Legal and Ethical Aspects of Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance of Employees”

mANAGEMENT 350: hUMAN RESOURCE mANAGEMENT| â€Å"Legal and Ethical Aspects of Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance of Employees†| | By: Chakana Moore, Patricia Davis, Eric Luken, Michelle Dailey, Jeffrey Webb| | 11/21/2011 Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance Human Resource Management Research Project November 21, 2011 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance of Employees Introduction Workplace monitoring has been a point of discussion within businesses as Human Resource Management feels that there is a need to watch their employees and how they conduct themselves at all times during the work day. Unless a government employee, employees are subject to any monitoring the employer deems necessary. Monitoring of e-mail and voicemail, as well as personal searches is within the rights of employers. Conducting video surveillance and tracking internet use are also rights of employers. There are legal as well as ethical aspects of employee monitoring which will be discussed in this paper. Specifically, we’ll expound on two specific organization examples that illustrate the growth of workplace monitoring. Next, issues and challenges of employee monitoring will be discussed. Lastly, sound recommendations based on our research will be given because it affects the people within the organization. It’s vital for workers to understand why monitoring is important and managers to respect and understand that employees have rights as well. Company/Organizational Examples Many companies utilize monitoring and surveillance. They have to learn to balance employer and employee rights. Businesses have the right to ensure that the employees are performing their jobs properly in a secure environment. On the other side, employees feel they should be protected at work and away from work. Since technology allows for employees to take large sums of valuable company secrets or data with them, workplace monitoring has increased. Common workplace monitoring includes e-mail and voice mail, internet use, and surveillance at work. Workplace monitoring has grown because of several forces. First force was the expansion in available technology, ranging from the internet to global tracking devices, which enhanced video capabilities and improved information systems software. Another force mentioned in our textbook is the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which led to the passing of USA Patriot Act. Robert L. Mathis, John H. Jackson 502) This Act allowed government investigators to engage in broader monitoring of individuals, including workplace, in order to protect national security. One concern raised in the workplace is the privacy rights of employees. Employees can feel they are being threatened because of the monitoring. â€Å"Right to privacy† is an individualà ¢â‚¬â„¢s freedom from unauthorized and unreasonable intrusion into personal affairs. However, constitutional rights to privacy are generally inferred through the U. S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment’s rights which usually apply only to state actions. (Kopp) In an employment context, state actions are fairly narrowed to protecting federal, state, and municipal employees; private-sector employees must look elsewhere for protection. A possible source for such protection from employer snooping includes federal legislation and state common law tort actions such as invasion of privacy. The primary piece of federal legislation suggesting employee privacy interest is Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). McCubbins) There are three exceptions under the ECPA. The first one is the â€Å"provider exception† which says if the employer is providing the telephone, e-mail, or internet services to the employee being monitored, there is little doubt that the employer is protected from employee privacy claims. A second exception is the â€Å"ordinary course of business. † Under this exception, the employee can monitor employee com munications to ensure legitimate business objectives as assuring quality control, preventing sexual harassment, and preventing use of excessive telephone or email usage. Last exception is the â€Å"consent†. â€Å"Consent† exception applies to even when the sender of the intercepted communication has been assured that all email communications would remain confidential and privileged. In Smyth v The Pillsbury Company, Smyth sent emails to his supervisor that contained unprofessional comments from his home computer. Because his supervisor gave consent to the company to intercept the emails and the emails were later retrieved by the courts, Smyth was terminated and was not able to be protected under the consent exception. A second commonplace monitoring method used by employers is internet tracking. Internet tracking can be used to visit non-work websites like Facebook and Yahoo accounts. Statistics show over 90% of employees admits to visiting other websites doing work hours. About 76% of firms monitor internet use. This can help companies prevent employees from going to inappropriate sites which could possibly create legal issues. For instance, a New Jersey case contained a log that showed one employee accessing porn websites. This activity caused an employee to be arrested due to repeatedly logging on that site when told by his supervisor to stop. Also, this type of activity draws attention to companies and causes law enforcement to get involved and companies can be charged with aiding and abetting legal behavior if found with evidence. A third form of employee monitoring is the use of video surveillance at work. Video surveillance can create a lot of issues in the workplace. Businesses use them on retail floors and in production areas, parts and inventory rooms, and lobbies. According to the annual survey, Workplace Monitoring and Surveillance Survey 2001 conducted by the American Management Association, more than three-quarters of all major U. S. firms are recording and/or reviewing the e-mail messages and telephone calls. Also, surveillance can be used to monitor software in the workplace. One surveillance capability of software monitoring can include workplace software that runs on monitored computers is hidden and difficult for an employee to find or the software could be present and monitoring their every keystrokes. Monitoring software cannot be terminated without the network administrator’s permission. Major issues/challenges Video surveillance is a great way for managers to ensure that their employees are behaving ethically. All managers want to make sure that their company’s time and money are being spent in the right way. Video surveillance will show what is going on within the company, but with the installation of video cameras some problems are likely to arise. Some of the top problems we found will be discussed over the next three paragraphs. The first problem that may arise is deception. This occurs when the company installs video camera for the first time and they don’t inform the employees. If the employer lies about the locations of the camera, this can be considered a form of deception and can open up the possibility for a lawsuit to take place. The employer must be completely honest with their workers in order for the camera to be of good use. With the evolution of technology there are different ways to ensure the company’s time is being used the right way and with doing that, employers must tell the employees that they will be videotaped while at work. There have been lawsuits surrounding uninformed employees and the courts have ruled in favor of the employee. Violation of confidentiality occurs when the company distributes information of an employee. This can happen in different ways such as the company giving out information to someone who doesn’t have the right to have it; for example, distributing video tapes of employees in a theft apprehend interview or job interview. With the installation of video surveillance there will be varying reactions. Only authorized management staff should watch the tapes and not distribute the tapes to unauthorized users. The biggest problem that companies can face from installation of video surveillance is invasion of privacy. This can happen when businesses install video surveillance in employee bathrooms or any other inappropriate place an employee will dwell. It’s reasonable that companies want to do what they can to prevent employees from stealing from the company whether that is merchandise or time. It’s also reasonable that companies want to prevent any conflict that can arise during work. Through the installation of video surveillance, problems can be prevented due to the video surveillance serving as evidence of any unethical behavior. Recommendation/Implementation Based on our research, it is highly recommended that organizations have a structured surveillance and electronic monitoring system within the workplace. Having an accurate system in place will most likely have a positive impact on the people that work within the organization. Also, it will protect the company from unmerited/unwanted lawsuits. Surveillance systems within the workplace show that employers are taking the initiative to make their employees feel safe. Employers utilize surveillance systems to ensure employee security by placing them externally within the outside parameter of the business including parking lots, street corners, garages, and poorly lit areas. Internal cameras can help decrease workplace violence and theft within the company. If employees know they are being watched, they are less likely to cause confrontations or to steal because of the threat of being caught on tape. One negative impact that internal cameras can have on employees is it may affect employee morale because it can make employees feel like they are not trusted and that they are always being watched. However, organizations have to be careful not to violate employee privacy laws by placing video surveillance within restrooms, changing rooms, or private areas. From a legal standpoint, advances in electronic technology and telecommunication have created additional problems for human resource managers through the use of emails, internet, voice mail, and instant messaging. Monitoring all employees’ electronic usage is critical in order for the company to protect itself from lawsuits and from potentially damaging the company’s image. Having a structured system in place will significantly help a company be proactive instead of reactive in their disciplinary steps to correct or eliminate the abuse of their internal electronic systems. The employer should have scanners that are equipped with scanners that will screen for inappropriate pictures or wording and a firewall that will block inappropriate internet websites that the company does not approve of. If an employee is flagged by this scanning system, hey should be disciplined immediately according to company policy and human resource professionals should thoroughly document the incident to prevent lawsuits or in the event a lawsuit is filed they are well prepared to prove that the company was justified in their disciplinary actions they took. The correct strategic approach to electronic mo nitoring and surveillance is to have an in depth employee handbook which is an essential tool for communicating information regarding the workplace policies and disciplinary actions. The handbook should be a downward communication that flows from the top management to the rest of the organization. However, the organization should create a company culture were employees also feel comfortable with upward communication that enable managers to learn about employee concerns because several of the employee handbook violations are reported by lower level employees. Within the employee handbook, employers should have a video surveillance policy informing employees about their surveillance system, informing them that the surveillance system is only performed for legitimate business purposes, and that they strictly limit those who view the surveillance videos. Also, there should be an electronic communications policy that employees are required to sign a permission form that states, they will comply with the policy. This policy should clearly outline that electronic use is provided by the employer for business use only; the use of media for personal use is restricted and is subject to employer review; all passwords must be available to the employer; and the employer reserves the right to monitor or search any media without notice. Organizations must ensure that they are balancing employer and employee rights by using electronic monitor and surveillance systems for business purposes only. Conclusion Surveillance of employees in the work place comes down to investments and the right to be involved in almost all aspects of that investment. Involvement in one’s interest is a good thing but if used excessively, any good things can be harmful. 90 percent of works admit to the use of their computer for non-work related issues, this is an impressive stat that any intelligent business owner would not ignore. Ignoring this stat turns your back on the quality and quantity of work you are paying your employees for, not including legal issues that can be devastating to your company. Internet surveillance seems to be a much need necessity for large companies were as video surveillance is needed for almost every company. Video surveillance is only the epitome of technology and ethical monitoring. Now business has the means of protecting tangible, non-tangible, and human investments at all times. This act starts by insuring employees that they are protected and procedures are in place to keep them working along an ethical passage. This is why it is important to inform those in the work of surveillance, it discourages unwanted behavior, this does not only protean to employees but to outsiders as well. How many times have you see signs of surveillance? Some says â€Å"Smile, you are being watched,† this very smart thing to do in this day in age. Everyone would love to watch every moment of their child’s development but no one has the time and resources to do so. What if you could? What if this was your job? Sure you would try to do so with the best of your abilities, but at the same time, you would have to give them private time. So, there is a clear line between protection and Violation of Confidentiality and Invasion of Privacy Working for any company is a privilege not a right, but it is a right for privileged peopled to be protected ethically. Works Cited Kopp, k. Electronic Communications in the Workplace: E-mail Monitoring and the Right of Privacy, 8 Seaton Hall Const. L. J. 861. 1998. McCubbins, G. Daryl and Jeretta Nord/Tipton F. â€Å"E-Monitoring in the Wokplace: Prviacy, legislation, and surveillance software. † COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM. Vols. 49, No 8. August 2006. Robert L. Mathis, John H. Jackson. Human Resource Managemnet, Twelfth Edtion. Mason: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2008, 2006.

Japanese Food, Culture, and the Tanabata Festival

The Soba Incident by Duncan Dixon Moving to a new country and meeting a new culture always has the potential for incidents that are embarrassing at the time, but humorous later. The following incident happened to me several weeks after I arrived in Japan. I was in Odawara around noon and I decided I wanted to have some  ebi soba. I found a restaurant display that looked good and, because I could not speak Japanese, carefully copied down the characters under the display, on a piece of paper. I went into the restaurant and gave the paper to the waitress.She read it, gave a nod, and pointed me to a seat at a table in the middle of the restaurant. A lacquer box topped with soba soon appeared. It came with a bowl of broth leaving me with the problem of what to do with the broth. I knew I had to get the noodles and broth together somehow. I debated with myself for a few minutes, do I pick up the noodles and dip them, or pour the broth over the noodles? I finally came up with what seemed a suitable solution — pour half the broth over the noodles.I did this and watched to my dismay as the sauce ran our of the bottom of the noodles, across the table, and began dripping onto the floor. The other customers looked at me with thinly disguised amusement and I began to wish I had ordered something simple like katsu-don. About this time the waitress appeared and looked at me and the mess I had made. She disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a fork. By now I was completely embarrassed. I ate quickly and discovered the reason for my problem — the bamboo mat so cleverly hidden under the soba.I paid my bill and fled. To this day one thing puzzles me; I never did get the shrimp that were supposed to be on top of the soba. My First Tanabata  by Duncan Dixon * Read the two versions of my paragraph about Tanabata. * Which is for readers unfamiliar with Japan and which is for readers who know Japan? Version 1 Every July when the Tanabata festival arrives, I remember my first Tanabata. Tanabata is the Star Festival, traditionally celebrated in Japan July 7. In some cities people hang elaborate decorations from bamboo poles.To the poles they also attach papers on which they have written their wishes. Some friends told me that Tanabata in Hiratsuka was worth seeing so I took the bus downtown. I had been living in Japan for about nine months and didn't speak much Japanese yet. The downtown area was packed and I was constantly bumping into people. As I was making my way through the crowd, my hand brushed the shoulder of a young girl about three years old who was walking with her mother. Without looking up at me, the girl reached up and took my hand. Immediately, I was in a quandry.If she looks up and sees whose hand she has, she'll panic and start crying, but if I pull away quickly, she may also look up and panic. If her mother sees I have her by the hand, how can I explain what has happened? I'll be arrested for attempted kidnapping. All t hese thoughts rushed into my head as I walked along. Finally, after a few more metres, I was able to release my hand from the grasp of my escort and melt away into the crowd, undiscovered. Even today, the thought of what might have happened, makes me shiver. Version 2 Every July when the Tanabata festival arrives, I remember my first Tanabata.It was the year I was almost involved in an international incident. Some friends told me that Tanabata in Hiratsuka was worth seeing so I took the bus downtown. I had been living in Hatano, Kanagawa for about nine months and didn't speak much Japanese yet. The downtown area was packed and I was constantly bumping into people. As I was making my way through the crowd, my hand brushed the shoulder of a young girl about three years old who was walking with her mother. Without looking up at me, the girl reached up and took my hand.Immediately, I was in a quandry. If she looks up and sees whose hand she has, she'll panic and start crying, but if I p ull away quickly, she may also look up and panic. If her mother sees I have her by the hand, how can I explain what has happened? I'll be arrested for attempted kidnapping. All these thoughts rushed into my head as I walked along. Finally, after a few more metres, I was able to release my hand from the grasp of my escort and melt away into the crowd, undiscovered. Even today, the thought of what might have happened, makes me shiver.

Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King and Benjamin Franklin are two well known significant figures throughout American history. King and Franklin are both similar and different In many aspects of their lives when It comes to their personal lives, such as, spouse, life, and education, their political movements, and their awards. They are good influential leaders to their followers. They both are dedicated and hard workers in what they do. Martin Luther King and Benjamin Franklins lives can be compared where both were born in the month of January.King was born on January 15, 1929 and Franklin was born on January 17, 1706. Another similarity Is that they both died In the month of April. Martin Luther King died on April 4, 1968 and Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790. A difference is that King died at the age of 39 because of being assassinated and Franklin died at the age 84 because of being bed-ridden. Martin Luther King was born in Atlanta, Georgia as the middle child of the Reverend Martin Luther King S. And Alberta Williams King. Benjamin Franklin was born inBoston, Massachusetts to Franklin and Blah Folder as their eighth child. King went to T. Washington High School then after skipping two grades enrolled More house College then enrolled in Raze Theological Seminary. Franklin was educated at Boston Latin School but did not graduate due to the fact that his parents could not afford to send him for more than two years. King and Franklin were both married. King was married to Corvette Scott on June 18, 1953 and together they had four children; , Martin Luther King Ill, Dexter, andBernice King. Franklin had common-law marriage with Deborah Read and they had two children together Francis and Sarah. It later came out that Benjamin had illegitimate son name William. Maroon King was a prominent African- American Rights leader using non violent methods who was the youngest of that time to win the Noble Peace Prize. Benjamin Franklin was the president of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania who won the Couple Medal in 1732 and a doctorate from SST. Andrews. Both men were not president of united States.King was a big figure in the marches of African Americans, such as, Montgomery Bus Boycott, Million Man March, and the March on Washington. Franklin created the Junta group, a discussion group for issues of the day and he also signed the Declaration of Independence. Martin Luther King Jar. And Benjamin Franklin well are known for many years to come as two important men that helped shaped the America that we live in today. Franklin, one of the founding fathers, and King, a civil rights leader, have both accomplished so much in their time that well always be remembered.Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King Jar. By teams 23 throughout American history. King and Franklin are both similar and different in many aspects of their lives when it comes to their personal lives, such as, spouse, life, born on January 17, 1706. Another similarity is that they both died in the month of Boston, Massachusetts to Franklin and Beach Folder as their eighth child. King Martin King was a prominent African- American Civil Rights leader using non violent president of United States. King was a big figure in the marches of African Americans,

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GLobal Warming - Research Paper Example That global warming has happened in the recent past is evident from the rise in the mean temperature of the earth’s atmosphere. Many ecosystems will be unable to adapt suitably to such rapid changes in climate and this will lead to extinction of some animal species. In addition to the impact on ecosystems, human agriculture, health and water resources are all being affected by global warming sparking wide spread apprehension across the globe. Scientists agree that human activities have led to release of green house gases that in turn are responsible for global warming during the last century. This has been especially marked during the last 50 years. As humans began to use petroleum and burn coal and oil to heat their cities and run their machines, levels of carbon dioxide have risen by almost 30%. The concentration of nitrous oxide and methane that are by products of farming, coming from rice fields and cattle have also risen by 10 – 15 %. In 2002 about 40% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions were a result of the burning of fossil fuels for the purpose of electricity generation. Coal accounted for 93 percent of the emissions from the electric utility industry. Statistics show that of the total energy consumption in the US every year, almost 85 % comes from gas and petroleum products and coal. (American Gas Association) About 33% of U.S carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of gasoline in engines of cars and light trucks. Hence the second biggest sources of these green house gases are road vehicles and industries. Emissions from airplanes and buildings add their own percentages of Carbon Dioxide to the atmosphere and aid global warming. It has been found that water vapor in the atmosphere - a powerful greenhouse gas, has been increasing, due to warming caused by carbon dioxide, methane and other green house gases. Deforestation is yet another major cause of

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Financial and accounting - Essay Example Second, in financial accounting, financial statements are deemed important while users of management accounting focus on accounting reports as the most important products (Stolowy & Lebas 2007). Third, in financial accounting, the IFRS or IAS determine what is supposed to be included in financial reports and statements while in management accounting, managers determine what they want captured in accounting reports. Fourth, financial accounting focuses on historical information whereas management accounting basically utilizes forecasts or focus on future information (Rajasekaran & Lalitha 2011). Fifth, while financial accounting put emphasis on data reliability and objectivity, management accounting emphasizes on relevancy of data. Sixth, financial accounting yields reports about the entire company while management accounting yields reports that suit the needs of the management. Seventh, financial data are usually subject to audit verification while management data are no subject to a uditing process (Rajasekaran & Lalitha 2011). Companies are required to prepare financial statement at the end of their trading periods to disclose information that is deemed crucial for various users of financial statements. 1) Potential investors: Potential investors require financial statements to help them assess financial viability of putting their investment in a company. Based on the information disclosed in the financial statement, for instance profits in profit and loss account, investors are able to forecast future dividends. Also, potential investors may use financial statement figures to gauge the risk associated with investing in a particular company (Gibson 2009). For instance, investors may use high fluctuation in the reported profits of a company as an indication of high risk. Consequently, financial statements assist prospective investors in making investment decisions. 2) Shareholders: Financial statements assist

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words - 1

Marketing - Essay Example Procter & Gamble has one of the largest portfolios of consumer brands that are commonly known in the household, such as Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Pantene, Bounty, Always, Folgers, Downy, Crest, Olay, Pringles, Actonel, Wella, lams, Gillette, and Charmin. Its community consists of over 138, 000 employees in over 80 countries worldwide, making P&G a company whose products reach households of different nationalities. The company started as a small, family-operated soap and candle business, which later transformed into a big transnational corporation that provides products and services of superior quality and value to consumers in more than 180 countries. Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500, American global corporation based in Cincinnati Ohio whose focus of manufacturing is a wide range of consumer goods. As of 2008, it has placed itself as the 14th largest US company by profit and 23rd by revenue. In 2007, it was placed 10th in Fortune’s Most Admired Companies list.1 It was recorded t hat it spent more on U.S. advertising than any other company in 2007, doubling the $2.62 billion spent by General Motors.2 Procter & Gamble was founded in 1837 by William Procter, a candle maker, and James Gamble, a soap maker. William Procter was an immigrant from England while James Gamble was from Ireland who both settled in Cincinnati and met each other when they married sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris.3 As electricity became more and more common, the company stopped producing candles in 1920 and as it grew larger in the early 20th century, it began building factories in other parts of the United States because of a high demand of products outgrowing the Cincinnati facilities. P&G also became known for its research laboratories in the 1900s, in which chemists produced new products. It also pioneered in the area of market research, probing on product appeal and consumer needs. When radio became popular in the 1920s

Kohl's Department store Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Kohl's Department store - Essay Example It also has equally impressive house brands that are price competitive. These give variety to the product lines that the department store carries. One of the company’s strengths is that Kohl has a very wide distribution network, with nine distribution centers located in strategic areas. This enables the company to immediately replenish stocks in the stores. Immediate replenishment means there will be minimal lost sales due to non-availability of the products. Having a lot of distribution centers also results to manageable operations costs resulting from having to bring the products from one area to another. However, Kohl’s main weakness is its company size compared to the industry’s larger players. Kohl only has about 1000 stores located in various parts of the US. Furthermore, its area of distribution is only within the US, whereas other Retail stores have reached other countries. As such, Kohl is very dependent on the economic condition of the US. Kohl has the ability to compete heads on with the larger players as it continues to expand, with the target of having 1,400 stores in 2012 (Economy Disrupts Kohl’s Expansion 2009). In spite of the economic downturn, slowing the company’s expansion from its target of 90 new stores per year to only 75, the company is still confident on its expansion plans. And alongside the expansion plans is their innovative marketing plans, among which is the company’s shopping strategy tool, whereby consumers can create and print customized shopping lists that has product images and pricing so that they can compare values and get the most out of their money (Kohl’s Shoppers Can Count on Tremendous After Thanksgiving Day Savings 2009). Another opportunity is that Kohl is now also maximizing online shopping, as the other retailers in the same league. Doing so would attract more consumers, and connecting them on a personal level as the website offers detailed

Mid-Term Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mid-Term - Essay Example Despite all the pain, the issues of alcoholism, poverty and self-destruction came to an end. A drug called tradition depicts the picture of using hallucinogens, but the visions that these hallucinogens cause on the users in this story shows the culture of the Native American societies, showing how much people in the contemporary society has deviated from the natural ways, taking on to new ways. In this story, Alexie shows that despite the money the Indians were taking from the white man, the ancestors would still laugh at them because they were making a mistake and forsaking their traditions and assimilating the white man’s culture (12). A drug called tradition depicts how sweet life was back when Indians had traditions, comparing it to the feeling of being of high, a sweet and calm feeling, while the normal stressful life is a metaphor symbolizing, The use of Native Americans in advertisements is not justified in any given way since as much as people view it as a way to show zero-racism tolerance, it has its negative implications. For instance, showing that Native Americans have left their traditions and advocating for them to join westernization in the way the best find fit. As such, it is not justified to place the Native Americans on westernized advertisements, since it is an aspect of imperialism, which shows that the Native American way and tradition are inferior to more westernized

Best Workplace (Week 3 Assignment) (MGT 415) Essay

Best Workplace (Week 3 Assignment) (MGT 415) - Essay Example Three of the top rating companies in the Fortune Magazine. This is to understand the relationship between work environment and team motivation. In year 2011, Google Inc. appeared to be a company with the most attractive work environment. The company placed 100,000 hours massage rooms, seven acre sports complex and horseshoe pits all for its employees and their individual level motivation. Google believes that if employees are provided with entertaining work environments, they are more passionate about work and performing. The philosophy of this top rated organization indicates that employee motivation and groups’ cohesiveness are brought through by an appealing work environment. This is the reason why Google Inc. is able to sustain its large work force consisting of 34,311 employees. Edward Jones is another top rated company that believes in the philosophy of developing workplace environment. The organization upholds a team oriented culture in 11,000 offices. The company places ice-skating and fishing courts for entertainment and encouragement of its employees. Overall, Edward Jones believes in the merit system of hiring as only 4 percent of the employees are appointed through referrals in the company. There is a culture of team coordination, integration and assistance in Edward Jones which is why the organizations hold inspiration and motivation for employees (CNN, 2011). The organization ideology is to sustain employees by making them loyal to the work place. Loyalty of employees comes through by better work environment and by groups’ familiarity and coordination as what Edward Jones’ managers believe so. These were some of the significant elements that enable Edward Jones’ to contain a work group force of 35,000 employees(Losh, 2011). Wegmans Food Markets Inc. is a top rated company that loves to support its employees. Backing up employees by providing the monetary and non-monetary benefits is the culture of Wegmans Food

Culture of Australia Essay Example for Free

Culture of Australia Essay The question of identity is always a difficult one for those living in a culture or group, yet belonging to another. This difficulty frequently remains in the mind of most immigrants, especially the second generations who were born in a country other than their parents. Younger generations feel as if they are forced to change to fit the social standards despite previous culture or group. Furthermore those who wish to adopt a new identity of a group or culture havent yet been fully accepted by original members due to their former identity. Living with a different culture to our roots can lead to changes in our lives. Migrating to Australia has affected a lot of authors from Alice Pungs vignettes of Growing up Asian in Australia. Michelle Law displays her exclusion from the Australian culture by preparing exotic lunches with her mother, as well as her hairless Chinese body compared to the school girls. Being seen as a distinct outsider to the Australian culture can influence one to change their way of life to fit in and form friendships. Sunil an Indian schoolboy was faced with the choice of constantly being bullied over his differences or adapting to the community by altering his name to Neil. Changing for others an lose your place in your original identity and culture. After visiting Hong Kong, Michelle momentarily feels identical to her surroundings with her Chinese ethnicity. After mispronouncing words when ordering at a Cantonese Mc Donalds, Michelle comes to realise that she feels just as excluded in Hong Kong as she did in Australia. This sense of displacement caused by multiple cultures can question Michelles judgement, Am I more Asian or more Australian? The feeling of not fitting in can lead us to changes in our life to fit social standards despite our previous culture or way of life. Alice Pung addresses the idea of multiculturalism in her novel Unpolished Gem. Two of the themes in this novel where she portrays her culture are through personal identity and the impact of the past. A major influence on Alices identity was when she was a young child and her grandmother would tell her stories about events that occurred in Cambodia. In Alices teenage years, her beloved grandmother has a stroke, developed disabilities and eventually had passed away. It is around this time where serious psychological problems occur for Alice. This almost forces her into a mental state in which she knows she does not fit in with the Australian culture. She believed she had to do everything she could to change that otherwise Alice knew she would break down mentally. Alice was forced to attempt to fit the social standards of Australia. The actions of adopting a new identity by putting yourself into a different group can lead to not only the new group not fully accepting you but also your original group will see you as a totally different person. At the age of 13 I played basketball for the under 14s side. We were all very close and had formed great friendships throughout the season. The following season I was asked to play above my age group. Without thinking twice I accepted what I thought was a great opportunity. A few days pasted and it was the day of my first training session with the older group. Throughout the 2 hours of training I did not enjoy myself at all. No one would pass me the ball and it was as if they didnt want me there. To be honest I didnt want to be there neither. I decided to return to my own age group and play with my old friend. At the next training session with my original team I realized the same thing was happening, no one would pass me the ball or even acknowledge that I was on the court. It turns out I had changed as a person and found myself caught between the two teams. The moral of that experience was by trying to fit in with a new group I found that I had lost my original identity and forgot where I belong. There are a variety of scenarios that result in us trying to change. Whether it is a result of a different culture or even past experiences. People also feel as if they are forced upon change, and even if you find yourself with a new identity or culture, you may not be fully accepted by original members of that group or culture. The power of a group however is often the cause of losing our individual identity. In conclusion the question remains of whether Change of an identity is right or wrong?

Qualities and Types of Social Anthropology

Qualities and Types of Social Anthropology Introduction Social anthropology is the field of anthropology that studies how living human beings behave in social groups. This essay seeks to explore the history, meaning and essential qualities of social anthropology which distinguish it from other branches of anthropology. In the UK, anthropology is usually primarily concerned with the study of culture. This area is termed social anthropology and it is this designation which is used in England, and to some extent in America, to assign an area of a larger subject of anthropology, the study of humanity from a number of viewpoints. In England social anthropology was only introduced and studied relatively recently during the later decades of the nineteenth century. It became widely recognised as a discipline later on and it has been taught under that name since. However, its academic base goes back further. E. E. Evans-Pritchard, (2004) The beginnings of social anthropology lay in the nineteenth century. Examining its roots, we can see an early definition of culture from one of the pioneers of of social anthropology. Sir Edward Burnett Taylor (2 October 1832 2 January 1917), an English anthropologist, defined the term culture as, that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. Evans Pritchard, (2004) Subsequent study has led anthropologists to determine that culture is not innate, rather it is learned by a person from family and society. Therefore, it does not have any genetic connection, because even if a person is brought up in a culture different from that in which he was born, he absorbs the culture of the society later on. It has also been observed that people also feel the need to follow their beliefs and traditions of their own culture in adulthood, even though they might not agree with certain belief s in it. Edmund Ronald Leach, (1982) The refinement of theories of culture which are used today owes much to the work of the founders of the subject. However, social anthropology was also a product of its time; it was formulated at the time European societies had empires. Despite the fact there has been much controversial argument about the ways colonialism may have influenced anthropological study, at least one of the main aims of a foremost creator of the discipline stays vital to current anthropology study: the comparative study of the different forms of human social life and cultural experience. Evans Pritchard, (2004). From its early days, social anthropology has become an international discipline studied in universities around the world. There are differences globally in the study of social anthropology. For example, in America social anthropology is referred to as either ethnology or sociology. E. E. Evans-Pritchard, (2004). In general, the United States displays a different approach to anthropology. Anthropology in North America is concerned with the study of human difference and adaptability. It is usually divided into four groups: biological (physical) anthropology, archaeological anthropology, linguistic anthropology Cultural anthropology. Insa Nolte (2010) I believe it is important to have a look at each subfield as each of them emphasise a different definition of anthropology and stress various approaches to this vast subject. This will demonstrate that the subject is not as what we know and study in the UK, but what the US, and due to its large postgraduate education programmes and cultural influence, a large portion of the global academic community sees the subject of anthropology. Biological or physical anthropology Biological Anthropology is an approach to evolution and adaptationof humanity. It seeks to compare humans and animals to understand human unlikeness and biological cohesion; examines comparative data across time to explain the evolutionary history of hominines over the last 5 million years; explores difference in human development and health, and the mechanisms that influence contemporary and historical population differences; and examines individual attitude in terms of evolution and adaptation and its intellectual blueprint. Angela P. Cheater, (1989) Archaeological Anthropology Archaeological anthropology is the study of ancient human societies through their physical remains and environment. It deals with the time during which humans built up their patterns of behaviour. It aims to make over the nature and development of specific societies and explain the difference that happened among past societies. Angela P. Cheater, (1989) Linguistic Anthropology Linguistic anthropology is a branch of anthropology which is concentrating on relation between language and culture and the place of language in the wider social and cultural framework. Angela P. Cheater (1989) Cultural anthropology Cultural Anthropology is a method of studying worldwide cultures by observation and cultural group comparison (e.g. Japan and England). Fieldwork is conducted on cultures around the world. A societys social and context environment is examined in an observational and participatory study. Key questions in cultural anthropology include: How are we different or similar? However, the philosophy is to go above ethnocentrism, the superficial belief that one culture is better than others. When each societys balance and structure is considered, rules of moral care and patterns of social co-operation are examined in their own socio-cultural context, which provide meaning to what an outsider may otherwise consider to be strange. This practice of cultural relativism stresses that there are no better or lower cultures; all cultures are meaningful in their own context. M. Fortes, (2003) The approach and classification of anthropology in the United States shows that the subject is a product of the culture and societies in which it is studied, just as social anthropology in the late nineteenth century owed its outlook to colonial attitudes in society. Further evidence of varying interpretations can be found in Mexico where archaeology is the term given to what we call social anthropology in England. Generally it is difficult to explain what anthropology is about and what anthropologists do due to the different interpretations of the subject. However, what social anthropologists share is an interest in different ways people have of looking at the world they live in. These different ways are not individual character, but different views of the world learned as people grow up in different societies. Angela P. Cheater, (1989) Conclusion The world we live in today has changed since the nineteenth century and anthropology has changed with it. Distances between human beings have reduced due to the ease of communication, transport, advances in technology and migration. As Leach states, Globalisation does not seem to be making the world we live in less culturally assorted. Whether we study anthropology, with its various definitions, in Britain or elsewhere, the study of different ways of living and seeing the world appear just as important as ever, if not more so. Edmund Ronald Leach, (1982) References: Evans Pritchard (2004) Social anthropology p43, London. Evans Pritchard (2004) Social anthropology p45, London Edmund Ronald Leach (1982), Social anthropology p 203-205 Insa Nolte (2010) Lecture notes Angela P. Cheater (1989) Social anthropology an alternative introduction p 205-206(2), New York. Angela P. Cheater (1989) Social anthropology an alternative introduction p 210-213 (2), New York. Angela P. Cheater (1989) Social anthropology an alternative introduction p 303(2), New York. M. Fortes, Social anthropology at Cambridge since 1990 (2003), p 10-13, University press of Cambridge Angela P. Cheater (1989) Social anthropology an alternative introduction p 305-307(2), University of Cambridge press.

Tulips :: essays research papers

How to Listen I am going to cock my head tonight like a dog in front of McGlinchy's Tavern on Locust; I am going to stand beside the man who works all day combing his thatch of gray hair corkscrewed in every direction. I am going to pay attention to our lives unraveling between the forks of his fine-tooth comb. For once, we won't talk about the end of the world or Vietnam or his exquisite paper shoes. For once, I am going to ignore the profanity and the dancing and the jukebox so I can hear his head crackle beneath the sky's stretch of faint stars. Jet Lag Oriented, suddenly Aurora, I rise without alarm in the random dark, Already full of purpose, without coffee Or tea, to the cat's delight, revving her pleasure. Breakfast is a poem, light, in good measure, A grapefruit split to reveal the spokes and rays Of the sunburst wheels on a golden chariot. I dress, I shake the dew drops from tips of my tresses. It is as if I can hear them, imagined horses, Astir in the stable, fogging the air with their breath, Snug under blankets, awaiting the curry comb And oats, ready to set out over the hill, Over the sleeping city, over the sill Of the sea, islands dribbled like pancake batter, Knowing where I am is always East, Always ahead of the day that's going to matter. Simple Arithmetic I am still imagining the men lined up, the ones I imagine who want me. I'll tell you everything I know: there was a boy, a girl, and a boat. And palm trees, but the mosquitos on the island chased them back to the boat. There was a boy, a girl, and a dog: I still can't get the story straight — magic fruit? straw into gold? — and night's black velvet has arrived. I am glad for my life and the high clear voices of four-year-olds in the Allegan Public Library. I am not the girl in the story — I am the girl whose mouth is mainly shut but who imagines it open. But where are the other boy and girl? Holding hands and walking into the library while a baby falls out of a pile of money with astonishing grace. Tulips :: essays research papers How to Listen I am going to cock my head tonight like a dog in front of McGlinchy's Tavern on Locust; I am going to stand beside the man who works all day combing his thatch of gray hair corkscrewed in every direction. I am going to pay attention to our lives unraveling between the forks of his fine-tooth comb. For once, we won't talk about the end of the world or Vietnam or his exquisite paper shoes. For once, I am going to ignore the profanity and the dancing and the jukebox so I can hear his head crackle beneath the sky's stretch of faint stars. Jet Lag Oriented, suddenly Aurora, I rise without alarm in the random dark, Already full of purpose, without coffee Or tea, to the cat's delight, revving her pleasure. Breakfast is a poem, light, in good measure, A grapefruit split to reveal the spokes and rays Of the sunburst wheels on a golden chariot. I dress, I shake the dew drops from tips of my tresses. It is as if I can hear them, imagined horses, Astir in the stable, fogging the air with their breath, Snug under blankets, awaiting the curry comb And oats, ready to set out over the hill, Over the sleeping city, over the sill Of the sea, islands dribbled like pancake batter, Knowing where I am is always East, Always ahead of the day that's going to matter. Simple Arithmetic I am still imagining the men lined up, the ones I imagine who want me. I'll tell you everything I know: there was a boy, a girl, and a boat. And palm trees, but the mosquitos on the island chased them back to the boat. There was a boy, a girl, and a dog: I still can't get the story straight — magic fruit? straw into gold? — and night's black velvet has arrived. I am glad for my life and the high clear voices of four-year-olds in the Allegan Public Library. I am not the girl in the story — I am the girl whose mouth is mainly shut but who imagines it open. But where are the other boy and girl? Holding hands and walking into the library while a baby falls out of a pile of money with astonishing grace.

Failure of the American Dream in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby :: Great Gatsby Essays

Failure in The Great Gatsby In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, all the characters are, in one way or another, attempting to become happier with their lives. The characters in the novel are divided into two groups: the rich upper class and the poorer lower class(West egg and East egg) though the main characters only try to make their lives better, the American dream they are all trying to achieve is eventually ruined by the harsh reality or life. Tom and Daisy Buchanan, the rich couple, seem to have everything they could possibly want. Though their lives are full of anything you could imagine, they are unhappy and seek to change, Tom drifts on "forever seeking a little wistfully for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game"(pg. 10) and reads "deep books with long words in them"(pg. 17) just so he has something to talk about. Even though Tom is married to Daisy he has an affair with Myrtle Wilson and has apartment with her in New York.. Daisy is an empty character, someone with hardly any convictions or desires. Even before her relationships with Tom or, Gatsby are seen, Daisy does nothing but sit around all day and wonder what to do with herself and her friend Jordan. She knows that Tom is having an affair, yet she doesn't leave him even when she hears about Gatsby loving her. Daisy lets Gatsby know that she too is in love with him but cant bring herself to tell Tom goodbye except when Gatsby forces her too . Even then, once Tom begs her to stay, even then Daisy forever leaves Gatsby for her old life of comfort. Daisy and Tom are perfect examples of wealth and prosperity, and the American Dream. Yet their lives are empty, and without purpose. Though Myrtle Wilson makes an attempt to escape her own class and pursue happiness with the rich, she ends up gaining nothing and eventually dies. She is basically a victim of the group she wanted to join. Myrtle tries to become like Tom by having an affair with him and taking on his way of living, but in doing so she becomes unsatisfied with her life. Her constant clothing changes show that she is unhappy with her life, she changes personalities every time she changes her dress: "with the influence of the dress her whole personality had also undergone a change.

Social Security in the 21st Century :: essays research papers

The 2004 Report of the Social Security Trustees is in; but the jury is still out à ½arguing the findings of the report. Agree or not, the masses have a good idea of à ½the final ruling and they all agree that the current state of the social security à ½system has suffered, for a very long time, from an ongoing deficit problem that à ½will continue to grow unless immediate steps are taken to address the problem. à ½People, on both sides of the fence, argue in support or against the president’s à ½proposed plan to save the Social Security system. Yet, they all concede and à ½acknowledge that in reality a problem does exist; and unless calculated à ½measures are taken, this problem cannot be controlled and will snow ball the à ½Social Security System into bankruptcy.à ½ The Social Security system was designed in 1935 for a world that is very à ½different from today. In 1935, most women did not work outside the home. Today, à ½about 60% of women work outside the home. In 1935, the average American did à ½not live long enough to collect retirement benefits. Today, life expectancy is 77 à ½years. (2004 Report of the Social Security Trustees, p. 81) Benefits are expected à ½to rise dramatically over the next few decades. Because benefits are tied to wage à ½growth rather than inflation, benefits are growing faster than the rest of the à ½economy. This benefit formula was established in 1977. As a result, the current à ½Ãƒ ½20-year old contributor is promised benefits, which are 40% higher than what will à ½be paid to seniors who retire this year. However, the current system does not à ½have the money to pay these promised benefits. Furthermore, the retirement of à ½the Baby Boomers will accelerate the problem. In just 2 years, the first of th e à ½Baby Boom generation will begin to retire, putting added strain on a system that à ½was not designed to meet the needs of the 21 century. By 2031, there will be à ½almost twice as many older Americans as today, a drastic increase from 37 à ½million today to 71 million. à ½ Currently, there are fewer workers to support our retirees. When Social à ½Security was first created, there were 40 workers supporting every one retiree. At à ½the same time, most workers did not live long enough to collect retirement à ½benefits from the system. Since then, the demographics of the society have à ½changed dramatically where people are living longer and having fewer children.

Blood Ties and Families Essay

Many social scientists reject the idea that ‘families can be defined only by blood ties. ’ Discuss. The Oxford Dictionary meaning of family is noun (plural families) 1 [treated as singular or plural] a group consisting of two parents and their children living together as a unit. There are many different ideas about what makes a family, and is this idea of what a family is universal and the children’s perspectives. There is a lot of debate with social scientists about the family. Functionalists say that the term family is a universal institution performing functions for society’s survival. Sociologist Murdock suggest that each family has for functions in order to be classified as a family. They are, a common residence, however there are many cases in which families do not share a common residence for example if a child is at boarding school or a parent is in the armed forces. (Murdock, cited by Gittins, D, p. 2). (Gutman 1976) found that it was common among black slave families in the USA for a husband and wide to live on different plantations and see one another for a few hours once or twice a week. Soliende de Gonzalez cited by gittins) found this type of household very common in black Carib society: â€Å"there are groupings which I have called â€Å"dispersed families† in which the father, even though he is absent for long periods of time he still retains ultimate authority over a household for which he provides the only support, and where affective bonds continue to be important between him and his wife and his children†. (Mudock cited by Gittins p. ) next family function is economic co-operation, it’s a broad term and can encompass a wide range of activities such as sleeping and cooking, it occurs between households as well as between individuals within the household (Murdock cited by Gittins p. 4) third is his definition of sexuality is heterosexuality, even though this is only one of many forms of sexuality. They say that this is the most important function of a family because it leads to reproduction. He also suggests that they get pressured into thi nking that’s heterosexuality is a ‘socially approved relationship’ between two adults. However there are critisms of Murdock as he doesn’t take into account the diversity of the ways in which co-residence, economic relations, sexuality and reproduction. Many sociologists say that they are simply western values and ideas of what a family should be like and assume that everyone will agree. (Jessie Bernard 1973 cited by Gittins pg. 3) Another criticism is that families do not need adults of both sexes, or a heterosexual couple, as same sex couples can adopt or can use medical advances (e. . IVF or surrogacy) to become a biological parent. (Edholm 1982 cited by Gittins p. 4) Anthropologists prefer to use the term kinship rather than family, â€Å"the ties which exist between individuals who are seen as related both through birth (descent) and through mating (marriage). † This theory is concerned with the ways in which parentage us assigned, attributed and recognised, descent is traced, relatives are classified, rights are transferred across generations and gr oups are formed. Unlike the functionalist approach the kinship theory stresses the fact that kinship is a social construction and also it emphasises on the variability of kinship depending on how it is defined. There is a debate about whether kinship is biological or social, many of us believe that its biological because of we know who are parents are and they made us so we simply think that kinship is biological but there are cases where children are brought up by parents who they believe to be their biological parents and then find out that they have been adopted and then suffer an identity crises because they do not know who they are anymore. Their own suffering is caused by the ways in which we define kinship in society and there is a clear difference between a ‘biological’ and ‘social’ parents, we see the biological parent as the real parents and that has the strongest bonds with the child, this is a strong western belief. However in other cultures they believe that it is the person who rears the child is defined as the parent regardless who is involved in the reproductive process, for example in some cultures it is common for a child to be raise by a grandparent. ( R. T. Smith cited by Gittins p. ) fond this was common in Guyana and Jamaica and says that ‘close and imperishable bonds are formed through the ‘act’ of raising a child. Fictive kinship (Rapp 1980:292 cited by Gittins p5) stated that fictive kinship was a serious relationship, and how we turn friends into family. It was also argued that kinship is whatever we chose it to be whether that’s biological, social or fictive, it’s a way of identifying others as in some way special from the rest, people to whom the individual or collectively feel responsible in certain ways. Many anthropologists have argued that kinship is simply a system of meaning and symbols, they also state that animals reproduce, mate and form attachments but they do not have a kinship system. (Marx cited by Gittins p 5) argued that it distinguishes people from animals. In child birth motherhood is always known unlike fatherhood, however apart from carrying and giving birth to the child that is where the biological process stops the rest become socially constructed. Gender also affects the ways that kinship is constructed and defined, they are both universally present as mothers and children are but the content of them and the meanings ascribed to them is highly variable. Age is also an important fact when it comes to kinship as people grow up the household composition and resources change. All relationships are different and with society changing there has become many different norms of society. Families do not have to be blood ties or even live under the same roof all the time or have two sec parents. Family isn’t universal.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Vs. Abraham Lincoln Essay

This paper will compare and contrast Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. I will compare and contrast both of their childhood and education. Then I will compare and contrast their presidency. This paper will also cover the similarities and differences on how they tried to improve our country and what they wanted to happen when they were in office. Finally, I will close with the similarities and differences about both of their deaths. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States. He became president in March of 1933. He led a big part in the World War Two . He died while he was still in office on April 12 1945 of a cerebral hemorrhage. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He became president on November 6, 1860. He helped free the slaves and he was a great speech and poem writer. He was murdered when he went to a play on April 14, 1865, with a gun shot to his head. The comparison of these two presidents early life is not really good comparison, But let me tell you the similarities. They both went to school and got an education. They loved to read and they preferred learning to working physical labor. They both would set there and read a book–after a book–after a book. This led to a difficult relationship with their fathers, who was just the opposite. Abraham and Franklin were constantly borrowing books from the neighbors. They both lived a sheltered life and never really got into big trouble. They were both Tall, handsome, athletic, and outgoing. They loved to go outside and play with the neighbors or just go out side and play by themselves Abraham and Franklin both moved around when they were little. They both adapted to their environment quickly. It never seemed to bother them. They both had to go threw the feeling of losing a member of their family at such a young age. The differences of Abraham and Franklin’s childhood were not much of a difference, But there was some differences Abraham was taller than all of the men in his neighborhood and Franklin was tall, but he wasn’t taller than everyone else. Abraham loved to go out and help his dad chop wood or do any  other chore that was needed to be done around the house. But Franklin on the other hand, He would help his dad and his mom but, he would rather read a book or go outside and play. Franklin went to a prep school, while Abraham went to a school that all you did was study at your own pace and and work indivitualy. This school was more like independent studies, yet, it wasn’t for bad children. â€Å"When Abraham was around 9 years old, his mother; Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died from milk sickness, a disease obtained from drinking the milk of cows which had grazed on poisonous white snakeroot.† (1) His sister, also died, But she died from childbirth. As you can see, Abraham went threw allot of deaths as a young boy. He had to deal with the mental pain of all of these feelings that come along with death. Roosevelt never had to go threw any deaths in tell he was much older. When they started to grow up, they started to explore the world. Abraham started to travel. But Franklin was a student at Harvard University. Then he went to Law school, but he never graduated. In Springfield, Lincoln met Mary Todd. Three years later they were married and over the next 11 years had 4 children. Lincoln became a successful attorney, and the family bought a home on Jackson. In 1846 Lincoln ran for the United States House of Representatives and won. When he was in Washington he became known for his dedication to the Mexican War and to slavery. He returned home after his term and resumed his law practice more seriously than before. Franklin married a distant cousin, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, on Mar. 17, 1905. They had six children, but the sixth one died at birth. The Roosevelt’s were active in New York social circles and Franklin handled small-claims cases. He also won a seat as a Democrat in the New York state senate. Lincoln was against the spread of slavery into the territories but was not an abolitionist. He also ran for Senate, but someone else won. But after that, he gained national recognition. They both were trying really hard to get into politics, and they seemed to be doing fine. The Roosevelt name and his new image helped him win the Vice-Presidential nomination in 1920. The Democrats had little hope for him winning. The number one similarity of these two presidents was that they were both presidents of the United States. Lincoln won on the 3rd ballot of the  Presidential nomination in 1860. Lincoln was elected the 16th President on November 6, 1860. In 1930, Roosevelt began to campaign for the presidency. He started to run because the economic depression damaged Hoover, and it was a better chance for him to win. In 1932, Roosevelt won the nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for president. In November 1932, Roosevelt beat Hoover by seven million votes. They both wanted the best for the country and they tried their hardest to make the country the best it can be. There are so many differences between the two Presidents and what they had to do when they were in office. Lincoln really didn’t have much to do compared to Roosevelt. Roosevelt ran four terms and he had to make decisions for World War Two. In taking office in 1933, Roosevelt had promised the United States to a â€Å"good neighbor† policy. He had carried out this pledge in Latin America. He tried to follow the policy of goodwill with all of the world. As war became more likely to happen in the 1930’s, both the president and the American public wished to remain neutral. But at the same time, Roosevelt did not want to see the aggressors get mad. War finally broke out in Europe when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Roosevelt wanted to help the democratic nations without bringing the United States into the war. But after a while, it was harder to keep the US out of the war. After the fall of France in 1940, Roosevelt rushed allot of weapons to Britain to help the British in the war against Germany. As you can tell, Roosevelt was a really busy man. Abraham on the other hand, Had a totally different kind of presidency. He played a big role in freeing slaves and he also gave really good speeches One of his favorite poems was: â€Å"Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud? Like a swift-fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud, A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, He passes from life to his rest in the grave. The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade, Be scattered around, and together be laid; And the young and the old, the low and the high, Shall molder to dust, and together shall lie. The infant a mother attended and loved; The mother that infant’s affection who proved; The husband, that mother and infant who blessed; Each, all, are away to their dwelling of rest. The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye, Shone beauty and pleasure – her triumphs are by; And the memory of those who loved her and praised, Are alike from the minds of the living erased. The hand of the king that the sceptre hath borne, The brow of the priest that the mitre hath worn, The eye of the sage, and the heart of the brave, Are hidden and lost in the depths of the grave. The peasant, whose lot was to sow and to reap, The herdsman, who climbed with his goats up the steep, The beggar, who wandered in search of his bread, Have faded away like the grass that we tread. The saint, who enjoyed the communion of Heaven, The sinner, who dared to remain unforgiven, The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just, Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust. So the multitude goes – like the flower or the weed That withers away to let others succeed; So the multitude comes – even those we behold, To repeat every tale that has often been told. For we are the same that our fathers have been; We see the same sights that our fathers have seen; We drink the same stream, we feel the same sun, And run the same course that our fathers have run. The thoughts we are thinking, our fathers would think; From the death we are shrinking, our fathers would shrink; To the life we are clinging, they also would cling – But it speeds from us all like a bird on the wing. They loved – but the story we cannot unfold; They scorned – but the heart of the haughty is cold; They grieved – but no wail from their slumber will come; They joyed – but the tongue of their gladness is dumb. They died – aye, they died – we things that are now, That walk on the turf that lies over their brow, And make in their dwellings a transient abode,  Meet the things that they met on their pilgrimage road. Yea, hope and despondency, pleasure and pain, Are mingled together in sunshine and rain; And the smile and the tear, the song and the dirge, Still follow each other, like surge upon surge. â€Å"ËÅ"Tis the wink of an eye – â€Å"ËÅ"tis the draught of a breath – From the blossom of health to the paleness of death, From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?† (2) The deaths of theis two presidents are very different. Let me tell you how they both happened. On Good Friday, April 14, 1865, the Lincoln’s went to a play called Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater During the performance Booth arrived at the theater, entered the State Box from the back, and shot the Lincoln in the back of his head at about 10:15 P.M. Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House where he passed away the next day at 7:22 A.M. This was the first Presidential assassination in American history, and the nation mourned its leader. Lincoln’s body was taken to Springfield by train, and he was buried in the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery on May 4, 1865. Roosevelt’s health, which had been getting worse and worse ever since early 1944, did not improve. After returning from the Yalta Conference, he went to Warm Springs, Georgia, to rest. He was laying in bed on April 12, 1945 and he died he of a cerebral hemorrhage. As you can tell, The deaths of these two great men were very different and hard for the American people to handle, But they changed out history of our country in a big way. In conclusion, You can see how these two president were so alike yet so different at the same time. I believe that we can learn so much from these two people and benefit off of it in a great deal. If more of our presidents would be more like these brave, kind, intelligent men; our world be in a lot better condition than it is today. If these two men were not in out history, I think that our whole life would be so different. And that’s in more ways that one. I hope you have learned a couple of things from this report. Because I know I sure have.

Elements of Gothic Literature Essay

Gothic literature was born in 1764 when Horace Walpole published The Castle of Otranto, which is considered to be the first gothic novel ever written. Gothic literature was originally written as a reaction to the age of reason, order, and the politics of eighteenth-century England. Containing anti-Catholic sentiments and mythical aspects, Gothic literature explored the tension between what we fear and what we desire. The stories were usually set in some kind of castle or old building that showed human decay and created an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. Often, one of the main characters would be some sort of damsel in distress, threatened by some man. The words chosen in these novels and short stories were very descriptive, creating overwrought emotion and often, feelings of gloom and horror. Also, within the plot, some sort of ancient prophecy, along with omens and visions, could usually be found. The most important elements to the structure of canonical gothic literature, however, are supernatural and unexplainable events. In The Castle of Otranto, much of the plot surrounds one unexplainable incident: a giant black helmet falls on Prince Conrad, thus killing him. Because of Prince Conrad’s death, Manfred, his father, captures a passing peasant, Theodore, and pursues Isabella, Conrad’s fiancee. Later, it is learned that Jerome (the minister) is Theodore’s father. If the helmet had never fallen on Conrad, Manfred never would have stopped Theodore, and Jerome would never have found his long lost son. Manfred, still believing that Theodore is guilty of dropping the helmet by sorcery, is ready to execute him. At this point in the story, Isabella’s long lost father appears, which halts Theodore’s execution. It is later learned that Isabella’s father found her because a dream he had led him to a monk, who led him to Otranto. The supernatural event here is the dream, which turned out to forecast reality. He accuses Manfred of not being the rightful ruler of Otranto. Eventually, everything is confirmed when the giant version of Alfonso the Good that has been living in the castle (another mysterious incident) breaks through the walls and proclaims Theodore the natural heir of Alfonso and the rightful ruler of Otranto. The Ruins of the Abbey of Fitz-Martin, whose author remains anonymous, also has a similar dependency on a chain of supernatural events. Sir Thomas Fitz-Martin acquires an abbey, which he finds in ruins. He is certain it can be repaired, so he and his people venture inside. Upon exploring the abbey, Fitz-Martin opens a door with difficulty, only to be met with severe shrieks from inside that particular room. Later in the story, the superstition surrounding those screams is explained. Evidently, every night, the ghost of St. Anna can be seen walking up to the altar. She stays there until midnight, and then walks to the south tower. She screams three times, and the ghost of the evil Baron, who possessed the abbey years before, comes. Then, Anna chases him with a â€Å"fire-brand† in one hand and a dead baby in her other arm. The two ghosts eventually come to the Baron’s old room, where â€Å"dismal yells and dying groans† can be heard from. Fiery lights surround the Baron’s old room until the clock that hasn’t been touched in years strikes two, or sometimes three o’clock. This story of supernatural occurrence strikes the curiosity of Rosaline, Sir Thomas Fitz-Martin’s daughter, who then decides to go investigate the south tower. When she does, she finds the torture chamber where they killed St. Anna so many years ago. She is debating whether or not to go in, when she hears a voice commanding her to enter. She feels almost possessed, as the voice tells her to reach inside the coffin. When she does, she pulls something out and takes it with her, fleeing in terror. It is the supernatural phenomenon of this voice that brings in St. Anna’s story, which is written on the papers with which Rosaline fled in terror. The Vampyre by John Polidori casts an interesting slant on the element of supernatural events. The entire story is a supernatural event because Lord Ruthven is a vampire, a supernatural creature. Before this is revealed to the reader, however, there are important unexplainable events that allude to his being a vampire and are of utmost importance to the story. It is the mystery of Lord Ruthven’s appearance that first attracts Aubrey to him, and thus begins the story. Aubrey wants to get to know him better, hopefully to  understand the enigma of his demeanor. They leave on a trip together, and Aubrey notices that Lord Ruthven is extremely charitable. He also notices, though, that Lord Ruthven always gives his money to the scoundrels of society, those who will piddle away the charity pursuing their vices. Then he realizes that all who receive money from Lord Ruthven end up far worse than they were before the charity. Although Aubrey cannot explain this, it intrigues him and makes him wonder if there isn’t a spark of evil in Lord Ruthven. Some time later, Aubrey receives letters from his sister and his guardians. The letter from his sister is very loving, but the letter from his guardians bears only bad and mysterious news. They tell him that his traveling companion is pure evil, that all the women at home that he wooed because of their virtues, have now come forth and shown that they are tainted, and pursue their vices publicly. The people of their town find this unexplainable and very unnerving. He was suspicious of Lord Ruthven’s evil before, but upon reading the letter, Aubrey decides that he must leave Lord Ruthven for the remainder of the trip. Aubrey travels to Greece, where he stays with a kind family and falls in love with their daughter, Ianthe, although he does not act on it. It is here that he learns the legend of the vampire. One day he goes to a place to research, and they tell him to be back before dark because of the vampire. He loses track of time and it is soon dark. He hears a scream and runs toward it. He finds a hut, and picks up a dagger that is inside. However, he is too late. Ianthe was murdered by the vampire. Aubrey falls into a fever and Lord Ruthven returns to him and nurses him back to health. Soon after this, they are attacked by robbers and Lord Ruthven is wounded. He dies, but makes Aubrey promise to him that he will not speak a word of his death. When Aubrey goes back for Lord Ruthven’s body, it is gone, and the robbers tell Aubrey that they had to put it in the moonlight the first night of Lord Ruthven’s death. They go to where they left the corpse, but it has mysteriously disappeared. Aubrey decides that it is time to go home. On his way home, he goes through Lord Ruthven’s things and finds a shaft that matches the dagger he found in the hut exactly. This confirms for Aubrey  that Lord Ruthven is the vampire. When he arrives home, his sister holds a drawing-room. Here, Aubrey is snatched by the arm and told to ‘remember his oath.’ Aubrey is dumbfounded because Lord Ruthven is supposed to be dead, but here he is, pursuing his sister. This drives him into a terrible fever. During this fever, he figures out that his sister is engaged to Lord Ruthven and fears for her. He tries to stop the wedding, but everyone thinks that he is crazy and dismisses him. His sister is killed at the end of the story. The fact that Lord Ruthven is a supernatural creature accounts for all of the supernatural events and the entire story. If he was not a vampire, his demeanor would never have attracted Aubrey initially, and Aubrey never would have gone traveling with Lord Ruthven. Had Aubrey not gone traveling with him, he never would have discovered that Lord Ruthven was a vampire, and gone crazy. If Aubrey had not gone crazy, he would have been able to stop the wedding and save his sister’s life. Supernatural and unexplainable events are crucial to the plot of a gothic story. Often, they act as the backbone of the plot and many of the circumstances and coincidences rest upon them. In The Castle of Otranto, they act as the coincidence drivers as well as supply some of the omens and visions, another element of gothic literature. They bring the real story to the surface in The Ruins of the Abbey of Fitz-Martin, and provide the foundation for the story in The Vampyre. Without the element of supernatural and unexplainable events, much of the canonical gothic literature would not stand on its own.

Cannon

Select a company you believe to be innovative (this should be an internationally known company). Explain what makes this company innovative? In your answer, use relevant theory and examples to illustrate why you believe the company is innovative. Cannon – an innovative company Founded in 1937 with the specific goal of making the best quality camera available to customers, Canon’s passion for the power of image has since extended its technology into many other markets and has established it as a world leader in both consumer and business imaging solutions. Its solutions comprise products, ranging from digital compact and SLR cameras, through broadcast lenses and portable X-ray machines, to multi-function and production printers, all supported by a range of value added services. Canon invests heavily in R&D to deliver the richest and most innovative products and services to satisfy customers’ creative needs. In my essay I will show that through disruptive, strategic and product innovation Canon remains the leader in the market of all its products. Canon has proved that disruptive innovation brings many benefits to businesses. Christensen and Raynor (Christensen and Raynor, 2003) justify that new entrant firms will win with leading firms of an industry through disruptive innovation, by commercializing a simpler, more convenient product that sells for less money and appeals to new or unattractive customer set. Canon has proved that the best way for an upstart company to attack established competitors is to disrupt them. Disruptive innovations do not attempt to bring better products to established customers in existing markets. Rather, they disrupt and redefine that trajectory by introducing products and services that are not as good as currently available products. Still, disruptive technologies offer other benefits – typically, they are simpler, more convenient, and less expensive products that appeal to new or less-demanding customers (Todd and Bessant, 2009). Once the disruptive product gains a share in the new or low-end markets, the improvement cycle begins. In addition, the pace of technological process exceeds customers’ ability to use it; the previously not good enough technology eventually improves to intersect with the needs of the more demanding customers. When that happens, the disruptors are on the path that will ultimately beat the incumbents. Throughout Canon’s history, the company has used disruptive innovation in order to gain market share. In 1982 Canon developed the first personal copier. It gained its name because the reproduction elements were all contained in a cartridge that users could just replace themselves when they ran out. Canon’s desktop photocopiers were a new-market disruption; in that they enabled people to begin conveniently making their own photocopies, rather than taking their originals to the corporate high-speed photocopy center where a technician had to run the job for them. The high-speed Xerox machine was very complicated, needed servicing frequently and only a technician could operate it. When Canon made photocopying so convenient, people ended up making a lot more copies, therefore through disruption innovation Canon has created new value network. Additionally, Canon’s innovation sources come from monitoring the market and following and adjusting to its competitors. In 1987 Ricoh revolutionized the photocopier industry with the release of the first digital photocopier. Thus, Canon followed releasing their digital photocopier products, which effectively consisted of an integrated scanner and laser printer. In 2001 Canon released its first two digital personal copiers, the PC1080F and the PC1060. Furthermore, with the disruptive innovation of touch screen technology, the company has decided to launch its own touch screen display in order to compete in the market. The new Digital IXUS 200 IS features Canon’s first ever touch screen display that delivers intuitive control to the customer and greater ease of use. Canon’s success is also based on the company’s commitment to strategic innovation. Strategic innovation means experimenting with new strategies, with new combinations of the ‘What, Who and How’ of a business. If a company identifies a new customer base, it will start behaving in a way that best satisfies the specific needs of those customers. This behavior will most likely be different from that of established competitors who are serving different customers (Markides, 1997). In the case of Cannon, Xerox leased big photocopiers to corporations through a direct sales force. Canon sold its personal photocopiers to end users through a dealer network. Thus Canon has adopted a different product, along with different selling and distribution strategies. They identified a customer segment that was not currently served by existing competitors. Then they designed their products and delivery systems to fit the requirements of this customer niche. New product innovations from Canon strengthen its leadership in imaging technology. In 2009, Canon has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation in product development with the launch of 38 consumer products ranging from an innovative new Digital SLR camera in its flagship EOS range to a germ resistant calculator, and a first voice guided printer. The new SELPHY ES40 is the first printer, which talks to its user. It provides spoken instructions on how to operate the printer in seven different languages; the guidance also gives advice to assist users of all ages to simplify the printing process. Successful product innovation requires more than the management of technology; it also must address users’ problems and needs, how the product will be used, and for what purpose. Conducting marketing research to obtain customers requirements and needs is a fundamental feature of Canon’s strategic innovation process, which the company adds onto its product innovation cycle. The new EOS 7D digital SLR camera is a completely new design created to meet the specific demands of photographers. During extensive development Canon went back to the drawing board, listening to photographers worldwide, in order to design the new digital camera to meet their specific needs. Commenting on the creation of the EOS 7D, Mr. Uchidoi, Group Executive of Photo Products Group, said, â€Å"We consulted over 5,000 photographers worldwide and asked them what they most wanted to see from a camera. Matching this insight with cutting-edge technology, we were able to develop a camera that truly gives photographers the versatile tool they require to experiment with their images. † Markides (Markides, 1990) argues that successful innovative companies need to adopt a new thinki ng process. New ideas emerge more easily if managers can escape their mechanistic way of thinking and look at an issue from different perspectives or angles. Thinking ‘out side of the box’ enables Canon to create new ideas and pioneer new trends. One area, which Canon has foreseen, was the growing importance of reducing global warming and becoming more ‘green’. Long before it was in fashion, Canon introduced a collection and recycling program for used toner cartridges. The company adopted a corporate-wide lifecycle assessment to understand and reduce its carbon footprint, and it has already achieved zero waste output at its worldwide plants. Canon has jointly developed a new bio-based plastic that incorporates plant-based and organic components to use in its products (Silverstein, 2010). Therefore, innovative thinking helps the company stay ahead of the competition. Another source of innovation is building on the organizations existing core competencies to create a new product or a new way of doing business that is totally different from the way competitors currently do business. Leveraging existing core competencies is therefore one way to create new products or new ways to compete. Canon’s core competencies lay in the combination of the precision mechanics, fine optics and microelectronics technologies that underline all their products (Prahalad and Hamel, 1990). However, most major breakthroughs occur not so much from amortizing existing competencies but from exploiting them to create and accumulate new strategic assets more quickly and cheaply than competitors. A company can use a core competence of a strategic asset in one small business unit (SBU) to help improve the quality of a strategic asset in another SBU (Markides, 1990). Because Canon is in two businesses, cameras and photocopiers, in which the processes of improving dealer effectiveness, speeding up product development or improving assembly-line productivity are similar, it can improve the quality of the strategic assets in its photocopier business by transferring competencies learned in its camera business and vice versa. Leveraging core competencies among Canon’s different business units therefore reduces the costs and saves valuable time. Through the years, Canon has continually provided a lot of innovative and revolutionary products. From the company’s very first product launched, a 35 mm focal plane-shutter camera called the Kwanon, to now a days most recent products, the company has integrated innovation to all of its business units. Canon is committed to developing innovative solutions to enhance business productivity that it invests 8% of annual turnover in R&D. This devotion to innovation translates to fact that the company is consistently rated in the top five most innovative companies in the world in terms of new patent registrations. Thus concluding, throughout disruptive, strategic and product innovation Canon stays one of the leaders in its markets.

Urban Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Urban Tourism - Essay Example Tourism involves movement to another place for leisure, business, or recreational purposes like site-seeing, and seeing, meeting, and experiencing other cultures (Azizi, 2011, p.1). Urban tourism then refers to the movements of these tourists, domestic or international, to the towns and cities to enjoy the recreational facilities or business opportunities in the urban centers. Tourism is a phenomenon that has been in existence from the ancient times. Tourism has since grown to become a common leisure activity that is practiced across the globe (Azizi, 2011). Hundreds of millions of tourists are received at different tourist sites across the globe each year and the trend has been rising steadily over the past. The social, economic, and technological developments recorded in different parts of the world could be the factors contributing to the increase in tourism witnessed in different parts of the world. The modern efficient means of transport and communication has enhanced the abilit y of individuals to travel to different parts of the world relatively quicker. A foreign tourist may not require the help of the natives or local agents to locate some tourist center or other facilities that they may require courtesy of the modern technology like the internet maps to locate some place.The towns and cities play important roles in promoting the modern tourism industry and this explains the increase that has been recorded in urban tourism. The urban centers provide the main entrance for the international and even the domestic tourists in a country. The centers are often served with international transport and communication networks that provide convenient means of conveyance of the tourists. The centers are terminals for the air transport systems, rail transport, and major highways in a given country. Good infrastructure in the urban centers is an attraction for tourist activities. Similarly, the urban centers are endowed with historic attributes like waterfronts, attr active urban design, museums and theatre halls, conference facilities, exhibition centers, and facilities to host cultural and social functions like sports and festivals (Ruetsche, 2006, p.1). The forests and trees grown in the urban centers make them better environments in which individuals can work or spend their leisure activities (Dwyer et al, 1992, p.229). The urban centers are cosmopolitan and hence experience of a new culture is an attractive feature as well. Urban tourism has been an important industry generating incomes to many cities over the past years. In this view, cities across the globe strive to be attractive to the local and foreign tourists (City Mayors, 2011). The management of the cities makes efforts to improve on aspects like the infrastructural facilities in the cities, improved social amenities, and high level of security for the tourists, and, of course, excellent tourist attraction features in the cities. Tourism is often attached to the hospitality industr y since the tourists are the

The research topic is over the play A taste of honey by Shelagh Essay

The research topic is over the play A taste of honey by Shelagh Delaney,The topic is to dissuss the stages of adolesences - Essay Example Because the play follows the story of teenaged Jo, who becomes pregnant and nears the time of her delivery within the space of the play, it illustrates many of the developmental stages of adolescence as Jo is forced to go from childhood to adulthood in preparation for her baby’s birth. However, development can also be seen in the character of Geof, who enters the play as a gay friend, but seems unsure of his own sexuality while he watches Jo mature into a young mother-to-be. Whether intentional or not, many of these concepts were written into the play by a nineteen-year-old playwright at a time when many of the theories understood today regarding adolescent development were yet to be formulated. As such, â€Å"A Taste of Honey† offers remarkable clarity of vision and understanding to have been able to distinguish the stages of adolescent development so completely. As early as 1952, though, Richard Havighurst had proposed his ideas regarding developmental stages throughout the lifespan, each characterized by a specific set of necessary developmental tasks before the individual can move forward into the next stage. The definition of a developmental task as defined by Havighurst et al (1952) is â€Å"a task which arises at or about a certain period in the life of an individual, successful achievement of which leads to his happiness and to success with later tasks, while failure leads to unhappiness in the individual, disapproval by the society, and difficulty with later tasks† (p. 2). The tasks identified with adolescents include achieving new and more mature relations with age-mates of both sexes; achieving a masculine or feminine social role; accepting one’s physique and using the body effectively; achieving emotional independence of parents and other adults; preparing for marriage and family life / preparing for an economic care er; acquiring a set of

Environmental Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Environmental Issue - Essay Example Mr. Brown thinks problems like global warming, soil erosion, water shortage and population growth should be addressed first; whereas, Mr. Paarlberg argues that aids directed to the betterment of education, agriculture, infrastructure development etc. will be sufficient to address the problem. Parties to the effort are also a subject of disagreement. Paarlberg thinks developed countries especially the US should take the initiative; whereas, Brown thinks all the counties together should make an effort to solve the problems like water-soil crisis, global warming etc. (Easton, 2011). In some respect both of them are right; but Mr. Brown is more right. For a sustainable and long term solution to the problem of food shortage soil condition and water condition of a region must be improved and global warming must be harnessed on a long term basis by â€Å"restoration of forest, soils and aquifers†. Poverty must be eradicated and population must be stabilized. For the last two efforts developing countries can use some foreign aids (Easton, 2011). 2. Genetically Modified Foods Scientists have found out a way to transfer genes from one living organism to another and give bacteria, plants, animals etc. new features. When similar modification is done in our sources foods like grains, fruits, vegetables or live stocks we get Genetically Modified (GM) food. ... Mr. Coleman argues that to meet the growing demand of food GM food is a solution; whereas, Mr. McDonagh thinks that the problem lies in distribution, not in demand-supply. Mr. Coleman claims that production of GM food requires less chemical and water, whereas yield is higher. Mr. McDonagh completely disagrees and said that though there is an initial saving of cost, the cost of producing GM foods increases after few years and there in no significant increase in yield. Mr. Coleman tries to argue that farming of GM corps for a continuous period of 10 to 12 years has produced no adverse effect on environment and human being; therefore it is harmless. Where as Mr. McDonagh thinks this period is too short to draw any conclusion (Easton, 2011). It is hard to accept Mr. Coleman’s argument and even harder to consume GM foods. Until now there is no real food shortage in the world; only distribution must be improved greatly. Land- reform, social equality and cheaper credit will improve t he distribution of food. Another point is: production of GM food will make us dependent on few big corporate and there is no guarantee that they will help the poor. Moreover, playing with god’s creation and questioning his might is not good (Easton, 2011). 3. Organic Farming Organic farming refers to a practice that utilizes natural, non synthetic nutrient cycling process; almost exclude synthetic pesticides; and sustain or regenerate soil quality. The practice may include cover crops, manure, compost, crop rotation etc. (Easton, 2011). The topic of debate is: â€Å"Can organic farming feed the world?†. Ms. Catherine Badgley says yes and Mr. John J. Miller says no. Badgley claims that organic farming has enough potential to produce sufficient

Community Paper - Assignment B Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Community Paper - Assignment B - Essay Example Individuals can also belong to psychological communities, which involve personal interaction governed by sentiments of trust, collaboration, and altruism. This definition by Aristotle expanded to acknowledge that the world has contracted into a global village. One characteristic of such a community is bringing together of isolated individuals giving rise to communities which are unrestricted by geographical location. With the emergence of information technology there has been a creation of networks and cyber communities that link organizations and individuals across the globe through the internet irrespective of national boundaries (Stuckey, 2008). A community is a network of self-organized individuals with a common cause, agenda, or interest and these individuals collaborate by sharing information, ideas, and other resources with an aim of progression. In this regard, virtual communities consist of individuals in an online discussion on matters of common concern, or of those who fre quent a certain website for such purposes as socialization. This, therefore, implies that a community is a cluster of individuals with a common interest that arise from their association. An instance of a community is a college community, which involves individuals attending college. A neighborhood community comprises of people who live in a neighborhood and an online community made up of members of a certain website such as Facebook. Characteristics of a community The common defining characteristics of a community have common components, which are the people in the community, social interaction, common ties, and a place. Stuckey (2008), notes that the most essential characteristic of a community is the people People The people in a community involve a group of individuals who possess common initiatives. These individuals identify themselves with a thing or event that is larger than the summation of their individual relationships. A community must have people, and without this funda mental characteristic, a collection of any other thing cannot qualify as a community. These people can also be a group entity who have a common identity or are located within some defined boundaries. A community can, however, be restricted by limited membership to the community, but the individuals in the community must have some relationship with each other often because of a common ground. Rituals, social agreements, and social policies must govern the people in a community. These policy agreements and rituals ensure that each member of the community is valued. The people in a community are often organized according to the roles they play in the community. Sociability of the people in a community generates content for the community (McMillan & Georg, 2006, p.130). In the college community, this characteristic of people characterizes the students and the college staff. These individuals are guided by the college rules and follow the social agreements put in place by the college. Em ergence of roles also emerges in such a community where the roles of the staff and that of the students are clearly differentiated. Online communities also have the characteristic of people and are exemplified by the participants in the discussion or members of a website. It is only real people who can form a virtual community and it are necessary to note that computer robots, despite their abilities to engage in activities similar to that of