Work Related Values in a Non-Profit Organization Essay

Work Related Values in a Non-Profit Organization - Essay Example Hofstede has identified 4 dimensions for classifying values with national culture and has emphasized that these 4 dimensions are only a framework and there are no rules attached to these dimensions. Power distance Uncertainty Avoidance Individualism and collectivism Masculinity and Femininity According to Hofstede, any organization is made of up to 2 cultural elements- internal elements of culture that are invisible, associated to a particular organization and external values of culture which are usually the general rules, regulations, values and practices. Power distance index: How an organization handles inequalities According to Dutch Sociologist Geert Hofstede, power distance index refers to the distribution of power and money between people in an organization and this helps in understanding and analyzing the extent people in the organization submit to authority. It is usually low in organizations where people work with each other that are not in authority and high in organizatio ns where there is more of a hierarchy involved. In any nonprofit organization, the power distance index is usually very low as the main objective of a non-profit organization is to address issues and promote interests of the poor, provide community development infrastructure and provide basic social service to the people. Since the organizations are by and large nonprofit in nature, most of the people working are volunteers and there is no hierarchy followed is such organizations. The people working for the organization are treated equally despite the difference in power, status or wealth. Privileges, status symbols and power is less evident in any non-profit organization as all the people work together for a single cause. Uncertainty Avoidance: Uncertainty avoidance means the organization’s tolerance to indistinctness and vagueness. Some organizations have a very relaxed attitude towards uncertainty and it doesn’t affect them. The behavior of the people is directly re lated to the work/organization. Some organizations/people would prefer security to a job structured approach to work with written rules and regulations. Low uncertainty avoidance is usually seen in non-profit organizations as the people in this organization are used to handling unknown events and there are also no specific strict rules or regulations that need to be followed. Individualism or collectivism- Behavior towards a group This represents and defines the degree to which individuals of a particular group or organization are collective and integrated as a group. Individualism refers to organizations where individuals look after themselves whereas collectivism refers to people integrated into strong groups who would help each other attain goals... In a social organization, the members are usually very cohesive in nature they usually help each other and the society. In any other organization, employees stress for personal achievement, success and individual rights as they have t o fulfill their needs and dreams. Non-profit organizations are usually collective in nature. The aim and vision of any NGO organization is to provide assistance and support to the poor. Masculinity and Femininity According to Hofstede, masculine society refers to fewer women in hobs and there is vast value difference between men and women in the same job profile. There would be more job stress, earnings, challenges and stronger motivation factors to perform better on the job. In a feminine society, managers are relatively less interested at leadership and they usually have no job stress. In a non-profit organization, there is more of a feminine dimension as the people at work have more of a service role. There is more stress on relationships, society and social responsibility rather than earnings and recognitions by the

Sociology and Biological Determinism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sociology and Biological Determinism - Essay Example Before the hormones were found in the early 1920s, scientists believed that sex differences arose from physiologically active substances - the talented women had high level of masculine genes. If the early 20th century such assumptions were logical, today biological determinism fails both in terms of sociology and biology. Contemporary neuroendocrinologists disagree with the key assumptions of biological determinism and point out that the idea of sex hormones is completely misleading (Miller 2000). The characteristics the society attributed to masculinity and femininity are not reflections of biological processes. Gould noted that the critique of biological determinism is timeless and timely at the same time. It is timeless because biological determinism is based on deep errors. It is timely because the same arguments about biological determinism arise at all times (Gould 1999). The first problem with biological determinism as the explanation of social factors (in particular, differentiating between masculine and feminine features) is the misleading name. Biological concept can refer either to evolutionary psychology (brain being not the learning machine shaped by culture, but having the innate skills and predispositions endowed by natural selection. Further, biological determinism is focused on the large group of people (differences between men and women or between the races). Finally, biological determinism fails to address the question of individual genetic destiny - how much of intelligence are heritable and how much of phobias are shaped by the culture and experiences (Johnson 2002). The idea that we are a mix of nature and nurture would seem to be common sense by now. Beyond the basic support systems - breathing, excreting - human personalities are the product of social existence, arriving courtesy of parents, teachers, peer groups, media, dominant id eologies and cultural norms: the product, in other words, of history, both personal and public. Biological determinism limits the human mind purely to abstract learning machines. Sure, all people share the same body plan and probably might have similar DNA to chimpanzee, however, the human brain is another matter. "Natural selection works to homogenize a species into a standard overall design by concentrating the effective genes--the ones that build well-functioning organs--and winnowing out the ineffective ones. Just as we all have the same physical organs, we have the same mental organs" (Johnson 2002, p. 12). This is most obvious in the case of language, where every neurologically intact child is equipped to acquire any human language; but it is true of other parts of the mind as well. Discarding the blank slate has thrown far more light on the psychological unity of humankind than on any differences. Of course, some of the assumptions underlining the biological determinism theory can be referred to as logical. In particular, men might prove to be on average better mathematician than women, while women prove to be more accomplished at the social interactions. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that biological determinism is based on average assumptions: men on average are more prone to violence than women, but any given woman might well be more violent

Professional Identity Of Mental Counselor

Professional Identity Of Mental Counselor I will develop my professional identity as a mental counselor in many ways that will benefit the mental health profession and myself. To aid me in this endeavor, I will seek guidance from the American Counseling Associations (ACA) Code of Ethics for mental health counselors and work diligently to apply their five ethical principles. These five principles are: Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, Justice, and Fidelity (American Counseling Association, Code of Ethics, 2005). To apply these principles it will be necessary to not only play the role of a highly credentialed counselor, but also act as an educator, researcher, advocate, and example to others. Below, I will briefly describe each ethical principle, and follow with an in-depth explanation of how they will be applied through each role, and how each pertains to the development of my professional identity. Beneficence means to do good and to take measures to prevent harm whenever possible. (ACA, Code of Ethics, 2005). I will apply the principle of beneficence by promoting the welfare of the client at all times. I will purposely act for the benefit of the client. I will advocate for my clients behalf and pursue their best interests at heart. Nonmaleficence The principle of nonmaleficence means do no harm. This principle maintains the idea of not inflicting intentional harm, or engaging in actions that risk harming others (ACA, Code of Ethics, 2005). I will apply this principle by avoiding harming others, and instead will work to promote their well being. I will work to eliminate threats and remove any elements that would result in harm to my clients. I intend to develop treatment plans that will help and improve their situation. Great consideration will be given on weighing the risks and benefits of treatment plans. Additionally, I will never encourage my clients to take action that would harm others. Autonomy The principle of autonomy describes the freedom to make ones own choices and decisions (ACA, Code of Ethics, 2005). As a counselor, I will appropriately encourage my clients to act upon their own beliefs and values, and choose what they believe to be the best course of action. However, while it is important to promote the clients independence, I must also protect them from the potential harm of their decisions and actions. I will explain to the client the nature of being autonomous while at the same time provide reasoning as to how their decisions may negatively affect their lives and the lives of others. However, in some instances where the client is underage or not of sound mind, it will be necessary for me to intervene, especially if their decisions are irrational and may harm others. Justice The principle of justice simply means treating others fairly and equally (ACA, Code of Ethics, 2005). I will apply the principle of justice by respecting each and every clients rights. I will show appreciation for my clients and hold them in high regard. I will maintain awareness and strive to provide each and every individual with equal access to quality services, and in no circumstance discriminate or exploit my clients. Fidelity The principle of fidelity involves the concept of maintaining loyalty and an honoring of commitments (ACA, Code of Ethics, 2005. In my counseling practice, a client-centered approach will be used to develop a trusting and therapeutic relationship with my clients. Setting aside my personal concerns and needs, I will practice fidelity by actively listening and giving my clients my undivided attention. I will honor them by showing unconditional positive regard and acceptance. I will honor all commitments that I have made and will avoid leaving any obligation unfulfilled. Credentials My plan of action first begins with building my credibility and continued pursuit of obtaining my counseling credentials. I will take advantage of every learning opportunity and obtain my masters degree counseling education through an accredited counseling program. Shortly thereafter, I will apply for licensure to become a mental health counselor through the Utahà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. In order to obtain licensure, I will pass the following examinations: (a) the Utah Professional Counselor Law, Rules and Ethics Examination;(b) The National Counseling Examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NCE) and (c) The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination of the National Board of Certified Counselors. Once licensed, I will then be identifiable to the general public as a professional counselor who possesses the knowledge and skills set forth by governing boards and the counseling profession (The Utah Department of Occupational Licensing, 2010). Educator As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I will continue to strengthen my professional identity by carrying a sense of professional pride and openly acknowledging to others that I am a counselor. Seeking out and seizing every opportunity to educate others, I will be steadfast in correcting misidentifications of my profession by friends, family, clients, and the public. I will make a clear distinction between the counseling profession and other helping professions. Being a visible presence within the community, I will work in various settings and all populations. I will educate others on the roles and functions of a licensed professional counselor, as well as explain what it takes to become one. Example to Others I will carry a sense of social responsibility, act with integrity, and practice good ethics professionally and personally. To increase my effectiveness as I mental counselor, I will seek out personal growth and healing, and model a positive productive behavior to others. I will work to manage my stress and prevent burnout by maintaining a balance between work and play. I will address and resolve personal conflicts and will continually assess my own level of personal wellness, the areas in which I need to grow, and my professional goals. I will work also to ensure that each client I serve has a positive experience with mental health counseling. I will put aside my own needs, and act only in ways that will benefit the client. I will strive to understand, accept, and acknowledge my own limitations, and seek out help when needed. I will show empathy for my clients and express a genuine concern for their well-being. Research and Practice To further foster my professional identity, it is of great importance for me to create a visible and positive image of mental health counseling and its professionals. Accomplishing this will require a demonstration of ethical competence and credibility. I will use an evidence-based approach within my counseling practice to give me a higher degree of ethical competence and credibility (Sexton Whiston, 1997). I will work to advance my profession by contributing new knowledge to society at large and the mental health profession. In practice, I will conduct research and investigate the cause-and-effects of behavior in a scientific manner. I will share results of this research with other counselors, so that the mental health-counseling practice can be informed at a larger scale. I will evaluate whether or not treatment approaches are working and will strive to always find a better approach. I will stay abreast on the changes within the mental health profession, but will be cautious, and critically minded when new information is presented Advocacy Advocacy will be an intricate part to the development of my professional identity. As stated in my discussion posting: My reason for choosing to be in the helping profession of mental health counseling is to be a facilitator of positive change in others. On a grander scheme, my wish is to create more positive social change within my own profession in the hopes that the mental health profession will positively impact society at large. As a mental counselor, I will support this vision by advocating for my clients, my profession, and myself. To accomplish this objective, I will need to observe, listen, and recognize social barriers that cause distress. To reduce such barriers, I will need to become actively involved, be prepared to speak up for others, challenge rules and regulations, and be open to scrutiny. I will need to be tenacious, patient, persistent, creative in problem solving and have the ability to persevere when setbacks happen. Additionally, I will need to be somewhat altruistic, and giving of my time and services for little or no compensation (Smith, 2010, February 16, COUN 6100-3 Discussion section). I recognize and acknowledge that taking such a role will challenge my level of comfort. I am ready and willing to use every resource that I possess and look forward to collaborating with other mental health professionals to promote positive change. Professional Affiliations With a collaborative spirit, I seek to work with such organizations that advocate for causes that affect the mental health profession in a positive way. I am planning to join both the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Their goals and mission have a lot in common with my professional values. Like myself, their mission is to enhance the health counseling profession through advocacy, professional development and education. They also seek to improve the standards of professional counseling, and distribute information that would further human development and the profession of counseling (AMHCA, 1995, ACA, 2005). Additionally, both professional associations are compatible with my professional values since they do not support the mistreatment of clients but seek to promote their welfare and provide the best service possible. Both organizations offer many services that will promote my values of growth and development, by prov iding opportunities for professional development, leadership training, advocacy services, continuing education classes, and access to publications (AMHCA, 1995, ACA, 2005). Another association that I plan to be affiliated to is the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC). The ALGBTIC is a division of the American Counseling Association. The ALGBTIC allows any individual that has interest in LGBT issues to apply for membership. Its mission is to promote greater awareness and understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues Their goals are to educate counselors on the unique needs of client identity development (ALGBTIC, 2009). They furthermore seek to strengthen counselors professional skills relating to sexual minorities. The mission and goals of ALGBTIC are compatible with my values because they seek create positive social change within society. They are working to remove the social barriers of prejudices and biases, and additionally are promoting non-discrimination and cultural competence within the counselor. Social Changes In the interest of removing social barriers that can greatly inhibit the provision of quality counseling services, I am interested in joining ACA and AMHCA in their advocacy for insurance reform. I will begin working within these professional associations to influence policymaking and legislation of healthcare policies. I will also continue to educate myself on the ethical and legal standards of mental health counselors, and work to prevent the occurrence of professional issues. I will research some of the common professional issues (informed consent, confidentiality, client autonomy, compromised client care) that have arisen as a result of managed health care and third party reimbursements, and work to develop a contingency plan as to how best approach such issues. As stated in my discussion posting: Additionally, I intend to focus on advocating for client needs, specifically those in poverty. I would like to focus on helping these individuals get the help they need. First by, educating these individuals about the benefits of mental counseling, secondly, by getting more affordable or free counseling services provided to those who cannot afford it, and lastly to work to increase visibility to these individuals that such resources exist. To carry out such objectives, I will fundraise for treatment centers and work to get government funding as well. I will need to devote my time and resources for gathering data that supports my agenda. I will collaborate and network with other professionals and community organizations in the hopes of raising funds and influencing policymakers. I will need to educate policy makers and the public about the mental health profession. Being a member of counseling organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) will support my advocacy process. ACA provides its members with information as to whats going in all levels of government. They can furnish me with the names of the key persons that can push my agenda (Smith, 2010, February 16 COUN 6100-3 Discussion section). In the interest of removing social barriers that can greatly inhibit the provision of quality of life, I would like to also focus my efforts on reducing obesity in America. As stated in my discussion posting: I believe the addiction to food can be just as strong as an addiction to drugs or alcohol. As we all know, the problem of obesity and weight related illnesses and disease continue to grow. Many programs seem to address the mere symptoms of being overweight by changing diet and incorporating exercise, but fail to address our relationship with food. Healthy eating and exercise is only part of the battle. I truly feel that the only approach to healing any problem is an honest examination of its symptoms and roots, which is why I am interested in advocating for my public awareness of the effects of emotional eating and how it should be treated (Smith, 2009, September 10, COUN 6000 Discussion Section). Attitudes The professional I interviewed in the mental counseling field is Sandy, a Licensed Professional Counselor for a very busy local counseling center. Sandy has been a licensed and practicing counselor for ten years. On an average workday, she services eight to nine private clients. Sandy describes her workplace as fast paced and quite stressful at times. Sandys work schedule varies in time of day to accommodate the needs of clients. She works with individuals, couples, and groups. Sandy also works with a variety of populations with many different problems. However, Sandy specializes in working with individuals who have post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders. She also spends a great deal of time working with individuals who have drug, alcohol, and domestic abuse problems. Sandys work schedule varies in time of day to accommodate the needs of clients. She has group therapies on four evenings a week, consisting of seven to ten clients to a group. Sandy disclosed that it can be frustrating when clients cancel or do not show up for their appointments, and that she only receives compensation for the counseling services she provides. However, this did seem to be of great concern for her. For instance, she mentioned the need for counselors to be altruistic and explicitly stated that providing therapy for Medicaid patients is not about making money, and that not much financial compensation is provided. On a side note, I was very surprised to learn that Sandy is not a member of any professional counseling organizations. Sandy demonstrated a very positive attitude towards the mental health counseling profession, and a great sense of fulfillment in what she does. Her perspective and attitude towards mental health counseling was refreshing and inspiring. Sandy has an altruistic nature and is quite giving of her time. While discussing her feelings about the profession, she exhibited much passion, and little frustration. The attitudes that Sandy and I carry towards the mental health profession are quite compatible. We both strive for positive social change and to bring out the best in others. Like myself, Sandy encompasses a philosophy of prevention and personal growth. We both share the belief that individuals can solve their problems. I have always believed that I can think my way out of anything, and to utilize every resource available to me. Sandy and I both tend to look at people and their situations in a holistic manner. Sandy conveyed a belief that a persons condition is temporary. I feel the same way; I believe we all go through season of productiveness and progression, as well as dysfunction and regression. The common thread that I see between my attitude and Sandys is that a career in counseling is more than just providing a financial income, it is a profession that nurtures our sense of purpose and valued connection to others. I like that the profession of counseling allows me the freedom to use a combined approach of science and personal experience. What also appeals to me is that the mental health profession considers the psycho, social, and biological factors of a persons situation. I would rather focus on mental wellness rather than a narrow focus on mental illness, this is the main idea or attitude that I harbor towards the mental health counseling profession.

Kobe Bryant Essay -- essays research papers

Could you imagine being nineteen years old and making five million dollars a year? Kobe Bryant, the son of former NBA player Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, jumped directly from high school to the pros in 1996 and enjoyed an impressive rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also won the Nestle Crunch slam-dunk contest, and was the leading scorer in the Rookie Game during the NBA all-stars Weekend. Kobe Bryant could very well become one of the best basketball players to ever step on a basketball court. Kobe's parents named him after a type of steak (Kobe) seen on a restaurant menu prior to his birth. This type of steak is very popular in Japan. Bryant is also fluent in Italian. Even though Bryant plays in the NBA, he is still a kid at heart and makes time for playing video games. He has two older sisters, Sharia and Shaya. Bryant was the all-time leading scorer in Southeastern Pennsylvania history with 2,883 points, breaking the marks of NBA legend and Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (2,359 points) and former St. Joseph's player Carlin Warley (2,441 points). Bryant led his high school team to a 77-13 record in last three seasons and was a four-year starter. His father, Joe, played eight NBA seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets, and is a former assistant coach at La Salle. As a senior at Lower Merion High School, USA Today and Parade Magazine selected Bryant as the National High School Player of the Year. He was also named Naismi...

Plump legs indicate the dog is eating right

I decided to write about having a pug for this paper because I feel a certain level of affinity for these types of dogs.   I did this paper by asking around, especially people who have dogs of their own and pet shop attendants.   I also did some research on the internet as to nature of these dogs.Pugs are toy dogs that are very emotional and have a low self-esteem.   They look quite like a bulldog but smaller in size and usually have short mocha or khaki fur with a shade of black.   When buying a pug pup or adopting one, the first thing to do is to check on the health of the pup before taking him/her home.Plump legs indicate the dog is eating right; check also for the ribs – they should not be very prominent on the underside of the dog.   Being conscious of the skin condition of the dog should also be considered; owners should take notice of any sign of a rash or a skin infection.A dry puppy nose indicates that the dog is probably sick.   Pugs have over sensitive e yes that are easily infected; so it would be wise to check on the eyes also.   After going through the physical condition of the dog, you should ask about the immunization shots already given to the dog like rabies and distemper shots.After this has been confirmed, look for the ownership papers and make sure that your pug comes from a line of purebreds.   Often, if the dog comes with canine association papers, it will already have a name in its birth certificate; otherwise, you can name the pup on your own.   Opt for a short name, about one or two syllables, so that the dog can easily familiarize itself with its name.When you have decided on buying or adopting your pug, it’s now time to get him/her into a suitable transporting case/cage.   Make sure to put your caged pug in the back seat or in a back cargo compartment and never in the trunk or your dog might die of suffocation or dehydration.Upon reaching home, you pug will be a bit disoriented, and will tend to crawl and lay in one corner.   Other puppies can be very enthusiastic, but not pug pups that are a bit more nervous when it comes to new environments.   Take time to take your pug around the house and orient the pup of the various areas in the house; occasionally pet the pup to give it reassurance.   Then, after the initial orientation, give the pup some water.Then, next familiarize the pup with the more specific areas it is supposed to be in, like its sleeping basket, its feeding area, and its litter box.   Since the dog is still a pup, it would not be difficult to house break the pup.   This should be done next and in the following days.   Make sure to reward the pup if it litters in its box and expressively train it to do so.   Right after feeding the pup, wait for about thirty minutes to one hour and take it to its litter box and wait for it to defecate; when it does, pat it or reward it with a toy or something.After making sure that your pup is well oriented with its s urroundings, give it its first meal.   Then allow it to rest.In the following days, keep a routine sequence of activities to accustom the pup to its regular day.   Try to train it with simple commands like sit and heel.   Always use a low commanding voice when training your pup.   Rewarding the pup with doggie treats will make it more susceptible to obeying simple commands.A few things that one should remember when keeping a dog is to always make it feel cared for and loved – this is especially needed with pugs that are quite partial when it comes to associating with humans.   Make sure that you feed your dog regularly, about twice a day, and always have a steady supply of water for it.Pay attention to hygiene such as teeth hygiene and its general hygiene.   Give your pup regular baths, about once every two days.   Also take your pug to the vet regularly.   If necessary, take your dog to the vet if you think it is sick.

A View of Strategic Hrm in a New Zealand Corporate

| Strategic HRM It’s More Than Just a Policy| A view of Strategic HRM in a New Zealand Corporate| | Glenn Duncan – 0705186| 11/8/2011| | *NB: Something, Something Else, Something Else 2, Outside, Thingy, Doublecheck and Hirethem are all pseudonyms. Executive Summary: In this paper I aim to highlight the importance of ensuring that all aspects of the Strategic HRM policy of an organisation are functioning. This will enable the organisation to gain the maximum benefit from its investment in HRM and the resulting motivated and engaged employees. Job satisfaction is related to goal efficacy, management support, performance appraisal review, rewards, organisatioanl facilitation and clarity of goals; (Lee C, 1991). To be effective in any Strategic HRM policy an organisation not only has to â€Å"Talk the Talk’ they have to ensure they â€Å"Walk the Walk† right down to the perceived lowest levels of the corporate ladder. The corporate I was employed at generally had a very good Strategic HRM system; unfortunately there were issues with its execution in some parts of the business. I will highlight three areas in my experience as a line manager where the division I was in was less than adequate at â€Å"Walking the Walk†, and the effect I felt this had on my team’s performance in the key areas of goal setting, performance management and personal development. Poor planning, ineffective goal setting, a dysfunctional reporting system and lack of cohesion in line management and HR and impersonal development are major roadblocks to the success in achieving the HRM goals of an organisation. My findings were that to ensure a HRM plan is effective an organisation has to ensure that it has sufficient suitably skilled and resourced HR experts and line managers, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and timely (SMART) goals, supported by a reporting system that is both robust and accurate. Just having a Strategic HRM policy in place doesn’t give you the strategic advantage an organisation needs to compete in today’s markets, ensuring that it is effective from the boardroom down to the lowest rung on the corporate ladder does. Introduction: Something * is a fully owned subsidiary of the Something Else* under Something Else 2*, the consumer brands arm of the corporate, based in Melbourne Australia. Something* is a strong market leader and operates in the competitive Thingy* market in New Zealand. The department within Something* this paper will focus on is the Field Sales Team in the Outside *department. The Other* department markets nothing products to any retail or foodservice outlet that is not a supermarket. Other* channel contributes 20% of the volume, but over 50% of the gross margin. Something Else* as a corporate organisation operates what would be considered a world leading Strategic Human Resource Management policies and practices. This is evidenced by the inclusion of a board sub- committee whom assist the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance responsibilities in relation to the recruitment, retention, remuneration policies and to promote a safe and healthy working environment. Something Else* overall corporate strategy is developed by the Executive Committee, an eight member team from various disciplines lead by the CEO. The executive committee includes the Group Director Human Resources whose role includes responsibility for Something else*16,800 (Full Time Equivalent) staff worldwide with a focus on recruitment, reward strategy, capability management, organisational development, health and safety, training and employee relations. Fonterra seeks feedback from its employees through regular engagement surveys and forming various committees to ensure employee considerations are taken into account on numerous different levels. Something Else* factory workers in generally under collective agreements. Something Else’s* salaried staff are on individual employment contracts, and are performance managed using an HR framework known as Doublecheck*. This framework drives performance, development, succession, talent management and recruitment processes. It incorporates Something Else’s* performance objectives and values and links through to remuneration. The outcomes of Doublecheck*are designed to create opportunities for Something Else’s* people to develop both as individuals and in their careers. Something Else* outsources some of its HR functions including recruitment of salaried staff to organisations such as Hirethem*. The performance management quarterly reviews are focused on Key Performance Indicators (goals) and a range of competencies based on the organisations values: * Co-operative Spirit * Do What’s Right * Challenge Boundaries * Make it happen Something *employs the same HR format as its parent company. The GM of Human Resources is a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team which takes input from Something Else* corporate and various departments to decide the both the financial and strategic goals of the company. The HR team consists of a General Manger, HR Manager, and two HR Advisors. Payroll and Recruitment search are outsourced. Something*uses Something Elses’s* Doublecheck framework to performance manage and develop its salaried employees. Figure 1 – Reporting Structure – something* Ltd – Outside – Field Sales TeamFigure 2 – Something* Ltd – Strategic HRM System Whilst the intentions of the Something* HRM system are robust, the execution of some key elements of the HRM process are dysfunctional and fail to add value to the process. I will focus on three important factors of the HRM process: * Goal setting (KPI’s – Key Performance Indicators) * Performance Management (KPI progress at quarterly reviews) * Employee Personal Development I will present my argument using the HRM Performance casual chain, Source: Adapted from Purcell, J & Hutchinson S (2007). ‘Frontline managers as agents in the HRM Performance casual chain: theory, analysis and evidence† Human Resource Management Journal 17(1), p. 7. Which I feel shows the consequences of failing to execute HRM strategy logically. Figure 3 – HRM Performance Casual Chain: Source: Adapted from Purcell, J & Hutchinson S (2007). ‘Frontline managers as agents in the HRM Performance casual chain: theory, analysis and evidence† Human Resource Management Journal 17(1), p. 7. Goal Setting: Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) At Something* Key Performance Indicators are set by senior managers using financial data and strategic initiatives from the annual business plan, passed down through the line managers for their respective department. These Key performance indicators will usually include core goals such sales volume / value, speed to market of new product launches, customer count. HR Practice Theory; Something* through the Doublecheck* framework was to set five to six SMART KPI’s and measure an employee’s participation in company activities against a set of competencies based on the Something Else* values. Progress against these were to be reviewed and feedback given / received at quarterly intervals. HR Practice Reality; Frequently the planning of the company was not complete in time for the start of the financial year, company goals were often to be achieved in a 10 month period rather than a 12 month period. This delay also had impact on other areas of planning which leads to a further delay in arrival of the tools the team required to achieve their goals. Goals were also derived from corporate strategy and had little relation to do with the Outside* market. Often in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies the majority of the strategic focus goes on sales through the high volume supermarket (Key Account) or the Foodservice channel, there often was a lack of in depth understanding of any other channel. Whilst a good deal of this was outside of the overall HRM control, it greatly affected the results the team could achieve against their KPI’s and hence morale and the reputation of senior management. Employee Perception; Employees feel a disconnect from the setting of goals and become increasingly frustrated when poor management decisions and failing to meet timeframes impacts on their ability to meet KPI’s. At reviews employees often questioned the leadership team’s knowledge of the â€Å"out of Home† market the team operated in. â€Å"Knowing you are being judged on your performance but having to either chase unrealistic goals or mark time and wait can be sole destroying† Something*employee. Employee Motivation / Organisation Performance; Employees do their best to strive for goals however a sense of confusion over priorities and clarity results in a lack of motivation, end result is very rarely do KPI’s get achieved, performance reviews are filled with reasons why targets were not met (covering the backside). Performance Management: The Doublecheck* framework for a quarterly review consisted of an employee self-assessment of performance against KPI’s and competencies; this was sent to the line manager prior to the planned appointment. The line manager would compare the employees perceived performance figures against company top line figures. During the meeting the performance against KPI’s and competencies of the employee would be discussed and encouragement given or plans put in place to improve performance. HR Practice Theory; It is the intention of the company to provide accurate data around the employee’s performance relative to the actual market performance. This would lead to a positive conversation about achieving KPI’s and how to ensure this continues or alternatively a conversation about how to lift the employee’s performance to make up any short falls and obtain the goals set for the year. HR Practice Reality; Due to internal database issues quite often only top line data could be used, drilling down into data resulted in more questions than answers. The combination of inaccurate data and lack of clarity in the KPI’s resulted in a great deal of time spent at performance reviews comparing and or justifying data between what the company believed to be accurate and what the employee believed to be accurate. This caused unnecessary angst between both parties. . Employee Perception; Employees felt there was a double standard in the outputs of the company; employees were expected to strive for excellence in their output, as measured in the competencies, whereas the company was permitted to produce less than satisfactory reporting. Employees considered this to go against Fonterra’s value of â€Å"Make it Happen† which focuses on a climate for success, exceptional results, stepping up, take accountability, plan thoroughly, perseverance and celebrate success. The team expressed that they felt let down by the company in the pursuit of their personal and company’s goals. Employee Motivation / Organisation Performance; For the majority performance reviews become conversations over missed opportunities, time delays and excuses. Quite often segments are cut and paste from previous reviews. The process fails to motivate even the high performers. Employee Personal Development: Central to Something Else* HRM strategy is a desire is to attract, retain and develop people of the highest caliber, by believing that learning is an integral part of each employee’s role, learning and development especially when done on the job, dealing with real issues and challenges. It is stated that identification and accelerated development of key talent is critical to Something Elses*success. HR Policy Theory; The Doublecheck*system has a segment where an employee discusses their career aspirations with the line manager with input from HR and agree a realistic career goal. Line managers then work with the employee and the HR team to map out a pathway of development allowing the employee to reach these goals over time. This pathway was to include training, coaching and mentoring. HR practice Reality; Something*under direction from Something Esle2* purchased a generic set of sales courses intended over time to develop a high performance sales team. Unfortunately this generic course was very â€Å"key Account â€Å"focused and again had little relation to the Outside* market. This action took out of play the HR department’s allocated budget intended for personal development towards career goals for each team member. Employee Perception; Members of the team generally felt that they were being disadvantaged by being sent of generic courses they felt did not improve their skill base, knowledge or chance of advancement in Fonterra as a whole. They felt they were being treated as a herd instead of individuals. Training was catering for the lowest common denominator and did not challenge the high performers. Employee Motivation / Organisation Performance; If employees, especially the high performers (who can be high maintenance due to their driven nature), perceive they are not being rewarded by development / progression they ask why should my performance be better than another employee if there is nothing in it for me. Overall result is a decline in motivation across the board. The Role of the Line Managers: Line Managers are tasked with the role of executing a great deal of the HRM policies for Something*, yet generally speaking, the amount of training given to line managers on the intricacies of HRM is minimal. Employees are greatly influenced by the HRM practices they experience of line managers, these can be both positive and negative, a good manager can make poor HR policies work whereas good HR practices can be negated by poor line manager people management or leadership skills. (Hutchinson, 2007) The relationship between employees and Line Management is important in in? encing the employees’ views of the support received or available from the organisation as a whole, both at the functional transactional level and in the corporate climate, this often determines the attitude towards organisational commitment and outlook towards the job. (Hutchinson, 2007) Conclusion: It is considered that SomethingElses* overall HR strategy is very robust and the corporate intention is to run a world class Strategic HRM system. At Something* I believe that the overall strategy is not achieving its goals. This was generally caused by a lack of cohesion between various departments which in turn lead to delays in the planning processes. The delays in the planning process ultimately affected the ability of all employees to meet their KPI’s causing stress and friction between competing employees. At times, it appeared that some senior managers were primarily focused on obtaining their own KPI’s, often to the detriment of the overall company goals. At Something* the HR personnel ratio to employees of approximately 100/1 (excluding the GM HR who was generally focused on strategy) caused issues. HR team members were not able to spend sufficient time with the line managers in discussions / planning around employees. When time was spent with the HR team it was generally pressured and not of great quality. There was also a lack of a cohesive approach by HR and line managers to the review and performance management process, each Line Manager generally went about the process the best way they knew how, hoping they were following the correct procedure and delivering the same message. It is argued that perhaps line managers should not be heavily involved in the HRM process as studies have shown in the undertaking of performance appraisals, management implementation was usually irregular within organisations and that the actual practice was also subject to significant variations of quality (McGovern P) and to further evidence to this argument were the findings: also to be taken into account is the short-term nature of managerial activity which leads to a tendency to put a greater priority on the achievement of the budget numbers, rather than the achievement of objectives through the team. McGovern P). My argument is who better than to review an employee’s performance than the Line Manager who on a daily basis has to work closely with the employee, a HR person jumping in from time to time unaware of the daily challenges would not gain the same insight as a Line Manager does. When discussing the issues around requiring accurate data for reporting on KPIâ€℠¢s and the angst this would cause with HR, a Line Manager would get the distinct impression that the HR advisor did not completely understand the numbers or jargon being used. (Brown, 2001) writes: Ann Boswall, vice-president of human resources and one of six members of top management team at Imperial Tobacco in Montreal, adds, â€Å"It is absolutely essential for HR to do a better job of learning about the business outside of their own department†. With regards to personal development, sending experienced sales teams on generic courses is a tick box exercise; according to the verbal feedback I received, if a post course survey was carried out the over whelming response would have been that no real learning experience has taken place. (T Short, 2010) writes: The failure to evaluate learning events and show positive business results was clearly linked to an undervaluing of training and development investment among senior managers. Recommendations: Ensure the corporate planning process has sufficient time allowed to achieve its goal of presenting a business plan that is able to be executed for the full twelve months of the financial year. This would take a great deal of pressure off the business as a whole. Setting SMART goals that give clarity of direction to the wider team and are specific to each departments channel not generic companywide goals. Even in a company with a goal-setting procedure that had been in use for over ten years, content-related problems with goals (such as lacking goal clarity or conflicting goals) were key predictors of goal commitment and job satisfaction. (Bipp, 2011) The HR department has to be resourced such to permit the Strategic HRM plan to be implemented from the top down. Not having the resources to penetrate and spend time where it counts most left the HR team performing mainly transactional duties such as recruitment and disciplinary activities. Green, 2002) writes: For over a decade, HR leaders have been striving to become business partners. They want to have a strategic impact on their organizations; however, many are struggling to make this transition. The primary reason for lack of progress in this endeavor is that HR analysts, the staff who carry out this mission, are still trained and reinforced in the traditional, transactional mindset. In order for the entire HR department to be consi dered strategic in nature, the HR analyst must learn critical consultative skills. p. 111) To counter this a 2004 Cranet survey indicated that people responsible for HRM activities have a growing proportion of members educated in business related studies, 43% in New Zealand from a business studies background. (E Rasmussen, 2010). Training of both the HR team to understand requirements of each department they deal with and equally training Line Managers in people management skills would help with alignment of HR Personnel and line managers in their duties within the HRM framework. This activity would go a long way to improving the overall performance of the HRM framework and the job satisfaction of employees within Something*. (Hutchinson, 2007) writes: It is often observed that there is a gap between what is formally required in HR policy and what is actually delivered by FLMs. The way FLMs undertake their HR duties of selecting, appraising, developing, communicating, involving, etc. , is inextricably linked to a wider set of what are increasingly called leadership behaviours, which aim to in? ence employee attitudes and behaviour and give direction. These two aspects of FLMs’ roles can be brought together in the term ‘people management. Implementing the above as a bare minimum would greatly improve the overall performance and moral of the Outside* sales team at Something*. Literature Sources: 1) http://www. SomethingElse*. com 2) http://www. something*. co. nz 3) http://scholar. google. co. nz. ezproxy. aut. ac. nz/ 4) http://search. proquest. c om. ezproxy. aut. ac. nz 5) http://web. ebscohost. om. ezproxy. aut. ac. nz References: Bipp, T. (2011). Goal-Setting in practice. Personell review, 40(3), 318. Brown, D. (2001). HR's role in business strategy: still a lot of work to be done. Canadian HR Reporter, 14 (9), 20. E Rasmussen, T. A. , N Hawort. (2010). Has the Strategic Role and Professional Status of Human Resource Management peaked in New Zealand. Journal of industrial relations, 52, 103 -118. Green, M. E. (2002). Internal human resources consulting: Why doesn't your staff get it? Public Personnel Management, 31(1), 111-119. Hutchinson, P. a. ( 2007). Front-line managers as agents in the HRM performance causal chain: . Human Resource Management Journa, 17(1), 3-20. Lee C, B. P. , Earley C, Lock E A. (1991). An Empirical Analysis of a Goal Setting Questionnaire. Journal of Organizational Behavior, Vol. 12( No. 6), pp. 467-482. McGovern P, H. -H. V. , Stiles P. Human resources management on the line? Human Resource Management Journal, 7(4). T Short, R. H. (2010). Challenges in aligning workplace learning with business goal. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 50(2), 381.

AIDS The Guilt and Failure of the West

AIDS The Guilt and Failure of the West An interview with Craig Timberg, author of the book How the West Sparked the AIDS Epidemic and How the World Can Finally Overcome It, conducted by Dave Davies on the NPR show, Fresh AirAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on AIDS: The Guilt and Failure of the West specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More AIDS, as a disease which involves the most intimate of behaviors, reflects differences between cultures in the way they approach marriage and sex. This makes it a prime locus for poor communication between the leaders of a people and the people themselves, and between different peoples. Both in its origins and the ill-advised ways that it has been addressed by outside parties, it has been a mysterious and difficult disease to identify, to track, to understand, and to prevent, much less cure it! Craig Timberg, a journalist with years of experience in South Africa, has written a book about the origin of the AIDS epidemic and the ways that Western countries have contributed to the problem. According to his interview with NPR radio’s Dave Davies, he makes a number of important and revealing points, including the following: The AIDS virus originated in the chimpanzee, and genetic testing of samples from all over the world has shown how it may have spread from the non-human to the human primate population. He contends that the genetic tests which identify the amount of mutation which has occurred to the virus suggest a date of entry into the human population that coincides with the imposition of forced labor on the indigenous tribes by colonial powers. This labor (carrying goods across the continent through the deep jungle, by foot or train or steam ship) would have pushed into the chimpanzee’s territories, and exposed them to contagion by, for example, butchering a chimpanzee. Additionally, the forced labor in mines placed huge numbers of men far away from their wives, and encouraged promiscuity. Man y of these behaviors have been exacerbated in recent decades, and AIDS has exploded. The circuitous route that the virus took allowed African leaders, like Thabo Mbeki., to deny the reality of the situation. Such denialists blamed outsiders for its introduction. This led them to some very unconstructive responses. Timberg notes that in South Africa, effective drugs were not introduced in the way that they were in, for example, Zimbabwe. Timberg notes that in countries where, paradoxically, western help was not forthcoming to the same extent, for example in Uganda, indigenously generated solutions have been remarkably helpful. He notes that the choice to encourage staying with your plural wives, as opposed to discouraging all sex, such as that made by leader Yoweri Museveni, which was more congruent with existing behavior, was easier to implement.Advertising Looking for essay on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He used a homely image; that of the goat grazing in a circle while tied to a stake, to represent the kind of sexual behavior that would prevent death. He also asserts that the traditional African practice of circumcision would help to halt the spread of the disease (Timberg). It is virtually impossible to understand or evaluate all these points without reference to anthropological ideas and techniques. First, the European colonists entered Africa with absolutely no sense of cultural relativism (Scupin 2008, 58). They were deeply ethnocentric† (Scupin 2008, 18), and therefore regarded anything that the indigenous peoples did or avoided as mere superstition or pagan deviltry. Thus, any local objections to going deep into the bush would have been dismissed and ignored, and the polygyny (Scupin 247) practiced especially by ‘big men’ (Scupin 221-222) was discouraged by missionaries without replacing it with workable sexual rules of behavior, according to Timberg (Timberg). Second, the reaction of some of the indigenous leaders to the onset of the AIDS epidemic has been very reminiscent of the response to other disorders such as the Creutzfeldt-Jakob or â€Å"mad cow† disease, which was acquired from human brain ingestion. Indigenous theories of causation for such illnesses focused on sorcery (Scupin 229), or, in some cases witchcraft (Scupin 228). This sort of belief system is mirrored in the way that some African leaders have been able persistently to deny the relationship between AIDS and sexual behaviors engaged in by the vast majority of the population rather than as purely a manifestation of poverty or sabotage or racism (Timberg) (a perspective which may be part of what leads to the appalling rape of baby girls for magical protection against AIDS). Timberg contends that the most effective measures against the spread of AIDS have utilized the indigenous values (Scupin 2008, 53), norms (Scupin 2008, 56) and enculturation (Scupin 50) of the existing community, rather than any such values, norms, or cultural expectations imposed from outside.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on AIDS: The Guilt and Failure of the West specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thus, scaring people into remaining faithful to their multiple wives works better than counseling abstinence in a culture that has little history of monogamy and regards sex as a positive good. Furthermore, Timberg asserts that traditional circumcision practices can reduce the spread of the virus by removing the fragile tissue that the virus apparently can populate more readily than the other tissues in that region of the body (Timberg). This last is one of the areas for further careful investigation. There is already an appalling amount of damage done to young girls by genital mutilation. To encourage the re-introduction of a surgical procedure in a region where clean water is not even usually avail able seems risky. Furthermore, the practice of circumcision can mean all sorts of things, depending on the specific group, and may not accomplish the intended and hoped for effect. Additionally, Timberg does not mention in his interview the destructive practice of ‘dry sex’, which sets up a receptive environment for the transmission of all sexually transmitted diseases. If he does not mention this in his new book, this would be an area for encouraging behavior change to investigate. This interview gives what seems to be a thorough overview of the book, and the topic is compelling. The history of this dreadful disease offers multiple chances for the application of anthropology to understanding and problem solving. Only by endeavoring to understand human behavior in its own context can we hope to help humanity survive over the long term, and anthropology is a crucial tool in that endeavor. Scupin, Raymond. Cultural Anthropology: A Global Perspective. 7. Upper Saddle Rive r: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. 2012. Timberg, Craig. Tinderbox: How The West Fueled The AIDS Epidemic. Fresh Air. Dave Davies. NPR, 27 February 2012. Web. www.wbur.org/npr/147491878/tinderbox-how-the-west-fueled-the-aids-epidemic.

Timeline of the Little Rock School Integration

Timeline of the Little Rock School Integration In September 1927, Little Rock Senior High School opened. Costing more than 1.5 million to construct, the school opened for white students only. Two years later, the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School opened for African-American students. Its construction cost $400,000 with donations from the Rosenwald Foundation and Rockefeller General Education Fund. 1954 May 17: The U.S. Supreme Court finds that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.May 22: Despite many southern school boards resisting the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Little Rock School Board decides to cooperate with the Court’s decision.August 23: The Arkansas NAACP Legal Redress Committee is led by attorney Wiley Branton. With Branton at the helm, the NAACP petitions the school board for prompt integration of public schools. 1955 May 24: The Blossom Plan is adopted by the Little Rock School Board. The Blossom Plan calls for the gradual integration of public schools. Beginning of September 1957, the high school would become integrated followed by lower grades over the next six years.May 31: The initial Supreme Court ruling provided no guidance on how to desegregate public schools yet acknowledged the need for further discussions. In another unanimous ruling known as Brown II, local federal judges are given the responsibility of ensuring that public school authorities integrate â€Å"with all deliberate speed.† 1956 February 8: The NAACP lawsuit, Aaron v. Cooper is dismissed by Federal Judge John E. Miller. Miller argues that the Little Rock School Board acted in â€Å"utmost good faith† in establishing the Blossom Plan.April: The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Miller’s dismissal yet made the Little Rock School Board’s Blossom Plan a court mandate.   1957 August 27: The Mother’s League of Central High School holds its first meeting. The organization advocates for continued segregation in public schools and files a motion for a temporary injunction against integration at Central High School.August 29: Chancellor Murray Reed approves the injunction arguing that the integration of Central High School could lead to violence. Federal Judge Ronald Davies, however, voids the injunction, ordering the Little Rock School Board to continue with its plans for desegregation.September: The local NAACP registers nine African-Americans students to attend Central High School. These students were chosen based on their academic achievement and attendance.September 2: Orval Faubus, then governor of Arkansas, announces through a televised speech that African-American students would not be allowed to enter Central High School. Faubus also orders the state’s National Guard to enforce his orders.September 3: The Mother’s League, Citizenà ¢â‚¬â„¢s Council, parents and students of Central High School hold a â€Å"sunrise service.† September 20: Federal judge Ronald Davies orders the National Guard to be removed from Central High School arguing that Faubus has not used them to preserve law and order. Once the National Guard leaves, the Little Rock Police Department arrive.September 23, 1957: The Little Rock Nine are escorted inside of Central High School while a mob of more than 1000 white residents protest outside. The nine students are later removed by local police officials for their own safety. In a televised speech, Dwight Eisenhower orders federal troops to stabilize violence in Little Rock, calling the behavior of white residents â€Å"disgraceful.†September 24: An estimated 1200 members of the 101st Airborne Division arrive in Little Rock, placing the Arkansas National Guard under federal orders.September 25: Escorted by federal troops, the Little Rock Nine are escorted into Central High School for their first day of classes.September 1957 to May 1958: The Little Rock Nine attend classes at Centr al High School but are met with physical and verbal abuse by students and staff. One of the Little Rock Nine, Minnijean Brown, was suspended for the remainder of the school year after she reacted to consistent confrontations with white students. 1958 May 25: Ernest Green, a senior member of the Little Rock Nine, is the first African-American to graduate from Central High School.June 3: After identifying several disciplinary issues at Central High School, the school board requests a delay in the desegregation plan.June 21: Judge Harry Lemly approves the delay of integration until January 1961. Lemly argues that although African-American students have a constitutional right to attend integrated schools, the â€Å"time has not come for them to enjoy [that right].†September 12: The Supreme Court rules that Little Rock must continue to use its desegregation plan in place. High schools are ordered to open on September 15.September 15: Faubus orders four high schools in Little Rock to be closed at 8 am.September 16: The Women’s Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools (WEC) is established and builds support to open public schools in Little Rock.September 27: White residents of Little Rock vote 19, 470 to 7,561 in support of segregation. The public schools remain closed. This becomes known as the â€Å"Lost Year.† 1959 May 5: Members of the school board in support of segregation vote not to renew the contracts of more than 40 teachers and school administrators in support of integration.May 8: WEC and a group of local business owners establish Stop This Outrageous Purge (STOP). The organization begins soliciting voter signatures to oust the school board members in favor of segregation. In retaliation, segregationists form the Committee to Retain Our Segregated Schools (CROSS).May 25: In a close vote, STOP wins the election. As a result, three segregationists are voted off the school board and three moderate members are appointed.August 12: Little Rock public high schools reopen. Segregationists protest at the State Capitol and Governor Faubus encourages them not to give up the struggle to keep schools from integrating. As a result, the segregationists march to Central High School. An estimated 21 people are arrested after police and fire departments break up the mob.

Acc 230 Final Starbucks Financial Analysis Paper

Starbucks Financial Analysis Author Axia College of University of Phoenix Starbucks Financial Analysis Starbucks Coffee originated in 1971 as a coffee and tea cafe opening in a small neighborhood of Seattle, Washington (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Starbucks continued its service for Seattle residents for a decade when the new director of retail operations and marketing, Howard Shultz, decided to make some beneficial changes to the company. After two years of employment Howard Shultz decided to expand Starbucks outside of the Seattle area. In 1987 Starbucks was entering in the coffee market and the few numbers of Starbucks were now becoming a corporation (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Fast forwarding to current times, Starbucks is now located across America and has branched out into international territory. Starbucks now ranges from selling coffees, teas, food, and coffee accessories to having its name brand coffees being sold in grocery stores. Statement of Earnings Starbucks Corporations 2009 fiscal year ended on September 28, 2009 (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). In comparison with the 2008 Statement of Earnings, Starbucks Corporation has experienced an increase in net earnings totaling $390 million in 2009 (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). This is still significantly lower than the 2007 net earnings of $672 million dropping $360 million over the course of one year. The company was however able to increase the cost of goods sold. Compared to the 2008 gross profit margin when Starbucks experienced a large increase, in 2009 Starbucks experienced a decline by 2. 25% (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). In the 2009 fiscal year the Statement of Earnings depicts a depreciation and amortization expenses decreased and operating income and operating margin decrease. The decrease in sales which Starbucks reported in 2008 is cause for the decrease in operating income and operating margin in the 2009 fiscal year. Since the 2008 fiscal year, 2009 has brought on a 4% decrease in the net profit margin for Starbucks (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Balance Sheet In the 2009 fiscal year, Starbucks Corporation states a slight decrease in ash on hand though the net receivables show an increase. A comparison of the 2008 and 2009 inventory depicts a decline in 2009 that suggests Starbucks Corporation is not making inventory purchases prior to selling the current on-hand inventory. The current economic struggles have forced Starbucks Corporation to make some adjustments in the financial strengths of the company and close some coffee shops throughout the 2009 fiscal year, appearing as a decrease to the current assets of Starbucks Corporations. The decrease in the current assets and fixed assets of Starbucks Corporation the total assets for the 2009 fiscal year have increased by $300 million (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Statement of Cash Flow The Statement of Cash Flow for the 2009 fiscal year depicts a $70 million decrease in cash flow (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Starbucks Corporation did however increase its invested cash flow by $115 million in 2009 (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). An analysis of the Statement of Cash Flow for the 2009 fiscal year of Starbucks Corporation shows that Starbucks Corporation has been attempting to reduce its current operating expenses and cash flow. Ratio Comparisons Within the coffee industry Starbucks Corporations has grown from a small shop to a leading coffee distributor, proving to have financial strength and determination to continue growth. With the weakening economy the continued success of Starbucks Corporation is being threatened by the high cost of coffee and the decreased spending of consumers. Coffee is now being purchased based on cost, not quality. The financial strengths of Starbucks Corporation is being tested against its limits with the decline in premium coffee sales while Starbucks continues to push to stay on top of competition. Compared to competition in the coffee market Starbucks is displaying a higher debt to equity ratio of 0. 15 compared to the industry at 0. 13. Starbucks Corporation and the coffee industry competition remain similar at a 1. 5 current ratio for Starbucks and a 1. current ratio for the industry (MSN Money Market, 2010). The quick ratio within the coffee industry currently sits at 1. 3 while Starbucks Corporation holds strong at a 1. 2 quick ratio (MSN Money Central, 2010). Starbucks Corporation depicts a leverage ratio in comparison to the competition showing a 1. 7 leverage ratio for both Starbucks and the industry (MSN Money Central, 2010). Starbucks Corporation is also remaining steady with a lower than industry book value to share ratio o f 4. 95 compared to 6. 33 (MSN Money Central, 2010). Industry Comparison An industry analysis can provide Starbucks with a view on the competitive advantages the company has over companies with similar products. Through the analysis, Starbucks can develop an effective strategic plan. The benefits of the industry analysis include knowing â€Å"the underlying forces at work in the industry; the overall attractiveness of the industry, and the critical factors that determine the company’s success within the industry† (Encyclopedia for Business, 2010). A United States competitor of Starbucks is Peet’s Coffee and Tea. In 2010, Peet’s reported gross revenue of $168,494, drastically lower than that of Starbucks. Starbuck’s has the advantage of more locations and a lower per store operating cost of 63. 86 compared to Peet’s at 121. 83 per store. Starbuck’s has managed to run each Starbucks location at a fraction of the cost for Peet’s Coffee and Tea. Based on this information, it is apparent that Starbucks has a competitive advantage over Peet’s Coffee and Tea and continues to be a strong competitor in the industry. In conclusion, Starbucks Corporation has managed to remain financially strong regardless of the slight impact the struggling economy has had on the corporation. Success over competition remains to be on top and the current inventions of new and unique coffee, tea, and Starbucks environments has continued to result in the success of Starbucks Coffee not seen by other competitors. The growth and strengthening of the current economic situation will allow Starbucks Corporation to expand the financial growth and strengths of the company and continue to remain at the top of the market regardless of the lower cost and quality coffee sold by the competition. Starbucks Corporation offers unique goods and services which allows the company to remain ahead of the market. References Encyclopedia for Business. (2010). Industry Analysis. Retrieved from http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/small/Inc-Mail/Industry-Analysis. html MSN Money Central. (2010). Starbucks Corporation: Key Ratios. Retrieved on November 11, 2010 from http://moneycentral. msn. com/investor/invsub/results/compare. asp? Page=FinancialConditionSymbol=SBUX Starbucks Corporation. (2010). Fiscal 2009 Annual Report. Retrieved from http://media. corporate-ir. net/media_files/irol/99/99518/SBUX_AR. pdf Yahoo Finance. (2010). Peet’s Coffee Tea, Inc. Retrieved from http://finance. yahoo. com/q/is? s=PEET+Income+Statementannual

The Role of Fluency in Comprehension Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Role of Fluency in Comprehension - Essay Example This paper, basically, examines the effects of reading fluency on comprehension. Fluency refers to the ability to read aloud automatically and expressively with understanding (Fountas & Pinnell 62). Fluency is one of the requirements for becoming an excellent reader. Excellent readers are efficient problem solvers, who utilize syntax and meaning as they quickly decode unfamiliar words efficiently. Fluency should, however, not replace the meaning as the main focus of reading (Fountas & Pinnell 64). According to Mrs. Pepper, a speech pathologist in Athens, fluency is the ability to pronounce the words without struggling. She suggests that struggling to call words affects people’s thoughts. The National Reading Panel defines fluency as the ability to read comprehension accurately, quickly, and with proper expression (Fountas & Pinnell 68). The study of fluency among school children became a significant concern, after NRP realized the children were not getting the proper fluency r equired out of them. Limited fluency makes it difficult for the children to understand what they reading. The researchers analyzed two teaching approaches since they had not settled on one. The first approach requires students to read comprehension orally with feedback and guidance (Fountas & Pinnell 65). This includes paired reading, assisted reading, repeated reading, and shared reading. The second approach encourages students to read extensively. This includes programs such as accelerated reader, drops everything and read (DEAR), sustained silent reading (SSR), or any other appropriate incentive program (Fountas & Pinnell 67). The researcher at NRP established that Guided Repeated Reading procedures are efficient enough to improve reading fluency, and general reading achievement. These procedures improve word fluency, recognition and comprehension (Fountas & Pinnell 70). However, the researchers found out that children do not improve their fluency if they are left to read on thei r own. It is also necessary recognize that these programs do not improve reading skills. Fluency is usually analyzed with respect to comprehension. After the Pre-Kindergarten level, children are expected to begin reading independently. As the complexity and volume of reading materials and expectations get wider, children who still have a problem in reading fluency usually have difficult times understanding and handling schoolwork (Fountas & Pinnell 69). Students who cannot read and understand passages lose both the academic and intellectual grounds. The NPR identifies a strong correlation between comprehension and fluency. Fluency frees reference materials to process meaning. Fluency is something that is instantly acquired, and therefore, it is long-term. Classroom activities and strategies like repeated reading can encourage students achieve fluency (Fountas & Pinnell 72). There are various strategies that tutors can use to develop, and improve fluency among their students. For ins tance, teachers and students can do repeated reading in classroom, try readers’ theater in class, and model fluent reading (Fountas & Pinnell 65). Modeling provides approaches through which the teachers demonstrate unfamiliar reading strategy or skill to the students. Teachers are experienced readers, and they do modeling whenever they participate in literacy activities. Pre-Kindergarten students learn from their teachers when they turn pages, hold books, and read from left to right. They also listen to the tonal variation and

2015 milan women ready to wear collection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

2015 milan women ready to wear collection - Essay Example Next, let’s move on to London where we chose three stores, namely Selfridge, Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Most brands they stocked are high-end. Now let us talk about some brands that we picked. The first one is Agnona, which belongs to Zegna group. The price ranges between 550 and 6000 euro. You can shop for this brand through department stores such as harrods, neimanmarcus and you also can find the clothes on the Stylight and Yoox website. Second is Andrea incontri, whose price ranges between 300 and1200 euros. This brand is not accessible everywhere, but you can find the clothes through department store and multi brand stores. It is sold in concept stores such as Dover store both in Tokyo, London and yoox and the corner, which are ecommerce. The third brand is Auilanorimondi, which sells for 150-1000 euro. You could find the brand in la rinasente, Harvey Nichols in hk. Famous multi store that has this brand is Biffi, which sells online through yoox and the corner. The last brand we focused on is blumarine, which goes for 500-10000 euro. You can find this elegant brand in high-end store like Harvey Nichols, Neiman and Saks as well as in the ecommerce, the corner and

Reflection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 14

Reflection Paper - Essay Example would ensure that all employees involved with corrupt deals are fired and employed other people who are qualified and have no history of corrupt behaviours. Corruption was not justified in Siemens Global despite the fact that bribery was legal in Germany up untill 1999. In case bribery was tolertaed within the company it could have meant that the company was not good at what they were doing and hence had to bribe the governments of other countries to do business with them. It is challenging for the Company to make a shift to refine their ethical practices when there are radical changes in the policy since they were used to corrupt ways to get contracts with other countries. However, the change in management and employees, starting a fresh with honest intentions will make the company have clear records and succeed since they will be on the right side of the law. Siemens Global has ensured a good reputation in various places around the world and it has become one of the leading companies in electrical engineering and electronics. This is because of the Business Conduct Guidelines that have provided the legal and ethical framework in which they maintain their activities successfully. The employees of Siemens Global are expected to comply with the law in all their activities,respect the rights of individuals and follow anti-corruption policies with their third parties among others. As a CEO of my company, I would ensure that the company has a code of ethics and core values that guide the employees towards achieving the goals and objectives of the Company. My Company’s code of ethics will include provisions that wll require individuals to comply with governement rules,laws and regulations, Secondly, proper use and protecting of company assets, and thirdly, accepting responsibility and reporting all manner of corruption. The corporate culture values in my company will be informed by accountability, integrity, honesty, decency and respect. I will infuse these

How do the teachings of Buddhism and Christianity match up Where are Research Paper

How do the teachings of Buddhism and Christianity match up Where are they similar and where do they differ - Research Paper Example Buddhism is geographically restricted to Asia only, while Christianity is prevalent throughout the world. This paper would discuss certain similarities and differences found between the two. Similarities and differences There are many notable aspects of Buddhism that are similar to the Catholic faith and its traditions. The Five Moral Precepts of Buddhism, for example, compare closely to the Ten Commandments which have set out law for centuries: for Jews in the time of Moses, then later for disciples of Christ, and even for Christians today. The Five Moral Precepts include the refraining of murder, thievery, sexual misconduct, lying, and the consumption of intoxicants. Similarly, the Ten Commandments call for abstention of killing, stealing, adultery, as well as dishonesty. Although the Ten Commandments consist of more than these immoral actions, these aspects of Christianity and Buddhism were designed based on similar beliefs. The main book of rules or official set of regulations fo r Christianity is the bible, which has two parts, the New Testament and the Old Testament. Christ came to this world when Siddhartha Gotama was 29. He was born into a wealthy family and realized that only wealth could not fulfill his inner being so he started studying religion. At age 80 he died in happiness knowing he had created a new religion that has influenced the world. Buddha as he was named alter in his life took all the true and pure parts of all religions and put them together into a religion that was almost perfect in his eyes. The similarities between these two religions of the world are great. Both the religions are monotheistic and affirm that after death only those people shall gain the eternal salvation of heaven that adhered to the rules or commandments in this world. Both of these religions also praise, or in Buddhism's case, respect their messiah and ask for eternal salvation from their god. Buddhism is based on the beliefs of Buddha who was raised as a rich child who didn't know what pain, sickness, age, and death were until he demanded his father to allow him to exit the palace and view the town. When he went he saw an old man and asked his father what was wrong and only then did Buddha figure out that there are bad things in our world. At the end of his visit he saw a monk with an ancient, calm look upon his face that Buddha soon would have. After this incident his father exposed him to the world in every way and Buddha started studying religion. At first he was just interested in why people needed it but the more he studied it the more attached he became to it. He and his five followers did this in an effort to receive the answer of what is the only way to receive the ability to pass to heaven. After the incident under the tree word spread and through good deeds of other individuals he obtained a temple and many followers some of which were women. At the age of 35 he became a religious leader in Northeast India and for the next 45 years he taught Buddhism. Rites and Rituals In Christian community, Baptism takes place at a young age. Most infants taking place in Baptism are only a few months old. Baptism is all about welcoming a new member to the Christian community and letting them live the way Jesus lived his life. The ceremony of Baptism takes place in 6 parts. The parents and the selected godparents of the child are asked what their intentions are. Prayers are made and a couple

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 14

Economics - Essay Example pends on government regulations and zoning authorities which may mark land as being in industrial, commercial or residential zones which may reduce the varieties in which land could be used. For example, prime property sites in the middle of a bustling city may be zoned for parks or public recreational areas and no matter how much developers want to use that land for create high rise apartments or offices, the land remains free of buildings (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). In fact, even when demand changes to seek more industrial land in or around a city or more residential sites, government policy may be slow to react to the demand which could significantly increase the price of land currently zoned to be industrial or residential. The problem of zoning or rezoning is only multiplied when we consider how existing buildings no rezoned land may create problems for developers especially if the buildings are in congested areas or have significant historical or cultural importance (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). At the same time, there is no cost of production associated with land itself. This is because the primary determinant of what value can be derived from land comes from the best use land can be put to. However, owning a piece of land in a certain area gives the landowners the power of monopoly since they are the single owners of the site. New production of land with the same specifications in the same space is impossible therefore they can charge monopoly prices if they so desire (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). The monopoly ownership makes land an appreciating asset of course things such as an oil spill near a beach can significantly decrease the value of beachfront property but there is little chance of new land being created in significant numbers. This also encourages land hoarding as speculative ownership of land may lead to profits when properly zoned land becomes scarce in a given region (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). In this manner, speculators and those who are hoarding land may be quick to offer the

How to Use Gold in Wind Turbine Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

How to Use Gold in Wind Turbine - Case Study Example This explains the re-emergence of wind power as a green and sustainable source of energy. The argument behind the re-emergence of wind powers source of energy cannot only be looked at in the context of milling rain or pumping of water as was the case in the past, but is all about the energy needs that have grown due to globalization and industrialization (Schmid and Klein 1990, p.17). Wind power is generally harnessed from wind in motion, which is transformed into energy with the help of a wind turbine. Blaabjerg and Chen (2006 p.1) note that wind turbine has been one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies. Its development began in the 1980s with just some tens of kilowatts in terms of power rating to the current megawatts. Blaabjerg and Chen argue that in the past, production of wind power did not have a lot of impact in the system of power operation and control, but today it contributes a lot in energy supply since the level of power penetration is on the rapid increa se (Paraschivoiu 2002 p.45). In the beginning, the technology used in wind turbine was generally the squirrel-cage induction generators, which were directly being connected to the grid. During this time, there were no active controls of active power reactors. The parameters used for control has become necessary due to the increase in the power range for the wind turbines. Blaabjerg and Chen note that the introduction of power electronics has led to a change in the basic characteristics of the wind turbine from a source of energy to an active source of power. In recent times, many nations are making a rash toward the use of gold in the manufacture of the wind turbines. This paper will discuss the main parts that make up a wind turbine and their functions. The paper will also discuss the choice of materials that are used in the manufacture of the major parts and where gold as a raw material is used under the current design and where it can be used. Main Parts Of A Wind Turbine And The ir Functions Ancona and Mc Veigh (2001 p.1) note that wind turbines usually come in a varying sizes and configurations, built from different materials. The wind turbine consists of four main parts; the rotor which has wing-shaped blades connected to a hub; a nacelle which holds a drivetrain consisting of a gearbox, support bearing, connecting shaft, the generator and the machinery; a tower; and the electrical equipment mounted on the ground Ancona and Mc Veigh (2001 p.3). Turbine Rotor Blade The turbine rotor is the part that coverts the alternating wind energy into a mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical energy via a generator, which is then moved to the grid with the help of a transformer and lines of transmission. Within the wind turbine there exists a blade aerodynamically designed that captures the wind power and converts it to rotating mechanical energy. Blaabjerg and Chen (2006 p.3) note that the number of blades that make the rotor may vary. The speed of rotation usually decreases with an increase in the radius of the blades. For instance, for a wind turbine of megawatt range, the speed of rotation ranges between 10-15 rpm. The blades exist in different sizes from about 34 to 55 meters. The rotor blades are made of materials such as carbon fiber, balsa wood, and fiberglass with high tensile ratio. The materials are usually modeled to form airfoils that

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 14

Economics - Essay Example pends on government regulations and zoning authorities which may mark land as being in industrial, commercial or residential zones which may reduce the varieties in which land could be used. For example, prime property sites in the middle of a bustling city may be zoned for parks or public recreational areas and no matter how much developers want to use that land for create high rise apartments or offices, the land remains free of buildings (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). In fact, even when demand changes to seek more industrial land in or around a city or more residential sites, government policy may be slow to react to the demand which could significantly increase the price of land currently zoned to be industrial or residential. The problem of zoning or rezoning is only multiplied when we consider how existing buildings no rezoned land may create problems for developers especially if the buildings are in congested areas or have significant historical or cultural importance (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). At the same time, there is no cost of production associated with land itself. This is because the primary determinant of what value can be derived from land comes from the best use land can be put to. However, owning a piece of land in a certain area gives the landowners the power of monopoly since they are the single owners of the site. New production of land with the same specifications in the same space is impossible therefore they can charge monopoly prices if they so desire (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). The monopoly ownership makes land an appreciating asset of course things such as an oil spill near a beach can significantly decrease the value of beachfront property but there is little chance of new land being created in significant numbers. This also encourages land hoarding as speculative ownership of land may lead to profits when properly zoned land becomes scarce in a given region (Cem.ac.uk, 2008). In this manner, speculators and those who are hoarding land may be quick to offer the

Discuss the ways in which Jonathon Swift Essay Example for Free

Discuss the ways in which Jonathon Swift Essay He says that men wouldnt offer to beat or kick [their wives] during their time of pregnancy for fear of a miscarriage. Orwells writing is about death, a topic that would not usually have been discussed in the conversational manner he uses. The use of hyperbole in Swifts writing adds to the sense of repulsion felt by the reader. In A Modest Proposal, he doesnt simply state that we should eat babies, but goes on and on with more gruesome ideas. He suggests recipes and even recommends flaying the carcass to make admirable gloves and summer boots, all of which is simply revolting to the reader. In Gullivers Travels he goes into explicit detail about the most disgusting of bodily functions as in Lilliput where he cannot resist putting in that his faeces was carried off in wheelbarrows. Orwell doesnt exaggerate in How The Poor Die but simply emphasises and reiterates his point on the disgraceful lack of respect shown for the lives of the poor. There are several sentences and phrases that Swift uses in a casual, flippant way that provoke repulsion the reader. For example he speaks of the twenty thousand carcasses as if they were cattle and he talks of infant-flesh in the same way that someone might talk of lamb. The idea that babies should be eaten at merry-meetings, particularly weddings and christenings is especially horrifying. In Gullivers Travels the language is never coarse and the subject matter isnt as far-fetched as in A Modest Proposal, yet it is still revolting to the reader. For example, to read of how the Yahoos would outcast their leaders favourite and then discharge their excrements upon him from head to foot. Orwell is far more subtle than Swift, choosing to stay away from the scatological and simply state what he sees. He describes a box into which scraps of food and dirty dressings from the ward were flung. This naturally repels the reader, especially as it is in a hospital. He also chooses to concentrate on the upsetting the readers feelings rather than their stomach. The horrible idea of a death not even noticed till the morning disturbs me in a different way to Swifts writing. Both Swift and Orwell disgust the reader by making them confront some of peoples worst fears. Swift deals with the gruesome concept of cannibalism, and Orwell discusses two very common fears: poverty and undignified death. One of the worst, in my opinion is the violation and lack of respect for the dead. The detail with which Swift describes his idea is chilling, the accurate calculation of figures is also disturbing. As he justifies it, it seems the idea could almost be reasonable, after all, he has taken something that is completely acceptable for us to do to animals, and replaced it with babies. If it werent for the bitter, cynical tone of his writing and the sardonic humour that comes through, the reader could believe that he actually wanted to eat children. Near the end of How The Poor Die, Orwell refers to the poor having their teeth extracted with no anaesthetic. This would strike a chord with many readers as a huge number of people will have had a tooth extracted at some point in their lives and would be able to sympathise directly with the victims. In Gullivers Travels the revolting sections seem more light-hearted in a way, than the other two pieces. I find Gulliver earnestly describing unpleasant processes a little sickening, slightly funny, but not very disturbing. I think that the disgusting sections in Gullivers Travels are less important than those in A Modest Proposal and How The Poor Die. I find it difficult to choose whose approach is more effective as the two writers are quite different. They both had social consciences: Swift was a dean and Orwell an early socialist, however I get the impression that Swift is angrier about poverty and it shows in the unbelievable nature of his writing. Orwell doesnt seem as passionate as Swift, as he doesnt use such emotive language and writes in a blunt, flat way. In conclusion, I find Swift more effective. This is probably due to the outrageous, offensive nature of what he has written in A Modest Proposal. I think that by writing in this entertaining way and amusing the reader he is more effective than Orwell.

Law and morality

Law and morality Title: The ultimate basis for adhering to the positive thesis of the conceptual differentiation of law and morals is itself a moral reason. The point is to make sure that it is always open to the theorist and the ordinary person to retain a critical moral stance in face of the law which is. (MacCormick) Discuss. EXAM MODEL ANSWER Introduction This discussion focuses on the relationship between law and morality and the conceptual differentiation of the two paradigms. It is appropriate to begin with a definition of terms. Law can be defined as a body of rules and principles of procedure and conduct established and enforced by a political authority. Morality can be defined as a code of conduct advanced by a society or religion or adopted by an individual to guide his or her own behaviour[1]. In essence, as Kant asserts in Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals[2], morality is a personal concern, whereas law is a societal concern. There is a complex nexus between law and morality, the extent and depth of which has fluctuated over time and the appropriateness of which is the subject of considerable debate. The following commentary contains an analysis of the featured quote underpinned by observations from eminent authorities in the field. Law and Morality Law can be distinguished from morality on the grounds that a legal system is comprised of specific, written principles and rules interpreted by officials who are charged with the duty of applying appropriate penalties and awarding appropriate remedies. In very broad terms, the law and morality have a common goal, being the lessening of social harm or evil. There is undoubtedly a substantial overlap between the conduct governed by law and that governed by morality and laws are inevitably often judged against a moral matrix. As, for example, the current debate concerning the age of criminal responsibility for children illustrates, moral criticism is commonly the catalyst for reform of the law and as Dworkin argues in Law’s Empire, the interpretation of the law should delve beyond the black letter of the legal framework into the realm of morality[3]. This position is comparable to that of Raz in Legal Principles and the Limits of Law[4]. It is often difficult to chart a neutral path between the substantive theories of legal positivism and legal moralism, as Koller illustrated in The Concept of Law and Its Conceptions[5]. Debate on the issues of ‘natural law’ and ‘morality’ has been plagued by vague definition and incongruous terminology. Even those positivists who might be characterised as ‘soft’ or ‘inclusive’ have conceded that there is no obligatory connection between morality and law, although they often contend that moral criteria are referenced in determining the validity of legal principles, such as constitutional rights as put forward by Waluchow in The Weak Social Thesis[6]. The famous Hart/Devlin debate of the 1950s and 60s sparked by publication of the Report of the Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution (the Wolfenden Report)[7] in 1957 concerned the proper relationship between morality and law. This debate eventually saw the arguments for the dislocation of law from private moral choices advanced by Hart win out over the conservative ideology of Lord Devlin, who was concerned to preserve the link for the ‘good’ of society. Hart put forward a theory of positive law, which has been considered in recent times by commentators such as Orts, who in Positive Law and Systemic Legitimacy: A Comment on Hart and Habermas[8], has argued for exception from the thesis of the separation of morality and law along the lines of ‘systemic legitimacy’ drawn from the work of Habermas. It is certainly true that critical legality can be employed to contrast Hart’s own conception of â€Å"critical morality† and it is submit ted that Orts is well founded in his central contention that modern positive legal systems must maintain systemic legitimacy. MacCormick’s view is manifestly correct, although it is really stating little more than the obvious. A critical moral stance must always be retained in the face of the law and while the legal system is operated by human beings this will inevitably be the case. The law will always be guided, to some extent by a moral compass and morality will continue to influence decision-making and the day-to-day administration of justice in every corner of the legal system. Cases such as Pretty v United Kingdom (2002)[9] concerning the right to die and euthanasia, R v R (1991)[10] concerning rape in marriage, Re A (Children)(2000)[11] regarding the separation of conjoined twins and R v Brown (1993)[12] dealing with consensual acts of homosexual sadomasochism, illustrate that in practice (which overrides the abstract) the relationship between law and morality is indivisible. Concluding Comments Law governs conduct within our society. Morality influences personal decisions relating to individual conduct. The conceptual differentiation of law and morals is thus, at fundamental level, difficult to identify with precision. It is true to conclude that law can be divided into two components. Law consists of a body of basic concepts (its conceptual system) and of a body of general legal principles (its substantive system). The distinction between these two components is not easy to describe, but in essence the underlying conceptual system endeavours to distil the basic framework and superstructure of the paradigm of law, whereas the overarching substantive system lays down its morally-shaded, normative constituent parts. It is submitted that in what is a highly subjective and often abstract field of theory, there are no right answers, but some that are clearly ‘better’ than others. Rational natural law theory clearly anchors the contents of law firmly in morality and equates legal principle with moral principle. Therefore, while conceptual legal dogma separates law from morality (although this need not discharge itself into positive law), natural law forges a coalescence. This commentator supports the line taken by Puchta in Cursus der Institutionen[13], in drawing a distinction between law and morals which, in turn is in accord with the Kantian distinction between legality and morality. In this sense the law delineates the outer limits to be imposed on individual freedom of choice, while morality is confined to an internal, personal choice which is influenced by a subjective sense of obligation, conduct and social duty. This suggests that the primary connection between law and morality is that the law provides individuals with the possibility to make moral choices with certain parameters. THE END EXACT WORD COUNT INCLUDING TEXT OF ANSWER ONLY : 1002 Question text, footnotes and bibliography not included. BIBLIOGRAPHY Case law as footnoted to standard citation Dworkin R, Law’s Empire (Legal Theory), (1986) Belknap Press Kant, I., Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, (1967) Barnes Noble Koller, P., The Concept of Law and Its Conceptions, (2006) Ratio Juris Vol.19 Issue 2, pp 180 -196 Orts, E., Positive Law and Systemic Legitimacy: A Comment on Hart and Habermas, (2007) Ratio Juris, Vol. 6 Issue 3, pp 245 278 Puchta, G., Cursus der Institutionen, (2002) (reprint of 1850 edition), Adamant Media Corporation Raz, Legal Principles and the Limits of Law, (1972) 81 Yale Law Journal 823 Report of the Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution 1957 (London: HMSO) Cmnd 247 Wallace, G. and Walker, A. D. M., editors, The Definition of Morality, (1970) Methuen Waluchow W., ‘The Weak Social Thesis’ (1989) 9 Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 23 Footnotes [1] See for insightful comment: Wallace, G. and Walker, A. D. M., editors, The Definition of Morality, (1970) Methuen. [2] Kant, I., Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, (1967) Barnes Noble. [3] Dworkin R, Law’s Empire (Legal Theory), (1986) Belknap Press [4] Raz, ‘Legal Principles and the Limits of Law’ (1972) 81 Yale Law Journal 823. [5] Koller, P., The Concept of Law and Its Conceptions, (2006) Ratio Juris Vol.19 Issue 2, pp 180 -196. [6] Waluchow W., ‘The Weak Social Thesis’ (1989) 9 Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 23. [7] (1957) (London: HMSO) Cmnd 247. [8] Orts, E., Positive Law and Systemic Legitimacy: A Comment on Hart and Habermas, (2007) Ratio Juris, Vol. 6 Issue 3, pp 245 278. [9] (2002) 35 EHRR 1. [10] (1991) 1 All ER 759. [11] (2000) EWCA Civ 254. [12] (1993) 2 WLR 556. [13] Puchta, G., Cursus der Institutionen, (2002) (reprint of 1850 edition), Adamant Media Corporation.