High Performance Working Systems Essay

High Performance Working Systems (HPWS) are defined as those in which management adopts a coherent set of practices that provide employees with; a) The opportunity to influence operational decisions. b) The skills and abilities to effectively participate in these decisions and c) The incentives to motivate discretionary effort. (Applebaum et al. , 1998) Smarter working- or high performance working is a distinctive approach to managing people at work that raises productivity and at the same time improves the well being of employees. Achieving high performance poses a major challenge for private and public sector organisations as they face ever increasing competition and more demanding performance targets. Its main rationale is that the way in which the people in the organisation are managed offers perhaps the best route to gaining performance improvement and competitive advantage. High performance working conventionally contains three core components that address the opportunity to contribute, competence and motivation of the work force. High performance working requires a workforce that possesses the appropriate level of knowledge and skills. If resources such as technology are to be considered, then it is likely that workers will need high level knowledge and skills. They must be able to work with new technologies, make complex deals or offer sophisticated services. Secondly, any competitive environment is evolving the capacity to innovate requires a workforce that not only possesses the requisite knowledge and skills but is also willing and able to continue to acquire new knowledge and skills. One of the key distinctive features of high performance working is that it should be viewed as a system. In other words, it is not enough to consider competence or motivation in isolation. Logically, there is no advantage in having highly competent workers who are demotivated or under utilised. Equally there are dangers in highly motivated but incompetent workers or high commitment in workers who are neither competent nor motivated. The challenge is to manage all four elements at once. No one has consistently defined, or even uniformly named High Performance Work Systems (HPWS). They have been called â€Å"high performance work practices†, â€Å"alternative work practices and â€Å"flexible work practices†. Despite the variances, many of these programs share common elements including selection procedures, vigorous recruitment and incentives based upon performance and extensive training programs focused on the needs of the business. Essentially High Performance Working Systems, require heavy investment in human capital. This is intended to enhance employee knowledge, skill, flexibility and motivation, with the expectation that the employer is providing employees the ability and the opportunity to provide input into workplace decisions. (Val Buren & Werner, 1996). Companies expect this empowerment to enable employees to adapt readily and quickly to rapidly changing product and labour market conditions, and to improve operational efficiency and firm performance. Although high performance work systems have often been seen as being good for both employers and employees, these practices require significant investments in human capital through training, coordination of initiatives, and time for managerial and employee input. Because of the large investment in human capital the value of these practices may be lost if the investment does not result in increased efficiency and effectiveness. High Performance Working Systems are usually associated with increased productivity. However, examining only productivity effects businesses ignores the cost side of the equation. Despite this caution, numerous studies also find a strong relationship between HPWS and firm performance. These studies consider both costs and the benefits of HPWS. (Huselid, 1995, Baker 1999). Performance of business can be measured on four dimensions: marketing, market share, profitability and sales growth. It is often argued that human resources have an important role to play in facilitating innovation. HPWS are focused upon such objectives as enabling people to think for themselves and to manage their work. High Performance Working Systems can increase innovation by: encouraging team practices that allow learning to go through increased multidisciplinary knowledge, decentralising management in order to allow employees to discover and use knowledge; encouraging team practices that allow learning to go through increased multi-disciplinary knowledge; and putting that knowledge to good use. (Laursen, 2002). High Performance Working Systems systematically try to create organic organisations by moving decision-making downward. If for instance the organisational objective is efficiency, more effective Human Resource Management (HRM) systems are likely to increase firm performance because HPWS effectiveness focuses on better production or service delivery system. In contrast when a firm pursue innovative activities they are more likely to benefit from HPWS since they move the level of decision making downward, making the organisation better able to respond to environmental changes. (Capelli and Neumark 1999) More extensive use of HPWS is positively associated with increased organisational innovation since they are done in a holistic, meaningful and effective manner. It matters how a firm employs its organisational capabilities and its ability to manage human resources because resources or practices do not produce on their own. (Russo and Fouts, 1997). Traditional Human Resource Management systems concentrate on an efficiency objective, offer stable procedures and protocols with set processes for dealing with routing employment problems such as discipline, absenteeism and discharge. These systems also establish procedures, and rules that promote consistency and fairness throughout the organisation. Thus an effective HRM system should enhance the firm’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees and promote efficiency. However, effective Human Resource Management practices most likely lack flexibility of High Performance Working Systems. If a firm is pursuing an innovation objective then effective HRM practices may interfere with this goal by focusing on routines and rules that do not provide an environment conducive for stimulating innovation. Furthermore, organisations that are structured to deal with stable routing tasks are less able to adapt to uncertain, dynamic environments. Many organisations today face complex environments. Firms’ management strategies must adjust and conform to the existing business environment. The present business environment demands that firms respond to change and, at the same time, promote efficiency. Thus firms that can combine effectiveness and flexibility objectives may be put in the optimal strategic position whether they are pursuing objectives of innovation or market performance. More extensive use of High Performance work systems with HRM effectiveness is positively associated with organisational innovation. The banking industry for example has become a highly competitive environment because of banking industry deregulation. The regulatory changes coincide with such technological advances as telephone banking, ATMS, pc-based banking and information system advances. The industry responded to the changes by a significant wave of consolidation that has reduced the number of banks. Regulations essentially prevented firms from implementing the full range of strategic choices. Deregulation frees financial institutions to exercise strategic choice. Since deregulation, many banks have introduced new products and services that do not fit the traditional margin-maximing scheme where margin is the difference between the loan rate and the deposit rate. Instead fee income such as origination fees from corporate cash management accounts, home mortgages and letter of credit have become an increasing important source of bank revenues. Hence, the proportion of total income generated by these alternative fee based products and services represents an important measure of banking innovation. (Pfeffer, 1994). HPWS universally benefit all employers. High investments in training and employees pay off in terms of employee commitment and work effort. However, these HPWS do not come cheaply, firms either need to offset these expenses with productivity increases or operate in an innovate environment that can absorb these costs. This makes HPWS less compatible with firms pursuing efficiency objectives and more compatible with firms whose success is more dependent on innovation as opposed to efficiency. A major benefit of High Performance Working Systems is to move the level of decision making downward to reduce the need for formal supervision so that employees are to think for themselves. These objectives may be of great importance for employers seeking to innovate or provide a responsive service but may be problematic for employers pursuing efficiency objectives. Employers who have highly developed hierarchical and formal structures that follow an evolved model of scientific management may not benefit from HPWS. These employers have designed formal roles and procedures specifically to avoid employees thinking for themselves. Thus it can be argued that employers with innovation objectives would benefit more from HPWS than would employer seeking a marketing efficiency objective (Capelli & Neumark 1999). There are three main set of potential benefits of high performance working system; organisational performance, the worker well being and labour turn over and retention. The major reviews that have been conducted in North America, Europe and elsewhere consistently show a clear association between application of high performance working and organisational performance. These reviews are cross sectional and therefore cannot establish clear cause and effect. It is therefore possible that the more successful organisations have the capacity to introduce high performance working. The ability to retain staff is an important feature of a high performance work system and is a key reason why commitment to the organisation can be considered as a core dimension. The presence of High Performance Working Systems is likely to encourage more people to stay with the organisation. This will help to justify the investment in higher performance working and will also feed into other performance outcomes in the sense that experienced staff who understand the business and its products can contribute to higher productivity and to a higher quality of goods and services. For some managers a concern for worker well-being may appear to be an outcome of marginal interest. Well being is usually defined as a combination of job satisfaction, mental and physical health and broader life satisfaction. Work related well being can be narrowed down to the first two but should extend to include work-life balance. There is evidence that workers who experience high performance work practices report higher job satisfaction. They are also more likely to participate in a range of extra activities and to report both better general health and better mental health reflected in less anxiety and depression. The only downside is some suggestion that under high performance working staff may experience greater work-related stress. This could be through highly committed workers tending to choose to work longer hours and to accept more responsibility. High performance working systems have received the endorsement of many governments and organisations. These include Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Chartered Management Institute and Lisbon European Council for more and better jobs. HPWS face challenges and barriers. The skills for Business Employer Survey published in August 2006 shows some recent progress has been made in raising the uptake of individual high performance practices. However, one of the most reliable sources of evidence, the workplace Employment Relations surveys, show that in 1998, there was at best only modest application of these practices in workplaces across the UK and the 2004 survey shows that there has been very little if any further progress with implementation since then. There is evidence that levels of autonomy in jobs have actually been declining suggesting that managers are tending to assert greater control rather than trust in the competence and commitment of staff. Three factors prevent a stronger adoption of High Performance Working Systems. These can be summarised as ignorance, inability and doubts about the case. Some people especially managers have doubts about the benefits of high performance working. These doubts operate at a number of levels. First there is scepticism about the claim that people- or at least the current work force is the key basis for competitive advantage, allied to belief that priorities for performance ought to be directed elsewhere. Secondly managers are unwilling to take the risk of giving workers greater autonomy and control. There is evidence about a trend to reduce worker autonomy and reveals a generally low trust dynamic. Thirdly, there is doubt about the specific pay-offs and more particularly, whether they would generalise to their own work setting. Given these constrains, should we give up and leave High Performance working Systems to those few organisations that have managed to adopt it successfully and are reaping benefits? If relatively few firms are adopting HPWS working and it does bring benefits, then there is a strong case for gaining a lead on competitors. At the individual level, there is good evidence that workers benefit from being part of an organisation that engages in high performance working systems. Furthermore, job design aimed at enhancing levels of autonomy and control is likely to be associated with higher levels of well being. It will be associated with greater commitment and less likelihood of wanting to move on.

Unethical Issues of Apple Iphone

Important Note: This sample essay mainly illustrates the structure of your assignment on ethical issues of a company selected by you. You may first identify two or three ethical problems and then discuss how to solve them. Remember including relevant citations to support your evidences and viewpoints. Ethical issues in iPhone 1. Introduction . With an elegant combination of a mobile phone, iPod and personal digital assistant (PDA), iPhone was launched at Apple and AT&T stores across the US on June 29, 2007(Place, 2007). iPhone is by no means a prodigious success by selling one million iPhones within 3 months (Wolverton, 2007).However, what coupled with its splendid success are numerous criticisms from the general society. This paper firstly examines two of the most severely unethical issues in iPhone’s marketing activities, and then provides some possible suggestions to these problems. Finally a brief conclusion will be drawn. 2. iPhone’s Unethical Marketing Activities . Deceptive Advertising Practices On July 26, 2007, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple and iPhone carrier AT&T for deceptive advertising over the iPhone battery (Lane, 2008).According to the lawsuit, apple engaged in â€Å"purposeful and fraudulent concealment† of the fact that iPhone purchasers were required to pay $89. 95 to get the device's battery replaced, which means the replacement fee would become an annual charge based on the expected life of battery – 300 to 400 charge cycles. According to Lane (2008), Apple faces criticism because it did not disclose the actual cost and inconvenience of replacing the battery until three days after the iPhone's release. Also the battery information was difficult to find on Apple’s website.In sum, the fact that Apple did not immediately communicate the exact cost of replacing the battery, along with the fact that the iPhone battery was not replaceable by users, had generated an outrage among iPhone users. 1 Environmental Problems Back in May, 2007, Apple head Steve Jobs pledged that his company would become greener and that it would out-pace the competition when it came to removing toxic chemicals from the production of its devices (Stevens, 2007). This was largely seen as a response to a Greenpeace-led campaign.Now, Greenpeace was at it again, calling Apple out for taking a step backwards when it came to the toxic chemicals found in the iPhone (Riley, 2007). These chemicals also included Bromine, which had been banned in European toys thanks to its apparent impact on hormone levels in children. Greenpeace claimed that Apple was far from leading the way for a green electronics compared with its competitors, like Nokia, who hasd already sold phones free of Polyvinyl chloride (Stevens, 2007). Based on these findings it was hard to doubt that Apple took a step back from its green initiative to get the iPhone out the door.However, it was questioned whether the company would respond to this Greenpeace challenge like it did the last. 3. Suggestions . Deceptive Advertising Practices Although deceptive practices may benefit more profit in the short run, such practices will eventually harm their business in the long run. If consumers do not get what they expect, they will switch to more reliable products. This can also cause a backlash, if corporations are more focused on profits than customer service, particularly for a company such as Apple, which claims a long-term relationship with customers.Therefore, Apple Inc. should do its possible endeavor to avoid deceptive practices in the future and implement some initiatives to minimize trouble and inconvenience made to consumers, such as giving a discount to the first batch of iPhone purchasers to replace their batteries. Environmental Problems Nowadays, more and more companies are adopting policies of environmental sustainability, which is a management approach that involves developing strategies that both sustain the envir onment and produce profits for the company (Armstrong, 2008; Kotler, 2008). Apple Inc. as a leading corporation in the field of electronic products, should also initiate the environmental sustainability policies. Regarding the environmental problems involved in iPhone, Apple should respond to this Greenpeace challenge to solve the problem as soon as 2 possible and in the future Apple should try best to act as a leading giant for a green electronics. 4. Conclusion . This report investigates two of the major problems concerning the ethicality of marketing activities of iPhone including 1) deceptive advertising practices and 2) environmental problems.It can be concluded that despite the worldwide popularity, iPhone still faces some ethical problems. Suggestions to improve the image of iPhone by enhancing its ethical issues have also been discussed in this paper. They include: 1) avoiding deceptive practices in the future, 2) taking initiatives to minimize the troubles caused, 3) respon ding to the Greenpeace challenge and 4) maintaining the policies of environmental sustainability. In this way, iPhone could probably both enjoy the success in selling and maintain an ethical image.Reference: Kotler, P. (2008). Principles of Marketing. Pearson Education. Lane, F. (2008). Court Pulls Plug on Apple iPhone Battery Lawsuit. Sci-Tech Today. Retrieved September 26, 2008, from http://www. sci-tech-today. com/story. xhtml? story_id=62144 Place, N. (2007). ‘Mac-tastic' arrival: iPhone goes on sale today at 6 p. m. The News Herald, Panama City, Fla. Retrieved June 29, 2007, from http://www. newsherald. com. Riley, D. (2007). Greenpeace: iPhone Not Good for the Environment.TechCrunch. Retrieved October 14, 2007, from http://www. techcrunch. com/2007/10/14/greenpeace-iphone-not-good-for-the-environment/ Stevens, T. (2007). iPhone Bad For Environment, Says Greenpeace. Switched. Retrieved October 15, 2007, from http://www. switched. com/2007/10/15/iphone-bad-for-environment- says-greenpeace/ Wolverton, T. (2007). Apple sells 1 millionth iPhone. San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved September 11, 2007, from http://www. mercurynews. com.

What Did I Learn about Cell and DNA?

A cell is both the smallest as well as the most important unit of every living being, plant or animal. There are specialized cells in the body which carry out different functions. However, all cells are the same in that they all have a plasma membrane to protect them and determine what enters the cell and what leaves the cell. Inside the plasma membrane is the cytoplasm, a gelatinous mixture made up of water, fats, proteins, sugar, and other minerals. Most of the cell’s metabolism occurs in the cytoplasm where what are called the organelles work together to perform the metabolism.The nucleus is in the center of the cell. It controls the cell’s operations, such as directing cell division and determining the function of the cell. Only eukaryotic cells have a nucleus. The nucleus contains chromosomes, rod-shaped structures in the nucleus that contain genes, or regions of DNA. Within the cell is a reticulum, or network, of canals to manufacture proteins for the cell to use called the endoplasmic reticulum. Large proteins are made from smaller proteins, a process called anabolism which takes place on the ribosomes of the endoplasmic reticulum. Also in the cytoplasm is the mitochondria, known as the power plants of the cell where foods are burned to release energy in the presence of oxygen. This organelle is where ATP is made.This chemical process is known as catabolism. Together with anabolism they are combined to make the process of metabolism. There are two kinds of endoplasmic reticulum, rough and smooth. The rough ER has thousands of ribosomes attached to it, and the smooth ER does not have any ribosomes because it does not make any protein. Another organelle is called a Golgi body. This is where the enzymes in a Golgi body work to make the proteins and lipids either assemble or break down the lipids or the carbohydrates.Proteins are transported in what is called a vesicle from the ER and are changed to their final form. From there they are either carried to the plasma membrane or the lysosomes. A lysosome is a vesicle that is in charge of digestion. They are filled with enzymes that easily break down many proteins, carbohydrates, and much debris. Cells are different in their functions and their shapes as well. However, all cells whether plant or animal, are the most important unit of every living thing. Every cell contains a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles which carry out the functions of that cell. Only eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, a double membrane where the DNA is located. The organelles of a cell work together to  perform metabolism, the combination of anabolism and catabolism.

Drug Rehabilitation Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Drug Rehabilitation Program - Essay Example This work particularly discusses papers about drug rehabilitation programs that governments have initiated so as to curtail crimes including drug addiction. These papers intently look at the benefits of the programs, how they have helped achieved goals of drug use reduction and crime reduction and on the other hand, how the programs have failed to address the problems. The US Department of Justice through the National Institute of Justice has conducted a research to ascertain the effectiveness of different crime prevention programs. Defining crime prevention program as "any practice shown to result in less crime than would occur without the practice", the research divided the effectiveness of the programs into what works, what doesn't work, what's promising and what's unknown (Lawrence W. Sherman, 1998). This article particularly relates to the endeavor of this paper in providing a valid measure and a legitimate result to the questions of effectiveness of crime prevention. This is done with a special focus on the cure for drug addiction among the juvenile. It basically constitutes a review of the existing crime prevention programs of the government. The evaluation made use of scientific measure to "provide a consistent and reasonably objective way to draw conclusions about cause and effect" (Lawrence W. Sherman, 1998). The research methodology consisted of three steps: the search for impact evaluation, the use of Maryland Scale of Scientific Methods and deciding what works, what doesn't work, what's promising and what's unknown. The first step was some sort of literature review. It examines the existing reports that evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention programs. Next, the researchers adapted the Maryland Scale of Scientific Method ranking each study from 1 as the weakest to 5 as the strongest (Lawrence W. Sherman, 1998). The research design is composed of 5 levels which includes correlation between a crime prevention program and a measure of crime or crime risk factors at a single point in time. To reach the conclusion of effectiveness, a program should at least have a two level 5 studies (Lawrence W. Sherman, 1998). The research showed that "preschool and weekly home visits by teachers, building school capacity to initiate and sustain innovation through the use of school teams or other organizational development strategies, clarifying and communicating norms, training or coaching in thinking skills for high-risk youth, ex-offender job training, extra police patrols in high crime hot spots and rehabilitation programs for adult and juvenile offenders" are among the policies that work. On the other hand, gun buyback program and increased arrest or raids on drug markets are found to be ineffective. To properly label the programs, they used both the secondary analysis and the scientific scale. This is the loophole in the study since there it lacks the quantitative and objective measure is categorizing the program. The only justification provided was the secondary analysis done. The problem however with secondary analysis

High Carbohydrated food Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

High Carbohydrated food - Essay Example Hence, the main danger is the excessive intake of wrong high-carbohydrate intakes resulting in increase in weight. Carbohydrates may be beneficial if they include a healthy balance of different fats. A single dietary intake may, on one hand, result in excessive fats of one kind and on the other hand, lack of other healthier fats, proteins and fibers. High Carbohydrate diet contains more of vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron etc. and low of Vitamin B12, Zinc and Sodium (FitDay). The carbohydrates low on Glycemic index provides a control on blood sugar level after having the meals. The unawareness of high Carb/high Glycemic index diet boosts the sugar level to extremes which later on results in fatigues and distress due to energy crashes. French baguette has a Glycemic index of 95 and Peanuts has an index of 14. Hence, Peanuts are less likely to affect sugar level, whereas, French Baguettes are more likely to boost sugar level and provide an unnaturally high energy to the human body. Diabetic, cardiac and other patients must be aware of their intake needs. High-carb/low glycemic index helps preventing high blood sugar levels and balanced weight and energy of human body (Greenberg, 2011). FitDay. "Low vs. High Carbohydrate Diet: Which is Better? / Nutrition / Carbs."  FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 26  Sept.  2013. . Greenberg, Riva. "The High Carb Diet That Keeps You Healthy, Fit and Trim."  The Huffington Post. HPMG News, 21  Mar.  2011. Web. 26  Sept.  2013.

Mercy, Witness, and Imelda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mercy, Witness, and Imelda - Essay Example While in â€Å"Mercy† the mother and the old woman in the essay considers the death of the patient as a jewel to them, the family members of the patients in â€Å"Witness," and â€Å"Imelda" are epitomes of human compassion and love. This paper seeks to explore how doctors and family members deal with the consequences of their decisions that may or may not be based on love. One can understand that the doctor in all the three essays is moved by compassion and love towards the patients as well as their family members; there is no doubt that this has added more charm to his personal and medical profession. In both â€Å"Mercy† and â€Å"Witness† the doctor displays immense amount of compassion and love towards the patients whereas in â€Å"Imelda" the professor undergoes considerable transformation after Imelda is dead. In â€Å"Mercy†, the doctor observes that there is no uncertainty for the flies when it comes to death whereas humans lack such fraternity and everyone is left alone to suffer. The doctor in the essay is totally compassionate towards the 42 year old patient who suffers from a cancer of the pancreas in the abdomen. The doctor desperately promises that he will not let the patient suffer and will get him out of the pain. However, the doctor at this juncture knows for certain that â€Å"there is no way to kill the pain w ithout killing the man who owns it† (Selzer 71). Finally, at the instigation of the women, he decides to put an end to the life of the patient by pressing on the larynx (windpipe) of the patient. However, he is moved by his medical ethics and compassion towards the patient that he realises soon that he is not supposed to do the cruel deed. Similarly, in â€Å"Witness† one can experience the compassionate attitude of the doctor towards the patient and his loving father. The doctor is extremely moved by the six year old patient who suffers from tumour. He knows that â€Å"the baby

In what ways was globalisation not a peaceful process Assignment

In what ways was globalisation not a peaceful process - Assignment Example Globalisation can be stated as an accelerator of the social change and may act as a vehicle for conflict aggravating the tensions in any known society along with even generating new ones. It is a qualitative shift towards a worldwide economic system which is no longer dependent on independent national economies but on a consolidated global marketplace for production, distribution & consumption. It has opened the door for liberalisation, but the concerned process created a number of conflicts globally. For this reason, globalisation can be termed as a conflicting process. Globalisation and conflict, both are interconnected phenomenon. Though the process of globalisation serves the entire globe in terms of facilitating in comprehensive and multi-faceted development but over the past two decades it has created a number of issues or conflicts as well. Multiculturalism comes with the facet of globalisation but it at times brings a conflicting situation around it. In addition to this, migr ation has had a major role to play in relation to developing a problematic scenario for the countries. Globalisation leaves various impacts towards the society such as various diseases related to human, animal and plant can easily spread at a rapid speed due to its affect. For example, imports of the bird flu affected chickens can affect the country which particularly makes an import of those chickens. Globalisation promotes easy transfers of the foreign business nationals from one country to another which amplifies the threat of transfer of diseases. Peace of any country can be destroyed if that particular country does not enjoy equality in global affairs. Globalisation over the years has been continuously increasing the gap between the poor and rich in terms of earnings (from both country-wise and individual perspectives). It can be viewed that only developed countries generally enjoy the advantages that originate from globalisation. In general, representatives from developed coun tries largely participate in building policies with regard to globalisation. Consequently, poor countries such as African countries get poorer (Manitoba, n.d.). With these considerations, the research study particularly aims to provide an explanation to the fact which suggests that globalisation was not a peaceful process. The various ways in which globalisation can be said to be not a peaceful process have been determined. In this regard, various examples related to the conflict generated during the process acclimatising globalisation have been depicted that support the fact that globalisation was not a peaceful process. Moreover, the study also exemplifies certain criticisms and arguments against globalisation. Conflicts Associated with Globalisation There have been various conflicts in and around the process of globalisation. The greater proportion of proponents of this global economic policy primarily came from the most powerful and richest countries. Contextually, the US govern ment set globalisation as an official objective of its economic and foreign policy about eight long years ago. More or less each country of the globe has faced the negative facets of globalisation. For example, owing to globalisation, a large number of employees have lost their jobs overnight on a global basis especially in the developed nations as their jobs had been outsourced to the countries such as India as well as China where cost of operations is

Research Projects Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research Projects - Essay Example As the fall season came and went, however, the Affordable Care Act and the budget debacle in Congress fuelled interest afresh in the agenda-setting and editorial slant of Fox News and strengthened its place at the top of the cable news ratings (Bibel, 2013; Mirkinson, 2013). The operative question then remains: why is Fox News successful despite resisting an allegedly popular presidency and the liberal ethos of the bicoastal giants in media? Within the constraints of this very short paper, we discuss the theory of agenda-setting and how Fox News maintains its solitary stance but leads its segment of cable news. II. Literature Review We discuss here the theories behind framing, agenda-setting and priming as they impinge on political communication generally and, in particular, the ideology that stoutly characterizes coverage in the cable news channels Fox News and MSNBC. This means we are in the realm of cognitive communication and campaign effects, i.e. framing, agenda setting and pri ming. We also touch on the audience appeal of this ideology. Political and communications research has undergone at least three major paradigm shifts since the post-newspaper era early in the last century. The â€Å"magic bullet† or hypodermic theory was much in vogue from the 1920s to the 1940s. Agenda-setting came into the limelight around 1972. Starting around 1989, the propaganda model offshoots of framing and agenda setting became even more specifically applicable to a polarized US media scene. The propaganda model revolves around the multiple facets of control by conglomerates that generally serve their own commercial interests. The news agenda is shaped by five filters that include: multiple ownership, advertising, liberal bias versus conservative ideology, anti-Communism, and catering to audience apprehensions. Early in the century, to return to the seminal background of media effects, the Frankfurt School of largely Jewish theorists proposed the â€Å"Bullet† or â€Å"Hypodermic Needle Theory† as a reaction to their observations of how Hitler and Goebbels in Nazi Germany had apparently mesmerized the entire German people. In this model, the audience had no ideas of their own and passively absorbed whatever communications were launched at them. In essence, the theory was over-impressed by the power and pervasiveness of radio, cinema, television and advertising; mass media was regarded as having a direct, immediate and powerful effect on mass audiences. Since audiences supposedly did not know any better, they absorbed and agreed with any messages they heard. Empirical experience soon showed that audience and market segmentation were entirely possible because listeners and viewers did have thoughts of their own. During the 1940 Presidential election, the Two-Step Flow Theory was conceptualized to admit the possibility that interpersonal relationships were just as powerful or persuasive as anything carried by the mass media. As to the two other communication paradigms, Scheufele and Tewksbury (2007) maintain that priming is an offshoot of agenda setting. Theoretical work in the 1970s and 1980s suggested that one reason agenda-setting worked to make certain issues and personalities more prominent was that mass media had primed the audience to â€Å"prioritize specific issues as benchmarks for evaluating the

My Ideal Government System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

My Ideal Government System - Essay Example For example, monarchy system will lessen quarrels of its people since there is only one person ruling such as a king. There will be an ideal government system if people can just forget the disadvantages of each system. My ideal system will be the making of a system that does not have rebellion, conflict, crime, corruption and discrimination. By only then it can be called the ideal government system. An ideal government system ensures that the aspects of discrimination conflicts discrimination rebellion and crime are absent (Behrouzi 10). In discrimination, the people face prejudice due to their gender, race, or sexual orientation. An ideal government looks into these issues, and makes sure that every citizen lives a comfortable life (Behrouzi 12). An ideal government should be a democratic government that respects the ideas of citizens. All citizens regardless of race or gender should be allowed to participate in matters that concern the government. For example, the regime that allows voters to elect leaders without the presence of election anomalies is an ideal regime. Looking into the platforms of Obama and Romney; it is evident that Obama supports gay marriages thus; the government that Obama intended to form does not discriminate the gay community (Behrouzi 15). The platform respects abortion rights. The platform is in line with the Supreme Court ruling that declared abortion as a legal right. In contrast, the Romney platform abhors gay marriages. This is evident as the party platform gives the rights to states plus the federal government to decline same sex marriages. Romney’s platform supports constitutional changes that would refer the aspect of marriage as unification between a man and woman. The aspects found in Romney’s platform cannot lead to an ideal regime (Becker and Michael 23). This is because the platform discriminates gays plus lesbians and fails to respect the decision of a woman concerning abortion. Obama’s

Statistics for Management Essay Example for Free

Statistics for Management Essay Q1. Define â€Å"Statistics†. What are the functions of Statistics? Distinguish between Primary data and Secondary data. Answer: Statistics: Statistics as a discipline is considered indispensable in almost all spheres of human knowledge. There is hardly any branch of study which does not use statistics. Scientific, social and economic studies use statistics in one form or another. These disciplines make-use of observations, facts and figures, enquiries and experiments etc. using statistics and statistical methods. Statistics studies almost all aspects in an enquiry. It mainly aims at simplifying the complexity of information collected in an enquiry. It presents data in asimplified form as to make them intelligible. It analyses data and facilitates drawal of conclusions. Important functions of statistics: Presents facts in simple form: Statistics presents facts and figures in a definite form. That makes the statement logical andconvincing than mere description. It condenses the whole mass of figures into a singlefigure. This makes the problem intelligible. Reduces the Complexity of data: Statistics simplifies the complexity of data. The raw data are unintelligible. We make themsimple and intelligible by using different statistical measures. Some such commonly usedmeasures are graphs, averages, dispersions, skewness, kurtosis, correlation and regressionetc. These measures help in interpretation and drawing inferences. Therefore, statisticsenables to enlarge the horizon of ones knowledge. Facilitates comparison: Comparison between different sets of observation is an important function of statistics. Comparison is necessary to draw conclusions as Professor Boddington rightly points out.† the object of statistics is to enable comparison between past and present results to ascertaint he reasons for changes, which have taken place and the effect of such changes in future. Soto determine the efficiency of any measure comparison is necessary. Statistical devices likeaverages, ratios, coefficients etc. are used for the purpose of comparison. Testing hypothesis: Formulating and testing of hypothesis is an important function of statistics. This helps indeveloping new theories. So statistics examines the truth and helps in innovating new ideas. Formulation of Policies: Statistics helps in formulating plans and policies in different fields. Statistical analysis of data forms the beginning of policy formulations. Hence, statistics is essential for planners,economists, scientists and administrators to prepare different plans and programmes. Forecasting: The future is uncertain. Statistics helps in forecasting the trend and tendencies. Statisticaltechniques are used for predicting the future values of a variable. For example a producerforecasts his future production on the basis of the present demand conditions and his pastexperiences. Similarly, the planners can forecast the future population etc. considering thepresent population trends. Derives valid inferences: Statistical methods mainly aim at deriving inferences from an e nquiry. Statistical techniques are often used by scholars’ planners and scientists to evaluate different projects. These techniques are also used to draw inferences regarding population parameters on the basis of sample information. Statistics is very helpful in the field of business, research, Education etc., some of the uses of Statistics are: Statistics helps in providing a better understanding and exact description of aphenomenon of nature. Statistics helps in proper and efficient planning of a statistical inquiry in any field of study. Statistical helps in collecting an appropriate quantitative data. Statistics helps in presenting complex data in a suitable tabular, diagrammatic andgraphic form for any easy and comprehension of the data. Statistics helps in understanding the nature and pattern of variability of aphenomenon through quantitative observations. Statistics helps in drawing valid inference, along with a measure of their reliability about the population parameters from the sample data. Any statistical data can be classified under two categories depending upon the sources utilized. These categories are, 1. Primary data 2. Secondary data Primary Data: Primary data is the one, which is collected by the investigator himself for the purpose of aspecific inquiry or study. Such data is original in character and is generated by surveyconducted by individuals or research institution or any organisation. 1.The collection of data by the method of personal survey is possible only if thearea covered by the investigator is small. Collection of data by sending theenumerator is bound to be expensive. Care should be taken twice that theenumerator record correct information provided by the informants. 2.Collection of primary data by framing a schedules or distributing and collecting questionnaires by post is less expensive and can be completed in shorter time. 3.Suppose the questions are embarrassing or of complicated nature or the questionsprobe into personnel affairs of individuals, then the schedules may not be filledwith accurate and correct information and hence this method is unsuitable 4.The information collected for primary data is mere reliable than those collectedfrom the secondary data.Importance of Primary data cannot be neglected. A research can be conducted withoutsecondary data but a research based on only secondary data is least reliable and may have biasesbecause secondary data has already been manipulated by human beings. In statistical surveys it isnecessary to get information from primary sources and work on primary data: for example, thestatistical records of female population in a country cannot be based on newspaper, magazine and other printed sources. One such sources are old and secondly they contain limitedinformation as well as they can be misleading and biased. Secondary Data: Secondary data are those data which have been already collected and analysed bysome earlier agency for its own use; and later the same data are used by a different agency. According to W.A.Neiswanger, ‘ A primary source is a publication in which the data are published by the same authority which gathered and analysed them. A secondary source is apublication, reporting the data which have been gathered by other authorities and for which others are responsible’. 1.Secondary data is cheap to obtain. Many government publications are relatively cheapand libraries stock quantities of secondary data produced by the government, bycompanies and other organizations. 2.Large quantities of secondary data can be got through internet. 3.Much of the secondary data available has been collected for many years and therefore itcan be used to plot trends. 4.Secondary data is of value to: The government help in making decisions and planning future policy. Business and industry in areas such as marketing, and sales in order to appreciate the general economic and social conditions and to provide information on competitors. Research organizations by providing social, economical and industrial information. Secondary data can be less valid but its importance is still there. Sometimes it is difficult toobtain primary data; in these cases getting information from secondary sources is easier andpossible. Sometimes primary data does not exist in such situation one has to confine the researchon secondary data. Sometimes primary data is present but the respondents are not willing toreveal it in such case too secondary data can suffice: for example, if the research is on thepsychology of transsexuals first it is difficult to find out transsexuals and second they may not bewilling to give information you want for your research, so you can collect data from books orother published sources.

Plan to Develop Business Communication Skills

Plan to Develop Business Communication Skills Design ways to improve appropriateness Appropriateness reflects tact or politeness and is defined as â€Å"the voidance of violating social or interpersonal norms, rules, or expectation (Kova, 1997). Communication competence may be achieved by choosing the most appropriate channel, and the one that will be effective or accomplish one’s goal (Kova, 1997). The chosen channel may be an effective way to achieve the goal, yet it may not have a required degree of social presence or richness. The perceived appropriateness and effectiveness of five communication channels were design to improve communication within Simplicity Pastry such as meeting, conference, workshops, email, and video conferences (Kova, 1997). Workshops: One of the most pressing issues within Simplicity Pastry is the need to improve communication interpersonal skills (Kova, 1997). Effective communication skills are a core competency at all levels especially senior management team, department teams, sales force, and customer service. Workshop can be use to improve simplicity communication level among employee (Kova, 1997). Simplicity Pastry Company will offer interactive workshops customized for their clients that address their specific and unique issues. While this workshop is part of the communications solution, the other part of the solution rests with the participants. If they want to become more effective in interpersonal communication, they must be willing to work and not just during the workshop, but after the workshop. The workshops goal should be at the center of all planning. Creative exercises will get everyone relaxed and involved, and dont forget to follow up afterward: Although it can be scary to hear what pe ople really thought of all your hard work, it will only improve the next event and the business. The workshop will train staffs and enhance their knowledge and skills in communication. Conferences: An annual conference will bring together agents, specialists and REC staff for informal networking, program planning and formal educational opportunities that meet the organization’s and individual’s needs (Kova, 1997). Conferences provide time for annual program planning work. Simplicity Pastry will have a good amount of time to work on their program plans and update information listed on their website. The conference will also provide an annual education experience related to the mission of Simplicity Pastry the and thus comply with federal requirements for annual educational in-service (Kova, 1997). Meetings: The purpose of the all-staff meetings is to continue to enhance and promote two-way communication among all staff in order to highlight and provide information regarding organizational wide objectives, values and ideals (Kova, 1997). The primary benefits of getting together once or twice a year helps to maintain and build community among staff. Other benefits of meetings are: To improve communication and employee relations between all division groups within Simplicity Pastry, opportunities to celebrate successes and provide recognition to deserving and committed staff and it is an ideal time to solicit staff input on future organizational development activities (Kova, 1997). Meeting helps to boost productivity of businesses because it give the staff opportunities to voice their opinion, resolve issues before conflict arise and so forth. E-mails: Electronic mail (e-mail), by its very design is suited to serve as one of the most practical communication mediums available. It can be used for all communication inside the organization if employed properly (Kova, 1997). Sending and Receiving e-mail to and from Simplicity Pastry will be a very simple task (if employees can manage the typing). Simple tasks like acknowledging receipt of e-mail and responding quickly can make communication through e-mail very efficient (Kova, 1997). However Simplicity can make e-mail easier for all it stakeholders by putting mechanism into place such as: setup auto responders to indicate that our e-mail client has indeed received the mail read e-mail, act appropriately, set ourselves time-limits to respond to/comment on e-mail request to be removed from a communication list which we are not involved in (the process or the communication), to avoid false perception to the rest use e-mail to backup conversation or communication of any other sort Video conferencing: A video conference is a faster way to communicate with stakeholders of Simplicity Pastry. In case of any emergencies or long distance for example an investor cannot make it to a meeting base on certain circumstances a video conference call would be suitable to conduct the meeting without any missing information (Kova, 1997). Journeying to distant location to engage in face-to-face interactions with customers, partners, and colleagues is a time-honored business ritual but can be eliminated by communicating over video. With vast improvements in quality, availability, and ease of use, and with the ability to interact and share content in high definition, today’s video conferencing is as close to â€Å"being there† as one can get without actually making the trip. Travel reduction is the easiest expense to calculate when determining ROI of a video conferencing investment within Simplicity Pastry. Implement improvements to ensure greater integration of systems of communication in that organization Simplicity Pastry wants to ensure that they achieve full integration and usage of video throughout your organization. Although there are clear tangible benefits to the usage of video, some employees will require additional encouragement and training to integrate video into their working lives. Through key learning from customers steps were identified to help achieve success in the implementation of video conferencing system within Simplicity Pastry. Simplicity Pastry will need to Securing Executive Sponsorship once Simplicity Pastry has made the decision to purchase video communications and installed the equipment, it is essential that Simplicity Pastry secure an Executive Sponsor to invest in the technology. Training is a vital in any organization therefore Simplicity Pastry should ensure that employees feel comfortable enough with video to start using it as soon as it is deployed and keep using it. A great way to expose Simplicity Pastry staff to video is to hold Open Days or organize a 30 minute training session for all employees, walking them through the basics of placing a call. The implementation of Workshops will help to motivate staff. This is a great way for Simplicity staff to gain knowledge and information that will be beneficially to both the company and stakeholders. On the other hand conference and meeting is a great way to get feedback from staff. As this show how important their opinion are to the business success. Meeting will also give a fast respond to questions ask as well as reaching consolvement without or before conflict arises. Meeting also encourages collaboration and engagement of staff. This makes staff feels involve in decision making. By implementing all the improvements, Simplicity Pastry will enjoy a range of benefits such as increase in employee productivity, increase productivity of the business, measurable return on investment for stakeholders, improve brand image, build strong relationship among staff, management and suppliers and so forth. Create a personal plan to improve own communication skills Before the researcher starts to create a personal plan to improve own communication skills the researcher must understand the two aspects of simplicity pastry. These aspects are the context which is the environment which the researcher works both internally and externally, and finally the content which is the role of the researcher within Simplicity Pastry. The researcher must also know the PEST FACTORS which will affect the organization externally The content in which the researcher works was that the researcher has to know the polices and rules and regulation of simplicity pastry in order to carry out the task given. While the context in which the researcher works was to identified the factors that will affect Simplicity Pastry externally by doing an environmental scan. The factors that affect Simplicity Pastry are Political factor which deal with government laws and regulation of the country that all business has to adhere to. For example when the government raises taxes on food product this will affect Simplicity Pastry because it will only force them to raise the price of their product and consumer may complain and seek other alternative. With that said Simplicity Pastry will not get the chance to sell their product as they feel necessary because of the laws and regulation of the country. An economic factor that may affect Simplicity Pastry is that base on the recession crisis that Jamaica is facing Simplicity will feel the effect of it strongly. Not just that but with the devaluation of the Jamaica dollars people are complaining about finding food to support themselves and that there is no job in the country. Social factors that might affect Simplicity Pastry Through an analysis of customers and potential customers, their changes in attitudes, lifestyles and opinions, were discovered that the classic wedding cake is a tradition of the past and is still trending in the 21century however the research as shown that the cupcake industry is a growing empire to replace old traditions. Technology factors this factor can affect Simplicity in the most dramatic way. Technology is what is trending in the 21 century, therefore technology is use to communicate with customers and employees, and even suppliers. Technology is essential to any organization because it’s a way o f communicating to the audiences. Five major strategic goals of Simplicity Pastry are as follows: Increase profits and reduce expenses: Simplicity Pastry has been spending a certain amount for office supplies, insurance premiums, rent and other expenses which why simplicity needs to cut back on spending. Increase Productivity: building relationship with employees will motivates them to work hard. Offer employees 40 percent of their daily wage for each sick or personal day they dont take because giving back will let them know that they are apart of the organization and that their work in appreciated. Simplicity pastry can also implement training program for staff. Add a wellness program to keep employees healthy and working. Create a Brand: Its critical for Simplicity pastry to be different from the competitor. A catchy slogan or flashy ad or promotion wont do it. Therefore simplicity needs to position their product as one that provides benefits to their specific target market. Knowing as much as you can about your customers is key to attracting them. Increase product line and create new products: in the new 10 year simplicity pastry want to see itself making more product to satisfied it consumers Gain competitive advantage over competitor: simplicity see it being the Jamaica’s number one pastry business in the eyes of all. Provide quality service to customer. Eight (8) competences requirements needs of Simplicity Pastry are as follows. Managerial Competencies: good leadership skill are require to simplicity pastry Coordination: things put in place Problem solving: staff who can solve problem Integrity: trust Decision- making: precise and accurate Good time management: good time management is needed to accomplish the goals of simplicity pastry as this will decided on the time the goals are achieve Effective communication: this is needed so that staff don’t misinterpret the message Smart objectives: simplicity pastry needs objectives that are specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and timely. The personal skills are skills that one learn while growth up. However those skills can be put into practices and make good use of them these skill are needed within an organization to make good decision and to help solve problem that the organization is facing, but according to an employee of Pastry Passion Personal skills is the ability to manage personal reactions to responsibilities and challenges in work and life. This involves managing your time (time management) and adapting to changing situations. While on the other hand professional skills are Skills needed to achieve organization. These skills are needed to overcome obstacles within simplicity pastry.

Employment Relationship in Industrial Relations

Employment Relationship in Industrial Relations The employment relationship between an employer and an employee has often led to being described by two different terms ‘Industrial Relations or ‘Employee Relations. These, though seen as interchangeable terms often have been under the scrutiny of writers. Employee relations in general can be seen as a relationship between any employer and his workers, i.e., be it in the form of domestic labour, self-employed employers or professionals. On the contrary, Industrial Relations take into account employment in all spheres where economy activity takes place, i.e., industrial relationship. Since there is a misconception that Industrial Relations is just concerned with the study of trade unions, strikes, labour markets etc., and hence in some books writers have used the term employee relations to evade these among general public. However, in context with UK, the term industrial relations is seen to be more appropriate. Industrial relations is a multidisciplinary field and is influenced by a lot of internal as well as external factors. The main actors that play an important role in affecting a countrys industrial relations system are employers and management of an organisation, third-party agencies like the state and finally, employees and their representatives, i.e., trade unions. However, it must be noted that each of these actors have functions towards themselves as well as towards the role of other actors. In other words, there is a dependency between all of them. Brief Overview of the Current Changes in Industrial Relations over the last three decades In the last three decades, i.e., since 1980s the industrial relations in Britain has undergone a massive reform. The major changes undergone include the demise of collective bargaining, decline in trade union recognitions and membership density, a reduction in the number of strike activities and an increase in the intervention on law in the industrial relations since 1979. Moreover, there have been reforms in the organisation of the work which is related to restructuring of labour market, new management practices adopted by the employers and globalisation. However, in order to understand how these changes have played a role and influenced the present industrial relations, it is important to have a look at the historical background of it prior to the reforming. Industrial Relations in UK Historical Overview, i.e., before 1979 Earlier, it was seen that the central matter of industrial relations in UK was the concept of ‘free collective bargaining, a term introduced by the Webbs and developed in practice by the trade unions. According to this, the rights of the employees like wage determination among others were supported by the trade unions present in organisations. It was their peak presence during 1960s and 1970s which contributed to the decline of UKs economy because of them leading to increasing unemployment and lower productivity. The employers believed in the old tradition of unscientific management where all the costs regarding technical staff as well as capital were kept to minimum. And any alternative systems regarding organisation of work and for controlling of labour were looked upon as risky. Also, it was seen that the state was not looked upon as a part of the industrial relations system and a contributor towards labour strength due to both the employers and trade unions implying collect ive bargaining or voluntarism phenomenon (as it was called) not wanting any kind of legal intervention. Unions believed that the presence of law might take away workers from unionising and hence just believed in a labour law system and moreover, since employers looked for employee cooperation and productivity, they encouraged trade unions. Owing to all these factors, the Industrial Relations in UK till 1960s started being looked as a problem because of low wage, low productivity and increasing strike activity. Therefore, the concept of reforming it was a prime concern. Now we shall see how there has been change in the management of industrial relations during the last three decades and what does it tell us about the influence of the three major actors on the current framework of industrial relations in UK. Change in the Role of State and Law and its influence During the last three decades, there has been a drastic change in the legislative frameworks with the coming up of Conservative Governments during 1980s and 1990s and the Labour Party beyond 1997 contributing to the development of participation by the law in industrial relations moving beyond the traditional voluntary approach among organisations. The criticism by pluralists that state couldnt play any role in industrial relations was not justified during the Conservative Government Period of 1979-1997. During this period, the government curbed the presence of the trade unions and eradicated the collective bargaining phenomenon with an aim to restricting individual employment rights, giving more freedom to the employers. However, owing to the EUs directive influence on the domestic UK Law, there were a number of issue mismatches between the UK policies and the EU employment policy. As a result of which, UK opted out of the EU Community. Nevertheless, the influence of the EU is still seen there. These de-regulatory measures did not contribute much towards juridification of the industrial relations and the employment relationship was still determined voluntarily. Also, due to the changing law, it was seen that in the period after 1980s and 1990s, the number of days which had been lost in dealing with strikes suffered a decrease indicating that the strike pattern in UK observed a diminishing trend. The influences of these successive Conservative Governments show that the role of the state has had only a negative impact on industrial relations. Though, a number of acts and commissions were developed in order to combat certain issues, but the outcome was very different. In regard to the trade unions, The Employment Act in 1982 made sure that they suffered penalties for all their wrong doings as a result of which the statutory immunities enjoyed by them were gradually reduced. This showed the restoration of the private law. Also the restrictive re-regulation of collective action made changes in the unfair dismissal law to protect the rights of strikers. Both these regulatory techniques made sure that a fully functional labour market was restored unlike before. However, it is noted that though the legislative change provided unions with some national leadership like controlling of strike ballots, it has also led to the deterioration of the financial expenses of the unions. Similarly, the rising influence of the European Community Law saw policies like equality in pay for equality in work between men and women and employment protection taking place in Britain. In spite of restoration of the Equal Pay for Equal Work in 1983, the negative economic outcomes of legislative action relation to pay and productivity have been there. The removal of wage councils has led to pay differences in low-wage sectors and hence widened the pay inequalities in UK. As for the contribution of legislation in improving economic performance, it has only been seen in areas where unionism and closed-shops have eradicated. Moreover, it was Conservatives who were keen on the idea â€Å"of de-regulating labour markets and removing ‘obstacles to the free operation of market forces (Blyton and Turnbull, 1998)† for which they wanted to remove trade unions. However, adopting a strategy based on cost-reduction (i.e., the least labour costs) in times of high levels of unemployment, bad economic activity state, deficits in payments etc., only led to the uprising of an economy having low skill, productivity and wage along with being technologically backwards. Therefore, it is seen that although the successive Conservative laws has reformed the old traditions of UK industrial relations relying on centralised bargaining systems and absence of statutory rights but it hasnt managed to solve many of the problems like that of still continuing unemployment and no legal protection right with employees (be it collective or individualistic). But, post 1997, Labour Party came into force and has been there since then been, maintaining a balance between using legal regulation where required like in new concepts of national minimum wage, individual employee rights and supporting collective bargaining and employee representations along with retaining some earlier Conservatives approaches like restrictions on strikes and internal trade union procedures. But still some restrictions on industrial relations from previous times like the ballots are still there. Moreover, in this period UK signed up with the EU Social Charter which resulted in current legal framework developments like working time regulation and improved rights for non-standard workers among others. This new legislation has also affected the British industrial relations in a different number of ways with having positive along with negative implications. The current Labour Law sees that a legal intervention is a source of employment rights in Britain and the Labour Party seems to maintain labour flexibility with fair universal minimum standards unlike the previous governments. The most important piece of legislation introduced by the Labour Party was the introduction of National Minimum Wage and its influence is seen in the sense that it prevented employers from cutting pay and hence did not affect employment and inflation adversely. Also, in order to support collective bargaining, there was a statutory procedure to gain trade unions recognition under the Employment Relations Act 1999. Though, the current legal framework in UK shows there has not been an aim to remove old philosophies and accept new changes but the aim is to maintain continuity. Nevertheless, it is still evident that there have been tensions and contradictions due to the present Labour Government balancing between pressures from the domestic law as well as maintaining the standards of the EU employment law. This has led to compromises between many aspects like those between managerial freedom and workers relationship and not all EU developments being welcomed in spite of the no longer opposition to becoming a part of it. Furthermore, though the Labour Government has advocated social partnership and fairness, but it is unclear as to how it will achieve these by retaining the old Conservative Law practices of restriction on trade union governance and strikes along with ensuring flexibility in labour market. Also, in UK the employees still have no rights to bargain which is considered important by the all the other European states as necessary and legitimate elements for the industrial relations to work effectively. It is also questionable that how will productivity and flexibility increase in an environment of removed individualistic legal rights and counteracting collective representation. Change in Employers and Management Strategies and their outcomes The earlier British management style was predominant on collectivism but depended on a hostile union-management relationship along with the cost-driven individualism. Moreover, till 1980s, management as an actor in Industrial Relations was not given much importance due to it being considered as not interested in changing things and just responding to the other actors being trade unions and the state in its decision making. However, after the period of 1980s, management has started getting lot of attention owing to its increased activity in taking a lot of initiatives leading to the emergence of lot of key issues. Firstly, it is due to the development of management models which shows the respective roles of it as being a system actor, a strategic actor and a capital agent. However, all these three models arent sufficient to explain the role of management which is diverse consisting of complexity and variety. Secondly, due to the non-presence of legal regulations and multi-employer bargaining, it might be easy for British managers to opt for any choice but this is not as such and can be influenced by variables like sector, size, occupation etc., indicating the variety of management practices. Also, as the British economy shifted after 1980s, the industrial relations underwent a change and the interest of employers too changed. The current framework sees an attitude of social partnership and voice arising from EU policy giving much more rights to employees though not to a great extent as also indicated by the role of state. This new UK policy has begun to reshape the participation of the employees by a direct and an indirect impact and also though the increased legal regulation. Moreover, attempts to involve EI into management practices and consolidate and integrate voice measures indicate the confident approach of the current British management towards organisational participation. Furthermore, new management prerogatives have emerged with changes in the thinking of management and strategic intentions of large firms to manage labour with an emphasis on individualism moving away from the traditional norms of collectivism in 1970s. They are looking forward to a single-employer bargaining system which helps firms link its labour to the product market and brings in new payment systems and grades along with need for more flexibility, single unionism and individualisation of industrial relations. Therefore, this new strategy shows moving away from external market structures by linking industrial relations to the needs of business. In spite of all these changes, the influence of the new management too hasnt been that good. It is clear that employers after 1980s and 1990s adopted individualistic manners for determination of pay conditions and shift from the collectivism approach led to the introduction of two different styles involving high commitment practices in a union as well as non-union environment. However, what ais seen contrasting here is that, even though union presence led to encouraging efficient management along with the high commitment practices and partnership agreements with the employees relating to a new form of collective bargaining so as to increase productivity, still it has not been possible to identify the current style of management. The main reason seen to be is that after 1980s, the decline in unionism has allowed management wider choice to choose which style to adopt be it with unions or without. And evidence still suggests that â€Å"management are driven more by a cost-minimisation and opportunistic approach to employees, reflecting more than anything a traditional lifestyle (Edwards, P. 2003)†. Also, the deregulation of collective bargaining has led to the development of organisational employment systems with employment relations dependency on human resource management having minimized unionised role. Furthermore, there also have been problems with individualism or non-collective reforms stating that they cannot comply with a single formula. An example of this is seen from the fact that in order to restructure and reorganise its business when Knowco created an individualised employee relations it was faced with employee insecurity and low trust between managers and staff. And hence it is worth questioning that whether, the use of individualism will protect the firms or worsen competitive tendencies. These facts state that the present influence of management is to manage its employee relations both individually and collectively. To add to all this, despite decline in unions as a means of employee representations, still more and more companies are indulging in partnership in the presence or absence of trade unions. And even though there has been a shift from conflicting industrial relations to a one with new employment trends, still the new employers and unions have a striking relationship. This is due to the new management strategy model consisting of its effects on trade unions and partnerships. Hence, even without partnership or with it, trade-unions will have to make organisational participation work as well as manage tensions and conflicts in employment relationship skilfully. Lastly, it should be pointed that the managements main aim is cooperation and compliance both in regard with its employees, but the problem faced by the former till date is the old managerial issue of maintaining a labour which is cost-effective, productive and co-operates. This is due to the fact that the management in UK still relies on short-term tendencies. Moreover, the absence of the trust between employees and management is the biggest obstacle for a better industrial relations system in UK. This is evident from the so called Labour Partys social partnership strategy, according to which where there are no employee rights either governed by law or through rights in a de-regulated market; employees can just trade their pay for their labour resulting in exploitation by employers. Therefore, for management to effectively contribute for the development of better Industrial Relations and improve the UK industry, it should bring about a change in its attitudes so as to build up trust and confidence in its workers along with concentrating on enhancement of productivity than maintain cost-minimising approach. Changes in Trade Unions and their influence Though the unions have been at their highest peak till 1979, but after this with the emergence of the Conservative Governments, there has been a decline in Union membership from 55% in 1979 being at its peak to 33% presently along with a huge demise in collective bargaining indicating a continual drop in trade union recognition after 1980s. Though, union membership is required, but if it doesnt influence dealings with the management it is not worth anything. The 2004 WERS survey showed that in comparison to the 1998 survey there has been a fall in union recognition from 33 to 27 percent. Also, 77 percent managers agreed that they would directly speak with the employees instead of wanting trade unions to fight for employee rights in comparison to 8 percent who disagreed to it. Moreover, 33 percent stated that unions dont help in improving performance at the workplace in comparison to 23 percent who agreed that they improve. These results show that management believes in generally sett ing terms for its workers, with legislation, trade unions and industry agreements playing a minimalist role. In the current scenario, by means of interviews with different industry employers and unions, a case study shows the impact of Employment Relations Act (ERA) 1999 on trade unions and employers. According to the study, there has been a widespread agreement between the two with employers recruiting mangers with an ability to deal with unions showing no hostility towards unions and unions tolerating the legal law interference by the government. Most of the employers have agreed to the statutory recognition of the unions and started reviewing their policy of anti-unionism. Though they have accepted the presence of unions, still they give them limited rights seeking their views for organisational changes but giving them no influence on pay-setting. However, while giving employees consultative rights, ERA moves away from the contemporary industrial relations practices taking it back to the adversarial system. This can affect trade unions by giving them a chance to develop their presence wi th no-members. This indicated that collectiveness of workers is returning but with an attitude of representative and consultative agreements rather that the old norm of free collective bargaining. Contrary to this is a fact that though this collectiveness gives consultations rights, it might make unions have more influence on employers by the former just letting the latter know of the key issues and this might make them freer from the dependence on the fundamental levels of the lay activists. This weakening of power of the unions can be attributed to have taken place due to a variety of global changes highlighting an employment shift from unionised to non-unionised sectors due to competitive product markets and internationalisation of labour markets. Also, restructuring of employment led to more self employment and a fragmented workforce with the size of the workplace being smaller, indicating challenges for the unions to recruit elsewhere which they couldnt afford due to lack of resources and organisation skills. Though a contrasting point was that in 1980s during unemployment rise in the entire Europe, when all countries unions brought a wage cut to stir employment opportunities, UK was the only exception with its distribution of wages brining a real gain. A discussion on union membership in countries outside and within OECD during 1970-2003 showed that there is a level of decline in the union density in many of these countries (except four) with unions being more popular in public than private sectors. This was also evident from the WERS 2004 Survey, according to which union density in public sector was 64 percent compared to meagre 22 percent in the private sector. Although there was a probability that more male members were a part of unions but females too were there though in public sectors noted again by the WERS Survey (53 percent women being members compared to 46 percent men). The most important feature which came out from the discussion was that age plays a major role in deciding to be a member in unions and it follows an inverted U-shape with maxima at 50. This is due to a main factor that since young and new workers in a union are usually paid less than that of the older union workers, it becomes an added advantage to employ ers to hire them. Also, a number of possibilities arise like older union members quit their jobs and get promoted to non-union jobs in order to increasing their earning levels, older members though enjoy union benefits, they forget to pay their union due etc. The increasing decline in Unions in 1980s and 1990s along with the increase in non-union workplaces show that the reversal of this trend is unlikely. However, these findings indicate that unions now know how they can get recognition through different routes (example: the participation in ballots) by the ERA. But, the potential of this act to control decline can be seen as a future research agenda for industrial relations. Unions have not been able to influence the Industrial Relations in a positive way, in spite of the fact that during the reforms of unions in 1980s and 1990s, their decline has been able to stop the decline of UKs economy to an extent, because of the new legislation adopting a ‘third way of interaction between the government and the unions, thereby eradicating the phenomenon of anti-unionism. They still are faced with a number of challenges. The key problem is that there is still rivalry between unions for members in UK which leads to a lack in coordination between union movements and depicts further problems of recruitment and organisation. They also have to deal with the challenges of their decreasing membership along with the increasing managerial attack in the form of policies of cost-reduction leading to the unions having to bear a scope with limited finances. Also, there has been evidence by a research conducted on to test unemployment measures effects on inflation results , which lead to the fact that high union density can cause unemployment and hence shouldnt be there. Finally, though the presence of the traditional unionism approach of collective bargaining can although lead to a less attrition rate, it also contributes to low productivity and poor performance in jobs in firms. Thereby, it should be stated that in order for the industrial relations in UK to not crumble further and rise again, the unions have to find a way to deal with these current problems. Conclusion In the end we should examine whether Industrial Relations in UK has really improved from the previous times. There have been some positive as well as negative outcomes. Firstly, though there has been a decline in the number of strike activities saving work stoppage days but other problems have also arisen particularly relating to an increase in number of ACAS or tribunal cases with employees complaining about the behaviour of their employers. This suggests that the climate at workplaces still shows a dispute between managers and employees perceptions. Secondly, diminishing collective measures and resorting to individual measures indicate the present scenario has little place or role for trade unions to influence events. However, a contrary point to this is that, the concept of individualism is already seen as a failure and hence the recognition for the efficaciousness as well as legitimacy of representation by collective interest is seen to be encouraged both by the UK as well as the European Law. Also, the efficacy of challenging systems of workers involvement, i.e., partnership and high performance workplaces indicate more scope for trade unionism analysis in future. Finally, in spite of the fact that Labour Party will maintain legal regulations in employment conditions and markets, UK becoming a part of the EU Social Charter, leads to the imposition of EU laws into the national laws which can have implications on domestic laws like the directive introduced in national system for informing and consulting workers. To sum it all it can be said that the Industrial Relations in UK can be improved to a greater extent if all the actors in it, i.e., state, management and trade unions realise the need for long-term measures indicating a wider area for the rights of employees and the joint regulation of the employment relationship.

Epic of Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

I have just completed the reading of Beowulf, which was translated by Burton Raffel. 1) Beowulf is an extremely exciting and fascinating story about a character who lived in medieval Europe. The shocking thing for me about this work was to find out that it is the earliest poem in a modern European language. Beowulf is to the English what Homer and the Odyssey were to the Greeks. Although this is the earliest poem, it is still fun and exciting to read. I didn't believe that a poem which has been around for more than twelve centuries, could keep my interest. I was wrong. The book is filled with more blood and guts then the average summer horror flick. After the battle with Grendel, the monster which has been ravaging the Danish countryside and killing countless men, Beowulf makes sure that all people know that he had injured the great monster. It is translated that, "...no Dane doubted the victory, for the proof, hanging high from the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster's arm, claw and shoulder and all" (Raffel, 49). It was the shocking use of detail and exciting battles that was left with me when I finished the book. I guess all books, regardless of their age can still be fun and entertaining to read. 2) Good literature has a very precise definition for me. I judge a piece of literature on three different criteria, 1) does it have memorable characters, 2) does the work take me to a place and let me experience things that I have never experienced before, and 3) will the work stay with me long after I have completed reading it. This is the criteria on which I judge a book and according to this, I believe that Beowulf should be considered "good" literature. I always ask myself, when I am done reading a book, did the book have memorable characters. In Beowulf, the characters were memorable. A minor character in the book, the king of the Danes, named Hrothgar, is a character who sticks out greatly in my mind. Hrothgar was a king of the Danes and built for them a huge mead hall in which men were able to eat drink and be merry. It was then that the great monster, Grendel, came and destroyed the utopia which was Herot by eating and feasting on the Danish warriors. Hrothgar sticks out in my mind because I could envision him, in the time before Beowulf came to the Danes, in anger and despair over this monster that wouldn't stop killing his soldiers and friends.

I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem Essays -- Witchcraft

"I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" by Maryse Conde "Witchcraft-the power or practices of witches" Webster's New World Dictionary. Witchcraft is a term which sprouts many different meanings. As stated above, it is attributed to witches. But what is a witch? Probably an evil haggish-like women who has signed a pact with the devil if we think of it in the English sense. So witchcraft must be evil doings; putting curses on people to make their life miserable, using wicked spells to transform humans to frogs etc. But does this hold true to everyone's idea of what witchcraft is.People's believes on the subject of witchcraft might differ between different cultures. Such is the case in the tragic story "I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" by Maryse Conde. Certain groups and individuals in the book, have contradicting thoughts of witchery."I can not describe the effect this unfortunate black cat had on the children, as well as on Elizabeth and Samuel. Samuel Parris seized his prayer book and began to recite a seemingly endless prayer."pg 44 This is how sensitive the Puritans were. Their fear of the Devil is so great, it hindered them of pleasures and entertainments since these are also elements which they believed are inherited from the Satan thus making them sinful. "Becareful, Tituba! Don't let them dance! Don't let them dance!"pg 48 Fearing Tituba would conduct a sin for the children, Elizabeth Parris exclaimed her warning. If they are so overwhelmed with the terror ...

Everything Comes to Him Who Waits Essay

If there would be someone impatient would ask for my words of wisdom, these are the words I would say: everything is possible if you believe, if you pray for it, if you work for it and if you really mean it, then why think negative and act too impatient? For all things are possible if just God really permits it. Faith without work is dead, the bible says. There’s simple Filipino story and everybody in this room might have heard it. The story of Juan Tamad. This guy craves for something and didn’t move to have it though the guava was within his reach. He just waited and waited for it to fall into his hands. Well, expecting something from nothing is impossible. I mean to wait is to work. How could you sit back and relax when you have the wish in your heart? There’s a saying, â€Å"do your best and let God do the rest.† Most Filipinos are just expecting to receive something from their dead faith. Dead faith means, having faith without work. Resulting, disappointments and sometimes unbelief. When a person hoped for something and was disappointed, it’s more likely that he would forget God’s reasons in giving him his disappointment. If the thing you hope for is really for you, it will come at the right time. You just have to wait. If it didn’t, it wasn’t for you. God has his reasons for doing so and we knew that it’s always for the best.

Better Than Essay Essay

Education is one of the most important factors that determine where we go and succeed in life. While private schools have a limited acceptance rate, public schools by law are to accept all children. Public schools have a larger variety of subjects available than most private schools. There are many reasons why public schools are better than private schools. Even though attending a private school may seem luxurious and prestigious, the reasons why most people choose public schools over private schools is because it saves money, education is guaranteed, offers a variety of programs, teaches students responsibility and independence, and prepares individuals to be critical thinkers. A reason why most people believe that public schools are better than private schools is because there is no cost for school tuition. Public schools allow free education, which enables everyone to have the equal opportunity to be educated. Instead of paying thousands of dollars on education in a private school , most parents choose to save that money to pay for their child’s college tuition. Attending a private school can be very costly, for example Oaks Christian’s school tuition is approximately $30,000 a year. The cost of attending that school is just about the same price as attending a college or a university. There are families who struggle with the economy and are put under difficult financial situations. This makes it difficult for the parents to pay for their child’s high school and college. This is one of the greatest advantages about public schools. The main purpose of public schools is to educate everyone. In 2001, the United States Congress reauthorized the No Child Left Behind Act. This act included Title 1, which is the government’s aid program for the disadvantaged students. This act makes sure that no child is left behind from education. The act also requires the state to develop assessments in basics skill that is given to each child in different grade levels. There are multiple families who come from different countries that place t heir child into a public school. The child cannot be denied the right of education due to law and obtains the equal rights of education just like  everyone else. While most private schools have certain requirements for a child to be accepted into the school, public schools ensure that every student is given education. There are multiple programs for all different types of students who attend a public school. There are programs for children with specials needs and disabilities, which allows them to have opportunities like others. Sparkles, which is a national special needs cheerleading program offered at most public schools, allows those who are disabled to feel like they belong and are a part of the student body. However, at private schools they offer a limited number of classes available that one can take, while public schools have a wide range of classes that one can choose from. A great thing about public schools is that they offer different level courses, which allows students to challenge themselves and discover what they are capable of doing by going the extra mile. While in school, kids with special needs and disabilities have the opportunity to have teachers who can work with them individually and help them grow as a student as well as an individual. There are a number of programs such as Data, Honors, IB and AP classes that are available to students who are interested in challenging themselves academically. Public schools deliver real world surroundings with an environment that is much more diverse. Students are more prepared and have a sense of adult life in a public school setting. Most private school classes are small, which gives each child the individual attention they need. From prior experience, a teacher at a private school gives much more attention to students than needed. The guidance that they give towards the students are not particularly helping, but preventing one from taking responsibility and retaining independence. Teachers at a private school have a closer watch on their students’ day to day actions and are concerned with how students should act in a certain way. In public schools, kids are left to distinguish on what is right and wrong. This helps students become more mature young adults and requires students to take responsibility for their own actions. In public schools, students are exposed to greater ideas that allow them to be more creative. Public schools help students figure out who they are as a person individually. While attending a private school, there are certain requirements and standards on how a student should be. There are more strict rules and regulations, which keeps students away from obtaining  outside knowledge. There is not a great amount of creativity and everyone is expected to act and behave a certain way in a private school. Religion is one of the huge aspects that shape the school’s view. Everyone is expected to follow and obtain the same beliefs, whereas a public school, it is based on your point of view. While parents are paying for their child to obtain a greater education with much needed help and care, it is also hurting the child academically from gaining their own knowledge and independence. Due to a public school class size compared to a private school, students have teachers who are constantly available to help and assist each individual. Compared to a public school class, students in a private school class are being spoon-fed by teachers, who attempt to help students succeed but are actually not enabling students to think on their own. Even though public schools have a substantial amount of students compared to private schools, this allows students to be more exposed to the school environment and to be more critical thinkers. Later in your adult life, it is up to you to make wise decisions. No one is going to tell you what is wrong and right. Public and private schools are very discrete from each other. In life, everyone is faced with various obstacles that require making right decisions with a great sense of responsibility. With the exposure to a diverse community and place of creativity, it will help prepare you towards your road to success and to become a critical thinker in the future. These are reasons to consider why attending a public school is so much better than a private school. It teaches you to have self-determination and to become a successful individual.

Patayon parental preference

The objective is to determine the proper combination of a limited number of attributes which influences consumer's mind the most and affects the buying behavior. Conjoint Analysis is done by showing the respondents a controlled set of potential products and analyze how the consumers made their preferences or how they rank the different attributes and then marketing researchers may be able to determine the values of each attributes. The values can be used by the company to develop new products, Improve old ones and generate revenue.In his study, he stated that Filipino Passenger car owners consider attributes when deciding upon a passenger car. According to him, Flossing put more importance on price than on any other attribute. In his journal, Doctor Marvin Cruz considered interaction effect as a predictive technique in marketing research. An interaction effect is a respondent's choice between two or more attributes in which interactions influence respondent's choices. In his Journal, he discussed about two automobile passenger car namely: Toyota 1. 3- liter Bios and Honda 1 . 3-liter City. He cited that some consumer s may prefer to buy Toyota 1 . -liter Bios for no more than PH 539,000. 00 but some respondents may prefer to buy the Honda 1 . -liter City at a higher price than PHI,OHO. O because they view It as a more prestigious car than Toyota. The choices according to Doctor Cruz, Is Influenced by Interaction between two attributes namely price and brand. Not all attributes were considered In his study because of technical restrictions In the statistical methods used. Therefore, the study chose to determine qualitatively the attributes that may be considered important by the consumers. Data were collected from a sample of 300 randomly selected respondents.The first 100 respondents were college students (18-24 y/o) from Atone De Dave University, UP Mindanao, University of Mindanao, Holy Cross of Dave College and Berkshire College. The next 100 respondents con sisted of junior professionals (25-39 y/o) while the last remaining 100 respondents were senior professionals (40-64 y/o). In his Findings, Doctor Cruz concluded that all six attributes namely brand, price, style, feature and financing scheme contribute to the total worth or utility assigned by the mall groups of respondents. He also concluded that price significantly affects the total worth of the passenger car.The total worth or utility of either brand (Toyota/ and) decreases as price increases. The 3 main segments ( college students. Junior 1. 3- liter Bios and Honda 1 . 3-liter City. And Lastly, that Toyota is the more preferred brand of both senior professionals and Junior professionals. On the other hand, Honda is the more preferred brand of the college students. Additional findings: There are six consumer segments that prefer Toyota than Honda while there are only three consumer segments that prefer Honda. In terms of size Toyota is preferred by around 63% of all respondents while Honda is preferred by 37% of all respondents.In terms of sex, grouping and age, Toyota is more preferred by male college students from the University of Mindanao who are about 20 y/o, male Junior professionals around 32 y/o , male senior professionals who are about 45 y/o, male senior professionals around 46 y/o and female Junior professionals who are about 31 y/o. On the other hand Honda, is more preferred by female Junior professionals who are about 31 years old, female college students who are about 20 years old and female senior professionals who are about 43 y/o.Thru the finding and conclusions of the study it is safe to say that consumers vary according to their value, preferences and range of other characteristics (Elli, Kettle and Sahara Moorish 1992). Not only do consumer exhibit differences from each other, but this also illustrates that if a specific marketing decision may suit a consumer it may not work out for the other. Consumer preferences are based mainly on th eir belief about how objects perform on their key attributes. Consumer also choose product attributes base don which would give then the best value and benefit sought.Consumer's preferences may also vary because of their particular experience ND the way they gather and process information. Consumers also consider price as a sacrifice. The Utilities assigned to a passenger car diminishes as price increases. Consumer are price-sensitive buyers which means they are divided by two kinds consumers who are willing to pay for the brand they like and consumer's that will not sacrifice price for the brand they like. Dave Consumers, based on the study, are those consumers who are not willing to pay price premium for a brand they like.Given this findings, good pricing can play a big role in maximizing number of consumers to pay for the brand they like. Honda and Toyota may have to check their pricing strategy to be able to understand the price sensitivity of their consumers and the possible tr ade -offs consumers are willing to make between price and product characteristics. The study also showed that passenger cars may be produced with different features that will suit each market segments (students, Junior professional and senior professionals ).Doctor Crud's recommendation is that using segmenting strategy for a car dealership in Dave City treat the different segments of consumers as different in their preferences for new 1 . -liter car passenger cars. He also cited that each of the brand Toyota and Honda should study further the market segment in which they cannot penetrate well and also monitor possible changes or shifts in the preferences of the penetrated market. First of all, since price is an issue raised in this Journal, I would like to raise the difference between Quality and Value(Price).Quality and Value(Price) are attributes the company. Quality creates value for the product in the eyes of the consumers. Surprisingly, consumers are the ones who defines the v alue of a product as a reference by analyzing the performance of the product relative to its cost. The company now will be the one to ensure the quality of the product that will provide the consumer the performance it is looking for. Quality is important but consumers purchase a product not because it has quality but they will not buy it in the absence of quality.My first concern for this Journal is Doctor Marvin Cruz failed to raise that quality is still an attribute that is very much considered by Filipinos/ Davison especially Private buyers. A great number of consumer in the Dave City market if to from experience, searches the web, asks friends, acquaintances and relatives which brand is more durable and which brand has a higher quality. If quality was included in the survey questionnaires I think results will be different.Another thing to be considered which is a very integral part in choosing a car is the safety, Doctor Cruz failed to address the issue of safety in his Journal, low price without safety of the passengers inside the car is useless. For one, According to the Wall Street Journal, Toyota has an issue of recalling 6. 39 million vehicles from across the globe. Toyota found defects with seat rails, cables connected to air bags, engine starters, steering column brackets and windshield-wiper motors.These defects are directly connected to the safety of the passengers inside the car. In March, Toyota agreed to pay a $1. 2 billion criminal penalty in a settlement with the U. S. Justice Department, after the company acknowledged having misled consumers about safety problems related to unintended acceleration of a number of its vehicles. Problems related to sudden acceleration resulted in the recall of millions of vehicles from 2009 through 2011.However, it was on 2009 that Toyota started recalling its vehicles, noting that this journal is made on 2003 1 . 3-liter passenger cars. On the other hand Honda cars had some share of mishaps in its vehicles, ac cording to Handsomeness. Com, transmission failure and premature brake wear among the top list when it comes to safety concerns. Lastly, in the Journal Doctor Cruz failed to raise the maintenance of both brands. The price may be cheap but you will be surprised at how much you have spent on the car's maintenance.I agree when Doctor Cruz raised the issue that ACH of the brands– Honda and Toyota should have a more thorough study in relation to the market segments in which they are not penetrating well, I think the reason why Honda has a much lower amount of respondents is the fact that Honda lacks marketing research and strategy. Toyota on the other hand has been in partnership with various Banks in providing in house financing for individuals and companies. Also, a reason why Toyota is winning in the market is its parts and accessories are easily accessible to Davison and is cheaper compare to Honda.