The Way of the Warrior Bushido - 1198 Words

Introduction The term ‘Bushido’ has over the years developed from the traditional translation of ‘the Way of the Warrior’ towards the more modern notion of a â€Å"national spirit of Japan, especially the military spirit.† This paper will analyse the impacts that various religious traditions such as Shintoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have had on shaping the classical ideals of the bushido code and the influences that the bushido code played on the actions of the kamikaze fighter pilots during World War II. Impacts of Confucianism on Bushido Confucianism’s major impacts on the bushido code have come from its ethical teachings, primarily those from the Five Relations. Historians suggest that Confucianism was introduced into Japan via merchants who travelled across the East China Sea from neighbouring Korea and China as early as the 4th century AD. If this view is accepted it would make Confucianism one of the earliest foreign religions introduced into Japan thus playing an imperative role in shaping Japanese ideology. The Five Relations sets out the appropriate behaviour one must show to his superiors. This includes: that a vassal must show his master loyalty, a child must show his parent respect, a wife must show her husband affection, a younger sibling must show his older sibling precedence and friends should treat each other with honesty. The teachings of the Five Relations can be witnessed in many aspects of the bushido code. One example is the Lord-Vassal andShow MoreRelated The Samurai and the Bushido Code Essay1016 Words   |  5 Pages The samurai were à ©lite warriors in Japan during the 1200’s to the early 1700’s. Fifth century Japan saw conflicts with Korea and China, but Japan had a very untrained army, with a clumsy Calvary, and poor infantry men (Blumberg 1). The reason was that horses were seen as a burden and were never bred to be strong, fast, and large for war purposes (Blumberg 2). In the 6th and 9th centuries, a series of rebellions in Japan began from the Emis hi people of the northern home islands; these country peopleRead More The Samurai: Warrior and Ruler of Ancient Japan Essay1289 Words   |  6 Pages The Samurai: Warrior and Ruler of Ancient Japan Few countries have a warrior tradition as long and exciting as Japan. It is a tradition found in the Samurai, the loyal and self-sacrificing knight of ancient Japan. The Samurai is a valiant warrior who can both appreciate the beauty of nature in that of a rose blossom but will also kill or die for his master in an instant. This well-rounded warrior was the ruling class of Japan for almost seven hundred years. He fought for control of his countryRead MoreInfluence of the Samurai on Modern Japanese Society Essay1730 Words   |  7 Pages Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique co de or moral belief that became the core of Samurai cultureRead More##arison Of Japanese Characterism In Yuukio Mishimas The Sound Of Waves1463 Words   |  6 Pagesreflection of Japanese ideologies and characteristics that are infused in characters to portray a singular Japanese identity. He specifically uses the Bushido code which values Duty and Honesty along with other Japanese warrior traits as a basis for representing true Japanese characters in contrast to their Western-influenced counterparts (Bushido). However, he is hesitant in providing a fair comparison between the two. Yukio Mishima’s political views often conflict with the novel as he uses charactersRead MoreMusuis Story1612 Words   |  7 Pageswith the shogun, yet he lived a life unworthy of a samurai s way, running protection racket, cheating, stealing, and lying. Before we discuss how Musui s lifestyle was against the codes that regulated the behavior of the samurai, it is essential that the role of the sam urai in Japanese society be understood. The Japanese society was divided into four classes: samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants. The samurai was a class of warriors, emerged from Japan during the constant civil ware period.Read MoreWar Crimes Committed in World War II739 Words   |  3 Pagesthings. The Japanese believed that their bushido code allowed them to treat the Australian this way, their ethics was one of complete brutality and hardship, and the Japanese soldiers were being fed false propaganda that showed a dehumanized view of the Australians. These three statements demonstrate that the Japanese atrocities committed at Burma, were, in the eyes of the Japanese, fair and just. The Japanese brutality was heavily influenced by bushido, a historic code of honour and morals thatRead MoreImportance Of Confucianism In The Film IP Man1014 Words   |  5 Pageswho wants Master IP to teach the Japanese Wing Chun because Admires his talent. He refuses and IP man and general Miura have a fight in front of the entire town. The film summarizes and demonstrates two huge Asian philosophies, Confucianism and Bushido but not just through the eyes of Master IP. In the transition scene between the talk with General Miura and IP man, we see him summarize as to why he will not teach the Japanese Wing Chun. IP man states that although martial arts involve armed forcesRead More Social Change In Japan Essay1582 Words   |  7 Pagesshared by the new technology driven younger generation is putting pressure on the old Japanese status quo. The transformation is happening very slow, but as the population ages and the old conservatives are being replaced by the new liberals, the old way of thinking is also being replaced by the new. The establishment of the caste system during their feudal development insured unity and lack of diversity would be a theme through the rest of their history. During the Nara period the Japanese societyRead MoreMusuis Story1289 Words   |  6 Pageslike China saw a new dynasty take control of the country. And almost every Asian civilization from India to Indonesia came in contact with people from western nations which changed the way people did business and the way Asians viewed the world. Japan, however, seemed to keep separate from the rest of Asia in the way that they were hesitant to deal with westerners. Despite their separateness, this period in time still brought an immense amount of change to Japan and its culture. The autobiographyRead MoreThe Lie Of Bushido And The Hidden Blade1852 Words   |  8 Pages The Lie of Bushido in The Hidden Blade Two samurai face each other, both bound by a code of honor to fight to the death. This code is Bushido the ancient honor system of the samurai. It emphasized eight important virtues that all samurai must live by. These virtues include Rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, honesty, honor, loyalty, and character. Any failure to follow these virtues resulted in the need to commit seppuku or Hara-kiri, which was honorable

Analysis Of The Day Running And Management Of Trinity...

Report Trinity Lodge Hotel This report will look at a detailed view of the day to day running and management of Trinity Lodge . Situated in the heart of Dublin’s business district and cultural quarter , near Trinity College , this family-owned guesthouse offers luxury en-suite accommodation in an authentic Georgian townhouse Rich in character, Trinity Lodge is one of the finest examples of Georgian-period accommodation in Dublin city center and it comprised of 3 restored original Georgian houses. The Lodge is a splendid craft of Georgian elegance and contemporary style and comfort . With only 26 charming bedrooms, perfect for business and leisure travelers . My role in Trinity Lodge is that of a breakfast chef and waitress . I deal with the customers and answer any query’s they might have . Because Trinity Lodge is a family run business and employs just 10 staff it has a small tight structure. As a result of this staff are delegated more than one position . This structure comprises of , The Owner , takes care of wages and contracts . The Manager job title is that of Floor Manager , Human resource. She takes care of Hotel stock from food to bed linen to toiletries, she is in charge of the roster and making sure the Hotel runs smoothly and efficiently whilst making sure all staff are trained and up to date with all haccp and various courses . In order to keep a business competitive and successful the managers follow a process using a certain strategy to achieve its goals.Show MoreRelatedAnnual Report Fosters Beer64959 Words   |  260 Pages2011 04 From the ChAirmAN ANd ChieF exeCutive oFFiCer 82 84 13 diSCoNtiNued operAtioNS 14 propertY, plANt ANd equipmeNt 08 09 10 the Next ChApter For CuB exeCutive mANAgemeNt CorporAte goverNANCe StAtemeNt 85 86 88 89 15 AgriCulturAl ASSetS 16 iNtANgiBle ASSetS 17 pAYABleS 18 FiNANCiAl riSk mANAgemeNt oBjeCtiveS ANd poliCieS 18 24 49 59 direCtorS’ report remuNerAtioN report group FiNANCiAl review Five YeAr SummArY 94 19 derivAtive FiNANCiAl iNStrumeNtS 96 Financial

Paranormal Existences Free Essays

Paranormal Existence Is someone or something else among us at this moment, in this room, something we can’t even see? Have you ever wondered what else is really out there? Unexplained happenings occur every day. Spirits or ghosts are thought of just being people that have passed away but there has to be more to it. Paranormal activity is defined as experiences that lie outside the range of normal experience or scientific explanation. We will write a custom essay sample on Paranormal Existences or any similar topic only for you Order Now At some point in everyone’s life they will experience some kind of unexplained activity. Many people ask the question if it actually exists or if it’s all in their head. Scientists often say that these so called â€Å"spirits† do not exist. Only personal experiences can interpret your own feelings about paranormal existences. My story is about a spirit that lived on past their death. One night a couple months ago me and my friends were playing on her wigi board. Her dad had died 5 years earlier due to a horrific car crash. Her family had always seen balls roll across the room and other strange things happen without explanation; they always assumed it was him. When we started playing around with the board the first letter of the girl’s dads name showed up and her eyes instantly filled up with tears, like a helpless child left all alone, the second letter was the second letter to his name, the same with the third. By this time my friend was balling, she of course knew it was her father. We continued playing until the last letter of his name showed up. At this moment we heard a vase upstairs shatter into a million pieces, just like the car windshield had done when his helpless body had gone through it, instantly killed. We ran upstairs to find the vase and its contents of flowers spread all over the floor. Then we replaced it with a new vase and reassembled the flowers to how they were. The next morning her mother walked downstairs with a flower in her hand and asked, â€Å"Why did you put a flower next to my bed? † That night changed the way I thought about spirits forever. I never thought anything like that could ever happen to me. Anyone who experienced that kind of activity and the intensity in that room could easily say they felt a presence surrounding them. In the moment of that glass shattering was the one of the scariest moments of my life. I will always remember the terror racing through me, my heart pounding, sounding of horse’s strong hooves beating against the track, like thunder rolling in and the suspense leading up to the storm. Saying spirits like this don’t exist is outrageous considering how many people actually experience real activity. Some people don’t want to believe this is real simply because they are scared of it. Many others find it very interesting to study about and explore the possibilities of what else could potentially be out there with us in our everyday lives and something you aren’t even able to see. Everyone has different views on if paranormal existences are actually real. Mysterious things could happen at any time, and when they do, be prepared. How to cite Paranormal Existences, Papers

Growth in Health Care Free Samples for Students-Myassignment

Question: As technologies diffuse, why do some firms adopt them before others? What are the features of healthcare technologies that would make them more likely to be adopted most quickly? Most slowly? Answer: In current era, technology is one of the key ways towards innovation and change implementation. Adoption of new technology has been highlighted by practitioners or researchers as one of the key opportunity provider for business both at organizational and strategic levels. In this context, health care sector is also adopting several health care based technologies for improving the service qualities as well as patient outcomes. However, it has also been reviewed by several studies that there are significant barriers in regards to technology adoption in health care sector. Technology adoption or implementation is not without risks and obstacles.Cost of adopting these innovative technologies is a growing concern in the context of why organizations are struggling with the complexities of technology adoption decisions (Skinner and Staiger 2015). Although, several health care firms are adopting these technological tools for improving their performance efficiency and patient satisfaction, by resolving these barriers. Therefore, this essay will focus upon investigating the factors that are promoting and hindering health care firms to adopt technology aligning with technology diffusion. There are several factors, which are motivating different organizations to adopt technological tools, through technology diffusion. It has been suggested by several literatures that some organization adopts them prior to others, however, there are several factors, which motivates these organizations to adopt these technologies earlier. It is clear that these organizations consist less level of barriers of technology adaptation, which may be faced to higher extent by others organizations. For instance, profit principle is one of the key factors, which promote adoption of technology by some firms. New technology enables firms to earn higher profit than the firms, which have not adopted the technology (Chandra and Skinner 2012). Introduction of new technology would improve the patients outcomes significantly and would satisfy the service users as well as employees. Thus, the organization, focusing more on profit principle would attempt to adapt new technology prior to the other organiza tions, irrespective of the presence or absence of the factors, hindering the technology adaption. However, a comparison between the level of profit gained from the technology and the level of barriers present in the organizational context determines the fate of technology adoption by the organization (Olson et al. 2011). The second reason is information channel. The organization, having a strong and diverse information channels are usually observed to adapt technology faster than others having weak or less diverse information channel. Especially, social media plays a significant role in dispersing knowledge among people throughout a wide range of area. Moreover, various sources of information like social media, colleagues, peers, seniors, relatives or any other people in the community can inform about the pros and cons of adapting a new technology (Gagnon et al. 2012). Therefore, information channels play a significant role in influencing an organization to adopt a new technology in the organizational context. Another reason of adopting new technologies by the organizations faster than other is the economic sustainability. For instance, Lian et al. (2014) argued that adoption of new technologies too some extent contributes to increase organizational cost, small or new organizations, which has small infrastructure and financial back up, would not be able to bear the cost of adopting new technology, whereas a medium or large organization, which has potential financial structure and sustained revenue rate, would be able to bear the additional cost for new technology. Another reason, which can promote a firms technology adoption faster than the others, is the human resource and opportunity to explore resource. Adoption of new technology would lead to an organizational change, which needs to be communicated and supported by the employees and management. Thus, the organization needs to shape their human resource to accept the change positively. The organization having a structured and adaptive human resource, who are communicated well, would be able to adopt the change faster compared to an organization with unstructured human resource (Cresswell and Sheikh 2013). On the other hand, more opportunities present in the organizational context would make the environment favourable for the organization to adopt new technologies, by managing or eliminating the risk factors. Finally, leadership also plays a significant role in influencing the organization towards adopting technology faster than others. For instance, leaders, who follow transformational leadership are able to accept changes more quickly and are able to manage risks associated with the change adoption (Cresswell and Sheikh 2013). On the other hand, leaders following others leadership style may not have such skills to adopt changes accordingly. Although adaptation of health care technologies is quite challenging due to the presence of several barriers, there are several features presented by some of the technologies, which makes them more likely to be adapted by the health care firms (Mair et al. 2012). In the below section, the key characteristics that make a technology more attractive to the organizations are discussed: Cost effective- Cost is the key feature that makes a technology more likely to be adopted by both the firm as well as service users. Cost effective technology helps to manage the additional cost for the technology in the total operational cost by the organizational management. Profitable- A firm will always look for profit, whether the technology adoption will give the organization the opportunity to earn more profit from the profit gained prior the technology adoption or not. Identifies the real problem- Within the recent health care technology trends, it has been revealed that most of the technological tools are unable to hit the real problem, for which the technology has been adopted by the organization (Cresswell and Sheikh 2013). Therefore, it is necessary for the company to understand, whether the technology is potential for identifying the key problem, based on which it would be adopted. User friendly- It is a key feature for the organization. The organization need to adopt such technology that can be easily manageable by the technical staffs as well as general staffs, during emergency. However, more complex technologies are unlikely to be adopted, as it will always need a strong technological staff resource and shortage of technological staff is one of the key issues in health care (Putzer 2012). Easy to carry- technologies, which are portable, are more likely to be adopted by the organizations. For instance, the wireless technology is rapidly being adopted by the health care industry, it is making instruments portable and pocket friendly, which would be helpful to be adopted by the service users. Easy to communicate- It is another major feature that attracts health care facilities to adopt a technology. Integration of a technology and successful implementation of the technology needs the acceptance from the employees, for which the technology related awareness should be communicated within employees. However, communication would require significant knowledge regarding the technology and the more critical the technology communication is, the less that particular technology is being adopted by organizations (Peek et al. 2014). Has commercial potential- Commercial potentialis referred to the opportunity of commercialization of a technology. A new technology needs to thrive in a constantly changing and impulsive business environment in order to reach market. Therefore, a technology, which is able to sustain these kinds of environment, is selected to be adopted by most of the health care organizations faster compared to the other technologies (Dnnebeil et al. 2012). Need less training and education- Health care sector deals with the health and well being related issues of the care users, thus the quality of services needed to be harmless and effective to the service users. However, technologies which are more familiar with the organizational context are more readily accepted by the employees, as they need to adapt less skills and knowledge to use the technology compared to an entirely innovative technology, for which they would need a thorough training procedure (Putzer 2012). SMART- It is the ultimate criteria for any services or goals. It states that the technology, which is adopted by health care organizations readily should be specific for a purpose, should be measurable through health care activity, attainable through suitable service, reliable and time-specific. All of the above mentioned features make a technology more likely to be adopted by the health care organizations. The opposite features discussed above, for instance, high cost, low commercial potential, less user friendly and the implementation of the technology in the health care context, are not readily accepted by employees are the key factors, which hinder the technology adoption (Putzer 2012). A non-user friendly and expensive health care service would not be readily accepted by the health care organization, making the innovative technology adoption slower than other technologies, for gaining a positive fate in the health care organization. There are several factors, which are making the technology diffusion slower in the health care industry. For example, recent reports have reported that some technologies are not addressing the actual problem for which it is being adopted by the organization. For example, new health care technologies, like wristbands, sensors, headsets and smart clothes gains a wide range of data on anything from heart rhythms to blood pressure. However, there is very few evidences about those, wearing these gadgets have overcome abnormal heart rhythms or elevated blood pressures in significantly higher rate compared to those, who do not use it. On the other hand, physician finds it hard to manage all these data provided by these technologies and they presume that these are unlikely to make a significant clinical difference (Lian et al. 2014). There are several applications available in the health care sector, which claims to modify behaviour through alerts, real time feedback and reminders; however, very few of them have shown a proven and measurable success. The second factor that is making the technology diffusion slow in health care sector is very high cost of the technologies. Moreover, there is a discrepancy in the health care sector that no one wants to pay for the adoption of new technology. Patients, health care facilities, physicians, insurance companies want to experience the benefits and value of the new technology. However, every stakeholder believes that others should pay for it. On the other hand, the financial difficulties embedded in the health cares fee-for-service payment model, which indicates that technologies that will reduce patients visit or will cost lower for patients, would show reduced adoption rate by the physicians or health care organizations (Skinner and Staiger 2015). It is because, the payment model ensures financial rewards for doctors and hospitals regarding the service volume and cost they provide, instead of the quality of outcomes they achieve. Another factor that makes health care industry to adopt some significant technologies is that physicians are not always willing to reveal patients all medical information to them. For example, electronic health record is one of the most known health documentation system with proved efficiency. This technology helps to reveal all the health related information of a patient to them. However, many doctors believe that some of the documents needed to be kept out of patients reach, as these may be harmful if read. Sometime, doctors are using these health data on screen to educate patients for improving transparency, improving physician-patient relationship (Chandra and Skinner 2012). Organization or entrepreneurs, addressing these aspects important, are adopting these technologies faster than others. On the other hand, many recent reports are suggesting that for the average physician, it is tougher to enter patients data into an EHR, rather than keeping paper records. It is both time consuming and difficult for the physicians following traditional paper documentation, as it follows structured format and the applications prevents doctor to skip steps or leave out clinical details, which they can do in a paper documentation. Another factor is that, many physician find technology as impersonal (Putzer 2012). For example, with the introduction ofgene sequencingand other related medical information, doctors would not be able to meet unique medical requirements of individual patients without advanced IT systems. By adopting innovative technologies, the operational efficiency as well as the service qualities delivered by the organization is improved. The range of positive impacts of technology adoption include increased improved products and services; markets; reduced costs; substantial productivity gains; increased avenues for communications; innovative ways of doing business; bridging the digital divideand more effective and efficient business processes. Research suggested that health care sector is reluctant to adopt new technologies. The factors making a technology attractive or non-attractive to a health care organization has been demonstrated along with the positive and negative factors affecting the technology diffusion in health care industry. Reference Chandra, A. and Skinner, J., 2012. Technology growth and expenditure growth in health care.Journal of Economic Literature,50(3), pp.645-680. Cresswell, K. and Sheikh, A., 2013. Organizational issues in the implementation and adoption of health information technology innovations: an interpretative review.International journal of medical informatics,82(5), pp.e73-e86. Dnnebeil, S., Sunyaev, A., Blohm, I., Leimeister, J.M. and Krcmar, H., 2012. Determinants of physicians technology acceptance for e-health in ambulatory care.International journal of medical informatics,81(11), pp.746-760. Gagnon, M.P., Desmartis, M., Labrecque, M., Car, J., Pagliari, C., Pluye, P., Frmont, P., Gagnon, J., Tremblay, N. and Lgar, F., 2012. Systematic review of factors influencing the adoption of information and communication technologies by healthcare professionals.Journal of medical systems,36(1), pp.241-277. Lian, J.W., Yen, D.C. and Wang, Y.T., 2014. An exploratory study to understand the critical factors affecting the decision to adopt cloud computing in Taiwan hospital.International Journal of Information Management,34(1), pp.28-36. Mair, F.S., May, C., O'Donnell, C., Finch, T., Sullivan, F. and Murray, E., 2012. Factors that promote or inhibit the implementation of e-health systems: an explanatory systematic review.Bulletin of the World Health Organization,90(5), pp.357-364. Olson, K.E., OBrien, M.A., Rogers, W.A. and Charness, N., 2011. Diffusion of technology: frequency of use for younger and older adults.Ageing international,36(1), pp.123-145. Peek, S.T., Wouters, E.J., van Hoof, J., Luijkx, K.G., Boeije, H.R. and Vrijhoef, H.J., 2014. Factors influencing acceptance of technology for aging in place: a systematic review.International journal of medical informatics,83(4), pp.235-248. Putzer, G.J., 2012. Are physicians likely to adopt emerging mobile technologies? Attitudes and innovation factors affecting smartphone use in the Southeastern United States.Perspectives in health information management, p.1. Skinner, J. and Staiger, D., 2015. Technology diffusion and productivity growth in health care.Review of Economics and Statistics,97(5), pp.951-964.

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Free Essays on Indian Budism

The Chinese and India cultures are interconnected with one another. The art, architecture, religion and social standards of these great civilizations have intricate similarities and striking differences. The two have influenced each other in many ways. India spread its Buddhist beliefs to the Chinese and the Chinese introduced new trade and industry to the Indian culture. They shared many of these things unknowingly through trade and people moving through out the world. One of the major details in Indian art is the use of the tribhunga style. This style is one of creating a human form in which the stance contains three curves. These curves usually are at the hip, shoulder and head. A second detail of Indian art is the special hand positions. A piece may show one with their hand in a certain form. These defined positions will indicate a power or skill that is held by the person depicted. Many of the pieces on exhibit at the MFA’s Indian collection are religious in nature. Their religious beliefs affected their lives in all aspects. One must live the proper life in order to move on to a better one when they reach the next life. They would create many statues for each of the different gods they worshiped. These statues were referred to as Bodhisattvas. The different characteristics of these works such as stance and hand position would indicate who was represented. Many of the statues would also have multiple arms. These arms were symbolic of the deity having many talents and purposes. This may show one arm with a weapon, another with a religious item and yet another with a special hand position that indicates a special power held by that particular Bodhisattva. The art forms and styles of the Chinese culture changed often in ancient times. In each dynasty there were tell tale signs that the pieces were made in that era. These telling factors could vary greatly from colors used to materials. Many examples of these differences lie in ... Free Essays on Indian Budism Free Essays on Indian Budism The Chinese and India cultures are interconnected with one another. The art, architecture, religion and social standards of these great civilizations have intricate similarities and striking differences. The two have influenced each other in many ways. India spread its Buddhist beliefs to the Chinese and the Chinese introduced new trade and industry to the Indian culture. They shared many of these things unknowingly through trade and people moving through out the world. One of the major details in Indian art is the use of the tribhunga style. This style is one of creating a human form in which the stance contains three curves. These curves usually are at the hip, shoulder and head. A second detail of Indian art is the special hand positions. A piece may show one with their hand in a certain form. These defined positions will indicate a power or skill that is held by the person depicted. Many of the pieces on exhibit at the MFA’s Indian collection are religious in nature. Their religious beliefs affected their lives in all aspects. One must live the proper life in order to move on to a better one when they reach the next life. They would create many statues for each of the different gods they worshiped. These statues were referred to as Bodhisattvas. The different characteristics of these works such as stance and hand position would indicate who was represented. Many of the statues would also have multiple arms. These arms were symbolic of the deity having many talents and purposes. This may show one arm with a weapon, another with a religious item and yet another with a special hand position that indicates a special power held by that particular Bodhisattva. The art forms and styles of the Chinese culture changed often in ancient times. In each dynasty there were tell tale signs that the pieces were made in that era. These telling factors could vary greatly from colors used to materials. Many examples of these differences lie in ...

The Effectiveness of Light Therapy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Effectiveness of Light Therapy - Assignment Example Tsai Hsiu-Hsin conducted this research to find out the effect of therapy on depressed elders. The researchers Yun-Fang Tsai and Hsiu-Hsin Tsai belong to the school of nursing in Taiwan; Thomas Wong is from the school of nursing in Hong Kong, while Yeong-Yuh Juang works in the Department of Psychiatry in Taiwan. The research is conducted because elderly depression has become a major issue and there are no past studies that are conducted for examining light therapy effect on elderly depressions in tropical areas. For this purpose, the old patients that were hospitalized because of depression in a subtropical climate area are selected. The experiment was conducted in such a way that patients had to sit in front of a light box where they faced 5000 lux early in the morning. This experiment lasted for 5 days in which time duration was 50 minutes each day. Treatment was only given to the experimental group, while there was no treatment for controlling group. The results of this experiment stated that there was a significant reduction of depression on the patients after the experiment, but no effect was found on the control group. This research is very helpful for the elders as they can use light therapy for reducing their depression and it has a positive impact on them. The major limitation of this study was that only one hospital was selected for this experiment therefore, different hospitals could be used in the future.

International Finance Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

International Finance - Coursework Example ) Rate of return Weightage(?) Equity Shares 720,000,000 9.50% 68,400,000.00 Bank overdraft 169,800,000 6% 10,188,000.00 Redeemable bond 310,200,000 3.52% 10,905,381.42   Total 1,200,000,000 89,493,381.42 WACC 7.46% Current Debt to Equity ratio Debt 480,000,000 Equity 720,000,000 Ratio 0.67 The weighted average cost of capital of the company is the weighted average of the various sources of finance used by the company. Debt is cheaper than equity finance as it lower risk prone and there is always a tax incentive. Increasing amount of debt in the capital structure of the company has its disadvantages as well. Increasing level of debts increases the financial risk of a company which eventually increases the cost of equity as well. The weighted average cost of capital of highly geared company is higher as compared to the others. In the given case study, the company, vagabond plc, is not a highly geared company as against every ? 0.67 worth of debt, the company has ? 1 worth of equity. In order to calculate the weighted average cost of capital of the company, the market value of equity and debt instrument is need to be calculated. The shares of Vagabond plc are currently traded at 36 pence which makes the total market value of the equity to ?720 million. In order to calculate the cost of equity (ke) we use the formula as enumerated in table 1. In the mentioned formula Rf is the risk free rate of return where Rm is the current market rate. Rm-Rf represents the market premium. Beta measures the systematic risk (associated with the environment in which the entity operates) of the company in relation to the current market risk. The company currently has debt through two resources i.e. through bank overdraft and an issuance of redeemable debt bond. For bank overdraft the cost of debt is the rate on which the company pays interest. For the redeemable bond, the cost of debt can be calculated as mentioned in Table 2. Since interest (Coupon x Face value of the debt) is the only cash flow, the IRR of the cash flows is the cost of the debt kd. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of the company is calculated by considering all the sources of capital and their rate of return. b) The revised weighted average cost of capital for Vagabond Plc, after consideration of the project is as follows. Calculating the revised capital structure Current Debt to Equity ratio Debt 480,000,000 Equity 720,000,000 Ratio 0.67 Investment required ? 300,000,000 Let the investment raised through equity be 'x' Thus in order to maintain the current debt equity ratio, the company’s revised capital structure should be as follows (480 + x) / (720 + (300-x) = 0.67 Solving the equation, the value of 'x' is ? 121.5 million Revised Debt to Equity ratio Table 4 Debt ? 601,500,000 Equity ? 898,500,000 Ratio 0.67 Calculating Beta equity (Geared) of the project   Table 5       Beta (asset) = Beta (equity) x Equity/[Equity +Debt(1-tax rate)] Where    Beta (asset) of th e project is 1.9    Revised debt is 601.5 million    Revised equity is 898.5 million          Substituting all the values in the equation, Beta(equity) is 2.81 Calculating revised cost of equity      Table 6 Using the formula Ke = Rf + (Rm-Rf) * Beta

Is Media Globalization a Form of Cultural Imperialism Essay

Is Media Globalization a Form of Cultural Imperialism - Essay Example This wide spread of its globalization has come up because of innovation and development of advanced information communication technology. Furthermore, globalization of media has facilitated all other forms of globalization in the world owing to the fact that multi-national media is very fundamental in global industries. Many individuals especially in the western countries believe in enjoying the positive impacts of media globalization without fearing or avoiding the media negative results which may include violation of freedom to speech. International communication has been made cheap through Media globalization and availability of advanced communication. This enable people have video conversation with their own who might be miles away. It helps business people be informed on the current status on the stock market via cell phones. This helps in good use of funds, time and power. Internet as another development in media has positively encouraged development in the world health sector. In the event of critical illness, a doctor can transmit an X-ray or MRI through another one at a far country thus offering better solution. A client is thus able to get it effectively and efficiently saving many lives. More advances are being made in media technology such as compression technology to enable easier and good transfers of CAT scans via the Internet for patients to access efficient assistant from all skilled professionals globally. Additionally via the worldwide web, a lot of information has been made readily available to all hence need to be informed in the right way. Homogenization and hybridization are two major types concerning that unify global culture. Homogenization equates globalization with depletion of... This essay approves that media is currently available and to the reach by people which is contrary totally different from previous status. An example is given of increased competition in the open market which has lowered content diversity. This is observed to standardize a profit as the organizations compete for more audience. Similarly, news stations have taken followed the profit formula hence lower quality of journalistic content bringing a very confusing situation hence global poor understanding of news resulting from personalized media content. Owing to the fact that advertising is great source of finance in media it is right to argue that media never choose the important products to advertise as their motive is profit maximization. This global media ignorance of the public interest does not result from changes of one’s standards in professional journalism. Also it never results from more public need for less irrelevant and evil information. The media is thus to lower public demand and esteem as they broadcast according to their satisfaction. This report makes a conclusion that since media has great societal influence it is good to regulate it more for nothing can stop media globalization. It will keep non influencing impact people behavior. Therefore, it is advisable for governments to ensure media freedom but set rules that will favor protection of people culture and good character as well. Therefore, it is right to argue the fact that medial globalization is source of cultural imperialism.

Impact of Drinking Whilst Pregnant

Impact of Drinking Whilst Pregnant Samantha McKenna To what extent does drinking alcohol while pregnant affect the life of an unborn child? â€Å"In Australia, alcohol is responsible for a considerable burden of death, disease and injury† (Alcohol guidelines: reducing the health risks, 2015). â€Å"The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report that 38% of Australian women consume 3 or more drinks per day† (Pyettfor, 2007). Thorough research has shown that there are many biological impacts on the fetus caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy, which result in further impacts placed upon them as they go through life. Consuming any sort of alcohol while pregnant, including beer, wine and spirits, are all linked to the cause of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (Womens and Childrens Health Network, 2014). Biological impacts Alcohol affects a fetus as the harmful substances can pass the placental barrier. This can occur very quickly because a fetus is nourished by the mother’s bloodstream, which results in the baby having the same alcohol blood levels as the mother (British Columbia Ministry of Education, 2010). Prenatal Alcohol exposure can affect the way a baby develops during all stages of the pregnancy, which can lead to biological anomalies for the child which effects are continuous (British Columbia Ministry of Education, 2010). Abnormalities in the fetus can include problems in the central nervous system, growth deficiency and abnormal facial characteristics, all as a result of alcohol consumption during pregnancy (Webb, 1991). This is because the development of the baby’s cells and organs can be disturbed. In particular, growth and development of the head are a common result of FASD. A person with FASD can have a smooth philtrum (no groove between upper lip and nose), a thin upper l ip and a small eye opening (Telethon Kids, 2011). An interview conducted with a midwife who wishes to remain anonymous has seen the effects of FASD firsthand, also supports this theory regarding the facial features of a person with FASD (Anonymous, 2015). There is also mild to severe brain developmental delays due to abnormalities in the brain cells (Jean, 2012). The cells are affected because â€Å"alcohol is so small in size so it can enter the developing cells and change the growth and migration of the cells, which reduces the number of pathways or connectors and alter the neurochemistry of the cells† (National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, 2013). This can produce permanent brain damage. The damage caused by the alcohol exposure results in problems with storing and retrieving information, problem solving, focus and verbal memory, due to the brains corpus callosum being damaged (Robinson, 2013). Issues from the brains cerebellum being damaged also create problems with controlling movements, maintaining balance and fine motor skills (National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, 2013). There are also possible heart damages (which are particular in the ventricular septum), low birth weight, geni tal defects, kidney problems and cerebral palsy. As well as limb anomalies such as curved little fingers, extra fingers or toes, or additional creases in hand (Telethon Kids, 2011). Some babies who are exposed to very high levels of alcohol as a fetus can possibly die due to the prenatal exposure (Womens and Childrens Health Network, 2014). â€Å"Data suggests that for every 10g of alcohol taken in daily during pregnancy the risk of developmental anomalies rises by 1.7% and fetal growth is reduced by 1% â€Å" (Cornwell, 1993). Although there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink, the more consumed the higher the risk will be any of the above effects impacting the child. Figure 1 shows how the damages to the brain compare to a brain with no prenatal alcohol damage. This shows the extent of how much damage occurs to the brain from alcohol consumption and how evident it is when compared to a brain not exposed to alcohol. Figure 1- brain scans showing the difference between two 6 week old babies brains. (FASlink, 2014). Social and behavioural impacts As stated above the consumption of alcohol while pregnant results in many biological impacts on the fetus; however, this also results in a range of social and behavioural issues on a child with FASD. As a consequence from the biological damages, this can result in the child’s difficulty in planning, setting goals, being on time and complying with legal obligations. Other complications can possibly include; issues at school, multiple foster care placements, reduced self esteem and depression, inappropriate sexual behaviour, inability to live independently, unemployment, poverty (Telethon Kids, 2011). â€Å"Often people who are born with FASD will show no outward signs and they may be misjudged for inappropriate actions, which can then be interpreted as bad behaviour† (Provicial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, 2013), whilst the real cause is the unfortunate brain damage. FASD children, or adults, have ‘challenging behaviour’s’; as their actions seem impulsive, defiant or poorly thought out, and it is evident they struggle socially as they have difficulty making friends (FASD Characteristics across the Lifespan). People with FASD struggle linking their actions to possible outcomes, predicting outcomes, generalizing information, staying still, paying attention, have poor memory and language, and uneven maturation (Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, 2009). All of these conditions may not be noticed or observable as a baby and â€Å"only noticed when the child reaches school age, where the child’s behaviour and learning difficulties are problematic† (Pyettfor, 2007). Professor Elliot, the Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Sydney supports these findings as she states â€Å"At the end of the day these children have problems with learning, behaviour and developmental growth†. Sue Miers also supports this theory as she says her daughter who has FASD â€Å" could not learn from her mistakes†. Her daughter is now 30 and still requires ongoing support (Jean, 2012). According to the Australian Journal of Advanced nursing, â€Å"pregnant women who are know to use illicit drugs face consequences that can include sometimes removal of children following birth† (Miles). This shows how alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have a great impact on the child, not only biologically, but also socially due to behavioural characteristics that last throughout their whole life. Prevalence of disorders Many surveys have been completed within Australia to measure the prevalence of disorders of FASD and the percentage of women who drink alcohol while pregnant. â€Å"A 2014 Australian survey estimates of people with FASD arrays from 0.006 to 0.068 per 1,000 live births† (Callinan, 2014). Another survey found that 81% of the participants of the survey reported to drinking alcohol during pregnancy, and 0.2% of the sample drank more than 20 units of alcohol a week. As well as 71% of the sample reporting 0 to 5 units per week (Callinan, 2014). Studies also show that younger women are more likely to stop drinking alcohol when they are aware of their pregnancy but are more likely to drink prior to their knowledge of the pregnancy (Breen, 2013). Another survey conducted by researchers found that 37.6% of the 1,633 women surveyed had consumed alcohol while pregnant during 2003-2004 (Callinan, 2014). This research also shows that younger women haven been exposed to different and more information on the pressures of drinking while pregnant than older women, resulting in a lower prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy by younger women. A respondent by an individual who participated a survey produced for this research supports this theory. Respondent 9 wrote about being pregnant 39 years ago and how people were unaware of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy during that time, as she is currently 69 years old, â€Å"there were no warnings that come to mind about â€Å"drinking alcohol† while pregnant† (FASD community survey, respondent 9, 2015). The graph pasted below (figure 2) also presents the decrease in women’s alcohol consumption from 2001 to 2007. In 2001 44% of the surveyed women drank whilst pregnant, in 2004 33% reported drinking, and in 2007 only 25% of the women reported alcohol consumption while pregnant. It also shows in 2010 49% of the women drank prior to their knowledge of pregnancy, but only 20% of the women drank once they were aware of there pregnancy (Callinan, 2014). (Callinan, 2014). Strategies implemented to reduce disorders As there is no cure for FASD, many prevention strategies are put into place in order to reduce the risk and prevalence of FASD and to stop women from drinking alcohol at risky levels during pregnancy, as well as plans to help the children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. The Australian Government as well as local communities have implemented strategies to reduce the impact of FASD. The Government scheme was introduced in 2013, which will last to 2017. The aim of this plan is stated below: Enhancing efforts to prevent FASD Secondary prevention targeting women with alcohol dependency Diagnosis and management Targeted measures supporting prevention and management of FASD within Indigenous communities and families in areas of social disadvantage National coordination, research and workforce support (Australian Department of Health, 2014). Australian institutes have also produced prevention advertisements in order to educate the community and publicize the effects of FASD, as seen below (figure 3). Figure 3: (FASD prevention, 2010) In 2007, The Marulu strategy has also been implemented into the community of Fitzroy, WA, which has high rates of alcohol use. The Marulu strategy tactics are; prevention through education, diagnosis, treatment, and support (Variety Charity, 2003). The Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation created the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Project in 2011. This projects aim is to raise awareness, educate, prevent and support children with FASD (National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). Even though government strategies are implemented, these local projects are also essential for rural areas to become educated in the problem. Opinions of drinking alcohol while pregnant on mothers within society A survey conducted for the purpose of this research uncovered the opinion that women in Kensington Park, Adelaide, have on drinking alcohol while pregnant. The survey was completed by mothers in the community, due to the respondents needing to be women who have had children. Although, it was difficult to receive a large quantity of replies. 16 replies were collected and the context in each were of great standard, providing a strong understanding on their opinions of drinking alcohol whilst pregnant and the knowledge they obtained regarding this issue. Out of the 16 replies, 75% of respondents believed that no alcohol was an appropriate amount to be consumed during pregnancy, as they understood the possible risks (FASD community Survey, 2015). The other 25% stated they understood the risks but believe a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy was fine to consume (FASD community survey, 2015) (see appendix for further evidence). Keeping in mind if this survey were to be conducted in a different suburb (e.g. with a lower socio-economic status) the results may vary. To conclude, there is much scientific research and evidence to support the negative outcomes of drinking throughout pregnancy as it has a potentially detrimental effect on the life of an unborn child. As addressed above, the biological impacts such as cell migration that effects the overall development of the child’s brain and significantly affects the life of the child. Facial anomalies are also evident with prenatal alcohol exposure. The potential significant brain damage is the cause of unintentional negative social and behavioural effects on the child that affects them for their whole life. The statistics which state the prevalence of disorders and women who drink alcohol during pregnancy supports, along with the opinions women have towards drinking alcohol, supports how damaging this condition can have on the community and child as it’s a serious disorder which is not publicized to the community as often as it should. As stated above, a mother drinking alcohol whil e pregnant has a very large effect on the life of the child exposed physically, biologically, socially and behaviourally. Reference List Secondary sources- Alcohol guidelines: reducing the health risks. (2015, March 24). (A. Government, Producer) Retrieved April 10, 2015, from National Health and Medical Research: http://nhmrc.gov.au/health-topics/alcohol-guidelines Australian Department of Health. (2014). Responding to the impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Australia. Retrieved March 28, 2015, from Australian Government Department of Health: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/0FD6C7C289CD31C9CA257BF0001F96BD/$File/FASD%20-%20Commonwealth%20Action%20Plan%20MAY%202014%20(D14-1125690).pdf Breen, D. L. (2013). Its time to have the conversation: Understanding the treatment needs of women who are pregnant and alcohol dependent. NSW, Australia: University of New South Wales. British Columbia Ministry of Education. (2010). Alcohol effects on the developing brain. Retrieved Feburary 25, 2015, from FASDoutreach: http://www.fasdoutreach.ca/elearning/understanding-fasd/alcohol-effects-developing-brain Callinan, S. (2014, March 17). Trends in alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Australia 2001-2010. Cornwell, A. (1993). Drugs, Alcohol and Mental Health (Vol. 2). Cambridge, Great Britain: Cambridge University Press. FASD Characteristics across the Lifespan. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from nofasd Australia: www.nofasd.org.au/_/FASD_-_Characteristics_across_the_Lifespan FASD prevention. (2010, October 1). Wallet Card: Say No to Alcohol When You Are Pregnant. Retrieved April 1, 2015, from Girls, Women, Alcohol and Pregnancy: https://fasdprevention.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/wallet-card-say-no-to-alcohol-when-you-are-pregnant/ FASlink. (2014). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved March 31, 2015, from FASlink: http://www.faslink.org/fasmain.htm Jean, P. (2012, September 12). Alcohol in pregnancy warnings. Canberra times . Miles, M. Challenges for midwives: pregnant women and illicit drug use (Vol. 1). Adelaide, SA, Australia: Australian Journal of advanced nursing. National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). Current FASD projects. Retrieved March 25, 2015, from National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: http://www.nofasd.org.au/research-library/current-fasd-projects National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. (2013). What is FASD? Retrieved March 25, 2015, from National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Australia: http://nofasd.org.au/resources/what-is-fasd-1 Provicial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. (2013). What is FASD? Retrieved March 3, 2014, from Provicial Outreach Program for Fetal ALcohol Spectrum Disorder: https://www.fasdoutreach.ca/elearning/understanding-fasd/what-is-fasd Pyettfor, P. (2007). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A literature review for the Healthy pregnancies, Healthy Babies for Koor Communities Project. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: State of VIctoria . Robinson, M. (2013). How the first 9 months shape the rest of our lives. Australian Psychologist , 239-245. Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. (2009). Alcohol and Pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A resource for Health Professionals (Vol. 1). Perth, WA, Australia: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. Telethon Kids. (2011). Alcohol, Pregnancy, FASD. Retrieved March 31, 2015, from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: http://alcoholpregnancy.telethonkids.org.au/understanding-fasd/what-is-fasd/ Variety Charity. (2003). Supporting the Marulu Strategy . Retrieved March 25, 2015, from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cegTvwWJjpY#action=share> Webb, I. (1991). Alcohol. Essex, Englans: Hodder Wayland. Womens and Childrens Health Network. (2014). Pregnancy and Alcohol- risks and effects on the developing baby. Retrieved March 31, 2015, from Womens and Childrens Health Network: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114np=122id=1950 Primary sources Anonymous midwife. (2015, March 20). FASD interview. (S. McKenna, Interviewer) Adelaide, SA, Australia. FASD Community Survey, 2015. Appendix Some of the replies to â€Å"What is your personal opinion on drinking alcohol while pregnant? Do you think it’s acceptable to an extent? Why?† (FASD community survey, respondent 14, 9, 13, 4, 2015)

Environmental Activism Essay -- essays research papers

1. The large mainstream environmentalism groups started to compromise too much with regulatory agencies and bureaus, starting with the Glen Canyon Dam project. This began an estrangement with the mainstreams that culminated in the rise of more militant groups like Earth First! Glen Canyon represented what was fundamentally wrong with the country's conservation policies: arrogant government officials motivated by a quasireligious zeal to industrialize the natural world, and a diffident bureaucratic leadership in the mainstream environmental organizations that more or less willingly collaborated in this process.The mainstream environmental groups and government held the premise that mankind should control and manage the natural world. The radicals held that our technological culture with its intrusions on natural world had to be curtailed, perhaps even undone, to keep the ecology of this planet and our role in it viable. It marked a shift from a rearguard strategy (mainstream) to protect wilderness to an affirmative attempt to roll back the artifacts of civilization, to restore the world to the point where natural processes such as the flow of rivers could continue.The mainstream environmental movement is now perceived by many as out of touch with people's deep concern about environmental degradation, has become systematized. The activists use approaches such as industrial vandalism or "ecotage" to foster dramatic results. Some other methods employed are tree spiking, tree sitting, road blockading, demonstrations, tree pinning, ship sinking, dam breaking and outright terrorist-type sabotage (bombing power stations, bridges, power line, etc.) There may be some complimentary results of the efforts of both mainstream and radical groups. The large environmental organizations, while denouncing the radical's confrontational activities, have then been able to use their ample finances to take the campaign to Congress or the courts with the impetus of public support the radicals generated. 2. With Soule's quote, including "Vertebrate evolution may be at an end" it means that the civilization complex has lost its reference point by overwhelming the natural processes it has always used to define itself. The otherness of nature is disappearing into the artificial world of technology. As the environmental crisis worsens, we can expect increased att... ...of civilization's citizens.' Industrial man and the industrial society may be the most deleterious and unsustainable economic system the world has ever seen, since it constantly eats into the ecological systems on which it depends.We are beginning to realize just how costly a system it is as the health and cleanup bills from years of environmental abuse come due. Not surprisingly, those who benefited most from the extravagant rise of the industrial economy have done their best to pass the burden on to others: the poor, the unwary, or the next generation. Industrialism is perhaps the greatest pyramid scheme in history.The role that industrial man must take for the ultimate survival of the natural world is that he must take the action to slow and reverse human population growth . There are ecological limits to how many people can live in dignity on this planet; to quibble over whether that line has yet been crossed is to invite a game of ecological brinkmanship that there is no nee d to play. And if human population has not exceeded carrying capacity, the arguments of the humanist critics leave out the whole question of the effect present population levels have on the nonhuman world.

Animal Rights and Ethical Theories Essay

Human Rights and Philosophical Theories We live in a society where many people fight for rights of their specific groups. Women’s rights, African American’s rights, and rights for handicapped people are just a few examples. Now these are all groups, where people verbally fight for their groups, but what about animal rights? Animals cannot speak or communicate for themselves, they are unable to defend themselves and fight for their rights in our world. Many philosophical theories are used to decide whether or not something is ethically right or ethically wrong, but the theories are pertaining to humans and are species prejudice. We will review animal rights, concerns, and how animal rights are looked upon when applying different ethical theories. We will also conclude that the deontology theory would be most in benefit of animals in the case of animal right whereas the utilitarian theory would be in the greatest benefit of humans when looking at animal rights. There are many big differences between animals and humans. Even within the different species of animals you have many differences. It is nearly impossible to compare an insect to a wolf for example. So when studying animal rights activists’ articles and media, it is hard to agree and say animals are equal to humans. Even when comparing animals to humans who are mentally ill and cannot communicate, there is still a huge difference. Humans are able to communicate with one another where animals have their way of communicating as well but it is tough to compare their way to ours. If an animal is mistreated, it is impossible for that animal to speak up for itself and seek protection. Sometimes animals find protection but this is because humans will stick up for them and act as their voice. Utilitarianism states; â€Å"This arrangement, more than any other, will be the  most beneficial to the greatest number of people.† (Mosser, 2013) Note the word people at the end. So how does this affect other species? So when applying this to animals, automatically we look at how humans are affected by the way animals are treated. We use animals for our resources and have for a very long time. Not only are they part of our 3-course meal but due to testing on animals, cures are found for diseases and often even things like make-up are tested on animals first to make sure no harm will come upon humans. This is not fair to animals and often while being used for food and testing they are mistreated and abused in the process. Sad as this is, would you choose an animal’s right over a cure for cancer being found? It is really tough to think of issues like this. Many animal rights activists will argue that animals have right too, and although they do, when looking at most humans, animals just simply come second. A person’s life at the end of the day has more meaning then an animal’s life. In recent years more produce at grocery stores has become caged free, many companies and farms advertise a more humane kind of farming. When you think about it though, whether the animals are treated right or not, they are still getting butchered to end up on our dinner plates. Now there is a great deal of vegetarians and even vegans but they still do not make up a large part of overall society and probably never will. Animals have feelings and do deserve a fair treatment but according to the utilitarianism theory, whatever is being judged has to be ethically right for the greatest number of people. As people we eat animals, we test on animals to find medical cures, we use animals to make clothing, and we use animals for a variety of other reasons and a variety of other types of testing as well. â€Å"The fundamental wrong is the system that allows us to view animals as our resources, here for us — to be eaten, or surgically manipulated, or exploited for sport or money. Once we accept this view of animals – as our resources – the rest is as predictable as it is regrettable.† (Regan, 1986) Although his point as an animal rights, as an animal activist is clear and valid but would you offer a human life for an animal life? The answer is no. As an animal lover myself I do not want to see animals being mistreated. I  try to buy produce that advertises cage free animals and enjoy pets. Too say that animals are equal to us in any way is far-fetched. â€Å"We begin by asking how the moral status of animals has been understood by thinkers who deny that animals have rights. Then we test the mettle of their ideas by seeing how well they stand up under the heat of fair criticism. If we start our thinking in this way, we soon find that some people believe that we have no duties directly to animals, that we owe nothing to them, that we can do nothing that wrongs them. † (Regan, 1986) When reading this you have to question if his thoughts pertain to all animals or not. If he only cares about mammals but steps on a spider, another animal rights activist may come along and say he is being unfair because he is only an advocate for certain species of animals. â€Å"The great appeal of utilitarianism rests with its uncompromising egalitarianism: everyone’s interests count and count as much as the like interests of everyone else. The kind of odious discrimination that some forms of contractarianism can justify – discrimination based on race or sex, for example – seems disallowed in principle by utilitarianism, as is speciesism, systematic discrimination based on species membership.† (Regan, 1986) You have to draw the line somewhere as far as I’m concerned. â€Å"There are many other obvious ways in which men and women resemble each other closely, while humans and other animals differ greatly. So, it might be said, men and women are similar beings and should have equal rights, while humans and nonhumans are different and should not have equal rights.† (Singer, 1989) Nobody can argue with this statement but one might say monkeys are very close to humans in their appearance and in many of their capabil ities. Yet humans are humans and we are the top of the foods chain. Facts also state that most people are not vegetarians, most people wear animal skins, and most people are for and not against animal testing for medical reasons. I believe that animals should have rights but that those rights should not be in any way equal to humans rights. Their rights should pertain to minimizing suffering. â€Å"If a being suffers, there can be no moral justification for refusing to take that suffering into consideration. No matter what the nature of the being, the principle of equality requires that its suffering be counted equally with the like suffering—in so far as rough comparisons can be made—of any other being.† (Singer, 1989) According to the utilitarianism theory, this would benefit the greatest number of people  because people could continue to use animals as their resources, and by minimizing suffering the animals would also be in a better place ethically then they are now. Now let’s look at the deontology theory. â€Å"Deontology focuses on the duties and obligations one has in carrying out actions rather than on the consequences of those actions.† (Mosser, 2013) So when looking at this, animals would have the greatest benefits. If we apply this theory we would not be cruel, we would not test on animals. When applying this theory we would not care that human lives will be saved if animals were tested on. Basically testing on animals would be looked upon as cruel and inhumane so therefor when not caring about the outcome, it just would not happen. Basically animals are mistreated but at the end of the day, even if they were not abused and treated wrongly, what we do to them for our reasons is ethically wrong no matter how you look at it. The deontologist would not do wrong in the beginning and therefor we would not mistreat and abuse animals and the outcomes of us not doing so would be neither here nor there. Virtue ethics is a little bit tougher to apply in this case. Virtue ethics looks at the character of the individual committing the act and looks at if this person is genuinely a good person or not. What the act is would be considered to be good because a good person would not commit a bad act because it is out of their character to do so. When trying to apply this theory here it is a little tough. Someone could be a great person but still eat meat or still use products that are tested on animals. So although that person is not himself or she committing the bad act against the animals themselves they are still benefitting from the act committed. It is very tough to apply this and analyze this because it can go so many different ways. Basically when looking at animal rights it is a very tough topic to apply ethics to. Animals do not have the ability to speak or defend themselves and whether people and especially animal right activists want to admit it or not, we come higher above them in the food chain. Our knowledge and capabilities as humans makes us very dominant over any other species. That  is just a fact that cannot be denied. It is however not fair that we use animals as our resources but if you had to choose between ending an animal’s life or a family member’s life, what choice would you make? I think even the most extreme of animal rights activists would have a tough time with that choice if they were faced with it. So when applying the theories, the deontology theory acts in the greatest benefit of the animal while the utilitarianism theory is in the greatest benefits of humans when it comes to the topic of animal’s rights. Animals would not be hurt but humans would not be saved if the deontology theory were applied. When applying the utilitarianism theory, the fact that animals get hurt or mistreated makes no difference either way as long as the greatest number of people benefit from it in the end. References Mosser, K. (2013). Understanding Philosophy. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education. Singer, P. (1989). All animals are equal. In T. Regan & P. Singer (Eds.), Animal rights and human obligations (pp. 148-162). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Retrieved from http://spot.colorado.edu/~heathwoo/phil1200,Spr07/singer.pdf Regan, T. (1985). The case for animal rights. In P. Singer (Ed.), In defense of animals (pp. 13-26). New York, NY: Basil Blackwell. Retrieved from http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-m/regan03.htm  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­

Free Essays on Window

The Window As I approach the window to my living room, I can feel the breeze from the warm air passing through the house. The curtains blow furiously around, dancing with one another in what seems to be some ancient primal ritual. Before I even look outside, I can already hear the world speeding by outside. I peer out the window; the air carries with it a distinctive smell. Exhaust from the cars that fly chaotically around, all the people walking on the street. The smell of the sea breeze, and the brisk salty water that carries all the other smells around like a horse and carriage. Hundreds of fragrances that all come together to form one unique sensation. Even a man without sight could see the picture of the city formed by the chorus of aroma’s. Looking down upon the city, one can almost feel rushed by the organized chaos below. People all hurrying from one place to another, bunched together walking in invisible lines like a herd of sheep. Careful not to infringe on others space, the lines of people bend and move. Making their way through the maze of the city, never stopping to talk, or take in their surroundings. Looking annoyed when they must wait to cross the street, checking their watches counting each second as if it were there last. Everyone seeming to be in such a hurry to get where they are going, and even more of a hurry to leave once they get there. The streets, filled with all the cars and busses. Each one with its own sound, honks and roars, revs and putters. Moving with such purpose, following an unwritten pecking order. Busses are the kings of the road. Like an elephant, so big and powerful, moving all other smaller creatures out of its way. Never stopping to worry about the smaller things on the road, it is the master of the mechanical world. The Taxi’s and their wave of yellow, grouping together like a pack of lions hunting with such precision as they weave in and out of traffic. Then the... Free Essays on Window Free Essays on Window The Window As I approach the window to my living room, I can feel the breeze from the warm air passing through the house. The curtains blow furiously around, dancing with one another in what seems to be some ancient primal ritual. Before I even look outside, I can already hear the world speeding by outside. I peer out the window; the air carries with it a distinctive smell. Exhaust from the cars that fly chaotically around, all the people walking on the street. The smell of the sea breeze, and the brisk salty water that carries all the other smells around like a horse and carriage. Hundreds of fragrances that all come together to form one unique sensation. Even a man without sight could see the picture of the city formed by the chorus of aroma’s. Looking down upon the city, one can almost feel rushed by the organized chaos below. People all hurrying from one place to another, bunched together walking in invisible lines like a herd of sheep. Careful not to infringe on others space, the lines of people bend and move. Making their way through the maze of the city, never stopping to talk, or take in their surroundings. Looking annoyed when they must wait to cross the street, checking their watches counting each second as if it were there last. Everyone seeming to be in such a hurry to get where they are going, and even more of a hurry to leave once they get there. The streets, filled with all the cars and busses. Each one with its own sound, honks and roars, revs and putters. Moving with such purpose, following an unwritten pecking order. Busses are the kings of the road. Like an elephant, so big and powerful, moving all other smaller creatures out of its way. Never stopping to worry about the smaller things on the road, it is the master of the mechanical world. The Taxi’s and their wave of yellow, grouping together like a pack of lions hunting with such precision as they weave in and out of traffic. Then the...

Trurl’s Machine Essay Essay Example

Trurl’s Machine Essay Essay Example Trurl’s Machine Essay Paper Trurl’s Machine Essay Paper â€Å"Trurl’s Machine† is the narrative an discoverer who makes an eight-story thought machine. The narrative is an effort to portray the censoring of the people by a Communist government. Lem does this through the usage of character. secret plan and symbolism. The characters in â€Å"Trurl’s Machine† have really different personalities. First. we meet Trurl. the builder. He is a scientist and an discoverer. but he has an artistic side. This he shows by giving the machine face. He has a speedy pique and no forbearance for stupidity. He besides is house in his beliefs as he demonstrates at the terminal of the narrative when the machine is seeking to acquire him to give in. â€Å"†Never! † roared Trurl. as if he no longer cared what happened. †¦ ( Lem ) . † Klapaucius is Trurl’s friend and challenger. He is besides a builder. but a much more light hearted one. He is ever looking on the bright side and he neer shies off from escapade. He besides has a speedy humor and is able to set a amusing spin on most things. The machine is described by Klapaucius. â€Å"Not merely is it sensitive. dense. and obstinate. but speedy to take discourtesy. and believe me. with such an copiousness of qualities. there all kinds of things you might make ( Lem ) ! † It. like Trurl. is speedy to anger. Lem uses the secret plan of the narrative to acquire his message across. In the beginning. the machine declares that 2+2=7. When it meets opposition in the signifier of Trurl and Klapaucius. who mock it. the machine becomes enraged and escapes its foundations in order to trail its tormenters. Here the tormenters become the laden. The machine goes on a violent disorder ; it destroys the town that Klapaucius and Trurl fell in and continues to trail them up the mountain. In its choler. the machine causes excessively much indirect harm and ends up destructing itself. There is besides much symbolism in this narrative. The machine is meant to typify the Communist party. It tries to ban the sentiments of Trurl and Klapaucius. chiefly. that 2+2=4. Trurl and Klapaucius are the laden citizens enduring under the Communist government. They are persecuted for their beliefs. The landslide symbolizes the point at which a population can no longer stand their oppressors and must move. The oppressors go excessively far and do their ain death. â€Å"Trurl’s Machine successfully portrays the battle of laden people against those who would ban their beliefs. Lem was able to utilize character. secret plan and symbolism to accomplish this consequence. The narrative shows that if the oppressed base up to their oppressors. there is a great opportunity that they will predominate.

Economics of Gender Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Economics of Gender - Research Paper Example Recognition of gender equality therefore enriches economic growth in a nation. Gender equality is conveyed in approaches, opinions, actions and policies that mirror an equal valuing and endowment of opportunities for both genders. Absence of discrimination between both genders can also evidence equal eminence between the females and the males in a society. In gender equality, all individuals hold an equivalent level of power and indulge other people with respect and consideration irrespective of their sex (Dollar, David & Gatti, 1999). Equal opportunities and equal worth for both sexes is therefore a demonstration of gender equality. Gender equality can be seen where there is no inferior valuation of females to males at birth. In a society that there is gender equality, women are accorded both their legal and marital rights. The fertility rates and child mortality rates are also lowered. There is no one solitary measure for quantifying the status of women comparative to men at the universal level. Research indicates that two measures can generally be used and these are the gender-related development index and the gender empowerment measure (Mikkola, 2007). The gender-related development index cascades if the accomplishment levels of both women and men reduce or if the discrepancy between their achievements intensifies. On the other hand, the gender empowerment measure scrutinizes whether women and men are competent to energetically partake in the economic and political life of a society. It also studies whether women do take part in decision-making in a society. This measure is fashioned using information on women’s purchasing influence and decision-making supremacy in the economy and political power in Parliament. Despite the use of these two types of measures, the measurement of gender equality can sometimes be difficult. This is because some of the roles t hat

Global Outsourcing Expert Sodexo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Global Outsourcing Expert Sodexo - Essay Example Some of the challenges that have greatly interfered with employees’ careers due to flexibility at work include increased incidences of touring that may, on the other hand, lead to involvement in road accidents or indulgence in non-constructive activities. This may end a good career. Â  Flexible work schedules such as increased feelings to personal control over the schedules and within the working environment have made some employees to extend their hours of operation thus resulting in specialization. This may be very dangerous because employees not be innovative and think beyond their career choices. Â  Also, in some companies where there is a flexible work schedule, the employees have been subjected to tough rules such as subjection to specific working hours within a week and strike lock-outs. The employees hence become redundant because they do not do what they love, instead, they work under strict conditions. Moreover, some issues related to harassment in workplaces by some employers have hampered career progress but none is expected to complain. Harassment may be physical or mental. It reduces work morale of an employee. Â  Flexible work schedules to employees have contributed to decreased external childcare hours and costs. Most employees take much time at work compared to the time they give to their families. Such matters lead to poor parenting since the parent may not be in a position of identifying some of the problems affecting the family.

Classroom Tardiness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Classroom Tardiness - Essay Example It is a relatively common understanding that youths, today, tend to congregate outside of various classrooms to discuss personal elements of their lifestyles which create social connection between the youth groups. However, through this type of discussion and other personal distractions, tardy pupils continue to cause disruption to normal, routine class activities when teachers are forced to deal with tardy pupils and reprimand these students for their inappropriate actions. These delays can take away from quality, group classwork activities. This research proposal offers a study to identify whether teachers themselves, through the use of mobile communications technologies, can reduce tardiness in different classroom environments. This study aims to identify whether through the use of mobile communications technologies, teachers can interact regarding classroom tardiness, thus projecting authoritarianism and unity into the classroom and promoting student adherence to classroom tardiness guidelines. Measure student reactions to routine mobile-to-mobile teacher conversations to measure whether tardiness ratios, through authoritarianism and the mobile device, can be reduced in a typical classroom environment. Weismann and Foerch (2008) offer a unique perspective about educators: Many teachers do not offer students consistent penalties for being late, such as projecting an authoritarian attitude regarding all classroom credits being lost for tardiness. This allows for the leniency to be abused and students simply will not adhere to these rules. It is, again, a relatively common understanding in society that, through proper discipline, children can learn to respect authority and are often intimidated by authoritarian adults. Strict adherence to rules of tardiness would create this rigid atmosphere where actual grades lost become an outcome of disobeying these rules. This would require much more effort on behalf of the teacher. The idea of

Genting Group Essay Example for Free

Genting Group Essay The Genting Group was founded by the late Tan Sri (Dr.) Lim Goh Tong in 1965. It is one of Malaysia’s top multinational corporations. The Genting Group involves in several different sectors such as the leisure hospitality, power generation, oil palm plantation, property development, biotechnology and oil gas sectors. Tan Sri (Dr.) Lim Goh Tong started his project with the building of a 20-kilometre private access road, across tough mountainous terrains from the foothills to the summit of Mount Ulu Kali, located at 2,000 metres above sea level and also the first highlands resort on the mountain in Malaysia which formerly named Genting Highlands Resort. For a corporation to grow, business objectives are important because objectives give direction to a business. The Genting Group had been operating for 47years till today and we can see it with our eye that it indeed grows from strength to strength. This is because The Genting Group had clearly stated out their goals and objectives and did well in achieving it. One of the goals of The Genting Group is â€Å"Care for the Community†. To achieve this goal, The Genting Group had set the objectives to help the community. The Genting Group done a great job in achieving the objective in the year 2011 by dedicated amount more than RM25 million to many charities and community. The organizations that benefit from The Genting Group are Malaysian Liver Foundation, MAA-Medicare Kidney Foundation, OrphanCare Baby Hatch Programme, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation, Malaysia Diabetes Association and The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia. As for the organizations in foreign country included The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, Heartware Network, Milk Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute in Singapore; the GREaT Foundation, BBC’s Children In Need and Cancer UK through Race for Life events, Cancer UK, Comic Relief, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Japanese Red Cross and also the Japanese Earthquake Relief. Besides that when the Sultanah of Pahang DYMM Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom binti Abdullah officially launched the Orang Asli Che Wong Cultural Building in Lanchang, Pahang on 19 November 2011, The Genting Group donated a 2,800-square-foot cultural building which consists of a classroom, an exhibition room and a hall for performances that cost a total of RM180, 000 and the Genting employees also lend a helping hand by volunteered in the landscaping and beautification  efforts. Furthermore in Malaysia, the Group participated in the Roti 1Malaysia charity project. This project is successful with the kind sponsored of bread from Resorts World Genting together with other hotels and bakeries in the Klang Valley and distribute to over 50 orphanages and homes weekly. Therefore from here we can see that The Genting Group had made their effort in helping the community generously and sincerely. This is shown when it is not only the corporation care the community but also the employees of Genting Group involve themselves too. Although The Genting Group had did well in their objectives, however I suggest that The Genting Group could set out another objective in order to achieve the goal, â€Å"maintaining long-term sustainable growth in our core businesses†. This objective is basically to care the customers, for example, â€Å"Provide the best environment and services to customers† and this can be achieved by improving the casino. If we compare between the Resort World Sentosa Casino and Genting Highlands casinos, we can obviously see that the Genting Highlands casinos are not so good than the other one. This is because of the environment and ventilation. The ventilation of Genting Highlands casino was poor and the air is stuffy. This may be cause of the casinos is not smoke free and therefore is full of cigarette smoke. The decoration of the Genting Highlands casinos are more in the 80s, it looks old and tradition. On the other hand, the Resort World Sentosa Casino is more clean and good ventilation. This is because the casino was divided into smoking area and non-smoking area. The decoration of the casino is grand and the environment is more comfortable and relaxing compare with Genting Highlands casinos. The Resort World Sentosa Casino is more strict compare with Genting Highlands Casinos. In The Resort World Sentosa Casino, the security will not let customers without passport to enter the casino but for Genting Highlands Casinos, the securities will not check every single customer, therefore there may be underage youngster enter the casinos. The Genting Highlands Casinos should immediately take action in order to provide a better environment for their customers to ensure customers loyalty that can increase the profit of the company. As a conclusion, The Genting Group did do well in overall. It provides an array of enjoyment and fun for all people, from children to senior citizen.

Benefits of Flexible Working Hours

Benefits of Flexible Working Hours 6. Literature Review 6.1 Definitions Janssen and Nachreiner (2004) defined Flexible Working Hours as involving a continuous choice on behalf of employers, employees or both, regarding the amount (chronometry) and the temporal distribution (chronology) or working hours. â€Å"Arrangements that allow employees to have a more variable schedule as opposed to complying with the standard 8-hour workday† (Janssen and Nachreiner, 2004) According to the definition of Handbook on Alternative Work Schedules, Flexible hours are referred to as the times during the workday, workweek, or pay period within the tour of duty during which an employee covered by a flexible work schedule may choose to vary his or her times of arrival to and departure from the work site consistent with the duties and requirements of the position. Flexible working hours is also defined as a system of attendance whereby individual employees select their starting and finishing times from day to day, subject to the concurrence of the work unit in which they work and to specified conditions. A system in which employees can start or stop work at different hours of the morning or evening provided that they work a certain number of hours per day or week (http://www.hrdictionary.com/definition/flexible-working-hours.html). According to the definition of Technical staff, Southern Cross University, flexible working hours are work schedule in which employees can use their own discretion as to the time on the job as long as they complete the specified number of hours within a work period that is, one month, one week, or one day (Barker, 1999). It is a system of working a set number of hours with the starting and finishing times chosen within agreed limits by the employee (www.oxfordreference.com) Christensen and Staines (1990) defined this as an arrangement provides employees with some limited discretion as to the starting and stopping times for their work day, while requiring a standard number of hours to be worked within a given time period. Flexible working hours refers to the practice by employers of allowing employees to vary their attendance pattern. Variation is usually in terms of start and finish times, as well as hours per day. Flexible working hours are often referred to as flexi time. Employees working flexible hours are able to use flexi time credit to take time off without reducing other leave credits. Flexible working hours are usually subject to a number of operating rules (Transport strategy, Adecision makers guide book). ‘Flexible working hours are also defined as working time arrangements allowing a continuous choice regarding the duration and the temporal distribution of working time for both the employee and the employer (http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/2006/05/DE0605NU4.htm). A simple deviation from the standard working time is not seen as sufficient for a distinction. The definition intends to exclude shorter but regular working time arrangements such as part-time work or deviating but regular working hours such as shift work (http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/2006/05/DE0605NU04.htm). 6.2 Why flexible working hours are implemented? Flexible working conditions are becoming increasingly common within modern economies, and in many countries legislation has been introduced enabling certain groups of employees to request flexible working. For example, Scandinavian countries in particular grant extensive flexible working rights, such as parental leave, flexitime and other family friendly provisions to employees (Brandth, 2001). Flexible working arrangements are increasingly offered by organizations in order to remain competitive through the recruitment and retention of top performing employees. These arrangements aim to be a win/win situation for the organization, by way of increased productivity and loyalty, and for the employee through work life benefits. The introduction of flexible working allows employees to have greater control over their work life balance, and can act as an important tool in the organizations recruitment and retention process. Flexible working is one device that employers can use to attract a more diverse workforce, allowing them to compete in the war for talent( Management Brief Report). Some forms of flexible working schedules such as part-time work, compressed work weeks, annualized hours, and flexitime have a long history and have traditionally been introduced largely to meet employer needs for flexibility or to keep costs down, though they may also have met employee needs and demands (Dalton Mesch, 1990).These and other flexible arrangements are also introduced ostensibly to meet employee needs for flexibility to integrate work and family demands under the banner of so-called family-friendly employment policies (Harker, 1996; Lewis Cooper, 1995). Often a business case argument has been used to support the adoption of flexible work arrangements; that is, a focus on the cost benefits (Barnett Hall, 2001). Other contemporary drivers of change include increased emphasis on high-trust working practices and the thrust toward gender equity and greater opportunities for working at home because of new technology (Evans 2000). Nevertheless, despite much rhetoric about t he importance of challenging outmoded forms of work and the gradual association of flexible working arrangements with leading-edge employment practice (Friedman Greenhaus, 2000), the implementation of these policies remains patchy across organizations (Glass Estes, 1997). Since 2003 the right to request flexible working conditions has been granted to all UK employees with children aged less than six years or to those with caring responsibilities (BERR 2008). This right has recently been extended to employees with children aged up to 16 years (BERR, 2009). Many of these legislative changes have been explicitly or implicitly underpinned by the assumption that flexible working will have positive effects on employee adaptability, performance (Artazcoz 2005), work-life balance and health (MacEachen 2008). In a number of low and middle-income countries flexible working hours is a relatively new concept which tends to be restricted to large multi-national companies. Paul Ashton, mobility solutions support manager at Logsys, discusses the work anywhere, anytime, on any device implications of flexible working. Following the introduction of new UK legislation in April 2003 with regards to offering employees with young or disabled children flexible working options, there have been massive developments in the way in which organisations operate. Two years on, the ideas behind flexible working are still being discussed, experimented with and tentatively accepted throughout the UK. At the forefront of this movement is the objective of providing employees with a suitable work/life balance and key to its success is supporting this through achieving more profitable business practices. Flexible working is all about working in real time. It is about mobilizing work forces and giving individuals the freedom and ability to work any time, anywhere, using any device. It is about enterprise-wide access to information, applications and data and the ability to util ize these items as and when they are needed. For employees it means home working abilities and potentially improved work/life balance. It should also mean easier working, more effective methods and processes, and the ability to work smarter to achieve more. For employers it means maximizing efficiency to achieve more through the same resources. It means improved employee retention and improved services for customers- which in turn means increased competitiveness and greater profitability. 6.3 Kinds of flexible hour work practice Flexible work arrangements can take on a variety of characteristics, ranging from staggered working hours to remote, off-site work areas. Within the Flexible work arrangements themselves, employers often provide additional flexibility (e.g., selecting the time of day when staggered working hours begin) and/or offer various options for Flexible work arrangements in order to provide even greater flexibility to their workforces (www.clc.executiveboard.com). Compressed working weeks â€Å"Any system of fixed working hours more than 8 hours in length which results in a work week of less than 5 full days of work a week† (Tepas,1985). This standard definition includes the most obvious examples with 9, 10 or12 hours a day, and a normal full-time working week of 36 to 42 hours. Twelve-hour shifts are particularly controversial. In recent years, as Hoekstra, Jansen Van Goudoever (1994) report for the Netherlands, â€Å"there has been increasing variety in working patterns. The compressed working week is one of the many possible arrangements for working hours. This increasing variety can be attributed to the desire for greater flexibility in working hours. Tepas (1985) have listed the potential advantages of the compressed workweek as follows: Increased possibility for multi-day off-the-job leisure and care activity A reduction in commuting problems and costs Fewer workdays with no loss of pay A regular, steady workweek Ease in covering all jobs at the required times More time for scheduling meetings or training sessions Increased opportunity for communication within the organization Increased opportunity for communication with other organizations Decrease in start-up and/or warm-up expenses Fewer supervisory personnel may be needed More efficient stock flow for assembly-line operations Less night work Increased production rates Improvement in the quantity or quality of services to the public Better opportunities to hire skilled workers in tight labour markets Flexi time Ronen (1981) described Flextime (also called flexible working hours) as a type of flexible work arrangement that allows employees to vary their work schedules, within certain ranges and dimensions, according to their differing needs (). Unlike other flexible work arrangements, flextime focuses exclusively on the work schedule and does not alter the location of work or the total number of hours worked. Although there is no truly standard work schedule, the traditional workday is defined as a forty-hour week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (Catalyst, 1997). Flextime allows employees to break from the standard work schedule by starting the work day early and ending early, starting late and ending late, or taking breaks during the day and making up the time at the beginning or end of the day. Some flextime options allow employees to work extra hours on one day to make up for shortened hours on another day. Golembiewski and Proehl, (1978) and Christensen and Staines (1990) have been identified several key dimensions of flextime, such as core hours (the daily hours during which employees must be at work), bandwidth (the earliest and latest starting and stopping times to which employees can adjust their schedules) and schedule flexibility, which is the ability to change starting and stopping times from day to day and week to week without prior approval from supervisors. A study by Hill, Hawkins, Ferris and Weitzman (2001) found that perceived flexibility in the timing and location of work was positively related to work-family balance, and that the greater the extent of such flexibility, the more the employees were able to work a greater number of hours without harming their work-family balance. Another study found a direct effect of flextime on work-family conflict (Shinn, Wong, Simko, Ortiz-Torres, 1989). Several studies have found that flextime is related to outcomes indicative of work-family conflict. For example, Ralston (1989) found that employees were better able to juggle work and family demands after flextime was implemented and Bohen Viveros-Long (1981) found that flextime reduced stress among parents. Thomas Ganster (1995) found that flextime was directly related to perceived control over work and family, and it was indirectly related to work-family conflict. Annual-hours contracts annual-hours contracts are contracts of employment where the total hours to be worked in a twelve-month period are specified, rather than the weekly hours. This provides employers with the flexibility to devise a shift system to ensure continuous operations. Traditionally annualized hours were adopted in the manufacturing sector, but increasingly it is a popular system for organizing work time in the service sector, especially where twenty-four-hour, seven-day-week services are provided (http://www.jrank.org/business/pages/39/annual-hours-contracts). Job Share Job sharing is an arrangement where two or more employees share the duties and responsibilities of a single full time job. Each job sharer has broadly the same responsibilities, although their contractual terms and conditions of employment may differ. Job-sharing is common now across a range of occupations, including professions such as GPs, accountants and managers. This is an option that women may prefer as a way of returning to work after maternity leave. The employer benefits as it retains valuable skills within the organization, encourages retention and often results in greater productivity (www.clc.executiveboard.com). Self rostering â€Å"Flexible rostering is where each rostering period is planned individually (typically 4 -6 weeks at a time). Shifts are allocated on the basis of manning requirements which reflect anticipated demand patterns, as well as myriad other rostering parameters, including staffs preferences for off-duty† (Silvestro Silvestro, 2000). Thornthwaite Sheldon (2004) described that employee self-rostering systems enable individual employees to tailor working hours to maximize their compatibility with domestic responsibilities. Such rosters would allow employees to choose to work mornings, afternoons or school hours only, or some combination of different hours each day. Self-rostering means that a group of employees make work schedules by themselves. This is based on a company time frame determined by the employer in which the quantitative and qualitative demands have to be met. By designing the work schedules, the employees determine their own starting and ending time duration of their services and are supposed to create a dialogue to synchronize the individual wishes with the requirements set by the employer (Zeggenschap, 2008). Part time work Employees with a part-time work arrangement typically follow one of the following schedules: Work a reduced number of hours per day, five days per week Work eight hours per day, less than five days per week Employers are increasingly providing part-time employees with many of the same benefits provided to full-time workers particularly smaller employers that want to attract candidates but do not need many full-time workers. As with flextime, some states mandate that part-time work be available for women returning to work after a pregnancy (www.clc.executiveboard.com). 6.4 Benefits of flexible hours working arrangement. Both employees and employers alike can benefit through the utilization of flexible work practices. Flexible work arrangements can help to improve recruitment and retention, assist in managing workloads and in boosting employee satisfaction. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), U.K. guidelines for employers and employees state that flexible working opportunities benefit everyone: employers, employees and their families (www.dti.gov.uk, Flexible Working). For individuals, the opportunity to work flexibly can greatly improve the ability to balance home and work responsibilities. The DTI guidelines provide examples of the following flexible working schemes: Annualized hours describes working time organized on the basis of the number of hours to be worked over a year rather than a week; usually to fit in with peaks and troughs of work. Pay will depend on the hours worked each pay period. Compressed hours allow individuals to work their total number of agreed hours over a shorter period. For example, employees might work their full weekly hours over four, rather than five, days. They would be paid for a full-time job but would not receive overtime payments for any agreed extra hours worked during a day. Flexi time gives employees choice about their actual working hours, usually outside certain agreed core times. Individuals are paid for the hours that they work. Home-working doesnt have to be on a full-time basis and it may suit an employee to divide their time between home and office. Individuals are paid according to the hours that they work. Employers are required to carry out a risk assessment of the activities undertaken by home-workers, identifying any hazards and deciding whether enough steps have been taken to prevent harm to them or anyone else who may be affected by the work. Job-sharing typically involves two people employed on a part-time basis while working together to cover a full-time job. Both receive pay for the hours they work. Shift working gives employers the scope to have their business open for longer periods than an eight-hour day. Agreed flexible working arrangements may lead to a shift premium payment not being required. Staggered hours allow employees to start and finish their day at different times. Pay depends on hours worked in total rather than the time at which they were worked. Term-time working allows employees to take unpaid leave of absence during the school holidays. Bond et al, (2005) The Families and Work Institute report, When Work Works, states that employees who are provided with flexibility in their work are more likely to: Be engaged in their jobs and committed to helping their company succeed; Intend to remain with their current employer; and, Feel satisfied with their jobs. The positive work-life balance effects of flexible working are probably the best known and most frequently cited advantages. Aiming for a greater balance between demands from within and outside the workplace is often the driver for individuals to seek such arrangements. The interplay between employee wellbeing, work-life balance and performance brings into play factors such as organizational commitment, enthusiasm, energy and satisfaction. Flexible working arrangements, such as flexitime and teleworking, are becoming more common in industrialized countries but the impacts of such flexibility on employee health and wellbeing are largely unknown. Several studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of employee-negotiated flexible working on health and wellbeing, such as reduced stress and stress-related illnesses, reduced sickness absence and improved work-life balance, including time spent with children and marital satisfaction (MacEachen 2008). Kerry et al (2010) examined the health and wellbeing effects of flexible working arrangements which favour the worker as well as those dictated by the employer (for example, fixed-term contracts or mandatory overtime). The findings of this review tentatively suggest that flexible working interventions that increase worker control and choice (such as self-scheduling or gradual/partial retirement) are likely to have a positive effect on health outcomes, including improvements in physical health (reduced systolic blood pressure and heart rate), mental health (e.g. reduced psychological stress) and general health (e.g. tiredness and sleep quality) measures. Importantly, interventions which increased worker flexibility were not associated with any adverse health effects in the short term. In contrast, interventions that were motivated or dictated by organizational interests, such as fixed-term contract and involuntary part-time employment, found equivocal or negative health effects. Kandolin (1996) reported significant reductions in tiredness during the night shift when comparing intervention and control group participants. Smith (1998) demonstrated improvements in mental health, sleep quality on day shift, sleep duration on night shift and alertness during night shift in the intervention group compared with the comparison group. Viitasalo (2008) found statistically significant decreases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate for workers with flexible scheduling compared with those in the control group. A study which was performed by Cranfield University, found that the intuitive expectation that the employee who is better able to integrate work and non-work will experience enhanced wellbeing. Indirectly, this positive association impacts on performance, with employees in a sense ‘repaying their organization with improved levels of motivation and drive. Some employees who had become accustomed to working flexibly expressed unwillingness to move back to a more traditional pattern, linking their flexible arrangement to reduced pressure and stress. There was abundant evidence of individuals adapting their working arrangement over time to meet both changing job demands and evolving demands from the home, and great value was placed on the personal control to meet needs from both domains which was afforded by their flexible working pattern. So flexibility is highly valued, but does not remain static over time (www.workingfamilies.org.uk). Stress is linked to wellbeing and work-life balance, and here the picture is less clear. Flexible working could be seen as a positive measure which helped reduce workplace stress through reducing hours, cutting down on commuting time and minimizing work overload. However, it could also be a source of stress, if a reduction in hours meant that employees struggled to achieve objectives which had not been appropriately reduced to match such a change. This reinforces the message that flexible working needs to be well designed to succeed, particularly in the case of reduced hours work where the required tasks of the role should reflect the hours available (www.workingfamilies.org.uk). This study at Cranfield University also focused on the impact on employees performance related to the flexible working schedule. It has found that individuals and their managers felt positive 61% and 45% respectively. A similar number of managers 43% felt that there was no impact either way from flexible working. Only a small proportion of respondents indicated that flexible working had a negative impact on the quantity of work of either the flexible workers themselves or their co-workers. Flexible work allows people to make changes to the hours or times they work, and where they work. It helps people organize their careers to accommodate other commitments, and to manage transitions in and out of the workforce. For flexible work to be described as â€Å"quality†, these changes must not adversely affect income, career progression, availability of scheduled leave or access to desirable employment for those who take it up. For an arrangement to be considered truly flexible it must provide the employee with the means to manage his or her work while managing other commitments, and without adversely affecting the business. In addition, â€Å"quality flexible work† provides benefits for both employees and employers. Benefits for employees may include increased opportunities for families to spend â€Å"quality time† together and greater ease for family members to combine paid work and family responsibilities, while benefits for employers include addressing skills shortages and increased staff retention and loyalty (Fursman, 2009). Employee driven flexibility is widely regarded as a measure that can reduce work-life balance conflict. For example, in New Zealand, research by the Department of Labour (2008) found that employees who reported a particular FWA was available to them were more likely to rate their work-life balance highly. This is supported by research by the Families Commission showing that 88% of survey respondents who had a lot of flexibility were satisfied with their work-life balance, compared to 52% of respondents who had little or no flexibility (Families Commission, 2008). Statistics New Zealand data also shows that among employed people; those that did not have flexible hours in their main job were more likely to be dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their work-life balance (Statistics New Zealand, 2008). Similarly in Australia, a 2008 survey found that employees without FWAs were more likely to experience work-life balance conflict (Pocock et al, 2009). Fursman and Zodgekar (2009) studied the Impacts of Flexible Working Arrangements on New Zealand Families. The findings of this research suggest that many family members have access to flexible work arrangements, and that such arrangements provide significant benefits for them and their families, including less stress and pressure and more opportunities to spend time together. Flexible work arrangements can also allow family members to meet their care responsibilities while maintaining their participation in the paid workforce. The arrangements wanted and needed by families changed as their families changed; for example, as children reached school age, or older family members became increasingly more dependent. A range of studies associate flexible work arrangements with positive outcomes for employees. This includes a positive impact on employees perceptions of job quality (Kelliher Anderson, 2008), increased job satisfaction and reduced leaving intentions (Forsyth and Polser-Debruyne, 2007), enabling families to spend more time together, and reducing stress and pressure (Families Commission, 2008). Gill et al(2007) studied the incidence and impact of flexible working arrangements in smaller businesses. In this study, positive impacts of flexible work arrangements in recruitment and retention, enhanced employee relations, commitment and loyalty are found, together with disadvantages of operational problems and administrative burdens. William et al (1981) have found that the flexi time did not support the traditional flexi time consequences for work satisfaction or leisure satisfaction. However, employees working under a flexi time schedule reported certain other improvements, including easier travel and parking, a smaller amount of interrole conflict, a greater feeling of being in control in the work setting; and more opportunity for leisure activities. 6.5 Limitations of implementation of flexible working hours Hayman (2009) has revealed that the attitudes and expectations of co-workers and employers intermingled with issues about fairness, managerial support, feelings of guilt, and career impacts are particular barriers to flexibility. And also he found that the availability of flexible work options alone may not be enough to influence work-life balance outcomes for employees and that perceived usability is critical. A UK study by Waumsley and Houston (2009) also found that perceptions play a significant role with study participants perceiving that flexible working is detrimental to work performance and career progression. This was despite participants recognizing that flexible working delivers work-life balance benefits. Organizational policies on flexible work cannot be fully effective without real support and commitment from management in implementing and applying these policies. Managers need to encourage and actively support the use of flexible arrangements, and organizations need to actively support managers in making flexible working arrangements part of the normal operating environment. Managers need to be provided with appropriate resources, training and time to appropriately assess all requests for changes in work arrangements. Some adjustments to work organization may be necessary, such as scheduling meetings when all staff can attend (Equal Opportunity for Women in the WorkplaceAgency;http://www.eowa.gov.au/Pay_Equity/Files/Recommendations). Organizations also need to ensure that all employees who are using flexible work arrangements are accepted and respected as valued and committed employees. Such employees should be included in all training and professional development opportunities and given the opportunity for promotion on the same basis as all other employees. A critical part of a flexible work culture is ensuring that employees understand and work within an environment of mutual trust and obligation. Employees must have a strong commitment to the success of any flexible work arrangement. Employees on flexible work arrangements must maintain work and performance standards and ongoing communication between employees and their supervisors is essential. Employee engagement in the success of flexible work arrangements will maximize benefits for both the organization and the employee (Equal Opportunity for Women in the WorkplaceAgency;http://www.eowa.gov.au/Pay_Equity/Files/Recommendations) Research by the Families Commission; found that a perception of unsupportive workplace cultures; a perceived impact on career progression and reduction in income; and a perception that flexibility was only available to highly valued employees were among the barriers experienced by employees (Families Commission, 2008). It also found that flexibility could also lead to guilt about taking time off and employees working harder and doing longer hours than might ordinarily be the case (Families Commission, 2008). A recent smaller study of firms in the New Zealand accounting sector noted the impact of traditional values and culture within the sector that work against flexibility (Ministry of Womens Affairs, 2010). This includes a culture of long hours and at partnership level, a perception that being a partner and caring for children were mutually exclusive (Ministry of Womens Affairs, 2010). Work-life balance issues including Flexible Working Arrangements have a significant gender dimension (Fursman, 2008). Fursmans 2008 review of literature usefully summarizes some of the key issues emerging as including: The significance of gender differences in the industries and occupations that women and men work in, with different occupations affording different opportunities to access Flexible Working Arrangements. A range of literature discusses gender differences in decision-making about career choices with women more likely to make decisions based on accommodating family needs. Differences in the availability of Flexible Working Arrangements, both in the UK and New Zealand, with women more likely to request arrangements affecting their total number of hours worked where as men were more likely to request forms of flexibility that had no effect on income and earnings. Research revealing differences between men and womens perceptions of work with women more likely to place weight on putting family needs before work (Fursman, 2008). Social policy journal of New Zealand mentioned about a research showed that there were a number of barriers preventing the take-up of flexible working arrangements, with many of these resulting from employee perceptions that using flexible work arrangements would not be supported by their employers. The lack of available arrangements in particular workplaces was an obvious barrier; however, other barriers centered on negative employer attitudes, both perceived and actual, to requests for flexible work. Employees reported that they did not use flexible work arrangements because doing so would have a negative impact on career progression and negative financial consequences (parti