Labeling theory Essay

Stereotypes are thoughts adopted about a person or a group of people that may or may not be true. In reality a stereotype does not really have a definition. Different people view stereotypes differently. Researchers and psychologists have different definitions what a stereotypes can actually be. Some people regard stereotypes as being a negative thing, might go as far as saying it is prejudice. This is because cultures label others differently. If a person does not understand a culture but sees a trend they assume that the whole culture must be that way. This is an example of what stereotyping means to most. Psychologists Yueh-Ting Lee and Charles Stangor have their own believes on stereotypes. They do not agree on what stereotyping is, but both add a valid explanation. Yueh-Ting Lee a professor from the Westfield State College is a psychologist that has researched and wrote about stereotypes in our cultures. He believes that stereotypes might be perceived as a negative thing because they involve generalizing a culture or person. Lee believes that stereotypes are far from the truth. He doesn’t believe that a person or culture can be generalized to one thing. The world is a big place that can be very unfamiliar to most people. People that have never traveled the world or seen many cultures do not truly understand these places. Most of the people in the world fall under this curious but unaware category. Lee believes that stereotypes are needed for these kinds of people. What better way to start understanding a culture then looking at the stereotypes? He believes that stereotypesare a starting point in understanding the different people and cultures. Stereotyping is a belief we use to categorize people, objects and events. Lee says that these stereotypes will help uncertain people deal with all the information about the vast cultures on earth. All this leads Lee to believe that stereotyping is a good and necessary way of obtaining opinions on people and cultures. Charles Stangor a psychologist from the University of Maryland College Park has his view on stereotypes. He does not share the same views as Lee in regards to stereotyping being a useful or good thing. Stangor leans more into the idea that people need to rate others in order to know where they stand. This is an aspect of stereotyping shared by many. The fact that one culture or person will generalize another culture or person into a group based on who they are and what they do. Stagnor believes that powerful people use stereotypes to exploit selected groups of people. There are many negative stereotypes that arise from people generalizing on one aspect of a person or culture. For example African Americans are labeled to be good athletes but portrayed not to be as smart as Asians or whites. Stagnor believes that is a manipulation, and that stereotypes cannot be true, therefore they cannot be used to judge a person or their culture. Stagnor believes that generalizing can lead to more serious things like racism, sexism, or other prejudice. Stereotypes cannot be labeled as a good thing. This planet has many different people, cultures, beliefs, and races. Every single human being is different than every other human. If this is all true then how can we label people into categories? A human is not something up for sale and cannot be labeled and shelved in a specific section. This is maybe true about whole groups of people from the same race or culture. Like Stagnor believes stereotyping leads people to become prejudice against others. Labeling a race into one category is racism in a sense. A common stereotype is that all African Americans are great athletes but not as smart as other cultures. This is viewed because a lot of them are professional athletes. Being athletic does not make someone less intelligent, or being smart does not mean someone cannot be an athlete. This is an example of viewing a race only through one lense. People will not be able to understand other cultures if they only see someone from one side. Lee argues that stereotypes will lead us to understand or just began understanding someone. What if someone takes these stereotypes and sticks to that idea about someone. This will lead people to generalize races and cultures into one idea. This will be a harmful stereotype because we will be unable to look past that one idea. Negative stereotyping will lead humans to be intolerable of other races and cultures. People must understand why someone different then themselves is the way they are. If a select group of people are labeled in some way we cannot label the whole race that way. We have to give the rest of that race a chance. The least we can do is to understand a race before we pass a judgment.

Boundaryless organisation Essay

1. Theoretical Background A boundaryless organization is a modern approach in organization design. It is an organization that is not defined by, or limited to, the horizontal, vertical, or external boundaries imposed by a predefined or traditional structure. This term was coined by former General Electric chairman Jack Welch because he wanted to eliminate vertical and horizontal boundaries within the company and break down external barriers between the company and its customers and suppliers. Traditional companies with boundaries, rules, and extensive plans are at a supreme disadvantage in today’s globalized world, where technology changes daily and the value chain commands changes of its own. In a traditional company where people are categorized into neatly defined positions with their job descriptions filed in three copies in the human resources department, the way a company plans its business can cause it to sink or swim. Bad planning can mean lost opportunities, being overtaken by the competition, loss of revenues, or watching its position slip away because of a new technology, an alteration in the global marketplace, or simply a failure to market its product effectively. When  changes occur, they happen too quickly for its organizational processes to meet them. As a result, opportunities are quickly lost, problem situations take over rapidly, and before the company can respond appropriately, it has lost customers, opportunities, and market share. Although that company likely has more than enough talent within its walls to offset all of those disasters, the talent is never put to use, because employees are constrained to operate within the confines of their job descriptions, where only the prescribed talents can be put to good use. The answer to this dilemma lies in boundaryless organizations. The boundaryless organization does not operate according to volumes of planning documents, job descriptions, or tradition, instead it regroups and innovates. The boundaryless organization has developed primarily due to the widespread distribution of information and the presence of information technology. But if you have great innovative companies such as Newskool Grooves that is always ready and ahead of the game, with a little guidance, the company ca n make it through. The company has to always be alert of impacts of every decision made. Boundaryless organizations communicate mainly through email, phone and other virtual methods rather than more traditional face-to-face communication. The freedom to telecommute with international employees removes geographical barriers to productivity and allows for schedule flexibility. By organizing expert employees in groups and giving them decision-making authority, these companies can change quickly to meet needs and function efficiently in an ill-defined hierarchy. 2. Facts of case Employees no longer work in isolation but work as part of a team on broad, company-wide projects, quality management, just-in-time methods, lean production, and supply-chain management. The advantages of a boundaryless organization are that it is highly flexible and responsive and draws on talent wherever it is found. The disadvantages are that there is a lack of control and it presents communication difficulties. As in the case study, we can find that Newskool Groove has a decentralized culture and a company which reinvents itself 2 to 3 years; the bigger fight is a constant war against stagnation and rigidity. In boundaryless organization developers had a major communication breakdown about their hardware DJ controller, which required many hours of discussion to resolve. The boundaries of an  organization can be divided into following four types: Vertical – Boundaries between layers within an organization Classic Example: Military organization Problem: Someone in a lower layer has a useful idea; â€Å"Chain of command† mentality Horizontal – Boundaries which exist between organization functional units. Each unit has a singular function. Problem: Each unit maximize their own goals but not the overall goal of the organization External – Barriers between the organization and the outside world (customers, suppliers, other government entities, special interest groups, communities). Customers are the most capable of identifying major problems in the organization and are interested in solutions. Problem: Lose sight of the customer needs and supplier requirements Geographic – Barriers among organization units located in different countries Problem: Isolation of innovative practices and ideas 3. Analysis Many companies are crossing lines that have set boundaries linking them to communication. All over the world healthcare facilities are requiring employees the opportunities to connect through a wide variety of networking resources. Contact methods that expand knowledge, ideas, sharing, and finding solutions are all trigger points. Environments that provide healthcare are responding with other organizations through networks that promote social media. Companies are responding to other organizations by relaxing barriers that keep them from communicating with others. Organizations in healthcare are providing boundaryless organizations encouraging and managing a blur of boundaries to provide a better knowledge and understanding of a situation characterized by uncertainty. Organizations are promoting a resourceful outflow of information through the exchange of authority. Barriers that divide groups and isolate individuals from communicating are allowing leaders the cooperation to become mo re involved. A boundary organization allows businesses the opportunity to express their concerns. Boundary organizations are formed to manage meetings in distinct areas and encourage the production of knowledge. These organizations are eliminating the older ways of communication done through the traditional one-way flow. They are effectively changing the hypothesis that supports the  existence of boundaries. The exchange of transferred knowledge has been a great challenge for many organizations. Boundaryless organizations communicate mainly through email, phone and other virtual methods rather than more traditional face-to-face communication. The freedom to telecommute with international employees removes geographical barriers to productivity and allows for schedule flexibility. By organizing expert employees in groups and giving them decision-making authority, these companies can change quickly to meet needs and function efficiently in an ill-defined hierarchy. The four main types of boundaryless organizations are modular organization, strategic alliance, network organization, and virtual organization. Modular and virtual organizations outsource all non-essential functions. When two compa nies collaborate to form a partnership that is beneficial to all parties, they are a strategic alliance. A network organization is one in which companies outsource their major business functions in order to focus more on what they are in business to do. 4. Conclusion The boundaryless organization is a paradigm shift that recognizes the limitations inherent in separating people, tasks, processes, and places, and emphasizes the benefits of moving ideas, information, decisions, talent, and actions where they are most needed (Ashkenas, Ulrich, Jick, & Kerr, 1995). Companies often use a boundaryless organizational structure when they (1) collaborate with customers or suppliers to provide better-quality products or services, (2) are entering foreign markets that have entry barriers to foreign competitors, or (3) need to manage the risk of developing an expensive new technology. The boundaryless organization is appropriate in these situations because it is open to change, it facilitates the formation of joint ventures with foreign companies, and it reduces the financial risk to any one organization. References 1. URL: http://mysite.verizon.net/lpang10473/web/ldc_flat.htm 2. URL:http://www.slideshare.net/AnujSharma4/presentation-on-boundaryless-organization 3. URL: smallbusiness.chron.com †º †¦ †º Organization Structure‎

Assess Nietzsche’s idea of the “Will to Power” Essay

Throughout his works, Friedrich Nietzsche develops a fundamental foundation which forms part of all his other concepts – this is his â€Å"Will to Power.† Being very much the centre of his philosophy, it is an extremely complex concept that has connections to all areas of his ideas, be it ethics, metaphysics or aesthetics. However, it does have several flaws. First of all, it goes against Nietzsche’s perspectivism and outright rejection of metaphysics. Suggesting that an objective metaphysical concept such as the Will to Power exists is tantamount to admitting failure at the first hurdle. Nietzsche never addresses this issue. In addition, the Will to Power as the sole part of life itself seems entirely counter-intuitive. Is it not clear that other things affect our judgment than the desire to overcome all others? He never really explains how the Will to Power is meant to be the ultimate moral goal, either. His philosophy here falls victim to the fact-value gap. Just because life is the Will to Power, it does not necessarily follow that we ought to follow it as our only ambition. The Will to Power is complicated further by Nietzsche’s automatic division of people into â€Å"masters† and â€Å"slaves.† Clearly, the Will to Power can not apply to the slaves, as that would be a contradiction in terms. This makes it extremely difficult to justify that the Will to Power in fact is life itself for everyone. The Will to Power is notoriously hard to define on itself, as it is inherently defined by both its causal principles and the effect of the doctrine itself. Nietzsche describes, in Beyond Good and Evil, a hierarchy of â€Å"drives† which are the core of human existence. Each of these drives is attempting to gain dominance over the other. This relationally constituted structure is the Will to Power. Likewise, every living being is imposing their Will to Power onto others. From this, it would follow that all actions are, in themselves, products of the Will to Power, be it procreation, alimentation or any action at all. No other variables affect our judgment. This, I disagree with. How can Nietzsche explain actions performed against your natural instinct? Yes, I can admit that (in Nietzsche’s view) it is morally wrong, but there is no categorical barrier which stops me from breaking those morals. Clearly, then, all actions cannot be derived from the Will to Power. Nietzsche introduces the Will to Power primarily in opposition to the old Christian values of compassion and piety, which he believes must be â€Å"reversed.† According to Nietzsche, Christians reject the Will to Power and suppress it completely, which in itself seems to contradict his definition of it. Nevertheless, he posits the Will to Power as the ultimate end of any moral system, not just Christianity. All systems of morals are â€Å"a sign-language for the Will to Power.† From these, we can assume that Nietzsche believes that because the Will to Power is life itself, then obviously all morals must also be the Will to Power. This is erroneous. Hume famously illustrated the fact-value gap many hundreds of years before Nietzsche’s time, yet he still seems unable to escape it. It does not follow that because life is the Will to Power, we ought to follow it blindly. Nietzsche never addresses how this is meant to work as an ultimate moral goal – he assumes that life would lead us there. Realistically, I don’t think this is reasonable. Quite clearly, our instincts do not always tell us to follow the Will to Power religiously, even in the animal kingdom (where perhaps we observe a more pure form of the instinct) where creatures have shown to be compassionate and willing to submit. Drawing from the Will to Power, Nietzsche posits his philosophical ideas. These are positive expressions of the Will to Power: the rejection of objectivity; the â€Å"New Philosopher† who is the embodiment of the Will to Power; the doctrine of Eternal Return (which is the ultimate embrace of the Will to Power); and his ultimate master/slave society where the WtP governs all and keeps the strong strong (whilst weakening the weak). I accept that these can generally be inferred from the Will to Power if it is valid, but it is this conditional that causes problems. Maudemarie Clark argued that Nietzsche’s whole philosophy was based on this If, but she also points out that this implies causality – something which Nietzsche radically objects to several times. This picks him out as the dogmatic philosopher he spends the first part of Beyond Good and Evil criticising – merely projecting his own view onto others. The Will to Power, again, seems absurd. Leading on from this is Nietzsche conception of metaphysics and epistemology. Nietzsche detests the metaphysicists (Plato and the Christians in particular) and argues that they are denying the Will to Power, and, therefore, life itself, by looking for answers in another realm. They are, he states, blinded by a â€Å"Will to Truth.† However, isn’t the Will to Power a metaphysical concept? I believe that Nietzsche’s description of it as all-encompassing makes this a distinct possibility. Not only does this undermine the Will to Power, but also, once again, Nietzsche’s entire philosophical doctrine. Another of Nietzsche’s problems with past philosophers, which is connected to the above point, is their obsession with an objective truth. He says that all we have which we can call â€Å"truths† are our interpretation of our own perspectives. So how can the Will to Power be anything but an interpretation from Nietzsche’s perspective? It cannot possibly be objective – this is against his epistemological principles! It is impossible to accept this. However, another interesting point by Clark is her theory of â€Å"omniperspectivism,† where there can be a theoretical objective truth if one was to see a situation from all possible perspectives. This would give the Will to Power a theoretical grounding, but still fails to establish it as the practical device which Nietzsche advocates it as. One final point to make is about Nietzsche’s morality – master and slave morality. He suggests that in a perfect society, the strong would live for their own existence only, exploiting the weak not only for their benefit, but also as an exertion of power. This solves the problem of the relative term â€Å"power† (as power only exists in relation to something less or more powerful). But, if life itself was the Will to Power, shouldn’t the weak have it as well? Wouldn’t they be living according to the same rules? This illustrates clearly the practical problem of the Will to Power, even in Nietzsche’s own morality. These points I believe show that the Will to Power, although inspiring theoretically, is absurd and impossible in practice. Nietzsche does not offer enough explanation for us to accept it as a serious philosophical concept, and it eventually displays the weaknesses of Nietzsche’s entire philosophy.

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Leadership - Essay Example After the managers of companies expose what values they believe in, they will become objects of derision if they fail to live up to their own expectations. However, when they lead by example, they effectively influence the activities of others. Competence is highly associated with wisdom in making tough decisions when executing an activity to achieve set objectives (Conyers, 2010). Competent leaders are imaginative people who use their practical knowledge to oversee the execution of guidelines and policies. Inspirational leaders are those who believe that their workers have as many talents as themselves. Companies can only achieve their objectives if they allow their employees to have a turn at participating in decision making policies. This means that all workers in companies have to be judged fairly and given the same opportunities to participate in fulfilling organizational objectives as are extended to the company leaders. A good leader will refrain from showing that he has favou rites among his company’s personnel; even if he does (Hybels, 2008). A good leader will use personal character and the ability to complete tasks to determine the workers who should be promoted. Intelligence and Communication A person has to exhibit self-discipline as well as self-awareness in order to be perceived as being intelligent. A good worker will also portray a calm attitude when faced with considerable challenges and show a readiness to cooperate with others in order to accomplish organizational objectives even when there are other personal issues that he or she is dealing with (Conyers, 2010). A good worker, and, therefore, potential leader, should also be in possession of good communication skills that allow him to be able to communicate successfully with high ranking managers as well as subordinates. For communication to transpire there has to be a message, channel, sender, and receiver. Any interpretations of the messages and feedback given depend largely on how the receiver understands the message. The receiver can also be the sender at some point (Yan and Hunt, 2005). There are essential qualities that every leader should have. Some of these include personal integrity, inspiration or motivation and good communication skills. Understanding the acknowledged and unacknowledged regulations and boundaries aids leaders in perceiving the expectations of their societies. Keeping an open mind permits the consideration of the diverse viewpoints that are presented. The importance of honouring one’s commitments cannot be understated. This will enhance one’s associations with other people. People who will be attracted to following any one leader will want to trust that he has the skills they yearn to emulate. The Role of Personal Integrity Personal integrity is, of necessity, one of the traits that make a good leader. This trait, however, is rarely found in today’s business setting. There have been many recent reports on how moral failings have resulted in the resignation of more than one corporate leader. Many times, men and women who are elected into positions of business leadership believe that they can be able to withstand all temptations. However, in making such assumptions, they blind themselves to the possibility that they are deceiving themselves. Most business leaders never set out to intentionally commit fraud or sexually harass their

Project Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Project Report - Essay Example There were opportunities in various areas, with the combination of both the companies’ products reaching a wider customer base. However, there were challenges as well because of lack of apt and optimum integration or merger, with Fiorina not able to achieve success. This lead to the initiation of change management process, with the new CEO Mark Hurd taking over the combined entity. So, this paper will review the merger between HP and Compaq in 2001, identifying the strategic management issues that preceded the merger on both sides, along with the changes in the management strategy resulting from the combined operations Organized human activities which are carried out in-group will be most times organized or constituted into an organization. Thus, organizations are physical ‘structures’, in which humans or employees from different backgrounds will converge to accomplish the allocated work under the under the supervision of a leader and managers, for the benefit of the organization as well as their personal benefit. ‘Collage’ of employees in the sense, organizations will be normally constituted with employees coming from different backgrounds, culture, etc, who will also have different education qualifications, skill level and attitude. Employees will be recruited and apportioned into different departments based on their skills and knowledge and for better arrangement in the organization. These departments, which make up an organization, only play an omnipresent and crucial role in the proper and effective functioning of the organizations, by adopting various feasible and e ffective strategies. That is, with every organization wanting to expand their reach and achieve success through one means or other, they have to formulate and implement various strategies. So, when the organization has enough opportunities, it can set targets and

Doing business globally and internationally Essay

Doing business globally and internationally - Essay Example Seemingly, its merger with the Russian TNK has faced distinct challenges. It is against this background that this paper reviews the implications of the TNK-BP deal from varied perspectives. Part A Question 1: In order for an organization to perform optimally in an international environment, Thomas and Inkson (2009) posit that it needs to actively engage the locals in its operations. From this point of view, this can be used to explain why BP chose to enter into partnership with TNK. Partnering with a local company would enable it pursue its operations in a sustainable manner. This is because local parners understand the local environment better and can enable the company to explore emergent market niches in a timely manner. To a great extent, this was a demonstration of corporate social responsibility by the BP Company. Seemingly, TNK is comprised of local partners who are financially endowed. At this point, it can be argued that these are representative of both the majority and mino rity factions of the corporate community. In his research, Peng (2003) cites that a more inclusive approach to partnership by international firms yields better outcomes. By including partners from diverse backgrounds, BP sought to minimize market resistance and explore any opportunities optimally. In return, the locals would have a chance to share in the economic benefits of the company. Another reason that influenced BP’s decision to partner with TNA pertains to the financial stability of its members. From a theoretical point of view, Peterson (2004) argues that in the current business environment, a financially stable partner is comparatively more desirable than his or her counterpart. In this regard, some of the partners in TNK are reportedly billionaires with global investments. A typical example in this regard is the Russian tycoon Vekselberg. Arguably, it was sure about economic success and future sustenance. Thus the economic stability of these partners greatly influen ced the decision of BP. The equal interests in the Verkhnechonsk, Rospan and Kovykta fields that BP had with TNK could also have informed BP’s decision to partner with TNK. Both partners contributed holdings in Russia Petroleum and SIDANCO. From these initiatives, it can be argued that they had similar economic interests. This demonstrates their interests to explore similar market niches. In this regard, BP thought it wise to invest with a partner that that had similar economic interests like him. In their review, Phatk, Bhagat and Kashlak (2008) indicate that in such an arrangement, it would be easier to make business deals and implement them accordingly. Upon merging, this would save the company significant resources that it would use to source for manpower. The fact that the two companies initially ventured in similar businesses implies that they had sufficient manpower from which they would source their human resource upon merging. Question 2: As aforementioned, the busin ess environment from an international point of view is very competitive. Thus once and corporate agency has identified a market niche in a foreign country, it needs to take all practical measures to safeguard this. Although BP wanted to include local firms in its operations, as one of the strategies of enhancing

Role Of Women In Arabic Society Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Role Of Women In Arabic Society - Assignment Example Women in the Arab society are discriminated against especially in institutions such as marriage and areas such as inheritance and divorce. Women are not allowed to own property in some classes. Divorce will always almost favor the men and women end up suffering from the outcome of the divorce. Women in this society are considered a source of evil, social disorder and anarchy, and deception. This consideration is adopted by the prevailing religious ideology. Therefore, the society has created a certain standard of morality that stresses values and norm associated with traditional ideas of motherhood, wifehood, and femininity for the woman (Barakat, 1993). The woman in the society has been relieved of all financial responsibilities that the family might require. These responsibilities are the duties of the father who is seen as the provider of the family. A lot of changes have been witnessed throughout the world in regards changes in the family set up and socio-economic trends. The Arab community has also witnessed major changes especially towards how the woman is viewed in the society. Many women are being educated in the Arab community. This has allowed women to be involved in jobs in the public sectors in contrast to the traditional household women. Education Has made a lot of women to be providers of some of the families and has gained economical independence from the men. The changes in Arab society have begun to undermine traditional roles, relationships, and values within the Arab family.

Business Plan Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Plan Paper - Essay Example In their efforts to expand investment portfolios, investors evaluate the performance of a company by scrutinizing its business plan. In this regard, organisations should prepare business plans in order to expand their capital base. Another benefit of a business plan is that it conveys the leadership styles and how the company is positioned in the market. In this way, it creates confidence among the investors by indicating the strategies that the company will emulate to retain or improve its market position (Pinson 36). In addition, a business plan indicates the financial performance of an organisation by undertaking a comparison between its forecasts and the performance in the previous years. The section below discusses a business plan of Coca-Cola bottlers Philippines Incorporation Coca-Cola Philippines is embarked on production of various Coca-Cola products such as Coke, Sprite and Coke Zero among others. Major ingredient that makes up Coke Zero, the recently launched product is Aspertame among others (Murden 25). The objective of the company is to maximize the shareholders returns while being careful of the responsibilities of all the stakeholders. In addition, the company aims at becoming a responsible firm that build and support communities. Similarly, the objective of the company is to create value for its customers. The company target consumers within the age bracket of 16 to 50 years. This is based on the fact that these consumers are focused at active lifestyle emphasizing on good health. Additionally, they aim at keeping their sugar levels at a constant level. In this regard, Coke Zero becomes a good option for them. The company undertakes its TV advertisement by use of endorsers such as Gabbie Merced, Eli Buendia and Billy Crawford. In addition, it emulates billboards especially along the roads connecting Cagayan de Oro to other cities (Juana et al 5). One

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Qualitative and Quantitative Research - Essay Example Since quantitative research involves the heavy use of applied mathematics, such as statistical mathematics the analysis of data would be quicker analyze and would lead to a clearer understanding of the case at hand. As long as there is a manageable population size and a proper following of statistic formulation, quantitative research conclusions would be very accurate. The best reason for using qualitative research is the holistic insights given from the act of researching. Qualitative methods of research demand a descriptive understanding of the subject being studied. While quantitative methods of research use mathematics and statistics, qualitative methods of research make use of in depth analysis of secondary research approaches. This may include gathering information from books, journals or other academic works as references. Qualitative research allows researchers to come up with their own unique and justifiable conclusions based on the research they made from valid

The Model of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Essay

The Model of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) - Essay Example The article takes a deeper look at EFQM Model as one of the non-prescriptive models, which has not come under origination to a very long time back, as the historical evidences provides with the information that this model came into emergence somewhere in the latter part of the twentieth century. However, since then it has come under constant review and alterations in order to provide the organizations with a framework that can lead to organizational improvement in terms of its performance. The Model of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) has come under practical application by numerous organizations from all around the world. This model lay key prominence on the businesses to have an evaluation about the organization's processes and projects on individual basis so that they can know at what positions they are standing, as the ultimate goal of any organization is to attain success and prosperity. This way the organizations have an opportunity to discover their key areas of potential and the gaps that are preventing them to attain their strategic aims and objectives. The EFQM Model exhibits the agenda that it comes under execution by the business community for administering and managing an organization. Thousands of firms and businesses in different commercial facets all over the world specifically in Europe employ this methodology to improve and enhance their performances. This allows them to analyze their overall functioning and operations in diverse aspects. EFQM is a technique that comes under employment by giant corporations as well as small and medium sized enterprises and highlights its current position (Jonker and Eskildsen, 2009, pp.174-175). It also brings to the forefront the strong points and weak areas of the firm. To augment the efficient transfer and sharing of positive working and business ideas and thoughts, a reliable link comes under provision by nine criteria of EFQM scheme. Furthermore, the ongoing projects and the upcoming plan s come under thorough assessment to incorporate them in the approved manner for smooth and well-organized functioning of the organization. The purpose is also to evaluate any loopholes in the plans and to eliminate the possibility of any sort of repetition in the objectives and outlines. This is conducive to enabling the organization to see an unambiguous picture of their working and use it appropriately to decide their priorities and implement them effectively to attain success (Jonker and Eskil

Technical Managers and the Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Technical Managers and the Law - Assignment Example Act (ADEA) and the American with Disability Act (ADA) also discourages retaliatory and punitive employment practices such as deluging workers with work and transferring older workers into a more intricate working environment among other unfair practices (Hayden 4). The laws also guide and protect the business from being sued by either the employees, the government or other interested stakeholders. They make managers and supervisors to effectively manage their employees. In addition, Customers are attracted to businesses that uphold workplace laws. Workplace laws can have a negative consequence for the employer. For instance, if the employer violates some of these workplace laws, it can lead to fines and penalties that will ultimately reduce business returns (Cihon and Castagnera 673). The employer may also be compelled to incur extra expenses in hiring extra staff that will ensure that the organization policies and practices are in line with workplace laws. No. Since I have never been employed before, I have not been involved or witnessed an unethical or illegal workplace law situation. I am still in school and not attained an age where I can be

Chavez V. Romulo Case Digest Essay Example for Free

Chavez V. Romulo Case Digest Essay FACTS: This case is about the ban on the carrying of firearms outside of residence in order to deter the rising crime rates. Petitioner questions the ban as a violation of his right to property ISSUE: Whether or not the revocation of permit to carry firearms is unconstitutional and Whether or not the right to carry firearms is a vested property right HELD: Petitioner cannot find solace to the above-quoted Constitutional provision.In evaluating a due process claim; the first and foremost consideration must be whether life, liberty or property interest exists. The bulk of jurisprudence is that a license authorizing a person to enjoy a certain privilege is neither a property nor property right. In Tan vs. The Director of Forestry, we ruled that â€Å"a license is merely a permit or privilege to do what otherwise would be unlawful, and is not a contract between the authority granting it and the person to whom it is granted; neither is it property or a property right, nor does it create a vested right.† In a more emphatic pronouncement, we held in Oposa vs. Factoran, Jr. that:â€Å"Needless to say, all licenses may thus be revoked or rescinded by executive action. It is not a contract, property or a property right protected by the due process clause of the Constitution.†xxx In our jurisdiction, the PNP Chief is granted broad discretion in the issuance of PTCFOR. This is evident from the tenor of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1866 which state that â€Å"the Chief of Constabulary may, in meritorious cases as determined by him and under such conditions as he may impose, authorize lawful holders of firearms to carry them outside of residence.† Following the American doctrine, it is indeed logical to say that a PTCFOR does not constitute a property right protected under our Constitution. Consequently, a PTCFOR, just like ordinary licenses in other regulated fields, may be revoked any time. It does not confer an absolute right, but only a personal privilege to be exercised under existing restrictions, and such as may thereafter be reasonably imposed. A licensee takes his license subject to such conditions as the Legislature sees fit to impose, and one of the statutory conditions of this license is that it might be revoked by the selectmen at their pleasure. Such a license is not a contract, and a revocation of it does not deprive the defendant of any property, immunity, or privilege within the meaning of these words in the Declaration of Rights. The US Supreme Court, in Doyle vs. Continental Ins. Co, held: â€Å"The correlative power to revoke or recall a permission is a necessary consequence of the main power. A mere license by the State is always revocable.†

Capital market of india vs usa

Capital market of india vs usa INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM: MONEY AND CAPITAL MARKET IN INDIA:- A money market is not a market for money but it is a market for near money; or it is the market for lending and borrowing of short-term funds. It is the market where the short-term surplus investible funds of banks other financial institutions are demanded by borrowers comprising individual companies and government. Commercial banks are both suppliers of funds in the money market and borrowers. The Indian money market consists of two parts: the unorganized and the organized sectors. The unorganized sector consists of indigenous bankers who pursue the banking business on traditional lines and non-banking financial institutions(NBFCs) .the organized sector comprises the reserve bank, the state bank of India and its associates banks, both Indian and foreign. The organized money market in India has a number of sub markets such as the treasury bills market, the commercial bills market and the inter-bank call money market. The Indian money market is not a single homogenous market but is composed of several sub-markets, each one of which deals in a particular type of short term credit. CALL MONEY MARKET: The market is also known as money at call and short notice. The market has actually two segments viz. (a) the call market or overnight market, and (b) short notice market. The rate at which funds are borrowed and lent in this market is call money rate. Call money rates are market determined i.e. by demand for and supply of short term funds. The public sector banks for about 75 percent for the demand (that is, borrowings) and foreign banks and Indian private sector banks accounts for the balance for the balance of 20 percent of borrowings. Non-banking financial Institutions such as IDBI, LIC, GIC, etc enter the call money market as lenders and supply up to 80 percent of the short-term funds. The balance of 20 percent of the funds is supplied by the banking system .while some banks operates both as lenders and borrowers, others are eithers only borrowers or only borrowers or only lenders in the call money market. Bill Market in India: The bill market or the discount market is the most important part of the money market where short-term bills-normally up to 90 days-are brought sold. The bill market is further subdivided into commercial bill market and Treasury bill market. The market for commercial bills has not become popular in India. Unlike in London other international money markets where commercial bills are extensively bought and sold (i.e. discounted). The 91 days treasury bills are the most common way the government of India raises funds for the short period. Some years ago, the government had introduced the 182 day treasury bills which were later converted into 364-day treasury bills; the government introduced the 14-day intermediate treasury bills. Features defects of Indian money market: Existence of unorganized money market Absence of integration Diversity in money rates of interest Seasonal stringency of money Absence of the bill market Highly volatile call money market Absence of a well organized banking system Availability of credit instrument. Composition of Indian capital market: Capital market is the market for long term funds, just as the money market is the market for short term funds. It refers to all the facilities and the institutional arrangements for borrowing and lending term funds (medium-term and long-term funds).it does not deal in capital goods but is concerned with the raising of money capital for purposes of investment. The demand for long-term memory capital comes predominantly from private sector manufacturing industries and agriculture and from the government largely for the purpose of economic development. As the central and state governments are investing not only on economic overheads like transport, irrigation and power development but also on basic industries and sometimes even in consumer goods industries, they require substantial sums from the capital market. The supply of funds for the capital market comes largely from individual savers, corporate savings, banks, insurance companies specialized financing agencies and the government. Among the institutions, we may refer to the following: Commercial banks are important investors, but are largely interested in govt. securities and, to a small extent, debentures of companies; LIC and GIC are of growing importance in the Indian capital market, though their major interest is in government securities; Provident funds constitute a major medium of savings but their investment too are mostly in govt. securities; and Special institutions set up since independence , viz, IFCI, ICICI, IDBI, UTI, etc. -generally called development financial institutions (DFIs) -aim at supplying long term capital to the private sector. There are financial intermediaries in the capital market, such as merchant bankers, mutual funds leasing companies etc. which help in mobilizing savings and supplying funds to investors. Like all markets, the capital market is also composed of those who demand funds (borrowers) and those who supply funds (lenders).an ideal capital attempts to provide adequate capital at reasonable rate of return for any business which offers a prospective yield high enough to make borrowing worthwhile. The capital market is broadly divided into two the gilt-edged market and the industrial securities market. The gilt-edged market refers to the market for government and semi govt. securities, backed by the RBI. The securities traded in this market are stable in value and are much sought after by banks and other institutions. The industrial securities market refers to the market for shares and debentures of old and new companies. This market is further divided into the new issue market and old capital market meaning the stock exchange. The new issue market -often referred to as primary market- refers to raising of new capital in the form of shares and debentures whereas the old issue market -commonly known as stock exchange or stock market-deals with securities already issued by the companies. It is also known as the secondary market. Both markets are equally important, but often the issue market IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT from the point of view of economic growth. DFIs supply funds for investment: financial intermediaries like merchant bankers help the corporate sector to raise funds in the capital market. SPECIAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THE CAPITAL MARKET: Soon after independence, the govt. of India set up a series of financial institutions to be of special help to the private sector industries. IFCI was the first of these institutions (1948).it was followed by SFCs (set up by state govt. with cooperation of RBI other banks) to provide long term finance to small and medium industries. ICICI (1955), IDBI (1964) UTI (1964) followed soon after.LIC was set up in 1956 to mobilize individual savings and to invest part of savings in the capital market. Commercial banks the capital market: The operations of commercial banks have so far been confined to the purchase and sell of govt. and other trust securities. Their holdings of industrial securities viz. shares and debentures are very small. But in recent years, banks have been increasingly participating in term through subscribing to the shares debentures of special financial institutions. They are also setting up financial subsidiaries, known as merchant houses, mutual funds, venture capital companies, leasing companies, etc. to mobilize funds. Non banking financial companies (NBFCs): In recent years ,NBFCs, variously called as finance corporation loan company, finance company etc. have mushroomed all over the country. These companies, with a very little capital of their own have been raising deposits from the public by offering attractive rate of interest other incentives. They advance loans to wholesale and retail traders, small scale industries and self- employed person. Bulk of their loans is given to parties which dont either approach commercial banks or which are denied credit facilities. The finance companies give loans which are generally unsecured. Besides giving loans and advances to small sector, they run chit funds, purchase and discount hundies and have also taken up merchant banking, mutual funds, leasing etc. Essentially, these finance cos. are banks, since they perform the basic twin functions of attracting deposits from the public and making loans.RBI say The rapid growth of NBFCs especially in the nineties, has led to a gradual blurring of dividing lines between banks and NBFCs. Since NBFC are not regarded as banking companies they didnt come under the control of RBI. There is no minimum liquidity ratio or cash ratio between their own funds and deposits. The RBI has mentioned 5 kinds of NBFCs Leasing Financing Companies Hire purchase finance companies Loan finance companies Investment finance companies Residuary non-banking companies (RNBCs) Future of NBCs: The NBFCs are now emerging as a growing segment of the Indian financial system both the government and RBI appreciate the need for their orderly and healthy development with appropriate prudential safeguards. It is to regulate NBFCs and to improve their financial health that amendment to RBI act, 1934 was carried out. Mutual Funds: In recent years, mutual funds are the most important among newer capital market institutions. Several public sector banks and financial institutions have set up mutual funds on a tax-exempt basis. Their main function is to mobilize the savings of general people invest them in stock market securities. Growth of mutual fund: In the 1990s.MFs found it hard to attract investors, the competition for funds was hotting up from banks and the government was offering 14% interest on medium term securities, banks-12%, HDFC-14%, IDBI-15.75%. Under these conditions, it was difficult for mutual funds to rival such high yields on debt instruments. They also found it hard to meet high expectations of investors who were yet to break out of the get-rich-quick syndrome. Accordingly, the first wave of mutual funds failed. During 1998-99 and 1999-00, however the mutual fund sector registered significant growth. Economic conditions were good; stock exchanges were booming and the govt. had given tax concessions. All these help in the return of faith of people in mutual funds. The revival of mutual funds since 1995-96 was due to the entry of corporate majors-TATA, BIRLA, RELIANCE SBI. Many other followed with products designed for investor specific need. Investors left the banking system and flocked to mutual fund. STOCK EXCHANGE IN INDIA: In a modern capitalist economy, almost all commodities are produced on a large scale; and large scale production means large scale of capital. The public firms issues stocks and bonds and enable those with surplus funds to invest them profitability in them. The stock market is a place where stocks and shares other long term commitments or investments are bought and sold. History of Stock Exchange in India: The first organized stock exchange in India was started in Bombay when the Native Share Stock Brokers Association known as Bombay stock exchange (BSE) was formed by the brokers in Bombay.BSE was Asias oldest stock exchange. In 1894 Ahmadabad stock exchange was started to deal in the shares of textile miles there the Calcutta stock exchange was started in 1908 to deal in shares of plantation and jute miles besides these there were a number of unorganized and unrecognized exchanges known as KERB markets. There were also illegal DABBA markets in which stock and shares also bought and sold SEBI: The functioning of stock exchanges in India has shown many weaknesses, lack of transparency. to counter these problems and regulate capital market the government of India set up the SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA in 1988.SEBI was a non statutory body but in January 1992 it was made a statutory body. SEBI , in consultation with govt. of India has taken a lot of steps to introduce improved practices and greater transparency for the interest of the investing public and healthy development of capital markets SEBI has advised stock exchanges to amend the listing agreements to ensure the listed companies furnishes annual statements to the stock exchanges All the guidelines and regulatory measures of capital issues are meant to promote healthy and efficient functioning of the issue market In January 1995 the government amended SEBI ACT 1992, so as to arm SEBI with additional powers for ensuring the orderly development of capital market and to enhance its ability to protect the interest of investors. It was thought that SEBI has all necessary powers to control the capital market on one hand and effectively protect interest of the shareholders on the other. But it has failed miserably to prevent a small by scams like HARSHAD MEHTA scam. Capital Market of USA: USA has a very strong and developed capital market. Many other countries such as Germany have a very powerful and firm banking sector but the capital market of Germany is not so strong. There is a very agile financial market that is present in USA and is playing very important part in making and implementing the policies of the government. If agile market in financial instrument were not present, the govt. will not be able to open market operations. The capital market covers a big range of tools for borrowing and lending. The borrowers are businesses houses, retail investors, and government Institutes which have needs for funding. Lenders are businesses and Individuals with savings or excess money to invest. Financial institutions viz. commercial banks, investment Firms, and insurance companies, act as both borrowers and lenders. In addition, a wide variety of financial instruments have been developed that permit borrowers to sell their own securities and their own securities and ear n interest and profits. The market in which the maturities and trading are for a short period is called a money market; the money market is a market for short-term credit. The money market helps the players to deal with routine financial uncertainties. Borrowers trade it for mollify or Short-term cash. Markets that deal in instruments with maturities more than one year are known as capital markets, since credit for investments for new venture will be required for more than one year. There is a difference between primary and secondary market. The primary market applies to the original issuing of a credit market instrument. After a debt instrument has been issued, the purchaser may be able to resell the instrument before its maturity in a secondary market. These include different types of formal exchanges, and electronic trading through bids and offers. NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE: The New York stock exchange is the largest stock exchange in the world. It is operated by NYSE Euro next (it is the company that is formed by all the companies listed in the NYSE that came into existence in April 2007).the CEO of the company is Duncan L. Niederauer . Its origin started on may 1792, when 24 stock brokers signed the Buttonwood agreement. It was renamed NEWYORK STOCK AND EXCHANE BOARD on March 1817.The first president was Anthony Stockholm. Its composite index was created with a base value of 50 points and base year as 1965.after a gap of 38 years the base value was 5000 points and the base year was 2005. The list of stock exchanges of USA are given below: New York Stock Exchange NASDAQ Philadelphia Boston Stock Exchange National Stock Exchange American Stock Exchange Chicago Stock Exchange New York Board of Trade NYSE Arca U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: It is an organization of USA government which regulates all the stock exchanges mentioned above. The primary responsibility of this commission is to enforce all the securities laws of investors and industries. It was created by SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT; 1934.This act is also called FEDRAL SECURITIES ACT. The main motive of the commission is to increase public faith in the capital markets by disclosure of information about public securities offerings. This commission divided in several offices. They are: The Office of General Counsel The Office of the Chief Accountant The Office of Compliance, Inspections and Examinations The Office of International Affairs PESTEL ANALYSIS OF CAPITAL MARKET OF INDIA: POLITICAL: THE capital market of India is very vulnerable. India has been politically instable in the past but it is a little politically stable now-a-days.the political instability of the country has a very strong impact on the capital market. The share market of India changes as the political changes took place. The sensex goes up and down with any kind of small and big political news, like, if there is news that a particular political party has withdrawn its support from the ruling party, and then the capital market will go down with a bang. The capital market of India is too weak and is based on speculations. The political stability of the country is very important for the stability and growth of capital market in India. The political imbalance or balance of the country is the major factor in deciding the capital market of India. The political factors include: employment laws tax policy trade restrictions and tariffs political stability ECONOMICAL: THE economical measures taken by the government of India has a very strong relationship with the capital market. Whenever the annual budget is announced the capital market goes up and down with the economical policies of the government .If the policies are supportive to the companies then the capital market takes it positively and if there is any other policy that is not supportive and it is not welcomed then the capital market goes down. Like, in the case of allocation of 3-G spectrum, those companies that got the license for 3-G, they witnessed sharp growth in their share values so the economic policies play a major part in the growth and decline of the capital market and again if there is relaxation on any kind of taxes on items of automobile industry then the share of automobile sector goes up and virtually strengthen the capital market .The economical factors include: inflation rate economic growth exchange rates interest rates SOCIAL: India is a country of unity in diversity .India is socially rich but the capital market is not very attached with the social factors .Yes, there is some relation between the social factors with the capital market. If there is any big social factor then to some extent it affects the capital market but small social factors dont impact at all. Like, there was opposition of reliance fresh in many cities and many stores were closed. The share prices of the reliance fresh went down but the impact was on and individual firm there was not much impact on the capital market on a whole the social factors have not much of impact on the capital market in India. The social factors include: emphasis on safety career attitudes population growth rate age distribution health consciousness TECHNOLOGICAL: The technological factors have not that much effect on the capital market. India is technological backward country. Same as social factors, technological factor can have an effect on an individual form but it cannot have a big impact on a whole of capital market. The Bajaj got a patent on its dts-i technology, and launched it in its new bike but it does not effect on capital market. The technological change in India is always on a lower basis and it doesnt effect on country as a whole. The technological factors include: RD activity technology incentives rate of technological change automation Environmental factors: Initially The environmental factors dont play a vital role in the capital market. But the time has changed and people are more eco-friendly. This is really bothering them that if any firm or industry is environment friendly or not. An increasing number of people, investors, corporate executives are paying importance to these facts, the capital markets still see the environment as a liability. They belie that it is of no use for their strategy. The environmental performance is even under-valued by the markets. Legal factors: Legal factors play an important role in the development and sustain the capital market. Legal issues relating to any industry or firm decides the fate of the capital market. If the govt. of India or the parliament introduces a new law that can affect the running of the industry then the industry will be demotivated and this demotivation will lead to the demotivation of the investors and will result in the fall of capital market. Like after the Harshat Mehta scam, new rules and regulations were introduced like PAN card was made necessary for trading, if any investor was investing too much money in a small firm, then the investors were questioned,etc. These regulations were meant to maintain transparency in the capital market, but at that time, investment was discouraged. Legal factors are necessary for the improvement and stability of the capital market. PESTEL Analysis Of The capital market of USA: Political factors: The political state of USA is very stable as compared to the India and trading there is done not on speculations but on hard and proven facts. They dont invest on feelings as we Indian investors do. It is a well known fact that the political factors play an important role in the capital market, but in USA due to its strong democracy and almost 100% employment the capital market. The investors there dont mix emotions with their professions so even if there is some kind of political disturbance that doesnt show much impact on the capital market there. ECONOMICAL: The economical factors of any country are very important for the capital market of that country and USA is no exception. For example: the great depression of 1931.the USA stock market crash on October 29,1929.it is also known as BLACK TUESDAY. This crash led to hugh loss for investors and the capital market was on its knees. Thus the economical factors are a very important and unavoidable factor .it will be suicidal to overlook the various economical factors like inflation, GDP, income tax structure etc. SOCIAL: Social factors almost dont affect the capital market in the USA. Because, the country is very rigid in its social roots. They are very less emotionally attached to each other especially in terms of business. The investors are least bothered about the social issues that prevail in their surroundings. Their social system is of that kind that it is too difficult to disturb the capital market there. Their social pattern is very much developed. Factors like emphasis on safety, health consciousness, career attitudes, population growth rate, age distribution etc. doesnt affect them at all. Technological factors: USA is a technologically developed country and the companies spend lot of money on the R D of any product.they dont bother about the cost incurring on it.and the investors there are very active

Reflection On Personal Development In Nursing Programme Nursing Essay

Reflection On Personal Development In Nursing Programme Nursing Essay This essay will illustrate how I developed from a novice to an expert in my three year nursing programme. This is going to be integrated into my chosen topic of management. Benners stages of clinical competence (1984) in conjunction with Dreyfus and Dreyfus student development model (1986) will be used to structure the essay. To enhance discussions current evidence based literature will be used to explore my strengths, limitations and experiences. Recommendations for future practice development as a newly registered nurse will also be explored. To respect peoples confidentiality names of clients, health professionals and Trusts will either be changed or not used in this essay (UK Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008). Management is monitoring and controlling the process of achieving your aims and objectives, standards and targets and reviewing the results (Forster, 2001). It is about effective communication, being sensitive and persuasive, making good decisions and being able to motivate your staff (Manion, 2005). I was attracted to this topic because I tried to implement recovery principles on placement and was met with stiff resistance from the manager due to generational differences in our nursing pre-registration programmes. This was in contrast with the Chief Nursing Officer who supports the values of the recovery approach informing the practice of all mental health nurses (UK DOH, 2006). According to McNeese-Smith and Crock (2003) nurse managers are facing a significant challenge in managing nurses that registered from different cohorts. This is because nursing programmes are always changing to meet service user needs and to adapt to new research (Hu Hodgin, 2004). According to Lloyd et al (2007) the model of skill acquisition by Benner (1984) shows how a student progresses in theory and practice according to exposure through five stages, novice, advance beginner, competent, proficient and expert. In the first year of my nursing programme my first placement was in an acute admission ward for older people. Next I worked with the District Nurses specialising in wound management issues. From here I moved on to an adult acute inpatient mental health hospital. Finally I worked at a school for children with special needs, where I had the most exposure. The first stage of Benner (1984) namely novice is described by Yancey (2005) as a beginner who has had no experience of the situations in which they are expected to perform. Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986) state that at this stage students have no experience of real situations, they only acquire rules and protocols to guide their actions and performances. My reflection at the novice stage is that I demonstrated effective communication skills which are vital in management. This was so because while I was serving in the British Army I had a lot of training in communication as it was vital in my role. My mentor did not take long to notice this and commented on my intermediate interview that my communication skills were very good, please see appendix 2. I felt that at this stage I was a novice as I had never worked in a healthcare setting before (Benner, 1984). However as the year progressed I managed to develop another management skill, planning. Planning is a type of decision making involvi ng what to do, who is to do it, when and where it is to be done in order to arrive at a desired result (Hincliff Rodgers, 2008). I managed to develop this skill at a school for children with special needs. Here I learnt the importance of good planning as the team dealt with emergencies on a daily basis by observing registered nurses at work. I also had the opportunity to put into practice my planning, prioritisation of care and management of resources skills and they developed to a very good standard. According to Callaghan and Waldock (2006) a good nurse manager will be familiar with the workings of their healthcare setting by making themselves visible to the staff, asking questions and possessing good communication with their staff. The above authors go on to say that this helps foster good decisions and respect between that level of management and other staff. By the end of the year I had a fair experience of working in various healthcare settings meaning that I was no longer a novice but an advance beginner (Benner, 1984). Benner (1984)s model of skill acquisition describes advance beginner as the stage where the nurse has considerable experience in real situations which allows their performance to improve to a marginally acceptable level. According to Alligood and Tomey (2005) a student nurse at the advanced beginner stage views clinical situations as a test of their abilities and the situation placed on them rather than client needs and responses. They are also able to achieve some steps using their own judgement but supervision is needed for overall task (Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 1986). I believe I started the second year of my nursing programme as an advanced beginner (Benner, 1984). At this stage of the programme I went to varied mental health placements. The first place I went was a day hospital for older people providing out-patient healthcare facility. From here I moved on to an adult community mental health team which provided specialist assessments, advice and support, helping to establish clear integrated care pathways for clients (UK Department of Health, 2002a). This is where I had the most exposure. Next I worked in an adult mental health rehabilitation unit where the team encouraged clients to develop life skills that enabled them to function more effectively in the community. Finally I worked with a community specialist mental health team for older people. The skill I developed in my second year was delegation. According to Bittner and Gravlin (2009) delegation means assigning a certain task to another person providing proper authorisation keeping in mind it should be effective and result oriented. The above authors go on to mention that for delegation to occur a task must satisfy 6 rights namely the right task, the right person, the right time, the right information, the right supervision and the right follow up. During my second year placements with the community team I did a lot of delegating especially to the administration staff who helped the nursing staff with all their typing and other administration tasks. This allowed me to build my confidence that by the end of the year I was very comfortable with delegating tasks. I also noticed that by the end of the year I had developed to a competent practitioner due the experiences that I encountered (Benner, 1984). Please see appendix 3. Competence is described by Benner (1984) as a stage where a nurse begins to assess urgency of their clients needs and plan accordingly. They are also able to achieve most tasks using own judgement and copes with complex situations through deliberate analysis and planning (Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 1986). In my final year of study I worked in a mental health adolescent inpatient unit which provided multidisciplinary assessment, emergency admissions, family therapy, education and activity programmes. From here I moved on to my final placement in an adult acute inpatient mental health unit which provided holistic care. Their role was to provide a high standard of humane treatment and care in a safe and therapeutic setting for clients in the most acute and vulnerable stages of their illness (UK Department of Health, 2002b). During the third year of my nursing programme I had the most exposure in an adult acute inpatient ward which was my final placement. Here I got involved in all aspects of nursing management namely managing client care, planning the shift, delegation, problem solving, running the shift and being the charge nurse. My mentors comments attached on Appendix 4 prove that I had developed to a competent practitioner. On Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986)s skills domain I developed conscious deliberate planning which was a direct result of taking charge of shifts on numerous occasions under supervision from my mentor. I also got the chance to practice various types of management styles while I was the charge nurse. I also managed to run shifts successfully leading a team of registered nurses and support workers demonstrating that I was now developing to a proficient practitioner. The fourth stage of Benner (1984)s model is proficient where the nurse learns from previous experiences and knows what to expect in a particular situation and can modify plans in response to events. According Hargreaves and Lane (2001) a proficient nurse starts to view situations as wholes rather than parts and reflection on situations guides their performance. On Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986)s skills domain, the skills I demonstrated at this stage are the ability to adapt to changes, reorganisation of shift and handling transfer of service users detained on a section of the Mental Health Act (2007) under the same or different hospital managers. I was also able to take full responsibility for my own work and that of others where applicable (Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 1986). The last stage of Benner (1984)s model is expert where a nurse knows what to do based on maturity and their understanding of clinical practice. A nurse is able to take responsibility for their work going beyond existing standards and creating own interpretations (Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 1986). I did not fully develop into an expert but there were certain aspects of management I performed expertly. For instance every time I had the opportunity to be the charge nurse I managed to lead a team of highly experienced nurses and support workers effectively with no problems. I was also able to delegate duties to team members effectively considering the skills required for the duties I needed carried out. According to Bulman and Schutz (2004) reflective practice is a process of reviewing practice so that it may be describe, analysed, evaluated and consequently used to inform and change future practice. This part of the assignment is a reflection of what I need to further enhance my management skills as a registered mental health nurse. This will be integrated by reflection of government policies and literature that can be used in clinical practice. As a registered nurse I need to observe my working environment and then make an interpretation out of it through good reflection skills. By just carefully watching the dynamics of the working environment I will be able to develop the skills needed to effectively manage it. I also need to have self belief which enables me to be the shaper rather than the follower even when facing opposition (Department of Health, 2004a). Knowing policies and procedures of my workplace is essential as it allows me to understand my role and responsibility. Thi s allows nurse managers to guide day to day operations of the clinical setting without constant intervention from top management (Fradd, 2004). Additionally the above author talks about the key components of management competencies which are self-confidence, tempered with humility, developing high trusting relationships and effective collaboration. Research has proved the need for support during the transition period from student nurse to newly registered nurse (Whitehead, 2001). In light of this evidence I will undergo a period of preceptorship to ease my transition into my role as a registered mental health nurse. Crucially, lifelong learning which meets the needs of the service users and delivers the outcomes and health priorities of the employer is vital in enhancing my management skills (Royal College of Nursing, 2007). UK Department of Health (2001) supports life long learning as well stating that staff, teams and organisations they relate to and work in have to acquire new kn owledge and skills to shape and change things for the better. The ability to identifying the knowledge and skills that you need to apply in your post is crucial in enhancing your skill base (UK DOH, 2004b). I will also familiarise myself with different types of management for instance Laissez faire described by McSherry and Pearce (2007) as one in which the manager provides little or no direction and gives subordinates as much freedom as possible. All power is given to the subordinates and they determine goals, make decisions and resolve problems on their own (Spinelli, 2006). With the experience I have had during my programme I will also learn more about Democratic management. According to Woods (2005) democratic management encourages those you are delegating to, to be part of the decision making by keeping them informed about everything that affects their work. I believe this model makes a team perform better as it makes them feel valued. To conclude Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986)s levels of skill development reflect changes in three aspects namely movement from reliance, change in the learners perception of the demand situation and a passage from detached observation to involved performer. There is one serious problem with Benner (1984)s definition of expert in that a person might meet the criteria for being an expert and still be consistently wrong or incompetent and their intuitive grasp of situations based on deep tacit understanding is just not good enough. Good managers exist when one has the ability to motivate others to purse high standards and long term goals through an approach defined by an open empowering culture where communication, strong values and mutual respect are paramount (Clegg, 2000). A good manager is one who unravels bureaucracy in the creation of opportunities and achievement of objectives ensuring that team is fit for the purpose, delivers clinically effective objectives and high quality service user care (UK DOH, 2000).

Othello Essay :: essays research papers

Act i. sc. i. ADMIRABLE is the preparation, so truly and peculiarly Shakspearian, in the introduction of Roderigo, as the dupe on whom Iago shall first exercise his art, and in so doing display his own character. Roderigo, without any fixed principle, but not without the moral notions and sympathies with honour, which his rank and connections had hung upon him, is already well fitted and predisposed for the purpose; for very want of character and strength of passion, like wind loudest in an empty house, constitute his character. The first three lines happily state the nature and foundation of the friendship between him and Iago,— the purse,—as also the contrast of Roderigo's intemperance of mind with Iago's coolness,—the coolness of a preconceiving experimenter. The mere language of protestation— If ever I did dream of such a matter, abhor me,— which falling in with the associative link, determines Roderigo's continuation of complaint— Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in thy hate— elicits at length a true feeling of Iago's mind, the dread of contempt habitual to those, who encourage in themselves, and have their keenest pleasure in, the expression of con-tempt for others. Observe Iago's high self-opinion, and the moral, that a wicked man will employ real feelings, as well as assume those most alien from his own, as instru-ments of his purposes:— ——And, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. I think Tyrwhitt's reading of 'life' for 'wife'— A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife— the true one, as fitting to Iago's contempt for whatever did not display power, and that intellectual power. In what follows, let the reader feel how by and through the glass of two passions, disappointed vanity and envy, the very vices of which he is complaining, are made to act upon him as if they were so many excellences, and the more appropriately, because cunning is always admired and wished for by minds conscious of inward weakness;—but they act only by half, like music on an inattentive auditor, swelling the thoughts which prevent him from listening to it. Ib. Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, If he can carry't thus. Roderigo turns off to Othello; and here comes one, if not the only, seeming justification of our blackamoor or negro Othello. Even if we supposed this an uninterrupted tradition of the theatre, and that Shakspeare himself, from want of scenes, and the experience that nothing could be made too marked for the senses of his audience, had practically sanctioned it,—would this prove aught concerning his own intention as a poet for all ages?

The Behavior of Cult Leaders and Members Explained by using Psychologic

This essay will examine and describe the behavior of cult leaders and cult members by using and applying psychological principles. I will specifically highlight the behavior of Jim Jones and his followers and explain what factors that caused them to believe wholeheartedly in the doctrine of Jim Jones. I will also explain what psychological tactics were used to influence his believers to be participants in mass suicide and the psychological factors that contributed to the belief that this was their only option. What is a cult? According to (Pratkanis & Aronson, 2001,p.307) the term cult is used to described to describe a pattern of social relations within a group† and that cults can be â€Å"centered on a range of issues, including race, politics, therapy, self-help as well as spirituality and religion.† Another distinctive feature of cults or new religious moments are that they have â€Å"distinctive religious rituals and beliefs related to its god or a person, they also practice isolation from the surrounding culture and have a charismatic leader† (Myers, 2011, p.197). Cults are by no means new phenomena; they have been around since before the beginning of written history. Some of the earliest cults were recorded by the ancient Mesopotamian, Greek and Egyptian civilizations. There were also early Christian cults, such as the Essenes and the Gnostics. There are also the examples of modern cults, such as The Children of God, Heaven’s Gate and the Branch Davidians. In addition to cults, there are also modern new age organizations and movements. These groups tread a fine line between being an authentic religious organization and have some of the same characteristics of being a cult. In these types of organizations; it is often di... ...al psychological principals for his own purposes. I firmly believe that in the very end Jones used the power of informational social influence to gain obedience and conformity. This was the decisive factor that caused his followers to drink the cyanide laced Kool- aide and commit what Jones called a â€Å"revolutionary suicide.† Works Cited The Ford Foundation. (96-10). PBS,The American Experience . Jonestown the Life and Death of Peoples Temple. Retrieved 4/6/2012, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/jonestown-california/. Myers, D. G. (2002). Exploring psychology (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Myers, D. G. (2012). Exploring social psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Pratkanis, A. (2002). Age of propaganda: the everyday use and abuse of persuasion. New York: W.H. Freeman.

Reflection Discussion

What do you wish you would have learned? The Africa Map project was an extremely enjoyable and educational experience. I learned a lot about my country relation to the U. S. , African countries, and other continents. It was also eye-opening and altered my once stereo-typical view of Africa. African countries have functional governments and economic systems similar to the United States.Of course some governments are more â€Å"dictating† than others, but it is important to remember that Africa is not a completely disease filled, desert/jungle like land. I learned a lot about the central region of Africa and how African regions can generally be identified by the European powers that ran them during the time of colonialism. The amount of land that the Europeans ruled over is somewhat ridiculous, but I guess It all shapes Africa Into what It Is today. I also learned that colonial rule has had a big Influence on culture.National languages of the countries are many times that of the European power that once ruled It. For example In the central region, common languages are Spanish and French. Spain, France, and Portugal ruled many of the countries in this region. Current government and economic standings were fun to research. I feel more confident on my knowledge of Africa and feel that I can speak more politically correct about the continent. I do wish I could have learned more about the other regions of Africa.It understand we have to know some general things about all the countries by reading the interactive map, but f there were more assignments that blended region relations I'd be very interested. Important to remember that Africa is not a completely disease filled, desert/Jungle important to remember that Africa is not a completely disease filled, desert/]Engle ridiculous, but I guess it all shapes Africa into what it is today. I also learned that colonial rule has had a big influence on culture. National languages of the countries are many times that of the European power that once ruled it. For example in the

The Pathways of Plant Water Movement

Experiment 6- The Pathways of Plant Water Movement Aim: To investigate the movement of materials in xylem Materials: ?Fresh celery stalk with leaves ?Eosin solution (1%) ?A plastic container with tap water ?A sharp scalpel ?Hand lens ?A light microscope ?Two glass slides ?A cover slip Risk Assessment and Safety Precautions: Risk AssessmentSafety Precautions Eosin solution- can cause stainsAlways use gloves when handling Scalpel is dangerous and can cause cutsAlways handle carefully, with blade facing down. Be especially careful when walking with a scalpel.Glassware can break easilyBe careful with all glassware. If cut, wash with water and seek advice to avoid infection. Method: 1. Obtain a fresh celery stalk and used a sharp scalpel to make a 45 degree angle cut under water, to prevent the air bubbles from blocking the xylem. Immediately placed the celery stalk in eosin solution and left it overnight. 2. Removed celery stalk from the eosin solution and used a scalpel to cut a very th in, transverse section of the celery stem. 3. Placed the thin sample on a clean slide and covered it with a cover slip.Observed the sample under high magnification using a light microscope. 4. Drew the observation under a high power. 5. Located one vascular bundle and peeled it longitudinally in the stained region. Made a wet mount of the longitudinal tissue and observed it under a microscope. Results: Transverse (Low):Transverse (High): X40X400 Longitudinal (High): X400 Questions/ Discussion: 1)What general stem structures were stained? What tissues in these structures were most heavily stained? The general stem structures stained were the cell walls of the xylem. The base of the celery stem was most heavily stained. )What statement can you make regarding the transpirational pathway of water in a plant? Even root distribution is important for both water and nutrient uptake, because of the movement of water and nutrients in the soil and in the plant xylem,, even root distribution is important. The The xylem pathway is a continuous column of water, which is not broken by bubbles, and contained in a cellulose pipe which the walls are porous in places. 3)What was the purpose of this exercise? The purpose of this exercise was to observe and investigate the movement of materials (in this case, water) in xylem.

Christopher McCandless Essay

Christopher Johnson McCandless (February 12, 1968 – August 1992) was an American hiker who adopted the alias Alexander Supertramp and ventured into the Alaskan wilderness in April 1992 with little food and equipment, hoping to live simply for a time in solitude. Almost four months later, McCandless’s remains were found, weighing only 67 pounds (30 kg). It has recently been speculated that Chris had developed lathyrism, caused by his consumption of seeds from a flowering plant in the legume family which contain the neurotoxin ODAP. McCandless’s resulting paralysis would have caused a gradual inability to move, hunt or forage and this could have led to his death from starvation.[1] His death occurred in a converted bus used as a backcountry shelter, near Lake Wentitika in Denali National Park and Preserve. In January 1993, Jon Krakauer published McCandless’ story in that month’s issue of Outside magazine. Inspired by the details of McCandless’s story, Krakauer wrote and published Into the Wild in 1996 about McCandless’ travels. The book was adapted into a film by Sean Penn in 2007 with Emile Hirsch portraying McCandless. That same year, McCandless’s story also became the subject of Ron Lamothe’s documentary The Call of the Wild. A full-length article on McCandless also appeared in the February 8, 1993 issue of the The New Yorker magazine.[2] Earlier years[edit] Christopher McCandless was born in El Segundo, California, the first of two children to Walter â€Å"Walt† McCandless and Wilhelmina â€Å"Billie† Johnson. Chris had one younger sister, Carine. In 1976, the family settled in Annandale, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., after his father was employed as an antenna specialist for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His mother worked as a secretary at Hughes Aircraft and later assisted her husband with his successful home-based consulting company in Annandale. Walt and Billie often fought and sometimes contemplated divorce.[citation needed] Chris and Carine had six half-siblings living in California from Walt’s first marriage. Walt was not yet divorced from his first wife when Chris and Carine were born; however, Chris did not discover his father’s affair until a summer trip to Southern California[3] in 1986. This discovery caused him to hold a lot of bitterness towards his father, and could have been a factor in his views about society. At school, teachers noticed McCandless was unusually strong-willed.[citation needed][who?] In  adolescence he coupled this with intense idealism and physical endurance. In high school, he served as captain of the cross-country team, urging teammates to treat running as a spiritual exercise in which they were â€Å"running against the forces of darkness †¦ all the evil in the world, all the hatred.†[4] On June 2, 1986, McCandless graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. On June 10, McCandless embarked on one of his first major adventures in which he traveled throughout the country in his Datsun B-210, arriving at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, two days prior to the beginning of fall classes. His upper middle class background and academic success were drivers for his contempt of what he saw as the empty materialism of society. McCandless was strongly influenced by Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, W. H. Davies and Henry David Thoreau. In his junior year, he declined membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society, on the basis that honors and titles were irrelevant. McCandless graduated from Emory on May 12, 1990, with a Bache lor’s degree, double majoring in history and anthropology. He envisioned separating from organized society for a Thoreauvian period of solitary contemplation. Travels[edit] In May 1990, Christopher McCandless donated the remaining $24,000, given to him by a family friend for his law degree, to Oxfam International, a hunger prevention charity. Towards the end of June, he began traveling under the name â€Å"Alexander† McCandless until later adopting the last name of â€Å"Supertramp† (Krakauer notes the connection with Welsh author W. H. Davies and his 1908 autobiography The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp). Most people he encountered regarded him as intelligent and one who loved to read. By the end of the summer, McCandless made his way through Arizona, California and South Dakota, where he worked at a grain elevator in Carthage. He survived a flash flood, but allowed his car to wash out (although it suffered little permanent damage and was later reused by the local police force as an undercover vehicle) and disposed of his license plate.[citation needed] In 1991, McCandless paddled a canoe down remote stretches of the Colorado River to the Gulf of California. He crossed the border to Mexico and, having gotten lost in many dead-end canals, was towed by duckhunters to the sea, where he stayed for some time. He took pride in surviving with a minimum of gear and funds, and generally made little preparation. Alaskan Odyssey[edit] For years, McCandless dreamed of an â€Å"Alaskan Odyssey† wherein he would live off the land of the Alaskan wilderness, far away from civilization, and â€Å"find himself†[citation needed]. He kept a journal describing his physical and spiritual progress as he faced the forces of nature. In April 1992, McCandless hitchhiked from Enderlin, North Dakota, to Fairbanks, Alaska. He was last seen alive on April 28, 1992, by Jim Gallien, a local, who gave him a ride from Fairbanks to the head of the Stampede Trail. Gallien was concerned about â€Å"Alex†, who had minimal supplies (not even a compass) and no experience surviving in the Alaskan bush. Gallien repeatedly tried to persuade Alex to defer his trip, and even offered to drive him to Anchorage to buy suitable equipment and supplies. However, McCandless ignored Gallien’s warnings, refusing all assistance except for a pair of Wellington rubber boots, two tuna melt sandwiches, and a bag of corn chips. Gallie n allowed Chris to wander off with the belief that he would head back towards the highway within a few days as his eventual hunger set in. After hiking along the snow-covered Stampede Trail, McCandless found an abandoned bus (about 40 miles (64 km) west of Healy) used as a hunting shelter and parked on an overgrown section of the trail near Denali National Park, and began to live off the land. He had 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of rice, a Remington semi-automatic rifle with 400 rounds of .22LR hollowpoint ammunition, several books including one on local plant life, and some camping equipment. He assumed he could forage for plant food and hunt game. For the next thirty days or so, McCandless poached porcupines, squirrels, and birds, such as ptarmigans and Canada geese. On June 9, 1992, he managed to kill a moose; however, he failed to preserve the meat properly, and within days it spoiled and was covered with maggots. His journal contains entries covering a total of 112 days. These entries range from ecstatic to grim with McCandless’ changing fortunes. In July, after living in the bus for three months, he decided to leave, but found the trail back blocked by the Teklanika River, which was then considerably higher and swifter than when he crossed in April. Unknown to McCandless, there was a hand-operated tram that crossed the river only 1⠁„4 of a mile away from where he h ad previously crossed. In the 2007 documentary The Call of the Wild, evidence is presented that McCandless had a map at his disposal, which should have helped him find  another route to safety.[5] McCandless lived in the bus for a total of 113 days. At some point during that time, presumably very near the end, he posted an S.O.S. note calling on anyone passing by to help him because he was injured and too weak. The full note read: â€Å" Attention Possible Visitors. S.O.S. I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August?[6] † Death[edit] On August 12, 1992, McCandless wrote what are apparently his final words in his journal: â€Å"Beautiful Blueberries.† He tore the final page from Louis L’Amour’s memoir, Education of a Wandering Man, which contains an excerpt from a Robinson Jeffers poem titled â€Å"Wise Men in Their Bad Hours†: Death’s a fierce meadowlark: but to die having madeSomething more equal to centuriesThan muscle and bone, is mostly to shed weakness.The mountains are dead stone, the peopleAdmire or hate their stature, their insolent quietness,The mountains are not softened or troubledAnd a few dead men’s thoughts have the same temper. His body was found in his sleeping bag inside the bus by Butch Killian, a local hunter, on September 6, 1992.[7] McCandless had been dead for more than two weeks and weighed an estimated 30 kilograms (66 lb). His official, undisputed cause of death was starvation. Krakauer suggests two factors may have contributed to McCandlessâ€⠄¢s death. First, he was running the risk of a phenomenon known as â€Å"rabbit starvation† due to increased activity, compared with the leanness of the game he was hunting.[8] Krakauer also speculates that McCandless might have ingested toxic seeds (Hedysarum alpinum or Hedysarum mackenzii) or a mold that grows on them (Rhizoctonia leguminicola produces the toxic alkaloid swainsonine). However, an article in Men’s Journal stated that extensive laboratory testing showed there was no toxin present in McCandless’s food supplies. Dr. Thomas Clausen, the chair of the chemistry and biochemistry department at UAF said â€Å"I tore that plant apart. There were no toxins. No alkaloids. I’d eat it myself.†[9] Analysis of the wild sweet peas, given as the cause of Chris’s death in Sean Penn’s film, turned up no toxic compounds and there is not a single account in modern medical literature of anyone being poisoned by this  species of plant.[5] As one journalist put it: â€Å"He didn’t find a way out of the bush, couldn’t catch enough food to survive, and simply starved to death.†[9] However, the possibility of death through the consumption of the mold, which grew on the seeds in the damp bags which McCandless stored them in, was considered a suitable explanation by Krakauer.[3] Subsequently the academic Ronald Ha milton made the link between the symptoms described by Chris and the poisoning of Jewish prisoners in the Nazi concentration camp in Vapniarca. He put forward the proposal that Chris McCandless died of lathyrism caused by ODAP poisoning from Hedysarum alpinum seeds which hadn’t been picked up by the previous studies as they were searching for alkaloid instead of toxic protein. The protein would be relatively harmless to a well-fed person on a normal diet, but toxic to someone who was malnourished, physically stressed, and on an irregular and insufficient diet, as McCandless was. Subsequent tests revealed ODAP was indeed present in the seeds. [10][11] Criticism[edit] McCandless has been a polarizing figure ever since his story first broke following his death, along with Krakauer’s Outside article on him in January 1993. While Krakauer and many readers have a largely sympathetic view of McCandless,[12] others, particularly Alaskans, have expressed negative views about McCandless and those who romanticize his fate.[13] The most charitable view among McCandless’s detractors is that his behavior showed a profound lack of common sense. He chose not to bring a compass, something that most people in the same situation would have considered essential. McCandless was also completely unaware that a hand-operated tram crossed the otherwise impassable river 0.25 miles (0.40 km) from where he attempted to cross. Had McCandless known this, he could easily have saved his own life.[4] There has been some speculation (particularly in details given in the Lamothe documentary) that he vandalised survival cabins and supplies in the area. However, Ken K ehrer, chief ranger for Denali National Park, denied that McCandless was considered a vandalism suspect by the National Park Service.[14] His venture into a wilderness area alone, without adequate planning, experience, preparation, or supplies, without notifying anyone and lacking emergency communication equipment, was contrary to every principle of outdoor survival and, in the eyes of many experienced outdoor  enthusiasts, nearly certain to end in misfortune. Alaskan Park Ranger Peter Christian wrote: When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn’t even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate. First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he [had] had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament [†¦ ] Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide.[13] Sherry Simpson, writing in the Anchorage Press, described her trip to the bus with a friend, and their reaction upon reading the comments that tourists had left lauding McCandless as an insightful, Thoreau-like figure: Among my friends and acquaintances, the story of Christopher McCandless makes great after-dinner conversation. Much of the time I agree with the â€Å"he had a death wish† camp because I don’t know how else to reconcile what we know of his ordeal. Now and then I venture into the â€Å"what a dumb–† territor y, tempered by brief alliances with the â€Å"he was just another romantic boy on an all-American quest† partisans. Mostly I’m puzzled by the way he’s emerged as a hero.[15] Jon Krakauer defends McCandless, claiming that what critics point to as arrogance was merely McCandless’s desire for â€Å"being the first to explore a blank spot on the map.† Krakauer continues that â€Å"In 1992, however, there were no more blank spots on the map—not in Alaska, not anywhere. But Chris, with his idiosyncratic logic, came up with an elegant solution to this dilemma: He simply got rid of the map. In his own mind, if nowhere else, the terra would thereby remain incognita.†[16] Others have pointed out that a map of the area (although apparently not including the location of the hand-powered tram) was found among McCandless’s belongings, and refute the accusations that he intentionally discarded this map.[17]