Human Infrastructure of Toyota Production System

In order to produce world-class, quality automobiles at competitive price levels, Toyota has developed an integrated approach to production which manages equipment, materials, and people in the most efficient manner while ensuring a healthy and safe work environment (Toyota web page). The Toyota Production System is built on two main principles: Just-In-Time† production (the manufacturing and conveyance of only â€Å"what is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount needed), and â€Å"Jidoka. (to the ability to stop production lines, by man or machine, in the event of problems such as equipment malfunction, quality issues, or late work). Underlying this management philosophy and the entire Toyota production process is the concept that â€Å"Good Thinking Means Good Product. † From the systems perspective, the human infrastructure is a set of processes and structures within TPS. Key elements of that human infrastructure are: a. Effective utilization of every member’s time. b. Total participation at all levels . Encouragement of ingenuity Toyota has developed a system where the human infrastructure works harmoniously with the rest of the operating system. Some of the attributes of Toyota’s human infrastructure are intensive training, rapid problem solving skills, and teamwork. The expectation was that problems will be solved promptly, completely, and systematically. A review of the Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, Plant case indicates the above key elements of human infrastructure were evident at various degrees. TMM did receive intensive training from TMC, starting a year ahead of plant opening, one-on-one, as well as having TMC trainers remain in Kentucky for a few years. However, as indicated in the case, team member’s time was not always effectively utilized. In some tasks, such as when a car had a seat problem the team leader pulled the andon cord to signal Ok and then tagged the car to alert Quality and moving the car to the Code 1 clinic area to see if the problem was correctable there. This process does not present value added and is in contradiction to Jidoka principles. As Friesen found out on his walk between Final 1 and Final 2, the workers interviewed only knew of a few seat incidents, which was contradictory to the data posted at work stations. This indicates very little involvement of the workers in the root cause investigation. The majority of defects indicate missing parts and material flaws. Application of the â€Å"Five Whys† exercise could very well indicate a supplier issue. The TMM case does not mention of any instance where team member ingenuity was encouraged or demonstrated in solving any of the prevailing issues that are causing the Andons. The only instance where the group leader, Shirley Sargent, had reported the problem with the rear seat hook, months had elapsed and she yet had to receive an explanation or participate in possible solutions. Another issue that would need to be investigated and analyzed is the steady increase, and disparity of Andon pulls between the 1st and 2nd Shift Rear Seat teams. This could indicate that non-standardized procedures are used or training deficiencies among the teams. Doug Friesen is correct in applying Jidoka in â€Å"going and seeing† the problem. There are key elements of the human infrastructure, such as: active encouragement of ingenuity, and worker participation in the solutions, that would help in the solutions. Also, a seat supplier kaizen is in order to identify NVA tasks, analyze the effectiveness of pulling problem cars off line for repairs, and prepare for the needs for the additional 18 seat variations expected for the Japan and Middle East markets.

Luxury Car Market in India Essay

The Luxury goods industry is a very wide industry comprising of products from watches, jewellery, perfumes, expensive wines to yachts, expensive pens, and clothes. Goods for which demand increases more proportionally as compared to income, are known as ‘Luxury goods’, in contrast to a â€Å"necessity goods†, for which demand increases less proportionally to income. Some luxurious goods are bought due to the tag implied of a status symbol, such goods tend to signify the purchasing power of those who buy them. These goods are not always better in quality or appearance than their less expensive substitutes. The main purpose of purchasing these goods is to display the wealth of their owners. The industry is said to be highly cyclical and the driving force behind the growth of this industry is wealth worldwide, while the economic growth and conditions of various regions affect this industry. Jewellery has been part of the Indian civilization since ancient history. They were in fashion since ancient civilizations as Harappa and Mohanjodaro. Made out of almost any material, jewelry is basically adorned to highlight nearly any body part. Be it the traditional jewelry or the latest ones which are increasingly in demand, i. e. the costume & imitation jewelery. There is no dearth when it comes to accentuating the beauty with varied imaginative & stunningly designed jewelry items. This report has focused on luxury product categories & jewellery. The report provides an overview on the size of the market, importance of luxury goods, target market, problems faced and the various driving factors as well as the latest trends. The major global luxury market players have been profiled. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH QUESTION? The Indian gems and jewellery sector is also largely unorganized at present. There are more than 15,000 players across the country in the gold processing industry, of which only about 80 players have a turnover of over $4. 15 million. I want to evaluate the problems faced by the jewellery sector and come up with measures to help make the sector more organized. ?The rise of the middle class population in India is estimated to be around 120-150 million. Keeping this in mind I want to potray the market potential of luxury goods in India. ?India as a Manufacturing Hub for Global Luxury Brands. I want to study and evaluate methods adopted by major countries and conclude the possibility of India being the manufacturing hub for global luxury brands. THEORETICAL RATIONAL The advent of foreign luxury brands is in a way an indicator of the promising India growth story. Looking to reap early mover advantages, these brands have set up shop in our country. The Indian luxury market, currently in its growth stage needs to address key concerns like the lack of adequate retail infrastructure and limited availability of trained workforce for the trade if it wishes to promote luxury retail in the country. The world today is looking at India, and the products coming out of it. Our skills pool speaks of the highest level of craftsmanship and creativity as it has evolved and been refined by many generations that carry on the trade. India is also well poised to be an outsourcing destination for foreign luxury brands. The obvious benefits that India has to offer such as low labour costs, superiority of fabrics and customization, gives it an advantage over other mass producing countries. To achieve the objective of promoting indigenous brands and positioning India as a future manufacturing hub for luxury goods, consolidation in the industry is imperative. The need of the hour is for the industry players to create a sophisticated business model supported by financial and legal footings, and for the government to develop the requisite infrastructure. India’s luxury sector has gained significant speed. It has the potential and resources, to outshine other developing economies. Thus the route is chalked out and the objective is known. If the road can be cleared of challenges and impediments, luxury retailing in India will have a smooth drive ahead. THE EXPECTED IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT FOR ORGANIZATIONS My research on luxury goods and jewellery is innovative because it brings together analysis of national discourses about Indian market with a study of the practices and choices of the Indian government and the luxury goods and jewellery sector. I believe this research can be helpful to the nation, development agencies, and indigenous organizations. I am particularly committed to sharing the results of my analysis with the Jewellers Association in India and hope that my work will not just be an extraction of truths, but will give them information with which they can help make the sector more organized. PRELIMINARY LITERATURE REVIEW Attempting to break into markets overseas is generally more challenging than trying to expand into new domestic markets. Globalization is the process of social, political, economic, cultural and technological integration among countries around the world. (Hodgetts / Luthans / Doh, 2006:pg. 7). Evidence of growth is seen by increased levels of trade, capital flows and migrations; a lot of changes in the environment have taken place. India is the world’s second most populous country; it has traditionally had more than its share of political and economic problems. The per capita GDP remains low, but the recent environmental trends have boosted thus helping to bolster a large middle and upper- class market for goods in the luxury and jwellery industry. The industry is dominated by family jewellers, who constitute nearly 96% of the market. Organised players such as Tata with its Tanishq brand, have, however, been growing steadily carving a 4% market share. As India’s jewellery market matures, it is expected to get more organised and the share of family jewellers is expected to decline. There are more than 6,000 players in domestic diamond processing industry. The average gestation period for setting up a diamond cutting and polishing unit is 15 months. The low gestation period, coupled with low capital cost allows easy entry into the sector. This has led to the industry being largely characterised by a large number of small scale players. However, just as in the case of jewellery, the share of the organised sector has increased significantly in recent years due to an increase in demand for better and finer quality of finished goods. India Gems and Jewellery Industry – Highlights Jewellery market size – $13 billion Diamond jewellery – $1. 2 billion Gold jewellery market growth year on year – 15% Diamond jewellery market growth – 27% (By bharatbook. com Dated: Jul 24, 2008). According to market reports, around 6- 7 million Indians can afford to buy luxury goods but hesitate to do so since they are unfamiliar with brands and products. With a growing millionaire base in India, the luxury market is growing annually at around 35% CAGR (The Economic Times: August 10, 2008) If India keeps the last three years average growth at 9%, the income levels of consumers is expected to almost triple by 2025. By 2025, it is estimated that India will become the fifth largest consumer market, rising from 12th largest today. High disposable income and a largely young population will drive consumption patterns upwards. With a huge youth populace below 25 years and having a 17% share of the world working population, India presents a huge market for brands across the spectrum. It is estimated that 52% of luxury customers are in the age bracket of 25-34years old. By 2033, the active age group 25-45 years is expected to be around one third of the population. With the average age of potential luxury consumers decreasing, the country is a goldmine waiting to be tapped. Given the core strengths of the manufacturing sector, India can well become a manufacturing hub for global luxury brands. Already brands like Louis Vuitton and Frette are looking at India as a manufacturing base for their products, but there are others who simply source their requirements from India. It is estimated that the manufacturing of luxury items in India can grow to US $500 million13. This manufacturing capability if harnessed properly can propel India as one of the leading destinations for manufacture. The cost advantages, particularly in labour intensive sectors like leather and accessories add to the advantage of the country. Luxury in India To be successful in India, it is both necessary to gauge the financial potential as well as the mindset of the Indian luxury consumer. This will help in bringing forth the right product offerings to the Indian consumer as well as targeting them better. Qualitative Insights 1. According to a study by American Express, ‘Inside the Affluent Space’, the mindset of the Indian consumer is a desire to prove that â€Å"I’ve Made It†. This can be related to the luxury categorization which is based on the fact that luxury is seen as a reward, both for achievements in life as well as showcasing these achievements to others. 2. The Luxury Marketing Council Worldwide has established a chapter in India, with the aim of promoting luxury in India. Their task will also be to build synergy between various luxury brands interested in India by way of sharing of consumer insights as well as best practices. 3. Even the Asian region is not uniform in its preference for luxury in terms of need fulfilment. Therefore, it becomes important to delineate the needs of the Indian consumer from the other Asian regions to target them better. This agenda gains importance because many Indians look at acquiring luxury from places such as Hong Kong, Tokya, China etc. Eg. It is interesting to note that Singapore consumers are more of connoisseurs compared to Hong Kong consumers who want Talk-Value from their luxury goods. 4. Hindustan Times has been at the forefront of driving the luxury revolution in India by organizing two Indian Luxury Conferences in the last 4 years. To add to it, it also brings out a monthly supplement of luxury goods available in India, thereby creating awareness for the luxury brands. Quantitative Insights. 1. As far as quantitative estimates are concerned, there will be 135,000 millionaires (in US dollar terms) in India by 2009. 2. The affluent market is set to grow at a rate of 13% in India, and by 2009, there will be approximately 1. 1 million affluents here. 3. The wealth potential of India’s affluents was to the tune of US$ 203 billion as of 2005. HYPOTHESES Keeping my literature review in mind my hypotheses would contain: Aim †¢The aim of this research is to study the different entry strategies and analyse which strategy is the most appropriate for luxury goods and jewellery in India. Objectives †¢Develop a case study on Indias luxury goods and jewellery industry and its progress to date and to seek secondary information that relates to entry strategies in the luxury goods and jewellery business. †¢Study the luxury goods and jewellery industry environment and Indias modifications. DATA SOURCES AND THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE CHOICE Secondary Data Source The secondary data source would be documentary data: books, electronic media, and articles published in journals and newspapers which would help to answer the research question. Primary Data Source. To validate the finding of the research, interviews will be taken from the people who are in the jewelry and luxury goods industry. Semi structured interviews will help in putting across our research question and also listening on the topic area which interest the interviewee. Questionnaires data under this would help me to evaluate the general perceptions. Sample Size of primary Data Large qualitative methodology will be adopted for primary data collection. A survey conducted by e-mail questionnaire. A sample size of a few questions will be analyzed and interpreted with an approval from the supervisor. Method of Data Collection The literature search will aim to be comprehensive, but restricted access to primary literature. The collection of primary data will be based on a survey; the number would be restricted due to the restrictions of time to complete the project and resources to support it. I intend to collect data from luxury goods and jewellry industrialists who include manufacturers, exporters, traders, agents, lecturers, and students through questionnaire. Surveys and questionnaires will be administered on paper, in different formats. All may take place in person, or by mail, over the phone or via Internet/ Email. Data Analysis Both qualitative and quantitative techniques will be used in this research. The data obtained from the questionnaire will be analysed using quantitative technique. An interview and data which is collect from secondary source will be analysed qualitatively.. Interview data will be transcribed and then analysed qualitatively. Here, qualitative research would be used explore and understand peoples beliefs, experiences and attitudes. And quantitative research would be all the numerical data which would be from the surveys and questionnaires. RESEARCH DESIGN Dissertation Time Plan. MonthActivity December 3rd/4th weekStart thinking about the research ideas and data collection January1st/ 2nd weekLiterature searching and define objectives. January 3rd/4th weekLiterature searching/ writing. Submission of proposal Febuary1st/2nd weekDrafting of literature review/ working on Research Methodology/Conduction Interviews/ Meeting the tutor and taking a feedback February3rd/4th weekChecking literature review/ Analysis of the data collected and linking theories to the case study. July 1st/2nd weekMeeting tutor and check for final revision. July 4th weekSubmission of final draft. METHODOLOGY TO BE EMPLOYED The research for this dissertation would be done using multi-methods this is because different methods can be used for different purposes in this study. The research would have an inductive approach as I would collect data from companies and bring out responses to the research questions. The time horizon would be cross- sectional because this study is of particular trend, and not longitudinal analysis as they are made on observations over a period of time. The data collected would be by multi-methods i. e. qualitative and quantitative. These methods would be used to study the changes in environments. There would be secondary data to analyze the changes within the context of the organization. Details of any ethical considerations and steps taken to meet potential ethical concerns. Luxury goods should not be confused with the moral legitimation of their consumption. Especially if you are yourself a merchant who profits from the trade in luxury goods. Spending money on luxury goods, does good to the poor by inducing them to exert the industry, rather than keeping them idle. Hence creating employment for the poor. This kind of justification takes the issue of motivation for granted, that is, it assumes that people desire to consume luxury goods with a good conscience, thus keeping money in circulation. The following steps can be taken to meet potential ethical concerns: †¢Raising awareness of the code with subsidiarys. †¢Evaluation of the ethical monitoring programme. †¢Further monitoring of additional high risk suppliers from whom the company sources goods †¢ †¢Respect the use of banned substances/chemicals and provide an â€Å"alert service† to the retailers. References Books †¢ Charles W. L. Hill (2003), International Business †¢ Financial Times Management (1999), Mastering Global Business. †¢ George S. Yip (1992), Total Global Strategy. †¢ Gill, J. and Johnson, P. (1997) Research Methods for Managers (2nd edition), London, Paul Chapman. †¢ Harold chee, Rod Harris (1998), Global Market Strategy. †¢ Helen Deresky (2006), International Management, 5th edition: Managing across borders and cultures. †¢Hodgetts, Luthars, Doh (2006), International Mangement: culture, strategy and behaviour(6th edition), America, Mc-Graw-Hill/Irwin. †¢Isobel Doole, Robin Lowe (2004), International Marketing Strategy: analysis development and implementation. †¢GEMSTONES By Ronald F. Balazik †¢Fortune Magazine, 2007 †¢Mintel International Group, 2006 Websites †¢AmCham Shangai, http://www. amchamshanghai. org/AmchamPortal/MCMS/Presentation/Publication/Insig ht/InsightDetail. aspx? Guid=%7BFCCD3DCF-18BB-4705-9C8D-C677B764ACE1%7D †¢The Economist, August 2007 http://www. economist. com/business/displaystory. cfm? story_id=9005244 †¢Seeking Alpha http://seekingalpha. com/article/15478-growth-in-chinas-luxury-goods-market-to-be-fueled-by-2nd-tier-cities †¢http://www. just-style. com/store/product. aspx? ID=53193 †¢http://www. robbreport.com/News/Press-Releases/Robb-Report-Launches-Robb-Report-Global. asp †¢The Economist, August 2007 http://www. economist. com/business/displaystory. cfm? story_id=9005244 †¢International Herald Tribune, 2005 http://www. iht. com/articles/2005/12/04/opinion/rbuy. php †¢Forbes, 2005 http://www. forbes. com/2005/06/22/luxury-wealth-trends-cx_sr_0622luxury. html †¢Wikipedia http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Luxury_good †¢Harvard Business School, http://hbswk. hbs. edu/item/4321. html †¢Miami Herald 2007, http://www. miamiherald. com/business/story/271242. html †¢Boston Consulting Group, http://retailindustry.about. com/od/seg_luxury/a/bl_bcg071304_2. htm †¢International Herald Tribune, 2007 http://www. iht. com/articles/2007/01/15/bloomberg/sxlux. php †¢Alf Nucifora, http://www. nucifora. com †¢HNWIs Behaviors and Portfolios Globalize, 2006, Merrill Lynch-Capgemini †¢Harvard Business School, http://hbswk. hbs. edu/item/4321. html †¢The Economist, August 2007 http://www. economist. com/business/displaystory. cfm? story_id=9005244 .†¢The Economist, August 2007 http://www. economist. com/business/displaystory. cfm? story_id=9005244 †¢Cosmetics Design – Europe, 2006 http://www. cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/news/ng. asp? id=65405-luxury-goods-experiences †¢Boston Consulting Group http://retailindustry. about. com/od/seg_luxury/a/bl_bcg071304_2. htm †¢WWD. The Magazine, The Luxury Institute http://www. luxuryinstitute. com/about/news. html †¢Forbes, 2005 http://www. forbes. com/2005/06/22/luxury-wealth-trends-cx_sr_0622luxury. html †¢Wikipedia, http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Concierge_medicine †¢Forbes, 2005 http://www. forbes. com/2005/06/22/luxury-wealth-trends-cx_sr_0622luxury. html †¢WWD The Magazine, The Luxury Institute http://www. luxuryinstitute. com/about/news. html †¢The Economist, August 2007. http://www. economist. com/business/displaystory. cfm? story_id=9005244 †¢US Chamber of Commerce, January 24, 2007 http://www. asiapacificms. com/articles/korea_counterfeits/ †¢http://www. iltm. net/en-gb/press/pressreleases680. cfm nation master. com Articles †¢Luxury goods market in India keep its cool – 10 Aug 2008, †¢The Kirk Report Problems With Luxury Goods -TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23,2007 †¢Market for luxury goods: THE CASE OF THE COMIT? – COLBERT By Giacalone, Joseph A Publication: Southern Business Review Date: Fall 2006 2006 †¢Why The Luxury Market Continues To Roar by Alf Nucifora.

Individual report of Digital Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Individual report of Digital Marketing - Essay Example However, the industry has seen a demand upsurge in recent years for outbound holiday travel packages, especially as the pound has strengthened. In spite of the revenue contractions in the industry for the year 2011-2012, the sector is expected to post a 0.6% compound annual growth through 2015-2016. The strongest focus has been on online travel sales, which accounted for over 50% of total travel sales in 2013 (euromonitor.com, 2014: p1). Indeed, customers are increasingly turning to the internet for information on travel destinations in order to make informed decisions. Thus, a digital marketing strategy will be essential for tour and travel operators going forward. The UK political environment is relatively stable, which has a positive impact on potential clients. Border policy and resultant entry fees is also a factor affecting the UK travel sectors with shorter 3-month group visas at reduced costs being a positive factor for the sector (ibisworld.co.uk, 2015: p1). In addition, the UK government and governments in countries that are favoured by UK travel tourists, such as Australia and South Africa, are implementing environmental policies that may impact on the travel sector. Finally, terrorist threats on UK citizens may also portend a specific risk for the industry. The global financial and economic crises affected countries like the UK significantly, which has resulted in reduced travel by UK consumers due to purchasing power pressures and uncertainty about employment (ibisworld.co.uk, 2015: p1). However, the strengthening pound in relation to other major world currencies has increased the spending power of outbound travel clients from the UK. Declining inflation in the UK and the wider EU region has also meant that costs for travelling in the UK have reduced. Increasing concerns about sustainability in the travels and tours industry, especially in

Blog Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Blog - Assignment Example On a general level, I am a team player. I love working in groups and experiencing learning together with other people. I like communicating a lot and I tend to always pave the way for group members to share their ideas and knowledge. I like asking a lot of questions because I love details. In working in teams, I like to set a common goal. It is possible that despite being in a common group, members may not have the same ideas regarding the activity and not everyone could be sharing the same goals (Benjamin 25). This is why even at the onset, I know that setting a common objective is essential in setting the foundation for success in any group activity. Everyone should be on the same page, and â€Å"despite the individual differences that exist, the work flow should be towards nothing else but the common and main group objective† (Benjamin 26-7). In the group activity for Solano Canyon Community Garden, aiming for the common goal is one of the things I am still very proud of. My group mates and I were able to establish a solid aim right from the very start. It was a good thing because while each member was given the freedom to decide and work on their own, we were all confident that we will not be straying away from what we really want to achieve as a group. Also, whenever we feel in doubt of a decision we were about to make, we consulted with the other group members to know their ideas about it. In this area, the essence of teamwork was truly at play. I learned that through this, we feel more bonded with each other because we work for a common goal. There were of course some issues with other people, because it is understandable that in every activity, feedback is always sought for. Either through giving or receiving, feedback is a necessary tool in improvement and progress. This was one of the things we lacked in either giving or receiving. Although there were several reasons or causes why this is lacking, I still feel that everyone

Press release Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Press release - Coursework Example al. 2014). An important notion is that early symptoms of ebola virus disease can be easily confused with other febrile diseases, so evaluation and assessment of the patients should be meticulous and systematical. Isolation should be attempted instantly in case of successful ebola confirmation, the patients should be put on PPE, hospital infection department should be notified about the case at once. Minimization of transmission risk should be achieved via strict controls over the specification of the healthcare workers, who are responsible for care and safe utilization of PPE (Prevention 2015). The appropriate set of PPE equipment is based on the clinical status of the patient, as well as further environmental control, such as designated areas for one’s resuscitation. A minimum combination of wear includes impermeable gown, face shield, surgical face mask and two pairs of gloves (Benowitz, I., Ackelsberg, et.al 2014). As much as the existing protocols, presented one is supported with the practical output of the up-to-date experience of American hospitals, helping patients with ebola. Following all the CDC guidelines from memo and relevant materials, healthcare professionals would be certain about the management of patients, presenting with virus of ebola. Benowitz, I., Ackelsberg, J., Balter, S. E., Baumgartner, J. C., Dentinger, C., Fine, A. D., & ... Layton, M. C. (2014). Surveillance and Preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease -- New York City, 2014.MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report,  63(41), 934-936. Prevention, C. (2015). Identify, Isolate, Inform: Emergency Department Evaluation and Management for Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)| Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever | CDC. Cdc.gov. Retrieved 4 April 2015, from

Does the corporate governance maximize shareholders wealth Essay

Does the corporate governance maximize shareholders wealth - Essay Example Shareholders are interested to know if the risk they took in investing in the company provided returns that increase the wealth not only of the company but also of the shareholders as well. II. Critical evaluation of corporate governance of a selected company Leeds Group’s trading operations are conducted by Hemmers-Itex Textil Import Export GmbH. Hemmers is based in Nordhorn, Germany and has a Chinese subsidiary based in Shanghai. Together these companies employ some 120 people and achieved fabric sales of 13.1 million linear metres in the year ended 30 September 2009 (Leeds Group 2012). Inferring from the annual report of Leeds PLC, it can be said that the company is conservative in applying its cost. Conservative in applying cost meant providing generous allowance for expense to have a more accurate and realistic cost of the company. In fact, Leeds PLC may be one of few companies who are â€Å"honest enough† to reflect a s of  £454,000 in the fiscal year 2012 (Leeds Group PLC 2012) that would be seen by its shareholders. It is tough for the company to reflect a loss on annual report because it may not sit well with the shareholders who might withdraw their investments in the company and leave the company broke affecting not only its liquidity but also its financial position. ... The classical approach to organisational effectiveness was mainly from a managerial viewpoint. Further, classical organisational effectiveness postulated that hard and efficient labour would ultimately reap rewards for management and employees, by increasing the performance outcomes of the organisation. Thus, by raising the productivity, higher profits would be accrued, which in turn would give rise to higher pay, and consequently improved worker satisfaction (Etzioni, 1964). Today’s concepts of effective organisations and management are related to past perspectives (Baker and Branch, 2002). The contemporary globalisation of business profoundly increases the level of competition in most industries. For example, Singapore aspires to lead the biotech industry, Korea’s Samsung and LG have become established worldwide as reputed brands, while Malaysia is a leader in chip manufacturing. â€Å"These new competitors have advantages that range from geography to high-skill, rel atively low-wage workforces† (Lawler and Worley, 2011, p.4). The greatest changes in the recent decades relate to rapid developments in technology and telecommunications including the Internet, satellite TV, and cell phones linking most parts of the world, creating new business opportunities (Lawler and Worley, 2011). Significantly, the classical school developed universal principles applicable to all organisations in all situations. â€Å"The classical theorists conceived of organisations as mechanical devices to achieve oranisational goals and objectives† (Alajloni et al., 2010, p.60). Although classical organisational effectiveness has sustained through several changes in organisational management

Managing Change at The Co-operative Group Assignment

Managing Change at The Co-operative Group - Assignment Example The market share of the company is about 4.2 percent which is not high at all in comparison to its competitors but one good thing about the company is that it is certainly a market leader when it come to top up food shopping and it is due to the convenience which is offered by the store. Company being a food retail chain, certainly has an ethical business, with various strengths and also weakness which provides a margin for company to improve. There are few set values and also set of principles according to which the company operates and works. The major standards linked with the business mandate being the openness to democracy, social responsibility and also caring along with equality for others. They believe in converting these believes practically within the market place. The major pillars of the business being issues linked with ethical trade and fair trade. The company is also dependent on other important principles about training and information, concern for the community along with co operation between co operatives and training (KLINEDINST, M., & KALMI, P. 2009). There are some very important areas of concern for the co operative food retail which include the presence of â€Å"top up† shopping market segment along with the small store size. There are some very important areas which needs to be improved like restricted shelf space for the ethical lines of produce along with the customer base or the demographic profile of the people who are not willing to pay premium prices for the high welfare and organic foods which are produced. This thing can be improved by developing better marketing techniques for top up segment and market base along with focusing on the convenience factor more and making it their unique selling point. Great amount of marketing efforts can prove to play a vital role in increasing sales of the top up retail sector which is facing problems (BENNIS, W. G. 2000).   It is not always about the policies being practically set up , the company needs to work extremely hard in improving their supplier relationships which are not very great. The major problem which can be solved is improving the local procurement of the food. The company stresses a lot on their social responsibility and the role played by them which totally helps their consumer membership but they tend to ignore their supply chain management which is a very important and a crucial thing in today’s world. The competition is so high and large that no company can take a sensible risk of ignoring their supply chain which can indeed help them increase their profits by cutting costs. The efficiency of the company can increase if the supply chain is managed properly and the company is able to have good relationships with their suppliers. The Company can also improve their functions by focusing on the staff training and environmental reporting. All the environmental concerns need to be analyzed and reported on time. The company should make sure th at proper training is provided to the senior management about the importance of environmental issues and the impact they can have on them. The training should be linked with practices and policies which need to be set up. There should be proper and specific training given to the store based personnel regarding the environmental awareness and different mediums can be used in order to perform this task which includes using staff information posters and

Assessment and care of a client with complex needs. Mental Health Essay

Assessment and care of a client with complex needs. Mental Health nursing] - Essay Example 15). This involves a methodical evaluation of the social and health care requirements of an individual who has been brought to the ‘specialist mental health services’ (Forster, 2001, p. 15). An important component of the CPA is the assigning of a service provider who will work with the client and his/her family or caregivers to evaluate needs, create and carry out a care plan. In the CPA service provider task, the nurse is largely involved in locating an array of assessment needs, several of which could be outside the own knowledge or capability of the nurse. Besides the troubles brought about by mental disorders, numerous clients with serious and chronic mental disorders will be further impaired by ‘secondary impairment’ (Bartlett & Sandland, 2007). This will lead to a kind of disability marked by difficulty carrying out daily tasks such as cooking, going to the grocery, using public transport, and so on. Professional assessments from service providers shou ld be requested. In nursing theory and practice, bipolar disorder is classified as one of the most complex mental health disorders. The best nursing care takes place during the acute illness stage and remission (Suppes & Dennehy, 2010). This paper presents a case study of the mental health condition of Ms. ... She eventually became tardy. Her performance at work began to deteriorate. Ms. M herself admitted that she has difficulty concentrating at work. She also said that she feels lost and lonely at times. Her sleep patterns also became abnormal. She sleeps late but wakes up very early. But, interestingly, she began to show more enthusiasm and energy in the morning. Her sister reported that Ms. M became short-tempered all of a sudden and has been, for the first time, openly expressing her desire to become a model. Ms. M was diagnosed with depression and alcohol related problems. Ms. M’s mental health condition may be caused by genetics or environmental factors. A depressive episode may take place without any clear cause. It could be that something stressful in Ms. M’s immediate environment caused the sudden changes in her behaviour; it could be a stressful event at work or at home. A medical condition can also cause episodes of depression, such as brain tumour or stroke (Vide beck, 2010). According to Boyd (2008), use of substance and consumption of alcohol may also activate symptoms of depression. Case Analysis The symptoms of Ms. M are indicative of bipolar disorder. An individual episode of abnormal and chronic irritable mood. During Ms. M’s episodes of mood disorder, the following symptoms of bipolar disorder have continued: difficulty concentrating; more conversational than normal; excessive energy and enthusiasm; abnormal sleeping patterns; and increased confidence (e.g. desire to enter modeling). The mood disorder is quite serious to cause noticeable disruption in occupational performance or in personal relationships. The symptoms may be triggered by alcohol related problems. Because bipolar disorder often includes depressive and manic episodes, knowledge of

Hypothecated taxes are easy to administer and as effective in terms of Essay

Hypothecated taxes are easy to administer and as effective in terms of revenue as any other tax. They can be also useful tool for politicians. Critically analyse this statement - Essay Example The authorities are relieved of the worry to distribute the tax revenue among various sectors. These taxes can be very effective. For instance, there are times when the economy is booming but a particular sector of the economy is facing a consistent decline. In such cases, the revenue collected from a specific tax can be used in the development of that sector. Also, it provides the authorities with a clear mechanism for the preferences of the public. When it comes to the monitoring of the working of these taxes, it is a very helpful tool. There is a direct accountability in the sense that it can easily be seen whether the revenue is being allocated in the correct direction or not. Politically, it can be very useful. In UK, there was a suggestion by the Liberal Democrat party that a rise of one penny in the marginal rate of income taxation would be hypothecated for expenditure on education. Assuming that this suggestion was accepted and put into effect, the people who want more Government expenditure on education would have welcomed a rise in taxation. This suggestion falls into the category of weak hypothecation. The aforementioned example of television licenses pertains to strong hypothecation. It is commonly believed that people are more willing to pay a tax when they know what this tax would be used for. If they are deprived of this knowledge, they are less willing to pay. Hypothecation of tax allocates the collected revenue in a specific direction and people normally know what they are paying for and they are more willing to pay. There are occasions when Government faces a shortfall in the hypothecated taxes but there are also occasions when there are surpluses. In such cases, the surplus can be appropriated for the development of other sectors. Hypothecation is a tool that is neither right nor wrong by itself. It depends on the ability of the Government to utilize the

Electrical Engineering Essay Example for Free

Electrical Engineering Essay 1. Introduction Engineers have the potential of developing technology that will be used by hundreds, thousands, even millions of people. Since so many people are using this technology, it has to be safe and it has to benefit one population without making another suffer. As the engineers design new technology, they are the ones that have an ethical responsibility to ensure that it will not endanger lives or cause any suffering. The purpose of the essay is to explore the specific issues that face electrical engineers. The primary focus in this essay will be addressing the question: how can an issue be an ethical concern if it does not directly endanger human life or society? This is particularly important as in contrast to other branches of engineering, the moral issues surrounding electrical engineering do not usually affect a consumer’s health or lead to injury or death. A civil engineering dilemma could involve a building collapsing or roads falling apart leading to direct death or injury, such as the LAmbiance Plaza Collapse1 in Connecticut, or the Sampoong Department Store Collapse2 in Seoul. However, as discussed in Fleddermann (2000)3, the problems faced by electrical engineers are no less important, and that the engineers in this discipline should be aware of the particular ethical dilemmas of this field. The field of electrical engineering covers a wide range of technology from power generation and transmission lines to integrated circuits used in computers. This essay will outline, using real-life examples, three major concerns in electrical engineering and explain how they impact the world on an international scale. The current solutions to the ethical dilemmas will be evaluated using ethical analysis, and alternative solutions will be provided. The following scenarios are an excellent illustration of the ethical issues that electrical engineers have to face and opens up a unique discussion about their responsibilities in both a national and international setting. Issue 1 Quality of product vs. commercial success Electrical engineers are involved in the manufacturing of everyday household appliances. The circuitry that is designed is used in products that are sold by the manufacturer. Manufacturers can prioritise the commercial success of their product over the actual quality. This can result in a conflict of interest between manufacturer and engineer since the manufacturer can be  financially motivated, whereas an engineer is supposed to hold paramount the welfare of public in their professional duties (engineering code of ethics)5. An example of this is the manufacturing of the Intel microprocessor in 19944. The microprocessor had a flaw in it that meant that a regularly used operation by users would give the incorrect results. The engineers knew of this problem, and rectified it for future version. Despite this, Intel continued selling the product. This error was found by users, and Intel decided it would only replace microprocessor with a good one to people who could demonstrate that they needed it. Should Intel have provided a replacement regardless? Since Intel was aware of the problem, was it unethical to withhold this information from the users? If this information had been given, and warnings had been included, does this solve the ethical problems for the company? According to Intel, since the error was so minor it would not affect the majority of users. However the few people would have ‘suffered’ from this flaw could have been rectified if Intel had offered to replace their microprocessor for free. This is what Intel did do and so according to utilitarianism principles their response was ethically sound. However, what was immoral was the fact that they did not bring up this issue themselves, and that they continued manufacturing and selling the product without warnings. They did not respect the dignity of their consumers enough to let them be informed consumers. By applying Kantian ethics, one can determine that Intel did not respect the dignity of their customers, and was merely using them as a means to an end. This was to maximise their profit margin by exhausting their faulty stock. There are a number of alternative solutions that Intel could have taken. Intel could have continued selling their product with a warning label so that further customers would be aware of flaw. A better solution would have been if Intel discontinued making this microprocessor and told their customers of the flaw straight away, whilst also offering a replacement chip. Issue 2 experimental nature of electrical. The technology used by engineers to design equipment is complex, and outside the understanding of a majority of general consumers. In addition to this, the lasting effect of some of these technologies is unknown. Since electrical technology is designed on such a small scale, there can be  unknown effects due to our limited understanding of quantum physics. This raises an interesting issue that has sparked debate. Can we use technology that we dont fully understand, but use on a daily basis? Is it safe to use this technology considering that there may be a potential risk that we have yet to comprehend? The nature of electrical engineering can be somewhat experimental. Transmission lines are used every day to transfer energy into our homes. There are inconclusive theories6 that suggests that these transmission lines which emit low-frequency electromagnetic radiation can be harmful to the general population. This ranges from causing headaches and muscles fatigue to an increased risk of cancer6. Is an engineer obliged to consider these potential risks in their design, even if there is little proof or knowledge into the lasting effects? Currently transmission lines are designed so that they are around 5-10 metres off the ground, this is both for efficiency as well as to remove them from the reach of the general public, avoiding electrocution. However, not many transmission lines have shielding to reduce or eliminate the effects of electromagnetic fields, as there is no quantitative evidence to suggest that shielding is necessary. If the observational theories were proven to be true, however unlikely, that would mean that the general public have been placed in a position of possible harm. In the unlikely case this was true, does the small probability of this being true outweigh the seriousness of the potential harm (cancer). An engineer should be morally responsible at all times, and so an engineer should employ some sort of safety measure. Even if there is only a tiny potential for transmission lines to have lasting negative effects, there should be methods used to combat this threat. This is applying contractualism principles. If engineers themselves believed that they could be exposed to these harmful effects, and knew that they could do something about it, they would integrate some shielding into their transmission line design. Issue 3 sustainability and power generation, impact of cheap labour Power generation and sustainability is a key concern for all people in the world. Electrical engineers are a vital part of this global machine concerned with sustainability. Engineers primarily concern themselves with providing the most efficient means of power generation and distribution, but this can cause negative effects on the global community. Can a balance be achieved? Is it possible for an electrical engineer to be  morally responsible at all time? Our current primary energy source is dependent on a limited resource, coal and fossil fuels7. The utilisation of these materials results in emissions and waste that are harmful to the environment. Since an electrical engineer is only concerned with the production of energy and not of its disposal is this even an issue they should concern themselves with? Its not just up to one person to be ethically responsible. An engineer is only a small part of a network of morally autonomous agents. An engineer can apply virtue ethics or kantian ethics, and create awareness of environmental issues. An engineer should have a virtuous nature and consider all areas of society that they can impact. If an engineer applies Kantianism, their actions would involve trying to tell their managers that they are using the Earth’s limited resources as a means to an end, and the environment gets negatively affected by this. If an engineer raises concern about environmental issues, then they are ethically sound. Even if the situation does not change due to the opinions of higher up people, the engineer has done all that they can be expected to. Cheap Labour: An example of our global effect is found in a youtube video8 where cheap child labour is used to break down parts in a circuit board for further use. The toxic fumes emitted from deconstructing the components are extremely hazardous and can cause lasting health consequences. Companies source labour to developing countries because it is an extremely economical alternative. This is primarily due to developing nations not having as stringent workplace health and safety requirements, and also being able to obtain workers who would work for a much lower wage. Essentially this action will achieve the same outcome, for a lesser cost. These companies clearly priorities profit margins over social wellbeing. Is this an electrical engineers concern? An electrical engineer is part of the company that makes the decision to employ cheap labour, and so they can be in a position to influence this decision. A number of options are available. Employ 1st world employees to perform the same job locally This will mean that there is a higher cost for the company. However, this will take away work from third work countries. Cheap labour will no longer  be exploited, but the people of the country will no longer have employment, which could have serious roll-over effects on the society and economy. A better solution would be: Employ 3rd world employees, and provide better wages and working conditions. The major benefit of this is that a company can still provide work for the global community, while improving the working conditions and economies of the developing nations, rather than exploiting them. The downside is extra cost put into educating employees and providing good equipment to apply process. Both scenarios involve extra money input from companies, resulting in loss of profits, but this is weighed against the safety of the people contracted to the company. Value of human life is held paramount here which satisfies engineering code of ethics. References 1. http://www.engineering.com/Library/ArticlesPage/tabid/85/ArticleID/168/LAmbiance-Plazza.aspx 2. http://www.hazardcards.com/card.php?id=8 3. http://www.ele.uri.edu/courses/ele400/f12/cases.pdf 4. B. Crothers, â€Å"Pentium woes continue,† Infoworld, vol. 16, no. 48, pp. a. 1–18, Nov. 18, 1994. 5. http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au//sites/default/files/shado/About%20Us/Overview/Governance/CodeOfEthics2000.pdf 6. http://www.mcw.edu/radiationoncology/ourdepartment/radiationbiology/Power-Lines-and-Cancer-FAQs.htm#1 7. http://www.dg.history.vt.edu/ch2/impact.html 8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeDw6yHQVbI

Investigation of Police Brutality and problems behind it

Investigation of Police Brutality and problems behind it Law enforcement has established to be an important part in modern day society. The law enforcer more commonly known as the police officer has the primary functions to fight crime and maintain the peace in an effective and efficient manner. Over the last decades the role of the law enforcer has evolved which has provided researchers the opportunity to explore and study the nature of policing by the utilization of specific models. Most researchers have identified a trend in the increased number of cases related to police brutality which are generally blamed for the presence of highly regarded values that exist within the law enforcement culture. This culture believes that force is justified because it should be able to protect the rights of innocent civilians. In todays law enforcement culture criminals are profiled by their colour, race, age, religion, social status and their ethnicity this increases the like hood of innocent members of the public to become potential targets of the police force. International and domestic outrage was expressed over the Abner Louima case in 1997, which involved the wrongful arrest and torture of a Haitian immigrant by local police officers. The exposition of the case will utilize Deontology as the framework for understanding the ethical dilemma that is present in the Abner Louima case. This essay will also seek to analyze ethical problems that are present identifying deontology as the ethical theory to evaluate the problems. Inherent ethical problem and dilemma in the case Every modern day society has law enforcement forming an integral part of the everyday life. Researchers have identified that the nature of the policing is made up of particular models. The most discussed model is the crime fighter that sees every criminal to be the enemy (Dudley, 2001). The police officer is deemed as the protectors of the citizens by enforcing the law. An equally discussed model is the emergency operator model this model describes the police officer as the person who must respond to an emergency situation, whilst enforcing the law in the given situation, such as a drink driving offence. A less discussed model is the social peacekeeper model which investigates and resolves the root causes of criminal behavior, this model aims to provide an explanation of the law enforcement institution and how it operators with multiply expectations, roles and responsibilities. A commonly discussed model which is highlighted in most modern day movies is the social enforcer model which justifies the use of intimidation and exploitation techniques to achieve the objectives of the law enforcement institution. In the case of Abner Louima it is evident that the ethical dilemma is the portrayal of the police officers in question, the crime fighter model is by far the greatest influential model within the law enforcement institution and has created a strong cultural acceptance dictating that criminals are dealt with harshly. Hence introducing an ethical dilemma with the Abner Louima case. Deontological Ethics Deontology believes that human beings act in an ethical manner if they have the motivation and appeal from a higher source (Salzmann, 1995). This empowers the individual to feel needed and powerful within the society. Deontology provides an explanation of ethics to be based on regulations and rules that are established within society (Beauchamp, 1991). This implies that ones actions are deemed to be morally acceptable if the reason is based on social, legal and political legislation that exists within the society. Within these ethical regions obeying these legislations provides evidence that the actions of individuals are acceptable. The police brutality in the Abner Louima case highlights the threat that police brutality poses against the stability of society because it fosters a climate of hostility towards criminals and suspects. This in turn leads to the retributive justice approach to every criminal offence and offender. It is considered this retributive justice approach will inhibit the ability for the law enforcement institution to effectively fight crime. Deontology can be successfully used to identify and assess the nature of the problem. Police officers have created their own sub culture that is identified with specific values and ideals. These ideals legitimize the application of coercion and intimidation against criminal suspects. Deontology would take the view that police actions are immoral in nature because they go against established rules and regulations. They violate the civil liberties of human beings by creating distrust and suspicion towards them. Analysis The police have an institutional culture which comprises of diverse values and attitudes. This culture contains hazards that lead to an alternative code of conduct among police officers. This culture influences the operating procedures for police personnel in society. The common elements of this culture have been closely associated with belligerency, violence, and aggression (Dudley, 2001). The introduction of new police officers does not influence this sub culture and they can only flourish through proper education from senior police officers. These officers outline the code of conduct towards criminal elements which is essential to adhere in order for new officers to survive in their new environment. The individual gender, race, social status and ethnicity play a critical role in shaping police officers attitudes and notions (Bayley, 2005). The institutional culture perceives minorities as being a threat to police authority. Any acts of disrespect for police authority by minorities are responded with a harsh approach. Excessive use of force becomes legitimized in order to punish the criminals. In the case of Abner Louima, Justin Volpe was the police officer who assaulted Abner Louima and charged him with various false offenses. Abner Louima was arrested and placed into police custody and repeatedly beaten and tortured by a number of police officers. Deontology would argue that such acts are not justified. The current US legal system places a number of restrictions on police behavior. This is done in order to safeguard the interests of the individual. The institutional culture tends to perceive the due process as a mechanism that safeguards the criminals. Hence the application of force is justified against minorities who are in accordance with the stereotypes of criminals. Justin Volpe and the other police officers were justified according to the institutional culture to resort to physical and psychological abuse against the victim. Such actions according to deontology would be ethically not permitted due to several reasons. Some duties are universal according to the ethical system like the right to protect innocent people (Delattre, 2004). It focuses on the nature of actions rather than determining the implications. Hence it is essential that the police act as guardians of innocent people. They cannot apply excessive force again st suspects because it is based upon their stereotypes and perceptions. Deontology also uses the intrinsic values of specific actions in order to determine their ethical nature. In addition the Abner Louima case demonstrates the justification of deception and fraud against criminal offenders. This is because police work is deemed to be a dangerous and hazardous environment in which loyalty and dedication supersede the legal concerns and processes (Delattre, 2004). Acts of misconduct perpetrated by officers are tolerated with a strict code of loyalty. Anyone who resists such a code faces severe implications by other police officers. The police culture is often believed to have a set of core values that help to shape its identity. A large number of police officers perceive the general public with distrust and apprehension. Hence stereotypes influence police officers to initiate brutal actions against people who might not have perpetrated an offense (DeSantis, 2002). The general public is defined as dishonest. Force is an important component of police culture because it is defined in terms of defensive purposes. A perceived threat means that police officers can apply force in order to safeguard their interests (Johnson, 2004). This threat can not necessarily be a physical danger to the officer but it can involve suspicious or uncooperative behaviors and actions. Force is used because it serves to implement the law in an efficient and effective manner. In addition, it helps to restore the dignity and respect of police officers (Johnson, 2004). It is considered to be a lesson to criminal offenders and perpetrators who have broken the law. Some police officers consider themselves to be the victims because of their low pay, poor working conditions, and legal policies. These variables help to create a victim complex which can be countered only by adhering to a set of alternative rules and regulations. Some police officers believe that criminals do not deserve access t o civil liberties. Hence force is legitimized because the general public will eventually seek to support the police departments. These officers believe that law abiding citizens do not need to be victims of their actions. The Louima case demonstrates that none of the actions by the police officers were morally defensible or good. Deontology argues that certain actions are ethical because they are based upon prohibitions. Hence the brutal assault on Louima was not justified because it was based upon mere suspicion and stereotypes. However deontology does not apply a moral absolutism in its principles and approaches. The use of force against hardcore criminals like rapists, pedophiles, and drug traffickers would be necessary in certain circumstances. In addition, if force was applied for self defense then the police officer would be perfectly justified in using it. Police discretion has often been identified as a mechanism that can be abused in several ways. Their ability to make deci sions is enhanced through this process because it helps them to respond to specific situations. Hence deontology would legitimize the police brutality in the Louima case. The police officers acted using their own discretionary abilities when they targeted the offender (Johnson, 2004). The moral actions were perfectly in line with this line of reasoning. This is due to the fact that the officers were assaulted during the scuffle at the bar. Hence the natural reaction would be to act against suspected offenders to uphold the honor and dignity of the police officers. Conclusion Police brutality has been a major problem in the United States as demonstrated by the Louima case of 1997. A major ethical dilemma was the frequent misuse of police powers against criminal offenders. Often police brutality occurs because of the pervasive nature of institutional culture. The occupational hazards associated with policing legitimize the frequent application of force against suspects. These suspects can be declared criminals if they belong to specific stereotypes and profiles of the police officers. Many police officers use force as a means to uphold their dignity and esteem. They believe that disobedience to the law is tantamount to challenge to the authority of the police officers. Some police officers believe that they are victimized by excessive public interference and poor working conditions. Hence force becomes legitimized against criminals while protecting the rights of innocent people. Deontology is an ethical system that believes in the appropriate nature of rul es and regulations. Hence a higher moral imperative is used in order to justify ethical principles. Deontological ethics in the above case would argue that the actions of police officers were not justified. They went against the due process and rule of law. In addition, they were based upon suspicion and apprehension as the police officers needed to respond to public attacks. However an alternative explanation would be that the officers were under stress since they were in the middle of a fight. Hence the application of force could be justified because they were acting on their own discretion.

The Stone Angel Essay -- English Literature Essays

The Stone Angel Self-Inflicted Isolation and Loneliness â€Å"I never realized until this moment how cut off I am.† (Laurence, 1988, 294) In the novel The Stone Angel, author Margaret Laurence portrays a lonely old woman by the name of Hagar. Over the course of the novel, Hagar reflects back on the memories that have created the story of her life. Hagar is a deeply lonely woman, and much of that loneliness is self-inflicted. This mental isolation is caused by her stubbornness, her pride, and the blindness that she has towards any opinion other than her own. Hagar Currie-Shipley is a very stubborn woman at the age of ninety. She is very set in her ways, and does not appreciate being told what to do. The reader is introduced to this stubbornness when Hagar is brought to Silverthreads nursing home to view the location. Upon this discovery, Hagar attempts to run away, only to find herself lost in a forest. However, this stubbornness is not a new characteristic of Hagar’s, for she has been this way since early childhood. I wouldn’t let him see me cry, I was so enraged. He used a foot ruler, and when I jerked my smarting palms back, he made me hold them out again. He looked at my dry eyes in fury, as though he’d failed unless he drew water from them. He struck and struck, and then all at once he threw the ruler down and put his arms around me†¦ â€Å"You take after me,† he said, as though that made everything clear. â€Å"You’ve got backbone, I’ll give you that.† (Laurence, 1988, 9-10) This passage shows Hagar’s ability to hide her true emotions, which is a tool that she uses a lot later on in life. She later talks of making love to her husband, Bram, stating that even when she did enjoy it, â€Å"He never knew. I never let him know. I never spoke aloud, and I made certain the trembling was all inner.† (Laurence, 1988, 81) Also, early on in life, when her brother Dan was dying of pneumonia, she could not bring herself to perform his final wish. He cried for his dead mother, and Matt had asked Hagar to wear an old shawl, to act as their mother, and hold Dan, but Hagar could not bear the thought of portraying someone as weak as her mother. Her heart seems to be made of stone, much like the stone angel that her father had imported from Italy for her mother’s grave. Hagar kept all of her emotions bottled up inside. After Bram died, she did not allow herself to cry. It w... ...d to send Arlene to Toronto. When John tells Hagar about the move Hagar pretends to know nothing about it. John informs her that she â€Å" ‘always bet on the wrong horse,’ John said gently. ‘Marv was your boy, but you never saw that, did you?’† (Laurence, 1988, 237) it really opens Hagar’s eyes. She realizes that she has been wrong in her favoritism, although she will not admit it until later on after John is dead. When she is lying in her hospital bed many years later, she lets this realization be known, telling Marvin â€Å" ‘You’ve not been cranky, Marvin. You’ve been good to me, always. A better son than John.’† (Laurence, 1988, 305) Sometimes these realizations come too late. The self-inflicted isolation that Hagar feels is a result of her stubbornness, pride, and blindness towards other views. Her past has shaped her to become the bitter, stolid, rigid old woman that she is in the novel, also greatly contributing to her mental isolation. This isolation is a result of the personal decisions and actions that she has made throughout the course of the novel. â€Å"Every last one of them has gone and left me. I never left them. It was the other way around, I swear it.† (Laurence, 1988, 164) The Stone Angel Essay -- English Literature Essays The Stone Angel Self-Inflicted Isolation and Loneliness â€Å"I never realized until this moment how cut off I am.† (Laurence, 1988, 294) In the novel The Stone Angel, author Margaret Laurence portrays a lonely old woman by the name of Hagar. Over the course of the novel, Hagar reflects back on the memories that have created the story of her life. Hagar is a deeply lonely woman, and much of that loneliness is self-inflicted. This mental isolation is caused by her stubbornness, her pride, and the blindness that she has towards any opinion other than her own. Hagar Currie-Shipley is a very stubborn woman at the age of ninety. She is very set in her ways, and does not appreciate being told what to do. The reader is introduced to this stubbornness when Hagar is brought to Silverthreads nursing home to view the location. Upon this discovery, Hagar attempts to run away, only to find herself lost in a forest. However, this stubbornness is not a new characteristic of Hagar’s, for she has been this way since early childhood. I wouldn’t let him see me cry, I was so enraged. He used a foot ruler, and when I jerked my smarting palms back, he made me hold them out again. He looked at my dry eyes in fury, as though he’d failed unless he drew water from them. He struck and struck, and then all at once he threw the ruler down and put his arms around me†¦ â€Å"You take after me,† he said, as though that made everything clear. â€Å"You’ve got backbone, I’ll give you that.† (Laurence, 1988, 9-10) This passage shows Hagar’s ability to hide her true emotions, which is a tool that she uses a lot later on in life. She later talks of making love to her husband, Bram, stating that even when she did enjoy it, â€Å"He never knew. I never let him know. I never spoke aloud, and I made certain the trembling was all inner.† (Laurence, 1988, 81) Also, early on in life, when her brother Dan was dying of pneumonia, she could not bring herself to perform his final wish. He cried for his dead mother, and Matt had asked Hagar to wear an old shawl, to act as their mother, and hold Dan, but Hagar could not bear the thought of portraying someone as weak as her mother. Her heart seems to be made of stone, much like the stone angel that her father had imported from Italy for her mother’s grave. Hagar kept all of her emotions bottled up inside. After Bram died, she did not allow herself to cry. It w... ...d to send Arlene to Toronto. When John tells Hagar about the move Hagar pretends to know nothing about it. John informs her that she â€Å" ‘always bet on the wrong horse,’ John said gently. ‘Marv was your boy, but you never saw that, did you?’† (Laurence, 1988, 237) it really opens Hagar’s eyes. She realizes that she has been wrong in her favoritism, although she will not admit it until later on after John is dead. When she is lying in her hospital bed many years later, she lets this realization be known, telling Marvin â€Å" ‘You’ve not been cranky, Marvin. You’ve been good to me, always. A better son than John.’† (Laurence, 1988, 305) Sometimes these realizations come too late. The self-inflicted isolation that Hagar feels is a result of her stubbornness, pride, and blindness towards other views. Her past has shaped her to become the bitter, stolid, rigid old woman that she is in the novel, also greatly contributing to her mental isolation. This isolation is a result of the personal decisions and actions that she has made throughout the course of the novel. â€Å"Every last one of them has gone and left me. I never left them. It was the other way around, I swear it.† (Laurence, 1988, 164)

The Power of Love in Death of a Salesman Essay -- Death Salesman essay

The Power of Love in Death of a Salesman   Ã‚   Love is one of the most confusing emotions that one can experience. It is simple yet complicated, unconditional but demanding, overused and unique. It is hard to explain what its means to feel love, to feel loved, or to be in love, however, there are aspects of love that are easily expressed. For example, ones unquestionable affection to the one they love, or the hardships and sacrifice that is endured for loved ones, and the underlying fact that once it is experienced it is not easily dismissed. The play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller describes love in just these ways, and, most of all, as the ultimate moral value that is the eternal bond that keeps people together. One can see this in the love that Linda has for her husband Willy, the unmistakable devotion that Willy has to his family, and the masked love that Biff has for his father, Willy.    Before experiencing the play Death of a Salesman the reader or viewer must understand the family standards that were in place during the time period that the play was set. It was a time where the man of the house had the final word in everything. The woman of the house was the follower of the man through any hardships, and never overstepped her role. Linda is that woman, always putting her needs second to Willy's. She is the eternal wife and mother, the point of affection both given and received, the woman who suffers and endures for her family. Linda's love for Willy is unquestionably pure and unconditional:    No. You can't just come to see me, because I love him. He's the dearest man in the world to me, and I wont have anyone making him feel unwanted and low and blue. You've got to make up your ... ... that love makes is extremely strong, and can withstand the strongest and longest tests that humankind could put it through. It is everlasting, and beautiful to experience.    Sources    Field, B.S.   "Death of a Salesman" Twentieth Century Literature.   January, 1972. 19-24.   Rpt. in World Literary Criticism.   Ed. Frank Magill.  Ã‚   "Arthur Miller" Detroit: Gale Research, 1992.   2366-2368. Hoeveler, D. J.   "Redefining Love" Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman: Modern Critical Interpretations.   Ed. Harold Blum.   Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 1988. 72-81. Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Gerald Weales, ed. New York: Penguin, 1996 Parker, Brian.   "Point of View in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman."   Arthur Miller: A Collection of Critical Essays.   Ed. Robert Corrigan.   Englewood Cliffs:   Prentice Hall, 1969.   98-107.      

Adult Day Care Centers

Adult Day Care Centers Naomi Noel University of the Rockies Abstract Adult day cares have not received the acclaim due. They are an invaluable part of the communities that they serve. They incorporate succinct mission statements to effectively get their point across while also employing a wide range of professionals to better serve their clientele. The utilize needs based assessment tools for enrollment as well as needs assessment surveys to gather information from the surrounding community. The chain of command is laid out so that ethical guidelines can easily be established and appropriately enforced.They also referrals to agencies better equipped to handle particular situations in order to better serve their clientele. Within the next five to ten years, the need for their services will increase. However, unless federal guidelines change and more funding is established the current trend of only operating for a few years will continue. Adult Day Care Centers The majority of in-home care providers for physically or cognitively disabled adults are family members, generally an adult child or a spouse. Without the care of these family members, many adults would require nursing home care.Family caregivers are extremely valuable, but often need additional help in caring for a loved one. Caregiving can take an enormous toll, both financially and physically. Adult day care can provide needed respite from caregiving and may reduce the need for a nursing home. An adult day care center, also commonly known as adult day services or adult day health care, is a non-residential facility providing activities for elderly and/or handicapped individuals. While centers of this kind are available, they often have waitlists due to the high demand.Most centers operate 10 – 12 hours per day and provide meals, social/recreational outings, and general supervision. Adult daycare centers operate under a social model and/or a health care model. Daycare centers may focus on providin g care only for persons with Alzheimer's and related dementias or their services may be available for any disabled adult. The original concept was to provide a â€Å"sitting service† as it were to provide activities and stimulation for care-recipients in an environment outside of the home.The care-recipient would receive supervision and possibly some limited care while the caregiver would have a break from the routine of daily caregiving thus allowing them to take care of other responsibilities or simply have time to themselves. This also allowed peace and quiet to relieve the stress of caregiving. The care center might offer transportation at a nominal additional cost to transport the loved one to and from the center. This initial model is still around but it has undergone some tweaking in order to prove profitable.There are now three basic models for adult day care that were developed mostly so the government would be inclined to contribute financially. The traditional mode l with social services, activities, crafts and some individualized attention; the medical model with all of the aforementioned services plus skilled services such as nurses, therapist, psychiatrists and geriatric physicians; and the Alzheimer’s model with services specifically designed to support and care for Alzheimer’s patients. Participation in adult day care often prevents re-hospitalizations and may delay admission to residential long term care.For participants who would otherwise want to stay at home alone, the social stimulation and recreational activities may improve or maintain physical and cognitive function. Adult Day Care Centers are designed to provide care and companionship for seniors who need assistance or supervision during the day. The goals of the programs are to delay or prevent institutionalization by providing alternative care, to enhance self-esteem and to encourage socialization. (Eldercare. gov, 2012) A mission statement defines an organization s fundamental purpose.It answers the basic questions of why the organization exists while describing the needs that it is attempting to meet. It also provides the basis for judging the success of the organization and is capable of attracting donors and volunteers while simultaneously encouraging community involvement. Your mission statement embraces the reasons your practice exists (besides just making a living for you and your staff), the core values your organization shares and expresses through its work, how you serve your key stakeholders, and your overarching (sometimes idealistic) goals. Urology Times, 2011) The mission statement of the adult day care center created for this paper would read as follows: To provide a secure and nurturing environment for clients who need social environment, consistent supervision and loving assistance. This mission statement sums up the goals for the center in a concise manner while offering reassurance to the client’s primary caregivers. The list of professionals necessary for organizational success includes licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, a certified nutritionist, a physical therapist and an occupational therapist.These employees are the ones who would be required to have a degree, licensure or certification in their respective areas. This does not include staff such as receptionists and bookkeeping. The licensed nurses would be responsible for the overall day-to-day operation of the center and particularly ensuring that the center is operating according to state licensing regulations and health department policies and procedures. They would supervise the nursing assistants and medication staff while also reviewing client history prior to admission to the facility and conducting admission assessment conferences.The certified nursing assistants (CNAs) would be responsible for assisting with overall client care including but not limited to assessment, care planning, mobility, safety, comfort, and unit efficiency. The medication staff’s only role would be to ensure the proper storing and dispensing of client prescriptions. Next would be a nutritionist. Nutritionists play a preventative role while offering education about what kind of foods are consumed. They offer menu suggestions and assist with understanding the connection between food and emotions.They would be a vital member of the center’s team since the typical center serves breakfast and lunch and an afternoon snack. The final professionals necessary for a creditable adult day care center are an occupational therapist and a physical therapist. Occupational therapists are proficient in modifying the physical environment as well as training the individual in the proper use of assistive equipment to increase independence. They also emphasize helping their patients engage in meaningful activities of daily living (ADLs).Physical therapists are trained to identify and maximize quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, intervention, and rehabilitation. Their primary focus is on the physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being of the client. While each of these specialists concentrates on differing characteristics of care, they do experience some vocational overlap which allows them to work well in tandem. The physical and occupational therapists would be contracted out of reimbursement purposes.It is important that the timing of each unit of therapy is not inclusive of any other treatments. The clients would be timed from when the actual therapies or services begin. This would not include time for restroom breaks, waiting for someone to get ready or clothing changes. Adhering to these policies allows clients to receive quality therapeutic services while keeping the overall costs down. Needs based assessment tools are a vital part of the overall blueprint for adult day care center enrollment.These assessments allow the facility to obtain data from potential clientele in order to evaluate whether or not the center can address the client’s diverse needs. Some of the more common tools include psychological, physical, leisure interest, nutritional and risk assessments. Some facilities may elect to include financial and estate planning depending on availability and demand. Most states require a licensed nurse to conduct the psychological assessment portion of a patient's intake process. One of the most common assessment instruments in use is the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).The MMSE is a brief assessment of the cognitive state of the adult client. The instrument screens for impairment in cognition, estimates the severity of impairment at a specific point in time (usually during intake) and can be used to reassess and follow changes in the individual's mental state over time or to document changes that happen as a result of therapy or applied therapeutic support services. The nu rse typically obtains copies of any formal psychological evaluations and assessments that have been completed within the past ten years. State minimum standards outline what sorts of physical evaluation are needed.Standard tests include height, weight, blood pressure, respiration and temperature. A nurse also obtains and reviews the patient's medical history from his doctor and follows up with questions about specific conditions that may affect the patient's care plan. At this time, the patient's family and the nurse develop or make a copy of the patient's advance directive, which lays out the patient's wishes in case extraordinary medical intervention is needed to keep him alive. This documentation is crucial especially when working with the elderly. The center activity director (AD) conducts a leisure/recreational interest inventory of the patient.The inventory is a check-off list of recreational activities that the person either enjoys or does not enjoy to varying degrees. By ide ntifying recreational interests of each new patient, the AD can structure an activities program so that activities not only meet physical, mental and social needs in a therapeutic way but also engage the patient. The center's consulting nutritionist may perform their own client assessment while also looking at the care plan drawn up by the center treatment team to incorporate the patient's special dietary needs into the center's meal and snack menus.Clients with special dietary needs may require a detailed meal plan be designed. The nutritionist is also in charge of monitoring the client to ensure that the diet is satisfactory. As part of the intake process, the entire treatment team considers physical, social and mental limitations faced by the patient in addition to special needs, flight risk, fall risk, seizure potential or other possible risks in providing care to the patient. The team as a whole weighs risks, develops strategies and addresses risk factors to be incorporated int o the patient's treatment plan.The family will eventually meet with the bookkeeping staff, to assess family financial resources, insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid) and other social service resources while developing a care contract and payment plan. At this time, the staff typically provides a copy of the center's family handbook to the patient's caregivers with center policies and procedures as well as general information about operations, hours, types of services offered and terms of service.The chain of command is defined as â€Å"The order in which authority and power in an organization is wielded and delegated from top management to every employee at every level of the organization† (Business Dictionary. com, 2012). The clearer cut the chain of command, the more effective the decision making process and greater the efficiency. Military forces are an example of straight chain of command, extending in an unbroken line from the top brass to ranks. However, this ill ustration is not conducive to the requirements of an adult day care center.Chain of command is considered very important in organizations because it enhances the effectiveness of the management. The chain of command clearly shows the line of authority and responsibility in the organization, therefore, it really plays an important role in the organizations. Following is a more appropriate chain of command sequences for a facility of this nature. This type of chain is more of a pyramid and is well-suited to the organization’s needs.Volunteering, in the sense of carrying out tasks or providing services for individuals or community organizations without financial recompense, is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. It is considered as serving the society through one's own interests, personal skills or learning, which in return produces a feeling of self-worth and respect, instead of money. Volunteering is also famo us for skill development, socialization and fun. It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment or for a variety of other reasons.Community volunteers would be a substantial part of the center’s staff as their involvement is capable of forging friendship with the clients. It is essential for an agency of this capacity to be knowledgeable about other services and facilities that the clientele can benefits from. The benefit of this is two-fold. First, you show your clients and their families that you really want them to succeed. Second, this service allows you to network with other agencies providing them with additional clientele. If the experience is positive (for all parties involved), then it is likely that they will return the favor.Collaboration among agencies is the key to preventing fragmentation. In addition to reducing the likelihood of clients falling through the cracks between disparate and unconnected agencies, collaboration can foster a more holistic view of the client. Sometimes just a simple change of perspective can make the difference between circumstances being viewed as â€Å"needs† and being viewed as assets. For example, a single parent who cannot find a babysitter on a particular evening misses a treatment session. See Appendix for a suggested agency referral list. The ethical standards that govern the human services profession depend on many variables, including the human service professional’s level of education, professional license, and even the state in which they practice† (Martin, 2011). In the state of Oklahoma, an adult day care is required to have a designated administrator-of-record who has been licensed by the state. Because of the nature of this agency and the mandatory licensure, it falls under the umbrella of the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long Term Care Administrators’ Code of Ethics which was adopted from the American College of Health Care Administrators’ C ode of Ethics.The abbreviated version contains four simple expectations. EXPECTATION I -Individuals shall hold paramount the welfare of persons for whom care is provided. EXPECTATION II – Individuals shall maintain high standards of professional competence. EXPECTATION III – Individuals shall strive, in all matters relating to their professional functions, to maintain a professional posture that places paramount the interests of the facility and its residents. EXPECTATION IV – Individuals shall honor their responsibilities to the public, their profession, and their relationships with colleagues and members of related professions. American College of Health Care Administrators, 2012) These expectations are reasonable and simple to understand. Maintaining the standard of the governing organization would not present any difficulty. In addition to the code of ethics from a superior governing organization, the center would adhere to the following principles as well: quality of care, participant rights, participant selection, appropriateness of care, representation of care and fees, conflicts of interest, accountability of member, and protection of the public. Enforcing these principles would ensure the utmost quality of service.The final ethical standard for this center would come from the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA). NADSA gives what they refer to as the Six Domains of Health Care Quality. The work to ensure that all facilities with their certification provide care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable. A needs assessment is a systematic exploration and analysis of â€Å"the way things are† and â€Å"the way things ought to be. † A need is not a want or desire, but a gap between the current situation and the optimal situation.Using both qualitative and quantitative research, a needs assessment identifies gaps in training, programs, services and outreach efforts. Needs asses sments can be used to identify and solve performance problems in order to direct a natural resource or outdoor recreation organization's future planning efforts. Needs assessment surveys provide a way of community members what they see as the most important needs of that particular group. These surveys are important only to agencies who value community feedback.They offer an excellent opportunity to gather and score the opinions of those the agency is trying to assist. Needs assessment surveys are necessary to learn more about the communal needs, gain a more honest and objective description of needs and become more aware of issues that may have fallen under the radar. As baby boomers and others seek quality care for their parents, the adult day care industry is growing at a rate of five to fifteen percent, dependent on location. According to The National Adult Day Services Association 3,500 centers are caring for approximately 150,000 adults daily. In 1990, ADS facilities reported c osts between $30 to $35 dollars a day† (Burke, Hudson, & Eubanks, 1990). Today, cost estimates for not for- profit facilities range from $40 to $50 and for-profits range from $60 to $70 per day. The average age of the adult day center care recipient is 72, and two-thirds of all adult day center care recipients are women. Thirty-five percent of the adult day center care recipients live with an adult child, 20 percent with a spouse, 18 percent in an institutional setting, and 13 percent with parents or other relatives, while 11 percent live alone.Fifty-two percent of the adult day center care recipients using adult day services centers nationwide have some cognitive impairment. (Bauer & Moore, 2009) Since the 1970s there has been a continued growth of adult day health service programs, with the most rapid growth occurring after additional Medicaid funds became available through approved waiver programs. There is no existing federal policy regarding adult and pediatric day health services, so there is great variability among states’ approaches to adult day health services (ADHS), and rightly, great variation in programs, services, and standards.Because literature on reimbursement approaches specific to day health services was scant, long-term care literature to describe reimbursement structures and factors utilized for needs-based reimbursement systems was heavily relied on. In theory adult day services seem to offer an ideal alternative to caregivers by providing a daytime care environment outside of the home. One would think that a program where a loved one could be nurtured, stimulated and provided medical care would be a welcome relief for both the caregiver and the care-recipient. In practice it does not seem to work.To only have added about 133 new care centers a year in the entire country does not seem like enough. Yet there are thousands of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home health agencies available coast to coast. Although i t is an extremely valuable service that should be utilized more often, no one seems to have an answer as to why adult day care has not been more popular with caregivers. As of yet, no data collection or research studies have been able to answer this question. However, several theories have been developed. First, and quite simply, care-recipients may not be comfortable with the concept.Many of the people who qualify for these services are afraid to leave their homes unless someone familiar is with them. The thought of being by themselves in a new environment is enough to convince them not to give it a chance. Second, the cost of the services might be detrimental to some caregivers. This is especially true of those with loved ones who did not qualify for one of the numerous waiver programs that are offered by the government. Third, perhaps there are not enough caregivers and families that are familiar with what services these center have to offer.Fourth, adult day care can prove to be its own worst enemy. About half of all centers are nonprofit organizations sponsored by churches or community associations. Often these places find themselves in a catch twenty-two; on one hand they charge next to nothing which does not allow them to cover all of the associated expenses. On the other hand, if they were to raise their rates, they run the risk of turning away potential clients. From 1989 to 2004 the number of ADHS facilities doubled. A survey completed in 2001 put the number of adult day care centers at 3,493 nationwide.This trend is projected to continue. In the next five to ten years, it is expected that the need for adult day care centers is going to drastically increase due to the length of time the general population lives. The average lifespan continues to increase due to advances in health care thus creating an influx of elderly citizens who will eventually need to depend on others for their care. As more and more people continue on in the workforce, they will begin to rely more heavily on adult day and adult health centers to care for their loved ones.Ideally more funding and federal regulations will come about. In addition, one can hope that the general population will become more aware of the benefits of an adult day care center. Once those two things occur, then this service can experience exponential growth while simultaneously extending a helping hand to the elderly population. References Bauer, A. , & Moore, W. (2009, October 09). Adult day service centers are vital to our growing senior population. Retrieved from http://www. journalscene. com/commentary/Adult-day-service-centers-are-vital-to-our-growing-senior-population Burke, M. Hudson, T. , & Eubanks, P. (1990). Number of adult day care centers increasing, but payment is slow. Alternate Care, 34-42. Chain of command. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/chain-of-command. html Code of ethics. (2012, August 24). Retrieved from http://www. ok. gov /osbeltca/Code_of_Ethics/ index. html How to write a mission statement that resonates. (2011). Urology Times, 39(11), 43-44. Martin, M. E. (2011). Introduction to human services: Through the eyes of practice settings. (2nd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson. Appendix Referral Agencies Adult Day Services Phone:      (405) 521-42291-800-498-7995Fax:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   (405) 521-2086  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mailing Address: 2401 N. W. 23rd St. , Ste. 40 Oklahoma City, OK  Ã‚   73107 Adult Protective Services Program Oklahoma  County (405) 522-2743 Aging Services: Legal Services Shirley Cox, Legal Services Developer Phone:   (405) 521-2281Fax:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   (405) 521-2086 Mailing Address: 2401 N. W. 23rd St. , Ste. 40 Oklahoma City, OK  Ã‚   73107 Area Agencies on Aging Directors Phone:   (405) 521-2281Fax:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   (405) 521-2086Mailing Address: 2401 N. W. 23rd St. , Ste. 40 Oklahoma City, OK 73107 Respite Eleanor Kurtz, Programs Supervisor Phone:  Ã‚  Ã‚   (405) 522-62411-866-359-8596Fax:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (405) 521-2086 Mailing Address: 2401 N. W. 23rd St. , Ste. 40 Oklahoma City, OK  Ã‚  Ã‚   73107 State Plan Personal Care Tom Dunning, Programs Administrator State Plan Personal Care Intake Line: 1-800-435-4711 Transportation Eleanor Kurtz, Programs Supervisor Phone:  Ã‚     Ã‚  (405)  522-66831-800- 498-7995Fax:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  (405) 521-2086 Mailing Address: 2401 N. W. 23rd St. , Ste. 40 Oklahoma City, OK  Ã‚  Ã‚  73107

Insight of Plato’s Gorgias

Textual Analysis Term Paper: Gorgias As history suggests, Plato was Socrates’ prime student. Plato’s key belief was that the ultimate reality was the notion and concepts of things. His deduction was that what we see in the physical world are simply abstract representations of universal ideas. Consequently, Plato supposed, that to correctly understand reality one must transcend the physical reality into the world of ideas, which is seen in Plato’s â€Å"Gorgias. † A lot of the dialects in this piece of work are full of Socratic irony. Plato's main idea of the true ature of reality centers on the abstract perception of universals and what creates the physical reality. As Platonic Realism proposes, to be able to sensually perceive these universals, as they have no temporal traits is impossible. In â€Å"Gorgias† we are able to see through Socrates’ and Callicles’ dispute about justice, the ideas that form the foundation about what consist s to be a successful political leader. Plato recognizes the conventional meaning of pleasure as satisfaction, but to understand his view of the moral dimension behind it there is a particular framework behind the concept of eauty. In â€Å"Gorgias†, he has Socrates say that things, both concrete things such as bodies, and abstract things such as laws, and even knowledge, are beautiful â€Å"on account of either some pleasure or benefit, or both. † (Plato, p. 72) In the beginning of the discussion between Socrates and Callicles itself, Socrates mentions that the basis of their arguments will be with what they both love: philosophy ; Athenian democracy. To understand Socrates’ arguments it is foremost important to notice that he directs his arguments towards the pursuit of pleasure, as he implies it is the highest good of uman life. The difference between Callicles and Socrates on pleasure and the good is that Callicles thinks the structures of the pleasures one p ursues or the pains one avoids is futile whereas Socrates puts extra attention to these structures. Callicles and Socrates both contradict each other in this debate, nevertheless they agree on one aspect where he they Socrates says casually that â€Å"it is uglier to act unjustly than to be treated unjustly. † (Plato, p. 98) which means it is better off to be unjust than to suffer it since suffering from injustice is more agonizing than doing it. Despite the fact that Socrates admits that suffering injustice is more painful than doing it, the consequences of having pleasure from inflicting injustice are nevertheless worse. Socrates’ brings up his argument of self-control, through mentioning that suffering injustice is conflicting with happiness and doing injustice is in fact even worse than suffering it, accordingly doing injustice must also be conflicting with one’s happiness. It is because Callicles rejects self-control as being fitting with happiness, that he is forced to ignore the consequences of his actions.Therefore, to prove Callicles wrong, Socrates uses rhetoric in a way that is philosophical to guide his logic. He suggests that life without knowing the full form of pleasures, without having a knowledge of their natures, basically, what their structures are, is a life which is destined to be frustrated. It becomes a unhealthy experience to achieve happiness. Contrasting this, Callicles thinks that one can understand that suffering injustice is automatically more painful than inflicting injustice with respect to happiness. Socrates tries to convince Callicles that this thought is incorrect.Socrates’ no doubt tries to prove Callicles wrong and in this case, he mentions that one has to know the nature which implies the structure, of the pleasure of one’s pain, which is how Socrates’ emphasizes on self-indulgence. Throughout the dispute, the difference between a true and a false pleasure is that one needs to exam ine the nature of every pleasure so as to find out whether it is a true pleasure. â€Å"But still, even now, state whether you say that a pleasant thing and a good thing are the same or whether there is anything of [the things that are] pleasant that is not good? † (Plato, p. 09) If the nature of pleasure is solely based on action this is considered a bad pleasure, which we get from cooking and make-up as Socrates suggests. The first step is fought over the issue of whether all pleasures are good. Socrates thinks that only true pleasures are good whereas Callicles thinks that all pleasures whether true or false are good. The second step is fought over what is necessary for happiness. Socrates thinks that self-control is what is necessary to experience the true pleasures and to avoid the false ones; â€Å"[†¦] it is possible for a man who is distressed to feel joy. † Plato, 113) This presents why many would call some pleasures bad is that they lead to such things a s sickness and poverty, which inevitably lead to pain. The basis on which this is important is because Socrates gets Callicles to agree that a person's body is good if it has the structure appropriate to it, which is in this case, health. Socrates has a deep meaning to it since he mentions that having a healthy body is nothing without the soul, rather that it represents what the body is for. Therefore, when Socrates claims that the soul is good if it has the order and structure appropriate to it, that s, justice and self-control, he is claiming how the soul is good and not just what the soul is for. â€Å"And so examine first whether these things seem to you to have been sufficiently and whether there are some other such matters concerning the soul, some having to do with technical skill [†¦] but others that make small account of [what is best]; and consider in turn, just as [in the case of cooking], only the pleasure of the soul [†¦]. † (Plato, 123) Therefore, if t he soul has the virtue appropriate to a soul, that person will be, in due course happy. If the soul cannot do this, nd does not have the virtue appropriate to a soul, that person will be miserable. As mentioned earlier, Socrates argues that self-control is what controls one's desires and pleasures. The most important interpretation of what this amounts to would have Socrates arguing for the rational part of our soul â€Å"controlling† the desires. self-control is, ultimately self- control, which implies that naturally, it is impossible for the self-controlled person to do what is not apt. Where the dialect would overlap is if the soul is not able to attain happiness, unless of course, it has structure and order which is known as self-control, then Socrates ill have proven that not only does it fit with happiness but that it is equally necessary for happiness and if Socrates supports the opposite of this argument, it would automatically support what Callicles’ argues. C allicles’ love for â€Å"demos† may at some point be portrayed as being anti- conventional. Callicles mentions that the democracy and its laws is a way to control the stronger people, the weak people wanted to unite as one to overthrow the people bestowed with higher power. Callicles’ position on the relationship between the powerful and the normal people turns out to be most definitely conventional, which explains why he has uch love for the population, which may bias his political leadership. What Socrates had basically done was to enslave Callicles into a web of words. Socrates used Callicles’ belief of â€Å"demos† but also polis law, pleasures, and desires' to thrust Socrates’ ideas on Callicles. For example, if we take Socrates’ technical approach, any common person would assume that in pursuing pleasure, Callicles is not doing what he wants, â€Å"[†¦] pleasant is different from the good, and that each of the two has its own concern and method of possessing [it] – the hunt for the pleasant and the hunt for the good [†¦]. (Plato, p. 122)According to that passage, we all want what is truly good, but the pleasures that seem good to Callicles are not those that are essentially good, so pursuing pleasure is not what Callicles wants. It only portrays that Callicles pursues it unwillingly (Plato, p. 139). As a result, this shows that Callicles lacks the ability to do things as per his wish, which eventually Callicles is what we can label a â€Å"slave† or even in the context of this work a lover of the people. Kreon from the Antigone would agree with Socrates, as he would remain adamant about proving his point as Socrates is doing in his dispute with Callicles.No matter how contradictory he may sound he would rather inflict injustice onto Antigone than being defeated by a puny little girl. â€Å"Now that I’ve caught her as the only one In all the city who openly defied me, I wonà ¢â‚¬â„¢t be seen as false to my own word By all the city – I’ll kill her. † (Sophocles, p. 82) The fact that Kreon honors his power more than morality proves that he would make sure his point came across the population and his son even if he had to go against them. His intention would only change if it benefitted himself. To conclude, one might think that the reason behind Callicles’ interpretation of eeking pleasure from his own desires may be his relationship with the people. He might consider the pursuit of their pleasure in preference to his own, and so he is their servant in the sense that he prioritizes their liking over his own. In this dispute nevertheless, Socrates does not make a flat out criticism about Callicles’ ideals instead he makes an association behind the pursuit of pleasure with serving the â€Å"demos†. They reach to somewhat of an understanding between them as they distinguish between pursuing one’s own pleasure a nd that of others never becomes an issue. Socrates characterizesCallicles’ view as that virtue is within the satisfaction of his own desires and those of others; â€Å"[†¦] that of the desires, some, being filled, make the person better, [and] these one should accomplish, but others, [being filled, make the person worse [†¦]. (Plato, p. 128). Whereas Socrates is concerned, by philosophical rhetoric he can succeed in getting his ideas through any skilled person and therefore, may be a successful political leader. Bibliography Plato, Gorgias. (Newburyport: R. Pullins Company, 2007), 23-171. Sophocles, Antigone. (New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. , 2007), 52-116.