Knowledge and Emotion Essay Example for Free

Knowledge and Emotion Essay Emotion plays a big role in gaining knowledge even though when we do not realize it. Therefore, I agree with the quote, There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours. by Arnold Bennett, an English novelist. First of all, with the part, There can be no knowledge without emotion1, it can be proved by our experience. For example, we know about plate tectonics but until you feel it, you cant have knowledge. Earthquakes prove that the plate tectonics are moving towards each other, away from each other or slide past each other. Since I live in Japan, earthquakes can be felt often and I have the knowledge of what it is like to be in an area with lots of earthquakes. Also, for example, we can prove that we have knowledge from genes. Sometimes, I feel that I have the same characteristic as my mother when I am talking to my pets. I talk with them in a softer voice than when we talk to other people. Also, my mothers family loves animals and I was also brought up with an animal always beside me. Finally I can also see evidence from learning physics. I learned that the energy is transferred into other energies. Before, I wondered why bouncy balls bounced lower each time. When I learned about the energies, I gained the knowledge that the potential energy was transferred into heat, sound and other energies. From gaining these truths and experiencing it, it gives us knowledge of what it is like. By experiencing these things, it influences our emotion and gives us the knowledge. Though some people disagree that knowledge can be gained without emotion, I argue that the statement is not true. Though when you learn something, until you have realized what it is and accepted the information, then it is not knowledge. We have to know the information to gain the knowledge so to gain the knowledge we have to experience it. For example, I know the truth that floods occur and the consequences as well as the effects of it but since I have not experienced it before, I do not have the knowledge of what it is like to be in an area, which flooded. Furthermore, by learning biology, I know that there are diseases such as thrombosis, a blood clotting disease but since I have not experienced it I do not what it feels like to have thrombosis. As a result, I do not yet have the knowledge. Knowledge can be gained by other ways of knowing such as reason, sense perception and language. Though I agree with this, I think these all involve the ways of knowing of emotion. When we have a reason to gain knowledge, we gain the knowledge by realizing it and experiencing it. When we gain knowledge by sense perception it is done by experiencing something and realizing what is going on in our surroundings. Finally for language, we are experiencing it since we are talking or listening to the language. Since all these involve the action of experiencing, it all involves emotion. If someone did things unconsciously, I wonder if they can get knowledge. People who sleepwalk have been seen eating, dressing, driving cars, and many other things. Their brain is not fully shut down. Sleepwalking occurs before they are in the state of rapid eye movement, or the moment they are dreaming.2 They have their eyes open to recognize their surroundings. Therefore, I think they are using their sense perception when they are sleepwalking. Though they may not remember it when they wake up and get confused but I think their brain remembers it since the brain is not fully shut when people sleepwalk. Therefore knowledge is gained from experiencing things even if they are sleepwalking which is done unconsciously. Reflexes are also done unconsciously. They are done because we have the knowledge of what to do best to have the least damage to ourselves. That is why we pull our hands back when we touch something hot to reduce the possibility of burning our hand. We try to reduce it because we have the knowledge of what is going to happen if we do not. If we do not take our hand back, we know we are going to burn our hand and feel the pain. When I wake up, I have the reflex of stopping the alarm clock because I have the knowledge that I have to wake up to go to school. This reflex was done because I had the emotion that I did not want to go to school since I had to wake up at six oclock in the morning. Therefore as a conclusion, I agree to an extent with the quote by an English novelist, Arnold Bennett of There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours. Emotion is connected to the other ways of knowing and everything we do in our lives. Experiencing things give knowledge to us which gives us emotion whether we do things consciously or unconsciously.

Research Questions And Hypotheses Applied When Conducting Research Psychology Essay

Research Questions And Hypotheses Applied When Conducting Research Psychology Essay Introduction Research questions and hypotheses are two internationally standard and essential components of academic research. This paper will attempt to make a distinction between the two concepts, in the process highlighting important elements within each concept. This paper will begin with an overview of the research process, explain the concepts of hypotheses and research questions and show how these two concepts are related to each other. In the second part of this paper, emphasis will be brought to bear on hypotheses and their uses in research, providing the reader some examples to illustrate. It will show how hypotheses are linked with other parts of a research study and conclude with the limitations of hypotheses. The third part of this paper examines the use of research questions in research. It offers examples of research questions, shows how they can be linked with other parts of the study and it then examines their limitations. The final part of this paper compares and contrasts hypotheses and research questions and it is from this point that the final conclusion is drawn. A General Overview of Research Research is defined as the art of scientific investigation (Kothari, 2004:p.1). It is the quest to obtain new knowledge or to extend the boundaries of that which is already known. Research, therefore, seeks to discover, explain and predict phenomena through the skilled and systematic manipulation of variables. The research process starts when the researcher encounters a question or related questions which he or she thinks could and should be answered. When a researchable question comes up in the problem area of the researcher, he or she gathers tools to find out whether the proffered solutions offered by the hypothesis/hypotheses are workable and if an intervention were to be carried out, the likely chances of its success. In academic research, the researcher is expected to link the research questions with the purpose of their study and their objectives. Explaining the Concepts The following are brief explanations of the key terms used in this paper which include hypotheses, research questions and the relationship between them. Term Definition Con Hypothesis A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation Research Questions Formally stated questions intended to provide indications about something of interest or relationships between variables in the research process Variable A quantity or attribute of a construct which is likely to vary What are Hypotheses? Hypotheses is the pluralized form of hypothesis. It originates from the Greek word hypothesis, which means groundwork, supposition or foundation. A hypothesis therefore from its early origins was used to mean a supposition, or unproven explanation for any given phenomenon. To the layman, hypotheses are simply conjectures which are proposed ideas to explain facts or observations, or simply stated, an educated guess. An example of this could be Dar es salaam is hotter than other cities because it has fewer trees. Hypotheses are also used to mean expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence such as when a person says thinking good thoughts can heal your illnesses, and thinking bad thoughts will make you ill. In research, however, a research hypothesis represents a predictive statement, testable by the scientific method of inquiry, which relates an independent variable/s to some dependent variable(s) (Kothari, 2004, p.201). A hypothesis is also defined as a testable proposition about the relationship between two or more concepts (Gray 2004, p.7). Another important fact about a hypothesis is that it retains the character of an educated guess until facts are found to confirm or discredit it (Mauch Park, 2003, p. 136). When hypothesis are used in research, the proposition must be testable. The following are examples of testable hypotheses: Students who study for one hour a day or more perform better than students who study less than one hour a day Students who learn using the problem based learning methodology retain knowledge for longer than students who learn using traditional methods of learning. What are Research Questions? A research question is a formally stated question intended to provide indications about something of interest in the research process. It is a statement which identifies the phenomenon to be studied. A research question, unlike a hypothesis, is not limited to investigating relationships between variables. The research question is a statement framed as a question which may ask about the relationship between variables (such as dependent and independent variables) in a research study, or which may make an interrogative general statement about the area under study. The Relationship between Hypotheses and Research Questions While a hypothesis is a formal statement about the relationship between variables, the research question is a formally stated question providing indications about concepts in the study and not limited to investigating relationships between variables. Hypotheses are often guided by research questions. While some research questions may be tested by hypotheses, others do not require hypotheses testing (see page 10 below). A well thought out and focused research question is expected to lead to a hypothesis showing relationships between two variables. Hypotheses, although they are important, are not essential for an academic study. There are studies in qualitative research which are focused on theory building which start with a mere research question and end in a series of generalizations which may be made to form a theory. A research question such as the following could fit into this category: How do members of the Ankole community experience marriage? The Use of Hypotheses in Research The researcher often hypothesizes in order to help give direction to their work. When the researcher does this, he/she makes inferences based on what is known (facts) and observed conditions in reaching a decision on how to approach a study. The researcher may come to a hypothesis from a thorough analysis of the theoretical and factual background of a research problem. For example, a researcher conducting a study on the relationship between obesity and cancer may discover a trend from reading medical reports which links the consumption of certain types of foods to the onset of cancers. From this angle, the researcher may develop a hypothesis that the consumption of the foods is related to the onset of cancer and worth studying as a specific hypothesis. Types of hypotheses A hypothesis may be classified in terms of how it is derived as either inductive or deductive. While inductive reasoning seeks to create general principles from starting with many specific observations or instances, deductive reasoning seeks to create a specific conclusion based on generalizations. An inductive hypothesis is a hypothesis formed through inductive reasoning from many specific observations to tentative explanations of the causes. An example of inductive reasoning is from observing from Christian history that leaders in the church have been violent, intolerant and prejudiced to making an inductive hypothesis that Christians are all violent, intolerant and prejudiced. A deductive hypothesis is one which is formed through deductive reasoning which starts with a premise such as a theory, and then forms a conclusion based on that premise. An example of a deductive hypothesis is using the premise all Nigerians are scammers and Niyi is a Nigerian, therefore the conclusion Niyi is a scammer. A hypothesis may also be classified on the basis of its formulation as a research hypothesis which may be directional or non-directional, the null hypothesis, and the statistical hypothesis. As mentioned earlier research hypotheses are conjectural statements of expected results. They could either be directional or non-directional. A directional research hypothesis anticipates a specific outcome and states the expected direction of the relation or difference between variables. An example is a student class using problem-based learning will demonstrate higher achievement than a student class using teacher centered instruction methods. A non-directional research hypothesis is one on which an outcome is anticipated but the specific nature of the outcome is unsure, or put simply, it only states that a relationship exists. An example of a non-directional hypothesis is there will be differences in achievement between a student class using problem-based learning and one using teacher centered instruction methods. The null hypothesis is used in statistics and it is simply a hypothesis that no difference or relationship exists between the variables under study. This does not represent the outcome expected by the researcher and is only used for statistical reasons. The null hypothesis is the opposite of the research (or maintained or alternative) hypothesis. Linking hypotheses to other parts of the study In the quantitative approach to research, hypotheses are derived from research questions and are used to link the variables of the study. Each hypothesis may be linked to a specific research question. In empirical studies, the testability (the measure to which the hypothesis may be tested) and acceptability of a hypothesis help negate or accept a theory the theory upon which the assumption is being made. For example, in a study in which the research hypothesis states that there is a significant positive relationship between lateness to work and employee productivity, if the researcher were to discover a significant positive relationship between the two variables listed through the study, it would imply that the alternative hypothesis be accepted. Therefore the findings of the research would strengthen any underlying theory linking the concepts of lateness and employee productivity. Limitations of hypotheses A hypothesis is restricted in use in empirical research to concepts which are clear and unambiguous. A hypothesis therefore helps the researcher in the formulation of clear research concepts. A hypothesis may not be used for instance to measure concepts which have different meanings for different people. That is why, for example, it is often an elusive endeavor trying to measure concepts such as intelligence which do not lend themselves to clear empirical testing. Concepts in hypothesis must have indicators with which they can be measured by. The means of measuring indicators or instruments of measurement must be valid and reliable if the results from hypothesis testing are to be relied upon. A hypothesis is also limited to testing researchable concepts. Concepts such as the will of God may not be researchable due to the difficulty of finding valid measures. Use of Research Questions in Research Research questions are used in different ways depending on the research approach. For the purpose of this paper, we shall see how they are used in quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative research Research questions could be used in quantitative studies to highlight the key variables in the research problem which need to be compared with one another in order to draw a conclusion. When they are so used they may generate a hypothesis for each question as outlined in the cases outlined below. Research questions may also be used in descriptive studies which aim to describe the characteristics of an event, region or community. An example of a research question as used in a descriptive study could be What candidate are Nigerian voters likely to support for President. Research questions, when used in quantitative research, must relate to the problem statement and outline the specific query which the researcher seeks to answer. After the research question(s) is/are stated, the resulting hypothesis is outlined. For example, if the problem of the study is related to why women have higher scores than men on an IQ test in a certain district, one of the research questions may be: What percentage of women has higher IQ scores than men in this district? Qualitative Research In qualitative research such as in Grounded Theory, or Critical Theory research, research questions usually focus on one concept or idea rather than making assumptions among groups. In this type of research, research questions also are often based on hunches or personal experience. An example of a research question in qualitative research is How do Kenyan women view domestic violence? In qualitative research, research questions may generate data which may generate a pattern for stating a generalized statement such as a hypothesis or theory. Types of Research Questions Gray (2004, p. 70) distinguishes between four types of research questions: descriptive, normative, correlative and impact research questions. Descriptive research questions are about what is happening and may show which methods are being used. An example of a descriptive research question is what proportion of private universities has a health and safety policy? Descriptive questions may be answered without the need for a hypothesis as their aim is simply to establish a frequency. Normative research questions seek to establish what is actually happening in contrast to the norm or what should be happening. An example of a normative question is to what extent are private universities complying with health and safety laws? Normative questions may be answered with a narrative rather than the use of a hypothesis. Correlative questions seek to establish relationships and are interested in the strength of relationships between variables. An example of a correlative question is what is the relationship between management style, university ranking and compliance with health and safety regulations? While correlative questions may be tested by hypotheses, they do not seek to establish causality but intend to correlate variables and show the existence or otherwise of significant relationships between them. Impact questions seek to establish causality in relationships between variables and measure the effect which variables have on one another (i.e. what impact does a change in variable x have on variable y?). An example of an impact question is does compliance with health and safety regulations have an impact on productivity? Impact questions may also be tested by hypotheses. Examples of Research Questions Research questions are derived from the objectives of the study and should help to break down the problem of study into manageable units. If the problem of the study is about the relationship between input metrics and the effectiveness of universal basic education, where input metrics are defined by: The teacher-pupil ratio Classroom availability Textbook availability Availability of audio visual tools Availability of learning materials including chalkboards, chairs and desks, and stationery Valid research questions in this scenario would include: Does universal basic education receive critical support from the government regarding its input metrics? What is the relationship between the teacher pupil ratio and the effectiveness of universal basic education? What is the impact of classroom availability on the effectiveness of universal basic education? What is the relationship between textbook availability and the effectiveness of universal basic education? Is the effectiveness of universal basic education influenced by the availability of audio visual tools? What is the relationship between availability of learning materials and the effectiveness of universal basic education? The first question does not require the use of a hypothesis but the other questions do. This is because the first question can be approached by using a narrative based on qualitative study using observation and primary and secondary data. These different variables, as mentioned earlier, should each have indicators which are measurable and attainable in order to properly use the research questions above. Linking Research Questions to Other Parts of the Study Research questions are derived from the purpose and objectives of the study and are often tied to each hypothesis, which are logical extensions of the research questions themselves. Research questions help to narrow the focus of the research on researchable areas within the scope of the study. The research questions can be directly linked with the findings of the research in qualitative studies where there are no hypotheses. In this case, questions may be used to guide the researcher and when a tangential point becomes of greater interest, new questions are used to determine the ways in which to approach the research bearing in mind the new evidence uncovered. The research questions are also linked directly to the research problem which underpins the study. The research problem may in itself be too wide in scope to be satisfactorily tackled by limited research. The research questions therefore, help to streamline the research into areas which may be studied. Limitations of Research Questions Research questions are useful inasmuch as they ask questions which can be linked directly with the objectives of the study. In quantitative studies, just like hypotheses, they help to narrow down the area of focus for the research on acquiring information which is researchable and desirable. In qualitative studies they help to set the focus for commencing discussions into the area of study in order that data may be generated. Research questions are simply statements of a focused objective of the study. They are used especially when the researcher may not want to specify the direction of the relationship among the variables, or they may be used to determine the key variables from the research objectives. Comparing and Contrasting Hypotheses with Research Questions The following is a point by point contrast and comparison between hypotheses and research questions Area Hypotheses Research Questions Use Generated from qualitative research but used in quantitative studies Used in both quantitative and qualitative research Outcome In a hypothesis, the predicted relationship between variables is either true or false With a research question, the answer to the question may be closed (e.g. a yes or no answer) or may be open and descriptive in nature. Verification A hypothesis is empirically verifiable The answer to a research question may not always be verifiable Generation Hypotheses are generated from research questions Research questions are generated from the research problem. They may or may not generate a hypothesis Intent The hypothesis helps to test a relationship between variables i.e. can be tested and verified The research question seeks to help gather preliminary data for a study In Qualitative research Hypotheses are generated Research questions are used as a guide As can be seen from the above, research questions are quite integral to the concept of research just as much as they are indelibly linked to hypotheses, in quantitative research. The two are used as an aid to delimiting concepts for empirical study in quantitative research and while research questions are used to guide qualitative research, hypotheses are products of qualitative research. Summary and Conclusion The focus of this paper has been to show the various differences between hypotheses and research questions and how these concepts are used in research. These have been highlighted starting with functional definitions, explanations and limitations of the various concepts involved. The different types of hypotheses and research questions have also been enumerated and explained while showing how they may be used in research. The paper has shown concrete contextual examples to illustrate the different concepts from a local perspective and examples of each concept have been used to aid the reader at each step. This paper has concluded with a tabular exposition of the contrast between research questions and hypotheses for validation of premises earlier outlined.

Hilton and Holiday Inn Human Resource strategy and Operational planning

Hilton and Holiday Inn Human Resource strategy and Operational planning Introduction The essay will explore the theoretical and practical sides of the relationship between the Human Resource strategy and the Operational planning and development in the retail and hospitality industry, in order to determine a deep overall view of the subject. The text will draw upon many cases, research, and literature to demonstrate the background that is necessary for an independent evaluation of this topic. The paper will take Hilton and Holiday Inn as an example of todays average but highly successful corporation and investigate the companys past and current human resource strategies and the reasons behind their strategic decisions. Through the essay; human capital management, business performance, model of comparative SHRM, strategy evaluation, HR links between missions, as well as goals of the organizations and further related topics; will be discussed. The essay is divided by nine major topics. Certain topics will be examined in greater detail for more accurate understanding, ho wever as SHRM indicates every topic will also deeply link together and therefore specific parts on certain subjects will be discussed in other topics. Hard definition SHRM can be defined as the connection between HR, strategic objectives and goals in order to increase productivity or efficiency and create business culture that promotes flexibility, innovation, and competitive advantage. In a corporation, Strategic Human Resource Management means accepting and involving the Human Resource roles as a strategic partner in the formulation and implementation of the organisations strategies through Human Resource functions such as staffing, selecting, training and rewarding employees. (Mello, 2010) Recruitment linked with operational strategy The first area of focus is on the process of accurate staffing, management, and organisation of a business through human resource functions. Businesses are able to create a highly effective strategic framework as it will be uniquely personalised for their exact situation. This is by recognising the portfolio of the corporation at the operational, managerial and strategic level, rather than arranging the human resource department to reflect the strategic, managerial and operational requirements of the organisation (Hamel and Prahalad, 1996: 242). The most important structural variations of the corporation also stand on the corporations recruiting procedure. Position posting, succession forecasting and management development offer the HR department a chance to bring a measure of integration to the recruiting procedure and to have power over the internal movement of the corporations human resources. It is especially significant that staffing for all levels of positions, as well as the d omestic movement of employees, be coordinated with the strategic concerns of the business (Baron Kreps, 1999). The portfolio of the business will make a significant input to the progress of a businesses recruiting strategy; it is one of the driving forces in the staffing, promotion plans program development and selection. Management between the businesses recruiting and its strategic plans can improve the businesses ability to get used to environmental conditions. However businesses are likely to recruit people who have similar characteristics to the managers who are presently working within it. Little conscious attention is paid to identifying the characteristics most congruent with different organizational configurations. (Galbraith and Nathanson,1978). Employee skill and behaviour training Many businesses, including local shops in Edinburgh owned by the Asian community, have faced the challenge of developing greater confidence, solution finding, initiative, and trouble solving capabilities among their employees. This has become a serious problem (Megginson Banfield Matthews, 1999) as those convenient stores are the backbone of the economy (Dr. Welsh, 2000). Businesses need employees at every level to be more resourceful, independent, creative and self sufficient. These characteristics allow employees to function at a superior strategic level, making businesses more competitive and productive. Therefore, they require training development which includes all activities intended and executed to support staff members knowledge, abilities (or competencies) and skills. For organizations, training and development especially relates to those activities that make sure that every staff member is capable enough to build a work environment that is both inclusive and diverse. In addition to supporting abilities, skills and knowledge; several training and development plans associated with diversity efforts to influence the attitudes, maturity, courage or values of their members, are also necessary for the development of strategic and managerial capabilities. It should be noted that training and development plans that try to make major adjustments with regard to attitudes need a large amount of time and investment if they are to be successful. However each individual training undergone is a kind of long term investment, therefore determining the return on investments when conducting training and development activities, are very important. There are several kinds of training options. Mentoring, Coaching and Counselling are the most well known ones. Although many of the methods are similar within these training options as they are normally delivered by individuals, there are numerous unique characteristics of each method that make them exclusive in their own wa y other than the fact that the individual has different qualifications, different relationships with their client and is usually working within different time frames (Megginson, Banfield Matthews, 1999) Employee Empowerment As it has been mentioned earlier, companies try to train their staff to be more self-sufficient so that less supervision would be required; or in other words, empower them. Employee empowerment is an expression used to express the ways in which employees without managerial positions can make independent decisions with no need of confirmation from a boss or manager. These independent decisions can be small or large depending on the level of power with which the organisation wants to invest in the member of staff. Personnel empowerment can start with training, as stated above, and by converting a whole business into an empowerment model. On the other hand it may simply mean giving staff members the ability to make a few decisions on their own. When people feel they have options and are allowed to make direct decisions, this does frequently show the way to a better feeling of self worth. In a representation where power is directly attached to a sense of self, the feeling of having some power is a priceless thing (Losey Ulrich Meisinger, 2005). A staff member who does not feel continuously evaluated by managers and watched is more likely to consider their workplace as a positive, happy environment, rather than a negative one. Employee Commitment The behavioural research, carried out by a group at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, recognizes the aspects that most possible to affect 21st century staff well being, productivity and commitment. (PhD. Kreisman, 2002). They established that loyalty is mainly influenced by ones sense of purpose, general trust in the business and feeling of individual impact. Productivity is mostly affected by the quality of human relations including social group moods, cooperative and interaction. The results of the investigation guided them to conclude that working environments that offer positive atmosphere that encourage quality personal relationships and interpersonal trust generates the most loyal and productive staff members. So a staff member who does not feel continuously watched by managers is more likely to judge their workplace as a positive environment, as it has been said before, therefore he or she will feel more committed to the organisation. This would increase t heir productivity, as peoples efforts generate greater results. In conclusion, this would cut cost for the organisation. (Losey Ulrich Meisinger, 2005) Mutual flexibility Last year a much respected five star Hilton hotel recruited front line staff for part time positions. From week one Hiltons management required them to work 65 hours even when indeed they had a contract for 25 hours per week. They were unable to do anything about this unfortunate situation as it was clear that if they could not fit their schedules they were free to leave. By the end of the 3rd month when their training had finished, many of them were exhausted and fed up, and they left the Hilton group for their leak of flexibility (Mehta, 2005). Flexibility is essential for both the employer and the employee; flexibility of staff member behaviours, workers skills and Human Resource practices stand for a significant sub dimension of Human Resource flexibility and are associated with greater business performance. Results based on perceptual methods of Human Resource flexibility and accounting measures of business performance support this prediction. Behaviour, skill, and Human Resourc e practice flexibility are, however, drastically connected with an index of business financial performance. Numerous professionals believe that the only skill that flexibility contributes is its cost efficiency. (Hendry, 1995) Hilton has recruited them because they were looking for people who go the extra mile; people who are flexible. The fact that Hilton did not give anything to them in return meant that these people left. Despite this, their worth and value has increased as the result of the training that Hilton gave them, while Hilton lost a significant amount of money. In the Hospitality business, staff turnover is the biggest problem because in the service industry, staff represent the biggest cost and long time investment at the same time. This means that when companies start to train their staff they integrate them into the business even if they are not core employees. When they leave however, all the money and time put in will be lost, not to mention the cost of the ongoing posting of jobs, interviews and other administrational fees (Hayes Ninemeier, 2008). Human Capital versus SHRM A several authors have argued that SRHM and Human Capital Management are the same thing. Certainly the idea of SHRM matches that of the broader meaning of HCM relatively well; as the following characterisation of the key features of SHRM by Dyer and Holder (1998) demonstrate that strategies engage decisions regarding main policies, key goals and the allowance of resources that are likely to be formulated at the top. Strategies are business determined and focus on organisational efficiency; thus in this perspective, are viewed mainly as resources to be managed toward the success of strategic business targets (Society for Human Resource Management, 2004). Strategies by their very nature offer combined frameworks which are at once integrative, broad and possibility based. These integrate a full complement of Human Resource targets and activities intended exclusively to fit existing environments and to be equally reinforcing or synergistic. This sections discussion has been based on the evidence that both Human Resource Management in its appropriate sense and Human Capital Management, rest on the supposition that employees are treated as assets rather than expenses and both focus on the significance of adopting an incorporated and strategic move towards managing employees which is the worry of every stakeholder in a business, not only the staff management function. On the other hand, the theory of HCM strengthens and complements the theory of SHRM rather than replaces it. Therefore both Human Capital Management and Strategic Human Resource Management can be considered as crucial components in the progression of staff management and both form the basis for accomplishing HR advantage through a resource based strategy (Greer, 2000). Soft HRM versus Hard HRM The effort to satisfy external stakeholders and the costumers demanding nature lead to a pressure on HR management both strategically and operationally side. (York, 2009) Customer service and associated perceptions have led retail businesses and hospitality to a more theoretical judgment of HR management. In the long term it is left to be seen whether the strategic management of HR has been better regulated by hard Human Resource Management, which is the traditional managerial distrust approach. Humans are lazy by nature and simply pursue their self-interests. This means that there are two different and conflicting sets of interests: the organisation and its employees. It is the managements job to encourage the right attitude in staff members so that their actions pursue the accomplishment of the organisations goals, not their own. Thus there is a case for the existence of correctives and coercion. (Megginson 1999), On the other hand there is the soft Human Resource Management or in other name the Harvard model which is the opposed approach. Instead of seeing humans as lazy machines, they are seen as able to take care of their feelings, emotions and motivations. Employees might in fact wish for personal realisation and work could be one of the ways to achieve it. People like things done well, and making a difference. Managers therefore, must allow them to do so and help them to maintain their high levels of motivation. Employees are not lazy, they do not hate working, and can be self responsible. In this way, coercion is no longer essential (Megginson 1999). Customer Service, (linking) Mayfair London located at the centre of the British Tourism Hospitality Industry and Bass group is a primary hospitality chain. Johnson (1999) examines that the senior managers at Holiday inns carried out a training project that included spending short times at operative levels. This training led them to discover that if front line employees were not given autonomy and authority to solve non routine issues as they came up, their customers belief of quality service would be badly damaged. It is significant to identify the connection between the front line staff, executives and the empowerment of employees to take liability for quality management problems and customer care satisfaction. The corporation then initiated training programs to provide employees with the possibilities to take further liability for problem solving and quality as well as implement new employment strategies, for example auditions for front office staff to differentiate applicants with the right attitudes. The te rm right attitudes suggests that the organization is seeking employees with culturally specified social skills, attributes that are frequently difficult to appraise. These tacit or soft abilities, are skills to carry out complex functions and relationship roles while at the same time, carry out technical (or hard) tasks. (Hayes Ninemeier, 2008). Executives also accept that the success of the new strategies would give a genuine dedication to the interests and welfare of staff. The hotel gained Investors in People recognition in 1995. This section is an excellent example that shows how everything is linked together. The essay previously discusses empowerment, flexibility, commitment, training, customer service and many more things, as this example states; every single area of human resource management effects the entire business progress just as much as one area effects another. Conclusion Business or corporate strategy for service companies in areas such as tourism, hospitality and retail; has to satisfy a variety of stakeholders, and interests them within a strategy framework appropriate to all of them. SHRM has played a part in the consolidation of staff members, within the model established by the executive senior managers. Strategic Human Resource Management is therefore a component of the wider network of business administration and corporate strategy. It is valuable for every corporation to organize their employees within a designed and logical framework which reflects the organisations strategy. It is necessary that the varieties of aspects of HRM are mutually reinforced in developing the behaviours and performance needed to accomplish business success. Every single person is part of the organisation and is partially reliable for the companys success and therefore they represent the biggest asset of a service company. Employees represent one of the biggest cost but they can also represent the greatest competitive advantage against other businesses. Despite this, there is not a single Human Resource Management strategy that would bring success in every situation. Businesses have to identify a strategy which is exceptional to their own circumstances in terms of goals, context and the demands of business stakeholders.

Essay on Chaucers Canterbury Tales - Power of the Pardoners Tale :: Pardoners Tale

The Power of the Pardoner's Tale      Ã‚  Ã‚   Geoffrey Chaucer was a author of the 12th century.   Chaucer is known as the father of English poetry.   He wrote Canterbury Tales which is a collection of narrative short stories written in verse.   "The Pardoners Tale" is among the more popular of these varied tales.   It is told by a pardoner who uses the story to preach against those who are blastfamous and gluttonous.   In an odd twist, after he tells the story he trys to sell others counterfiet relics.   In this short story about greed, disrespect and death Chaucer utilizes three important literary tools personification, irony, and symbolism.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the tale by Chaucer Personification is utilized on the character of Death.   When a young boy is asked what happened to a man who had just died he responds in saying "There came a sneaking thief that men call Death, who slays all the people in this country, and with his spear he struck his heart in two, then went his way without saying another word." They show there feelings by pledging to each other to murder death.   "Let each of us hold up his hand to this false traitor Death.   He that slays so many shall be slain himself before nightfall."      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In "The Pardoners Tale" personification is employed to make Death a person instead of a process.   Death is given human characteristics to make him more real to us.   This tool allows the main characters to focus their feelings.With the use of personification the three men are allowed to focus their feelings of vengence on a person instead of a biological process.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Another tool that was heavily relied on was irony.   There are many examples used to show irony in the story.   The old man sends the three drunkards down a path where he says death is, however, a pot of gold awaits them there instead.   "If your so anxious to find Death, turn up this crooked path; for in that grove I left him, by my faith, under a tree, and there he'll stay."   The irony in this event is that the three men who were ready to kill Death totally forget about him once the gold is found. After the three villians find the gold they send one into town for supplies.

The Emperors New Clothes :: essays research papers

Recently I read one of the Hans Christian Anderson's short stories, The Emperor's New Clothes. This Danish writer in his story made such a good picture of foolish kings and governors that now-a-days are much more before. Many years ago there was an emperor who was so excessively fond of new clothes that he spent all his money on them. He cared nothing about his army, nor for people and his country, except to showing off his new clothes. One day two swindlers came to castle and said to emperor that they can weave the most beautiful stuff imaginable. Not only were the colors and patterns unusually fine, but the clothes that were made of these stuffs had the peculiar quality of becoming invisible to every person who was not fit for the office he held, or if he was impossibly dull. Emperor thought that those must be magnificent clothes, besides he should be able to discover which men in his kingdom are unfitted for their posts. Therefore he ordered to those two swindlers to make it ready for next month ceremony. Two swindlers asked such a huge amount of pure gold thread, fine silk and expensive cottons. They started their work in a separated room. They did put up two looms and all the time they just pretend to make such a fine stuff. The day and night they were busy with empty looms, but time to time they asked precious materials for emperor's new clothes. After a time, emperor sent his old minister to see what's going on. The poor old minister went there but he could not see any thing. Firstly he was worry that he could not see that stuff, but when two swindlers asked about clothes, he answered that it's magnificent. Two swindlers started to describing great patters and originality of colors and old minister paid great attention on them. After that when he back to emperor, he just repeat all swindlers words. After some times again one another person was sent to that room, but the same story happened. After all in occasion day emperor and a number of his courtiers, among them, the two faithful officials who had already seen the imaginary stuff, went to visit new clothes. No one could see the stuff, but every one was pretend to see something. Emperor himself could not see any thing but he put on that invisible stuff and finally in the street one innocent boy shouted that emperor has no clothes!

Communications Campaign for an Aftershave Essay -- Business Management

Communications Campaign for an Aftershave I have been requested to produce a communications campaign for my aftershave called Blizz, created by Lacoste, with a budget of  £300,000. The things I need to include are an explanation of the importance of advertising and public relations to a business, an explanation of advertising media and their advantages and disadvantages, discussion of the reason businesses use public relations and the tools used in the public relations and a list of the consists on a communication campaign. My target audience for my blizz fragrance are businessmen aged 30 and on words. There interests are in business investments and buying posh expensive goods. The Blizz fragrance will be campaigned on national television and at department stores such as House of Frasier, Beatties and Debenhams. Young women going around the store giving testers out to the public will advertise the fragrance. I’m going to make my advert interesting and classy so it will appeals to the all business men, the advert will show all ranges of business men buying the Blizz fragrance form house of Frasier. The language in the advert will be in posh English and every body will be wearing suits, the women in the advert will fall in love with the men once they brought the fragrance. The colours used in my advert are going to suttle and eye catching. Research shows that advertising in men’s â€Å"grooming† books and magazine, the idea of virility and masculinity is something very different today. More attention is paid to the body and sensuality is considered and asset, not something to be hidden. Men’s fashions have also changed, becoming more colourful, varied and seductive, all factor which explain the boom in men’s fragrances, which now represents an astonishing one third of the turnover of the various fragrance companies. The male market is here to stay – and the experimental fragrances, such as Davidoff’s Cool Water (fruity, floral notes), and New West by ARAMs (salty, refreshing notes) have capitalized on this new openness in male fragrances. When I searched the web for "commercial production", lots of names came up and I wasn't really sure which to trust and which I couldn't trust. After a lot of clicking the main results, I decided to switch over to the sponsored results, which on Google appear on the right side of the page in little boxes. I found that the fi... ...newspapers prompting a certain product or a business. Sponsorship- sponsorship is when an organisation uses their product to sponsor someone or something for example when ITV uses Cadburys chocolates to sponsor Coronation Street. In house magazine- this is when an organisation uses a magazine to promote their product thin in their company. Corporate image – this is when an organisation sets out an image to attract a certain type of consumers for their product. Local Environment Projects- this is when the organisation promotes their product in their local environment to see what the public thinks about their product.  · The reason businesses use public relations is to-:  · Create strong community relations  · Be aware of there social responsibility  · Persuading customers to by there products or services  · Explain customerÂ’s legal rights. The tools that I would use for public relations are: - Press releases- I would get the press to promote my Blizz fragrance in a newspaper for example the Daily Mail. Local environment projects- I would use this project by going to the markets and giving out free samples of my fragrance to the members of the public to see what they think of it.

Roles of Transportation

CHAPTER 3. ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION IN SOCIETY NPTEL May 7, 2007 Chapter 3 Role of transportation in society 3. 1 Overview Transportation is a non separable part of any society. It exhibits a very close relation to the style of life, the range and location of activities and the goods and services which will be available for consumption. Advances in transportation has made possible changes in the way of living and the way in which societies are organized and therefore have a great in uence in the development of civilizations.This chapter conveys an understanding of the importance of transportation in the modern society by presenting selected characteristics of existing transportation systems, their use and relationships to other human activities. Transportation is responsible for the development of civilizations from very old times by meeting travel requirement of people and transport requirement of goods. Such movement has changed the way people live and travel. In developed and develo ping nations, a large fraction of people travel daily for work,shopping and social reasons.But transport also consumes a lot of resources like time,fuel, materials and land. 3. 2 Economic role of transportation Economics involves production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. People depend upon the natural resources to satisfy the needs of life but due to non uniform surface of earth and due to di erence in local resources, there is a lot of di erence in standard of living in di erent societies. So there is an immense requirement of transport of resources from one particular society to other.These resources can range from material things to knowledge and skills like movement of doctors and technicians to the places where there is need of them. 3. 2. 1 The place, time, quality and utility of goods An example is given to evaluate the relationship between place, time and cost of a particular commodity. If a commodity is produced at point A and wanted by people of anoth er community at any point B distant x from A, then the price of the commodity is dependent on the distance between two centers and the system of transportation between two points. With improved system the commodity will be made less costly at B. . 2. 2 Changes in location of activities The reduction of cost of transport does not have same e ect on all locations. Let at any point B the commodity is to be consumed. This product is supplied by two stations A and K which are at two di erent distances Introduction to Transportation Engineering 3. 1 Tom V. Mathew and K V Krishna Rao CHAPTER 3. ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION IN SOCIETY NPTEL May 7, 2007 from B. Let at present the commodity is supplied by A since it is at a lesser distance but after wards due to improvement in road network between B and K,the point K becomes the supply point of product. . 2. 3 Conclusions †¢ Transport extends the range of sources of supply of goods to be consumed in an area, making it possible for user to get resources at cheap price and high quality. †¢ The use of more e cient systems of supply results in an increase in the total amount of goods available for consumption. †¢ Since the supply of goods is no longer dependent on the type of mode, items can be supplied by some alternative resources if usual source cannot supply what is needed. 3. 3 Social role of transportationTransportation has always played an important role in in uencing the formation of urban societies. Although other facilities like availability of food and water, played a major role, the contribution of transportation can be seen clearly from the formation, size and pattern, and the development of societies, especially urban centers. 3. 3. 1 Formation of settlements From the beginning of civilization, the man is living in settlements which existed near banks of major river junctions, a port, or an intersection of trade routes. Cities like New York, Mumbai and Moscow are good examples. . 3. 2 Size and pattern of settlements The initial settlements were relatively small developments but with due course of time, they grew in population and developed into big cities and major trade centers. The size of settlements is not only limited by the size of the area by which the settlement can obtain food and other necessities, but also by considerations of personal travels especially the journey to and from work. The increased speed of transport and reduction in the cost of transport have resulted in variety of spatial patterns. . 3. 3 Growth of urban centers When the cities grow beyond normal walking distance, then transportation technology plays a role in the formation of the city. For example, many cities in the plains developed as a circular city with radial routes, where as the cities beside a river developed linearly. The development of automobiles, and other factors like increase in personal income, and construction of paved road network, the settlements were transformed into urban centers of intense travel activity. 3. 4 Political role of transportationThe world is divided into numerous political units which are formed for mutual protection, economic advantages and development of common culture. Transportation plays an important role in the functioning of such political Introduction to Transportation Engineering 3. 2 Tom V. Mathew and K V Krishna Rao CHAPTER 3. ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION IN SOCIETY NPTEL May 7, 2007 units. 3. 4. 1 Administration of an area The government of an area must be able to send/get information to/about its people. It may include laws to be followed, security and other needful information needed to generate awareness.An e cient administration of a country largely depends on how e ectively government could communicate these information to all the country. However, with the advent of communications, its importance is slightly reduced. 3. 4. 2 Political choices in transport These choices may be classified as communication, military movement, travel o f persons and movement of freight. The primary function of transportation is the transfer of messages and information. It is also needed for rapid movement of troops in case of emergency and finally movement of persons and goods.The political decision of construction and maintenance of roads has resulted in the development of transportation system. 3. 5 Environmental role of transportation The negative e ects of transportation is more dominating than its useful aspects as far as transportation is concerned. There are numerous categories into which the environmental e ects have been categorized. They are explained in the following sections. 3. 5. 1 Safety Growth of transportation has a very unfortunate impact on the society in terms of accidents. Worldwide death and injuries from road accidents have reached epidemic proportions. killed and about 15 million injured on the road accidents annually. Increased variation in the speeds and vehicle density resulted in a high exposure to acci dents. Accidents result in loss of life and permanent disability, injury, and damage to property. Accidents also causes numerous non-quantifiable impacts like loss of time, grief to the near ones of the victim, and inconve- nience to the public. The loss of life and damage from natural disasters, industrial accidents, or epidemic often receive significant attention from both government and public. This is because their occurrence is concentrated but sparse.On the other hand, accidents from transport sector are widespread and occurs with high frequency. For instance, a study has predicted that death and disabilities resulting from road accidents in comparison with other diseases will rise from ninth to third rank between 1990 and 2020. Road accidents as cause to death and disability could rank below heart disease and clinical depression, and ahead of stroke and all infectious diseases. Significant reduction to accident rate is achieved in the developing countries by improved road des igned maintenance, improved vehicle design, driver education, and law enforcements.However in the developing nations, the rapid growth of personalized vehicles and poor infrastructure, road design, and law enforcement has resulted in growing accident rate. 3. 5. 2 Air Pollution All transport modes consume energy and the most common source of energy is from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, petrol, diesel, etc. The relation between air pollution and respiratory disease have been demonstrated by various studies and the detrimental e ects on the planet earth is widely recognized recently. The combustion of Introduction to Transportation Engineering 3. Tom V. Mathew and K V Krishna Rao CHAPTER 3. ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION IN SOCIETY NPTEL May 7, 2007 the fuels releases several contaminants into the atmosphere, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and other particulate matter. Hydrocarbons are the result of incomplete combustion of fuels. Particulate matters are minute solid or liquid particles that are suspended in the atmosphere. They include aerosols, smoke, and dust particles. These air pollutants once emitted into the atmosphere , undergo mixing and disperse into the surroundings. 3. 5. Noise pollution Sound is acoustical energy released into atmosphere by vibrating or moving bodies where as noise is unwanted sound produced. Transportation is a major contributor of noise pollution, especially in urban areas. Noise is generated during both construction and operation. During construction, operation of large equipments causes considerable noise to the neighborhood. During the operation, noise is generated by the engine and exhaust systems of vehicle, aerodynamic friction, and the interaction between the vehicle and the support system (road- tire, rail-wheel).Extended exposure to excessive sound has been shown to produce physical and psychological damage. Further, because of its annoyance and disturbance, noise adds to mental stress and f atigue. 3. 5. 4 Energy consumption The spectacular growth in industrial and economic growth during the past century have been closely related to an abundant supply of inexpensive energy from fossil fuels. Transportation sector is unbelieved to consume more than half of the petroleum products. The compact of the shortage of fuel was experienced during major wars when strict rationing was imposed in many countries.The impact of this had cascading e ects on many factors of society, especially in the price escalation of essential commodities. However, this has few positive impacts; a shift to public transport system, a search for energy e cient engines, and alternate fuels. During the time of fuel shortage, people shifted to cheaper public transport system. Policy makers and planners, thereafter gave much emphasis to the public transit which consume less energy per person. The second impact was in the development of fuel-e cient engines and devices and operational and maintenance practi ces.A fast depleting fossil fuel has accelerated the search for energy e cient and environment friendly alternate energy source. The research is active in the development of bio-fuels, hydrogen fuels and solar energy. 3. 5. 5 Other impacts Transportation directly or indirectly a ects many other areas of society and few of then are listed below: Almost all cities uses 20-30 percent of its land in transport facilities. Increased travel requirement also require additional land for transport facilities. A good transportation system takes considerable amount of land from the society.Aesthetics of a region is also a ected by transportation. Road networks in quite country side is visual intrusion. Similarly, the transportation facilities like y-overs are again visual intrusion in urban context. The social life and social pattern of a community is severely a ected after the introduction of some trans- portation facilities. Construction of new transportation facilities often require substant ial relocation of residents and employment opportunities. Introduction to Transportation Engineering 3. 4 Tom V. Mathew and K V Krishna Rao CHAPTER 3. ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION IN SOCIETY NPTEL May 7, 2007 3. Summary The roles of transportation in society can be classified according to economic, social, political and environmental roles. The social role of transport has caused people to live in permanent settlements and has given chances of sustainable developments. Regarding political role, large areas can now be very easily governed with the help of good transportation system. The environmental e ects are usually viewed negatively. 3. 7 Problems 1. Safety criteria of transportation is viewed under (a) Political role of transportation (b) Environmental role of transportation c) Social role of transportation (d) None of these 2. Which of the following is not a negative impact of transportation? (a) Safety (b) Aesthetics (c) Mobility (d) Pollution 3. 8 Solutions 1. Safety criteria of tr ansportation is viewed under (a) Political role of transportation (b) Environmental role of transportationv (c) Social role of transportation (d) None of these 2. Which of the following is not a negative impact of transportation? (a) Safety (b) Aesthetics (c) Mobilityv (d) Pollution Introduction to Transportation Engineering 3. 5 Tom V. Mathew and K V Krishna Rao