Ellingtonia Music essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ellingtonia Music - Essay Example But it was during the 40s (after he turned 40) that songs longer than three minutes became his signature style. At one time in 1927 at the Harlem’s Cotton Club, the famous Oliver King decided not play when he was given an invitation to do so. Luckily for Ellington, they offered him to perform on the club’s stage. From this point on Ellington became a favorite performer at that club and made musical compositions with names like Adelaide Hall. Creole Love Call was Hall’s and Ellington’s hit single together, and became a worldwide sensation. The other great thing that happened to Duke Ellington was when he became a regular performer at the Cotton Club, he experimented with all the musical styles he knew and probably created many. The club became his laboratory where he would experiment with his musical compositions and would get immediate feedback from the audience. With the courtesy of the Cotton Club, Duke became a well-known name for revues style of music. And weekly radio broadcasts from the Cotton Club gave Duke national fame. Although his Webster Blanton Band had many influential members but each song had Ellington’s stamp on it (Robbins, n.d.). Duke Ellington is not a musician that I normally listen too. But when I am in the mood for blues, classical and jazz, I really love Ellington’s compositions. But what I really look up to Ellington is because of his strong will and determination to achieve his goals in style. Whatever I have read about this man, it makes me want to say that I want to live like him. When he passed away, he died a clam and peaceful man, who can look over his life achievements and smile. The look of content on his face makes me envious. When he wrote his first composition at the age of fourteen, he was working as a soda jerk at a cafà © and named it something similar, â€Å"The Soda Fountain Rag†. This gives me inspiration about me studies, my career and

Electricity Generation Using a Wind Turbine Essay Example for Free

Electricity Generation Using a Wind Turbine Essay Wind turbines are machines built for generation of electricity. The electric power is generated by harnessing the wind speed to drive the shaft that connects to the gears assembled to amplify the amount of energy produced. Aside from wind power, other forces, like gravity and thermal energy, also affect the rotation of the blades, which in turn affect the electricity generation process. This research is aimed at creating a simple wind turbine that is capable of generating electricity. The process will be explained using the principles found in physics such as the law of gravity, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and momentum. Materials and Method The wind turbine setup was created using these devices: hub, three fan blades, metal box, two sets of gears, copper wire, a permanent magnet and volt meter, two rods of different sizes and couple heat sinks. These devices were then assembled to a working wind turbine. First, the blades were attached at an angle of 20 degrees. Then the gears were connected to the metal hub. The gears were then connected to a permanent magnet that was used to generate the electricity. The magnet was coiled with 80 turns of copper wire (about ? inch) for generation of power. It was then spooled to a steel block which helped increase the voltage just like a transformer. Greased bushing was also set up between the two gears and the hub. The perforated cylindrical block was placed on both rods to serve as a heat sink. The second rod was bent at the tip to change cyclic motion to vertical motion to the magnet. Finally, the wind turbine was mounted on a 10 feet tall support above ground level and was observed. Discussion The wind turbine was observed to see how it can generate electricity or if it can. As the wind blew on the blades, they turned along with the shaft. The shaft was connected to the gears that were also connected to the permanent magnet. When the magnet moved, the volt meter needle deflected which meant it detected electric power from the wind turbine. The wind turbine was successfully set up and generated electricity. The process of converting wind energy into electric energy can be explained using some of the principles in physics: law of gravity, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and momentum. While the whole setup depends on wind movements, other types of forces also affect the generation of electricity such as gravity and friction. Newton’s first law of motion states that â€Å"an object at rest will remain at rest while an object in motion will remain in motion. † This is also called the Law of Inertia or the resistance of an object to change its state of motion. Mass, being the property of matter, is used to measure the amount of inertia. This mass also causes gravitational field; the bigger the mass, the stronger the field. Consequently, in the presence of another object of different mass, their gravitation forces affect one another, that is, they attract one another. Earth is an example and the assembled turbine fan is the other object. Since the fan has smaller mass than the earth, it tends to fall to the earth or that the earth pulls it down. The force of attraction between earth and gravity is computed as mass multiplied by acceleration due to gravity (Wfan = mg); the result of which is also the weight of the fan. This concept can be used to explain why the turbine fan turns when the wind blows on it. Aside from the streamlined design of the blades allowing smooth air flow, the ‘pull’ force of gravity also helps the fan turn on its place or as long as it is mounted to the support. Next is electricity and magnetism. When the fan turned, the gears connected to the magnet also turned. We know from Hans Christian Orsted that electricity goes together with magnetism putting sense to the term electromagnetism. Electric wires do have magnetic properties and magnets also have electrical properties. This is can be shown in the wind turbine setup. The general principle in producing electricity using magnets and coils of wires is called electromagnetic induction. Faraday developed the law of electromagnetic induction stating that â€Å"the induced electromotive force in a closed loop is directly proportional to the time rate of change of magnetic flux through the loop. We already know that magnetic flux is the measure of quantity of magnetism considering the strength and extent of the magnetic field. Thus, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and the rotating motion generates electricity. This explains how kinetic energy from the wind is converted to electric energy. However, not all of the kinetic energy from the wind movement is converted to electric energy. In other terms, the kinetic energy is not conserved. This is basically due to friction. Friction is not a conservative force. By saying conservative, we mean it can be converted to other forms without losing portions of the original amount. An example is the gravitational force. Any object that falls from a certain height above the ground with initial potential energy (PE) converts all of it to kinetic energy (KE) as it reaches down the level. Same with when the object goes up. The original amount of KE is totally converted to PE. Friction does not behave this way. For example, the initial energy of a pusher pushing a box one meter away cannot regain the energy consumed even if the box is returned to its initial position. This is due to friction. What happened to the lost energy? They all go as heat energy, that is, wasted energy. In the wind turbine, change in the temperature is observable, especially in the gears and the rods. This is because they are all in contact while utilizing the wind power to move. Because of friction, the gears and the rods will heat up in the long run. It can damage the setup, starting from the parts with intense friction. In order to counter this, a heat sink has to be installed. Conclusion The wind turbine was successfully assembled and electricity was produced. The electric energy was converted from kinetic energy derived from the wind movement. When the blades turn, the rods connected to the mechanism turned and by magnetic induction, electricity was produced. Wind power is then a good source of kinetic energy needed for generating electricity. I suggest we put up wind turbines to harness the kinetic energy of the wind. It can help minimize the cost of power generation and we can also avoid the adverse environmental effects of using petroleum products.

Corporate Social Responsibility Case Study On Ikea Management Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility Case Study On Ikea Management Essay This report identifies Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a demanding topic which takes into deep understanding of CSR by depicting a road map of core subjects with related issues and implementation based on the principles of CSR and discusses briefly on its characteristics; pros and cons; theories and approaches; justifications and fundamental principles. This report gives an insight on the significance of CSR and examines in detail about the expected key potential gains from its operational use followed by the discussion on the problems and barriers that CSR generally faces .Finally the report chooses the case study on IKEA and discusses in depth about its CSR experiences by studying its development and strategy dimensions of CSR in corporate social agenda(strategic and responsive forms of CSR) and analyses IKEAs responsibilities as integral elements of strategy with a brief discussion on CSR communication. The concept of CSR has widened its scope and its increasing global de mand makes us to realize the responsibilities of a firm with its dimension towards social, economic and environmental impacts INTRODUCTION: This report identifies Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a hot topic and the reason for choosing CSR is due to its high profile attainment in the academic domain and most of us feel CSR as an absolute necessity to define the roles of organizations in Society and apply their responsibilities to their businesses in terms of social, ethical and legal standards. Moreover, CSR has become a globalised concept and achieved business prominence because of its geographical prevalence from US origin to its widespread suitability and establishment in Europe. This report structures the content to understand the concept of CSR by depicting a road map of core subjects with related issues and implementation based on the principles of CSR and discusses briefly on its characteristics; pros and cons; theories and approaches; justifications and fundamental principles. This report gives an insight on the significance of CSR and examines in detail about the expected key potential gains from its ope rational use followed by the discussion on the problems and barriers that CSR generally faces .Finally the report chooses the case study on IKEA and discusses in depth about its CSR experiences by studying its development and strategy dimensions of CSR in corporate social agenda(strategic and responsive forms of CSR) and analyses IKEAs responsibilities as integral elements of strategy with a brief discussion on CSR communication. UNDERSTANDING CSR: The term CSR seem to be new but research predicts that there has been an evolution of its concept throughout many decades. Way back in 30s of last century, the focus of marketing was initially on distribution and logistic, that was about how to provide some products at minimal cost. With the total marketing, the centre of attention is to set on the selling systems on the marketing mix comprising the 4 Ps: Price, Products, Place, Promotion. Social marketing emerged in the 70s whereby the company decides on the long-term interests of stakeholders internally as well as externally. A stakeholder could be any individual or a group, who can influence or get influenced by behavioral impacts of an organization. The categories of the companys stakeholder are shown in the table below: Companys Organizational structure and location Involvement in the Business activity Internal External Direct Shareholders, investors, managers, employees Customers, Lenders, Tax agencies Indirect Consultants, Suppliers, contractors Community, NGOs, Media General public Professional bodies The impact of any organization on the society through their operations, products or services rendered by associating with stakeholder groups such as customers, suppliers, employees, investors and community and this can be displayed in the form of a diagram below Source: Mallen Baker (2007) Different terms and ideas are associated and so it is difficult to define CSR due to ambiguity in the CSR field of research. There is always a problem to stick onto universal definition of CSR as the concept ranges from mere compliance with law to pure Philanthropy. Corporation refers to group of members acting as an individual, be it for business or elsewhere. Philanthropy has little to do with CSR because philanthropy is about how a company spends its money and CSR is about how a company generates money and how responsibly they conduct their business in doing so. However, European commission identifies CSR as a broad concept and recognizes, CSR as a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interactions with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis(Commission of the European Communities 2001). WHAT CSR IS NOT? 1. It is not an alternative for the regulation of companies! 2. It is not a replacement for how companies should manage their social, ethical and environmental impacts! 3. It will not save the world! CHARACTERISTICS OF CSR: The main features of CSR can be summarised as shown in the table below: Features Description Triple-bottom-line Economic, social and Environmental Voluntary All activities are taken up voluntarily. Stakeholders integrity Connecting all parties involved. Long-term action Carrying activities over a long-term period. Credibility Enhances the credibility of the firm. PROS AND CONS OF CSR: Arguments for CSR Arguments against CSR Enhances reputation in society. Solves the problems caused by business in society. Stabilises corporate power with responsibility. Increases long-term profitability Beyond government regulations. Adjusts to imbalanced demands of stakeholders. Improves environmental conditions. Business should be meant for profit maximization. Enforces unequal costs among competitors. Stakeholders compelled to hidden costs. Business may lack social skills. Makes to forget the aims of the business Social responsibility cannot be a legal responsibility. Places responsibility on the business but not on individual. CSR THEORIES AND APPROACHES: The focus on economic, political, social and ethical aspects in social reality aspects according to Parsons (1961) are primarily based on four features that can be perceived in any social structure such as adaptation to the environment ,goal attainment, social integration and pattern maintenance or latency. This hypothesis led to the classification of CSR theories into four types which can be depicted in the following table with their related approaches. TYPES OF THEORIES AND ITS FOCUS APPROACHES ILLUSTRATION INSTRUMENTAL THEORIES Focus on the economic aspect of the interaction between business and society Augmentation of shareholder value This theory argues that CSR is the only means to the end profits. It is based on wealth creation that is measured by share price. Strategies for competitive advantage Social investments in the context of competition Strategies based on the view of firms available natural resources. Strategies related to the bottom of the economic pyramid. Cause -related marketing Considering Socially recognised philanthropic activities applied as an instrument in marketing POLITICAL THEORIES Focus on the business power applicable in the areas of politics Corporate constitutionalism Firms social responsibilities arise from their strength of social power Integrative social contract Assumption of the existence of contract between the business and society. Corporate citizenship The firm is perceived as a citizen with participation in community. INTEGRATIVE THEORIES Focus on the integration of social demands Issues Management Firms response to the social and political issues and their impacts Public Responsibility Current legal procedures and public policies are considered as recommendations for social performance Stakeholder management Stabilizing the firms stakeholders Corporate social performance Exploring the responses from social legitimacy to social issues ETHICAL THEORIES Focus on the right factor to attain a good society Stakeholder normative theory Considering trustful duties towards firms stakeholders Universal rights Considering the frameworks related to human rights, labour rights and respect for environment Sustainable development Achievement of human progress by accounting present and future generations The common good Awareness towards the common good of society JUSTIFICATIONS FOR CSR: The prevailing justifications for CSR are shown in the picture below: Moral obligation Attaining commercial accomplishment in approaches that tribute ethical value Insufficient assistance to stabilize complicated competence related to social and economic interests. Varied personal values among managers and stakeholders Licence to operate Developing goodwill to safeguard the consent of Governments and stakeholders Licences and approvals are needed for a business to operate. However, this kind of approach will have to compromise in controlling CSR agenda to the externals that lack knowledge about companys operations and competitive positioning. Encourages defensive responses for time being. Sustainability Self-interest to encounter the present needs without compromising the future needs Efficiency on environmental issues yielding immediate economic benefits. In other aspects other than environmental issues, intangible long-term results give a weak justification for short-term costs. Existing justifications focus on the pressure between the firm and society rather than bringing coordination. These generic rationales give a trivial guidance for taking up company activities. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CSR: CSR mainly relies on three fundamental principles such as Economic, Social and Environmental areas. The purpose of CSR is to integrate business activity with its culture for attaining sustainability in its economic, social and environmental areas. Each fragment of CSR includes activities, which differ depending on the type of firm and the needs of stakeholders. ECONOMIC AREA: The firm is expected to behave as a transparent enterprise .Positive relationship among the investors, customers, suppliers and shareholders is expected. Economic impacts at local, national and international levels should be monitored. Stakeholders and the activities of CSR in the economic area of the market are shown in the table below: Economic area Market Stakeholders Owners and investors Customers/consumers Suppliers /partners Regulatory bodies Media CSR activities Creates ethical codex Transparency Best practice management Practice anti-corruption Build Stockholders relations Build Customer/consumer relations Build suppliers relations Build investors relations Protect intellectual property SOCIAL AREA: Responding and tackling the behavioral attitudes to employees in the working environment and focuses on assisting the local community. The company influences the working standards, education, health safety and develops the cultural aspects. The stakeholders and CSR activities in the social area are shown in the table below: Social area Stakeholders Work location Local community Employees Unions Non-Profit organizations Public CSR activities Health safety of the employees Human resources development Get rid of child labour Follow working standards Supporting laid-off employees Assurance of jobs Supporting social integrity Corporate volunteerism Donor ship Educating Public Improving the quality life of employees Creation of jobs and develop local infrastructure. ENVIRONMENTAL AREA: The Company focuses on its impact on ecosystem and elements like land, air and water. The company feels its determination to protect the natural resources. Environmental area Stakeholders Groups related to environmental aspects. CSR activities Eco-friendly processing and manufacturing products and services. Agreement with regulatory and standards(ISO,EMAS) Renewal of energies policy by recycling and using eco-friendly products. Lessening the environmental impacts. Protecting the natural resources. ROADMAP FOR CSR: The following roadmap depicts the core subjects and CSR implementation based on the principles of Source: vi.unctad.org/russiast09/docs/millercsr.ppt CORE SUBJECTS AND ISSUES: Issues related to core subjects of CSR can be depicted from the following table: CORE SUBJECTS ISSUES ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE Shareholder activism Political economy Cross border investments by foreign investors HUMAN RIGHTS Due attentiveness Risk conditions Escaping complicity Determining grievances Inequity and susceptible groups Civil rights Political rights Employees fundamental rights Socio-economic and cultural rights LABOUR PRACTICES Social conversation Child labour Forced labour Employment relationships Work conditions Social security Health and safety at employment Training and progress in the employment ENVIRONMENT Avoidance of Pollution Maintenance of resources Mitigating and adapting climatic change Protecting the nature REASONABLE OPERATIONS Anti-corruption Sensible political implications Good competition Encouraging social responsibility in the field of influence Assessing the value for property rights CONSUMER ISSUES Awareness Market sensing Health and safety for consumer protection Consumption sustainability Consumer support and solution for disputes Data security and privacy Entry to necessary services COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND IMPROVEMENT Education Culture Creating employment and developing skills Advancement of technology Income generation Social investment Community health CSR DRIVERS: The key drivers of CSR are discussed in the table below: DRIVERS DESCRIPTION Profound self-interest Generate ethical, social and economical cohesion where markets, labour and communities are linked to work together. Social investment Social capitalism and contribution to infrastructure has been seen progressively as necessary part of business activity. Transparency and trust Public perceives business as low ratings of trust. Public expectation about companys openness and accountability leads to prepare a report encompassing their performance in the areas of social and environmental issues. Increased public expectations of business Public expects beyond the companys contribution to the economy by taxation and provision of employment. In addition to the above key drivers, the following list shows general drivers of CSR. Business Risk management Reputation and brand management Learning and innovation Cost savings and operational efficiency Competitiveness and market positioning Improved relations with regulators Organizational transformation and continued improvement IMPLEMENTING CSR: Each firm is unique in its operational procedures, its awareness of CSR issues and the amount of work done towards CSR implementation.Therefore; different firms adopt different frameworks depending on their CSR approach.However, it adds value to the firm when CSR is implemented in a systematic route by integrating its mission, strategy, cultural, environmental and risk profiles, processes and activities. The following framework for CSR implementation gives scope to build quality and environmental management, which follows the model of plan, do, check and improve based on ISO standards .This flexible framework can be adapted by any firm as suitable for its organization. Implementation Framework PHASES STEPS TASKS Plan 1.Perform CSRassessment Gather a CSR management team Work out the definition of CSR Re-examine corporate documents, processes and activities Recognize and connect key stakeholders 2. Build up a CSRstrategy Develop support with experienced managerial staff Investigate others tasks Design a format of proposed CSR activities Build the ideas for scheduling and the business case for them Fix on areas of roadmap, methodology and focus Do 3. Explore CSRcommitments Take a glance on CSR commitments Organize discussions with key stakeholders Design the group to develop the commitments Plan for an introductory draft Check with concerned stakeholders 4. Implement CSRcommitments Build an integrated CSR decision-making framework Prepare a CSR business plan Lay down the quantifiable goals and find out the measures of performance Slot in the employees and to whom so ever applicable to CSR commitments Propose and perform CSR training Set up workshop to address the behavioural problems Design for setting up internal andexternal communications Check 5. Authenticate and report on progress Gauge the performance Hold stakeholders Report on performance Improve 6. Evaluate and Enhance Assess the performance Discover the opportunities for enhancement Engage stakeholders Double-check: Once a cycle completes Go back to plan and go ahead with subsequent cycle SIGNIFICANCE OF CSR: The issue of CSR initiatives and the perceptions of ethical standards have gained more attention by the management in considering approaches to strategic marketing. Usually, CSR is of growing importance towards managing the business processes and is magnetizing growing company investment. Unfortunately, marketing departments lack the skills to manage even the issues related to reputation thereby narrowing the insights. For example, pharmaceutical companies were criticised in the media for arrogance and lack of transparency. In order to rebuild its reputation, Pfizer took initiative to offer free medicines to those who were laid-off during recession. So marketing strategy expects to look for opportunities for better competitive positioning in market segments through increased customer value integrated with CSR initiatives. Majority of business leaders are focusing on CSR as a tool for differentiation and competitive advantage leading to generate revenue. CSR is not only important in considering the consumer relationships but also scrutinizes business-to-business relationships (comprising supply chain partners) with stakeholders like investors, government and lobby groups. CSR is an important business strategy by giving meaning and direction to day to-day operations. Satisfying each of the stakeholder groups allows companies to maximize their commitment to another important stakeholder group-their investors, who benefit most when the needs of these other stakeholder groups are being met. The business succeeds when values within the decision-making process and objectives of the organization are met. Lifestyle brand firms, in particular, need to live the ideals they convey to their consumers. CSR as a strategy is becoming increasingly important for businesses today because of three specific trends shown in the table below: Trends Discussion Changing social expectations: Consumers and society in general expect more from the companies whose products they buy with the regulatory bodies and organizations in place to control corporate excess. Increasing affluence: A society in need of work and inward investment is less likely to enforce strict regulations and penalize organizations that might take their business and money elsewhere. Globalization: The Internet fuels communication among like-minded groups to initiate a product boycott. These three trends portend corporate success. The result of this mix is that consumers today are better informed and feel more empowered to put their beliefs into action. CSR is particularly important within a globalizing world because of the way brands are built, at a time when these values and demands are constantly evolving. CSR can therefore best be described as a total approach to business in maintaining brand dominance. KEY POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CSR: The benefits to firms, community and environment by practicing CSR can be discussed at length in the following table: KEY POTENTIAL BENEFITS DISCUSSION Efficiency in risk management: CSR oversees and scrutinizes the corporate activities by effectively managing the risks involved in governance, social, economic, environmental and legal aspects in day-to-day complicated market, thereby safeguarding the supply for overall market stability. Impact analysis about a firm by considering the concerns of the parties involved is one of the better ways to anticipate in managing the risks. This ultimately sharpens the decision-making. Enhanced reputation management: Reputation of a firm is mainly based on values such as trust, quality, reliability, which reflect the organizations image and brand recognition and so any firm concerned about addressing the CSR issues, can manage their reputation with effective CSR management. Ability to develop the recruitment and retention of staff: Effectiveness in CSR policies improvise the human resource management which has direct impact on firms image related to its products and services.CSR indirectly aids in executing the programs that enhance the morality and loyalty of employees who are valuable resources for companys performance. Fostering innovation, competitiveness and market positioning CSR gives positive impact in avoiding the risks by tackling diverse stakeholders who are the basic sources for generating ideas for novel products and markets thereby differentiating from its competitor, which result in competitive advantage, thus developing competitive strength based on innovative business models. For instance, a certified firm with social and environmental standards improves the chance to become a supplier to specific retailers. Increased operational efficiencies and cost reductions: By implementing CSR, there is always an opportunity to transform waste streams into revenue streams by systematic approach of environmental aspect of renewable energies by reducing costs through recycling. Tangible cost savings signify the reduction in carbon emissions. Building efficient supply chain relationships: A firm is at risk to susceptibility in its supply chain. Companies with like-mindedness can build long-term business relationships with aim to increase their profits by maintaining standards and thereby tackle the risks. Larger firms encourage smaller firms with whom they are related to take up CSR approach. For example, particular retailers may require their suppliers to adopt certain codes and practices. Improved ability to tackle change: CSR aids as a radar to anticipate the emerging market trends and by regular stakeholder dialogue with customers, a company can respond to any changes that occur in regulatory, economic, social and environmental aspects. Generate robust social licence to function in the community: Better understanding between citizen and stakeholder recognition of the firms activities and objectives can render enhanced stakeholder relations, thereby giving scope for robust alliances of public, private and civilized society.CSR enhances the social capital. Enhances investment: As CSR enhances the brand reputation, it leads to raising the companys profile in the investment community. The company value can be improved through further investments.CSR approach drives the financial institutions about incorporation of social and environmental criteria into their project plan leading sharp decision-making of where to invest money and this motivates the investors to look for better CSR management. Better relations with media and government regulators: CSR indicators act as tool for the governments to decide on obtaining export assistance contracts in some countries. In many cases, though CSR activities are beyond the regulatory requirements, governments considered CSR views to expedite the approval processes for firms in order to meet their sustainability goals by recognizing the business sector engagement as a requirement. Building customer relationships: In Cause related marketing the altruistic activities of the firms can be recognized by morally conscious customers who may be flexible in paying higher prices or in reduced costs may increase their purchasing power and so CSR in broader sense has significant impact in building the long-term customer legitimacy,loyalty,trust or brand equity. Acting as a catalyst for responsible consumption: In order to combat with the ever changing consumption patterns, company has to play a key role in achieving sustainability by the way it supplies its goods and services in the marketplace to meet responsible consumerism which considers to relate consumer rights and issues and how well the relationship between producers and consumers is authorized by regulatory bodies. BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES: CSR implementation in a competitive world draws certain barriers and challenges which are due to : Difficulty in implementing CSR concurrently with other business Concerns in a balanced and remarkable manner Difficulty of transparency Lack of clear communication Economic thoughtlessness Various instability problems in developing countries especially problematic for SMEs Complexity of the issues involved and so difficulty in managing the supply chain and regulating the sub-contractors Complex set of issues as CSR covers a broad array of direct and indirect business performances, achievements, and so its impacts differ from one business sector to another International differences that may lead to lack of universal acceptance in examining the potential impacts of CSR. Misinterpretation due to CSR being judged differently in many parts of the world depending on different priorities. For example, Chinese consumers interpret social responsibility as safe, high-quality products, while South Africans consider it as a contribution to healthcare and education. In Australia, Canada, Indonesia and the UK the highest priority is to protect the environment. In Turkey, it is believed as an indicator for charitable donation. In U.S, France, Italy and Switzerland and most of South America, the highest priority is towards fair treatment of employees. Complex set of stakeholders appealing to the business for a CSR attitude the appropriate stakeholders need to be involved stakeholder involvement is important, yet difficult Always ambiguity between CSR and financial success Low voluntary acceptance of CSR can lead to green washing Lack of devices to measure, monitor evaluate and report the impacts Two myths Smaller companies think it the responsibility of the bigger ones and It is mainly a philanthropic exercise High overheads of implementing and sustaining CSR efforts. No universally accepted frameworks Some of the main internal company barriers to CSR initiatives are: Executives recommending strategic marketing programmes that focus on CSR-based positioning must be aware of the likely barriers and challenges from those who do not believe CSR as a legitimate strategic tool. CASE STUDY: CSR AT IKEA: The reason for choosing IKEA as case study of CSR work is to understand its CSR focus as a leading company, which ranks as the first in CSR in the Accountabilitys Responsible Competitiveness Index 2008 (RCI). IKEA was selected due to its long history and experience in the area and its response to several CSR-related crises and criticisms that has enabled the organization to develop structured policies and a range of collaborations and initiatives with stakeholders and could set an example for companies aiming to develop their economic and environmental sustainability. IKEA is a value-based Swedish furniture giant that has wide recognition for its focus on cost reduction and it is a progressive company that manages to integrate its cost focus with CSR issues. This report discusses in detail about how this integration is possible for IKEA and it is interesting to know its implications for other companies who want to combine CSR into their business practices. The CSR experience gained by IKEA can make other companies to realise that CSR is not necessarily a cost addition but it is a cost-cutter, which imparts increasing knowledge on how companies can be socially responsible. The aim is therefore to analyze the relationship between the value addition by CSR for a company to its corporate strategy. Public awareness about IKEAs CSR activities is only through proper communication and so this report investigates on how the CSR is communicated by IKEA. This report d

Film Analysis :: essays research papers

Film Assignment I have this opinion that America â€Å"a land of opportunity† and also a â€Å"rat race.† Why I say both of them? First, it is because, for me, America is a land of opportunity. Everybody has the opportunity to work as long as they have the willing to work, the work ethic. It’s just not everybody has the willing to work because the government will support those people who are unemployed. Like foreign students for example. The INS gives foreign students the â€Å"practical training† permit, so they can use it for working in the US after they finish their school. Even though it’s only a one-year permit, at least they have the opportunity to look for a company who is willing to be their sponsor for applying for the H-1 visa. Like in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. When George Bailey got bankrupt, he has another chance to make everything back to normal if he wanted to. However, when we look at the â€Å"individual social mobility, it makes Amer ica a â€Å"rat race† country. Since America is known as a land of opportunity, which will lead into a â€Å"rat race† because people may want to accomplish or fulfil their goal. Everybody is trying to get the highest position in his or her job. Everybody is trying to make higher profit in his or her life. They will do anything to get into that â€Å"position† even though they have to do something illegal, something bad, something deceitful, corruption. Everybody is competing and just thinks about him or her self. Like in the Glengarry Glen Ross, everybody is trying to keep his job there. They have to make the highest profit or they will lose their job, and that makes some of the officers rob the office. It’s a beautiful life is a kind of family movie that has a happy ending. When I watched it, I got so depressed in the middle of the movie because everything happens is just like a tragedy. That is the basic story after all. George Bailey has been dealt a savage blow and is contemplating suicide at his lowest ebb. It takes an apprentice angel to put it all in perspective and remind him that joy in life should never be eclipsed by any setback. After all how many of us can empathize with a penny pinching self centered old grouch versus a good man faced with letting his family and friends down.

CPPD

To enable trainees to recognize the variety of roles and contexts in the lifelong learning sector and the Impact that these have Objectives: By the end of this activity, trainees should be able to: List at least five different teaching contexts in the lifelong learning sector Discuss the effect of these contexts, different specialist subject areas, different organizational structures etc on the way they work In comparison with others Part 1: Wordsmith Wordsmith on the different teaching contexts in the lifelong learning sector.Discussion on which of these contexts are represented in the group or have been experienced In the past either as teachers or learners. How do they differ? What Impact do these differences have? Make use of any trainees in the group who teach in contexts other than FEE colleges. Part 2: Small group discussion Note: groups could be delved by subject area or randomly, but most effective If different teaching contexts are represented in each group where possible.D iscuss the way that their subject is delivered in their organization – how does this compare to how it is delivered in different contexts and how does it compare to other objects within deferent organizations. What is the main purpose of their organization and what impact does this have on the provision of their specialist subject? Are the student groups likely to be similar or different – in terms of ages, gender balance, motivation etc – in different contexts? What levels of their specialist subject are offered in their organization? What impact does the type of organization have on this decision?How is the organization structured – in terms of the size of the organization, departmental organization, line management, course co-ordination, teams of staff or individual teaching – and how goes this affect their teaching of their subject? What â€Å"roles† are involved in teaching their subject – egg teacher, lecturer, tutor, personal t utor, instructor, learning support etc – and does this affect the way their teaching is perceived in their organization? Plenary feedback with tutor to provide input and lead discussion on contexts not covered within the group.The context of teaching includes anything in the surrounding environment: physical, social, institutional and personal, that influences teaching and learning. The physical environment includes the classroom where teaching/learning occurs. For instance, he arrangement of the desks encourages some kinds of interactions and discourages others. Other factors such as lighting (enough to read by but not so much as to glare or be uncomfortable), heat (too warm makes people tired, too cold makes them uncomfortable and focusing on their physical feelings), time of day, and even the day of the week can make a difference.The social environment including the relationship between teacher and students and the cultural norms play a significant role in what can and doe s occur in the classroom. How friendly/ approachable an instructor seems to be determines how outgoing students will be ND the kind of communication that will characterize classroom interaction. The cultural norms: what is expected of a teacher and a student also have to be considered. This includes norms and attitudes regarding gender, age, class and ethnic roles.For instance, research shows (check with Elaine Blackmore on this) that it is more difficult for students to address a female professor as â€Å"Dry. Whoever† than to address a male professor similarly. The institutional norms play a similar role as cultural norms but perhaps more strongly affect what behaviors the teacher and students see as acceptable. Is the teaching method â€Å"du Sour† being promulgated as the only acceptable teaching practice? Is teaching â€Å"outside the lines† an acceptable custom? Are teachers encouraged to take risks?Are students encouraged to take an active role in their o wn education? The culture of the institution determines what is valued/ rewarded/recognized in the context. Is teaching rewarded or does research have higher esteem and, thus, more currency. How is teaching evaluated? All of these are affected by the larger culture, but specifically designated by the institution's culture and the norms of the department within which the course is offered. Last, but certainly not least, is the personal context which each instructor (and every student, for that matter) brings to the classroom.Personal context includes stresses context contains teachers' attitudes about learning, teaching, students, their own abilities, and their subject matter. For instance, teachers who believe their students can learn the content and communicate that belief to students can create a self- fulfilling prophecy in much the same way as teachers who do not believe in their students' abilities can create failure, regardless of actual student abilities. More importantly, is teachers' ability to teach from who they are.Teachers, to succeed, must believe in themselves, their students and the importance and awesomeness of their subject. Today's classroom is dynamic and complex. More students are coming to school neglected, abused, hungry, and ill-prepared to learn and work productively. To combat increasing student alienation, and meet the scope and intensity of the academic, social and emotional needs of today's students, those entering the teaching profession will need to find ways to create authentic learning communities y adjusting the power dynamics to turn power over into power with learners.These changing demands call for teaching styles that better align with emerging metaphors of teacher as social mediator, learning facilitator, and reflective practitioner. Being able to function in these roles begins with teacher self-awareness, self-inquiry, and self-reflection, not with the students. Becoming an effective teacher involves considerably more th an accumulating skills and strategies. Without tying teaching and management decisions to personal beliefs about teaching, learning, and development, a teacher will have only the bricks.The real stuff of teaching is the mortar that holds the bricks in place and provides a foundation. Being successful in today's classroom environment goes beyond taking on fragmented techniques for managing instruction, keeping students on-task, and handling student behavior. It requires that the teacher remain did and able to move in many directions, rather than stuck only being able to move in one direction as situations occur. Effective teaching is much more than a compilation of skills and strategies. It is a deliberate philosophical and ethical code of conduct.When teachers become reflective restrictions, they move beyond a knowledge base of discrete skills to a stage where they integrate and modify skills to a specific context and eventually, to a point where the skills are internalized enabling them to invent new strategies. They develop the necessary sense of self-menace to create personal solutions to problems. If teachers latch onto techniques without examination of what kinds of teaching practices would be congruent with their beliefs, aligned with their discountenancing structures, and harmonious with their personal styles, they will have Just a bag of tricks.Without yin teaching decisions to beliefs about the teaching/learning process and assumptions about, and expectations for students, teachers will have only isolated techniques. Unless teachers engage in critical re-section and on-going discovery they stay trapped in unexamined Judgments, interpretations, assumptions, and expectations. On Becoming the Critically Reflective Teacher Developing as a critically reflective teacher encompasses both the capacity for critical inquiry and self-reflection. Critical inquiry involves the conscious consideration of the moral and ethical implications and consequences of classr oom practices on students.Few teachers get through a day without facing ethical dilemmas. Even routine evaluative Judgments of students' work is partly an ethical decision, in that lack of considerations. Self-reflection goes beyond critical inquiry by adding to conscious consideration the dimension of deep examination of personal values and beliefs, embodied in the assumptions teachers make and the expectations they have for students. For discussion purposes, the term critical reflection will be used to merge the two concepts of critical inquiry and self-reflection, and [email  protected] the distinguishing attribute of re-active practitioners.

Nature’s Role in Frankenstein

The writers of the Romantic period portrayed nature as a celestial source. In many Romantic works, nature's beauty is praised with pantheistic, almost pagan, terms. To these writers, the natural world was a direct connection to god. Through appreciation for nature, one could achieve spiritual fulfillment. The contrary, failure to surrender to natural law, results in punishment at the hands of nature. Mary Shelley, as well as her contemporary, Samuel Coleridge, depicts the antagonistic powers of nature against those who dare to provoke it.Victor Frankenstein offends nature in several ways. The first and foremost insult is his attempt to gain knowledge forbidden to humanity. Then, he uses this knowledge to create an unnatural being that serves no purpose in a natural world. Finally, Frankenstein refuses to take responsibility for his creation's actions, which have obvious and dangerous consequences for society. By daring to tread on the laws of nature, Frankenstein becomes the target o f the natural world's wrath. He, much like the Ancient Mariner, suffers due punishment for his sin.In both â€Å"Rime of the Ancient Mariner† and â€Å"Frankenstein,† nature is portrayed as a divine power. It is a deific force, capable of creating transcendental beauty, as well as inflicting horrific torment upon those who violate its laws. The Ancient Mariner's crime is his senseless murder of the albatross; his punishment presents itself through a series of natural phenomenon. Nature deprives him and his men of natural elements, food and water, â€Å"Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink. † (Coleridge 433). Nature also uses other natural elements to cause him further suffering.For instance, the Mariner and his men must endure the heat of the sun as their ship halts, the wind stops and intensifies the heat, â€Å"Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down†¦ â€Å"â€Å"All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody sun at noon. † (Coleridge 4 33). Frankenstein also faces retribution for his disobedience to the laws of nature. His punishment, however, is not as simple as the Mariner's. Nature bestows a far more cruel and spiteful fate upon Frankenstein. It uses Frankenstein's creature against him, adopting his former object of pride and manipulating the creation into a weapon against its creator.Abandoned by its â€Å"father†, Frankenstein's monster is forced to seek another parental figure. It finds one in Mother Nature. As the creature embarks on a lonesome journey, nature teaches him the lessons that Frankenstein does not. The creature learns of the dangers of fire by burning its hand in the flame â€Å"One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.How strange, I thought, that the same cause sho uld produce such opposite effects! † (Shelley 389). In other such lessons, Nature shapes its â€Å"child† as a tool of revenge. For instance, the creature learns of it's hideousness by seeing it's reflection in a pool of water, † At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas!I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity† (Shelley 431). This realization evokes anger within the monster, and its resentment towards its creator grows. Nature uses Frankenstein's hubristic disposition against him. When creating the monster, Victor Frankenstein gives it a gigantic stature. He states that he did this due to his haste, â€Å"As the minuteness of the parts formed a great hindrance to my speed, I resolved, contrary to my first intent ion, to make a being gigantic in stature†¦ † (Shelley 171).However, Frankenstein's ambition also played a role in his decision to make the creature a physically intimidating size, â€Å"A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me† (Shelley 172). Here, Frankenstein states his desire to become the father of a supreme race of beings. By giving the creature an enormous form, Frankenstein is assuring that it will be dominant over other species. This is not only a threat to nature, but it also adds to the creature's unnatural genesis.The monster is abnormally powerful, as it possesses abilities far surpassing to any other species on Earth. Therefore, it is something unnatural and cannot be apart of the natural world. Nature, instead of removing the monster straight away, uses its physical superiority to taunt Frankenstein's pride. As the scientist begins his all-consuming quest to seize and kill the monster, he is constantly mocked by his own creation's power. Even at the end of his life, Frankenstein is still unable to capture the monster. The unnatural being has no true place or purpose in he natural world, so Nature uses the creature in the only suitable way: a tool for revenge. This becomes the monster's only role in the natural world. Once it has finally inflicted true punishment against Frankenstein, it will have no purpose. The monster does not belong in the natural world, and so it will be destroyed, â€Å"I, the miserable and the abandoned, am abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on† (Shelley 886). Revenge is its only objective, when nature finally achieves this intention it returns the monster back to nature.The creature's birth was allied by the use of natural materials, human flesh and lightning, similarly its death is caused by Nature's elements, fire, â€Å"I shall collect my funeral pile, and consume to ashes this miserable frame, that it s remains may afford no light to any curious and unhallowed wretch, who would create such another as I have been. I shall die. † (Shelley 889). The creature is of no use to Mother Nature any longer, and so it must remove itself from the natural world. â€Å"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner† and â€Å"Frankenstein† describes the horrors that result from invoking nature's rage.The natural world, according to the Romantics, was a divine force. Like the pagan gods of Greek and Roman culture, nature's wrath is terrible and unmerciful to those who dare to wrong it. Victor Frankenstein, the Promethean figure of the Romantic period, defies nature in his decision to bring unnatural life into the natural world. This is an act of blasphemy against nature, and to an extent, â€Å"God† himself. Frankenstein's punishment for this sin is both thorough and justified. Like Prometheus, Victor Frankenstein spends his remaining life paying for his act of defiance against the g ods of nature.