialogue The Euthyphro  is typical of Platos early dialogues: short; concerned with defining an ethical concept; ending without a definition being agreed upon. The question: Do the gods love piety because it is pious, or is it pious because the gods love it? is one of the great questions posed in the history of philosophy.  It suggests a distinction between an essentialist perspective and a conventionalist  perspective.  Essentialists apply labels to things because they possess certain essential qualities which make them what they are.  The conventionalist view is that how we regard things determines what they are.  Consider this question, for instance: Are works of art in museums because they are works of art, or  do we call them works of art because they are in museums?   Essentialists assert the first position, conventionalists the second. Although Socrates generally gets the better of Euthyphro, some of what Euthyphro says makes a certain amount of sense.  For instance, when asked what human beings  can give  the gods, he replies that we give them honor, reverence, and gratitude.  The British philosopher Peter Geach has argued that this is a pretty good answer.

Political Scandal in the Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Political Scandal in the Media - Essay Example One is the reality that Spitzer's betrayal involved prostitutes. "Why Men Cheat," inserts that the same holds true of informal sex, seeing that in one-night-stand after having someone at a bar. For some people, this looks like, "Holy cow", like Mr. David Letterman, "We can't get bin Laden, but we got Spitzer". And for others, undoubtedly, it's been a deep talk of stance on (or experiences with) infidelity, disloyalty, loyalty and the like. It's occurring in conferences, too. "Are you saying the women should feel guilty, like they somehow drove the man to cheat", Meredith Vieira of "Today" asked Dr. Laura Schlessinger, a radio host. On the media channels, where Talk Shows addressed the scandal madly for days, Mars and Venus instants have thrived hard. Some women were seriously angry by all the meeting of a "victimless crime." And they giggled when Joy Behar on the all five women gabfest "The View" stated publicly that "Viagra is destroying our government." On Tuesday morning Hendrik Hertzberg, a writer for The New Yorker, told the host, Joe Scarborough, that Mr. Spitzer should not be condemned as a hypocrite. "If he had been caught taking from the public till or bilking the government, that would have been hypocritical," Mr. Hertzberg said. "This is just, this is sad." How common is this adultery Figuratively, in... Surely there were no cries for Mr. Spitzer. Alan M. Dershowitz, who taught Mr. Spitzer at Harvard Law School, went so far as to blame American Puritanism first. "Big deal, a married man goes to prostitute", Mr. Dershowitz said on MSNBC on Monday. "In Europe this wouldn't even make the back pages of the newspaper". Political sex-scandals have become a pushy feature of American society today. From Profumo to the cash-for-questions scandal, from Watergate to the Clinton-Lewinsky affair, scandals have come to play a fundamental role in political affairs and in the shaping of public debates. They all blur together. And now New York's Gov., Eliot Spitzer, had to leave his job after his involvement in a prostitution ring became public. But this star news will be eclipsed by the next scandal before too long. If we're becoming a more liberal society, shouldn't there be less and not more sex scandals Probably not. Sex scandals will keep on as long as we remain in-two-minds about the public impacts of hush-hush sexual conduct. We're in the middle of a nationwide debate about where to sketch the line. It's turn into a known scene - "a politician...over-involved in a sex scandal...addressing the media...his compassionate, humiliated wife by his side". Spitzer's dismal story just doesn't meet the higher bar of insignificance the journalists and newspapers demand. The imperfections in our political system that it represents are immeasurable. It's just too real to meet the requirements. His scandal looks like to have got its "get-out-of-jail-free" license from the media pundits. One commonality among political sex scandals nowadays is that the tricacies of the encounters

Fatalistic Attitude Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Fatalistic Attitude - Essay Example Following September 11, American perceptions of people from Middle Eastern countries underwent a dramatic shift. Many citizens propelled by popular media and cultural and religious misunderstanding have demonized Arab-Americans, making it more difficult for them to function happily and safely within our society. The more narrow-minded have gone so far as to blame any person of hailing from this basic region of the world as anti-Christian, American-hating zealots who only come to the U.S. to undermine our freedoms and safety. While this is obviously not the case, as a result Arab-Americans, particularly those who actively practice the Muslim faith, are marginalized or sometimes outright despised by their fellow citizens. While this it is entirely inaccurate to blame all Arabs for the events of the past decade, many people from this cultural/ethnic background simply attempt to keep their heads down and wait for public sentiment to change. They do not believe that any amount of campaigning for cultural understanding or open exchange of ideas will affect a true change in their status within American society. Though over time it is likely that these prejudicial and inaccurate perceptions will no longer be equated with Arab-Americans as an absolute negative, it is the way in which fellow citizens interact with this subgroup on a daily basis which will most effectively alter the current attitudes and ideas existent in our culture. In addition to this, media coverage should be limited to factual relation without emphasis on ethnicity and instead promote cultural understanding which would also be an important factor in changing the overall perceptions of Arab-Americans in our society

Evolution of the Nation & the Civil War Essay Example for Free

Evolution of the Nation the Civil War Essay The end of the Civil War brought about political and economic reform to the United States. Reforms in the Reconstruction Period were passed to foster and maintain economic activity, creating industries and expanding businesses, contributing to the boom of Industrial Revolution in the country. Years of political clout and debate remarkably laundered constitutional amendments for the black man’s rights (Oberholtze, 1917). Inventions paved the way to the development of new industries such as telecommunication, transportation, electricity and construction. The discovery, access to and processing of raw materials -facilitated by technology- allowed products to be transported from manufacturing factories to populated areas for distribution. Such enterprise development measures were supported by the improvement of the transport and communication system via paved roads, bridges, canals, railroads and the telegraph. New jobs were created to cater to the needs of the fast growing economy and population. Enormous infrastructures were built to accommodate the growing city dwellers and workers. Increase in profits of manufacturing industries encouraged a steady influx of immigrants working in the production lines (Engerman, 2000). Competition and increasing market goals forced companies to expand trade and operations in other countries, imperialism’s objective. Altogether, technological advancement, cheap labor and availability of capital led to America’s heavy industrialization. This period of rise and fall largely contributed to America’s development into a superpower. However, as a young nation, America was set back with undesirable impacts of industrialization. As production staff volume increased, conflict between workers and management grew. Industrial achievements due to aggressive marketing of manufactured goods and increased foreign trade introduced more white collar jobs facilitating corporate operations. Management and administrative work were better rewarded than assembly-line work, providing better opportunities for educated and powerful who came to enjoy lucrative lifestyles; while creating inequalities of wealth, discontent and rousing uprisings from laborers who formed unions to pursue their rights. Marxist leaders helped reshape capitalist thought and corporate laws. Growing market demand meant increasing supply needs leading to resource exploitation in some areas leaving irreparable damage to the environment. Concern for increased production overshadowed the seemingly abundant resources. Even large corporations who came to have leverage in policy-making used their power to generate more profit. Developments in transportation made it easy for people to move about creating a melting pot of US residents and migrants, gave way to explosion of population in urban areas, forming cities. The attraction of immigrants made uprisings in social injustices -competition and aggression- between old American settlers versus the new immigrants. Urban legislators targeted services to win the votes of increasing foreign workers maligning the democratic electoral process. Too aggressive amassing and building of wealth and power triggered the economic crash of 1873 when the government’s major investment bank, financer of government reconstruction loans and the Northern Pacific Railroad, crashed (Bancroft, 1902). For many years, new business management styles were practiced by corporations, every time cleaning up failed ventures with hopefully better alternatives. Many times, the finance and investment sector failed but lessons were dealt with outmost concern for capital and development-oriented sources. As population grew in cities, people moved to occupy the western territories. Development gradually followed increasing the number of states joining the union. At the same time, America had growing concern for the rapid growth of the British Empire. Following British example, America colonized territories and expanded the home base and also the market for its produce. American industrialists pushed for westward progression, integrating the continent-wide unified market reducing production cost and increasing value per output of production enabling American working class to earn higher than counterparts across the globe. Higher wage was initially purported by higher bid of wage levels experienced in the pre-industrialization era using slave-labor and eventually sustained by capitalism during the reconstruction period despite the increase in laborers and economic conflict many years after. Nevertheless, the labor force and farmers suffered greatly being dependent on businesses that supported their sources of income (McElvaine, 1993). The years of depression was a roller coaster ride for most corporate giants who still reap the most benefit even during economic downfall. During World War I, America tapped the international market (McElvaine, 1993). They penetrated into countries that did not have resources for food production. US production increased to cater to the needs of incapacitated economies. With its strong capitalist foundation, the US took advantage of World War I devastation across Europe and Japan (Olson, 1988). Forced to reduce trade barriers, Europe, Japan and their colonies were opened to globalization, with efforts initiated by American powers. Development of farm machinery automated farming practices and increased US production. The US became the world’s foremost producer of agricultural products in power economies like Europe and Japan were destroyed. The downside, farmers became all the more dependent on new businesses offering loans, transportation, equipment manufacturers and middle men who facilitated crop entry into international markets. Though, when the war ended, competition became stiff forcing America to make internal changes to beef up industrial efforts. This led to the development of advertising and marketing strategies encouraging people to consume. People wanted to get away from the prolonged depression and rode with the bandwagon, buying what advertisers offered. A mass culture of consumerism proliferated. This was made possible even for people who would not afford through the credit system, promoting instant access to commodities and luxuries and deferring payment with terms (McElvaine, 1993). Many US bankers reached across the globe and lent European countries for post war reconstruction. Economic instability after war did not go along US banks’ objectives and increased the risk of non-payment of loans. This would eventually lead to the Great Depression affecting businesses and communities worldwide. The entire financial industry suffered leading to property and business closures (Olson, 1988). The imposition of higher taxes on imports caused local markets to patronize locally manufactured goods. However, other countries retaliated by imposing high taxes on US exports, resulting in less foreign trade profits and eventually less power in international market penetration (McElvaine, 1993). The growing rate in stocks investment of major industrial companies caught the attention of many. Stock buying became a trend, relying in the belief that this will make people rich. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked the domino economic disruption made vulnerable by unequal distribution of wealth and banking problems. Renewed global strategy in achieving international trade through humanitarian and democratic efforts became America’s initiative to promote global security. Priority was also given to secure citizens through provision of social welfare. State-governed economic planning organized nationwide industrial regulations to propel the rise from the Depression. Powerful American businesses have lobbied for rights in exploring resources in other countries despite conservative and anti-colonialism proponents in US government limited US economic expansion. However, open trading between economies leveled the playing field in production and markets. The Progressive Era marked a turning point of US imperial power into a more humanist and democratic torch bearer in an effort to resolve the problems and issues brought about by industrialization and urbanization. Leaders focused on long-term goals, core values and implementation of development programs. Reformists, including President Franklin Roosevelt in the New Deal, sought to end monopolies, destroy political corruption and lessen the gap between the affluent and poor. Through the New Deal, authorized nationwide assistance to socio-economic development of individuals. Agencies were set up to provide employment, regulate mortgage and housing conditions, administered social security, consumer rights and raised funding for education, food and drug safety. Concerns of the working and business class were brought together (Mintz, 2006). Progressive ideologies affected political, social and cultural movements in the local and eventually made impacts on international human rights revolution and the initiation of international governing bodies to secure international relations in politics and economics. Radical changes in international standards and relationships were fostered. The UN and the NATO was founded in 1945 and 1948, respectively. The US became stronger despite its diversity. Operation Breadbasket was launched to increase employment of cultural minorities. From its indistinguishable character, America’s economic, social and technological transformation continues to awe the world. Today, its mandate for democracy and freedom still thrive and inspire other nationalities. References Bancroft, H. (1902). The Financial Panic of 1837. The Great Republic By the Master Historians Vol. III. Retrieved 11-5-2008 from http://www. publicbookshelf. com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_III/thepanic_ce. html Engerman, S. and K. Sokoloff. (2000). Technology and Industrialization, 1790-1914. In The Cambridge Economic History of the United States, Vol. II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. McElvaine, R. S. (1993). The Great Depression: America 1929-1941. Three Rivers Press. Mintz, S. (2006). Learn About the Progressive Era. Digital History. Retrieved 11-5-2008 from http://www. digitalhistory. uh. edu/modules/progressivism/index. cfm. Oberholtze, E. (1917). A History of the United States since the Civil War, Vol. 1. Macmillan. Olson, J. (1988). from World War I to the New Deal, 1919-1933. Historical dictionary of the 1920s. New York : Greenwood Press.

The Ethics of Software Outsourcing :: Software Outsourcing Essays

Analyze whether the United States should outsource software development from several ethical viewpoints. Introduction Always act in your own self interest -- ex-boss Many Santa Clara computer engineering professors ask their students where they are working. I am always surprised at the great number of students who are not. If these students are representative of the Silicon Valley job market, then its outlook is bleak. Many of these students' ex-jobs have been outsourced to lower cost countries such as India and now the Philippines. Software outsourcing has been a boon for such countries, creating many well paying jobs and stimulating their economies. Software outsourcing may also be a net benefit to the United States economy while hurting these students greatly. Many people in other professions fear that the outsourcing wave will spread to their jobs. This fear has focused renewed attention on this previously software and manufacturing jobs issue. Many of today's arguments for and against outsourcing are based on ethical viewpoints. Many Americans argue that American companies should be supporting Americans or that the playing field is not level. In contrast, American companies almost invariably argue that it is their ethical obligation to maximize shareholder value. Many Indians and Indian companies argue that outsourcing has been a net benefit to America and that this trade promotes a common good. Some Americans take the opposite view, seeing outsourcing as a detriment to common good. Utility Viewpoint Outsourcing makes businesses more competitive, increasing their exports and their profits and placing more investment surpluses in their hands which can be deployed to make more jobs -- Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1) The utilitarian viewpoint states that an ethical question should be decided on the basis of the greatest good. Opponents measure utility for American workers and by implication the American economy. They argue that the loss of jobs will lead to the gutting of the middle class and the ruination of an economy based it. They point to the first net loss of American jobs in a Presidential term since Herbert Hoover as evidence. American programmers, in particular, are facing the highest unemployment rates ever measured for the group (2) despite an improving economy. American corporations in favor of outsourcing measure utility for the overall U.S. economy. They argue that outsourcing allows resources to be freed for greater innovation and that outsourcing promotes trade. These, they argue will ultimately create jobs. Opponents counter that what jobs are being created tend to be lower paying service jobs.

Problem and its Background Essay

Enhancing the quality of basic education in the Philippines is urgent and critical. Because of that, one of the discussions of DepEd is to enhance the basic education program in the country in a manner that is least disruptive to the current curriculum most affordable for government and families, and aligned with international practice through the K-12 policy. The poor quality of basic training is reflected in lower achievement scores of Filipino students. Many students who complete basic education do not possess sufficient control of basic competencies. One reason is that students do not get enough instructional time or time on task. This quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high school graduates for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education. High school graduates also do not have the basic competencies or emotional maturity essential for the world of work. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the initial roll out of the k+12 basic education program with the implementation of universal primary of pre-school education for five-year-olds in the Philippines were a defining moment for the administration of President Aquino, as it seeks to implement reforms with deep impact on the welfare of Filipino children and the youth ( Malipot 2011 ) Phil. Star, Jan. 7, 2013 . Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy from the Department of Education wants all the stakeholders to know what enhance k+12 basic education program is all about and how it can benefit the students, the parents the community, (Sun Star in Davao on Thursday, March 10,2011). 1. Background of the Study Start school year 2012- 2013, the education system of the Philippines is enhanced from the 10- years of basic education in 12- years through the program called the K-12 Education Plan of the Department of Education. The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School [SHS]) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. The implementation of the K- 12 education plan in the Philippine Basic Education Curriculum is said to be the key to the nation’s development. Though the government will face many problems in the long run of the implementation of the program, there really is a need to implement it because the enhancement of the quality of the education is very urgent and critical. If K- 12 will be implemented, students will be able to get sufficient instructional time to do subject- related tasks which make them more prepared and well- trained in that subject area. On the other hand, if the old system is remained, Filipino students would continually get low achievement scores. For instance, international test results revealed that we often come at the tail end in the exams compared to other countries. Another good reason why we should support K- 12 is that the graduates of this program will be more prepared to enter the labor force. As we all noticed, high school graduates of the current curriculum are not yet employable for the reason that they are not yet competent and well – equipped with the skills needed in the workplaces. In addition, most high school graduates are not yet reaching the legal age of 18. With the new curriculum, senior high school students can choose a field that they are good at and that they are interested in. As a result, they will be equipped with the skills needed for a specific job even without a college degree. At the age of 18, the age when they graduate from high school, they will be employable and competitive already. Thus, adding up to the nation’s manpower. Finally, with K- 12, Filipino graduates will be automatically recognized as  professionals abroad because we are following the international education standard as practiced by all nations. There will be no need to study again and spend more money in order to qualify for their standards. With this, Filipino professionals who aspire to work abroad will not find a hard time in getting jobs in line with their chosen field and will be able to help their families more in the Philippines as well as the country’s economy with their remittances, property buying, and creation of businesses. Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international community. While this may be true, our current education system hinders us in becoming more competitive among other countries. The K- 12 education plan offers a great solution to that problem. However, it is undeniable that there seem to be problems arising as we implement the program such as lack of government budget, classrooms and school supplies as well as the teachers. But, if we focus on the long- term effect of K- 12, we can conclude that it is very beneficial to us Filipinos. Therefore, we must have the strong will in supporting K- 12 Educational Plan for the betterment of our education system and economy. Remember, if we want change in our society, we must start it with our education system. The researchers choose this topic â€Å"Awareness and Enthusiasm to the K 12 Curriculum† Every Filipino child now has access to early childhood education through Universal Kindergarten. At 5 years old, children start schooling and are given the means to slowly adjust to formal education. As a future educator, BSED students as the respondents should be aware and should enthusiastic in this program, because it will help them a lot for a better understanding in the field of teaching soon. As all know K 12 curriculum is the trend now a day’s that the teachers undergo seminar for the said implementation of the program. To assess student reasoning requires more focus and attention as teachers on two inter-related dimensions of reasoning. The first dimension consists of the elements of reasoning; the second dimension consists of the universal intellectual standards by which the teachers measure student ability to use, in a skillful way. General objective This study is conducted to determine the awareness of the K-12 program and enthusiasm of the best students from first year to 3rd year level in the NCST school year 2013-2014. Specifically the study conducted for the following subproblem. 1. To know the degree of awareness and enthusiasm about the K-12 curriculum of the BSED 1st year to 3rd year students in NCST. 2. To determine the degree of awareness and enthusiasm on the K-12 curriculum of the students when grouped according to your level. 3. To identify the correlation of the awareness and enthusiasm on K-12 of the BSED students in NCST. Statement of the Problem This study sought to ascertain the correlation of the awareness and enthusiasm in the K to 12 curriculum of the BSED 1st – 3rd year students in NCST. Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following research question: 1. What is the profile of 1st to 3rd year students in terms of: 1.1 age 1.2 gender 1.3 year level 2. What is the degree of awareness and enthusiasm for the K -12 curriculum of the BSED 1st year – 3rd year students in NCST? 3. What is the degree of awareness and enthusiasm in the K to 12 curriculum of the BSED students when grouped according to your level. 4. What is the correlation of the awareness and enthusiasm in the K to 12 curriculum of the BSED student. Significance of the Study The K-12 curriculum is newly implemented in the Philippine education system in the nation. The researcher is interested to find out the extent of the awareness of the future teacher who can be part of the K-12 curriculum in their teaching career and how it will affect their interest and enthusiasm on K-12 implementation. This study will benefit different sectors in the school and serve as an eye opener in developing plans and strategies for the  nationwide awareness of K-12 curriculum and their objectives for the betterment of education issues in the future. Through this, a clear and straightforward vision of all that is involved will be given emphasis and doubt from every concern Filipino citizen to the enhancement of education through K-12 curriculum implementation will not be vague. Teachers can help diffuse the information of the K-12 program to their immediate locality to strenghten additional factual information about K-12 curriculum to the people who are still in stage of adopting the system. For the students, this study will help them at ease with the new system, enjoy it and accept it since it will uplift their achievements and prepare them for future job that within their capability and skills. This study also will be of great significance to create wider awareness, to provide information useful in conducting related studies. Scope and Limitation This study is delimited in determining the degree of awareness in the K-12 curriculum and what is the correlation to enthusiasm regarding to the degree of consciousness to the K-12 of the NCST BSED-English students from first year to 3rd year level school year 2013-2014. This study did not include their personal perception about the program. This study allowed time to gather the data and information needed to make the research work reliable. This study is conducted from June 2013 up until March 2014. Hypotheses The hypotheses tested in this study are; 1. The enthusiasm of the students towards K-12 curriculum is significantly affected by the degree of awareness in the K-12 curriculum. 2. The relationships between awareness in K-12 curriculum and enthusiasm towards it is significantly affected when the students are grouped according to their year level.

Controlling Organized Crime Essay

The following research will discuss how to control organized crime from different perspectives, principles, and theories. It will also encompass the problems presented by organized crime and the relationships it must establish to be successful and for its survival. This research will also explain how federal laws limit law enforcement agencies effectiveness to combat organized crime. There are probable solutions to some of the issues that we have today with organized crime tribunals. Organized crime groups are criminals that operate by conducting lawful and unlawful acts. In many occasions these organized crime groups own legitimate business, which works as a tool to launder money and camouflage their illegal activities. Criminal organizations are similar to major corporations in the aspect of providing a product that the public wants and demands for. They provide to their market an array of illegal comforts and not limited to; gambling, prostitution, narcotics, weapons, and stolen e lectrical products at a marked down rate. Criminal organizations would not be involved with any acts that do not result in a profit. Law enforcement studies have determined different theories that can assist in determining the reasons why the public in a particular geographical location have decided to partake in criminal activities. Many people fall to be victims to organized crime. They are affected by the drugs and other illegal activities that are brought into their community. Some victims are killed by organized crime groups for an array of reasons. Criminal justice scholars have established three major theories that assist law enforcement agencies to determine the origin of these criminal organizations. The alien conspiracy theory mainly consist of immigrants with different cultural believes and way of life (Lyman & Potter, 2007). In most cases this group of people have joined together to fight against government suppression. It is important to understand these reasons so law enforcement agencies can gather information by using tactics that will not raise the criminal organizations suspicions and be able to gather intelligence. The community and social networks in geographical locations are important factors that must be taken in to consideration when studying these criminal groups. Law enforcement agencies must determine if these locations life demands exceed the individual’s resources. When an individual is in a bad situation they may analyze the pros and cons of a criminal life and rationally decided that there are better opportunities and benefits turning to a criminal life style, this is called the rational choice theory (Lyman & Potter, 2007). To control criminal activity law enforcement has implemented severe punishments for crimes that relate to providing illegal substances or acts to the public. This method of controlling crime is called the deterrence theory (Lyman & Potter, 2007). Organized crime is combated at multiple levels federal and local. Local governments determine the methods and the intensity of law enforcement in their regions. It is ultimately there decision and responsibility to combat organized crime in their area. Because corruption and organized crime is primarily found in areas with deteriorated social development it is important that the local governments provide better opportunities for society. In these cases the government is inadequate and in most cases it fails to provide the proper financial means. Furthermore, it lacks a strong judicial system. Law enforcement agencies encounter legal limitations at all times when dealing with criminal cases. Many of those limitations can be found in the United States Constitution. Others are as simple as area of jurisdiction. For example: If an investigation leads officers to another state, they would need to notify their judicial and law enforcement agencies of their presence and be granted authority to continue their investigation in their area. Levels such as local, state, and national law enforcement exist and they may only execute arrest within their are a of operation. Otherwise they would need to get approval and if the approval is not granted any evidence found will be dropped from evidence. Also a limitation, such as the Fourth Amendment of the constitution prohibits law enforcement from illegal search and seizures. For example: If a law enforcement agent is investigating a Mafia member they must first gather sufficient evidence that shows with a doubt that there is probable cause and also be granted a search warrant by a judge. These procedures require tedious amount of work and time. The longer the process takes the efforts put into surveillance the more likely it is that the criminal will become aware of law enforcement presence and change their methods. The Fifth Amendment protects the accused and leaves the burden of proof to the prosecutor, which works from intelligence gathered by law enforcement. The Organized crime control act of 1970 and the RICO act are law passed to control organized crime groups from racketeering into legal business es. The patriot act extremely lowered restrictions to law enforcement agents giving them the authority to implement to their tactics wiretaps, audit of business records, and surveillance of people involved with terrorist groups. Because many organized crimes groups are involved with terrorist groups in the purchase and sell of products the patriot act granted the opportunity to law enforcement to investigate on suspects that were hard to reach before the patriot act became active. The most effective solution to fighting organized crime is for law enforcement agencies to work together at local, state, national, and international levels. In many occasions organized crime groups have people that aid them in political power positions. Government employees should be subject to a full back ground check and affiliation research to ensure that they are not assisting or co-working with any known criminal groups. Furthermore, these checks must also be performed in the military to ensure that we are not training individuals that are affiliated to criminal groups and inadvertently making them stronger. Organized crime groups are large profitable organizations. Law enforcement agencies are working together to implement laws and new tactics to reduce their criminal activity. It is imperative to understand that it requires the three groups of the judicial system to effectively combat organized crime. While the police enforces and neutralizes criminal activities the government must provide options to society to deter them from supporting or joining criminal activities. â€Æ'References Lyman, M. D., & Potter, G. W. (2007). Organized crime (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

How to Prepare a Project on the Relationship between a Language and Culture

How to Prepare a Project on the Relationship between a Language and Culture College projects generally come in different forms and the research needed to be done for each project usually varies from project to project but it is important to note that there are still some key steps and practices which you can use in preparing an excellent project across the diverse forms. These best practices take into consideration the different types of projects you could be assigned with during your stay in college. They are quite valuable to students working on research projects, essay analysis and opinion pieces therefore, it is quite important for students reading this to pay attention to the tips provided here on how to go about writing a project. Understand Your Assignment The first step to working on a writing project, is understanding the type of document your professor is asking you to write. To better clarify this tip, let’s take writing on the relationship between language and culture as the chosen assignment. Here, it is quite clear to see that the assignment focuses on research and can be viewed as either a research project or an analysis essay to prove or show this relationship using facts. A clear understanding of your assignment puts you on the right track to starting your project. Choose a Focal Point For broad subject matters, choosing a focal point to base your research and discussions on is a method that keeps you centered on the job at hand. Once you have chosen a focal point - such as the impact of culture on language - you can now proceed to including relevant facts and real-life examples that showcase the relationship between language and culture from a cultural point of view. Focal points allow you easily organize your thoughts as well as write in coherent and cohesive manner which will definitely be appealing to your supervisor. Decide How to Represent Your Project Your understanding of the assignment as well as given instructions play an important role in determining the best way to represent your project. It is important to note that creative depictions can help you earn top marks so going the extra mile to make your analysis more understandable and appealing to your audience is recommended. An apt example is making use of both written words and infographics to discuss the relationship between a language and culture. You should consider investing extra effort into a case study of a sample culture and the language they speak in your project. The results gotten from your survey can then be turned into a visual graph that lends a voice to the final analytical outcome of your project. Plan Out Your Project Creating an outline on how you intend to write the final results of your project is important to organizing how you introduce your project topic, discuss its aim and conclude your analysis. Therefore, taking out some time to plan the writing as well as real-time presentation to your professor if the need arises ensures that you stay ready to combat any challenges that may arise. Preparation is an ongoing process and it is important that you carefully consider all the factors involved - topic, type of project, presentation etc. - before sticking to or choosing a presentation style that works. So feel free to make use of these tips whenever you are confused on how to proceed.

Benchmarking for Performance Evaluation Essay Example for Free

Benchmarking for Performance Evaluation Essay In September 2004, Wendy Wiley, the Northlake Bookstore manager, was considering the implications of a shocking development. For the first time in her seven years as the Bookstore manager, textbook sales for this fall had decreased from the prior fall sales. The sales decrease was approximately $180,000, or 3% of annual textbook sales. Wendy wanted to address this problem before it got worse. She found that this sales decrease was due to two emerging technology problems, possibly of equal magnitude: 1) the students’ increasing use of online textbook vendors, and 2) the professors’ increasing use of online textbook publishers. Wendy reported the bad sales news to her boss, Chuck Irwin, the Vice Chancellor of Finance at Northlake University. After commiserating with her, Chuck told her that he was not surprised by this sales problem and that she should consider how to deal with these emerging technologies in her next performance evaluation report by comparing the performance of the Northlake Bookstore against competitors using benchmarking analysis. This analysis would help Wendy find the strengths and weaknesses of the Bookstore. Additionally, Chuck wanted Wendy to develop a few key related short-term performance goals and related measures that could be used in future performance evaluations. He wanted to discuss the situation at their meeting next week, which was the annual review of the Bookstore’s performance for the prior fiscal year 2004 (July 2003 through June 2004). A benchmarking analysis was required by Chuck for the annual review of all the nonacademic departments under his management. Northlake is a private university, located in a major metropolitan area in the Midwest, with an annual enrollment of 12 ,700 students, mostly undergraduates. Northlake is quite dependent upon student tuition, which typically accounts for 60% of its total revenues. However, the Chancellor was concerned because donations and gifts to the University were down, possibly due to uncertain economic conditions and erratic stock market performance. Prior to becoming the Northlake Bookstore manager, Wendy had spent 15 years in retail sales, most recently as a Wal-Mart sales manager. She was an outgoing, supportive individual who really liked being a retail sales manager and enjoyed working with her employees. She strongly believed in continuous improvement of any sales department that she managed. Despite her extensive retail experience in the for-profit sector, this was her first experience working in an academic environment. Wendy occasionally became frustrated working with faculty due to their late or inaccurate book orders. However, she liked helping students and enjoyed working in an academic environment without all the pressures of a for-prof it business with aggressive sales and earnings targets like Wal-Mart. To prepare her benchmarking analysis report required for the upcoming annual performance evaluation of the Bookstore, Wendy had collected income statement, product line, and other performance measures for the last three fiscal years. To aid evaluation, she summarized the various Bookstore operations into five product lines: textbooks, supplies and sundries, clothing, software and accessories, and computers. The textbook product line included new texts, used texts, class notes (course packs), and general reference books. The supply and sundry line included school and office supplies, electronics, food, sundries, greeting cards, and miscellaneous campus department sales. The clothing line included all insignia clothing, gifts, and memorabilia. Wendy knew she needed to act fast to thoroughly analyze all the information needed for the Bookstore’s annual benchmarking analysis that Chuck and the Chancellor required. She had a lot of historical information and was wondering how to analyze this financial information for her benchmarking analysis report. Benchmarking is the process of identifying superior performance of other organizations for products, services, and processes, and then attempting to improve necessary areas with the goal of achieving similar excellence. The benchmarking process first became popular in 1989 after Xerox advertised its success with the tool; however, the tool was initially employed by Xerox in 1972. In fact, more than 70% of the Fortune 500 companies—which includes AT&T, Ford Motor Company, IBM, and Eastman Kodak—reported using benchmarking regularly. Benchmarking is useful in countless decision-making settings including performance evaluation, health and safety management, and supply chain management. To reach for greater standards of excellence, Ford would likely consider foreign automobile manufacturers that have been well known for high efficiency and quality, such as Toyota, the current world-wide leader in automobile sales. Wendy currently benchmarked the performance of the bookstore against other college bookstores and major booksellers. In performing a benchmarking analysis, it was imperative for Wendy to benchmark processes that were aligned with organizational strategic objectives. Since the Bookstore was a profit center, it was imperative that she compare the profitability of the various product lines with other universities. The Bookstore also had an objective to provide service excellence. Thus, if available, it would be beneficial for Wendy to benchmark customer satisfaction data with other universities. Once processes that were consistent with strategic objectives were identified, it was necessary to collect and analyze internal information vis-Ã ¡-vis external information from competitors. The benchmarking process did not stop once areas of excellence and inferior performance were identified. Rather, it was imperative for Wendy to identify how to sustain the areas of excellence and improve the areas of inferior performance. In determining how to improve poor performance, she needed to understand the reason behind the poor performance. Once that was attained, it would be possible to determine a long-term plan for improvement. A key role of the Bookstore was to supply the Northlake University community–which included but was not limited to faculty, students, alumni and parents–with textbooks, supplies, clothing and gifts, computers and software, and much more. The Bookstore’s formal mission statement was as follows: The Northlake Bookstore is an academic resource for the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests of the University. The Bookstore serves the University with a business presence dedicated to providing service excellence that meets or exceeds the needs of each customer and University department. The Bookstore played a significant role in enabling parents of freshmen to participate in getting their children ready for the first day of class. Additional temporary staff was hired to ensure there was adequate assistance available for new students and returning students who were purchasing their textbooks. These staff members were readily available and happy to answer any question that new parents or students might have regarding textbooks or the University in general. Also, congruent with the University laptop requirement for all students, the Bookstore sold computers and software. This was a great way for parents to enjoy onestop back-to-school shopping. Additionally, the Bookstore tried to promote the University as a brand name by selling clothing and accessories with the University logo and/or name. Availability of clothing and accessories was also a service provided to students, parents, and alumni who wanted to show their support for the school. Sales of merchandise with the University logo indirectly promoted the University, but the Bookstore did not try to formally create alumni support nor was that a formal goal. This was the function of the University Alumni Advancement (funding) office. As indicated by the mission statement, by the role taken to familiarize new parents and students, and by the sale of merchandise with the University logo, the Bookstore operated in a manner aimed at achieving high customer satisfaction. To measure customer satisfaction the Bookstore conducted an annual customer satisfaction survey and a separate faculty satisfaction survey. Customer suggestion forms were also readily available on the Bookstore website. In her years as the Bookstore manager, Wendy had developed various financial performance measures to help assess the performance of the Bookstore. Over the last few years, she had used these measures as part of her benchmarking analysis. She felt fortunate to have a fairly comprehensive benchmarking database available to her. It was provided annually to all bookstore members free of charge by the National Association of College Stores (NACS). The only requirement was that each bookstore had to contribute its own data to the benchmarking database in order to use it. The NACS database included income statement, product line, and other types of benchmarks. With the looming threat from online textbook vendors, Wendy had started to benchmark Northlake’s textbook prices against the major online textbook vendors. She also tracked mail orders and Web orders from Northlake’s own website (started in 2000). Her task now was how best to use this benchmark information. She believed that her first step was to compare her current financial and operating results with the benchmark data to pinpoint areas in need of improvement. This analysis would likely uncover some areas that needed her attention, which would be useful in identifying areas in need of improvement. Benchmarking for Performance Evaluation. (2016, Dec 24).

Summer Landscape by William Panchner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summer Landscape by William Panchner - Essay Example The essay "Summer Landscape by William Panchner" examines "Summer Landscape", made by William Panchner. Depth and distance were effectively depicted through the elongated lines at the bottom of the painting which could be interpreted as winding roads interspersed with green shrubs. The depth was evident from painting forms and objects in smaller scales to depict furthering distance from the viewer. As the viewers’ eyes search through the landscape, the concept of space was effectively depicted through exhibiting a continued journey upwards to the house, as its apex. Beyond which, shades of blues represent the skies with shimmering glitters of sunlight depicted through waves of gold. The lines that were used are predominantly elongated, wavy, and rigged. The objects were not realistically expressed and only the house a top of the hill was visibly recognizable through clear lines and effective use of differentiating color that made the house stand out from the scenery. The place ment of colors complements each other and by including white intermittently, Pachner effectively created a sense of tranquility within the scenery. He leaves interpreting other visual forms in flat rendition to the imagination of the viewers. Greens could obviously represent flora. Shades of dark blues and greys depict depth in terms of inner spaces and farther locations. Like his landscape, those who view it could be lost in the barrage of colors and lines with no clear patterns. One is led to appreciate a sense of balance in his painting.