Nursing Shortage In America

This paper examines the issue of nursing shortage in the light of the report published by the American Association Of   Colleges of Nursing on the subject . This report examines the issue in detail citing various reasons and issues concerning the problem . A brief overview of the report and further supportive facts are as under : Issue of Nursing Shortage: Ever since Florence Nightingale revolutionized nursing practices, nursing has been playing a pivotal role in the delivery of health care. This has been due to the ever increasing demand made upon the health profession in all stages of its delivery. With increasing population and the plethora of diseases to combat, hospitals around the world are facing a lot of problems, nursing shortage being one of them. According to a report published by the American Association of colleges of nursing it has been cited that recent researches have pointed out that an acute shortage of nurses is being observed in the different states across America. It is projected that by the year 2024 the shortage would increase by 340,000 as compared to the current shortage of 118,000 nurses. The reasons for this shortage are the short term policies which have been formulated in this respect (AACN, 2007). Influencing Factors : Though a lot of factors are contributing towards the shortage of nurses , however the five main areas which need special emphasis in this regard include: 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Training 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Poor job environment 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Increased patient turnover 4)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   High nurse turnover and vacancy rates 5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Slow rate of growth of nurses A lot of attention has been given to producing medical doctors, very less attention has been given to the training of nurses. The other reasons cited in the report are the poor job environment, increased burden of patients, lower turnout. These factors are constantly challenging the health professionals. This is having an adverse impact on patient care. With the time slot available for each patient the level of nursing care has decreased a lot since the past few years. The increased frequency of errors being reported is also a result of these shortages. Other Studies: Besides the fact sheet which has been prepared by the American Association of colleges of nursing , a lot of studies have been carried out on this subject. Due to paucity of space a few of them are being presented for review: In an article published in readers digest in 2003, by John Prekannan has very rightly pointed out that if significant attention is not paid to the currently dwindling nursing population might adversely affect patient care. The increasing family pressure on nurses and their failure to tend to every case was cited as among the reason for a higher mortality rate. Another important point which has been made is the aloof attitude the patients experience from the nurses involved in their care. As compared to yester years when patients were received warmly by the nursing staff the present day health care is a constant reminder of the toll inadequate staffing may take on the already overburdened nurses (John Prekannan, 2003). In another research project which has taken a look over the reasons for this shortage has brought four main points in the lime light viz ageing workforce, declining enrolment, changing work climate and poor image of nursing (Goodin 2003). The answer to all these problems lies in formulating policies to combat this dearth of nursing professionals. Adequate resourcing and financing is the key when it comes to training programs. The grants which are being offered for the revival of nursing industry are not the only means of a revival but to change and bring about a powerful image of the nurses and to glamorize the profession is the key (Chandra , 2005)   . Solution : The focus needs to change from producing just doctors to the production of quality nurses so that the new trends and advancements which are taking place every now and then in the medical filed can be put into practical use by the sufficiently qualified nursing staff. Nursing programmes should be devised so that nurses may have a chance to develop and groom themselves according to the needs of the modern society. References American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet, Published 2007 John Pekkanen, Nursing shortage is America’s biggest health care crises, Article published in Reders Digest, September 2003 Janiszewski Goodin HGoodin , The Nursing Shortage in The United States Of America-an integrative review of literature, Published din Journal of advanced nursing, Volume 43 , Number 4 , August 2003. Chandra, Ashish, Willis, William K Importing Nurses: Combating the nursing shortage in America Copy right 2005 Heldref Publications   

Management and Planning Essay

Planning involves in every aspect of people’s life. If an individual wants to achieve success, he or she must have a proper preparation. It is also the same in business. † Organizations that fail to plan are planning to fail†, I do agree with this opinion. A plan demonstrates your intentions, mission, vision and method to carry it out. It is an important part of doing business. Without planning, an organization may not operate smoothly and may lead to failure. This essay will examine both the advantages and disadvantages of planning and show why planning is essential in business. In this era of hyper-competition, globalization and technological revolution, companies are forced to make speedy decisions in order to keep up with the market. Responding to the pressure of making quick and right choices, many firms have reduced or even emulated the time allocated to planning. Based on how rapid the market change in today business, cut down planning in doing business seems to be appropriated since the uncertainty and fast timing of entrepreneurial warrant quick action. (Matherne, 2004, p. 156) But should founders of new ventures plan or should they act immediately? Is planning still a useful activity in doing business? Let’s take a look at planning and what benefits it brings to business. Planning is an activity which consists of defining the organization’s goals, establishing an overall strategy for achieving those goals and developing a comprehensive set of goals to integrate and coordinate activities. It is the primary functions of management since it sets the basic path for managers in organizing, leading and controlling their cooperation. Planning can also be defined in terms of formal or informal. (Robbins, DeCenzo, Coulter & Woods, 2012, p. 6). Most managers do planning in their works whether it is informal like planning in their head or setting up a formal plan after carefully examined the situation and collect ideas from the staffs. Informal plans are rarely written down onto paper and publicly announced to other people. In contrast, formal planning always takes lots of time and effort of many people. The goals are specific and set with a period of time to achieve. Although it takes time, effort and not always guarantee success but formal planning is still remain as a priority thing to do for every manager. Planning establishes goals and direction for organizations. With a clear mission and vision, employees can coordinate their work together and managers can make sure that they are on the right track. Goals can also improve the performance of a firm. Latham (2004, p. 216) stated that â€Å"a goal is a standard of for assessing one’s satisfaction†. Achieving a goal will not only bring rewards and praises to individual but it can increase their satisfaction. When one’s morale is high, he or she will have a tendency to work better and expect a more difficult challenge. It is always a benefit for companies when staffs commit to their work and demand harder mission. Also, with a step by step direction, people will not be distracted from outside factors that affect performance. Wasteful, overlapping activities and uncertainty are reduced through planning. In the process of planning, managers have to anticipate changes, gather information and develop responses which help avoid mistakes. (Robbins et al. , 2012, p. 86). It allows people to make faster decisions since things have been predicted and unnecessary trials do not have to be conducted. Planning also helps people manage their resources, minimizing factors that can slow down their activities. By giving an idea about the availability of resources, the efficiency and effectiveness of works will be increased. (Delma & Shane, 2003, p. 1167). Furthermore, planning provides time for each mission so that each person can track their own process and organize the work to keep up with the whole company. One thing that contributes to the important of formal planning in business is strategic planning. It is proved that the relationship between strategic planning and organization performance is positive. The standard theory of strategic management surrounds planning of a mission and objectives, implementing a hierarchy of strategies to achieve and controlling to ensure the goals are achievable. The purpose of strategic planning is to make organization’s management become more effective. Combine these two things, indirect improvements of performance could occur. (Falshaw, Glaister & Tatoglu, 2006, p. 12). Moreover, making a strategic plan means manager have to go through the process of collecting data, forecasting, modeling and creating alternatives to respond to unexpected scenario. Strategic planning also promotes long term thinking, reduces uncertainty, identifies and evaluates alternatives strategies. By doing that organization with proper plans has already had an advantage to those that don’t. There is a link between company size and the use of strategic instruments. As smaller companies possess less time, resources and knowledge, they have a tendency to cut down on planning process and focus more on operational activities. The more the companies grow, the more formal the plan will be. Big enterprises have stable structure so it is more suitable to planning. Also with more resources in term of personnel, knowledge and time, it will be easier to have a good strategic plans. (Kraus, Reiche & Reschke, 2007, p. 11-12). However, new ventures should not skip the planning process since it is a guideline for long term success. Plans will remind managers about the goals and giving clues on responding to changes. If a new firm just focus on operational details, it might be hard for them to grow bigger. Therefore, a plan could be useful in maintaining as well as developing the company. Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana is an example of successful planning. The university was severe damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. By 2006, it was reopened thanks to the renewal plan created by its students. The plan is based on the current situation of the university at that time. After going through many processes and revisions, taken student affairs goals accordingly, the university could face the disaster’s aftermath in the best way. (Cherry & Clark, 2010). Having a plan does not guarantee success. There are criticisms about how formal planning were long and does not bring as many worthwhile suggestions as it should. As the business environment is often changed with a fast pace, a long process like making strategic plans may not give managers suitable choices at certain time. In order to respond to an uncertain environment, plans have to be flexible, but that is what formal planning lacks. A traditional strategic plan is created with specific goals and limited time to achieve those goals. It creates rigidity and may lead to failure if the managers follow the plan strictly without paying attention to changes. Strategic planning is useful when it drive decision making. Surprisingly, according to Mankins and Steele (2006, p. 77), the structure and timing of strategic planning make it hard to produce a good decision. In their survey which confirmed what they observed over many years, only 2. 5 major strategic decisions are made from companies with standard planning. It demonstrates the fact that, traditional planning model is out of sync from what executives and managers want or need. Therefore, organizations should change their approach in planning. Plans must be specific but also flexible so that managers can respond to changes better without going off track. A successful plan can also be a path leading to disaster. Since it is hard for people to leave their comfort zone and try something new. Success may breed success, but it can also breed failure, especially in an uncertain environment. (Robbins et al. , 2012, p. 87). Unfortunately, business environment is very unpredictable and with the development of new technology, a plan can be out of date in a short period of time. In order to remain successful, managers must face uncertainty and brave enough to make changes. Nowadays, in some organizations, planning just contributes a small part in their success. The decisions are made based on sparse information and rely upon shortcuts or heuristics to save time. (Kirsch, GoldFarb & Gera, 2008, p. 487). Another way is making decisions based on actual works. Some of those organizations do success with that method. The best example must be Google. It is a company well-known for freedom at workplace and the majority of its plans are informal. Employees can do whatever they want, work with whoever they like and they can spend 20% of time on their own project. A company with little structure like that is now very successful and consistently outperformed their competitors in stock market since 1998 (Gargiulo, 2011). Google’s success does not come from those long and unrealistic plans but come from the way they manage people. Motivation, giving benefits and making employees excited going to work are the keys to their success. Managers at Google make their staffs feel like family at workplace. Although there is downside of not having a plan. It could be difficult to figure out the responsibility of each person. Google had no legal representative for the company at a Belgian law suit. (Schjndel, 2012, p. 17). Still, the benefits are more than enough to make up for problems caused by unstructured way of operating. At the age of 18, I know the important of planning in a person’s life. Most of my failure in the past came from not having a suitable plan or having no plan at all. I used to do thing at the last minutes, therefore, the result was not as good as it should be, especially in study. I now pay more attention to planning and after practicing for a period of time, my planning skill has improved a lot. When making a plan, I analyze what I need to do, then arrange the task in order and give time to each task. Since the works have become structure, I not only save my time but the efficiency and effectiveness of my works have increased. However, I still have a lot to improve in my planning skill. The plans cannot make impact if you do not carry it out. Sometimes, I made plans and did not do it. Moreover, some of my goals were very hard to achieve. These kinds of goals need a lot of effort and you may not achieve it after all. In order to prepare for future management challenge, I will practice analyzing the situations, setting more realistic goals and arrange my work more logically. I also find some part time jobs that demand planning or management skills to have practical experience. Practicing in a business environment will help me have a better understanding of all the things I studied as well as give me an idea of how managers do their work. Spending more time research about management theory to expand my knowledge and finding a suitable style to manage people. By doing that my skill will theoretically and practically improved. I will make a plan to develop my skill in a short time so that I can be more confident in dealing with future challenges in my life. In conclusion, planning is still a useful process for any organization regardless of its size. Formal planning give companies a structure way of operating. Based on the plans managers can at least maintain a stable level of performance and avoid unnecessary mistake. It is also a stepping stone for developing organizations. Although it still remains some disadvantages but nothing is perfect. Planning is just a tool to help managers run the business comfortably. Whether an organization success or not depends on variety of factors: the environment, personnel and so on. It is up to the managers to make adjustment when unexpected things occurs and make the right decisions. In an era where changes happen at a fast paced, having a plan means better preparation and better chances to achieve success. That is why planning is essential and every business should take planning seriously even though it is a long as well as hard process. The benefits it brings worth the effort. If you fail to plan, there is a high chance that you are planning to fail.

Newell Company: The Rubbermaid Opportunity Essay

In October 1998, Newell Company was considering a merger with Rubbermaid Incorporated to form a new company, Newell Rubbermaid Incorporated. The agreement would be through a tax-free exchange of shares valued at $5.8 billion. Newell had revenues of $3.7 billion in 1998 across three major product groupings: Hardware and Home Furnishings, Office Products, and Housewares. Rubbermaid is a renowned manufacturer of a wide range of plastic products ranging from children’s toys through housewares. Once the transaction is completed, Newell will begin he process of assimilating Rubbermaid’s operations through a process called â€Å"Newellization.† The companies expect that the merger will create synergy through the leveraging of Newell Rubbermaid brands. By 2000, these efforts are expected to produce increases over anticipated 1998 results of $300 to $350 million in operating income for the combined company. Reading the case analysis, there are many issues that I feel are concerning this merger and I feel that Newell should not process with this merger. First of all, this is a tough and alarming challenge to Newell’s capacity to integrate and strengthen acquisitions. How would Newell bring Rubbermaid into the newellization process since they have completely different products? Another question that comes to mind is how does Newell coordinate all its divisions and what changes will it have to make to create synergy with Rubbermaid? Does the newellization process fit for Rubbermaid? Lastly, are the risks acceptable for Newell to merge with Rubbermaid? Newell needs a very well thought out business plan and has to answer these questions before they proceed. There are advantages and disadvantages in this merger. I will start with the advantages. If this merger goes through, it will be a quantum step in Newell’s growth. The merger will be uniting two companies that are leaders in their industries. Through the merger, Newell will gain the international presence that Rubbermaid has. Both companies can create synergy within their divisions and Newell can expand their product line internationally. There  are certain products in Rubbermaid’s product line that Newell does not have. Another advantage the merger will create is increased operating income. Some disadvantages of the deal are that Newell would be exposed to a tough challenge to the company’s capacity to combine its acquisitions. One big disadvantage is the risk that is involved in the deal for Newell. Newell is a very respectable company, and a company whose customers are very satisfied. They are very successful with their acquisitions due to their exemplary newellization process. Rubbermaid currently has many problems with their company such as bad customer relations, their operations are not lean, increases competition has taken away market share, and their financial targets seem unrealistic. Newell needs to understand these problems and realize what they will have to deal with if they join with Rubbermaid. Doing my research I have come up with many more disadvantages than advantages toward this merger and that is why I feel that these companies should not merge. In today’s business world, companies change hands all the time through mergers and acquisitions. Most of the time, the security propositions of new ventures are disregarded. Company A may have the most secure network, but when they couple this network with Company B, you’re exposing your company to a whole new set of risks. The first step is that Newell needs to assess the business risk. Reputation loss is an issue, which Newell will be affected by. Rubbermaid has bad customer relations because it has angered its most important retail buyers with the heavy-handed way it has passed its rising costs. They have given their competitors a lot of shelf space. A big question mark comes to my mind is when I think about how Newell will bring Rubbermaid into the Newellization process. Newellization is described as a â€Å"well established profit improvement and productivity enhancement process that is applied to integrate newly acquired product lines.† The newellization process includes the centralization of key administrative functions including data processing, accounting, and EDI, and inauguration of Newell’s rigorous, multi-measure, divisional operating control system. Reading the case analysis, Rubbermaid is extremely incompetent in these areas. Their operations are one of their biggest problems. According to the  case, â€Å"although it excels in creativity, product quality, and merchandising, Rubbermaid is showing itself to be a laggard in more mundane areas such as modernizing machinery, eliminating unnecessary jobs, and making deliveries on time.† Looking at Rubbermaid and analyzing their problems, they have to tally the opposite qualities of companies that Newell has acquired in the past. Newell’s acquired companies were mature businesses with unrealized profit potential. Rubbermaid has had a mature business for quite a long time and I do not see any room for unrealized profit potential. They have a very big international presence and Newell will end up hurting themselves once they have to deal with Rubbermaid and their incompetence. I do not feel that the newellization process fits Rubbermaid because these are two companies that have been around for a while, and it is not like Rubbermaid is a start-up or a fairly recent company that can be changed around quickly and all of the sudden have lean operations, which newellization has proved it can do with previous acquisitions. Newell should stick to their business principle and do what they have done in the past, which is to acquire small to medium sized companies and integrate them into the newellization process and create an enormous amount of synergy. I always believe that one should do something that they know best or have experience in and not pursue a totally different market in which that have no experience in. In this case, Newell does not have any experience with acquiring a company that is worth billions. A merger example that recently occurred which has turned into a blunder is the AOL Time Warner merger. These were two totally different companies in different industries that thought they could merge and be a giant in the Internet and Media/Entertainment industry. The outcome of this merger is that the CEO’s of both companies are being laughed at in the business world. AOL Time Warner stock price is in the dump and the company is in real trouble. Newell can avoid all this by again looking at their previous acquisitions and seeing what type of companies they acquired, which were companies with unrealized profit potential and who had the ability to create synergy in a short amount of time with Newell’s existing divisions. In conclusion, the deal is attractive for Newell but is not worth the risk that is involved. The key to merger and acquisitions is to not jump on your first instinct and just merge or acquire a company that’s price looks cheap.  You have to determine what the company will look like in the future. Lack of foresight will cause a huge problem. Rising raw material costs along with Rubbermaid’s operational problems will impair the whole newellization process. Rubbermaid has very sour relationships with their clients and Newell will have an extremely difficult time fixing those relationships. If the two companies merge, only investors or individuals who follow business news will know that these two companies are one. The average customer will still know of Rubbermaid as Rubbermaid. I feel that Rubbermaid brings a lot of heavy baggage to the table and will hurt the smooth and exemplary business that Newell has attained.

Free Trade Zones in UAE and Economic Development Research Paper - 2

Free Trade Zones in UAE and Economic Development - Research Paper Example This paper focuses on two companies only i.e. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone and Dubai Media City Free Zone. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) Positive Contributions to the UAE The Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone is a business and logistics park which is being established by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). The creation of ADAFZ is a milestone for Abu Dhabi to globally establish itself as a leading business centre.  Expansion of the airport will enable passenger traffic to shoot from the current 7 million to over 40 million per year. Cargo capacity will also be boosted to two million tons from the current 150,000 tons per year. (Ameifo.com, 2011). According to uaefz.com, multiple business ventures are being established ranging from logistics, aviation and aerospace, consultancy, business development, computing and information technology, electronics, express transport, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. Various amenities have been put together under one roof and conveniently i ntegrated to provide the best services for investors (Jumeiraconsultants.com, 2011).   The free trade zone provides the locals with better goods at subsidized prices hence boosting the economy. The cheapness of goods is usually as a result of cheap production costs in addition to cheap imported labor. The UAE is freed of re-tasking its resources and instead focuses on its comparative advantages. ADAFZ and other free trade zones function as economic laboratories, which allow UAE governments, to learn what will be most beneficial to their economies over a long time (Ehow.com, 2011). Negative Contributions to the UAE Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone may appear as an equal opportunity for everyone, but, these advantages come along with some disadvantages. The disadvantages extend for UAE is related to the technology level which means that the less industrialized emirates may suffer a disadvantage till they technologically develop. When Abu Dhabi opened its borders to the other emirates to be in the same free trade zone, it also invited fierce competition as well. This means that the whole of UAE competes with one another (Uaefz.com, 2011). The free trade area may also economically develop the area around the airport more than other regions in Abu Dhabi and UAE as a whole. This region may attract more foreign investors than other regions which may lead to economic underdevelopment of some other areas in the free trade zone. The underdevelopment may also impact the Abu Dhabi’s (Ehow.com, 2011). The issue of opening of borders brings the challenge of corporations seeking out for the lowest labor and environmental standards in order to minimize its production costs hence pressuring for low working standards. Furthermore, the transparency and absence of strict regulations of ADAFZ make it an attraction for illicit investors to launder crime proceeds and maybe finance terrorism (Fatf-gafi.org, 2011). Benefits to Investors According to Abu Dhabi (2011) an investor ha s to lease the facility in

British Petroleum Plc IT Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

British Petroleum Plc IT Analysis - Assignment Example The adaptation of cost leadership and differentiation strategies will help the company reach the next level through increased business efficiency, improved data processing and storage among other benefits. The two options go hand-in-hand during their implementation but, BP should consider implementing the cost leadership strategy first then implement differentiation strategy later. Cost leadership strategy enables a firm gain competitive advantage through reduction of economic costs below the competitors’ cost. On the other hand, differentiation strategy enables an organization to shift product development on the bases of cost of marketing of goods and services (Conklin & Sorrell 2010). By first implementing the differentiation strategy, BP will sand a better chance of implementing differentiation strategy. BP’s main objective is to become the leading oil and gas producing industry globally by adaptation of them modern I.T. services that assists in improving business en vironment. The BP I.T processes will be achieved through various strategies set aside by the company management that include value added preposition, target markets, cost factors, revenue drivers and revenue streams. All these strategies focus on the company becoming the cost leader in the market, which requires an implementation of the cost leadership strategic option. ... BP is a large industry with an extremely high volume of production of oil and gas. In addition, the company has specialized machines and proficient workforce that enable provide high quality products and services. The high volume of production places BP in a better position of lowering costs per unit production the implementation of cost leadership strategy easier and fast. In addition, the company can reduce its overhead costs through spreading different costs to other areas like advertisement. Moreover, by implementing this strategy BP will hold the strongest position in the industry and will be able to set floor prices for other companies to follow. The second strategy should follow cost leadership is differentiation option. After ensuring the company’s cost security, BP can come up with differentiation strategy that will increase the value of her products and services relative to the perceived value of other companies. BP will implement differentiation strategy by using fe atures that will make customers prefer the company products and services to those offered by competitors. The focus on high revenue and cost margins places BP in a better position to achieve and perfect economic performance. With I.T in place and low cost of products and services, customers will be more attracted to BP products and services because they are more valuable and have differentiation advantage. Question4 Write a proposal to BP on I.T integration to reducing cost Summary BP is the leading oil and gas production company and serves many customers globally. BP wishes to integrate I.T. systems in her operations in order to improve the overall efficiency in terms of customers’ services and products production. By establishing the

Easy A Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

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Work sheet Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Work sheet - Assignment Example lingering aftermath of the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a contemporary technical innovation which provides a â€Å"new method to improve the efficiency of cleaning up oil spills, using magnets† (Hall, 2012), holds significant potential. This new method is the brainchild of Markus Zahn, a professor of electrical engineering at MIT, and the research team led by Shahriar Khushrushahi of MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. MIT had a breakthrough in January, and unveiled its new concept in September this year, posting it as a YouTube video. This innovation originated in Zahn’s concept that, if oil was magnetic, it could be easily separated from water using magnets. It works on the concept of magnetized fluids, or ferro-fluids. These are synthesized fluids, made up of 10 nanometer magnetic nanoparticles coated with a surfactant to stabilize it within a host liquid. They are typically water or oil based. The mixture of oil and water is collected in a restricted space. The oil is made magnetic by the addition of the magnetic nanoparticles. The magnetic oil is then separated from the water, using large magnets, giving clean water and magnetic oil. Using existing technology, the magnetic nanoparticles are removed from the oil, and the oil is recovered and recycled. (Zahn and Khushreshahi, in Hall, 2012). The concept is implemented through an arrangement of cylindrical magnets which are embedded vertically in a large tank. Globules of oil from the magnetic oil and water mixture rise above the water line and are scoope d up by large magnets. (Casey, 2012). The current methods of cleaning oil spills are of five types, each of which is attended by significant shortcomings. The first method just leaves the oil alone, letting it disperse by natural means. This has the possibility of polluting coastal regions and marine industries. The second method uses dispersants to break up the oil and accelerate its natural biodegradation. The

Ethical Business Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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Bipolar Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Bipolar Disorder - Research Paper Example The difference between perceptions of mental illness today and in the 19th century is between night and day (Nunes, 2002). That said we need to dramatically increase the amount of information and education out there on this issue. We need to know when such things become a problem and when they should be left alone. Mental health is an issue that affects all of us and must be taken very seriously by all of us. Among the more serious mental health problems that practitioners are starting to address are those arising from bipolar disorder. This essay will examine bipolar disorder and include an interview with an individual who suffers from the disorder. Bipolar disorder is a serious problem. It involves mood disorders. Sufferers swing from manic episodes to depressive episodes. Sometimes there are triggers, but sometimes these are very hard to detect (Behrman, 12). It is said that creative people often suffer from this disorder and produce some of their greatest work during the manic phases. But those who suffer from it have serious problems with relationships and employment. Some need need to be medicated, others hospitalized. It is a disorder with a wide prevalence. What can society do to help bring these issues to light and to try to help? A key thing to do is to encourage people suffering from mental illness or mental disorders such as bipolar disorder to seek help. No man or woman is an island and it can be very difficult to balance one’s life and to know when and if you might have a problem (Millon, 78). You might need help. Sometimes this involves asking your partner to help you out, to have a shoulder to cry on. But it might also involve asking a professional to talk to you and prescribe something. There’s no shame in that: it is important to get past the stigma of mental illness. That’s why those people exist and they know what they’re doing. Sometimes people have so much on the go that they themselves are unable to get a

Blue Star Building the Apps Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Blue Star Building the Apps - Case Study Example The major challenge for Blue Star was the fact that every single partners of it used different software and hence the data was stored in different formats. In order to, deal with such situation the company required software that was capable of accepting and processing inputs that were in different formats so that usable information can be obtained. However, Tom Keen who is the CTO of the company did not get any useful off-the-self software that can meet this requirement of the company and hence the decision of developing proprietary software was made. Q.2) The main advantage that the open source software provided to the development process was the ‘stability’ that Tom Keen was looking for. Open source software makes the bugs well documented and hence it is possible to easily avoid them. However, in case of commercial software source codes cannot be accessed and as a result users cannot get to know about the bugs. As far as SOA is concerned it allowed the developers to mo dify the software in such a way so that the new requirements that arise due to change in the market can be fulfilled. Critical Thinking Questions Q.1) I completely agree with the view of Tom Keen regarding the fact that bugs can be managed in a better way in case of open source software as compared to commercial software. ... Q.2) Both quantitative and qualitative data are stored in the database. They are organized by the use of business intelligence tools and data mining tools that are widely used in the business organizations. Critical Questions Q.1) Manipulation of business data and manipulation of Genographic data are similar in the sense that arrangement and maintenance of both of them involve same business intelligence tools and data mining tools. Q.2) The special DBMS developed by National Geographic can assist researchers from different areas. For instance, researchers can identify various interesting psychological trends of the individuals who have registered themselves with National Geographic to know their origin. Information regarding the lifestyle of the previous generations can also be obtained by analyzing the Genographic data. The data of the above mentioned DBMS can be shared when the DBMS is made for multiple users. In other words, more than one user must be allowed to access the data of the DBMS for making them

Othello Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 11

Othello - Essay Example The first impressions of these characters are, on the one hand, Othello is good, but he is susceptible to manipulation because of his naivetà ©, whereas Iago, on the other hand, is in control as the evil mastermind of Othello’s doom. Othello is a good man because he is honorable and has, to some extent, the respect of his wife, troops and masters. He is a respectable, honorable man. He does not have an illicit affair with Desdemona, and instead, he marries her and makes her his legal wife. The way he looks at her shows his great devotion to her in the movie. He looks at her as if the world is Desdemona and she is his happiness and life. In addition, even when some people judge Othello because he is black, he remains noble in actions and words. For example, he respects Desdemona’s father, even when he calls him something that she fears â€Å"to look on† (Parker, Othello) as if he is some beast. Instead of ridiculing Senator Brabantio who has openly condemned him in public as someone who used â€Å"witchcraft† to charm his daughter, Othello stays respectful and tells the Duke and the rest of the people that the Senator â€Å"loved† him and his stories (Parker, Othello). In other words, he sees Brabantio as his own father. Furthermore, other people respect Othello, including his troops and masters. Cassio is faithful to Othello until the end. As an illustration of his devotion to his general, Cassio is heartbroken when he thinks he has failed Othello because of what he did when he was drunk. Cassio wants to serve and please Othello because he respects him as a general. Other troops and Venetian people also show respect to Othello by following his orders. For instance, when he breaks the brawl between Cassio and others, no one questions him. These people respect his authority, most probably because he is a noble person to follow. Even the Duke values Othello for his contributions to the Venetian army. The Duke tells Brabantio: â€Å"†¦your

Corporate Social Responsibility in the C0-Operative Bank Essay Example for Free

Corporate Social Responsibility in the C0-Operative Bank Essay 1. Introduction This report aims to review the corporate social responsibility (CSR) models which managers should consider important when deciding their CSR stance. The report will also review the corporative bank and their stakeholders regarding CSR. The report will then go on to analyse and evaluate the corporative bank’s CSR and ethical position. 2. Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a topic has received the attention of organisations and managers as a whole. The 1950s marked the start of the modern era of CSR for managers, where Howard R. Bowen (1953) defines social responsibilities in his publication as the businesses’ duty to make decision and follow principles that are acceptable to society. However, Milton Friedman (1970) argued that social responsibilities is for people not businesses, he claims that the only responsibility business managers should have is to use all their resources to maximise profit and increase shareholder’s wealth (Friedman, York Times Magazine, September 13, 1970, pp. 32-34). 2.1 Carroll’s CSR Models In 1979, Carroll developed a social responsibility model with a hierarchy of four responsibilities, starting from economic, moving to legal, ethical and discretionary responsibilities (see fig. 1.1). This CSR model talks about responsibilities which are the main areas that managers should consider when taking a stance on CSR. The summarised views of Carroll’s hierarchy are businesses should strike to make profit as their main priority, and then complies with the rules and regulations of the law; also behave ethically and finally be good corporate citizen (Carroll, 1979, p.500). The hierarchical four responsibility model was later improved by Carroll in 1991 as â€Å"pyramid of corporate social responsibility† (see Fig. 1.2). 2.2 Modern CSR Arguments As the definition of CSR developed and gain more attention over the years, more arguments over CSR began emerge. In reviewing CSR, both Goyder (2003) and Moore (2003) argued that firms claiming CSR in expectation of achieving greater profitability is unethical. Firms should take up CSR only if they can ensure positive impact on society and the environment. Even though Jones (2003) argued that managers must not use CSR as a business strategy but should see it as an ethical stance. However, he does not believe firms taking advantage of the opportunity to make profit is unethical. (Wan Saiful wan-Jan, 2006, pp.176-184) 2.3 Introduction of 3C-SR Model In order to counter the deficiencies of previous approaches, Meehan et al (2006) devised the 3C-SR model- â€Å"competitive advantage through â€Å"social resources†Ã¢â‚¬ . This model claims that Corporate Responsibility (CR) is a tool to making profit not ways of reducing revenue. This model is made up of three inter-related components, ethical and social commitment, connection with partners and consistency of behaviour. According to Meehan et al, if management encompasses all three elements it will build a strong corporate social performance and become a good corporate citizen. (Meehan et al, 2006). However, the models has not been based on observations and experiments, also there was no criticisms by other authors. It is subjective base and was not well supported. 3. The Co-operative Bank and Their Stakeholders The Co-operative bank is a part of the co-operative group, the largest consumer co-operative in the United Kingdom (UK). The bank offers a range of financial services such as saving accounts, current accounts loans and overdrafts. They are an organisation that makes profit consistently while operating in a socially and environmentally responsible manner by putting their ethics into action (www.co-operativebank.co.uk). The Co-operative Bank is sensitive to the needs of all their stakeholders (see fig 1.3). It aspires to meet common economic, social, environmental and cultural needs of their stakeholders. Stakeholder of a company is anyone who has can be affected or can affect the company’s actions or decisions. The co-operative bank acts quickly on relevant and important stakeholder concerns. Engagement with their stakeholders is an important continuous activity. The cooperative bank’s CSR stance of responsible finance which consists of ethical screening, financial inclusion and microfinance is important to each of their stakeholders. (Co-operative bank sustainability policy, 2010) 4. THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK’S CSR and ETHICAL STANCE ANALYSIS 4.1 Sethi’s Three-Stage Schema Sethi’s three-stage schema is useful in determining and analysing the Co-operative bank’s adjustments of their corporate behaviour to social needs. There are three categories of social commitments; social obligation, social responsibility and social responsiveness (Sethi 1975, pp. 58-64, cited Carroll, 1979). Social obligation refers to companies behaving in response to market forces or legal restrictions. Managers of such companies only limit their response to social issues which are guided by law and the economic system. Social responsibility is corporations acknowledging social values and expectations also the importance of ethics. Whilst social responsiveness states that it is important for firms to search for ways to be socially responsibly in the continuous changing society in the long run than how to react to social pressures (Sethi 1975, pp. 58-64). Co-operative bank is continuously searching for ways to be socially and ethically responsible to meet to match the dynamic social system. They are constantly coming up with ethical policies either to meet suppliers needs or customers needs. They plan to the most socially responsible business in the UK. The bank is also making profit maintaining their economic duty to be successful. (http://www.co-operative.coop/join-the-revolution/our-plan/responsible-finance) 4.2 The 3C-SR Model Ethical and Social commitments: This element represents the values aspect of social resources. This component comprises of the promises that organisation made to their stakeholders, also the ethical standards set by them which are stated in their mission statement and goals. (Meehan et al, 2006). The Co-operative bank seeks to be the leading retail bank in global financial services industry. They have been operating with values that have been handed down by the founders which are social responsibility, openness and honesty. They aim; ââ€" ª To be profitable ââ€" ª To meet customers and community needs ââ€" ª To respond to members and give them a fair return ââ€" ª To be an ethical leader and exemplary employer in order to inspire others The Bank is very committed to delivering value to their stakeholders. In 1992 they launched their ethical policy when the customers requested that they would like their money to be invested ethically. The policy was formed to reflect customers’ ethical concern not that of the managers. The bank practice ethics in action by turning away businesses that are involve in unethical practices (fossil fuel extraction, child labour etc). The bank’s suppliers gets paid fair price and there is effective communication between them and the bank, which leads long term relationship. With the banks fantastic delivering value policy some customers and employees are yet to be satisfied. (The co-operative bank sustainability report) The Co-operative Asset Management (TCAM) ensures that there is gender balance within their banks employees and also there is no discrimination. In 2010, the bank extended this policy to other companies they do business with (The co-operative bank sustainability report, 2010, p112). Connections with partners in the value network Norman and Ramirez (1993, p69, cited Meehan et al) claims that a business network gets value from a value creating system in which all the stakeholders and the business itself work to together to create value. Meehan et al believe that if anyone of the parties fails to embrace the value network structure, then the socially oriented business model is bound to fail. If one organisation chooses to associate with another organisation, the nature of that relationship should be based on credibility on both parties, then the value structure works. In the other if on party fails to meet the commitment of the other then a stakeholder deficit will occur (see fig 1.4). The Co-operate bank ensures that their corporate customers share the same values with them as in gender equality and anti-discrimination through their TCAM. There is also their ethical screening which helps them maintain the ethical finance image. The ongoing employee, members and customers survey ensure that the connection between them and the bank is still there (The co-operative bank sustainability report). Consistency of behaviour The consistency element refers to organisations implementing their policy to conform to the commitments and maintain the performance in the long term. It is the behavioural component of the social resources over time and across all aspects of an organisations operation. The common source of criticism is when businesses claims to be socially responsible and fails to act responsibly towards society. (Meehan et al) The Co-operative bank’s ethical policies and social responsibilities have been improved to meets stakeholders needs and maintained over the years. The bank has been consistent with a satisfaction survey for their employees called â€Å"the Voice† carried out twice a year. They have also maintained their investments to their local communities and society at large over the years (The co-operative bank sustainability report). Ethical investment policy generated in 1992 is still an ongoing process for the bank (http://www.thenews.coop). In maintaining this policy, the bank is loose out on income resulting to a reduction in income for turning business away. 5. Conclusion This report has reviewed some of the different CSR theories and models that are important to managers when they are deciding on their CSR approaches. The report also reviewed how CSR has been evolving over the years with theories and models of different scholars. The co-operative bank engages their stakeholders in all their CSR approaches which help them to understand the stakeholders better. The bank understands the fact that a successful business occur only when all the stakeholders work together with mutual ethical values. Using the sethi’s three stage schema and the 3C-SR model to evaluate the Co-operative bank, it is quite clear that the bank is an ethically and socially responsible corporation. Even thought they are losing income and spending a lot to remain ethically and socially responsible they still insist on maintaining ethical policy. On the other hand the benefits of sustaining their ethical policy out weight the losses being made. The bank made a more profit in 2010 than 2009. The bank is not only using CSR as a business strategy but they are also being sensitive to all the needs of their stakeholders including positive impact the environment. REFERENCES Articles Carroll, A.B. (1979), â€Å"A Three-Dimensional Conceptual Model of Corporate Performance†, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 4, No.4, pp. 497-505 Bowen, H.R. (1953), Social Responsibilities of the Businessman, Harper, New York, NY. Carroll, A.B. (1991), The pyramid of corporate social responsibility: towards the moral the moral management of organizational stakeholders†, Business Horizons, July/August, pp. 39-40 Carroll, A.B. (1998), â€Å"The four Faces of Corporate Citizenship†, Business and society Review Vol.100 No.1, pp.1-7 Friedman, M., (1970) â€Å"The Social responsibility of business is to increase its profit†, York Times Magazine, September 13 1970, pp. 32-34). Meehan, J; Meehan, K; Richards, A. (2006), â€Å"Corporate Social Responsibility: the 3C-SR model†, International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 33, pp.386 398 Sethi, S.P. ((1975), â€Å"Dimensions of corporate social responsibility†, California Management Review, Vol. 17, No.3, pp. 58-64 Wan Saiful Wan-Jan, (2006), â€Å"Defining Corporate Social responsibility†, Vol. 6, Issue 3-4, pp. 176-184

The Relationship Between Feminism and Anthropology

The Relationship Between Feminism and Anthropology The relationship of feminism and anthropology can bring a new development to the way ethnographies are written and done. Lila Abu-Lughods statement feminist ethnography is an ethnography with women at the centre written for women by women can be seen as an effort to find a distinct way of doing and writing ethnography. In this essay I will look at the roots of feminism and feminist anthropology. I will then discuss Abu-Lughods statement and try to explain how her statement is beneficial to anthropology and whether it is possible to do research her way. I will secondly look at the advantages and disadvantages of the statement. I will focus on notions of partial identity and objectivity. Finally, I will conclude by discussing some of the issues surrounding the empowerment of women, and that although Abu-Lughods statement does have some benefits it misses the important point. I will argue that feminist ethnography should be used as a political tool for disadvantaged women and it should reflect a collective, dialectical process of building theory through struggles for change (Enslin:1994:545). Feminism can be defined as both a social movement and a perspective on society. As a social movement, it has challenged the historical subordination of women and advocated political, social, and economic equality between the sexes. As a social and sociological perspective, it has examined the roles that sex and gender play in structuring society, as well as the reciprocal role that society plays in structuring sex and gender (Oxford dictionary 2007). There are three main categories in which the different waves of feminism can be divided. Among the first one which was from 1850 to 1920, during this period most research was carried out by men. Feminists aimed to bring the voice of women in ethnography, they gave a different angle on experiences of women and the surrounding events. This brought a new angle because male ethnographies only had the opportunity to interview other men e.g. what were women like. Important figures during this period were P.Kayberry who worked with B.Malinowski at LSE. She focused on religion but she examined men and women in her work. Moving on to the second wave of which was from 1920s to 1980s, here the separation between sex and gender was made by important feminists. Sex as nature and gender as culture. This takes us to the nature culture dichotomy which is important when we are focusing on the subordination of women in different societies. The dichotomies between sex/gender, work/home, men/women, and nature/culture are important in social theory for raising debates. Important figures in the second wave feminism were Margaret Mead she made a lot of contribution in her work on the diversity of cultures here she helped to breakdown the bias that was based on concepts of what is natural, and she put more emphasis on culture in peoples development. Most important works of Mead was Coming of Age in Samoa (1928). Another important figure was Eleanor Leacock who was a Marxist feminist anthropologist. She focused on universality of female subordination and argued against this claim. This second wave of feminism was influenced by a number of events in history, the 1960s was closely linked to political ferment in Europe and North America, like the anti-Vietnam war movement and the civil rights movement. Feminism was something that grew out of these political events during the 1960s. Feminism argued that politics and knowledge were closely linked with each other so feminists were concerned with knowledge and we have to question the knowledge that was being given to us. Feminism during 1960s called for the establishment of womens writing, universities, feminist sociology and a feminist political order which would be egalitarian. Feminists became interested in anthropology, because they looked to ethnography as a source of information about whether women were being dominated everywhere by men. What are some of the ways that women are living different societies, was there evidence of equality between men and women. Did matriarchal societies ever exist and to get the answers to such questions they turned to ethnography. This takes us to the issue of ethnography and what we understand about women in different societies. It became obvious that traditional ethnographic work neglected women. Some of the issues surrounding women are; ethnograhies did not talk about womens worlds, it did not talk about what went on in womens lives, what they thought and what their roles were. When we discuss the question are women really subordinated, we realize that we do not know much about women in different societies. B.Malinowskis work on the Kula did discuss the male role in the exchange of valuables. But during the 1970s Anette Weiner (1983) went to study the same society and she found out women are playing an important role in Trobriand society too. Their involved with the Kula, exchanges, rituals etc but Malinowski never wrote about it. Female anthropologists of the 1970s would go and look for important men, and then they would study their values, their societies, what was important to them. These anthropologists assumed, that men followed male logics in this public/private divide in line with this divide between the domestic and public sphere. They would also assume that what went on in the public sphere, economy, politics was more important the domestic side. The concept of objectivity came to be regarded as a mode of male power. Feminists claimed that scientific ideals of universality, timelessness, and objectivity were inherently male-dominated and that the more feminist attributes of particularism, empathy and emotionality were devalued (Abu-Lughod 1990). Feminists argued that to take over male domination these female attributes had to be given more importance and made clear. Abu-Lughods ideal way of doing research is when a female ethnographer takes part in the ethnography, rather then removing herself, who listens to other womens voice and gives accounts (Abu-Lughod 1990). The female ethnographer is able to do so because although the women studied differ from the ethnographer, she shares part of the identity of her informant. The female researcher therefore has the appropriate tools to understand the other womans life (Abu-Lughod 1990). this is why according to Abu-Lughod female ethnography should be an ethnography with women at the centre written by and for women. Abu-Lughod says that early feminist anthropologists did not really do anything about knowledge. They had good intentions but they didnt do much as they were trapped in ways of thinking that had been given to them by the masculine nature of the academy. Let us now discuss the first part of Abu-Lughods statement, whether feminist ethnography should be an ethnography with women at the centre written by women. Abu-Lughod claims that women understand other women in a better way. The female researcher shares some form of identity with her subject of study (Abu-Lughod 1990, Caplan 1988). For example some women have experience of form of male domination which puts the researcher in a good position to understand the women being researched. At the same time, the researcher keeps a certain distance from her informant and therefore can both have a partial identification with her subject of study, so blurring the distinction between the self and other, and still being able to account being able to account for others separateness (Strathern view in Caplan 1988). In a Weberian sense, the female researcher can use herself as an ideal type by analyzing the similarities and differences between herself and other women. According to Abu-Lughod, this i s the best objectivity that achieved (Abu-Lughod 1990, Weber 1949). Pat Caplan (1988) offers a good example of partial identity and understanding between women. According to Caplan the most important task for an ethnographer is to try and understand the people whom she is studying. Caplan writes about the research she did in Tanzania, East Africa. In her twenties, the women in the village were happy, satisfied and free but when she went back ten years later she realized the problems women were facing daily. While Caplan could not empathise with her informants at an earlystage of her life, because their identities were too different, she could atleast do in her thirties. In comparison a male ethnographer would probably never have realized the difficulties women are facing in their society (Caplan 1988). There are two criticisms to this argument. Firstly, to understand women, the female ethnographer has to take men into account as well because as it has been argued in the second wave of feminism the relationship between men and women is an important factor to understand society. So the partial identity between women that gives Abu-Lughods statement its importance but it loses it when a man enters the stage (Caplan 1988). Secondly, there is a danger to feminist ethnographers who only base their studies on women, treating women as the problem or exception of anthropological research and writing monographs for a female audience. In the 1980s feminist writers have argued that the construction if only two sexes and genders is arbitrary and artificial. Peoples sexual identities are infact between the two extremes of male and female. By only looking at womens worlds and dealing with an limited female audience, feminist ethnographers, even though stressing the marginalized part of the dualis m, enforce the traditional categories of men and women rather then allowing for a plurality of gender of genders (Moore 1999, Caplan 1988). Nancy Hartstock says why is it that just when subject or marginalized peoples like blacks, the colonized and women have begun to have and demand a voice, they are told by the white boys that there can be no authoritative speaker or subject (Abu-Lughod, p.17). To be in favour of Abu-Lughods argument it can be said that maybe the putting forward of this kind of ideal types, or points of reference, of men and women is what we need in order not to fall victim to daunting relativity and imprecise ethnographic work ( Moore 1999, Harraway 1988). For Abu-Lughod it is important for the ethnographer to be visible, this is because the reader can contextualize and understand the ethnographer in a important way. Whether the ethnographer is a woman should also be made clear. The ethnographer would also have to tell the reader about all of her background e.g. economic, geographic, national so the reader can properly understand the research. By only saying that the ethnographer is female and that sh e is doing research about women for women, the differences between all these women are overlooked. For example what would a white middle-class American single woman have in common with a poor Sudanese woman from the desert who has seven children, than she has in common with a middle-class Indian businessman who flies to San Francisco atleast twice a year? (Caplan 1988). Women are different everyone in the world and they come from different cultures so how can a ethnographer even if shes female say that she can write ethnographies about women and for women in general? It is unlikely that a non-western, non-middle class, non anthropologist will read the female ethnography written by a feminist scholar (Abu-Lughod 1990, Caplan 1988). There is a danger to implicitly apply Western stereotypes of feminity when doing research on women in parts of the world where the idea of being woman might be very different from the one we are familiar with (Abu-Lughod 1990). This criticism, is not totally dismissing Abu-Lughods statement because the anthropologist explicitly talks about partial identity not absolute identification or sameness. Abu-Lughods theory is strong in a way also, because she emphasizes particularity rather than universality and generality. In Donna Haraways words, The only way to find a larger vision, is to be somewhere in particular (Haraway 1988, p.590). Abu-Lughod focuses on stopping the male-centeredness in human science. This, as has been argued, is not enough: If women truly want to counter the male-centeredness in ethnographic writing, they not only have to get rid of the fact that it is mostly written by men for men, but should also counter all the other aspects of alleged scientific ideals such as universality, objectivity, generality, abstractness and timelessness. Female ethnographies, in that sense, do not have to be about women only in order to be distinct from conventional or male ethnography (Lutz 1995). On the other hand, feminist scholars have argued that male researchers tend to ignore womens lives and accounts, regard it as inappropriate to write about them or find it unnecessary to deal with their issues (Caplan 1988). In that sense, in order to compensate this imbalance, someone, i.e. the feminist scholars, has to do the job in order to give more power to women (Caplan 1988, Haraway 1988). The participation of women in public life has changed specially after the second world war, but there are still differences: womens voices are considered as being less competent, irrational, emotional and not worthy (Lutz 1995). Feminist scholars have also faced difficulties in the professional world, they might not have faced prejudice against their theories but situations like finding publishers for their research, less job opportunities (Caplan 1988). Feminists in return have reacted to this by adopting a tactic of resistance, rather than assimilating to masculine topics or styles of writing, they have stressed and looked for their distinct feminist ethnographic style (Lutz 1995). Abu-Lughod has therefore by bringing up her theory given power to anthropological feminists she has given them a tool to reflect different realities in a female way. This argument raises another question of who is actually being empowered by a feminist ethnography. Is it the women who are being studied? Or the feminist ethnographers themselves? What should matter more than reflexive ethnography or a feminist style of writing. What should matter more than the way an ethnography is constructed, or the way it is seen by the reader; what should matter more is the conclusions the researcher draws from ethnographic work and how it its put into praxis and used to empower the informants themselves. This applies more to a female ethnography that needs to counter the discrimination of women all over the world (Enslin 1994). It is important to give women their voice by writing about them but also accounts of marginalized women by themselves (e.g. autobiographies of black non-western women) remain marginalized, even in the field of womens writing or studies: feminist ethnography in Abu-Lughods terms thus undermines the agency of the women who are being studied (Enslin 1994). Female ethnographic writing has also been criticized for being exploitative. When a female researcher tells personal life stories and problems of the women whom sh e is studying, the researcher tends to give more intimate details than more positivist masculine researchers do, for her own academic purposes she is misusing her informants (Enslin 1994).

Lack Of Hand Washing Contributes Infection Nursing Essay

Lack Of Hand Washing Contributes Infection Nursing Essay Aim of hand hygiene is to remove micro-organisms carried on the skin and any break in the skin can harbor bacteria and may be a cross infection risk to patients. Correctly apply hand washing enough to remove the harmful pathogens from the skin. Hand washing is most importance and effective way of preventing and controlling cross infection from healthcare staff. Gould et al (2008) stated that most infection is delivered to patients directly via hands of health workers. Transmissions of pathogens via hand of health care workers increase the incident of nasocomial infections. Horton (1995) sees that hand washing is effective means to protecting patients from nosocomial infections. The healthcare professionals are aware of the need for hand washing and they do not wash their hand as often as they should. They must providers to ensure of safe and high standard of patients care within minimum risk of nosocomial infection in hospital. Every year 9% of patients admitted to hospital associated infections. Many patients treated in hospital develop infections after discharge, for example 50-70 % of surgical wound infections become apparent after discharge but these are not monitored NAO (2004). This paper will discuss about lack of hand hygiene is a common problem in my work setting. Healthcare professional have long been aware that washing hands cut infection rates and saves lives Baldry (1976).Despite this, Suchitra and Lakshmidevi (2007) believe that healthcare still fail to practice good hand washing to their patients. Nurses must aware to be a good role model for junior staff to practice an effective hand washing to prevent infection. It aims to enable community nursing and professional member to practice safely and effectively hand washing in the community. According to Suchitra and Lakshmidevi (2007) says that compliance with hand hygiene was highest among junior staff such as care assistants and lowest among doctors and nurses. Larson E, Killien M (1982) believes that lack of awareness among personnel about hand washing, organization and personal attitudes and various logistical barriers are the factors and reason for poor hand hygiene practices among professional health. Knowledge is one factors contribute of infection. Barriers to good hand hygiene include poor knowledge of infection control, time pressures, poor technique, inadequate facilities, and inappropriate clothing and hand adornments. (NAO 2004: Department of Health (DH) 2005). Professional healthcare staff must have a good knowledge hand washing follow by standard precaution to prevent infection. It can decrease infection via hand to hand among them. Gould et al (2008) thinks that infections in healthcare setting are spread by direct contact (cross infection) of health workers. Professional healthcare should give health teaching to patients about the important of hand washing in preventing infection. Hand washing frequency increases following education, the rate soon returns to the previous level Williams and Buckles (1998). As professional healthcare workers knowledgeable of hand washing is important to prevent infection but sometime they are incomplete knowledge about this issue. According to Searle (1987) says that knowledge among the trained nurse is incomplete about universal precautions. Professional healthcare workers knowledge will have impact on the standards of infection control and quality of health education. The correct skill and technique of hand washing are important to prevent infection among the patients. Griffiths (2002) says that the area most often missed in practice hand washing is the back of thumbs, the nails and between the fingers. Therefore hand washing is an effective means of controlling infection, sometime healthcare member forgotten to practice the correct way. Health professionals do not always practice effective technique (Larson and Killien, 1992).Effective technique of hand washing can prevent spread of pathogens from patients to another member or staff who may subsequently pass the bacterium on to other patients and decrease hospitalization mortality. According to Eaton (2005) hand washing is actually importance in controlling MRSA among the patients. From one study of compliance with hand washing (Girou and Oppein, 2001) state that 50% of healthcare workers did not wash their hands after the procedure. Hand drying after washing is very important to prevent infection because wet surfaces transfer microorganisms thrive in a damp environment. Griffiths (2002) says that drying hand with paper towels are effective technique to prevent infection because the friction helps to remove transient organisms from the surface of the skin. Merchant (2001) options that using disposable paper to drying hand are more effective technique and quicker (7-9 seconds) compared using hand dryer (25 seconds). When hand washing facilities are poor, it contributes to infection. Clinical hand wash sink are required in all areas where clinical activities are performed. Convenient placement of sinks and adequate provision of soap and soft paper towels will encourage frequent and appropriate hand washing Kesavan et al (1998).Provision of adequate and appropriate facilities could be improved hand washing compliance. According to Harris et al (2000) stated that hindering factors of good hand washing are lack of time, poor facilities and materials. The Infection Control Nurses Association (1998) mentions that commitments by managers to improve resources are important to prevent poor hand hygiene among healthcare and patients. The value of easy access to hand hygiene supplies, whether sink, alcohol handrub or soap, is self explanatory. Busy healthcare workers to walk away from patients bed to reach a wash basin or hand antiseptic agents invites noncompliance with hand hygiene recommendations (Pittet and Mourouga 1999). Community of nurses find that facilities in hospital are not suitable for prevent hand decontamination. Larson and Killen (1992) believe that when resources are not available, there will cause of poor hand washing. Therefore if facilities are very poor it is possible to decontaminate the hands thoroughly to infection. Hands may be cleansed with soap, water and with antiseptics such as chlorhexidine , povidone iodine, triclosan or alcohol which typically contain 60-90% ethanol or isopropanol and it is most important means of preventing spread of infection. Liquid soap will remove many of the transient microorganisms. Kerr (1998) mentions that liquid soap is preferable to bar soap in clinical area as it avoids the contamination problems. ICNA (1998) also says that hand washing with liquid soap is adequate for most routine procedures and the handling of used equipment is easily removed by washing for 10-15 seconds. There for using liquid soap also avoids some contamination problem. Reybrouck (1986) believes that it is acknowledged that the dispenser of liquid soap may keep lead from contamination. However Heenan (1992) options that harsh soap challenges is more practice and recognized by healthcare professional. Alcohol will kills bacteria more effectively than most other products because it preparations have a rapid action. According to Lee and Bishop (1997) mentions that alcohol is an effective agent to avoid the microorganism by dissolving lipids in the cell wall. However Voss and Widmer (1997) believe that using alcohol is a widely advocated where the hands avoid from soiled. Alcohol handrub also will save time if the handrub is widely available at each bed space. 17.4% reduction in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and a consistent reduction in the proportion of hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by the introduction of Spirigel, which is an alcohol-based gel (Gopal Rao et al 2002). Alcohol with added emollients are less irritating than antiseptic agents and efficacious as detergents. Larson (1999) mentions that emollients may protect against cross infection by keeping the resident skin flora intact and hand lotion to protect ski n irritating. Alcohol also as an antiseptic agents and prevent the spread of infection in healthcare setting. Kjolen and Anderson (1992) opinion that alcohol are now available an antiseptic agents such as triclosan and chlorhexidine to destroy microorganism. However I not agree with this stamen because alcohol rub can spore forming pathogen and are not suitable for use in all situations. Therefore soaps are still using as a washing agent in clinical area. A study undertaken in Sweden by Meding and Jarvhol (2002) states that rate of skin irritation among the general public is 9.7-11.8% lower than among healthcare professional workers. Percentage of healthcare workers with skin irritation could be much higher than that of the general public reaching a prevalence rate of 17-30% (Smit et al 1993). Antiseptic agent may be better than traditional hand washing to decrease infection rate. Heenan (1996) suggest that antiseptic agent more invasive procedures, contamination with body fluids and dealing with infectious patients. Antiseptic agent is concerned, triclosan, chlorhexidine and alcohol commonly discussed products. According to McLure and Gordon (1992) povidone iodine has a wider spectrum of activity than chlorhexidine. However Kampf et al (1998) believes that 70% chlorhexidine more effective agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Therefore these products are ideal and can save the time. Heenan (1996) mentions that antiseptic agent can save time as an alternative to hand washing in busy treatment area. Personal hygiene especially fingernails are important in hand washing to preventing infection. Horton and Parker (2002) mention that daily bathing, keeping nails short, tying hair and not wearing jewellery, with hand washing is a important aspect to avoid infection. The space below long fingernails operates as a reservoir for bacteria. It will increase the risk of cross infection among healthcare member to the patients. Artificial nails and nail art should be avoided because they increase the number of bacteria present, increasing risk of cross infection Jeanes and Green (2001). Short fingernails prevent from infection and scratching the patients skin, which is easily to be fragile among elderly people. Larson et al (1998) mention that when it becomes sore and chapped on the skin, it available to contribute to cross infection. Poor hand hygiene can spread of MRSA and increase the mortality in hospital. Newsom (1993) noticed that the rate of mortality from puerperal fever was 11.5% wh en delivery had been perform by doctors in obstetrician in Vienna Lying. These sometime antiseptic agents have a propensity towards to skin irritation and allergic effects. Ayliffe et al (1988) mentions that iodine and alcohol has little or no residual effect after used. According to Larson (1995) says that triclosan has relatively low skin irritation and Babb et al (1991) believe that triclosan and iodine was little effects used. Alcohol based hand rub also will damage the skin such as burning sensation. Boyce (2000) agree that damage skin are stimulated by the alcohol and cause irritation to the epidermal. The effects of hand hygiene product can cause problem to the skin. Gould et al (2000); Larson (2001); Boyce (2001) mention that frequently of hand washing among healthcare staff are frequently problem due to sore and dry hands. Hand washing is clearly seen as the responsibility of the individual healthcare workers and patients of preventing infection. Staff attitude are the factors to contribute lack of hand hygiene in hospital. In order to change attitude, healthcare works must be motivated. Achieved a change in attitude by providing interventions to reinforce hand washing (Williams and Buckles 1988). According to Zimakoff et al (1992) studied the factors that affect hand hygiene behavior in healthcare works in 15 hospitals in Denmark and Norway. Safe practice will occur when staffs are well informed and positive attitude toward to prevent infection. Kretzer (1998) opinion that various psychosocial parameters hand hygiene behavior include attitude, social, habits, role model, knowledge and motivation. Healthcare works must take precautions to protect ourselves and patients from infection. However I believe a bad attitude is cause of poor hand hygiene among healthcare staff. The Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA 1998) mentions that hand washing policies has published but nurses do not adhere the hand washing protocols effectively. Time also one of the factors to contribute infection. Ayliffe (1978) mentions that student nurses takes between 1 minute and 1.5 minutes to walk 5 yards to a sink, adjust the water, wet the hand, obtain some liquid soap and complete hand washing technique as devised. This hand cleansing technique was carried out more than 10 minutes or around 15% of the shift in activities concerned with hand washing. Weeks (1999) say that 15 % extra staffing would be required to encompass these extra hand washing duties. While Pittet and Beyce (2001) believe that if alcohol hand rub was used, it only takes 20 seconds for hand hygiene and it would reduced considerably. Time of hand washing also depending on policy is managed. Staff should be cleansed before and after every patient contact with no exception, as outlined in the evident-based practice project (EPIC) Pratt et al (2001). Wet surfaces can transfer microorganism more effectively than dry ones and bacteria remaining after washing will be removed by the added friction. Marples and Towers (1979) believe that wet surfaces previously transfer microorganisms more effectively than dry environment. Drying is important to reduce infection and risk of sore. Ansari et al (1991) says that hand drying is importance in removing and avoids transfer microorganism effectively. Towels should be dried well each time and changed regularly after used to prevent infection. According to Horton (1995) cloth towel become damp and contaminated are potential to be a significant source of infection. Drying hand with paper towels also advocated away transient microorganism. Ansari et al (1991) says those disposable paper towels are more effectively than cloth towel to prevent infection and reducing contamination. Drying with paper towels is quicker and more thorough: 7-9 seconds compared to 25.4 seconds with dryers.Now hot air dryers have been installed in public premises such as restaurants and shopping complex. Unfortunately there may in fact contribute to the dissemination of infection. The circuits and nozzles of dryers can become heavily contaminated and could decontaminated hand by recirculation bacteria laden air currents (Redway et al, 1991). Education and training for healthcare workers in hand washing are important for preventing infection among them and patients. Elliott (1996) believes that education and training adequate about hand washing is importance in promoting safe practice for professional healthcare workers. Health education and training hand washing should be reinforced at each healthcare staff and patients. This will improve training in hand washing and education of infection factors. However House of Lords (2003) have reported that healthcare do not receive comprehensive pre-registration education in infection control. Hospital need to develop education to healthcare works as strategies to improve hand hygiene among them. Health education for all staff about hand washing technique are recommended, however Naikoba and Hayward (2001) opinion that one off educational interventions have a limited effect. Bischoff et al (2000) Education and feedback intervention and patient awareness programmes, failure to improve hand washing compliance (Bischoff et al 2000). Knowledgeable are important among healthcare professional of preventing infection. Goulds (1995) mention that nurses theoretical and knowledge of universal precautions is useful to prevent infection and ability to assimilate theoretical knowledge into practice. Knowledgeable followed by standard precaution can give a best treatment to the patients, therefore it can decrease infection problem. The nurse with limited background knowledge will lack the tools needed from experience and the scope of practice will be limited by background the nurse brings to the clinical situation (Benner 1984). Guidelines and policies should clear to describe hand washing activities. Gould (2002) says that a general rules was recommended for healthcare workers to breaking the chain of infection. New protocol and guidelines may lead to clearer definitions of terms being developed. Educating healthcare works on protocol and guidelines may be equally and beneficial in encouraging to them. Infection control nurses or their link nurses could undertake this teaching at ward level as this is viewed as the best place to teach good clinical practice (Gould 1996). However, this could be lacking and vague in evidence based guidelines and a clear documented standard principle are needed. Pratt et al (2000) mentions that The Epic Projects was designed to develop guidelines and standard principles for preventing Healthcare associated infection (HAIs).Therefore, failure technique of hand washing among the healthcare workers cause of failure of guidelines. According to Parker (1999) states that failure in education and training can cause of failure of hand hygiene. Hoffman and Wilson (1994) also believe that evidence based guidelines of hand washing technique is less clear, however brief hand wash followed by rinsing and drying is recognized to remove some transient skin flora. Health teaching and scientific information about hand washing is important to prevent infection among healthcare staff and public. Health education about hand hygiene should offering from early school among the student to practice the correct technique. Institute of Child Health (UCL 2009) says that parents and children should been know the important of hand hygiene to prevent infection. It is not just knowledge to them but as a responsibility for their own action. Information and health teaching among patients and visitor about hand washing is a nurses responsibility. According to Charalambous (1995) says that nurses should disseminate information and possess good teaching skills include demonstration of appropriate hand washing. From the literature it is clear that poor hand cleansing by healthcare workers increase the risk of infection. Most infections in hospitals and other settings where health and social care are delivered are transmitted to patients directly via the hand of health workers (Gould et al 2008).Evidence indicates that many factors to contribute infection among healthcare staff. Confidential Enquire into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy CESDI (1999) study that around 5% of the death analyses cause of infection. Factors influence to infection such as lack of knowledge, lack of attitude, lack of facilities, lack of technique and lack of times. An intervention to promote hand washing plays an important role in the prevention of infection in hospitals. Conclusion In healthcare setting, frequently hand washing among healthcare staff can prevent infection spreading from patient to patient and from patient to healthcare staff. The primary goal of Infection Control is to educate all staff to practice good infection prevention technique to protect patients from spreading infection. Guidelines and protocols should therefore be clear to encourage universal compliance to best practice. To improve patient safety and reduce costs, good hand washing should become the highest priorities in healthcare institutions.

Sophia Western vs. Lady Bellaston On the 4th episode of the novel Tom J

Sophia Western vs. Lady Bellaston On the 4th episode of the novel Tom Jones Sophia Western vs. Lady Bellaston On the 4th episode of the novel Tom Jones, the author has once again given its audience another surprise. Sophia Western and Lady Bellaston are both secretly fighting for the love of the same man. They both like Mr. Jones. However, they refuse to let each other know about their own feelings towards this man. Although they are both wealthy women, they differ in their appearance, attitudes, and most important on their feelings towards Mr. Jones. They look very different from each other. Ms. Western is very young, probably in her early 20s. She has long blonde hair and does not need any makeup to appear beautiful; she is a natural. Lady Bellaston, on the other hand, is much older, probably in her 50s. She is a slim redhead, perhaps with more need to dress up to impress the younger man of her delight. Sophia dresses elegant but rather simple. She could even be considered an old fashioned woman in London. Conversely, Lady Bellaston is very modern and sensual...

Israel and Terrorism Essay -- Threats to World Peace

Introduction: The Conflict, Cause for Optimism, and Skepticism Over the past 55 years conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has led to three wars, years of terrorism, and decades of poverty and displacement resulting in thousands upon thousands of deaths among both peoples. Despite the conflict, Israel has managed to develop its economy thanks in large part to generous foreign aid. Palestinians, however, have largely been living in poverty, under the rule of a corrupt government and in fear of Israeli strength. These harsh conditions have no doubt exacerbated the conflict sparked by the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. The establishment of a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel is supported by many world leaders today as the most feasible strategy for lifting the quality of life of the Palestinian people and thus cooling the conflict which has reached particularly tragic heights over the past 4 years. The death of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Yasser Arafat offers a new opportunity to advance toward this goal as Israel and the U.S. refused to negotiate with him due to his incitement of and support for terrorism, as well as the corruption within his government. The recent election of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, and his effort to fight terrorism and seek negotiations, has been viewed optimistically by much of the world as the first step toward beginning new efforts to move forward with the development of a Palestinian state. However, Abbas cannot negotiate a settlement unless his people support it. Despite views from foreign leaders and societies, and perhaps from Abbas, that a two-state solution is the best option, Palestinians have been taught by the PA for decades that a two-state solut... ...ry 2005. "Ask for Death The Indoctrination of Palestinian Children to Seek Death for Allah – Shahada.† www.pmw.org/il, 3 March 2005. http://www.jewishgrassroots.com/images/Shocking%20images%20of%20Palestinian%20toddlers_files/shocking%20images%20of%20Palestinian%20toddlers.htm, 3 March 2005. Sukhtian, Lara. â€Å"Palestinian Police Won’t Stop Militants.† Washington Post, 14 February, 2005. http://www.standwithus.com/news_post.asp?NPI=259, 4 March 2005. â€Å"Israel blames bombing on militants, Syria.† CNN World. 26 February 2005. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/02/26/telaviv.explosion/index.html, 27 February 2005. Gilmore, Inigo. â€Å"Abbas orders Palestinian television to clean up its act.† Telegraph News, 6 February 2005. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/06/wmid06.xml&sSheet=/ news/2005/02/06/ixworld.html, 6 March 2005.

Collaborating to Expand the Pipeline Essay

                  Affirmative action is a policy that is aimed at providing positive measures to remedy effects of past discrimination against members of certain groups (Clayton & Crosby 1992, p.2). One of the areas that suffer underrepresentation of the diverse, underrepresented individuals and minority group in colleges is the laws schools and subsequently in the legal profession. The questioned posed is â€Å"Is affirmative action the best solution to alleviating this crisis or is it the major cause together with other practices that have contributed to these underrepresentation?                     First of all is the admission procedure. Admission selection considers those with a bachelor’s degree for an accredited university or college. Few underrepresented minority students are able to attend college and obtain the relevant qualifications. Moreover, there are disparities in number of applicants and the number who get enrolled. For example in 2000, 74500 individuals submitted their application to ABA- approved school and an estimate of 67% of the total were admitted (ABA/ LSAC Pre-Conference Report, 2005, p, 4). This illustrates a flaw in the acceptance procedure that focus on higher merit in which its well document trend that underrepresented minorities score less on the Law Schools Admission Test (LSAT).                   Secondly the individual state bar exams are a severe impediment. â€Å"While the LSAT remains a reliable predictor of success in law school and the Law School Admission Council (makers of the LSAT), warn against over-reliance on numerical qualifiers alone† (ABA/ LSAC Pre-Conference Report, 2005, p, 5). Raised cut off points detriment the minorities who are disproportionately at the bottom in addition the bars are also misapplied. The percentage of residents in a state should have a proportionate percentage at the law school. The lack of a national bar does also contribute to this issue.                      The above two examples illustrate why affirmative action is needed in leveling admissions. Higher merit and higher cut off points are serving to lock out minority groups from accessing law education. In coming up with a criteria for selection, the selection board should put into consideration performance of minority groups which is at the lower end of the spectrum.                   Terry Eastland suggests that affirmative action promotes discrimination. He argues that there is nothing like positive or negative discrimination. In Higher education for example, when the institution sets a lower grade for color students, the act in itself creates discrimination. These groups of students who will be enrolled under affirmative action are well aware that they are in that position due to their race. It is a negative experience that is not easy to erase. Sometimes attitudes from the majority students will affect the students from the minority. The majority students may not look at the minority as equals.                   Affirmative action leads to stigma. Eastland says that very few people are aware of the abilities and potential of the marginalized groups. In this case they are likely to be less respected and less valued. This can end up psychologically affecting these groups and it can be worsened if they fail to perform. Terry end believes that an environment should an equal working basis. If students have to be enrolled for higher education, it should be based on merit and not race. This will create an equal working environment of mutual relationship.                  Furthermore, Eastland equates ‘Affirmative action’ to ‘lower standards’. The rationale of having a policy that sets asides positions after a normal criterion creates a barrier between quality and less quality. By having this policy, institutions are accepting that results posted from minority groups are of lesser quality and lesser magnitude to that from the majority. Policy makers argue that the minority are affected by certain factors that make them not to equal results of the majority. It then beats logic that it would be easier resolving factors that make minority perform lesser than providing a criterion that guarantee certain results.                  Terry Eastland comments and views in regard to affirmative action tend to disapprove use of affirmative action against underrepresentation based on color. His views do not factor underrepresentation due to gender. However the logic behind his reasons and those of other scholars can equally be equated to affirmative action on gender and sex segregation                  Gender affirmative actions have shown to improve the status of women in the society. In fact advocates for gender affirmative actions have sprung from various women activists and organizations. Women have gained access to representations in legislative organs, various courses in colleges that stereotypically were set for men. However it is urged that continuous paying attention to a group of people will result in then differences becoming more salient than the commonalities among people (Clayton & Crosby 1992, p.11). This statement thus emphasizes Terry Eastland’s arguments against affirmative action.                To conclude, the benefits of affirmative action are actually visible. Moving forward however, the fundamental principles of affirmative action seem to have been overtaken with time. Putting into consideration Terry Eastland arguments in regard to affirmative action, the negatives of affirmative action outweigh the positives. Affirmative action has led to lower productivity, increased segregation and stigmatization. The call to end affirmative actions thus is justified. References Clayton, Susan D, and Faye J. Crosby. Justice, Gender, and Affirmative Action. Ann Arbor, Mich: Univ. of Michigan Press, 1992. Print. Law Schools Admission Council. Pre Conference Report (2005) Collaborating to Expand the Pipeline. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/op/pipelineconf/PipelinePostReport.authcheckdam.pdf Source document