A Network Enterprise Management System for Shopping Malls Essay

Background GICEL Shopping Mall is just like an advanced supermarket that sells mostly home products such as home appliances and cosmetics. It provides other services like selling ice creams, beverages and most food items used at home. The Mall sells products to customers categorized from children to adults. A Brief study of an Existing System During my decision to present this project topic, I surveyed several shopping malls, studied their daily operations and realized there was a need for a more reliable and cost-effective system. Below are a few things I studied: * GICEL shopping mall is more into selling home products and other items either for eating or wearing. The mall has an automated system that keeps the daily transaction records, employees’ detail, product records i.e. prices, stock level etc. all on a spread sheet (EXCEL). * There are about five or six counters where the employees sit to key in price of products bought. After each day and week the employees make a total amount of product bought with the sum of money they collected. * During a transaction, the customer takes a product he/she wants to purchase to one of the attendant who is sitting behind a computer with Microsoft Excel installed on, keys in the product with its corresponding price the customer pays and a receipt is issued to the customer. * All products in stock are recorded, records are taken for daily transactions on the spread sheet and at the end of the week reports are drawn even when they expected an ad-hoc report. * A special employee has to visit each o f the computers in the mall to draw those reports every week. Read more: Essays About Shopping Malls Problem In the case study, there was a problem of bad record keeping. The spread sheet (Excel) platform finds it difficult to combine records since purchases made by the customer are kept separately on individual sheets and on different computers. This makes it difficult to provide ad-hoc reports to managements of the shopping mall. In situations where a single customer is buying different types of products there is a problem of data redundancy. These makes the total amount that a customer needs to pay miscalculated and this has created loss of income and low productivity. Within four (4) months managements has fired about 3 employees due to incorrect account reports made. Managements of the Mall wanted to create accounts for regular customer but are frighten of bad customer records keeping. The special employee who oversees the other employees behind the counter mostly get fatigue by moving from one computer to the other. He has to copy all excel sheet of the records to his computer tally them and make accounts of it. There is also a problem of system security since data abstraction is not invoked in the system to prevent some unauthorized persons (employee) from making changes to some records. They easily lose their data since there is no backup system in place. The Proposed System The proposed system will provide satisfying interfaces to be used basically for keeping records of all employees and regular customers, tracking the daily transactions made, tracking the daily fiscal/monetary issues of the mall and giving GICEL shopping mall the opportunity to get the best out of the system satisfactorily. With the proposed system, services will not change but method of record keepings will change. A special/particular employee (administrator) will use this system to take care of all recordings while other employees provide the actual services. There will be a network between all the computers that will enable the special employee to sit in his office and monitor the other employees. The special employee does not need to move from his desk to draw inferences from the daily and weekly sales. He/she will also provide passwords to the attendants and make sure they are limited to specific forms only. Business Need This project has been identified to better keep record of products, easily update of stock and create accounts for regular customers and provide speedy services, security, reliable and adequate reports at the end of each day. Business Requirements * The system will help cut down the time spent on tracing the Mall’s monetary issues as well as calculations. The system will help keep the records of all purchases made by the management to stock the mall in order to know how much profit the mall is spending. Payments for products sold are also going to be recorded and the system is eventually going to give a supposed picture of how much money the mall is making or losing. The system will take care of the basic accounts of the mall, thus, providing the mall with its cash analysis. * Since there is a network additional counters can be provided to reduce customers queuing to pay for their products thereby satisfying customers which will increase customer population. * The system will help in the preparation and issuing of receipt (after customers have brought product to the counter and charges have been accepted and payments have been made). * The system should be also to keep records of employees, products with their prices, update and preview of stock level and record information on regular customers with their bank details. * The system should have a backup utility. * The system will also provide special features to help GICEL Shopping Mall have an easy access to certain tasks or certain programs found/installed on their operating system, without having to close this system. These will include some various programs that they use frequently such as notepad, calculator, word, etc. * The system will eventually help the mall to operate much faster and more efficiently, thereby improving productivity and customer satisfaction. Project Plan Given thorough supervision, I look forward to completing the development of this system by the end of the academic year. Methodology The methodologies for collecting data for the development of the system include observation, conducting interviews and giving out questionnaires. Special Issues Since this is the first version of such a system, I consider it a prototype which could be built upon in the future. I therefore recommend other students to take up from where we will leave off and improve upon our work. I hope future developments will include; * Smoothly run on web (internet). * Able to use a Barcode reading system. * Ability for customers to use ATM card to pay for products. * Standalone systems at special points in the mall where the customer will search for location of product with its prices to limit customer from asking attendants were to locate products. Conclusion I hope to provide a system suitable to be used by Shopping Malls. The system will be made flexible enough to provide users the ability to use it the way they want it for their desired results.

Examine the roles of the witches in ‘Macbeth’ Essay

In the Elizabethan times, the people believed in witches and witchcraft. They were described as ugly and evil. Nowadays the people would not believe in them. The people in the Elizabethan times would be very scared of witches. This was equivalent to the people of nowadays being frightened about terrorists. The people thought that they were powerful beings. They thought that they would cast spells on them; they thought that the witches were the ones that influenced the weather and also someone’s personality. They were most likely to be old women with moles on their body. If the people wanted to find out if someone was a witch or not, they would tie the woman onto a ducking stool and then place them under the water for along time. If the people saw that the woman was dead they would definitely be relieved, as the woman would not be a witch. If the woman survived for a long time in the water then the people would take the woman out and then burn them or they would hang them. For people to be terrified by witches was very common. This was very good for William Shakespeare because then he could make the play much more frightening. This would be equivalent to a horror film nowadays. There are three or four scenes in the book, which include the witches. In the beginning the witches are just making plans about where to meet again. They say that they are going to meet Macbeth on top of the Heath. This scene is important because this is where the witches are telling the audience about where they are going to make the predictions. Another scene that involves the witches is when they are explaining the predictions to Macbeth and Banquo. The three predictions are: Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor: â€Å"All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Cawdor† He will be king: â€Å"All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king here after† Banquo’s children will be king after: (to Banquo) â€Å"Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none† Macbeth is very surprised at this point because he says to himself, â€Å"The Thane of Cawdor lives† These predictions are very important because they set the scene for the rest of the play. Further into the book, Macbeth kills King Duncan and Banquo. This happens because the predictions that witches made are coming true. Macbeth wants to know more information about the predictions, † Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more† The witches are very important and play a very vital role in the story. They are the ones that made the predictions and they are also the ones that Macbeth needs guidance from. The witches would not be very realistic for a modern audience because the people nowadays don’t believe in witches. In the Elizabethan times the scenes with the witches would be very terrifying and horrific for the audience because the people of that time would believe in witches and thought that they were evil and possessed special powers. Nowadays, the audience because of good acting would appreciate the people who would act as witches, and they would also think that the story was well written. The audience would be as horrified with the apparitions as they would be with the scenes with the witches. A modern audience will find the scene very interesting. The two characters that meet the witches are Macbeth and Banquo. When they met the witches, both of them had different views about them. When Macbeth sees the witches he says, â€Å"Speak if you can: what are you?† Macbeth believed in the predictions that the witches made and he took it very seriously. On the other hand Banquo takes it more lightly as it would not affect him, it would affect his children. The audience in the Elizabethan times would favour Macbeth more than Banquo as Macbeth takes the witches much more seriously. Nowadays, not many people would believe in witches and witchcraft and so would not believe in the spells and predictions. The people nowadays would favour Banquo. Banquo and the people of nowadays would agree that the predictions are not true. He has a dream and he starts to believe in the witches, â€Å"To you they have show’d some truth† This shows that Banquo’s views seem to change. Macbeth starts to take the witches much more seriously when he finds out that their predictions are coming true. There is a lot of dramatic impact in the play. The drama includes the battles in the beginning when the Norwegians try to take over Scotland; the murders of king Duncan and Banquo; the hallucination that Macbeth sees with the dagger, which is full of blood and it, is taking him towards killing king Duncan; and the witches with their spells and the predictions. The witches are some of the most important characters in the play because they are the ones who cast the spells and also make the important predictions. The witches would make a dramatic impact on the stage. When the witches cast the spells then the audience would react in a terrified manner. They would believe in what they see because they believed that it was possible that witches existed and it reflected reality. During the Elizabethan times there would have been a lot of limitations. For the battles they were missing sound effects and also the music had to played live instead of a recording; the costumes were not very good; when the witches needed to vanish there was no smoke effect which would make it much more realistic, but they did have a trap door; the problem that there was while performing the part of the witches was that females were not allowed to play, so they had to be played by men; the scenery was unsatisfactory; and they did not have lights which meant that they had to perform during the day. An Elizabethan director would portray the witches as being ugly and terrifying. The witches would probably wear masks that would have a mole on the face. They would try to make them look like old women because these are the kinds of people that the public thought were witches. The director would try to make it realistic just to add dramatic impact. An Elizabethan audience would react in a different way compared to a modern audience. An Elizabethan audience would be terrified as this would be equivalent to a horror film nowadays. They would have thought of the witches as being symbols of evil. A modern director would have a bigger advantage when setting up the play. There would be a lot of facilities that the director could use. He could use the sound effects for the battles; thunder and lightening for when witches were casting a spell; projection; women would allowed to play which would make it much more realistic; there would be better scenery; they could use curtains at the end of the scene just to explain to the audience that the scene was over; and also a modern director could use recorded music instead of having a live band. A modern director might portray the witches the same way that the directors in the Elizabethan times would have except that the part of the witches would be played by real characters. They might use special effects to show witches disappear. A modern audience would react differently after watching the play. They would not believe in witches because they know that it has been proven that witches don’t exist. A modern audience would not react to the play as if it was a horror film but they would think of the play as being very good and interesting. They would watch it for entertainment and the special effects would have dramatic impact on the audience. The impact on the audience would change over the years. The people would not believe in it because they will know that it is proven that witches don’t exist which is why the reaction of the audience would change over time. There were a lot of differences between Elizabethan and modern interpretations of the witches. The director in the Elizabethan times would make the witches wear costumes, and they would try to make them scary for the audience. The audience in the Elizabethan time would be scared as they thought witches were real, whereas a modern audience would not think of it as a horror film but as an interesting story.

Digging Gold Essay

Abstract This paper will discuss â€Å"Digging gold† case in detail and provide answers to various questions that arose after studying the case. This research will answer to :the types of pollutions that are generated by the gold mining companies, pollution effect on the environment, governmental regulations that would address the pollution problem, role of NGO’S (Non-governmental organizations) and citizens to reduce environmental effects of gold mining, and the companies who are less or more environmentally responsible. Generally, Gold mining is the process of mining gold from the ground. Keywords: Environment, Digging gold, pollution, responsible Gold is one of the most attractive and a highly valuable metal, known for decades. Gold is used in number of fields such as jewelry, dentistry, modern technological applications, in computer chips, lens surfaces, investments, setting currency value and so on.(R. James Weick, 1994).Gold is found widespread in various natural substances such as, sea water, earth’s crust, sedimentary rocks rivers etc. However,† its overall concentration is very low (about 5 milligrams per ton of rock), rich concentrations of gold, forming ore deposits, are known n throughout the world.†(Dr. Bill Birch). Gold mostly exist with other metals. such as lead, zinc, silver or copper and sometimes found free in nature. Gold takes place in variety of forms such as: wire gold, nail gold, mustard gold , paint gold, disseminated, irregular grains, scales, plates and vein lets with microscopic dimensions, and as larger compact, reticulated, spongy or hackly masses or slugs.(Dr. Bill Birch). So Gold mining is the process of mining gold ores from the ground. It is done in two types: Open pit mining and underground mining. Gold Extraction procss TYPES OF POLLUTION GENERATED BY GOLD MINING Under the classification system presented in the section â€Å"Major Areas of Environmental Regulation† three pollution types are described, such as Air pollution, Land pollution and Water pollution. All these three pollutions are generated by the gold mining companies. Their effect on environment is discussed below: Air pollution: When pollutants are not diluted properly and are emitted into the atmosphere, called air pollution. The process used to extract metal, release very harmful toxins that cause pollution such as: Lead, Sulfur, Nitrogen, Mercury, Zinc, Cadmium, and Uranium. These toxins can result in number of diseases to workers and the local people. The inhalation of such toxins may cause impaired vision, muscle weakness, kidney damage, nerve damage, anemia, metal fume fever etc. (No dirty gold campaign). According to the US Toxics Release Inventory, the metal mining industry in the United States contributed the following, in 2010: * 92% of industrial mercury emission s * 94% of industrial arsenic emissions * 73% of known Carcinogenic waste Water pollution: Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged into water bodies without the proper treatment to remove harmful compounds from water. Acid mine drainage, metal contamination, increased levels in streams are the major problems caused by mining to water. These problems affects domestic water supply, irrigation, swimming, fisheries, living organisms ,drinking and various other uses of streams. Acid rain ,caused by iron sulfide that mix with air and water, severe pollution hazard to ground water, surrounding soil and the surface water. (Pollution- issues- mining). Land pollution: Land pollution means damage to land in any form; such as, erosion, formation of sinkholes, deforestation, biodiversity loss, contamination of soil etc. (Wikipedia). Mining needs to clear a large part of the land to be dig, which means that area, can be created by harming vegetation and cutting trees. The chemicals used during mining process are leaked into the land that affect to land. The basic necessities of a living organism are land, water and air. If any  of these is affected, it creates problem for an organism. From above description on pollution effects on environment shows that all three are damaging to the environment equally. But the most endangering is the water pollution because Governmental regulation that effectively concerns the problem: The three alternative approaches discussed in the textbook to address the pollution problems are: Environmental problems, Market based Mechanisms, information disclosure, civil and criminal enforcement. Among these four approaches, information disclosure approach is more effective in case of mining industries to control environment pollution. Reasons in favor of Information Disclosure approach: Under this approach firms are encourage by the government to pollute less by providing information about the amount of pollutant individual companies emit. The various acts like SARA- right to know law and TRI-Toxics Release Inventory provide information to the public, relating to the environment loss lead by a certain company. This approach is effective because no company wants to be criticized and embarrassed in the public. Role of NGO’S and citizens movements The citizen movements and NGO’s can play a vital in reducing the adverse environment effects of the mining companies. The case mention three types of NGO and citizens movements started to reduce the adverse environmental effects of gold mining companies. First is the Romanian citizen’s group called Alburnus Maiors that was initiated by the local farmer and the activist to block the construction of a new gold mine? Second, The Newmont Mining Company was sued by the villagers of Peru, after they were hurt by the mercury spill by a truck. Third, â€Å"No Dirty Gold† campaign was initiated by the Earthworks that were aimed for the jewelry retailers. (Lawrence & Weber, 2014). More and Less environmentally responsible companies Number of companies is mentioned in the case, for example Kennecott,  Tiffany, Canyon Resources and Free port McMoran. More responsible companies: Among these companies, Kennecott and Tiffany are more responsible companies because Kennecott had made a public commitment to sustainability whereas Tiffany had made concern about its public image. Less responsible companies: The companies that are less responsible are Canyon Resources and Freeport Mc Moran in Indonesia. The reason that makes Canyon Resources, less responsible is that it uses destructive methods to extract gold when citizens voted to ban cyanide heap-leach mining. Freeport Mc Moran in Indonesia appears to be doing business with weak environmental laws and enforcement. Conclusion Gold digging and extraction process have a number of effects on environment. â€Å"Gold mining is one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world.† (Lawrence & Weber, 2014). Following is the list and effects of pollution on environment. References 1. R., James Weick. (1994). Natural Resources: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador- Canada. Geological Survey: Gold Occurrences. 2. Dr. Birch, Bill. Geology of Gold: Formation of Gold: Museum Victoria. 3. Prof. Kakharov, Abrol. (2013).Gold Extraction Process: Diagram. 4. Lawrence, A. & Weber, J. Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy (14th Ed.) Managing Environmental Issues. McGraw Hill. 5. No DirtyGoldCampaign:AirImpact.http://nodirtygold.earthworksaction.org/impacts/air. 6. Wikipedia: Environmental Impact of Mining. 7. Mining: Pollution Issues. www.pollutionissues.com/Li-Na/Mining.html.

Models of Evidence-Based Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Models of Evidence-Based Practice - Essay Example Through the bundles, the practitioners select the best practices then put them together in an attempt to offer the best services and deliver the expected outcomes. In the clinical setting, the practitioners select the most appropriate bundles for certain conditions to improve patient care (Kim, 2011). This model would help in creating a procedure that will see Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) be of less pain. Pantoja & Britton (2011) indicate that the multidisciplinary approach is one that focuses on speeding up the attainment of quality care. Through the model, it is easy to define mechanisms that will lead to collaborative learning among the healthcare providers. Pantoja & Britton (2011) argue that more focus is shed on patient through the Multidisciplinary model. Through this model, Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would be conducted by a multidisciplinary team; thus, a successful procedure. According to Riva, et al (2012), PICOT focuses on â€Å"P† for the population or the disorder in question, â€Å"I† for the intervention, â€Å"C† for comparison with other infections, â€Å"O† for the outcome after a diagnosis and â€Å"T† for the time frame set for the outcome of the intervention administered to take place. These questions present a formula for developing researchable questions and evaluating the existing evidence. The PICOT Model would allow for a systematic practice of conducting Total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Doody & Doody (2011) indicate that the IOWA model highlights the importance of analyzing the whole healthcare system from its infrastructure, the patients as well as the providers. Through this, Doody & Doody (2011) say it is possible to identify solutions to problems that exist in the system. Through IOWA, the entire healthcare system will shift its focus on alleviating pain on patients after going through Total knee arthroplasty (TKA). I would recommend the PICOT Model for implementation to this research problem because it is inclusive and provides a

Lean thinking (Layout Planning) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Lean thinking (Layout Planning) - Assignment Example The most exemplary and logical way to accomplish this working criteria would be to designate any two working departments with large amount stock movement proximity so as to save on fuel costs, transportation costs and most importantly operational time. So as to categorize which particular centres frequently have a large amount of stock or inventory movement within the company centres, a work Travel Chart is created to indicate the weekly sum of the activities and travels among the different departmental centres. The table below shows the operation sequence of all the products manufactured by the company. It also shows the respective allocated company sub-sections used during the production of each of the products. Notably, this will aid in appropriate decision making during the layout designing processes. A travel chart is used outline the degree of essential departments’ relativity in the production process. This is carried out via examining the amount or volume of products between each and every different work centres to aid in concluding which department s ought to be developed and stationed close to one another. Here is representational table of the travel chart for these company’s operational activities. Based on the above travel chart as well as the systematic layout planning technique (SLP) the degree of the importance between any two work centres to be allocated close to each other has been determined. In this case scenario the various company processes are represented using numerals. In this case, the number represents the first production process, that is, the guillotine process. Therefore, one can inference from the travel chart that the process number 12 - Pack and 13 - Dispatch work centres both display a high and strongly relative bond in terms of the movement of product between the two centres. Consequently,

Content Analysis (Conceptual)- How does New Mexico's (Albuquerque and Essay

Content Analysis (Conceptual)- How does New Mexico's (Albuquerque and Santa Fe) media (newspapers) portray issues of drought and water allocation in the state o - Essay Example The Albuquerque MSA population includes the city of Rio Rancho, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, a hub for many master-planned communities which are expected to draw future businesses and residents to the area. According to the United States Census Bureau, Albuquerque has a total area of 181.3 square miles (469.6  km ²). 180.6 square miles (467.8  km ²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6  km ²) of it (0.35%) is water. The metro area has over 1,000 square miles developed. Albuquerque lies within the northern, upper edges of the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion, based on long-term patterns of climate, associations of plants and wildlife, and landforms, including drainage patterns. Located in central New Mexico, the city also has noticeable influences from the adjacent Colorado Plateau Semi-Desert, Arizona-New Mexico Mountains, and Southwest Plateaus and Plains Steppe ecoregions, depending on where one is located. Its main geographic connection lies wi th southern New Mexico, while culturally, Albuquerque is a crossroads of most of New Mexico.†(Albuquerque, 2007) Wikipedia goes on to further detail the geography of the region as follows: â€Å"Albuquerque has one of the highest elevations of any major city in the United States, though the effects of this are greatly tempered by its southwesterly continental position. The elevation of the city ranges from 4,900 feet (1,490  m) above sea level near the Rio Grande (in the Valley) to over 6,400 feet (1,950  m) in the foothill areas of the Northeast Heights. At the airport, the elevation is 5,352 feet (1,631  m) above sea level. The Rio Grande is classified, like the Nile, as an exotic river because it flows through a desert. The New Mexico portion of the Rio Grande lies within the Rio Grande Rift Valley, bordered by a system of faults, including those that lifted up the adjacent Sandia and Manzano Mountains, while lowering the area where

Ultraviolet light Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ultraviolet light - Lab Report Example Additionally, UV-B is also harmful and is absorbed by the Ozone Layer on the Earth’s atmosphere. However, based on the effects of global warming, the penetration of the UV-B radiation through the ozone facilitates sunburn on human skin (Akram and Rubock, pp. 2-11). The discovery of ultraviolet light owes to the scientific research by John Ritter of 1801 which showed that in the presence of ultraviolet light, blue photographic paper would turn black. Following the discovery of the ultraviolet light/radiation, scientists have used the concept of ultraviolet wavelengths to monitor the formation of stars in the galaxy. Since most stars emit light at the wavelength of UV-light, scientists can monitor activity in the universe and provide information on newly forming stars (Mission Science, para 1-7). Practical application of UV-light is the study of the galaxy where scientists use Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope to investigate the differences between newly formed and older stars. Due to differing wavelengths, it is observed that the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope results show that optical and ultraviolet wavelengths affect how bright a star shines (Gam Products Inc.

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Qualitative and Quantitative Research - Essay Example This implies that the two methods are dependent on the data needed by a research and the subject of the research itself. In some cases, both of these methods can be used together. Pluralistic research is the term used to refer to a situation in which both the qualitative and quantitative approaches are mixed in one research project. The mixture of both of these research methods could result in a number of benefits and also come with costs or disadvantages to the researcher. This paper gives a review of the points of divergence between the two methods of research. Advantages and disadvantages of combining the two methods of research in one project are also given. From the definition of the two research method, significant differences are. This difference comes from the use of the method. While qualitative methods mainly try to give a justification of a phenomenon, the quantitative method aims at giving the amount of data to support or disapprove a hypothesis. This means that the data that will be obtained in a qualitative research is also of substantively different from the type obtained in quantitative research (Pierce 2008). In ordered to explain a fact or a phenomenon, reasoning is the only possible way to achieve this. The data that will be available, in this case, are descriptions of different processes or occurrence within a phenomenon. In the quantitative method, the data usually obtained gives a numeric value of the aspect being measured. This value can be the frequency of an occurrence or the magnitude of a phenomenon. As such these methods vary in terms of the data collected and the purpose of research. While the purpose of the quan titative method id to measure the numeric value of a phenomenon, the qualitative method aims ad delivering the meaning or the reason behind the occurrence (Bryman, 1988).

Sales & Purchasing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sales & Purchasing - Case Study Example This paper reflects on a sales report and an action plan by John Ziegler, a newly promoted sales manager working for Arapahoe Pharmaceutical Company based in Dallas. The market territory occupied in Dallas by Arapahoe pharmaceutical is very ripe with a high number of health facilities and physicians. The amount of physicians contacted by the company throughout the year totaled to fifteen thousand and one hundred, 15,100 as shown in table 2 above. This reflected in the enterprise performance in the total number of sales attained for the year. Totals sales for the year reached an impressive figure of three million, five hundred and fifty-nine thousand, 3,559,000. Sales numbers of this magnitude indicate the excellent effort made by the company’s sales department. It is appropriate to note the significant improvement of sales representatives’ performance from the previous year. Arapahoe pharmaceutical’s annual sales increased from two million, eight hundred and fifteen thousand, 2,815,000, for the last year. This indicates an improvement of over twenty-five percent, 25.3% (Summer, 2013). Marty Nakai topped the sales representatives’ performance list by managing to sell products worth six hundred and twenty-five thousand, 625,000. Dick McClure, Bill Morrison and Tom Jones were other top performers each managing to sell products worth over five hundred and fifty thousand. Peggy Doyle was bottom of the performance list. This is because she was new and had only been active for four months. Another rookie sales representative was Larry Palmer, who managed to sell products worth one hundred and eighty-one thousand after being active for a period of eight months. Jared Murphy managed to sell products worth three hundred and seventy-five thousand for the whole year. Almost all sales people performed well in terms of sales during the year (Summer, 2013). All member of Arapahoe Pharmaceutical Company sales team improved on

Discharge Plan Assiigment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Discharge Plan Assiigment - Essay Example cation of discharge or transfer, pre-admission planning, effective communication between the clinician and Care giver and good management plan to ensure that care are given continually. This paper is an outline of a manager who plans the transfer process of a patient suffering from ESRD on dialysis. The patient prefer going back home while the third parties are in disagreement of the idea. As the case manager the procedure below will be the guideline followed to deal with the matter in question. On the onset of admission, the transfer needs would be the autonomous decision of the patient and the immediate environment of the patient. In this case the patient’s ability to make rational decision is considered important. In case of mental disability, the patient is farther diagnosed for any mental illness. The extent to which the care givers are committed to give the care services needed by the patient. These two factors are put into consideration and make the basis upon which decision of transfer will be made on. When the patient makes rational decision and the environment is conducive, he or she will be transferred. In case otherwise, other options will be explore such as negotiating with immediate care takers. The discharge level care for the patient is transferred from the staff to the immediate family members at home. These are third party carers who provide the service at home. They can either accept the duty or disagree. In case of disagreement negotiations are necessary to strike a deal with the family members. The patient is destined to home not any other place, this is because the patient wanted to be transferred back home not any other place even though the family members were in disagreement. The basis of the decision is guided by the principle of autonomy of the client which must be considered in relation to other option. The other principles are independency of the patient, the protection of the patient’s well being and the integration of

Consensual Relationships Agreements ( CRA) Case Study

Consensual Relationships Agreements ( CRA) - Case Study Example In this connection, the Consensual Relationship Agreement (CRA) between the working people and the employer is generally regarded as a written contract in which the working people belonging to an organization agree to follow various policies relating to workplace that are established by the employer. The written agreement also states that the working people agree to discard certain attitudes or behaviors that might offend others in the working place. In this particular agreement, the employees or the staffs also agree to behave professionally and not to permit the relationship to hamper their work performances. Through this particular relationship agreement, the working people of a particular organization also promise to report any sort of harassments that might prevail in the working place to the higher authority of the organization (Appleby, 2007). Along with the need of executing consensual agreements in the workplace, there also lie certain different reasons which might possess negative impact for the employees with the implementation of Consensus Relationship Agreements (CRA) in any organization. The different reasons for the negative impact of the workplace agreement include unfavorable effect upon the morale of the employees, emergence of favoritism and potential interest conflicts among the staffs that ultimately can affect the working performances of the staffs (Edwards & Angell LLP, 2005). In this context, the morale of the employees who consent to be a part of Consensus Relationship Agreements (CRA) greatly suffers at a particular time when the other employees of the organization enjoy superior as well as well advanced job assignments along with other opportunities of working operations. This particular factor ultimately helps to raise the aspect of favoritism and also unfavorably affects upon the working performance of the employees due to the relationship agreement

Misogyny in Theogony Essay Example for Free

Misogyny in Theogony Essay In Theogony, Hesiod expresses misogynistic notions and shows the triviality of the creation of women. Hesiod portrays the insignificant role for women. He uses marriage as a light-hearted yet serious judgment and stereotypes against all women. Hesiod explains the most misogynistic attitudes in the story of Pandora. He works misogyny into female monsters and goddesses that use their tricks on men. Hesiod displays the dominance of the male sex in his poem, Theogony. Hesiod touches on his feelings toward the idea of marriage. Referring to Theogony, he states that the man who avoids marriage arrives at an old age with no one to look after him and distant relatives share out his living. The man who finds a good wife spends a life, that is balanced between evil and good, / A constant struggle.(393-394) While the man who gets an awful wife lives with, He lives with pain in the heart all down the line, / Pain in spirit and mind, incurable evil.(395-396) Hesiod’s idea of marriage is more of a teaching process with the man as dominant and the woman is to be controlled. The very creation of women was a punishment to mankind. Out of Zeus anger toward Prometheus, came Pandora, the first woman. Hesiod explains the thoughts of immortal gods and mortal men as they first glanced at the beautiful creation as â€Å"sheer deception, irresistible to men. / From her is the race of female women, / The deadly race and population of women, / A great infestation among mortal men.† (373-376) The only reason women live in this world is because of the sins of one male figure. Women have no other purpose in Hesiod’s words than to be the bad that upsets the good in the world. In Theogony, Hesiod mentions the monster Echidna stern of heart, who was half nymph with fair cheeks and curling lashes, and half a monstrous serpent, terrible and huge, glinting and ravening, down in the hidden depths of the numinous earth. This monster that Hesiod describes seems to parallel with his image of women: beautiful but deceiving. Theogony also describes Aphrodite as a modest and beautiful goddess. Although she is the goddess of intimacy, tenderness, and pleasure, she is also the goddess of deceptions. Aphrodite claims she is the most powerful because she can influence all other gods. Hesiod wrote this poem with a lot of misogynistic thoughts in mind. The idea of marriage is irrelevant except for the matter of reproduction of strong and courageous men in Theogony. The creation of women was originally a punishment to Prometheus but Hesiod shows that this is a punishment to all mankind. Women are also often compared to monsters and evil creatures. Hesiod states throughout his poem that women are often insignificant and trivial to the lives of men.

Art Museums: Issues in Profits, Acquisition and Ethics

Art Museums: Issues in Profits, Acquisition and Ethics Acquisition, Ethics, and Profit in the Art World What happens in the art world affects all parts of it, from the most well endowed museum to the myriad lesser-known and unknown galleries that try to eke out a living. This paper will examine the ways in which museums have weathered the vagaries of the market over the past few decades, including not-for-profit institutions as well as the for-profit sector, including the gray area in which the two—rarely—meet. The unifying factor, as this paper will show, is the reputation of the institution. The reputation of any building that houses works of art is a priceless commodity, whether it is a huge institution of international reputation, or a small but well-respected gallery with equally high standards of decorum and ethics. To maintain that reputation at all costs is of vital importance if an institution is to survive and remain a respected part of the art community. Ethics, Profit and Culture in Museums The role of museums in contemporary society has changed in the last several decades; still considered essential to society as both reflection and mirror, museums have found themselves floundering for financial support as never before. To continue to thrive—often just to survive—they have had to adapt to meet the new demands of a multicultural world, while at the same time maintaining their respected status. Traditionally seen as temples for the muses, todays museums are being challenged to be ethical for society and to build their reputation (Wood Rentschler, 2003). Traditionally, museums throughout the Western world have supported themselves in a variety of ways, most of which are dependent on cultural travel and funding sources. Admission receipts and gift-shop sales form part of their income. Donations from the government and from private and other funding sources supplement that. In recent years, however, cultural tourism rates have dropped, and additional funding from government and private sources has dwindled, leaving budgetary needs unmet. To stay afloat, museums have had to adapt and change with the times. They have done, and continue to do this, in a number of ways. Among these ways, unfortunately, have been activities that have raised eyebrows in the art world, and questions about acquisition, ethics, and profit have come to the fore. Importance of Reputation As institutions which house the priceless treasures and artifacts of our cultural pasts, museums are generally held in high regard. Among smaller galleries, there is also a hierarchy, primarily based on integrity and fair dealings with artists and with each other. For the larger institutions, though, in order to maintain this regard, they are expected to adhere to a higher standard. This expectation is so deeply ingrained that it seems at times a given: museums are considered bastions of artistic culture and historical identity. They are institutions which foster intellectual growth and which exercise discriminating taste and ethical behavior in building and maintaining their collections. Regardless of the exhibition or programme concepts, notes Edson, there are qualities and initiatives that are fundamental to museums, such as intellectual honesty, promotion of critical thinking, enhancement of open-mindedness and the sensitizing of visitors to the commonwealth of humankind (2001: p. 43). This is a tall order to uphold—and one which is under constant scrutiny. What happens when these hallowed institutions fall upon financial hardship? They adapt. The ways in which they adapt may change our preconceived notions of what a museum should be. For example, the concept of blockbuster exhibits in the eighties was considered unacceptable to some. This blatant advertising to sell art—in essence, sell culture, seemed a betrayal of the highest standards, a mockery of itself. It forced many to reconfigure commonly held notions about the institutions themselves. In his memoirs, art critic Richard Feigen echoes what many felt at the time: As museums began to commercialize, to adapt to 1970s inflation, exhibitions also veered away from an emphasis on scholarship toward a preoccupation with box office (2000: 137). The very words box office, in such close proximity to scholarship and museums, would have seemed quite jarring at the time. Yet, since then, we have grown more accustomed—albeit gradually—to the concept of art-for-profit. After all, someone has got to pay for the acquisitions and maintenance of cultural artifacts. If the funding is not forthcoming, museums have had to choose whether to close up their doors and die out like an obsolete breed, or to reinvent themselves in ways they deem acceptable. Having for the most part chosen the latter, museums have had to become more aggressive in pursuit of the funds necessary to at least survive, and hopefully to flourish. This has necessarily caused their patrons to reassess and re-evaluate as well. Just as museum definitions have changed, so too has our understanding of museum ethics explain Wood and Rentschler (2003). It has also forced us to understand the roles of the individuals who run these institutions, as Feigen concedes: In this new era of museology, he writes, a directors success has come to be measured by the crowds he attracts, the funds he raises, the buildings he builds, and how effectively he can dodge political cross fire (2000: 109). A major issue which has sprung from this process of adaptation is the need to maintain an impeccable reputation in the process. The last few decades have been a period of just that, as the concept of the museum—and the actual institutions themselves—have evolved to meet the needs of the people they serve: the patrons. Todays museums are called upon to offer an enhanced experience in an appropriately comfortable environment, one that instills a sense of cultural pride as well as challenge. In so doing, Edson writes: The museum by facilitating that experience serves the individual and the host community to the fullest extent of the concept of public service (Edson, 2001: p. 44). In order to do this, however, the reputation of the museum must remain intact; this means that decisions about affiliations with those outside the museum itself must be absolutely circumspect. And this, in recent years, is where museums have been coming under fire. The Staff The staff of a museum—from curators to custodians—forms the backbone of day-to-day operations. Considered in that light, the actions of staff members may be seen as a reflection on the museum itself. This is something that pertains to all levels of staffing. The security personnel who are responsible for safeguarding national treasures may not be accorded the highest prestige in society, but the importance of their roles should never be played down. A disturbance that distracts even a single security staff member from absolute vigilance can potentially set off a series of events that may lead to loss through damage or theft. And there are several known instances in which the roles of security personnel have been key in allowing unauthorised access to works of art: that they would willingly allow this is untenable, but not inexplicable. Monetary pressures mount, and outside influences can be very persuasive. Arts organisations cannot think that their people will be immune to these pressures assert Wood and Rentschler (2003). They advise that clearly stated ethical practices be a part of every organisation to avoid this very thing. They must be part of the training program, and they must be reviewed and reinforced on a regular basis to maintain both morale and loyalty. Failure to do so can have irrevocably damaging results: If temptation is not resisted, it can compromise the values for which the organisation stands and irrevocabl y damage the reputation that it may have worked for years to create (Wood Rentschler, 2003). These practices must apply to all levels of museum staff, not just those who can provide immediate access. What about those in positions further up in the hierarchy, who have just as much access as well as additional access and power? Their actions must at all times be in accordance with museum policy; in addition, they must adhere to the law—local, national, and international. This is particularly important when it comes to acquisition of properties whose histories may be questionable. To knowingly—or unknowingly—acquire stolen property is anathema, however authentic a piece may be. Any irregularities regarding provenance are a red flag, since a single lapse in judgment can cost a museum its cultural standing as well as its profitability. Alan Shestock, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, explains that museum curators are acquirers. . . . Most of us go into the profession because the desire to accumulate and bring together objects of quality is in our blood. We are personally and professionally devoted to adding to and improving our holdings . . . (Shestock, 1989: 97–98). This kind of passion, paired with the need to keep ones collection top-rate, can cause considerable angst. To know that a particular, highly coveted item is authentic is an exciting enough discovery for a museum professional. To know, furthermore, or to merely suspect, that its origins may be less-than-circumspect, means that this object cannot become a part of the museums holdings. This is not an easy thing to do. Explains Shestock: To consciously or intentionally turn down a highly desirable object we can afford to buy on the basis that we suspect that it might have been removed illegally from its country of origin—and also k nowing that it will end up in the collection of a rival institution or an unscrupulous private collector is a very hard thing to do (1989: 97–98). Edson and Dean point out several situations in which the circumstances may lead to ethically questionable behaviors. First, there are curators whose job responsibilities include researching and writing about the objects in their collections. Curators hired to research and interpret the collection in their care sometimes regard the notes and associated materials that result from this work as their personal property, regardless of the museums ownership of the actual collections objects (Edson Dean, 1994: p. 235). If the funding for this research is solely supplied by the institution, all rights would seem to revert to the museum. However, it is seldom this straightforward, as personal research may be involved as well. The situation becomes further complicated when international objects are involved, as there are several sets of law which much be adhered to in order to maintain high ethical standards. There are other, even more controversial situations, however, many of which result in unavoidable conflicts of interest. With whom should ones loyalty lie? According to Edson and Dean, in the case of curators, loyalty must be first to the institution; to avoid having to resolve the issue, they suggest judicious discrimination in selection of any extracurricular pastimes: activities that conflict with this loyalty or cause curators to favor outside or personal interests over those of their institutions must be avoided (1994: 232). What of gifts that are made directly to a museum professional? This can be confusing, since gifts can cover a range of services. A professional who would never under any circumstance accept a costly creation of artistic work may think nothing at all of accepting other favors, such as discounts. But these, too, must be avoided, and ultimately rejected. Finally, since it is commonly accepted that most individuals do not go into the arts for its lucrative remuneration, there may come times when it is necessary for museum personnel to supplement their incomes with additional paying work. This is particularly complex in cases in which higher-level museum professionals, such as curators, moonlight, or do additional evening or weekend work for pay. Such specialized types of work may bring them into contact with numerous opportunities for temptation, all of which are to be turned down to maintain propriety. Even a distant association with parties who are entangled with any kind of illegal trade can taint that professionals reputation, and therefore the museum itself. And cases like this are more common than most would like to admit—not to mention far-reaching: the illicit traffic in cultural property is, like narcotics, an international problem (Herscher, 1989: p. 118). Art for Profit In their article, Show Me the Monet, Steve Friess and Peter Plagens broach a subject which continues to be a point of contention in the art world. They discuss an agreement between the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the new Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to the agreement, the Boston museum would lend a number of Monets to the Bellagio—for a fee. The tradition of extending loans to one another is long-standing among museums, large and small. The agreement to do so for cash, is less common. Among the loftier institutions, it is practically unheard of. Lending art works for set sums of money puts a new twist on the issue. In return for the loan of Monets, the Bellagio agreed to pay the Museum of Fine Arts a hefty some—at least one million dollars. The traditional cashless quid pro quo for lending art to other museums—OK, well lend you our Picasso if we can borrow your Matisse—had been augmented by lending fees (Friess and Plagens, 2004). This calls into question a number of issues, the most pressing of which seems to be, where does one draw the line? If items which are part of a museums permanent collection are accorded dollar values and made available for that price, can anyone with appropriate funds borrow them? What will this do to the reputations, not only of the museums that engage in this, but to the works of art themselves, and to the notion of cultural heritage in general? Ethics, Profit, and Culture in Dealership In a similar vein, private art dealers have had problems of a slightly different nature over the past few decades. Contemporary notions of an art dealer tend to be unkind. Less-than-savory deals, sly cash transactions, cagy tax evasion: these are what come to mind before the subject of art comes into focus. Art critic Peter Schjeldahl puts it succinctly in his article on art dealership in New York, in which he asserts that popular opinion sees the gallery owner as a stock figure of slinky charlatanry, or worse (2004). Because of this, it is with no small amount of glee that people welcome gossipy tidbits about high-society art dealers being brought down in shady, six-figure stings. People savor the cynical rush of discovering garden-variety greed behind a pose of lofty, intimidating sophistication notes Schjeldahl (2004). But, Schjeldahl points out, no matter what one thinks of an art dealers character, one thing remains constant: good taste. Without it, all the pretension means nothing. In addition, there is a hierarchy among the smaller circle of individual galleries that are also part of the art world. Judging by her record of accomplishment and her reputation in the art world, Marian Goodman seems to embody the highest of standards. First of all, when it comes to discrimination and taste, Goodman seems to have an abundance of both. The reputation of a dealer is of great importance in the art world, despite popular conceptions. Goodman, too, has had to weather the storms of changing times, just as larger, loftier museums have had to do, and she, too, has survived. Among her contemporaries, however, Goodman commands a high level of respect for refusing to follow trends and continuing to maintain her own exemplary standards. She employs what some see as old-fashioned standards in both her selection of gallery site and her selection of artists. For example, her gallery is still located in Manhattan, New York City, despite the mass exodus of galleries to outer boroughs of the metropolis. Furthermore, she has steadfastly remained in the pricier part of Manhattan, in the heart of the theatre district, in the mid-fifties. In his New Yorker article, art critic Peter Schjeldahl explains that Goodman could very easily save money and gain vastly more visibility by relocating to Chelsea . . . (2004, p. 36). However, Goodman refuses to budge, preferring instead the uniqueness of her own more expensive showplace to the identical hives of lower Manhattan. Of course, as a private dealer, she is free of the pressures of a committee of trustees and similar directives. Conclusion The art world is at once a seemingly small and insular community on the one hand, and a global community of vast proportions on the other. What happens in this world affects all parts of it, from the most well endowed museum to the lesser-known private galleries. This paper has attempted to examine how both the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors have managed to survive in the last several decades, adapting to best meet the needs of their patrons while maintaining the integrity and values they hold dear. One thing that is undeniable is reputation: To maintain that reputation at all costs is of vital importance if an institution is to survive and remain a respected part of the art community. Edson and Dean have noted that Objects communicate far beyond the walls of the museum in which they are housed. They influence the appreciation and appearance of objects of everyday use, and the level of respect and understanding for the personal and collective natural and cultural heritage of a people or nation (Edson, 1996, p. 7). The reputation of any building that houses works of art is a priceless commodity, whether it is a huge institution of international reputation, or a small but well-respected gallery with equally high standards of decorum and ethics. The slightest hint of a breach in ethical standards is enough to shake the very foundation of an institution; if the breach itself is, in fact, made known to be fact, it is highly unlikely that it will every regain its former stature, nor command the same level of respect. References Edson, Gary. 2001. Socioexhibitry as Popular Communication. Museum International: July 2001, Vol. 53, Iss. 3, pp. 40–44. Edson, Gary and Dean, David. 1994. The Handbook for Museums. London: Routledge. Feigen, Richard. 2000. Tales from the Art Crypt: The Painters, the Museums, the Curators, the Collectors, the Auctions, the Art. New York: Knopf. Friess, Steve, and Plagens, Peter. 2004. Show Me the Monet. Newsweek. New York, Vol. 143, Iss. 4, p. 60. Herscher, Ellen. 1989. International Control Efforts: Are There Any Good Solutions? In Messenger, P., ed. The Ethics of Collecting Cultural Property. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, pp. 117–128. Messenger, Phyllis, ed. 1989. The Ethics of Collecting Cultural Property. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press. Schjeldahl, Peter. 2004. Dealership: Onward and Upward With the Arts. The New Yorker. New York: Feb. 2, 2004, p. 36. Shestock, Alan. 1989. The Museum and Cultural Property: The Transformation of Institutional Ethics. In Messenger, P., ed. The Ethics of Collecting Cultural Property. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, pp. 93– 102. Wood,Greg, and Rentschler, Ruth. 2003. Ethical behaviour: The Means for Creating and Maintaining Better Reputations in Arts Organisations. Management Decision. London: 2003.Vol. 41, Iss. 5/6, p.528-537.

Songs in the Key of Stevie Wonder’s Life Essay -- Biography

At the young age of twenty two, Stevie Wonder sang, â€Å"When you believe in the things you don’t understand / Then you suffer / Superstition ain’t the way†. He started his career in the early 1960s, but in 1972, Superstition established Stevie Wonder as one of the most recognizable musicians of his time in American and African-American culture and music. Although music was Wonder’s main priority, he also dedicated his time to a fight against racism throughout national and international borders. Musically, socially, and politically, Stevie Wonder was able to bring people together with his music and words. From the time of his birth to the present day, Stevie wonder sang his way into our hearts and remains one of the most influential people within African-American history. Steveland Hardaway Judkins was born on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan to Calvin Judkins and Lula Mae Hardaway. As his current musical career was groundbreaking, his family life was not so perfect. The relationship between Calvin and Lula Mae was difficult and abusive; even before Stevie was born, Calvin was drunk, domestically violent with Lula and forced her into prostitution to support the family and Calvin (Ribowsky 10). After Stevie’s birth, Calvin’s mannerism did not change and simply regressed. However, Calvin agreed to move to Detroit with Lula, Stevie, and his two elder siblings to Detroit to work on the relationship and family dynamic (Ribowsky 18). Calvin and Lula’s relationship later terminated with a divorce and a name change for Stevie, as his birth name was changed to Steveland Hardaway Morris. As the third child out of six, he was the only one to be born blind. Wonder was blind shortly after his premature birth from staying in an incubator for... ...r and a legal separation of race does not mean it is acceptable (Jet). Through his actions across the United States and South Africa showed the world how to be open to African-American culture and people. Stevie Wonder also sings â€Å"Broke the lookin’ glass / Seven years of bad luck / Good Things in your past† in his 1972 hit Superstition. However, Stevie Wonder did not come across any bad luck within his musical and political career. Both an inductee for Rock-and-Roll’s Hall of Fame and United Nations’ Messenger of Peace, Stevie Wonder brought insight to the minds of the public. Sixty years later, on March 1, 2011, Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, and other Motown singers came together once again at the White House to honor Motown music and its beloved singers; this came a celebration of the soulful music that Stevie Wonder and among others once and continue to sing.

The Crazy Lady in The Yellow Wallpaper :: Yellow Wallpaper essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Yellow Wallpaper does nothing but confuse me.   It seems to be about a high strung, mentally ill woman who is obsessed with rotting wallpaper.   This yellow wallpaper obsesses her so much that she begins to distrust everyone, even her husband.   She is terrified that someone will take her wallpaper or find out more about it than she knows.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One point I found interesting is that she sees a woman behind bars trying to get out in the pattern of the wallpaper.   This might be the only thing in this story that made sense to me.   The pattern with the woman seems to be related to the way she is being treated by her husband, John.   John is very protective of her wife because she is in all reality a very sick woman.   She feels trapped because of this and the way she sees the paper must be an indication.   She stays up late at night and hours on end during the day to stare at worthless, tattered, yellow wallpaper.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This story really bored me to death.   All I could think of was, "when is this story going to be over?"   I remember having a highly active imagination as a child but this is ridiculous. She sees mushrooms sprouting and women shaking bars and she's a middle aged woman.   The last time I ever saw anything close to that was when I was 10 years old and I saw G.I.Joe's crawling up and down my walls at night.   I don't understand this woman behavior nor have I ever experienced anyone in real life who acted this way.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John's wife is not an abused woman.   She is actually well taken care of and

Essay --

Ethics in School Psychology School psychologists are presented with making ethical decisions on a daily basis due to the delicate balance between the needs of schools, parents, and children. What may be in the best interest of the child may conflict with the desires of the parents or may require services the school would rather ignore. Ethical dilemmas become increasingly complicated when state or federal laws conflict with ethical principles that could result in legal consequences. Ethical issues are a critical component for both the training and professional guidelines for the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of School Psychology (Nagle, 1987). The current paper will provide an overview of the four overarching NASP ethical principles alongside examples of common ethical dilemmas faced by school psychologists. Respecting the Dignity and Rights of All Persons The first principle outlined by NASP (2010) states that: School psychologists engage only in professional practices that maintain the dignity of all individuals. In their words and actions, school psychologists demonstrate respect for the autonomy of persons and their right to self-determination, respect for privacy, and a commitment to just and fair treatment of all persons. (p. 302). Additional principles subsumed under this overarching principle include: (a) autonomy and self-determination; (b) privacy and confidentiality; (c) fairness and justice. Autonomy and self-determination respects each individual’s right to make decisions that affect him or herself including consent and assent processes. There are ethical exceptions to parental consent, such as consultation services to a teacher regarding interventions with a child tha... ...e of school psychologists’ responsibilities demands an effective strategy to approach ethical dilemmas. Conclusion Ethical considerations are an integral component to every school psychologists’ job. NASP (2010) outlines four overarching ethical principles including: (a) respecting the dignity and rights of all persons; (b) professional competence and responsibility; (c) honesty and integrity in professional relationships; (d) responsibility to schools, families, communities, the profession, and society. These principles elucidate the complex nature of possible ethical dilemmas that can arise across the diverse range of school psychologists’ roles. A thorough knowledge of ethics and law make up the foundation for providing effective services to students, families, and schools. Without an understanding of ethics, school psychologists could do more harm than good.

Resolving international disputes Essay

Differences that you should be aware of Property Law Sources of law and method of judicial reasoning Property Law Civil Law You are either the absolute owner, or you are not. 3 components of absolute ownership usus (latin term) i.e. use Right of use fructus ie. enjoyment of revenues Right to enjoy revenues abusus ie disposal Right to dispose of that thing dismemberment This does not mean that the absolute owner cannot give away certain rights of the property, as long as the rights transfer back to the owner E.g. usifruct farmer has a large piece of land and son wants to get married and have family. Farmer is not willing to divide up the farm, but offers him a part of the farm where he lets him build a house and farm on it, but after 20/30/40 years the land goes back to the father Lease if you lease an apartment from the owner of a building, or a piece of land to farm on, etc you get the right to use it in consideration of rent. In this sense, the owner is giving away one right (the r ight to use the property) as long as at the end they get the right of use back. Common Law Theory no absolute ownership of land King gives a portion of the country to the Earls. In common law, there is a difference between ownership and possession. The Earls possess it, they are holding the land for him. The Earls will provide him every year with something in return (e.g. bushels of corn, men for war, etc). Earl gives a portion of that land to the Dukes, and asks that they hold it for them, in exchange for bushels, men etc. Dukes to the Lords, all the way to the peasant/farmer. When the farmer died, he was not able to give it to his children it would go to the lord, etc up the chain and that person would redelegate it. Known as the feudal system. Leasehold is when you hold it for a limited period of time. A freehold is where you hold the land forever, and you can sell the land, leave the land to your children. The only way it reverts back to the king is if someone dies without leaving any heirs, which means it goes up the chain of ownership. 2 types of ownership Real Beneficial Origin and Concept of Trust William the Conqueror said I am Law, but there were problems with this as the king could not see every subject. Eventually, he became busy with other things (wars, etc) therefore he set up a system of courts. They did not have to see everybody, unless they issue a writ. System of writs a court order telling someone that someone complained about you therefore you have to show up at court on x  day. You only had a writ for certain problems. Trespass (tort) When someone caused you or your property personal injury Habeas corpus (produce the body) When someone grabbed a relative of yours and wrongly imprisoned them. This came about because of the idea of Where there is a remedy (ie. a writ) there is a right, but if you did not have a writ to cover a specific problem, then you did not have access to the courts lead to a parallel system of justice called Equity lead to new legal concepts such as the TRUST Trust you are too rich and do not want to be taxed. Therefore, you give some wealth to the friend who is going to hold it for you until the children are of age and you have died. The problem arises when the friend does not give it back. They have no writ therefore cannot take it back through court. When the friend goes to court, they argue that the land was given on a condition of trust (the friend was trusted by the father to give the property back). In addition to the possibility of someone being the absolute owner, they can also be the owner subject of a trust. Trust difficult to define, Underhill gave one of the best definitions under 5 parts An 1 equitable obligation, 2 binding a person (trustee), 3 to deal with property over which he has control (trust property), 4 for the benefit of persons (beneficiaries), of whom he (the trustee) may be one, 5 any one of whom may enforce the obligation Equitable obligation obligation created under the law of equity which was established by the courts of equity Who has the obligation The trustee What is the obligation To deal with the trust property over which he has control For what purpose For the benefit of the beneficiaries What is the consequence if the trustee does not deal with the property The Trustee can be sued by any one of the beneficiaries How a trust works There are 2 ways to set up a trust The settler gives trust property to one or more trustees for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries (essentially a gift) Can be through a will or agreement (intervivos trust) involving the settler or the trustee By way of declaration of trust a person simply declares that he is hold ing certain property in trust E.g. someone wants to set up a business, but does not want it known that they are the shareholders. Therefore, someone else holds that position, but signs a contract that states that all income goes to them, and they will exercise the wishes of the settler. Examples of trusts wills, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT), endowments You may set up a family trust for tax planning  purposes. You can spread your income across the beneficiaries of that trust. Shareholder agreements, where sometimes money is put into a trust. There are wide personal business and tax-planning purposes to trust. differences between civil law and common law ownership In Common Law, a property can have two owners. The real owner (whose name appears as the owner) or the beneficiary owner In civil Law, you are the owner, or you are not. Only one type of ownership. 2 Sources of law and method of judicial reasoning both systems have 3 sources Judicial Precedent ie. Court decisions Legislation Doctrine ie. scholarly writings articles or books that are written to explain the law, and very often to criticize it th e difference between the two systems is the weight and importance of each source Common Law JUDICIAL PRECEDENT (most important) Court Structure Supreme Court Court of Appeal Trial Court Each court is bound by its earlier decisions. Trial Court is bound by its earlier decisions unless overturned by the Court of Appeal, same thing for Court of Appeal with Supreme Court, etc (stare decisis stand by the past). The Supreme Court is also bound by its own precedents The Supreme Court has overturned its own precedents, such as the decision that people cannot be segregated but equal, as in the case with discrimination. Principal known as stare decisis stand by the past Abortion example of Row vs Wade (or something like that) How do you know when a judgement is a precedent To know that, you have to analyse the precedent Conditions for decision to be binding Decisions divided into two parts Ratio decidendi the reason for the decision for arriving at the decision (only this is the precedent) Obiter dictum other reasons that the judge has for coming to his/her conclusions It is often not clear which is the obiter dictum and which is the ratio decidendi. The facts have to be almost identical. What happens when they find a precedent they do not like They could try and find differences between the case then and now. What then happens is that if the judges can distinguish between it, they make judge-made law, which is an area of contestation and disagreement. Judges are not supposed to make the law. Legislation In the common law system, legislation is not as important as judicial precedent. If a court interprets a law in a manner in which the parliament doesnt like, parliament can pass a law countermanding that. Catch ( legislation is subject to judicial interpretation, and this means that the rules regarding stare decisis apply to interpretation. Therefore, when you  are looking in the common law system, and you are wondering what does this legislation mean, you look at any court judgements/precedents in order to understand its meaning and application. Additionally, from a business point of view, there is very little legislation on very important aspects of business law. (e.g. you find it on leases, contracts of sale, etc but other types of contracts such as agency, etc there is no legislation, and therefore strictly jurisprudence applies. Additionally, to a large extent there is no legislation regarding torts As a source of law, it can supersede jurisprudence, but does not feature as much. Doctrine Scolarly writings For historical reasons, doctrine is less important and less abundant than it is in the civil law system. They try to summarise the law and put it in a rational form. CIVIL LAW Judicial Precedent (Jurisprudence) Not as important as in common law because a) There is no concept of stare decisis (Courts are not formally bound by higher courts, they just carry more weight. Another level can just choose to overrule) (2) Legislation Originally, the first code of laws that was developed in the western world was developed by the Roman Empire. This was different for a huge number of places because it covered such a wide expanse. When Napoleon ruled, there were even differences within France itself He created a different set for France and the rest of the Empire, The Law of Paris, and codified it into one document, and in 1804 it became law. It dealt with things such as family law, property law, contract law, civil liability, etc A code does the following in regards to each area that it deals with, it sets out general broad principles then sets out certain principles within. They are so broad that it covers the subject matter. For example, in civil law under Quebec, civil liability is anyone that is capable, is liable for any damage he/she causes through a wrongful act to a third party. Once you have this principle you have rules of application (e.g. what is the liability of parents if their children does wrong) (3) Doctrine Doctrine is much more important than in the Common Law system. Before, in Common Law system, if you wanted to become a lawyer you didnt have to go to school, just work with lawyers and read books. Example Abraham Lincoln never went to school he studied on his own and ended up becoming a lawyer with the help of those he worked with. Ended up becoming one of the most renowned layers in the USA before h e went into politics. Difference between the two Civil law ( would read Justinian coda and make  annotations and commentaries and some would start publishing codes. When Napoleon made some laws, books came out analysing the books and laws. Judges read the laws and doctrines as a basis for their judgements (today there is more doctrine in the Civil Law system than common law) Common ( Lets see what the judgment says Civil ( lets see what the doctrine says LEGAL SYSTEMS SPREAD BY COLONIZATION AND CONQUEST Common Law Includes India, England, USA Why common law is different around the world English Common law applied to the Colonies, so far as it was adapted by its institutions and circumstances. This means that you apply the English Common Law as far as needed, then you apply a chain of precedents As colonies gained independence, they established a cut-off date after which British precedence would not apply to them Over time, jurisdictions formed their own supreme Courts under their own state of appeal. After a certain date, Canada said that their Supreme Court judgements were right, and people could not go to the British House of Lords for an over ruling, and this happened everywhere. Civil Law Formed out of Spain and all of her colonies, Germany, Italy, Portugal and its colony Brazil, and each country has its own civil code. The rules in France are not the same as the rules set out in Quebec, however the sources, the role, all of that is similar. Quebec Situation Was both a French and British colony. The French King was given a choice keep Quebec, or keep the islands of St Pierre and Miquelon. He decided to keep the islands. In 1774, the Quebec Act was adopted by parliament. In 1774, the 13 colonies started to push for independence. They adopted the Quebec Act, which was intended to protect the religion, language and culture. It created a hybrid system of Common Law and Civil Law. It said that local Quebec Law (Civil Law) will govern property, contracts, family law, civil liability. Basically, in Quebec, what was used was old Roman law and the custom of Paris. Under the Quebec system, the court system became a British system. The result was that Common Law heavily influenced civil law. July 1866, the Civil Court of Law in Canada codified the Civil Law in Quebec (like Napoleon and France). Much of the Civil Code of Canada was taken by the Napoleonic Code. Unlike what you would call the traditional Civil Law System, stare decisis was used in Quebec. If you read a judgement from a Court of Quebec and one outside Quebec, you would question whether it is not a Common Law system. This is because they are a Civil Law system, but they reason  similarly to the Common Law system.

Perceptual Process

Perceptual Process The perceptual process is the sequence of psychological steps that a person uses to organize and interpret information from the outside world. The steps are: * Objects are present in the world. * A person observes. * The person uses  perception  to select objects. * The person organizes the perception of objects. * The person interprets the perceptions. * The person responds. The selection, organization, and interpretation of perceptions can differ among different people (Figure 0).Therefore, when people react differently in a situation, part of their behavior can be explained by examining their perceptual process, and how their perceptions are leading to their responses. Perceptual Selection Perceptual selection is driven by internal and external  factors. Internal factors include: * Personality – Personality traits influence how a person selects perceptions. For instance, conscientious people tend to select details and external stimuli to a greater d egree. Motivation – People will select perceptions according to what they need in the moment. They will favor selections that they think will help them with their current needs, and be more likely to ignore what is irrelevant to their needs. * Experience – The patterns of occurrences or associations one has learned in the past affect current perceptions. The person will select perceptions in a way that fits with what they found in the past. External factors include: * Size – A larger size makes it more likely an object will be selected. Intensity – Greater intensity, in brightness, for example, also increases perceptual selection. * Contrast – When a perception stands clearly out against a background, there is a greater likelihood of selection. * Motion – A moving perception is more likely to be selected. * Repetition – Repetition increases perceptual selection. * Novelty and familiarity – Both of these increase selection. When a perception is new, it stands out in a person's experience. When it is familiar, it is likely to be selected because of this familiarity. Perceptual OrganizationAfter certain perceptions are selected, they can be organized differently. The following factors are those that determine perceptual organization: * Figure-ground – Once perceived, objects stand out against their background. This can mean, for instance, that perceptions of something as new can stand out against the background of everything of the same type that is old. * Perceptual grouping – Grouping is when perceptions are brought together into a pattern. * Closure – This is the tendency to try to create wholes out of perceived parts.Sometimes this can result in error, though, when the perceiver fills in unperceived information to complete the whole. * Proximity – Perceptions that are physically close to each other are easier to organize into a pattern or whole. * Similarity – Similarit y between perceptions promotes a tendency to group them together. * Perceptual Constancy – This means that if an object is perceived always to be or act a certain way, the person will tend to infer that it actually is always that way. Perceptual Context – People will tend to organize perceptions in relation to other pertinent perceptions, and create a context out of those connections. Each of these factors influence how the person perceives their environment, so responses to their environment can be understood by taking the perceptual process into account. ANOTHER DEFINITION Perception is a process consisting of several sub-processes. We can take an input-throughput-output approach to understand the dynamics of the perceptual process.This approach emphasizes that there is input, which is processed and gives output. The stimuli in the environment – subjects, events, or people –   can be considered as the perceptual inputs. The actual transformation of th ese inputs through the perceptual mechanisms of selection, organization, and interpretation can be treated as the throughputs , and the resultant opinions, feelings, attitudes, etc, which ultimately influence our behavior, can be viewed as the perceptual outputs.

Depreciation and Vital Spark Essay

p. 182The New Economy Transport Company (NETCO) was formed in 1955 to carry cargo and passengers between ports in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. By 2008 its fleet had grown to four vessels, including a small dry-cargo vessel, the Vital Spark. The Vital Spark is 25 years old and badly in need of an overhaul. Peter Handy, the finance director, has just been presented with a proposal that would require the following expenditures: Mr. Handy believes that all these outlays could be depreciated for tax purposes in the seven-year MACRS class. NETCO’s chief engineer, McPhail, estimates the postoverhaul operating costs as follows: These costs generally increase with inflation, which is forecasted at 2.5% a year. The Vital Spark is carried on NETCO’s books at a net depreciated value of only $100,000, but could probably be sold â€Å"as is,† along with an extensive inventory of spare parts, for $200,000. The book value of the spare parts inventory is $40,000. Sale of the Vital Spark would generate an immediate tax liability on the difference between sale price and book value. The chief engineer also suggests installation of a brand-new engine and control system, which would cost an extra $600,000.15 This additional equipment would not substantially improve the Vital Spark’s performance, but would result in the following reduced annual fuel, labor, and maintenance costs: Overhaul of the Vital Spark would take it out of service for several months. The overhauled vessel would resume commercial service next year. Based on past experience, Mr. Handy believes that it would generate revenues of about $1.4 million next year, increasing with inflation thereafter. But the Vital Spark cannot continue forever. Even if overhauled, its useful life is probably no more than 10 years, 12 years at the most. Its salvage value when finally taken out of service will be trivial. p. 183 NETCO is a conservatively financed firm in a mature business. It normally evaluates capital investments using an 11% cost of capital. This is a nominal, not a real, rate. NETCO’s tax rate is 35%. QUESTION 1. Calculate the NPV of the proposed overhaul of the Vital Spark, with and without the new engine and control system. To do the calculation, you will have to prepare a spreadsheet table showing all costs after taxes over the vessel’s remaining economic life. Take special care with your assumptions about depreciation tax shields and inflation. New Economy Transport (B) There is no question that the Vital Spark needs an overhaul soon. However, Mr. Handy feels it unwise to proceed without also considering the purchase of a new vessel. Cohn and Doyle, Inc., a Wisconsin shipyard, has approached NETCO with a design incorporating a Kort nozzle, extensively automated navigation and power control systems, and much more comfortable accommodations for the crew. Estimated annual operating costs of the new vessel are: The crew would require additional training to handle the new vessel’s more complex and sophisticated equipment. Training would probably cost $50,000 next year. The estimated operating costs for the new vessel assume that it would be operated in the same way as the Vital Spark. However, the new vessel should be able to handle a larger load on some routes, which could generate additional revenues, net of additional out-of-pocket costs, of as much as $100,000 per year. Moreover, a new vessel would have a useful service life of 20 years or more. Cohn and Doyle offered the new vessel for a fixed price of $3,000,000, payable half immediately and half on delivery next year. Mr. Handy stepped out on the foredeck of the Vital Spark as she chugged down the Cook Inlet. â€Å"A rusty old tub,† he muttered, â€Å"but she’s never let us down. I’ll bet we could keep her going until next year while Cohn and Doyle are building her replacement. We could use up the spare parts to keep her going. We might even be able to sell or scrap her for book value when her replacement arrives. â€Å"But how do I compare the NPV of a new ship with the old Vital Spark? Sure, I could run a 20-year NPV spreadsheet, but I don’t have a clue how the replacement will be used in 2023 or 2028. Maybe I could compare the overall cost of overhauling and operating the Vital Spark to the cost of buying and operating the proposed replacement.† QUESTIONS 1. Calculate and compare the equivalent annual costs of (a) overhauling and operating the Vital Spark for 12 more years, and (b) buying and operating the proposed replacement vessel for 20 years. What should Mr. Handy do if the replacement’s annual costs are the same or lower? 2. Suppose the replacement’s equivalent annual costs are higher than the Vital Spark’s. What additional information should Mr. Handy seek in this case?

Elderly gambling Essay

As students of Cal State San Bernardino, we fully acknowledge that all work written is original set by the standards of the University. We also give due credit to all references used to their original authors, and cited correctly according the APA writing style. Student’s signature: Dominic J. Williams, Billy McCoy, Georgina Williams, Jessica Gambling Away As the number of elderly adults ages 65 and up continues to increase within the United States, the outpouring of abuse, neglect, and financial struggles hurt this population. With the lack of support from their families, the elderly are taking it upon themselves to survive in a world that looks down upon them. According to ElderlyAdults. org, it is this time of life elderly individuals suffers from poor health, slower reaction times, and even their life partners (2011). As of 2012, over 40 million elderly are living within the United States; accounting for nearly 13 percent of the total population. With the rate statistically to increase, by the year 2030, studies show that the population will go up to over 50 million (AOG.org, 2011). Furthermore, California has fifty-eight counties, with 42 seeing an increase of over 150 percent increase in its elderly population (Aging. ca. gov, 2013). Social Workers across the nation will have their work cut out handling the cases of the elderly, as sources of Social Security is becoming dire each passing year. It is in the interest of future and current Social Workers to advocate for funding, and looking for resources that will provide the quality care that will meet the needs of the elderly. So how do elderly adults respond to the stresses of life, the local casinos that offer them the peace of mind most are searching for? Some families and friends of these individuals feel this is not the proper way to cope with life, especially as most of casinos offer alcohol, many smoking individuals, and the financial burden that they are already suffering from with lack of adequate monthly funding from Social Security. Most Seniors believe that their life serves no further purpose, and it is the best of interests to relive the golden years in earlier times of life (CasinoWatch.com, 2013). With many local casinos that offer seniors the chance to get addicted on the wrong things of life, our study will be conducted within San Bernardino County. These casinos will provide the starting point for our research, furthermore, separate interviews with the elderly themselves will provide answers to their gambling ways. Once our research is completed, our results will be submitted to a local agency that may help future elderly dealing with the struggles of addictive gambling. Literature Review. Gambling will always be a prevalent issue within the United States. Like cocaine, alcohol, etc. gambling is an addiction. At times, the desire to gamble can be insatiable to the point where therapy will no longer suffice. To illustrate this concept, consider an example. When an individual is gambling at a slot machine, he or she is constantly pushing their finger on a button in the hopes of winning some money. The desire to win becomes so overwhelming that people will often lose hundreds (or even thousands) before realizing that they should stop. However, by that time, it may very well be too late. According to Lauren Erickson (2005), â€Å"Pathological gambling is an impulse-control disorder characterized by preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money, ‘chasing’ lost money, and continued gambling in spite of escalating negative consequences. † The issue here is not the fact that the elderly cannot make an informed decision, but rather it is a combination of mental decline, the feeling of being alone, etc. that influence their desire to gamble. Gambling among the elderly can influenced by numerous factors. One of the more common ones, according to many researchers, is because they often feel as if they are living a solitary life. Often times, they are neglected by family or friends, are retired from their profession, etc. Essentially, the feelings can be overwhelming and gambling may be the only solution when it comes to rectifying any of these hostile feelings. Because of this, researchers have determined that the primary factors behind the high level of gambling is due to health and mental decline. â€Å"Results from this study also suggest that disordered gambling is associated with mental and physical health problems in older adults. † Seniors will continue to find peace of mind in these casinos until there is enough support to help alleviate these issues. With legalized gambling present in over 47 states, it has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Consider the fact that just over 25 years ago, legalized gambling was allowed in over 4 states (including Nevada). With the increase in casinos and elderly individuals (e. g. baby boomers), there is a direct correlation to the increase in elderly gambling. In other words, with the population of seniors 65 years or older hitting 45 million in the United States, casinos have seen a spike in revenues. Because of this, there is great concern over the stability of these seniors. Grant Stitt has spent over 7 years studying the effects of senior gambling, debt, their relationship with family, etc. After compiling enough data over those years, he concluded that these issues need to be addressed (currently they are not). â€Å"These two phenomena, an expansion of casino gambling and an aging population, raise interesting questions and potentially are cause for concern. Certainly one issue is whether there will be a rapid rise in pathological and problem gambling amongst the elderly, a group that frequently has increased leisure time and greater disposable, albeit perhaps fixed, income. † Despite these growing concerns, many researchers have developed several models in order to predict and analyze the various reasons why these issues are occurring. Acknowledging that there is an issue is perhaps the most important step. The reason being is because it encourages researchers to determine why there is an issue and to develop strategies to help rectify the situation. Without a doubt, the United States is experiencing an epidemic when it comes to elderly gambling. Not surprisingly, many organizations have even established â€Å"online† gambling sites to cater to those who may be unwilling to drive or feel uncomfortable leaving their locale. After several years of research, many individuals have concluded that the social cognitive theory holds merit when it comes to elderly gambling. According to Vanchai Ariyabuddhiphongs (2009), â€Å"social cognitive theory model hypothesizes reciprocal relationships among person characteristics, environment variables and gambling behavior. The review will use the social cognitive theory model framework to examine older adult gambling behavior, and related personal and environment variables. † The social cognitive theory simply dictates that elderly gambling is directly tied into social and environmental factors. For example, if an elderly individual is neglected by family and friends, that would constitute being a â€Å"social† issue on account that they do not have any form of support from those that mean a lot to him. Conversely, if the environment is hostile or â€Å"not ideal† per se (e. g.gang ridden neighborhood or lack of financial stability) that can also contribute to their willingness to gamble. It is imperative to acknowledge the fact that many of these individuals continue to struggle within their environment. Because of these social and environmental factors, many seniors continue to struggle with gambling. Gambling is an addiction that can be difficult resolve. Like drug addiction and alcoholism, there are numerous programs out within the community that aim to combat these issues. Many seniors share certain characteristics that make it difficult for certain organizations to help them. Not only are many of them on a fixed income, but many of them have time to pursue other endeavors and gambling has proven that it can give them the peace of mind needed. As time progresses, the government and other researchers need to establish new programs aimed at minimizing this growing epidemic. As of today, millions of seniors continue to lose much of their savings because there is little done about their financial well-being. Once they reach the level of retirement, many of them feel that the only way to obtain solace is to gamble and play the lottery. Intervention programs are the only solution to these issues.

Backsourcing Pain

When an individual from the United States nowadays calls the customer support center of a business organization, chances are the customer support representative is one who resides another country. Globalization has opened opportunities for businesses to outsource their IT and customer relations department to other countries, usually in Asia. Although offshore outsourcing is a relatively recent trend, companies outsourcing their IT needs to other countries in the United States have been going on for a very long time. Such was the case of JP Morgan Chase.This paper would provide a brief summary on the outsourcing venture with IBM in 2002 as well as the reasons for the premature termination of the venture between the two companies and whether the company’s decision was in full diligence in terms of the agreement between the two companies. It would also discuss the pros and cons of bringing back IT functions of JP Morgan Chase which were outsourced to IBM. Definition of Backsourci ng In order to full comprehend the decision of JP Morgan to backsource their IT functions, the definition and process of backsourcing should be first discussed.Companies have begun to look into outsourcing their Customer Relations and IT functions to other companies in order to acquire high quality services while cutting back expenses that the company would have to deal with if these were done in-house. However, once these operations are outsourced, it becomes more difficult to monitor the quality of service being provided. Because of this, many companies have decided to bring back these operations in-house through a process they have called â€Å"backsourcing† (Overby, 2005b; Tadelis, 2007).While this process may be the ideal choice for many companies who are unsatisfied with the services provided by the outsourcing company, many companies would rather choose to work thing out with the outsourcing companies as opposed to backsourcing the operations that have been originally outsourced because of the expenses that concur along with backsourcing so much so that out of the 70% of executives that have stated their disappointment in the quality of service being provided by outsourcing companies, only 25% of them have decided to backsource the operations that have been originally outsourced to other companies.These expenses include the reestablishment of all of its own systems, employees and operating procedures in order to realign these with the corporate structure and strategies of the company (Overby, 2005a). Backsourcing Endeavor of JP Morgan Chase Stephanie Overby’s (2005a) article â€Å"Outsourcing – and Backsourcing – at JP Morgan Chase† provides a look into the events surrounding the decision of the senior executives of JP Morgan Chase to outsource and ultimately backsource their IT functions to IBM.Since 2001, news started to circulate among the employees of JP Morgan Chase that the company was looking into outsourcing mo st of its IT functions to IBM. The venture was announced through a press release on December 20, 2002. The venture was to last seven years and had cost JP Morgan Chase $5 billion. In the contract between the two companies, IBM was to handle the data centers, helpdesks, distributed computing and data and voice networks of JP Morgan Chase. Thomas B.Ketchum stated in the press release that the venture would create an environment that will promote efficient growth of the company, acceleration of the innovation of the technology used of JP Morgan Chase, increase the service quality provided to the shareholders and customers of JP Morgan Chase and provide career opportunities for the employees of the IT department of JP Morgan Chase while reducing the expenses that the company would otherwise have to face (Overby, 2005a). Unfortunately, this was not the case.Many employees of JP Morgan Chase have stated that once the venture was underway, they had to first be re-interviewed by the executi ves of IBM for the same position that they were employed in prior to the outsourcing of the IT functions to IBM by JP Morgan Chase. Many of the employees have been laid off as a result. Those who were retained experienced salary cuts of as much as 20% (Overby, 2005a). On September 15, 2004, JP Morgan Chase had announced through a press release that they were prematurely ending their outsourcing venture with IBM.Austin Adams, CIO of JP Morgan Chase, stated in the press release that the decision was reached after the senior executives of the company believed that managing their own IT functions was the best options for the company in order to attain its long term goals since it would provide competitive advantages and more efficiency in the level of service being provided. Another reason for the decision was the completion of the merger between JP Morgan Chase and Bank One which was finalized on July 1, 2004.Because Bank One had previous experiences in backsourcing their own IT functi ons, the merger between Bank One and JP Morgan Chase would ensure a smoother backsourcing transition (Overby, 2005a). Diligence of JP Morgan Chase’s Backsourcing Just like all backsourcing projects of different companies, many analysts have viewed that the outsourcing and subsequent backsourcing of the company’s IT functions were both costly and challenging despite its senior executive being noted to state that the transitions were smooth.This was supported by the lack of diligence the senior executives placed on the morale and security of its employees as well as its selection of the outsourcing company (Overby, 2005a). In the past three years, IBM has made a mark in being an outsourcing company so much so that the company’s outsourcing activities, handled by IBM Global Services, was accountable in increasing IBM’s revenues from $36. 3 billion to $46. 2 billion between 2002 and 2004.During the time that JP Morgan Chase entered in an outsourcing venture w ith IBM, IBM has already been handling the outsourcing services of many multibillion dollar companies which included American Express, Deutsche Bank and Michelin. This impressive clientele would initially make any company looking into outsourcing their IT functions make IBM a viable choice (Overby, 2005a). However, the senior executives of JP Morgan Chase have failed to look more closely into the quality of service and performance provided by IBM to its outsourcing clients by doing more background research.Many financial experts including Schonenbach and Dane Anderson, program director of Meta Group, have actually noted that while IBM may continuously be catering to multibillion dollar companies, the most recent deals closed by the company have been significantly smaller and only lasting for a short period of time. This sudden shift on the contracts and deals closed by IBM resulted in the fact that multi-billion dollar deals are initially not lucrative on the part of the outsourcing companies.Hence, they would try to compensate for their losses by charging their clients for services which they would consider to be not included in the original contract signs. Oftentimes, the corporate clients would resist in paying for these added services and improvements in spite of them agreeing that these are necessary, severely hampering the IT functions needed by the corporate client (Overby, 2005a).Another shortcoming committed by JP Morgan Chase when deciding the outsourcing company they selected was to take into consideration of the experience of Bank One with IBM when they outsourced their IT functions that caused them to pull out their IT functions and return the operations in-house a few years prior to the completion of the merger between the two banks. In their experience, Bank One viewed that outsourcing their IT functions to IBM caused a stagnation of their entire IT staff.Once the venture between Bank One and IBM, the venture failed to meet the bank’s goa l to provide a competitive advantage as far as technology was concerned because the technology used was not updated during the venture and new projects were not looked into. Bank One also noticed that there were a number of things that were some things that were not accomplished as a result of the vagueness of the contract between the two companies. This provided a loophole for IBM to charge for services that were not previously done by the bank when the IT functions were still in-house.As a result, these additional services were not completed unless Bank One would pay more. One example of this was the need to add or remove user of a particular account, this would mean that the IT department would need to update all 1,500 servers being used by for the needs of the company manually. Although a Tivoli module was introduced that could allow the updating of the banks databases and servers faster and more efficiently, this was never implemented by IBM since Bank One refused to pay for th e additional costs that IBM was charging them for this module (Overby, 2005a).As a result of the failure of the executives of JP Morgan Chase to look more closely into these factors, the company not only experienced the same challenges that Bank One faced when it outsourced its IT functions to IBM, but also experienced a decrease in the morale of their employees as well as their level of trust towards the company. Employees no longer believe in anything that the senior executives would say or do (Overby, 2005a).Moreover, the executives failed to take into consideration the work and effort that would be needed in the backsourcing process. Jeff Kaplan, senior consultant with the Cutter Consortium’s Sourcing and Vendor Relationship Advisory Services and the managing director of ThinkStrategies, stated that there were seven steps that every company who is considering to backsource IT functions that have been outsourced to another company must take in order to ensure a smooth tran sition in bringing back the IT functions in-house.Among these steps, Kaplan mentioned that the company must first establish a schedule and plan for the backsourcing process which should include provisions in order to ensure that the outsourcing company would be able to support the client until such time that it is able to reassume complete control of its operations. The company must also be able to determine the staff rearrangement and responsibilities at the soonest possible time in order to minimize the decrease in the productivity and morale of the employees (Overby, 2005b).Unfortunately, this was not the case as clearly seen in the problems that JP Morgan Chase had to face during the backsourcing process. During the period when IBM handled the outsourced IT functions of JP Morgan Chase, employees were unable to get their jobs done because they did not feel that they were secure in their respective positions regardless on whether they were permanent employees of JP Morgan Chase o r contractual.Because they were unsure on whether they would be relocated to IBM, retained in JP Morgan Chase or laid off altogether, employees began to become hesitant in committing to new projects, resulting to JP Morgan Chase’s revenue to decline. More and more of the ongoing projects of JP Morgan had begun to also slow down in terms of its development and completion, causing an increase in the pent-up demands for IT services (Overby, 2005a). Things did not improve during when the backsourcing process was underway.JP Morgan Chase now had to reverse all the reorganization done in order to support its IT function. This caused disruptions in the normal operations of the company because both managers and staff members to re-establish the systems and operating procedures back into the company. On top of this, JP Morgan Chase had just completed a merger with Bank One. This resulted to a re-shuffling of the employees of the two companies based on the different staffing levels, cu rrent skills, budget and working assignments.In the end, more employees were laid off and more projects piled up (Overby, 2005b). Key Lessons from JP Morgan Chase’s Outsourcing Venture The decision to backsource or to switch vendors is becoming increasingly common as firms vie for ways to continue to IT costs and improve IT service levels (Whitten & Leidner, 2006). The outsourcing venture and subsequent backsourcing of the IT functions of JP Morgan Chase provides companies who are looking into outsourcing their own IT functions to other companies whether within the United States or overseas.While it is true that in the long run, outsourcing IT functions are able to minimize the expenses that a company would otherwise incur should the IT function remain in-house, companies should understand that these does not happen immediately. As such, executives of the company should first perform an operations audit and needs assessment in order to evaluate and weigh whether outsourcing t heir IT functions is indeed the most viable venture that the company should invest in. Indeed, deciding hastily on an outsourcing venture expected on instant improvements would lead to higher unit costs in the long run (Hummerston, 2007).Another lesson that could be gathered from the case of JP Morgan Chase is the amount of diligence that executives should put into with regard to the contract between the client and the outsourcing company in order to ensure that not only both parties would benefit from the venture, but would ensure that the client would be able to terminate the contract and regain control of the venture in the event that after careful evaluation, the outsourcing venture is not meeting up with the expectations of the client.While it can be assumed that JP Morgan Chase had ensured that there were such provisions allocated in the contract that they have signed with IBM regarding their outsourcing venture, the experiences and challenges JP Morgan Chase had to overcome d uring the short period of time that IBM handled its IT responsibilities.Aside from experiencing similar instances that had occurred with Bank One, many employees of JP Morgan Chase have stated that the situation between JP Morgan Chase and IBM was so dire that even the most trivial everyday activities were not accomplished because of contract obligations, which included the restocking of office supplies that are needed such as batteries for pagers, and reams of bond paper (Overby, 2005a; Overby 2005b).Ironically, the best time to think about backsourcing a company’s IT function is during the period when the company is just considering in outsourcing its IT functions. The reason for this is for the company to ensure that the expenses and the time to be allotted in both the outsourcing and backsourcing would not have an adverse effect not just on the morale and level of trust the employees of the company have, but also the overall productivity and financial standing of the comp any (Overby, 2005b).