Negotiations for Managers Essay

(1 – 50 are worth 1.2 points a piece) 1. Which is not a characteristic of a negotiation or bargaining situation? A)conflict between parties B)two or more parties involved C)an established set of rules D)a voluntary process E)None of the above is a characteristic of a negotiation. 2. Which of the following is not an intangible factor in a negotiation? A)the need to look good B)final agreed price on a contract C)the desire to book more business D)fear of setting a precedent E)All of the above are intangible factors. 3. Interdependent parties’ relationships are characterized by A)interlocking goals. B)solitary decision making. C)established procedures. D)rigid structures. E)Interdependent relationships are characterized by all of the above. 4. Satisfaction with a negotiation is determined by A)the process through which an agreement is reached and the dollar value of concessions made by each party. B)the actual outcome obtained by the negotiation as compared to the initial bargaining positions of the negotiators. C)the process through which an agreement is reached and by the actual outcome obtained by the negotiation. D)the total dollar value of concessions made by each party. E)Satisfaction with a negotiation is determined by none of the above. 5. Which of the following statements about conflict is true? A)Conflict is the result of tangible factors. B)Conflict can occur when two parties are working toward the same goal and generally want the same outcome. C)Conflict only occurs when both parties want a very different settlement. D)Conflict has a minimal effect on interdependent relationships. E)All of the above statements about conflict are true. 6. Which of the following contribute to conflict’s destructive image? A)increased communication B)misperception and bias C)clarifying issues D)minimized differences; magnified similarities E)All of the above contribute to conflict’s destructive image. 7. In the Dual Concerns Model, the level of concern for the individual’s own outcomes and the level of concern for the other’s outcomes are referred to as the A)cooperativeness dimension and the competitiveness dimension. B)the assertiveness dimension and the competitiveness dimension. C)the competitiveness dimension and the aggressiveness dimension. D)the cooperativeness dimension and the assertiveness dimension. E)None of the above. 8. Negotiators pursuing the yielding strategy A)show little interest or concern in whether they attain their own outcomes, but are quite interested in whether the other party attains his or her outcomes. B)pursue their own outcome strongly and shows little concern for whether the other party obtains his or her desired outcome. C)shows little interest or concern in whether they attain their own outcomes, and does not show much concern about whether the other party obtains his or her outcomes. D)show high concern for attaining their own outcomes and high concern for whether the other attains his or her outcomes. E)Negotiators pursuing the yielding strategy demonstrate none of the above behaviors. 9. A situation in which solutions exist so that both parties are trying to find a mutually acceptable solution to a complex conflict is known as which of the following? A)mutual gains B)win-lose C)zero-sum D)win-win E)None of the above. 10. T or F The parties prefer to negotiate and search for agreement rather than to fight openly, have one side dominate and the other capitulate, permanently break off contact, or take their dispute to a higher authority to resolve it 11. T or F When the goals of two or more people are interconnected so that only one can achieve the goal—such as running a race in which there will be only one winner—this is a competitive situation, also known as a non-zero-sum or distributive situation 12. T or f Negotiators do not have to be versatile in their comfort and use of both major strategic approaches to be successful. 13. Distributive bargaining strategies A)are the most efficient negotiating strategies to use. B)are used in all interdependent relationships. C)are useful in maintaining long term relationships. D)can cause negotiators to ignore what the parties have in common. E)None of the above describes distributive bargaining strategies. 14. The objective of both parties in distributive bargaining is to obtain as much of which of the following as possible? A)bargaining range B)resistance point C)target point D)bargaining mix E)None of the above. 15. The resistance point is established by the ____________ expected from a particular outcome, which is in turn the product of the ____________ and ____________ of an outcome. A)cost, value, worth B)value, worth, cost C)value, cost and timeliness D)cost, importance, value E)None of the above. 16. The more you can convince the other that you value a particular outcome outside the other’s bargaining range, the more pressure you put on the other party to set by one of the following resistance points. A)high B)low C)modest D)extreme E)None of the above. 17. T or F The resistance point is the point at which a negotiator would like to conclude negotiations. 18. T or F Each party’s resistance point is openly stated at the conclusion of negotiations. 19. T or F The more you can do to convince the other party that his or her costs of delay or aborting negotiations will be costly, the more likely he or she will be to establish a modest resistance point. 20. T or F Studies indicate that negotiators who make low or modest opening offers get higher settlements than do those who make extreme opening offers. 21. The bargaining range is defined by A)the opening stance and the initial concession. B)the initial round of concessions. C)the bargaining mix and the opening stance. D)the opening offer and the counteroffer. E)The bargaining range is defined by all of the above. 22. Good distributive bargainers will A)begin negotiations with the other party with an opening offer close to their own resistance point. B)ensure that there is enough room in the bargaining range to make some concessions. C)accept an offer that is presented as a fait accompli. D)immediately identify the other party’s target point. E)All of the above are actions that good distributive bargainers will take. 23. What statement about concessions is false? A)Concessions are central to negotiations. B)Concessions is another word for adjustments in position. C)Concession making exposes the concession maker to some risk. D)Reciprocating concessions is a haphazard process. E)All of the above statements are true. 24. Negotiators who make threats A)are perceived as more powerful than negotiators who do not use threats. B)receive higher outcomes than negotiators who do not use threats. C)are perceived as more cooperative in distributive negotiations. D)should use detailed, complex statements of demands, conditions and consequences. E)All of the above describe negotiators who make threats. 25. Hardball tactics are designed to A)be used primarily against powerful negotiators. B)clarify the user’s adherence to a distributive bargaining approach. C)pressure targeted parties to do things they would not otherwise do. D)eliminate risk for the person using the tactic. E)Hardball tactics are designed to accomplish all of the above. 26. The negotiator’s basic strategy is to A)get information about the opposition and its positions. B)reach the final settlement as close to the other’s resistance point as possible. C)convince members of the other party to change their minds about their ability to achieve their own goals. D)promote his or her own objectives as desirable, necessary, and inevitable. E)All of the above. 27. T or F Integrative agreements have been shown to be facilitated when parties exchanged information about their positions on particular issues, but not necessarily about their priorities on those issues. 28. T or F An integrative negotiation problem should be defined as a solution process rather than as a specific goal to be attained. 29. T or F In generating alternative solutions to the problem, groups should also adopt procedures for defining the problem, defining the interests, and generating options, however, to prevent the group process from degenerating into a win-lose competition or a debating event. 30. T or F â€Å"Expanding the pie† as a method of generating alternative solutions is a complex process, as it requires much more detailed information about the other party than do other methods. 31. Which of the following processes is central to achieving almost all integrative agreements? A)moderating the free flow of information to ensure that each party’s position is accurately stated B)exchanging information about each party’s position on key issues C)emphasizing the commonalties between the parties D)searching for solutions that maximize the substantive outcome for both parties E)All of the above processes are central to achieving integrative agreements. 32. In which major step of the integrative negotiation process of identifying and defining the problem would you likely find that if the problem is complex and multifaceted the parties may not even be able to agree on a statement of the problem? A)define the problem in a way that is mutually acceptable to both sides. B)state the problem with an eye toward practicality and comprehensiveness. C)state the problem as a goal and identify the obstacles to attaining this goal. D)depersonalizing the problem. E)separate the problem definition from the search for solutions. 33. Which of the following statements about interests is true? A)There is only one type of interest in a dispute. B)Parties are always in agreement about the type of interests at stake. C)Interests are often based in more deeply rooted human needs or values. D)Interests do not change during the course of an integrative negotiation. E)All of the above statements about interests are true. 34. Successful logrolling requires A)that the parties establish more than one issue in conflict and then agree to trade off among these issues so one party achieves a highly preferred outcome on the first issue and the other person achieves a highly preferred outcome on the second issue. B)no additional information about the other party than his/her interests, and assumes that simply enlarging the resources will solve the problem. C)that one party is allowed to obtain his/her objectives and he/she then â€Å"pays off† the other party for accommodating his/her interests. D)a fundamental reformulation of the problem such that the parties are disclosing sufficient information to discover their interests and needs and then inventing options that will satisfy both parties’ needs. E)Successful logrolling requires all of the above. 35. When confronted with complex problems, or a large number of alternative options, which of the following steps is necessary? A)broaden the range of solution options B)evaluate solutions on the basis of quality, standards, and acceptability C)decide on criteria while evaluating options D)maintain a focus on the influence of tangibles in selecting options E)All of the above steps should be used when confronted with complex problems. 36. In nonspecific compensation A)resources are added in such a way that both sides can achieve their objectives. B)one party achieves his/her objectives and the other’s costs are minimized if he/she agrees to go along. C)the parties are able to invent new options that meet each sides’ needs. D)one person is allowed to obtain his/her objectives and â€Å"pay off† the other person for accommodating his interests. E)All of the above are related to nonspecific compensation. 37. Which guideline should be used in evaluating options and reaching a consensus? A)keep the range of solution options as wide as possible B)evaluate the solutions on the basis of speed and expediency C)keep detailed records throughout the discussion and evaluation process D)be alert to the influence of intangibles in selecting options E)None of the above should be used in the evaluation process. 38. Which of the following is not necessary for integrative negotiation to succeed? A)Each party should be as interested in the objectives and problems of the other as each is in his/her own—each must assume responsibility for the other’s needs and outcomes as well as for his/her own. B)The parties must be committed to a goal that benefits both of them rather than to pursuing only their own ends. C)The parties must be willing to adopt interpersonal styles that are more congenial than combative, more open and trusting than evasive and defensive, more flexible (but firm) than stubborn (but yielding). D)Needs have to be made explicit, similarities have to be identified, and differences have to be recognized and accepted. E)All of the above are essential for integrative negotiation to succeed. 39. Which of the following factors does not contribute to the development of trust between negotiators? A)We are more likely to trust someone we perceive as similar to us or as holding a positive attitude toward us. B)We often mistrust people who are dependent upon us because we are in a position to help or hurt them. C)We are more likely to trust people who initiate cooperative, trusting behavior. D)We are more likely to trust negotiators who make concessions. E)All of the above contribute to the development of trust between negotiators. 40. What are the most critical precursors for achieving negotiation objectives? A)Effective strategizing, planning and preparation B)goal setting and target planning C)defining frames and setting goals D)framing and strategizing E)none of the above 41. Which of the following is not a reason that negotiations fail? A)Allowing insufficient time for planning B)Failing to set clear objectives C)Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of their and the other party’s positions D)Depending on being quick and clever during negotiations 42. A strong interest in achieving only the relationship outcomes suggests one, if any, of the following strategies. Which one? A)competitive B)accommodation C)collaborative D)avoidance E)none of the above 43. Getting to know the other party and understanding similarities and differences represents what key step in the negotiation process: A)preparation B)information gathering C)relationship building D)information using E)None of the above 44. What is the dominant force for success in negotiation? A)a distributive vs. integrative strategy B)the planning that takes place prior to the dialogue C)the discussions that precede planning sessions D)the tactics selected in support of strategic goals E)all of the above 45. Does any of the following represent the point at which we realistically expect to achieve a settlement? A)specific target point B)resistance point C)alternative D)asking price E)none of the above 46. If the other party has a strong and viable alternative, he/she will A)be dependent on achieving a satisfactory agreement B)appear aggressive and hostile in negotiations C)set and push for high objectives D)have unlimited negotiating authority E)all of the above 47. Under which of the following questions of protocol would you find a bargaining relationship discussion about procedural issues that should occur before the major substantive ones have been raised? A)What agenda should we follow? B)Where should we negotiate? C)What is the time period of the negotiation? D)What might be done if negotiation fails? E)How will we keep track of what is agreed to? 48. T or F If what we want exceeds what the other party is capable of or willing to give, we must either change our goals or end the negotiation. 49. T or F If both substance and relationship outcomes are important, the negotiator should pursue a competitive strategy. 50. T or F Alternatives are very important in both distributive and integrative processes because they define whether the current outcome is better than any other possibility. (51 – 54 are worth 10 points a piece) 51. Name the four levels of conflict that are commonly identified. Explain how conflict is a potential consequence of interdependent relationships. 52. What characteristics of original offer, opening stance and opening concession would signal a position of firmness? Of flexibility? What are the advantages of adopting a flexible position? 53. What tactics can be used to communicate firm flexibility to an opponent? In addition, what guidelines should be used in evaluating options and reaching a consensus? 54. Research by Greenhalgh suggests there are seven key steps to an ideal negotiation process. Which of the Greenhalgh seven steps of negotiation do Asian negotiators spend a great deal of time on? Why is this so important?

Managerial Role Essay

Even though the employees are the prime workers in any organisations managers have to manage their employees and even he has to manage the external atmosphere at and around the organisation to run the organisation in an admirable path and their by achieving the predetermined goals. Here I would like to present the manager’s job in an organisation with an example of an interview and with my research work. I took an interview from a manager of software Solutions Company a small scale information technology based company in Australia. hile interviewing him we come across some of the important qualities of a manager According to him a manager should have a good academic qualifications like a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in any of the administrative fields, unless and until if a manager have a good academics he may not be able to solve academic problems in his company. He should also have good communicative skills and interactive skills, marketing ability, managing the customers and a good personality. R. W. Griffin defines manager as a person who first of all is responsible for realization of management process. In particular manager is â€Å"the person, that makes plans and decisions, organizes, supervises and controls human, finance and information resources† (Griffin 2000). I totally agree to the above statements as they said a manager should have a good academic qualification and he even should have a good personality to operate all the above mentioned functions. Unless a manager possesses them he/she can’t keep his company in a better position. He also stated that he has to interact with many people in his day to day life as his company is an IT based company deals with the problems in the technological aspects in hardware and software. He should have proper capability to face many new customers in his day to day life and to a lot his employees for the solution of the customers’ problem. He should attend the customer in his own office or at other private places in favour of customers’ flexibility. He has to take care of his employees, the resources he is utilizing, the marketing staff, more important the customers who are their bread and butter. Doing this he has to keep an eye on the technical advances in his field and on his competitors. So here I understand that managers’ job is much crucial job in any company and he has to be in up-to-date at things that are happening at and around his company. Many managers attain success by coordinating his/her employee effect, in turn obtaining success to the organisation. He states that in his list of people he has to interact in his everyday life the customers are his prime concern because they the main source of the companies’ income unless a customer satisfied with the employees work, he would not pay the amount. So in this relation I came to know that there exists a mutual benefit relationship between the customer and the company hence it is a good example for reciprocal relationship. â€Å"The needs to better understand customer behaviour and the interest of many managers to focus on those customers who can deliver long-term profits have changed how marketers view the world† (Russell S. Winer). The author says that consumers can change the performance of a market and the running style of an organisation hence a good manager should always keep his eye on such type of consumers. Next comes his employees, a good manager should maintain a good interaction with his employees. According to him â€Å"a good manager should look after their employees and he should be their well-wisher†. He says that a good interaction between a manager and his employees builds up a positive energy in the workplace results in better performance of the employee leading to success of the employee as well as the company. He even said that he will help his employees in various ways like allotting them regular and flexible working hours, monitoring their work, giving feedback whenever necessary and solving their issues regarding their work and in their lives. This shows there exists a reciprocal relationship with in them. He said that he has only 4 regular employees working currently with him and hires others whenever necessary. According to Katuria. M in his article named â€Å"three ways to built successful employee manager relationship† he stated that â€Å"the only relationship more important to an organisation than the ustomer-company relationship is the manager- employee relationship and according to the exit interview the no. 1 reason people leave their job is because of their improper relationship with the manager†. Going through all the above conversation I totally agree to both of them and I strictly believe in good manager- employee relationship which aids in success of the com pany and its employees. â€Å"An organisation grows and evolves new positions are added, senior managers have to find a way to tie all these departments together. Coordination refers to the quality of collaboration across the departments. It is required whether there is a functional, divisional or term structure†. (Draft 2012) this statement explains the most responsible duty of a manager in a growing company. It tells us that in a rapidly growing company the managers play a important role that is he has to do division and interlinking the departments there by forming more and more stronger work unit which helps them in solving more complex problems. When dealing with the suppliers he gave me the information that he is connected to many suppliers in his place and even in the Melbourne. As the company is based on the problems and solutions coming in the information technology, they have to be provided with plenty of resources. They need various types of computer spare parts, softwares and many advanced features which were been provided to them by many suppling companies. Even they dealings with vast companies like Harvey Norman etc. He explained me the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining such large groups of suppliers. Ha stated that trust is the main factor that works between suppliers and the company administrator. Many transactions run based on the trust philosophy only. Unless they trust a supplier and use their products they can’t run the company in some situations. I support this statement that trust is the main part of the business. I can state that trust should exist not only between a supplier and the management but also at all the levels in the business sector that is it should be in between the consumer-organisation-supplier. â€Å"Supplier Relationship Management is an all-inclusive approach to managing the affairs and interactions with the organizations that supply your company with goods and services. This includes communications, business practices, negotiations, methodologies and software that are used to establish and maintain a relationship with a supplier. Benefits include lower costs, higher quality, better forecasting and less tension between the two entities that result in a win-win relationship† (Bucki. j). The author explains us that for any company the supplier management relation should be in such a way that there is a benefit from both the sides and the tools were developed to reduce the work related problems between the supplier and the managers in the company who look after all these raw materials. I totally believe with the above discussions because unless there is an adequate amount of raw materials for a company they cannot reach the level of customer satisfaction which is their main goal and the supplier also has to be loyal to the company and supply the raw materials in time there by maintaining a mutual benefit relationship between them. The next I am going to discuss the other important environmental factor the labour market. In this case as the manager already stated that he hires the employees whenever he needs, in explanation to this he gave me the information that when his regular staff are not sufficient to complete a task which was assigned to them he hires some of the software professionals from the employment centres for a shorter period of time and assigns them to work with his regular employees. Without strategic planning it is unlikely that any organisation will be able to meet successfully numerous challenges that face them† (Bryson. j. m). This shows that planning and organisation is the main crucial duties of a manager. Manager has to plan the project prior to its start and distribute the work to his employees accordingly. If a manager fails to perform this step in his level he/she may not be able to reach the target level and fails in leading the organisation and its staff. Finally for an organisation to run in the way of profits and to sustain in this present competitive word the manager has to look after many types of environmental factors some of them which are prime concerned are discussed above the other factors which influence the organisation are Technology, Natural, Sociocultural, Economic, Legal, Political, International (all of these come under external environment) and Culture management. (Draft, R. L) in my opinion manager should have the capability in controlling all these environmental factors. This company having limited employees and being a small scale company the external environmental factors may not have such a great influence. Among them only the technology has a powerful impact because it is purely a software solution company so the employees and the manager should beware of the changing trends in the technology and should be in up to date daily. Recommendations: Keeping in mind the whole interview and with my research I would like to recommend some changes this organisation should implement for better progress they are 1. Increase the employee work ratio. 2. Use of the labour market for hiring the employees should be stopped because the information in the company regarding the projects and codes should be within the company. 3. Instead of hiring the employees from the outside try to increase the regular employees which helping him in planning the work and confidentiality 4. Being a software company I think he should organise some conferences such that his employee will get more latest technical skills 5. As the work hours were longer during the day he has to create work life balance to his employees and for him he. 6. Customer satisfaction should be increased to transform this to a large scale company. Conclusion: Finally I conclude that the environmental factors influence on any organisation is very much crucial and the managerial staff any company should keep an eye on it in order to run the organisation in an admirable way. Various people who are in close relation to the organisation should work together for the mutual benefit of the organisation as well as them.

A Stranger Looking in my House Would Probably Think...

A stranger looking in my house would probably think my life is society’s definition of normalcy: a father, a mother, a daughter, and a son, all living in one house. We eat from the same refrigerator, use the same den to watch television, and swim in the same pool. One big happy family, right? Wrong! Behind closed doors, chaos emerges. Unless you were my friend, or a resident of my town, you probably wouldn’t realize that my parents are in the midst of a hectic and painful process: signing divorce papers. My father resides in a guest room downstairs. My parents take turns with days they choose to look after my brother and me. After all, being in the same room together is not always the most pleasant experience. One could even say that what split my parents apart is the fact that they are complete opposites. Although 50% of marriages end in divorce, in my small town, divorce isn’t that common an occurrence. My mom, being the social butterfly that she is, has made it known, publicly, that she and my father have become separated. One might assume that I might be bothered by this part of my life being out in the open; surprisingly, I’m really not. The truth is, I was never â€Å"Daddy’s Little Girl,† making divorce a not-so-hard pill to swallow. Having been brought up in Russia, my father has a completely different mindset from my mom, as well as me. He is shy, stubborn, and maintains completely opposing political views. These days, my dad and I could go on for hours arguing about President Bush’s actions, and it would be considered normal. If you went back a year or two, the situation with my father would be extremely different. I was always somewhat fearful of him; I would never challenge his opinions, and if he and my mom fought, I would sit in silence. The man who was supposed to be the most positive influence on my life made me think that men were pigs, a nd were allowed to treat women like dirt. Ever since my parents began their split, almost a year ago, I have continued to learn that women should not only be treated with respect, but should demand respect as well as demand to have their own opinions heard. My father’s opinion is not the only one which matters in the divorce court, and he has no right to expect more respect than my mom. Yes, I sound harsh, but I, like my mother, deserve and demand respect. Today, when in a situation with my father, I am able to voice my opinion, because it matters. Sometimes, I actually want to thank him thank him for making me a wiser person, and for making me appreciate my own opinion.

Leisure and Pleasure Source Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Leisure and Pleasure Source Analysis - Essay Example The main difference may be in the level of advancement of the medium; newspaper. In this discourse, an analysis of a sample newspaper excerpt published in 1971 is performed to illustrate some of the differences and similarities. Newspaper adverts in London in 1741 must have been a very important medium for channelling particularly commercial information to the customers. There was a strict control that the authorities in London used to prevent spread of dangerous information. One of the control measures, as seen on the left top corner, is the demand that legal endorsement of a circulating newspaper in form of an official stamp must have authenticated its publication and circulation (Hundt 2000, p332). According to the author, illegal newspapers production had to cleverly look for alternative distribution channels. A major way that assisted their penetration of the market was through backstreet sales through the help of hawkers. One characteristic of these illegal newspapers was an attractive and catchy design and presentation that included graphics and illustrations. Advancements to these market penetration wars attracted use of more catchy images and pictures on advertisements in order to keep in touch wit h the competition. It follows that there was an important group of people whose leisure activities must have been met thereby opening an opportunity for newspaper publishing to thrive. The first advert on Hay Market is particularly short and to the point, which illustrates the observation of strict regulation. In the advert, the title and emphasis words are on different font that creates the stress impact which catches the eye of the reader. The second advert on Drury-lane and Le Genereux Corsaire likewise avoid the use of bulk wording but captures the intended emphasis through case variation on various words. Short forms such as call’d, arriv’d, ‘tis and bop’d are applied in the adverts to

Protecting Homeland Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Protecting Homeland Security - Essay Example Following the events of Sept. 11, the U.S. government has had a keen awareness of the risks posed by international terrorist groups, but it is divided over whether the military should be restructured in order to better respond to those threats. One major element of that dilemma has been the funding. With the Pentagon already engaged in expensive, armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, two countries invaded by U.S.-led forces as part of the war on terrorism, many wonder whether the U.S. can afford to implement major reforms in its military ranks. Since there is no clear answer to that question, efforts to institute far-reaching structural and policy changes in the U.S. military have divided many within Congress, the Pentagon and the defense industry, which produces the equipment and weapons used by the U.S. military. Supporters of military transformation include Bush, many prominent members of his administration, high-ranking officials in the Pentagon, members of Congress and a number of firms within the defense industry. They collectively argue that, due to the war on terrorism, conditions are right for reforming the military for the 21st century.

Role Technology Has Played in Electronic and Digital Media Essay

Role Technology Has Played in Electronic and Digital Media - Essay Example In the past news was limited to a few persons obtaining print. It was later improved to electronic information by way of radio. Information that was very important and that would impact peoples lives reached them very slowly. In the current scenario things are different. There are many ways in which news can be had. It is available in print, on the radio, on television and on the internet and events are shown and reported as they happen (live). In addition, to its informational, reporting and critiquing role, one of the main roles of media is agenda setting. According to McCoombs and Shaw (1972), the media’s choice of how an article is displayed and what to write about play an important role in shaping economic, political and social reality. In this way viewers, listeners the readers will not only learn about a particular issue but also the level of importance that the media attaches to it. This means that the media presents information in such a way that it can shape the opin ions and attitudes of the society. By doing so the media dictates what is believed and what is not. Advances in technology The media has moved away from the use of chemical technology in photography to the use of digital technology. In the past the custom was black and white until color became widespread in the latter part of the 20th century. The chemical process involved the use of chemicals in a dark room. According to Warren (2001), the pictures produced by this method were not as sharp as those produced digitally. Additionally, those produced digitally could be copied over and over and the quality would remain intact. This was not so for the ones produced chemically. Mass media used this technology to produce attractive magazines and newspaper articles and to produce attractive advertisements for businesses. This helped them to increase their role as a key player in success of businesses. Media has used digitally technology to improve the images on television and in the print m edia. Technological advances have resulted in the digitization of news print which is now described as online media. Newspapers such as New York Times (NYT) and Washington Post (WP) have increased their readership because of this fact. Additionally, they have now included videos in some of their news items. This was not and is still not possible with print media. Both NYT and WP have also been able to earn additional revenue by having advertisements on their site. More hits bring more advertisements and so the headlines and articles have to be attractive. McCoombs and Shaw (1972), indicates that there are three ways in the media seeks to set its agenda – attention, prominence and valence. The technology that is currently been used allows news item to gain attention and prominence with the use of sharp pictures and pull outs. On the television and on the internet media provide catchy advertisements with music and visual effects as seen on the internet and on television. Televi sion also provides viewers with soap operas and movies that have changed the way they view the world. The internet has provided information at one’s fingertips for personal information and for serious research. Conclusion The media has played a fundamental role in how the world is seen today. People are more

Business Level Cooperative Strategy Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business Level Cooperative Strategy - Term Paper Example According to the study findings  strategic alliances can be defined as co-operative agreement and arrangements between the two or more partners, and hence, the co-operative relationship management is one of the prime requirements in strategic alliances.   The strategies aim to meet this requirement are known as the business level co-operative strategies. Co-operation is one of the basic attributes of the strategic alliances and the partners must have a clear understanding of this attribute for framing a set of business level co-operative strategy. Kwok and Hampson have identified the very specific parameters to measure and frame the co-operative strategies in case of strategic alliances. Firstly, the level of co-operation should be out of any kind of mutual desire or need. Secondly, a partner must co-operate for sharing risk. Thirdly, partners’ co-operation should determine a strong foundation for business growth. Finally, the co-operation must aim to minimize â€Å"the l ikelihood of opportunistic behavior†.This paper highlights that  the need for greater consolidation within the highly capital intensive aerospace and defense industry segment has paved the way for greater alliance and collaboration among various organizations for an effective supply chain management.  The need to develop high-end research has also promulgated the need to have greater strategic alliances with international partners.  For example, the NATO partners are actively trying to enter into greater collaborations and strategic alliances with the US and European companies in a bid to improve upon the efficiency of the companies.

Evaluation assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Evaluation - Assignment Example 21 REFERENCES 23 APPENDIX 25 QUESTIONNAIRE 25 2.What is the level of ease of navigation in the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/? 25 8.Is it easy to get information from the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/? 27 11.Is the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/ attractive? 27 EVALUATION ASSIGNMENT INTRODUCTION The analysis of usability of a website is of the greatest importance for the organization running. Nowadays, most of the business is conducted by websites across the world. So, the website plays a vital part in understanding the value offering of the organization. The website would be considered as a good, generally based on two factors. They are the degree of usability and the level of visual appeal. There are a host of factors that affect the usability of the website ranging from the information about the architecture, the navigation facilities, the jargon, the kind of terminology being used in the design, the designing aspect of the forms of a user and the layout of the page. However, t he usability may differ from time to time based on the needs of the business. The first part of the writing presentenced the need for a user centred approach in detail. The CBA (Cost Benefit Analysis) was done for the website, and the incorporation of an approach based on the user would present larger revenues for the company. So, this research is dedicated towards the steps for integration of a user based approach in the development of the website of http://www.cksp.com.hk/, after winning the contract. The paper would be divided into a number of sections. The first part of the sections would be used for the specification of the usability goals. This would serve as the benchmark for evaluation of the website. These are the parameters, which would guide the eventual design of the website, by serving as the template. The next part of the paper would focus on the usability criteria by the application of questionnaires. The obtained data would help in the analysis by using the human fac tors which are of significance. The last part of the paper would build a prototype for this application, which would take all the factors into consideration. The last part would present the recommendations for the website and the overall changes that have to be incorporated into the design for an increased interaction with the user. ANALYSIS OF http://www.cksp.com.hk/ USER ANALYSIS AND THE PROFILING For the presentation of a complete kind of the usability in the logical manner, there is a need for the conduct of certain kinds of tests. These tests are necessary, because they play a part in the attainment of the usability

Alternative Approaches to Executive Compensation Essay

Alternative Approaches to Executive Compensation - Essay Example †¢ ïÆ'Ëœ Limitations of Optimal Contracting ïÆ'Ëœ Agency problem experienced by managers ïÆ'Ëœ CEO can influence the nomination process for the board directors ïÆ'Ëœ The directors may never challenge the CEO’s pay, as they may want to please the CEO. ïÆ'Ëœ Market forces are not strong enough to assure optimal contracting outcomes ïÆ'Ëœ Failure of maximizing the shareholder value ïÆ'Ëœ Directors’ interest in the firm is nominal and therefore may not be serious with the company management. ïÆ'Ëœ Some agreements of the directors may be affected by market forces especially those affecting capital. †¢ Managerial power approach ïÆ'Ëœ The Managerial power approach gives managers an opportunity to camouflage especially when extracting rent, ïÆ'Ëœ The approach may lead to the use of structures unfavorable to the firm performance and managerial incentives. ïÆ'Ëœ The compensation arrangement design depends on the perception of the outsiders ïÆ'Ëœ The manager ial power approach may influence the relationship between power and pay without considering performance ïÆ'Ëœ The CEO’s compensation may be influenced by transparency and salience disclosure. †¢ Power and Camouflage at Work Practices explained by power camouflage include ïÆ'Ëœ Power Pay Relationship ï‚ § Pay is higher in if managers have higher power ï‚ § The board is ineffective ï‚ § There is a small outside shareholder ï‚ § Fewer institutional shareholders ï‚ § Managers are protected by antitakeover arrangements ï‚ § Managers with antitakeover policy compensate themselves more ïÆ'Ëœ Compensation consultants ï‚ § Employed to provide advice on executive compensation ï‚ § May increase their incentive to please the CEO ï‚ § Used to justify executive pay instead of optimizing it ï‚ § Provides compensation data, which favors the CEO ïÆ'Ëœ Stealth Compensation ï‚ § This is where a firm may use camouflaging practices to enable them to pay the executives large sums of money. ï‚ § Payments include deferred compensation ï‚ § Loan forgiveness and consultation contracts ï‚ § Use of executive loans with favorable interest rates

Academic writting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Academic writting - Essay Example The challenge is that not everyone might know if they had experienced it. Anxiety can be described as a disorder that causes uneasiness, nervousness, worry and fear. It affects the way an individual feels and behaves towards everyday situation (DiMatteo et al. 2000). Learners often experience anxiety when confronted by a test or examination. Although anxiety is considered as normal, it can also be considered to be a problem when it brings symptoms such as lack of sleep or lack of ability to function normally. Anxiety occurs when a reaction to a situation becomes out of proportion or becomes overbearing for one to think or act normally. As a matter of fact, there are different types of anxiety. These include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder anxiety and Social Anxiety Disorder. To begin with, generalized anxiety is a chronic disorder that is excessive, long lasting and tends to affect how the sufferer responds to life events on a daily basis. It causes an individual to worry about nonspecific everyday life situations. A sufferer suffering from this type of disorder would often worry about things that are related to health, money, family and work. The sufferer also finds it difficult in making decisions. The sufferer may not know how to identify the actual fear or know how to deal or control their worry about a nonspecific situation, therefore believing that they will fail in that given situation. It may be possible that the learner may have spent limited study time in the preparation for a test or examination due to work commitments or family responsibilities, this in turn will affect the mindset of the individual making them to believe that they are likely going to perform badly on the test or examination. Also, their mind and body turns a normal emotion as worry that usually motivates one to accomplish a task to a feeling of helplessness that does not allow the learner to get motivated about the exam instead creating panic. As adults, we

The Mind Is the Best Medicine Essay Example for Free

The Mind Is the Best Medicine Essay The mind is the most powerful tool a man can use. The body is nothing without the mind. It gives us power to have a wild imagination and have infinite ideas. If the mind has delightful ideas, your body will survive and prosper. If the mind has immoral ideas, your body will stress and decay over time. Although the mind is very powerful, it is up to the person to control it. In As A Man Thinketh, James Allen elaborates on how the body is the servant to the mind. He also states how good thoughts are key to achieving a healthy body. Man can achieve prodigious health in the mind, and body, by simply having pure thoughts. Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body (Allen12). Thoughts are the foundation of the body (Chu). Our body works off of what we think and feel everyday. If you have negative thoughts, your body will be very ill. A healthy body shall not have immortal thoughts. A healthy body has positive thoughts that pass through the body. The people who live in fear for disease will usually get it. This is because of the negative thoughts running through the body affects your health. Anxiety will completely demoralize the body (Cramer), which will give disease a great chance to attack. While impure thoughts will shut down the nervous system. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. The body is a delicate and plastic instrument, which responds readily to the thoughts by which it is impressed, and habits of thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it (Allen 12). Pure thoughts will clean the body of anxiety. Whenever thoughts are pure, it detoxes the body of all the negativity. The results of pure thinking will only shed good results. When the mind is pure, the body is healthy. Men will continue to have impure blood as long as they propagate unclean thoughts. Negative thoughts only harm the body, which will cause harm in the future. Change of diet will not help a man who won’t changes his thoughts (Allen). Although diet is important to stay healthy, thought is much stronger than food. A man who eats ruthless will also have impure thoughts. Men who can’t control what they eat, usually have trouble controlling their mind. If you can’t control your stomach, you certainly wont be able to control your thoughts. Temptation is very strong, but you mind is even stronger. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he has no longer desire for impure food. If you would perfect your body, guard your mind. If you would renew your body, beautify your mind. Thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency, rob the body of its health and grace. A sour face does not come by chance; it is made by sour thoughts (Allen12). Having a thick face is also important for a healthy body and mind. You shouldn’t let others get in your way of pure thoughts. Envy is the cause of impure thoughts. You shouldn’t envy a person, bur rather succeed and surpass the person. Disappointment also causes impure thoughts to the body. You shouldn’t be disappointed but rather appreciative of what you have. All of these thoughts can be controlled by the mind. Having these feelings will cause depression, which means you can’t control your thoughts. Impure thoughts will slowly harm the body causing major damage to the mind. There is no physician like cheerful thought for dissipating the ills of the body; there is no comforter to compare with goodwill for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow. To live continually in thoughts of ill-will, cynicism, suspicion, and envy, is to be confined in a self-made prison-hole. But to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, and to patiently learn to find the good in all such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven; and to dwell day by day in thoughts of peace toward every creature will bring abounding peace to their possessor (Allen 12). You don’t need a doctor to tell you how to use your mind. You should be your own doctor, because you are the one controlling your thoughts. Positive thoughts will keep you away from the doctor. If you have corrupted thoughts, you are just digging a whole for yourself (Cramer). If you have constant impure thoughts, the body will be under major stress. When the stress builds up so does all the impure thoughts. The body does not function efficiently with these impure ideas. Causing harm to the mind and body, one shall get rid of impure thoughts. They who have no central purpose in their life fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying, all of which lead, just as surely as deliberately planned sins (though by a different route), to failure, unhappiness, and loss, for weakness cannot persist in a power-evolving universe (Allen 14). People who don’t know what to do in life will have impure thoughts. One who thinks of small problems will have major anxiety causing harm to the body. If you can’t control your thoughts, little things will tend to bother you. Even though these problems are not major, it can lead you to bigger problems. These impure thoughts ill only lead you to failure. Having small problems on your mind will only cause you to think of more problems that you already have. When all the impure thoughts build up, it will be very difficult to have any pure thoughts in your mind. A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should mak e this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings (Allen 14). You are the one controlling yours thoughts. Another person should not be the creator of yours thoughts. You should think deeply of your thoughts and not let them go to waste. The mind is very powerful and the thoughts are its artwork. You should take your time in making a great piece of artwork. If your thoughts are impure, the art will come out with dark colors. If your thoughts are pure, your art will come out with extravagant colors. You should have a legitimate purpose for your ideas. Once a great thought has come to you, you should set forth and try to accomplish it. Thoughts are just in your head if you don’t do anything about it. The important part is accomplishing your pure thoughts. With great accomplishments comes a great thought. A man can only rise, conquer, and achieve greatness by uplifting his thoughts. Thinking positive is very important because it gives you a sense of direction. If a person has negative thoughts, they usually wont come up with many pure thoughts. Negative thinking can harm the body and mind to look at the downside of things. Positive thinking on the other hand, is essential to pure ideas. A positive thinker has a pathway to pure ideas. You cannot achieve a lot of things with negative thinking. Men will remain weak, and abject, and miserable by refusing to lift up his thoughts. The body is nothing without the mind. Our mind is the creator of our thoughts. Whether our thoughts are pure or impure; our body does not function properly without our mind. To sustain a healthy lifestyle, one should have pure thoughts. Your body is not healthy if your thoughts are not pure. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. The body is a delicate and plastic instrument, which responds readily to the thoughts by which it is impressed, and habits of thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it (Allen 12). Impure ideas will only cause harm to the body. Impure thoughts lead the body to undergo stress, which leads to disease. One should not worry so much because harm will come to the ones who worry most. Anxiety will only cause harm, and ruin your positive thoughts. Having pure ideas is important to staying healthy. Man can achieve prodigious health in the mind, and body, by simply having pure thoughts. Works Cited Allen, James. As A Man Thinketh. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper Press, 1970. Chu, Chin-Ning. Thick Face Black Heart. NY,NY: Warner Books , 1994. Cramer, Michael. Power moments: positive motivation and powerful inspiration. Brentwood, TN: JM Press, 2002. Deci, Edward L. Why we do what we do: the dynamics of personal autonomy. New York: Putnams Sons, 1995.

Relation Between Social and Economic Development

Relation Between Social and Economic Development Introduction Social scientists for the financial management has been the major crucial aspect to achieve goal of both social and economic development. Some of the debates regarding the role of social worker/scientists and international aid supporting organization are core for this assignment. Individual’s basic needs required to fulfilled and institutional set up are complementary to each other. Hence, in order to gain the both development paradigm from one stone, the various strategies to be used. The important cycle for the achievement of organization’s goals have neen illustrated in the assignment. Social Development and Foreign Policy Social Development and economic development has been complementary and interrelated to each other. Social development implies that institutions must put people at the center of development activities. it means a commitment that development processes need to benefit people, particularly but not only the poor, but also a recognition that people, and the way they interact in groups and society, and the norms that facilitates such interaction, shape development processes. Social structures has been constructed in such way in which all people interact with and get influenced by each other. Hence, there needs to be such agencies which will look for social development as well wellbeing of individual. This must be achieved other developmental activities such as economic development and financial management. The financial management is all about efficient and effective management of money so as to achieve the goal or objective of the agency. Therefore, we require to have balance growth of bot h the sector so as to develop both sector effectively. There have been many studies which suggests that there are temporary imbalances in both sector. It is difficult to defend this on purely moral grounds, may be necessary in order to provide man-power where it can make the maximum contribution and create new resources for a comprehensive development of the entire country as well as the wellbeing of individual. They can be defended on the ground that they will advance social development rather than retarding it. There have been other studies which are indicating and suggesting that there are some negative attitudes from the government bodies and they are not responsive to the needs of enlightened foreign policy, for the simple reason that they will say, they are not responsive to the aspirations and interest of people where we are seeking friendship and cooperation for the betterment of the social and economic resource management. There are some strens and stresses while working on imbalanced sectors. For the instance, population exploration has been the major cause to the distribution of resources and management of the agency. Hence we see people with bare subsistence levels in developing and under-developed countries. As far as food production is concerned, world’s production of food has in recent years exceeded the growth of population. However, there has been increasingly slowdown in food production. Every year the gap between demand and supply has been increasing. This is seen where countries economy is less developed or under-developed. The results of this of situation have visible in those counties in which malnutrition rates are high and threats are prevailing for human life. Now, it is essential for all of us to understand that Economic approach be made meaningful by the recognition that the purpose of all economic development is the wellbeing of the individual, the satisfaction of his wants, his his/her growth inn dignity and freedom. In, almost every, policy the word masses have gained effective attention in all the counties. The study done in â€Å"social development and financial development† tell us that the word â€Å"the masses† is nothing but the denial of dignity of the individual and his ability to develop according to his/her gifts and aspirations. Hence, this word is not only meant for those who are poor absolutely but for relatively poor as well. Therefore, it must be made clear that it is not the development of the poor section but for all the sections of the society. The social development aspect cannot achieved only through the fund allocations to many social policies but need an hour is to manage the human resources as well as management of money. Economic development cannot be gained without the balanced growth of social development. Therefore, methods used in economic and social development cannot be divorced from the overriding social objective without destroying the objective itself. Planning – The social approach and economic approach to free world needs attention on careful planning. There are some developed countries which require such approach while aiding developing as well as under-developed countries. Over all development has to be planned to distribute scarce resources and to give purpose as well as perceptions to economic and social development. There are some less privileged countries with vast human resource and they must be encouraged to stress human investment. The human development in the development process and the importance of human qualities which motivates economic growth and efficiency. In order to adopt such processes developed counties must help other countries to motivate and make self-sufficient. In most of the planning processes, people are not involved effectively. To adapt such changes in processes we need to give some sort of share to the people in whole process. This will result in to self-initiative, self-realization and the will to improvement to the fore, and to achieve voluntary commitment in the less developed counties could be achieved. This has been strongly believed that we should not use totalitarian approach to planning in achieving social as well as economic development. This approach tries to minimize or even eliminate the human factor from the planning process. â€Å"The recognitions of individual advance and social development as the ultimate objective of all economic development, has direct bearing on the establishment of concrete development plans which, while flexible and always open to needed adjustments, can give direction and perspective to national development efforts.† This is why, it is needed to understand that the social programs and economic programs are interrelated. For the better implementation and policy framework for the balanced growth between social and economic management, there have been various commits, rounds and discourses among developed nations. Among them, Economic commission for Asia underlined the fact that â€Å"balanced economic and social development aimed at a better understanding of the relative importance of economic and social programs in the overall development of less developed counties, their relationships and complementarity, the allocation of scarce resource for social as contrasted with economic purposes and the coordination of programs to achieve maximum results in both fields.† With the various experiences that under-developed countries and less privileged counties are facing, the conclusion are made like there is growing agreement on that priority should be given to economic aspects but with early social impact and to social programme designed to advance economic growth. Similarly, social programs require to be developed which will again have vice-versa effect on economic development. These programs includes education, health, the development of improved labor relations and organization and the establishment of minimum wages whatever possible. The application of such programs will have positive impact on economic development. Once people benefit out of this they will contribute to the economic development. It could be through investing their intellectual capacities, physical work, individual resources etc. for the instance that in terms of less span of planning, limited resources have to be concentrated, deliberately on primary education for the part of children of school age. These children are the future resources to the country as to preserve resources for secondary and higher education. Within this if we take one element of this, those children would be undertaking vocation and technical types of courses to meet pressing requirement for the train ed personnel. This way social development and financial/economic management work. As the demand for more production is growing, along the line population is also exploding. Planner need to convey and plan in such manner in which all people would be considered major actors in economic development. The number of teachers or social worker who are serving for the western countries have contributed or expanded the programme Technical Assistance on very low rate. This factor gathers the attentions of all developing nations. The more contradictory factor is that social worker and social scientists play very minor role in the policy making bodies of the less developed counties or among those who are responsible for international aid programs. There is no problem with foreign aid programs or the relations with the countries but the methodology, which we adopt require more advanced forms of specialist training and much emphasis has to be given on degrees and professions standards. â€Å"This preoccupation and emphasis is undoubtedly important, but unless it is balanced by training in the broad issues of economic and social development which confront two thirds of the people of the world, it tends to isolate the social work expert from the broad stream of historical change. It may even result in a form of parochialism which may prevent the great social work profession in such a country as the United States from making the contribution it should to social development throughout the world.† Meeting Basic Human Needs Several question has been asked to the kind of approach is used to social development approach Wealth has not been trickled down and the poor have become poorer. In the reality, developed countries support the aid system for developing countries. This interdependence is affecting fuel, food, materials and jobs. This realities has forced developed countries to reconsider their own growth and developmental directions. The development is conceptualized in such way which indicates that it is the complex process of enlarging human potentials via social, cultural and political change as well as economic. It is not restricted to the so called developing countries but involves all nations. Therefore, â€Å"development is interdependent; but self-reliance and self-determination are essential conditions within the sustaining framework of international cooperation. Development is to meet the needs of people. The central purpose of economic and social development is to meet human needs. The sat isfaction of human needs is indeed the whole purpose of growth, trade and investment, development assistance, the world food system, population, policy, energy planning, commodity stabilization, ocean management, monetary reform and of arms control. The developing countries are now forced to extend its conventional approach of governmental groups to include new sets of actors and participants in the development dialogue. They are loosely organized in a variety of people and their networks at non-governmental, associational, regional and national levels. Needs and their satisfactions are socially and culturally conditioned and exhibit different con-figurations in different societies, cultures, and regions. Therefore the definition of adequacy may vary but there can be rough agreement on levels below which individual physical, social, and cultural growth is attenuated. There have been agreed floor through which public policies have been formulated. There is consensus among policy makers on the standards of living. But we need to consider the difference in the standards according to the context and situation. This is why some people are responsive well and some are not. Some people are getting benefit of policies whereas others not. The problems of absolute poverty, of those more or less close to the survival margins in the satisfaction of basic needs, are chiefly found in the developing countries where there are very large numbers of people at and below subsistence level. One can say that there are enough resources at the global level to meet the basic needs of all people but due to obstacles of institutional, political and economic arrangements, the resources have not been getting distributed across the world. A more equitable redistribution of world economic advantage within the international economic order is a necessary for more balanced development, specifically to meet the challenge of the needs of the worlds poorest billion. The interdependence and interaction of needs requires an equivalent integration of the approaches and means used to meet them. International Support system to Basic Human needs Many Third World observers wish to define their own needs and not be mere consumers of Western civilization; accordingly, they reject needs models fashioned by First World experts. In many non-modern societies, the organizing principle around which its economic activities revolve is the maintenance of harmony with nature, allied to social cohesion around kinship rules for the use of property and the sharing of goods. The organizing principle of centralized socialist states is a politically determined plan, and any use of auxiliary controls price stimuli or managerial emulationis subordinated to fulfilling the planned targets. Problems arise because centralized plans do not Role of Social Scientist – Governments at State and Federal levels have created several permanent corporations, commissions, councils, boards, bureaus, agencies, and authorities whether it is about education, health, industrial public enterprises, infrastructural development, financial architecture or welfare schemes where social science experts are playing theirrespective roles. But more importantly, for example, agriculture experts, say in farmers’ commission, are developing and using their social understanding besides their scientific knowledge. The governments keep setting up ad hoc commissions and committees like finance commission, education commission, knowledge commission and pay commission and taxation reforms committees for seeking expert opinion before taking a decision to have impact of permanent nature and experts include social scientists and scientists having social science understanding. In case there exists a policy for setting up an industrial unit in the public sector in a backward re gion with a view to promoting balanced regional development, which maybe an important element of the economic policy, expert opinion is needed to decide its form as a departmental enterprise, a corporation or a company, whether to have partnership with a private company and if so, sharing capital, costs, revenues and risks. Within each economic organization, especially if related with promotional activities, social scientists, especially those having knowledge of economics are needed whether it is related with trade, production or distribution. Whether to borrow capital and where from is an issue better delineated by financial experts. It is another issue that in recent past engineers have specialized in the area of finance. Likewise they may advise on insurance matters etc. Banks, non-banking financial institutions such as mutual funds and insurance companies employ economists to carry out research on sector specific aspects as well as on macroeconomic aspects of the economy in order to help them inbetter decision-making. When a project has to be undertaken say of building a dam one may ask whether a road can be built over it and whether a rail bridge can be built on top of the road, whetherthe dam should be used for irrigation purposes or should it generate power as well. Catchments and command areas, submergence of villages, land, forests, flora and fauna have all to be studied and, in addition, whether it is worth relocating the people affected and securing them equivalent livelihood options and on the top of all whether it will affect their social and cultural milieu and whether change is so drastic as to alienate them from the State. Whether these decisions will be compatible with various proclaimed policies of the State, is again an issue to be squarely dealt with. A variety of social science inputs would be needed in such exercises. Governments have created specialized cadres for economics, trade and statistics. They always had those in judiciary, health, education and forests. Everywhere social science specialists, including management experts are playing their respective roles. Multilateral organizations are often banking upon social science professionals for their activities. All the United Nations expert bodies and other multilateral bodies, including non-governmental international organizations seek involvement of economists, sociologists and anthropologists. The World Bank consults various social scientists and keeps some of them on payroll to understand the likely impacts of the projects it undertakes and sponsors from the point of view of tribes, weaker sections and environment. Likewise other agencies involved in funding like ADB or providing liquidity like IMF do consult social scientists though sometime we have reservations on their decisions. WTO and WIPO run their training programs for educating government officials, scholars and others on social science related material—economics and law, understanding the issue’s, approaching power, negotiation and bargain. In addition,in administration of projects they would need people from accounting, management, law and social work background. Role of social sciences and social scientists seems to be all-pervading in decision-making at any level. Every society follow some rules and re gulation which is made by some specific social advisor. Some time it is necessary for the society development and some time it is need for guidance. For the development of every society or nation we need some policy which is basically done by social scientist. Some policy is very much necessary Public policy is an affirmation of positive actions and negative sanctions, executed through legislative, executive and administrative channels by a government often in pursuance of the constitutional directives whose interpretation may change in the course of time due to change in ethos. The set of actions and sanctions is often chosen from the set of possible alternatives, which may subserve the same set of objectives. There can be an agricultural/farm policy as well as an industrial policy. There can be a policy on telecom and on films. There can be an employment policy and there can be a policy on reservation of jobs for certain sections of society for certain categories of jobs. But ther e can be a prohibition policy or on consumption of tobacco and there can be one littering. In simply means public policies are broad commitments and guidelines for political and bureaucratic executive in certain areas needing intervention. Chosen policies purportedly optimum in certain terms. With change in ethos things may change. For example, the same set of Directive Principles is now used to justify the policies.

Realist Theory of International Relations

Realist Theory of International Relations Introduction Sovereign States are the main actors in International system, and they are the most influential when it comes to the International stage. States are majorly concerned about their security, territory expansion, order, justice, welfare, freedom and power. States has a function under a political theory, an ideology that analyse how States should run its relations with other States and principles to handling political situations. Also a State must be aware of its States actions and when a problem rises, it must use the best approach to resolving it. Realist share a view on International relations such as the causes of war and stability of peace, the structure of International system is regarded as a necessary factor to explanation of questions in International affairs. This essay advocates for the realist theory, as its an International relations theory focused on anarchy, State actors, rational actors and States survival and its best described as personal perspective on International re lation. Realist are of the notion that theories ought to consist of facts and giving meaning and sense to situations. The character of foreign policy can be seen through the political acts and the consequences of the acts. From this we can see the actions and objectives of statesmen, and consequences of their actions. Realist assumes that Statesmen actions are driven by their self-interest (power) and history has proven this assumption. Besides the theoretical element, a normative element is also considered. It shares the need for a theoretical understanding, to make the rational element of political reality obvious. States are guided by national interest, although the interest might vary depending on the circumstances. The State can be seen as a unitary actor. Because States problems are majorly defined by the nature of the international system, their actions are basically a responds to external rather than domestic political forces.(Ole, 2006; P5). In response to the suggestions that scholars should devise and test theories of foreign policy, Waltz writes that there is a lot which is included in an analysis while very little is included in theories. He opined that due to foreign policy which is driven by internal and external factors, it does not amount to such an autonomous realm, a truly theoretical explanation of it should not be strived for, rather a mere analyses should be considered and it may include a relevant factor to a particular case(Walt, 1996. Pp54-55) In this light, an analysis of the strength and weakness of the realist theory using the case study approach. An analysis with the realist paradigm in the Middle East context which in my opinion is weaker than its counterparts. They control a good amount of the world energy both oil reserves and natural gas reserves according to a statistic review. Realists are of the view of coming up with direct answers to problems, they characterise the State as a government which defends its border, protects the citizens, enforce laws and make politics peaceful and totally different from the International politics(Mearsheimer, 1995 P5). The supreme model of international relations for almost six decades has been Realism, because it provides a well structured understanding of the collapse of post-World War I international order in Europe and far East and also in World War II and the Cold War. Classical realism on human nature has always had a pessimistic theory, self interest behavior are not limited to few leader and its very basic and also a core of a realist theory. Because human nature is constant and unavoidable in International relations and in order to avoid problems, modern realist have focused less on human nature instead on the structure of the system to understand the state behavior better. The lack of precision in which the classical realist use the concept of balance of power, power and national interest has been noted by critics. They noted a refutation between the perspective and central descriptive component of realism. Nations and nations leaders seem to act in the motion of interests in terms of power, while other Statesmen give recognition and consider the interests of other nations. Power in classical realism obviously plays a major role but the connection between political outcomes and relative power balances is less than fascinating, pointing out the need for enriched analyses with other variables . The difference between usable options and power as capabilities is very important in such a nuclear age, for example just like the Soviets learnt in Afghanistan and the United States discovery in Vietnam. September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York and Washington is much of an illustration of the lack of consistency between political impact and material capability. History and political science insight and evidence has critically being viewed by classical realist, the search for clarification has led modern realist to search for similarities and insights. The main focus is often economics, which modern realists have used different borrowed concept such as game theory, theories of firms and market, rational choice, bargaining theories and expected utility. The search for precision has brought up rich theories and models such as the game theory which Mortan Kaplan relates as types of international systems which includes- Unit-veto, tight bipolar, universal, balance of power, loose bipolar and hierarchical. Some other scholars have developed means of understanding international relations by good explanation of system level. Realism theory is not a clearly defined theory, scholars who have studied it differ in interpretation of the theory, some scholars have argues that it is formed within a general establishing state (Feruson and Mansbach, 1988; p79). While other would argue that it is a loose framework (Rosenthal,1991; p7), One standing view of realists by commentators of international relations theory is that the realists are believers of state as the actor in international politics and they are much concerned of the balance of power in a state. The state act a certain way due to the character of people and this is closely related to the theory of Thucydides on human nature that speaks of egoism, power drive and self-interest. They desperately desire protection for themselves only excluding every other, only in cases where they are to gain from an inclusion. This then creates a ground for the sate itself, making it a selfish state that seeks protection and assurance of survival for itself only at the cost of other state to fall, which is somehow also considered an achievement (Heywood, 2011; p67). According to Kenneth Waltz in his theory of international politics, the theory of war is also involved with the system level and not just the state attributes and theory of human nature. Waltz proceeded by agreeing that new beginnings brings in new concepts and he was of the motion that international system basic structure hasnt change one bit, things are still the same, states as the main actor in world politics, Waltz believed that changes in the system that has taken place in history was as a result of nuclear weapon discovery. Some States changed in the security provision for themselves and including other States due to Nuclear weapons, the nuclear weapon somehow defined how power in States in terms of security, but still the anarchic structure of international political system has not being changed by nuclear weapons and it is this anarchical structure that makes Realism to be the superior theory of international relations. Security competition between States has being mistaken to be an outdated notion, but this notion has been shattered by the Middle East interstate conflicts, terrorism, human right violation, religious fundamentalism and other enormity which has taken place. The anarchical situation happening in the Middle East is best described by Realism. Hence it has be proven by the conflict in Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and interstates conflicts in Africa that security competitions are not antiquated but alive. Waltz theory was used to conclude on the characteristics of international relations, which includes some unclear theory about the contemporary international system such as system stability on anarchical character maintenance and no change in the number of major actors. A theory of the foundation on the three main proposition to determine the structure of international relations was brought by Waltz due to the avoidance of reductionism. The first focus was to concentrate on how the system is ordered. The contemporary system is not hierarchical though it is different in many ways. The other main proposition is the behaviour of the state and the contemporary system and anarchic system are similar because the anarchical system is based on a sovereign state. Realism is recognized to have little historical concept of States, Neo-realism main problem is to rely on a preoccupation of Great Power relation. It favours the powerful minority over the weak. While for Realism, the state is the main actor in the aspect of international politics. This seems to be an issue because the realists sees the state to be having a massive unchanging structure. This was certainly a problem for the Middle East because they are the outcome of foreign domination. Conceptualization of states is limited, as it takes account for no agency according to neorealist theory. Negative Internal factors regarding state behaviour is not considered. For example the rejection of the impact to the pursuit towards Arabic Israeli peace by the Pan Arabism. Transnational Islamist politics was useful in helping to elaborate on the Iraq-Iran war adjustment of behaviour in religious aspects since the Iranian revolution(Gause 1999). Realist theory has also being unable to explain and analyse conflict issues, the examination of the conflict in the Middle East has being contrary to the neo-realist unwarranted claim on the predominance of factors in elaborating on the behaviour of states. It is believed by Fred Halliday that neo-realism possess not a reasonable predictive capacity and even explanation to the management and reduction of Middle East conflicts. The inability of these, results from the fact that conflicts are twisted complicated with state building and this forms a political communities that is not addressed by both theories(Halliday 2005.) There has being serious theoretical criticism and accusations on realism from both scholars and others on the unimportance of its marginalizing of the world which it tried to systematize(Burchill). The realities of present days has being brought to light the importance of realism. An analysis on International Relations theory has proven that realism for a fact has some weaknesses but still I root for the theory for bringing awareness and understanding of the time we live in and also the concept of realism has being relevance in the understanding of the society and the world at large, giving an idea of how to deal with situations at hand. Realism has being very useful in dealing with difficult issues affecting the International community today. The balance of power concept gotten from the philosophy of power as a main factor of realism. For example, After the Franco-Prussian War, the world order progressed, which lead to a stronger Germany, The milestones that made a logic in the historical process was the Versailles-Washington world order which was after World War I and Yalta-Potsdam world order which was after World War 11.(Carr, 1995). The world has always had a problem of power struggle, the balancing of power and war . Meanwhile war has being a means of changing and shaping modern states. Theorist and policy makers would prefer to believe that there is a way power can be balanced but the truth is power is far from being balanced. An evidence is the United States, as a super power, it has not being very productive in ensuring other nations have a genuine peaceful environment. It is best for a state to preserve its balance of power instead of shifting it as a way of raising conflicts and instability. To some, it is believed that balance of power means resorting of war. States are suppose to get along and sort out their problems with the world but that is where the issue of competition comes in, National interest takes a better part of the situation and state find themselves in a competitive environment.(Buzan,1996). It is certain that every state or nation leader would want to put the interest, independence and survival of its citizen first as a primary factor and also the condition of its existence. Realist theory has appeared to be a useful theory to states by fulfilling the interest of the nation, the theory has given an opportunity for a better understanding of the true human nature and shown things in their real nature. I would totally agree that realism to an extent isnt perfect and cannot have solutions to all problems but still it is able to make contribution and understanding to world issues and challenges. Realism is a vibrant theory, due to the use of it in present day IR and the role it plays in nation states, power, national interest, security, conflict and all. The weakness of the theory doesnt it make it irrelevant, but it can be combined with other theories to make a better outstanding outcome. It is clear that till present day, realism is still alive in so many aspects of international relations, such as in the political life of states, nations interest, sovereignty, war, conflict, security and power. Realism has served state as a point of understanding the world since it shows a good sign of useful thinking. It appears that realism has something valuable to offer to the world in describing it and it can either be accepted or disagreed with. For instance, most nation are going through some development changes, economic crisis which is affecting a lot of nations. State are by all means doing everything in their power to protect their interest and this may lead to some kind of consequences. There can be a rise of negative feelings between states due to national boundaries which could result to conflict. In cases like this, it might be useful to look at realism to get some answers or possible solutions to a situation like this. Waltz, Carr and Morgenthau have all done a good job for giving a clearer picture of what the world really is, rather than what is should be. The focus on the reality of the system has being a better move, rather than focusing on unrealistic political ideas. The theory provides a reasonable explanation to thing, thus it has being highly recognised and used in IR. Realist are of the notion that practice creates theory and not theory creating practice(Carr). They are of the believe that state have the privilege to use organizational forces such as military interventions, still there are still a level of terrorism in the world and state are the ones privilege to use organized forces then non-state actors. The fact that realism is only focused on its own core assumption and not studying other factors that affects international relations, this would lead it as the most used theory in IR that gives understanding to contemporary international affairs. Realism has served the political world v ery well , giving a foundation of how people conduct International Relations. It is clear that realism is more than a theory and cannot be understood by the scientific explanation of international relations, Realist theory is one that relies on the political and historical conditions, the ethical standards and the importance in making political decisions was definitely judged. It also has being very useful in cautioning against moralism, legalism and progressivism and other that fail to view reality of State interest and power. Therefore realism is an essential tool for states, in protecting the interest of citizens, securing their safety, preventing of conflicts and war or anything that threatens the global peace. References Ayoob, Mohammed (1998). Subaltern realism: international relations theory meets the third world. In Stephanie G. Neuman (ed.), International Relations Theory and the Third World. St. Martins Press. Pp 31-54. Artur Marsalis, 2012. The International Relations theories; its strengths weaknesses. British Middle Burchill, Scott, et al., Theories of International Relations, London, Palgrave, third edition, 2005. East Center for Studies Research Buzan, Barry, ‘The Timeless Wisdom of Realism?’ in Smith, Steve, Booth, Ken and Zalewski, Marysia, eds., International Theory: Positivism and Beyond, Cambridge University Press, 1996. Carr, E.H., The Twenty Years Crisis 1919-1939: An Introduction to the study of International Relations, (London: Papermac, 1995). Dougherty, James and Pfaltzgraff, Robert (eds), Contending Theories of International Relations, 1981.Elman, C., 1996. Horses for Courses: Why Not Neorealist Theories of Foreign Policy?. Security Studies, 6(1), pp. 7-53. Ferguson Yale H., R. W., 1988. The Elusive Quest: Theory and International Politics. 1st ed. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press. Heywood, A., 2011. Global Politics. 1st ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Hinnebusch, R., 2003. The International Politics of the Middle East. UK: Manchester University Press. John J. Mearsheimer, 2001. â€Å"The Tragedy of Great Power Politics†. New York: Norton Kegley, Charles, ‘The Neoidealist Moment in International Studies? Realist Myths and New International Realities’, International Studies Quarterly, vol. 37, 1993. Morgenthau, Hans J., 1946. Scientific Man Versus Power Politics, Chicago: Chicago University Press Morton Kaplan, System and Process in International Politics (New York, 1957). Ole R. Holsti., 2006. Theories of International Relations , 1962. â€Å"The Intellectual and Political Functions of a Theory of International Relations,† in Politics in the 20th Century, Vol. I, â€Å"The Decline of Democratic Politics,† Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Robert Jackson, G.S.,2013 , Introduction to International Relations Theories and Approaches. 5th ed. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press Rosenthal, J. H., 1991. righteous realists political realism, responsible power, and American culture in the nuclear age. 1st ed. louisiana: Louisiana State University Press. Waltz , Kenneth N. International Politics Is Not Foreign Policy, Security Studies 6 (Autumn 1996), 54-55 ,2000. Structural Realism after the Cold War. International Security 25, no. 1 (Summer 2000): 5-41. Williams, Michael C. (ed.), 2007. Realism Reconsidered: The Legacy of Hans Morgenthau in International Relations, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hope, C. , 2012. The Telegraph. [Online] Available at: http://telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9655968/David-Cameron-Iran-could-trigger-nuclear-arms-race.html [Accessed 5 January 2015] United Nations, 2013. Press Release. [Online]Available at: http://un.org/press/en/2013/ga11451.doc.htm [Accessed 6 January 20

What is Happiness? Essay -- John Stuart Mill Essays

What is happiness? People have agonized over this question for centuries. Let me start this essay by answering a somewhat easier question: what isn’t happiness? Happiness is NOT feeling good all the time. Happiness is a combination of human emotions and states of mind. Exploring this state of being has consumed the philosophical minds of the ages and will continue to do so for ages to come. In an unofficial poll of students at State University, I found that of the fifty-eight students and one professor, males and females of several ethnic backgrounds and age groups, that I asked the question "What is happiness to you?", all of them had very different physical, intellectual, or emotional motivator for their happiness. Only the professor stated what happiness was to him. The students, ranging in age from 20 years to 45 years, all spoke of material things that would make them happy. They couldn't seem to grasp "happiness" as a concept in itself. The questions that are asked when exploring the concept of happiness should begin with desire to know if it is a pleasure based in our basic and primitive emotions. Next, is happiness motivated by pure desire? Does a mental state of contentment produce happiness? Does happiness come from a simple, physical feeling? Maybe happiness is a combination of all of these. According to John Stuart Mill, The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, ... ...r abstract thought separates them from any other creature on earth, but it also makes them unique unto themselves. What makes one person happy may or may not make another person happy. Happiness, in and of itself, in my opinion, in unattainable. To be content with a minimum of worries is as close to absolute happiness as a person can come. For myself, I believe that true happiness is an illusion. I believe in the desire-driven theory of happiness. When I find the need for the illusion of happiness, I attempt to achieve it by fulfilling my temporary needs through the gratification of my immediate desires. I find that contentment and the drive to continue to achieve my desires is much more important than the illusion of happiness. Works Cited Pojman, Louis P. Classics of Philosophy: Volume II Modern and Contemporary. New York: Oxford UP, 1998.

Decibel Portfolio Essay -- essays research papers

The intensity I of a sound wave is measured in watts per metre squared ( ). The lowest intensity that the average human ear can detect, i.e. the threshold of hearing, is denoted by , where . The loudness of sound, i.e. its intensity level , is measured in decibels (dB), where . From this function a specific relationship between and can be drawn that holds true for any increase in intensity. By knowing the value of beta ( ), the value of can be found via manipulation of the logarithmic function, and by knowing the value of beta can by found by just taking the log of and multiplying it by ten. The intensity level of ordinary conversation is 65 dB. In order to find the intensity of normal conversation on must set beta to 65 dB and to . Afterwards, via using the division property of equality one joins like terms. Once the logarithm is alone, one can apply the properties of logarithms and separate the logarithm into two logarithms. The quotient rule for logarithms is applied to this equation, , where and . By the definition of the logarithmic function, if and only if , one knows that in order to cancel out the logarithm one must exponentiate the log to ten. When one does this one must also keep in mind that equality must be kept on both sides of the equation, so the -5.5 becomes the exponent of ten. After doing this, one knows that . dB . If one wanted to find the intensity of the sound inside and automobile travelling at that has an intensity level of 75 dB one would follow the same procedure mentioned previously to find intensity. In addition to this method one can use a graphing calculator in order to make the finding of I simpler. By following the procedure one can use a Ti-82 graphing calculator to find the intensity I of a sound by knowing the intensity level b. The function used is just all the steps followed above summarized into one function.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Enter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ENTER By the use of the calculator, one finds the correct response in a quicker fashion than by working the problem out. However, in order to prove that the answer provided by the calculator is correct one should always work out the problem by hand. dB  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Source of Sound  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Intensity Level (dB)  ... ...even though the has changed, if the intensity level increases by ten units, then the intensity increases ten times. When me and my dog cross a busy street the noise does not seem equally loud to both of us. This because the dog has a higher threshold of hearing than me. This is explained best by the fact that the graph for the intensity level in terms of intensity for dogs is translated ten units up from the one for humans. The vertical translation signifies that for any given intensity, the intensity level is ten dB more for dogs than for humans. Knowing the relationship between intensity I and the intensity level b is very important to understanding how all beings hear. By understand the relationship, we know that the threshold of something’s hearing is what affects loudness with which it hears the sound. Furthermore, by understanding the relationship we know that the curve for the relationship will always have the same shape, but the only difference will be that for different thresholds, it will be translated along the Y-axis. Throughout this project, it was researched how to use properties of logarithms in order to assist one in finding intensity by knowing intensity level,