Human resourse planning for Leicester city hotel Essay

Human resourse planning for Leicester city hotel - Essay Example With this need can also come the task of finding qualified workers, and dealing with the unfortunate business consequence of having issues with keeping workers on staff for whatever reason or another. With the case of Leicester City Hotel, an accurate human resource accounting will be needed in order to make the projected expansion of the hotel not only a success in the beginning stages, but secure it in order to have the continued success of the venture going into the future. In order to begin the task of planning for the future human resource needs which would inevitably come with the hotel's expansion; first and foremost what should be analyzed is the current state of the business in all forms. The Assignment and Case Study handout by Julie McCann provides a brief background of the hotel as well as its projected expansion and how much will change. Also the problems which are foreseen to arise in not only finding, but also maintaining a staff of qualified professionals who will not only make the expansion a success, but will stay on. This particular hotel, as McCann (2005 pg. 1) explains in her case study, is located in a city of moderate size, and deals with a clientele of business people during the week. During both the summer and holidays times deals with those individuals or families who are away form home on holiday. It is in this section where the author begins to assess the needs, which come up for the hotel during this time, as well as other things. The demand put on a companies service(s) is an essential part in calculating the necessary amount of staff needed for the faster-paced, higher demand times, and what kind of cut backs if any would need to occur or do occur during times of less demand. Overall, companies demand for staff goes up when demand for services goes up, and can also head downward when the demand for services begins to dwindle. In a sense it fits in with the overriding idea of the supply and demand principle. In viewing the expansion of the Hotel, as well as the impending surge in people who will come as a result, it is almost assured that a need for more staff will surely arise. What this will result in is causing a closer look to be taken when it comes to solidifying the chances of a qualified, reliable staff staying with the hotel for a longer period of time. Providing staff for any kind of establishment can be very time consuming, but needs to be done in such a way that the right amount of staff is brought on board. This in return can help make sure that whatever the needs the business has are being met in the time in which they need to be met. When you are running a business that has to operate during set business hours or is set in a specific location, it can often times prove to be challenging in finding staff which can fit in with this kind of set situation. Observing the forthcoming expansion of the hotel which, for all purposes, would ultimately result in an inevitable increase in demand for services. Any kind of inability on the part of the hiring staff in finding workers to fulfill such needs could prove to be a problem for the company in continuing to fulfill such obligations which come with any kind of expansion. Continuing from the previous paragraph, McCann (2005 pg. 1) alludes to the issue of securing quality staff, and what the hotel sees as a lack of qualified potential staff candidates coming out of such local resources as the colleges and universities. In order to best combat this problem, McCann tells the

The Century of the Self Essay Example for Free

The Century of the Self Essay The Century of the Self is a British documentary series in four episodes diffused by BBC four in 2002 and art house cinemas in the US. This documentary was written, realized, produced and directed by Kevin Adam Curtis, an English filmmaker, born in 1955. His work is more of a journalistic work than a director work; indeed his works are based on sociology, philosophy and political history. Adam Curtis won various awards like Golden Gate Persistence of Vision Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2005 or the Alan Clarke Award for Outstanding Contribution to Television at the British Academy Television Awards but The Century of the Self is best-known work. The Century of the Self is a documentary talking about the untold and sometimes controversial story of the development of mass consumer society in Britain and the United States. It shows the evolution of the Western individual, traditional rights to the individual consumer, how that created consumer-king, by whom and for whose interests? This film examines how Freud’s theories of the unconscious shaped the development of PR and advertising; and why psychoanalysis may still appear today as a critical theory of consumerism and social conformity. The word  « consumerism  » can be defined in different ways: ? Refers to all doctrines, actions and organizations dedicated to the defense of the interests of consumers. The most common form of consumerism is the consumer association. His actions cover the areas of protection, information, education and the rights of consumers. Refers to an economic ideology. This is a consumer of goods and services that mutate according to the lifestyle of our society. This is a subtle and insidious notion that we then speak of consumer society. Consumerism is, as such, slammed since the late twentieth century, either by the environmental movement or anti- ads . The first episode of the series is devoted to the relationship between Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernay. Bernay invented the public relations profession in the 1920s and was the first person to use Freuds ideas to anipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how to make people want things they did not need by linking mass production of consumer goods to their inner desires. Bernay was one of the principal architects of persuasive techniques in mass consumption, using all the tricks of legerdemain (â€Å"every trick in the book ), from celebrity endorsement and public relations blows most outrageous, until the autoeroticism. His most famous coup was breaking the taboo of smoking for women by persuading them that smoking was a symbol of independence and freedom. Bernay was convinced that it was more than just a way to sell more consumer goods. It was a new political idea to control the masses. Satisfying unaware that his uncle had identified irrational desires, people could be made happy and thus docile. To conclude I think the century of the self is the most profound documentary I’ve ever seen and it’s unique because of its ability to show how our society became the way it is today, what emerges is nothing less than a history of 20th-century social control. The Century of The Self explains not alone why the country is the way it is, but why you are the way you are.

Hippocrates, The Father Of Medicine :: essays research papers

Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hippocrates, greatest physician of antiquity, is regarded as the father of medicine. Born on the island of Kos, Greece in the year 460 b.c., says the earliest biography written by Soranus of Ephesus in the a third century a.d. Although a native of Kos he was forced to leave the island as the result of a fire for which he was blamed. He traveled to many other islands to practice medicine. Most of the cases in the two books of Epidemics considered to be genuine are located at Thasos, a small island in the North Aegean Sea, and at Abdera, a town on the adjacent mainland; but there are also references to Cyzicus, on the south coast of the Sea of Marmara, and to Larisa and Meliboea in Thessaly. He died, according to tradition, in Larissa, Greece; little else is known about him. His name is associated wioth the Hippocratic Oath, though he probably is not the author of the document. In fact, of the approximately 70 works ascribed to him in the Hippocratic Collection, Hippocrates may actually have written about six of them. The Hippocratic Collection probably is the remnant of the medical library of the famous Kos school of medicine. His teachings, sense of detachment, and ability to make direct, clinical observations probably influenced the other authors of these works and had much to do with freeing ancient medicine from superstition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Among the more significant works of the Hippocratic Collection is Airs, Waters, and Places, which, instead of ascribing diseases to divine origin, disusses their environmental causes. It proposes that considerations such as a town's weather drinking water, and site along the paths of favorable winds can help a physician ascertain the general health of citizens. Three other works- Prognostic, Coan Prognosis, and Aphorisms -advanced the then- revbolutionary idea that, by observing enough cases, a physician can predict the course of a disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The idea of preventative medicine, first concieved in Regimen and Regimen in Acute Diseases, sterss not only diet but also the patient's general

Math: Mathematics and Nurses

Math and Nursing February 9, 2013 Math and Nursing * My field of study in nursing. Nurses play a vital role in helping doctors care for patients in a variety of settings. In the field of nursing, mathematics is a crucial part of care giving. * Nurses have to use a variety of math concepts on their job everyday. Nurses must have a great knowledge of math to ensure that patients get the correct amount of medication, food and proper care. * The role a nurse plays in healthcare is vital and there is no room for mistakes when it comes to knowing and using math skills.It could be the difference between life and death. * Nurses have to be familiar with statistics when needing to know the side effects of medications and to counsel patients when giving a diagnosis. It is helpful to know statistics of diseases and what a persons outcome may be. * On a daily basis, nurses use algebra when reading charts, calculating medication doses, and reading lab results. * The metric system is most commonly used in the field of nursing. Nurses must be able to convert the metric system to Imperial and U. S. measurements. (Glydon, 2012). A nurse must be able to translate a doctor’s orders given in g, mcg, kg or min. He or she also must calculate these measurements into milligrams per hour to dispense. These measurements are used to test blood, urine, take vital signs and record intake and output of fluids. * For example: Dilantin,  0. 1 g, is ordered to be given through a tube. Dilantin is available as  30 mg  /  5 mL. How much would I, the nurse, give the patient? Using this formula below for calculating volume, I found that I would give the patient 16. 7 mL. Ordered| Have| x  Volume| =   Y (Liquid)| I would need to convert 0. 1 g to mg 0. 1 g x 1,000 = 100 mg 100 mg| 30 mg| | x  5 mL| = 16. 7 mL (Haigh, 2011). | * Nurses use drug calculations when they already know the strength of the medication that the patient needs. Example: If the doctor orders 975 mg of Tylen ol and I have 325 mg tablets, how many will I give the patient? I know that 325 mg = 1 tablet, and I need 975 mg in an unknown number of tablets. I would use an algebra formula such as this one to find how many tablets I would give the patient. 325 mg: 1 tab = 975 mg: x tab 25 mg †¢ x tab = 1 tab †¢ 975 mg 325x = 975 x = 3 I would give the patient 3 tablets. (How to calculate, 2002). In conclusion, the role that math plays in the field of nursing is crucial. Without knowing specific types of math, nurses would not be able to perform essential roles in helping doctors care for patients. Memorizing and using these formulas, equations, and conversions are vital in providing the most responsible health care possible. References Glydon, Natasha. †Medicine and Math†. www. MathCentral. com. N. p. 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.Haigh, Steve. â€Å"Helping nursing students prepare for exams†. www. Dosagehelp. com. N. p. Retrieved Jan 25, 2013. â€Å"How to cal culate drug doses†. N. a. www. nursingtimes. net. N. p. Sept. 2002. Retrieved February 1, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www. bing. com/images/search? q=nurse+measuring+meds&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=nurse+measuring+meds&sc=0-11&sp=-1&sk=. 2009 (image reference) Retrieved from: http://ts3. mm. bing. net/th? id=H. 4513783909452038&pid=1. 7&w=100&h=100&c=7&rs=1. 2011 (image reference)

7-Eleven Store Experiment

Has one ever pondered the possible interest in the typical bustle and commotion of a public venue or its perceivable feel left impressed upon the customers? To truly acquire a fascination of a place or gather a perception of the environment, observation and experience are vital. For a short period of approximately thirty minutes, I observed my former employer, 7-Eleven, in the town of Old Bethpage. I even experienced the point of view of the customer by purchasing a variety of beverages and hot food. Based upon my half an hour spent at the store, I recognized a diverse culture of customers, abnormal activity, and a warm, welcoming ambiance.As my friend and I approached the 7-Eleven store in my silver two-door Honda Civic, I noticed a couple of observations. For example, the retailer was in the process of receiving a vitamin water delivery from two African American males. Also, as this process was underway, the rest of the store was buzzing with business and chatter. The Plainview Wat er District employees, decked out in blue and white shirts with bright yellow safety vests draped over their clothes, had just entered briefly and all the white males exited with each his own large coffee. While realizing the environment outside the venue, I chose a parking spot nearest the corner exit on the East side. My friend Anthony and I decided to purchase some refreshments and feel out the inside of 7-Eleven before surveying for the full time allotted.Amidst entering the building, one couldn't help but feel comfortable and at home. The employees greeted us instantaneously by means of wide smiles and enthusiasm in helping others. One tall worker named Sam persuaded me to try a flavored and even discounted the beverage when I paid. The coffee smelled of flavorful aromas. The aromas that come with fresh, smoldering coffee beans. I could smell hazelnut, french vanilla, and pumpkin spice. After fixing myself a delicious, mouth-watering pumpkin spice coffee with whipped cream and caramel, I also bought tasty, delectable, greasy wings and an Arizona iced tea. Anthony purchased an Arizona iced tea as well along with a fresh pack of Newport cigarettes. We then bid farewell to the employees, manager, and the owner too, and exited the retailer to the old familiar

Profile of Rae Carruth

Profile of Rae Carruth His Early Years Rae Carruth was born in January 1974, in Sacramento, California. As a child and into his teens, he seemed to have a focus; he wanted to be a professional football player. He was a high school All-American and popular with his classmates. Academically he struggled, but eventually he won a sports scholarship to college. His Football Career: Carruth was recruited as a wide receiver at the University of Colorado in 1992. While there, he maintained his point average and had no disciplinary issues. In 1997, the Carolina Panthers selected Carruth in their first-round draft pick. At age 23, he signed a four-year contract for $3.7 million as a starting wide receiver. In 1998, with just one season under his belt, he broke his foot. In 1999, he sprained his ankle and there were rumors that he was becoming a liability to the Panthers. His Lifestyle: Rae Carruth dated many women. Financially, his commitments began to surpass his monthly income. He lost a paternity suit in 1997 and was committed to child support payments of $3,500 a month. He also made bad investments. Money was getting tight and with his injuries, his future concerned him. It was during this time that he learned 24-year old Cherica Adams was pregnant with his child. Their relationship was described as casual and Carruth never stopped dating other women. Cherica Adams: Cherica Adams grew up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina eventually relocating to Charlotte. There she attended college for two years then became an exotic dancer. She met Carruth and the two began dating casually. When she became pregnant, Carruth asked her to have an abortion, but she refused. Her family said she was excited about having a baby, choosing the name Chancellor for her unborn son. She told friends, that after Carruth hurt his ankle, he became distant. The Crime: On Nov. 15, 1999, Adams and Carruth met for a date. This was only their second date since Adams informed Carruth of her pregnancy. They attended a 9:45 p.m. movie at the Regal Cinema in South Charlotte. When the movie was over, they left in separate cars and Adams followed behind Carruth. Within minutes of leaving the cinema, a car drove up along side Adams and one of the occupants began firing his gun directly at her. She was struck with four bullets into her back, damaging vital organs. The 911 Call: Struggling in pain, Cherica dialed 9-1-1. She told the dispatcher what happened and that she felt Carruth was involved in the shootings. With tears from pain, she explained that she was seven months pregnant with Carruth’s child. By the time police arrived, no suspects were to be found and Adams was rushed to the Carolina’s Medical Center. She went into surgery immediately and the doctors were able to save her baby boy, Chancellor Lee, even though he was 10-weeks premature. Dying Declaration: Adams was hanging onto life and somehow found the strength to write out notes based on her recollection of the events that took place during the shooting. In those notes, she indicated that Carruth had blocked her car so she could not escape the deadly bullets. She wrote that Carruth was there during the attack. Based on her notes and other evidence, the police arrested Carruth for conspiring to commit first-degree murder, attempted murder, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. The Charges Change to Murder: Also arrested for involvement in the crime was Van Brett Watkins, a habitual criminal; Michael Kennedy, who was believed to be the driver of the car; and Stanley Abraham, who was in the passenger seat of the car during the shootings. Carruth was the only one of the four who posted a $3 million bond with the agreement that if Adams or the baby died he would turn himself back in to the police. On December 14, Adams died from of her injuries. The charges against the four changed to murder. Carruth Takes Off: When Carruth found out that Adams died, he decided to flee instead of turning himself in, as promised. FBI agents found him in the trunk of a friends car in Wildersville, TN. and placed him back into custody. Up to this point, the Panthers had Carruth on paid leave, but once he became a fugitive, they severed all ties with him. The Trial: The trial took 27 days with testimony from 72 witnesses. The prosecutors argued that Carruth was the one who arranged to have Adams killed because he did not want to pay child support. The defense argued that the shooting was a result of a drug deal that Carruth was supposed to finance, but backed out of, at the last minute. Prosecution turned to the handwritten notes of Adams, that described how Carruth blocked her car so she could not escape from the gunshots. Phone records showed calls made from Carruth to co-defendent, Kennedy, around the time of the shooting. Michael Kennedy refused immunity for his testimony against Carruth. During his testimony, he said that Carruth wanted Adams dead so he did not have to pay child support. He also testified that Carruth was at the scene, blocking Adams car. Watkins, the man accused of shooting the gun, accepted a plea bargain to testify against Carruth in exchange for life instead of the death sentence. The prosecutor did not call him to the stand because of a statement he gave to a sheriff’s deputy that Carruth had nothing to do with the murder. He said Carruth backed out on a drug deal and they followed him to talk to him about it. He said they pulled up to Adams car to find out where Carruth was headed, and Adams made an obscene gesture to them. Watkins said he lost it and just started shooting. The defense decided to call Watkins to the stand, but Watkins denied ever saying anything about it being a drug deal, sticking to his plea agreement. Ex-girlfriend, Candace Smith, testified that Carruth admitted to her that he was involved in the shooting but he didnt pull the trigger. Over 25 people testified on Carruths behalf. Carruth never took the stand. Rae Carruth was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and using an instrument to destroy an unborn child and was sentenced to 18-24 years in prison. Source:Court TVRae Carruth News - The New York Times

A Brief Look at Italian History

A Brief Look at Italian History The history of Italy is characterized by two periods of unity- the Roman Empire (27 BCE–476 CE) and the modern democratic republic formed after the end of World War II. Between those two periods may have been a millennium and a half of division and disruption, but that disruption saw one of the worlds great flowering of art, the Renaissance (circa 1400–1600 CE). Italy, sitting in southwestern Europe, is comprised largely of a boot-shaped peninsula that extends out into the Mediterranean, as well as a region on the core landmass of the continent. It is bordered by Switzerland and Austria to the north, Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea to the east, France and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, and the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean to the south. Italy also includes the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Roman Empire Between the sixth to third centuries BCE, the Italian city of Rome conquered Peninsular Italy; over the next few centuries, this empire spread to dominate the Mediterranean and Western Europe. The Roman Empire would go on to define much of Europes history, leaving a mark on culture and society that outlasted the military and political machinations of its leadership. After the Italian part of the Roman Empire declined and â€Å"fell† in the fifth century (an event no one at the time realized was so significant), Italy was the target of several invasions. The previously united region broke apart into several smaller bodies, including the Papal States, governed by the Catholic Pope. Renaissance and the Kingdom of Italy By the eighth and ninth centuries, a number of powerful and trading-oriented city-states emerged, including Florence, Venice, and Genoa; these were the forces that incubated the Renaissance. Italy and its smaller states also went through stages of foreign domination. These smaller states were the fertile grounds of the Renaissance, which changed Europe massively once more and owed a lot to the competing states trying to outspend each other on glorious art and architecture. Unification and independence movements throughout Italy developed ever stronger voices in the 19th century after Napoleon created the short-lived Kingdom of Italy. A war between Austria and France in 1859 allowed several small states to merge with Piedmont; a tipping point had been reached and the Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861, growing by 1870- when the Papal States joined- to cover almost all of what we now call Italy. Mussolini and Modern Italy The Kingdom of Italy was subverted when Mussolini took power as a fascist dictator, and although he was initially skeptical of German dictator Adolf Hitler, Mussolini took Italy into World War II rather than risk losing out on what he perceived as a land grab. That choice caused his downfall. Modern Italy is now a democratic republic and has been since the modern constitution came into effect in 1948. This followed a referendum in 1946, which voted to abolish the previous monarchy by 12.7 million to 10.7 million votes. Key Rulers Julius Caesar c. 100 BCE–44 BCE A great general and statesman, Julius Caesar won a civil war to become both sole ruler of the extensive Roman domains and dictator for life, setting in motion a process of transformation that led to the creation of the Roman Empire. He was assassinated by enemies and is arguably the most famous ancient Roman. Giuseppe Garibaldi 1807–1882 After exile in South America, forced upon him because of his role in an attempted republican revolution, Guiseppi Garibaldi commanded forces in several Italian conflicts of the 19th century. He played an important role in Italian unification when he and his volunteer army of â€Å"Redshirts† captured Sicily and Naples and allowed them to join the Kingdom of Italy. Although Garibaldi fell out with the new king, in 1862, he was offered a command in the U.S. Civil War by President Abraham Lincoln. That never occurred because Lincoln wouldnt agree to abolish slavery at that early date. Benito Mussolini 1883–1945 Mussolini became the youngest-ever prime minister of Italy in 1922, using his fascist organization of â€Å"Blackshirts† to propel him to power. He transformed the office into a dictatorship and allied with Hitler’s Germany, but was forced to flee when World War II turned Italy against him. He was captured and executed.

How Income Inequality Affects Minority Workers

How Income Inequality Affects Minority Workers It’s no secret that white households in the United States take in significantly more income than black and Latino households do, fueling racial inequality. What’s to blame for this discrepancy? It’s not just that whites work in higher paying jobs than their minority counterparts do. Even when whites and minorities both work in the same field- management, for instance- these income gaps don’t disappear. Women and people of color continue to bring home less than white men do because of the pervasiveness of income inequality. A vast amount of research indicates that minority workers are literally being shortchanged in their paychecks. The Effect of the Great Recession The Great Recession of 2007 had an adverse effect on all American workers. For African  American and Hispanic laborers in particular, the recession proved devastating. The racial wealth gap that existed before the economic downturn only widened. In a study called â€Å"State of Communities of Color in the U.S. Economy,† the Center for American Progress (CAP) pinpointed just how much minority employees suffered during the recession. The study found that blacks and Latinos brought in on average $674 and $549, respectively, per week. Meanwhile, whites earned $744 per week, and Asians earned $866 per week during the fourth quarter of 2011. Contributing to this pay gap is that higher numbers of African Americans and Hispanics than whites and Asians worked in jobs that paid minimum wage or less. The amount of black minimum wage workers rose by 16.6 percent from 2009 to 2011, and the number of Latino minimum wage workers rose by 15.8 percent, CAP found. On the other hand, the number of white minimum wage workers rose by just 5.2 percent. The amount of Asian minimum wage workers actually dropped by 15.4 percent. Occupational Segregation In February 2011, the Economic Policy Institute released a paper about racial disparities in income called â€Å"Whiter Jobs, Higher Wages.† The paper suggests that occupational segregation contributes to racial gaps in the pay scale. EPI found that â€Å"in occupations where black men are underrepresented, the average annual salary is $50,533; in occupations where black men are overrepresented, the average annual salary is $37,005, more than $13,000 less.† Black men are extremely underrepresented in â€Å"construction, extraction, and maintenance† jobs but overrepresented in the service sector. Turns out the former employment sector pays quite a bit more than the latter service sector. Disparities Remain When All Else Is Equal Even when African Americans work in prestigious fields, they earn less than whites. Black Enterprise magazine conducted a study which found that blacks with degrees in computer networking and telecommunications will likely earn $54,000, while their white peers can expect to take home $56,000. The gap widens among architects. African American architects average a salary of $55,000, but white architects average $65,000. African Americans with degrees in management information systems and statistics are especially shortchanged. While they typically earn $56,000, whites in the field earn $12,000 more. How Women of Color Are Shortchanged Because they suffer from both racial and gender barriers, women of color experience more income inequality than others. When President Barack Obama declared April 17, 2012, â€Å"National Equal Pay Day,† he discussed the wage discrimination that minority female workers specifically face. He remarked, â€Å"In 2010- 47 years after President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963- women who worked full-time earned only 77 percent of what their male counterparts did. The pay gap was even greater for African American and Latina women, with African American women earning 64 cents and Latina women earning 56 cents for every dollar earned by a Caucasian man.† Given that more women of color head households than white women do, these discrepancies in pay are truly worrisome. President Obama said that equal pay is not only a basic right but also a necessity for women who serve as the primary breadwinners in their homes. It’s not just women of color who suffer from wage discrimination, of course. The Economic Policy Institute found that in 2008, black men earned just 71 percent of what Caucasian men earned. While black men earned on average $14.90 per hour, whites earned $20.84 per hour.

Fear and trembling by Soren Kierkegaard Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fear and trembling by Soren Kierkegaard - Essay Example In his argument, he shows that objectivity falsehood can be revealed by lack of individual obligation. Fear and trembling, written by Soren Kierkegaard provides a description of two people: knight of faith and knight of infinite resignation. According to him, knight of infinite resignation refers to an individual that has had to surrender something they dearly treasure. Among such things are loved ones or a calling that can happen due to unavoidable circumstances in the current world. An Individual in the knight of infinite resignation has to reassign to stated facts and await his death as he lies with the circumstance that renders him impossible to achieve the desired object. Never the less, the individual has hope in the afterlife and still holds on without giving up. He remains hopeful that his aspirations of the commitments that are supposed to define his life will be granted in the afterlife. In his argument in knight of faith, Kierkegaard goes beyond his description of faith pe rsonalities in knight of infinite resignation. Both interpretations of faith ensure that the prospected individual has to surrender a valuable item that they treasure and is essential in providing a meaning in their lives. However, their difference is that the knight of faith has the belief that they will posses again all that they treasured and lost, an aspect identified as the absurd’s strength. He has the trust that regaining his treasured items will not have to happen in the afterlife but in the temporality life of the finite world. On the other hand, Concluding Unscientific Postscript conceives correspondence in objects and thoughts in both transitive and symmetrical ways. Kierkegaard argues that true objects could correspond to these ideas. In depth, he explains the manner in which objective truth differs from subjective truth. Explaining that objective truth is an outer truth and subjective truth an inner truth, he shows the entire writing as a philosophical method of reasoning that has the aim of gaining truth. Although Kierkegaard elaborates on faith, his interpretation in these two writings is dissimilar. Whereas Knight of faith and knight of infinite resignation provides an account of faith in requisites of conviction in the absurd, concluding unscientific postscript proves that faith is the contradiction amid vast passion of individuals’ inwardness and the purpose uncertainty. He identifies the former aspects as the only two steps that used in the development of real faith, but states in the latter that truth is all about subjectivity. Concluding unscientific postscript is explained in a major contrast of objectivity and subjectivity. Objectivity entails science, history, speculative philosophy, and they lack any relationship with the knower’s existence. Subjectivity is not inclusive of any worldly perceptions, but involves occurrences and introspections that have a single relationship with the Creator. On the other hand, knigh t of faith and the knight of infinite resignation show major aspects of freedom related to individualism in major choices of life. Kierkegaard uses the story of a lad falling and staying in love with a princess despite knowing that his expectations are impossible in showing some choices that different people make. The knight of faith presents faith in the form of a paradox that explains the difficulties involved in reconciling with logic. This is explained using the knight of faith where logic does not appear in the manner he trusts that he will gain his commitment in the present world. However, he still holds on to his belief complying with the aspect named above: the aspect of strength of the absurd. This is considered paradoxical

Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 18

Business law - Essay Example This move to liquidate the company led to the case at hand since the unsecured creditors claimed that the company did not clear its debts before it became insolvent. Salomon claimed that he did not owe anyone since the company is a separate legal person as indicated in the company rules thus no shareholder is responsible for any debts of the company. The creditors filed a case against Salomon claiming that although the company had been incorporated Salomon held almost all the shares thus he should be responsible for the debts by the company. The court discredited these assumptions since the incorporation was proper and abide by the company’s rule thus the number of shareholders did not change the fact that this was a limited company and no longer a sole proprietorship. This was one of the most heated cases at the close of the 19th century, but Lord Mac-Naghten claimed that the law governing the limited companies had to be followed. He stated that in any company’s liquidation, the creditors should be given preferential claims of assets but since this was not the case in the liquidation of the company. The law at the time did not state anything of the sort, and the debenture holders had claimed everything from the liquidation (Campbell, 2007). This rule is under Companies Act section 6 formed in 1862. It claims that seven or more people can join and form a company under it. This rule was made to end frauds from unregistered limited companies (Campbell, 2007). This law states that a limited company is a separate legal person can sue or be sued. This means that any malicious activity or fraud cases associated with the company, the plaintiff can only sue the company but not the shareholders. The company is also mandated to sue anyone violating its rights, since this rule has made it an artificial person who is recognized by the law. Over the years, the Companies Act has been amended to ensure that the shareholders and directors of the companies

Study Shakespeare's Hamlet and Webster's White Devil to compare the Essay

Study Shakespeare's Hamlet and Webster's White Devil to compare the ways that women in the plays are victims of male pride. Cri - Essay Example Among the female characters of William Shakespeare the role of Ophelia is supreme. She is considered as the most fragile character in his heroines. The attributes of Ophelia are far in high whereas the other female character in the play, Gertrude does not get much acclaim. The character Vittoria in The White Devil has been put to many comments. For many she is considered as the white devil in the play. As the other female characters of the play carry the attributes of innocence and good heartedness the chief lady, Vittoria is remarked for her wisdom, courage and harshness. The present essay tries to make an analysis on the female characters in these two plays. Further, a study is being conducted on the females as victims of male pride in these two plays. True, the Elizabethan and Jacobean attitudes of considering the females are also seen in these plays. As females they had to undergo male dominance and male chauvinism which caused the tragedy of the women characters vividly in these two. Women characters in the play Hamlet: The major women characters who enriched the play, Hamlet are Ophelia, the lover of Prince Hamlet and Gertrude, mother of prince Hamlet. The King of Denmark is killed by Claudius, his own brother and the uncle of prince Hamlet who later marries the former queen, Gertrude. It really infuriates prince Hamlet who was well aware of the plot of his uncle. The ghost of the King Hamlet appears before his son Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus reveals the story of his tragedy. The thoughts of revenge engulf in the mind of young Hamlet and the whole play is centred on his revenge against his uncle Claudius who killed his father and married his mother. The five long acts of the play tells his attempts to take revenge on his uncle and in the meanwhile it can be seen that Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius, the trusted courtier of Claudius is making love with Hamlet. The suffering of Ophelia begins when Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius by thinking it as Clau dius. She becomes mad due to her father’s death and moreover at the rejection of Hamlet and commits suicide. Christy Desmet (1999, p.11) makes clear assessment about the character of Ophelia when he writes, â€Å"Ophelia is a cipher, or a â€Å"plot device† or pawn used by her father, her lover and Shakespeare himself; at most she seems a â€Å"sacrifice to the general meaninglessness and loneliness pervading the play.† The words of Gabriel A. Rieger (2009, p. 47) is also notable when he remarked thus; â€Å"Ophelia is an inversion to the prince.† Laertes, the brother of Ophelia is ravaged to take revenge on Hamlet and in the final scene it can be seen that the sword of Laertes is poisoned as instructed by Claudius and again a cup of bowl filled with poison was made ready for Hamlet. Meanwhile Gertrude drinks the cup for Hamlet and dies and she at the time of death announces the evil works of her present husband. Laertes wounds Hamlet and is himself woun ded by the poisoned sword. When Laertes is seen dying he tells all about the plans of Claudius and at the end Hamlet stabs Claudius and makes him drink the poison prepared by himself. Thus in the final scene of the play a series of murders can be seen. Gertrude’s death is seen a part of her husband’s folly. Horatio, a friend of Hamlet becomes a witness to all the disgraceful acts that happened at the final scene. Two main characters in the play, Ophelia and

The Vernon john Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Vernon john Story - Essay Example At one instant, after her father was finished administering a service, Baby Dee entreated the reverend if there was a way they could ride a bus to get to leisure but Vernon replied in disagreement on discovering the imposed segregation, of the blacks from the whites, in Montgomery buses. On the initial phase of dealing with the situation of her father, Baby Dee was finding how essential it was to communicate well and build on a deeper level of bonding with her father. She started feeling anxious towards their condition, recognizing how profoundly involved Rev. Johns was to the congregation and his stance regarding civil rights and equality especially for his kind. As she told her father about an awful dream where she witnessed his dead body lying filled with blood, Baby Dee likewise mentioned her fear of death. This makes a picture of a character whose weakness emerged out of being helpless, inexperienced in such setting that enabled Vernon’s disposition to amply contrast his daughter’s view and preference of a conventional working head of the family.

Life Stage Interviews and Reports Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Life Stage Interviews and Reports Paper - Essay Example If a person develops good eating habits, exercises daily, and possesses a positive attitude with regard to the everyday activities since early childhood. He/she will have higher probability to live longer as compared to a person who uses drugs, drinks alcoholic beverage excessively or lives a sedentary life. Many of the late adulthood in the developed countries live longer due to more medical assistance and educational resources available. However, living longer truly depends on the person’s mindset. The development and resulting lifespan of people may be dependent on such factors as their perception of death or afterlife, resiliency in confronting changes in adulthood and attributed value to life. This paper discusses how factors such as their perception of death or afterlife, resiliency in confronting changes in adulthood and attributed value to life have affected the development and quality of the lives of the interviewees who are in their late stages of adulthood. As their views are compared and further information gathered, the apparent role of adult development factors are exhibited. Fear of death or dying is natural and sometimes may cause individuals to become preoccupied and obsessive with the thoughts of death. At times, just the mere mention of death may even cause substantial anxiety for some people. To further illustrate how the fear of death is actually universal, the presence of death is often frightening and unwelcome or even taboo to discuss in some cultures. In more modern cultures, death has been accepted as eminent, thus, embraced. However, the restrictions to certain foods that can be eaten or clothing that can be worn to avoid death or prolong life still prevail. Based on recent psychological studies, there are five primal fears, i.e. fear of dying, the unknown, abandonment, loss of control, pain, and bodily deterioration (Garfield, 2001). All these

Hypnotherapy and Smoking Cessation How Effective Is It Essay

Hypnotherapy and Smoking Cessation How Effective Is It - Essay Example It is not considered useful for physical problems but is said to help if there is any kind of psychological aspect, for instance, phantom pain from an amputated leg. It can help, but it is not a cure. According to one advocate of hypnotherapy, the process is more than hypnosis. It is a partnership between practitioner and patient (Annamalay 1). Even so, the willingness of the client to share control with the practitioner is paramount. The main question becomes: Is hypnotherapy a useful technique or is it actually a profession, a business set up for profit with no real guarantees, even though money-back guarantees are rampant Is it considered a legitimate process in the health field This essay will attempt to explore the hypnotherapist's role in smoking cessation, how much depends on the client personally, how effective the process has been and whether it is a proven source of help for the smoker to cure his or her addiction. Can one discuss hypnotherapy in the 21st century without acknowledging it as part of holistic health The debate continues as to whether or not hypnotherapy is a preferred treatment for tobacco addiction. It must be noted that smoking is an addiction developed over time, basically through dependence on nicotine, a known addictive drug. This physical need, however, can be overcome if a person truly wants to stop smoking and is determined to benefit from any treatment offered. In the area of hypnotherapy, the ability of a person to be hypnotised is based on the willingness of the subject to allow himself or herself to be hypnotised. Therefore the success or failure of such a process is entirely up to the person being hypnotised. Once the hypnosis is successful, the therapist can be helpful in treating phobias, weight problems, insomnia, anxiety and stress in addition to bringing about smoking cessation. Current Development of Hypnotherapy in Smoking Cessation In modern therapy, Ericksonian hypnotherapy is well known in the field. The process was instituted by Milton H. Erickson, an MD who treated many patients using hypnotic techniques and did his best to document his achievements (Hypnotherapy: History, par. 4). He is highly respected in his field, and the process he developed truly can be called a technique. This type of therapy treats the client based on the unique qualities of the individual's needs. Erickson considered the experience of trance or hypnosis a natural, everyday experience; similar to learning to drive or ride a bicycle and finding it has suddenly become a reflexive action. One can also relive or re-experience an event by bringing it into the present through memory. Erickson further challenged the notion that some people could not be hypnotised and believed that interaction with the client would give them the ability to enter into their own treatment, thereby allowing hypnosis to take place (Johnson, 2, 4). The availability of hypnotherapy at present pretty much depends on the financial status of the person wishing to engage a therapist. Most clinics offering the service are privately owned, and the cost can be anything from 30 to 200 an hour. To get hypnotherapy treatment under National Health Service (NHS), it

Life Stage Interviews and Reports Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Life Stage Interviews and Reports Paper - Essay Example If a person develops good eating habits, exercises daily, and possesses a positive attitude with regard to the everyday activities since early childhood. He/she will have higher probability to live longer as compared to a person who uses drugs, drinks alcoholic beverage excessively or lives a sedentary life. Many of the late adulthood in the developed countries live longer due to more medical assistance and educational resources available. However, living longer truly depends on the person’s mindset. The development and resulting lifespan of people may be dependent on such factors as their perception of death or afterlife, resiliency in confronting changes in adulthood and attributed value to life. This paper discusses how factors such as their perception of death or afterlife, resiliency in confronting changes in adulthood and attributed value to life have affected the development and quality of the lives of the interviewees who are in their late stages of adulthood. As their views are compared and further information gathered, the apparent role of adult development factors are exhibited. Fear of death or dying is natural and sometimes may cause individuals to become preoccupied and obsessive with the thoughts of death. At times, just the mere mention of death may even cause substantial anxiety for some people. To further illustrate how the fear of death is actually universal, the presence of death is often frightening and unwelcome or even taboo to discuss in some cultures. In more modern cultures, death has been accepted as eminent, thus, embraced. However, the restrictions to certain foods that can be eaten or clothing that can be worn to avoid death or prolong life still prevail. Based on recent psychological studies, there are five primal fears, i.e. fear of dying, the unknown, abandonment, loss of control, pain, and bodily deterioration (Garfield, 2001). All these

Article Review for Research Class Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Article Review for Class - Research Paper Example The demographic collection of data was done in the two metropolitan cities of china. The samples were different from one another in terms of age and genders of adolescents. The first sample for the method of study included 110 female students from junior high school, out of which 96, 52 and 52 were from grade one, two and three respectively. The first sample was conducted in the Guangzhou city only. The second sample included 114 females and males students from high school out of which 53 were males and 61 were females. The third sample was based upon 270 late adolescents. In this sample 170 students were male while 100 were female students. The third sample included students from the University of Zhejiang. Along with these three samples of male and female students, the researchers conducted the research with the help of a questionnaire that was designed to evaluate the relationship of students with their fathers and mothers. The questionnaire also evaluated the relationships of ado lescents with peers. The questionnaire that was conducted for the research was Inventory of parent and peer attachment that was designed as a self-report (Song, Thompson, & Ferrer, 2009). After the analysis of the qualitative research, it is visible that the design of method greatly supported the main objective of the research that was to analyze the relation between attachment and self-evaluation. The relation had been used in the study to juxtapose the age and gender differences among the adolescents. The method of analysis procedure included the closer evaluation study of age difference in terms of attachment, age differences in terms of self-evaluation, the nature of relationships in terms of the constructs, gender differences in terms of self-evaluation and attachment and most importantly test of variance and factors that loaded variance and covariance

Role of the nurse Essay Example for Free

Role of the nurse Essay The nurses in the Capulets household is the superior to that of a normal servant. Juliet seems to have taken the place of the daughter she once had and everything she does, she does for Juliets benefit. She is bossy with the other servants, knowing she has a special place in the family. She is a simple soul who is an easy target for Mercutios lewd ribbing. She is long-winded as well as rather rude and bawdy, but she seems sincere and makes the audience laugh with her rather than at her. As the story develops she becomes more and more a part of the conventional world that opposes and fails to understand the passion of Romeo and Juliet for each other. In the play, the Nurse serves as a mother figure to Juliet. She is a confidant, advisor and helper to Juliet. It is her relationship with Juliet that gives importance to her role in the play. The Nurse was the one who revealed to both Romeo and Juliet the identities of each other i.e. that Romeo was a Montague and Juliet a Capulet. She was also the go-between for Juliet and Romeo, delivering messages and notes from one to another. Thus, she played a key role in bringing about their marriage and its consummation. Not only does she contribute heavily the plot, the Nurse is also vital in the area of characterization. Her vulgarity and pragmatic views of love and marriage are in stark contrast to Juliets purity and passion. This emphasizes the pure and sacrificial love between Romeo and Juliet. The Nurses advise to marry Paris and give up Romeo also showed us the change in Juliet when she held fast to her love for Romeo and called the Nurse a wicked fiend for her hypocritical behaviour. The Nurse is a complex character with many sides to her personality. She displays both attractive and repulsive qualities at the same time. Firstly, it is obvious that she is genuinely fond of Juliet. This can be seen from her loving reminisces of Juliets childhood and her affectionate  calling of Juliet by names such as lamb and child. Also, she teasingly finds excuses to increase Juliets impatience for news of Romeo by talking about her various aches and pains. She acts as a go-between for Romeo and Juliet, carrying messages back and forth for the two lovers and does what they ask her to do for them. For example, she helps Juliet find out news about Romeo, and she helps Romeo procure a rope ladder. She also refuses to accept Romeos gift of money for these services at first, indicating her willingness to serve her mistress. This love for her young mistress naturally leads her to become protective of Juliet. She warns Romeo not to lead Juliet into a fools paradise, for that would be a gross kind of behaviour. Also, she wishes that she could see Juliet marry well. [Act I Scene III] When Capulet scolds Juliet for refusing to marry Paris, the Nurse speaks up for Juliet, saying that Capulet is to blame for rating her so, and that he should not scold her so badly. The Nurse sometimes speaks so much that even Lady Capulet has to tell her to keep quiet. This shows that she can be irritating at times and is also a gossip. She is also boastful, and claims all credit for Juliets upbringing. Her views of love and marriage differ greatly from Juliets. She advises Juliet that it best you married with the County because she thinks that Juliet will be happier in her second match. Your first is dead, or t were as good he were, As living here, and you no use of him Thus revealing that she does not believe in faithful and romantic love. She is also rather bossy with the other servants, ordering Peter around, because of her close association with Juliet and her parents. My fan, Peter. Ah, wheres my man? Give me some aqua-vitae. The Nurse is also fickle. Once she hears of Romeos banishment, she advises Juliet to marry Paris, comparing Romeo to him and pointing out his flaws. O, hes a lovely gentleman! Romeos a dishclout to him Although this could be viewed as practical, yet it is a violent contrast to her earlier praising of Romeo and comes across as being rather hypocritical, as Juliet observed in the lines, O most wicked fiend! To dispraise my lord with that same tongue Which she hath praised him with above compare So many thousand times! The Nurse does not seem to have got too carried away with the situation, but is eager for Juliet to marry. She offers no advice or caution to what Juliet should be doing, although she clearly knows that Juliet is young and inexperienced. She also makes no effort to suggest that this will be a problem. Like Friar Laurence, she goes behind her employers backs, acting as Romeo and Juliets messenger, such as when she is asked by Juliet to discover Romeos identity. At first the Nurse admires Romeo, Why hes a man of wax (Act 1 Scene 3), but warns him not to lead Juliet into a fools paradise (Act 2 Scene 4), probably mostly because Juliet is still very young and naà ¯ve. After Tybalts death, the nurse turns against Romeo Will you speak well of  him that killed your cousin (Act 3 Scene 2), Shame come to Romeo (Act 3 Scene 2). Finally, when Juliet needs the Nurse most Comfort me, council me when her parents tell her that she must marry Paris, the Nurse disappoints her by simply telling her that it would be better to marry someone to support her. Why does the Nurse fail as an advisor to Juliet? Although the Nurse genuinely loves and cares for Juliet, yet she does not understand the love and passion Juliet has for Romeo. The Nurse, unlike Juliet, is vulgar in nature and views of love and hence cannot comprehend why Juliet prefers Romeo to Paris. The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris, a very eligible and wealthy bachelor, as she does not believe in loyal and faithful love. Thus, she loses Juliets love and trust and Juliet does not confide in her Friar Lawrences plan to drink the potion. Hence, the Nurse is unsuccessful in protecting and caring for Juliet due to her lack of understanding, indirectly bringing about the final tragedy of her death. Romeo and Juliet, is a story of two young lovers whose love was destined for destruction. They did not imagine that their love would lead to the tragedies that it did. These two young people did nothing wrong except fall in love. Three aspects of their destruction included the feud between the two families, the nurse and her betrayal of Juliet and the most important aspect of all is fate.

Development of Hard Water Sensor using Fluorescence

Development of Hard Water Sensor using Fluorescence Ph.D. Thesis: Dibyendu Dey Development of hard water sensor using fluorescence resonance energy transfer 7.1. Introduction â€Å"Hard water† has high mineral content in compare to â€Å"soft water†. Generally the hard water is not harmful to one’s health, but can cause serious problems in industrial settings, where water hardness should be monitored to avoid breakdowns of the costly equipments that handle water. The hardness of water is determined by the concentration of multivalent cations in water. The most common cations found in hard water include Ca2+ and Mg2+. The presence of dissolved carbonate minerals (CaCO3 and MgCO3) provide a temporary hardness in water, which can be reduced either by boiling the water or by addition of lime (calcium hydroxide) [1, 2]. On the other hand the dissolved chloride minerals (CaCl2 and MgCl2) cause the permanent hardness of water that can not be removed easily, as it becomes more soluble as the temperature increases [3]. In that sense it is very important to identify the permanent hardness of water before use. The FRET phenomenon may be very effective tool for the designing of hard water sensors. Based on the FRET between two laser dyes here we demonstrated a hard water sensor. To the best of our knowledge this could be the first attempt, where FRET process has been used for the detection of the hardness of water. FRET between two molecules is an important physical phenomenon, where transfer of energy from an excited fluorophore to a suitable acceptor fluorophore occurred [4, 5]. This technique is very important for the understanding of some biological systems and has potential applications in optoelectronic and thin film devices [6–10]. Combining FRET with optical microscopy, it is possible to determine the approach between two molecules within nanometers. The main requirements for the FRET to occur are (i) sufficient overlap between the absorption band of acceptor fluorophore and the fluorescence band of donor fluorophore and (ii) both the donor and acceptor molecule must be in cl ose proximity of the order of 1–10 nm [4, 5]. The intervening of solvent or other macromolecules has little effect on the FRET efficiency. If the distance between the donor and acceptor changes then FRET efficiency also changes. In this chapter of the present thesis we tried to investigate the effect of Mg2+ or Ca2+ or both on the FRET efficiency between two fluorophores, Acf and RhB in presence of nanoclay sheet laponite. Here we have chosen Mg2+ or Ca2+ because the presence of these two cations mainly determines the extent of hardness of the water. Our investigation showed that FRET efficiency decreases with increasing salt concentration. It has also been demonstrated that with proper calibration, FRET between Acf and RhB can be used to sense the hardness of water. 7.2. Experimental 7.2.1. Solution preparation Both the dyes Acf and RhB were used in our studies are cationic in nature. The clay mineral used in the present work was Laponite. Dye solutions were prepared in Milli-Q water. For spectroscopic measurement the solution concentration was optimized at 10−6M. In order to check the effect of hard water components (Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions) on spectral charecteristics, MgCl2 and CaCl2 were added to the dye solution. The clay dispersion was prepared using Millipore water and stirred for 24 h with a magnetic stirrer followed by 30 min ultrasonication before use. The concentration of clay was kept fixed at 2 ppm throughout the experiment. To check the effect of clay on the spectral characteristics the dye solutions (Acf and RhB) were prepared in the clay suspensions (2 ppm). In order to check the effect of salt on spectral characteristics in presence of clay, first of all the salts were added in the clay dispersion at different concentration. Then the dyes were added in the salt mixed clay dispersions. In all cases the clay concentration was 2 ppm and the dye concentration was 10−6M. 7. 3. Results and discussion 7.3.1. Sensing of Hard Water by FRET FRET between Acf and RhB has already been studied and the results are shown in details in chapter 5 of this thesis. Here in this chapter we have used this same FRET pair for the sensing of water hardness. Our main purpose is to detect CaCl2 and MgCl2 or their mixture as a permanent hard water component in aqueous solution by using the FRET process between Acf and RhB. Fluorescence spectra of aqueous solution of Acf-RhB mixture in presence of MgCl2, CaCl2 and their mixture (CaCl2+MgCl2) have been studied (figure 7.1). For all the cases, the concentration of CaCl2/MgCl2/their mixture was kept at 0.06 mg/ml, which is the initializing concentration of hard water known as moderately hard water. Fig. 7.1. Fluorescence spectra of Acf+RhB (1:1 volume ratio) in water solution (1), with MgCl2 (2), CaCl2 (3), and CaCl2+MgCl2 (4), pure Acf (5), pure RhB (6). Dye concentration was 10-6M and salt concentration was 0.06 mg/ml. It was observed that the transfer of energy from Acf to RhB decreased in presence of salt (shown in table 7.1). The FRET efficiencies are calculated by using the Fà ¶rster theory. The introduction of cationic Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the solution may cause an increase in the electrostatic repulsion between cationic Acf and RhB molecules which can result in a large intermolecular separation. Accordingly, the FRET efficiency decreases. Samples E% Acf+RhB 11.37 Acf+RhB+ CaCl2 1.7 Acf+RhB+ MgCl2 5.2 Acf+RhB+ MgCl2 +CaCl2 4.38 Acf+RhB+clay 78.17 Acf+RhB+ CaCl2 with clay 37.78 Acf+RhB+ MgCl2 with clay 51.59 Acf+RhB+ MgCl2 +CaCl2 with clay 48.18 Table 7.1 Values of energy transfer efficiency (E %) for Acf and RhB mixture (1:1 volume ratio) in different conditions. The salt concentration was 0.06 mg/ml (moderately hard water). Fig. 7.2. Fluorescence spectra of Acf+RhB (1:1 volume ratio) in clay suspension (1), with MgCl2 (2), CaCl2 (3), and CaCl2+MgCl2 (4) pure Acf with clay (5), pure RhB with clay (6). Dye concentration was 10-6M and clay concentration was 2 ppm and salt concentration was 0.06 mg/ml. In the present study our aim is to design a sensor which can sense the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ or both by observing the change in FRET efficiency. Accordingly it is very important to have large FRET efficiency between Acf and RhB as well as noticeable change in FRET efficiency between Acf and RhB due to the introduction of hard water components (Ca2+ or Mg2+), so that we can use it as a hard water sensor with minimum error level. Accordingly in order to enhance the FRET efficiency, we have incorporated nano clay laponite in Acf-RhB mixture (figure 7.2). It has been observed that the FRET efficiency increases in presence of laponite particle. The reason of increase in FRET efficiecy in presence of clay has been explained in details in chapter 5. It was also observed that the transfer of energy from Acf to RhB decreases quite remarkably due to the introduction of CaCl2/MgCl2/their mixture for the concentration of 0.06 mg/ml in presence of clay. It was observed that the transfer of ene rgy is much smaller due to the presence of CaCl2 in compare to MgCl2. (Table 7.1 summarize the calculated efficiencies). Fig. 7.3. Schematic representation of FRET between Acf and RhB in presence of clay and salt. The decrease in FRET between Acf and RhB in presence of hard water components, must involve the reaction of the cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) present in hard water with the clay minerals through cation exchange reaction. In general, this bonding energy is of the order: Ca > Mg > K > H > Na. Thus the probability of adsorption of Ca2+ in clay suspension is more than Mg2+. The tendency of Ca2+ ion to interact with the negatively charged clay layers is more compared to Mg2+ ion of same concentration of both clay suspension and salt solution. Accordingly, most of the negative charges in the clay surfaces are neutralized by Ca2+ ion compared to Mg2+ ion and there exists very few unoccupied negative charges on the clay surface for the cationic dye molecules to be adsorbed. As a result the separation between the cationic dye molecules increases more in CaCl2 solution rather than MgCl2 leading to a less FRET in presence of CaCl2 compare to MgCl2 (shown schemetically in figure 7.3). 7.3.2. Variation of salt concentration In order to check the extent of hardness on the FRET efficiency, we have measured the fluorescence spectra of Acf+RhB mixture with different salt (MgCl2, CaCl2, and MgCl2+CaCl2 mixture) concentration in presence of clay laponite and the FRET efficiency have been calculated. It has been observed that the FRET efficiency decreases with increasing salt concentration of either MgCl2 or CaCl2, or their mixture (figure 7.4). This result suggests that it is possible to sense the hardness of water by observing the change in FRET efficiency with salt concentration. Fig. 7.4. The fluorescence spectra of Acf–RhB mixture in presence of clay with varying amount of salt (MgCl2+CaCl2 mixture) concentration viz. 0.05 mg/ml (1), 0.06 mg/ml (2) and 0.12 mg/ml (3). Inset shows the variation of FRET efficiency as a function of salt concentration of either MgCl2 or CaCl2, or CaCl2+ MgCl2 mixture from 0.03 mg/ml to 0.20 mg/ml. Salt concentration (mg/ml) FRET efficiency (E%) in presence of MgCl2 CaCl2 MgCl2+CaCl2 mixture 0.03 78.52 64.27 73.73 0.05 71.55 55.32 68.34 0.06 51.59 37.78 48.18 0.08 32.47 18.75 21.57 0.12 19.67 10.54 13.48 0.20 11.34 5.67 07.38 Table 7.2 Values of energy transfer efficiency (E %) for Acf-RhB mixture (1:1 volume ratio) at different salt (MgCl2, CaCl2, MgCl2+CaCl2 mixture) concentration in presence of clay. MgCl2 and CaCl2 mixture were prepared by adding 1:1 volume ratio of individual salts of same concentration. 7.3.3. Design of sensor In the process of hard water sensing first of all clay (laponite) dispersion will be prepared using the sample water followed by addition of dyes (Acf and RhB). By observing the FRET efficiency between Acf and RhB it would be possible to sense the hardness of the test water. Fig. 7.5. FRET efficiency of Acf-RhB mixture for the different concentration of CaCl2 + MgCl2 in presence of clay (values of FRET efficiencies were calculated from spectra of Fig. 7.4). From figure 7.5 it has been observed that the FRET efficiency for 0.06 mg/ml and 0.12 mg/ml concentration are 48.2% and 13.5% respectively. If the FRET efficiency is observed to be higher than 48.2%, then the water will be recognized as soft water whereas, if the efficiency lies in between 13.5% and 48.2% then the water will be recognized as moderately hard. On the other hand if the observed FRET efficiency is less than 13.5% then the water will be recognized as very hard. Therefore with proper calibration it is possible to design a hard water sensor which can sense hard water very easily. 7.4. Conclusion In order to demonstrate hard water sensor based on FRET, we have investigated the FRET between Acf and RhB in presence of salts CaCl2 or MgCl2 or both. It was observed that the presence of hard water components Ca2+ or Mg2+ or both affected the FRET efficiency to a large extent. In presence of CaCl2 or MgCl2 the FRET efficiency is decreased to 37.78% and 51.59%, respectively. With suitable calibration of these results it is possible to design a hard water sensor that can sense the water hardness within the range 0.03–0.2 mg/ml. Here the incorporation of clay platelate laponite enhances the sensing efficiency.

stop spanking: save the children Essay examples -- essays research pap

Spanking has been used for many years and it must come to an end. Also known as corporal punishment, spanking is most often used as a form of discipline. Although it is said to have some benefits, the negative consequences far outweigh the good. According to Dr. Wilson and Dr. Lyon, â€Å"physical punishment delivered in anger with the intent to cause pain is unacceptable and dangerous to the health and well being of the child.†( Guidance for Effective Discipline, online) It is important for spanking to stop because it is ineffective, causes more problems and because there are other options to consider. While many parents are still spanking their children when they are being naughty, they do not stop to consider how effective this method is. Is this method really working? A question Dr. Phil McGraw asks is: what does a child learn by being hit?(Three Questions to Ask Before Spanking, online) The answer to this question is different for every child, but in many instances you are telling your child that violence is acceptable and that it is an okay way to react when you’re mad .(Three Questions to Ask Before Spanking, online) Although commonly used throughout households with children, not much can be said for spanking’s long term success. To begin with, the only way to maintain the original effect of spanking, is to increase the force with which it is delivered. This can quickly escalate into abuse. (Guidance for Effective Discipline, online) Using spanking as a method can turn into a quick fix whenever the child misbehaves, rather than using other rational techniques fo r each scenario. Finally, positive reinforcement and other discipline techniques are more difficult to implement when spanking has been used as a primary method of discipline. (Guidance for Effective Discipline, online) As might be expected, the lack of effectiveness also leads to negative consequences and more problems.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Continued use of spanking can lead to some harmful effects and long lasting negative lessons. It is common knowledge that children learn from what they are taught. What lessons would the like our child to learn from spanking? According to L.D. Eron, â€Å"spanking models aggressive behavior as a solution to conflict and has been associated with the increased aggression in preschool and school children.† (Guidance for Effective Discipline, online) The c... ...ful. Spanking must stop, because no child should die at the hands of their parents. Works Cited Cohen P. â€Å"How can generative theories of effective punishment be tested?† Pediatrics 1996; 98:834-836 Graziano AM, â€Å"Subabusive Violence in Child Rearing in Middle-class American Families.† Pediatrics 1996; 98:845-848 Eron Ld â€Å"Research and public policy†. Pediatrics 1996; 98:821-823 McGraw, Phil M.D. â€Å"Age-Appropriate Discipline Techniques†[Online].Available http://www.drphil.com/advice/advice_landing.jhtml?section=Parenting (accessed July 4, 2005) McGraw, Phil M.D. â€Å"Spanking Research†[Online].Available http://www.drphil.com/advice/advice_landing.jhtml?section=Parenting (accessed July 4, 2005) McGraw, Phil M.D. â€Å"Three Questions to Ask Before Spanking†[Online].Available http://www.drphil.com/advice/advice_landing.jhtml?section=Parenting (accessed July 4, 2005) Strauss Murray PhD et al. â€Å"Spanking by Parents and Subsequent Antisocial Behavior of Children.† Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescents Medicine 1997 Wilson DR, Lyman RD â€Å"Time-out in the treatment of childhood behaviour problems: implementation and research issues† Child Family Behaviour Therapy 1982; 4: 5-20

New Challenges in Retail Human Resource Management

Why Do We Need Professional Human Resource Management in Retailing? Such terms as globalization, process management, and value-based management dominate the current discussion of management in retail co mpanies. There has been an increasing realization that people are one of a company’s key assets. Re- tail means working and serving customers in a direct, personal way. This calls for special actions from retail companies to fulfill the demands of an increasing num- ber of well-informed and sophisticated consumers.In view of all the c hanges in both national and international contexts, it is ab solutely essential to get the right people if a business is to be successful and sustainable. Retailing is a major labor-intensive industry sector. The refore, companies are continually challenged to re-organize and adapt their st ructures to become more efficient. The necessity for part-time workers, because of long store opening hours and peaks in the trading day/week, requires a flexi ble framework to optimize labor processes. Emotionally, the workforce needs orientation and vi sion in changing times.Human resource management (HRM) has to provide a â€Å"coach,† not only to organize, but also to support employees and m anagement mentally and p rofes- sionally in fulfilling their tasks in terms of future company goals. People are the driving force behind all transactio ns that occur in retailing outlets. In the future world of retailing, there will be an increasing need to adapt and change towards a more formative and proactive style of HRM. M. Krafft and M. K. Mantrala (eds. ), Retailing in the 21st Century: Current and Future Trends , DOI 10. 007/978-3-540-72003-4_16, ? Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010 257 258 Julia Merkel, Paul Jackson, and Doreen Pick Changes Changes in Retail The formats of retailing have been evolving continuously over the last 100 years, and individual retailers have changed tremendously in the products they sell and in the man ner in which they operate. Retailing of lifestyle products impacts directly on the changing culture of our societies—one has only to think of the introduction of the Sony Walkman or the Apple I-Pod to grasp the international range of con- sumer needs.In order to provide an expanding product and service range, retail has had to alter and amend its approaches to satisfy ever more voracious and in- creasingly sophisticated consumers. For several years, retailers have had a promi- nent role in today’s society in their capacity as employers: the retail industry em- ploys one in nine of the UK workforce, for example (Gilbert 2003). Nearly two thirds of employees are female. Therefore, special concepts in HRM are require d to allow for the compatibility of work and family.Gilbert (2003) also points out that: â€Å"[T]he retail sector has had a reputation for not supporting its employees and for having lower pay and longer hours than other sectors. † Future HRM h as to find a practical ap proach that will lead to the right balance of companies’ and employees’ needs in terms of pay ment and hours for the workforce, and service guarantees for their customers. The developments in many European countries show the changing attitudes of young university graduates for whom retailing now provides modern and attractive career pro spects.However, retailing is still far from the first choice for top graduates and this needs to change. Environmental factors such as economic, social, political, cultural, and demo- graphic developments are driving the rapid changes in the retail business. Retail management and HRM departments have to be aware of all these changes. Some of the environmental factors are described below. New Forms of Trading New trading formats have been the lifeline allowing businesses to gain and sus- tain competitive advantage. New t rading form ats are constantly appearing at both ends of the spectrum.Higher margin goods, sometim es even with designer labels, have coexisted with the increasing demand for more aggressive pricing such as that app lied by hypermarkets, off-price retailers, and hard discounters. Often, consumers switch from smaller local stores to supermarkets, and increas- ing numbers of consumers are using new channels for Internet and TV shopping. The international press reports the continuing success of new fo rms of online retailing (e-tailing) in Europe and the USA, as well as rapid changes in Eastern Europe and Asia in use of the Internet.Within these trading formats, new pro- fessions, working careers, and functions are developing very fast. To succeed, HRM has to recognize and manage these changes in retailing human resource requirements. Exchange of knowledge is one of the basic prerequisites: For ex- New Challenges in Retail Human Resource Management 259 ample, the German retailer METRO Group is installing software that will allow knowledge shar ing with sy stematic tr ansfer of all n ecessary infor mation and skills to METRO Group sites throughout the world.It is imperative for a retailer to co llect and struct ure all exper ience and knowledge fro m d ifferent staffs, stores and country-markets. The challenge in the future for retail company man- agement i n general and HRM in particular will be t o ensure t hat th e right knowledge is available at the right time and in the right place. Consumer Behavior Closely aligned with the expansion of new trading formats are the changing needs of consumers.Increasing social acceptance of women in the labor force has led to the emergence of a new l ifestyle and changed consumer purchasing patterns over the last seve ral decades (Gilbert 2003). Present-day consumers are m ore experi- enced, more aware of their important role in the business, and more self-confident than previous generations. Further, as international retailers have found out, there is a great need for retail chains to adapt to ‘local’ ways, so as to fulfill regional needs and shopping habits, especially in the food business (e. g. , see c hapter by Mierdorf, Mantrala and Krafft in this book).Technology Let us consider what retailing looked like 20-30 years ago: little or no EPOS tech- nology, electro-mechanical tills, paper-driven accounting, checking and co mptom- eter systems, perhaps enhanced by a ‘Kim ball tag’ system to aid stock replenish- ment. Thirty years ago there were not even many supermarkets—self-service was just appearing over the horizon for some modern retailers in the 1960s and 1970s. The advent of increasing computerization in the late 1970s started to affect busi- nesses as they adapted to possibilities that began to open up through IT-supported working practices.Processes for controlling, distribution, payroll, accounting and, especially, merchandise management systems started to be aut omated during the early 1980s. E DI, scanning, and bar-coding were im plemented—after he avy IT investments—to lower costs and increase accuracy levels. Many organizations were downsized and refocused as these manual processes were converted to more cus- tomer-focused activities and professional supply chain management. Structural Trends and Competition In Europe and USA, retailing is characterized by increasing rates of market con- centration.This is caused by shareholders’ requirements for more cost-effective operations, mergers among suppliers, and the growth of technology. Future retail- ers have to be fast and flexible in making decisions about worldwide sourcing and selling. This calls fo r people to acquire skills and competencies that will allow them to compete successfully in both national and international contexts. Interna- 260 Julia Merkel, Paul Jackson, and Doreen Pick tional HRM has to consider different ways of working with people: in many Euro- pean countries, HRM departments have to cooperate with works councils, which influence companiesà ¢â‚¬â„¢ management thinking.HRM has the role of developing and defining human working processes fai rly an d prov iding for capability-oriented working conditions. Germany’s political debate about the consequences of capital- ism in 2005 shows the need for companies to act and communicate on the basis of consistent and balanced argumentation. HRM needs executives who are familiar with developments going on in a society, shifts in cultural values and behavior. To be competitive in global markets, many organizations reduce staffing levels and change to automated processes to lower costs.Beyo nd this, h owever, more pro- gressive ret ailers, s uch as Carrefour, M ETRO G roup and Wal-Mart, have ex – panded their offerings: they have i nvested heavily in new product ranges, new trading f ormats, and joint v entures, o r i n shapi ng an d spreading t heir bra nds. Merely cutting investments, e. g. , in the sales force, or opening stores around the world per se i s not enough to meet the demands of the new retail age. A clear strategy, stable and IT-supported processes, and correct allocation of financial and management resources are needed for international success the future. Globalization of SourcingSourcing from overseas vendors gathered momentum with the conclusion of trad- ing agreements with, for example, the Peop le’s Republic of China and grants of ‘favored nation’ status. Manufacturing’s importance has decreased enormously in most W estern countries since the em erging Asi an â€Å"t igers† a nd l ess expensive Eastern European manufacturers began to dominate the supply of goods, espe- cially, nonfood goods, to the industrialized countries. Consequently, in the West, distribution has become one of t he most promising sources of improved margins as new technology drives down the cost of logistics.However, with globalization of sourcing, it has become imperative to develop special strategies to enable the headqu arters workforce to be aware of international processes, markets, and com- petitors. Further, domestic retail companies anywhere have to also stay on top of emerging global trends. Companies that plan to enter new foreign markets have to carefully consider local cultures, religious values, and national laws in developing their new market entry strategies. All the developments mentioned above are stron gly interrelated.Retail man- agement and HRM have to jointly examine all these change s to m ake adequate and appropriate adaptations to organizational structures, systems, and processes. Changing Role of HR Departments HR departments—originally called payroll departments, then relabeled staff man- agement, followed by another m etamorphosis to personnel and then to human resource management—have been in the vanguard of change management in re- New Challenges in Retail Human Resource Management 261 tailing. Many companies have recognized that HRM is an essen tial componen t in achieving long-term success, and not just a means of recruiting workers.Areas such as the recruitment process, selection, induction, retention, performance moni- toring and evaluations, staff training, development and motivation. Decision mak- ing, and re-sourcing for expansion will continue to demand the professionalism of HRM workers. Personnel in different kinds of businesses have to adapt and change in response to emerging trends. The international HRM professional has to think globally, while rem aining ab le t o fu lfill lo cal asp irations. This i dea is based on Geert Hofstede’s theory of cultures. He turned the well-known slogan, â€Å"Think globally, act locally† into: â€Å"Act g lobally, think locally. A major task of th e international HRM professional is to provide expertise in terms of interpretations of the local laws and working practices, so as to offer practical steps for successful operation of the international retailer. Building the Future à ¢â‚¬â€œ HRM Challenges for Retailers Retailing means working in a g lobal con text but sim ultaneously adjusti ng to local needs. We describe below some international challenges to HRM in retail which are connected with national and local requirements. As mentioned above, major retail com panies have decided to invest globally to en sure greater po ten- tial for sustainable growth.Several ret ailers have identified internationalization as a huge oppor tunity for growth. In 2006, about 50 % of the METRO Group’s employees work ed ou tside Germany. Th e Am erican retail g iant Wal -Mart, France’s Carrefour, and United Kingdom’s Tesco are thr ee more organizations that are aggressively pursuing international expansion. This immediately gives rise to qu estions that require answers in every ar ea of operati on. An swering these questions is key to successful transformation of a national business model into an international one.HRM strategy builds on the business stra tegy of the firm. The HR persons in charge have to be b usiness partners for management, providing strategic and practical operational solutions in the form of HR concepts or staffing solutions based on thorough know ledge of the bu siness. Wal -Mart’s initial attempt at expansion in Germany failed—as did Marks and Spencer’s—because neither of these companies appreciated the nuances of German retail culture, underestimat- ing local competition and, especially, the price sensitivity of German customers.Carrefour’s for ays i nto the United Kingdom lik ewise end ed with a strategic retreat. As long ago as in 1989, Dawson stated that: â€Å"Retail is a response to cul- ture†Ã¢â‚¬â€and the HRM function plays a c rucial role in assisting corporate man- agement understand and adapt to local cultures. For example, UK consumers’ resistance to th e use of self- scanners p rovided b y some retailers to r educe queues at checkou ts might have be en anticipated by HR managers interacting with local employees. 262 Julia Merkel, Paul Jackson, and Doreen PickStrategic Tasks of HRM: Key strategic tasks of human resource management of an international retailer include: ? Assisting the retailer’s top managers who work well over 60 hours a week negotiating myriad complex issues in a competitive marketplace, cope with stress arising from quick changes, fierce competition, cost pressures, time management problems, and the need to make quick decisions. ? Keeping up to date with continuously developing technology and being able to optimize its usage so as to achieve the right balance between pro- ductivity gains and service gains.HR needs to find answers to the follow- ing question: How much technology can customers and the workforce han- dle in the store? ? Dealing with demography, e. g. , an aging workforce in Western Europe but predominantly young and inexperienced employees in other areas of the world, such as Asia and the M iddle East. Strategically, this poses one of the hardest challenges for HR professionals who are required to recruit and develop t alented st aff, offer t raining f or all age gr oups, ens ure a well- balanced age structure, and build up a working climate enabling employees of all ages to buy in and show suitable results. Cross-cultural recruiting and training: All cultures have their own unique practices and emphases, some of which are obvious while others are more subtle and harder to detect. HR departments need to be able not only to of- fer advice and professional preparation to local managers but also ensure that individuals appointed to these positions are aware of company policies as well as sensitive to the local culture. That is, in international settings, in- dividuals need both a common language and intercultural sensitivity. Identifying and retaining highly qualified, highly motivated individuals ready for international management appointments: The role of HRM is to prov ide an international assignment policy that takes into account individual prob- lems of expatriates, works around and supports family integration abroad. Operational Tasks of HRM: Some key HRM tasks that have to be fulfilled to enable the workforce to meet the needs of customers nationally and internationally include: ?Reshaping and r estructuring the workforce so as t o broaden their e xperi- ence by the acquisition of n ew skills: Developments like automatic stock replenishment, new methods of conducting transactions, and alterations to the way goods are displayed, have increased retailer employee training re- quirements. Also employees must learn to serve increasingly litigious con- sumers wh ile main taining h igh productivity wh ich is essen tial in h igh- volume, l ow-margin e nterprises.P rofessional human reso urce m anagers must train employees on how to balance these oft-conflicting demands for high staff-productivity and great customer service. New Challenges in Retail Hu man Resource Management 263 HR Challenges General Conditions ?Company Strategy ?Added Value Management ?Change Management ?Recruitment and Retention ?Employability and Lifelong Learning ?Corporate Governance ?Technology / IT Infrastructure Fig. 1. Challenges and General Conditions for HRM ? The critical resource of most businesses is no longer financial capital, but rather their employees (Barber, Strack 2005).Consequently, identifying and gathering the data for human capital valuation and assessment of the return on human resource investments is an important task for HR managers. ? HRM itself must develop, moving from being a ‘personnel’ department to its new role as a strategic business partner and building the basic structural foundation that will enable companies to organize and optimize their return on human resources. The emerging trends that persistently need HR attention currently include some of the areas discussed below.We m ake a di stinction between HR chal lenges and general conditions (Figure 1). In the case of HR challenges HRM has direct influ- ence, while general conditions are contingencies within which HRM has to oper- ate. This list is not exhaustive, but looks at some selected current trends and needs. Current HR Challenges ? Company Strategy. HRM has to adapt its entire program to the company’s overall vision and strategy. It is known that organizations with good human capital management generally create substantially more shareholder value than other companies.The significance of human capital is especially visi- ble in the case of a merger. The success of a merger depends much more on the competencies of the staff and m anagement than on other aspects, such as finance, IT, and production. Hax and Majluf (1991) feel that it is there- fore essential for well-planned practices and highly efficient HR functions to be aligned with the business of the company concerned. An HR strategy must be ‘com prehensive’ in the sense of addressing all the different per- sonnel and HR activities central to the long-term development of the firm’s businesses.HRM departments have to conceptualize and structure business 264 Julia Merkel, Paul Jackson, and Doreen Pick plans with detailed operations extending from the current to the future state of strategy, organization, and action. These must be based on the organiza- tion’s mission and common values. ? Added Value Management. This confronts HRM with the critical q uestion of what actions add m easurable value to the business. There is less cer- tainty about the central direction and more about committed management setting the right tone within the organization for defined values to flourish.Commitment in the form of personal engagement and belief in the organi- zation and its concepts is important. HRM has to support this by elaborat- ing concepts and criteria for their evaluation, some of which should be re- vised annually. The following behavioral aspects of the workforce should be included in the HRM concept: ? Personal Honesty and Integrity ? Self-Motivation and Entrepreneurial Style ? Ability to Communicate the Values and Benefits ? Encouraging Others to Want to Work with the Company and Share its Values; Pride in the Company Training and Developing, Coaching, and Mentoring ? Change Management. The most important drivers for change are globaliza- tion, technology, and a workforce that is in creasingly knowledge-based. Ulrich has stated that there is a need to redefine firms’ performance less in terms of cutting cost and more in terms of profitable growth (Ulrich 1997). Managers have to be able to make changes happen of their own volition and also to support the company in its drive for sustained success. Manag- ers have to be able to empower their own staff.Moss Kanter (1989) states that it is only through true empowerment that staff will really contribute to the changing needs of a busi ness, since they will then be doing things be- cause they understand them and for the right reasons, thinking and reflect- ing on the changes and t heir likely impact, and above all feeling at ease with the implementation of change. Change management recognizes the need to reflect on t he manager’s role in the management of cha nge, the identification of problems, and the ability to make changes in either a pro- grammed or a no nprogrammed manner.HRM has to take accoun t of the risks required for the achievement of change in the company. ? Recruitment and Retention. Employee recruitment and selection is one the most vital HR functions. However, the retail industry is faced with difficul- ties in attracting highly educated people. Nonetheless there is a po sitive trend for change. The challenge for HRM is to show the attractiveness of the retail sector a nd ensure that appropriate training and careers are avail- able, so that this sector can take a leading place in t he competition for availab le talent.Retail has recently been promoting opening up access to its workforce by declared rejection of discrimination on the grounds of gender New Challenges in Retail Human Resource Management 265 or race, and, lately, also by employing more elderly persons. It is also nec- essary to build up programs for part-time workers. The ability to value di- versity within the workforce is a strength, provided that this is backed up by continuous training and correctness. Many organizations run courses on this aspect, usually under the title of ‘Inc reasing Self-awareness,’ as t he ability to understand one’s impact on others is a powerful skill.Next, reten- tion focuses on the goal of keep well-performing staff in the company. This depends not only on interesting work, fair compensation, and a motivating climate and management culture, but also on transparent and achievable ca- reer paths combined with a supportive management that provides guidance. ? Employability and Continuing Education. This is a major area of challenge to most employers, but especially those who employ large numbers of staff, as retailers do. Staff have to take retraining in order to adapt to a constantly changing external environment.It is a question of mind-set, working envi- ronment, and attitude towards self-responsibility. The future will be charac- terized by the following needs, amongst others: ? The need to handle increasing complexity. ? The need f or co ntinual enh ancement of th e ma nagement skill sets known as ‘Life-Long Learning,’ i. e. the ability to adapt to changing en- vironments, challenges and technology. ? The need for a positive attitude to newly emerging opportunities: Manag- ers themselves have to become life-long learners.This is of particular im- portance to the changing generations. The process can be aimed, for ex- ample, at obtaining further business qualifications, such as an M BA, a marketing diploma, or HRM qualifications, or atte nding training courses on key skills, such as lead ership, or personal development workshops. Some universities are now of fering master’s degree courses on wor k- based learning in which projects are directly related to the learning envi- ronment of the individual s tudent’s workplace.Analysis of actual workproblems can be counted as a credit toward an MA o r an MSc. Classroom training fostering positive acceptance of new structures, top- ics, and technologies is necessary. ? The need to communicate regularly and precisely, and transmit meaning and values: While the company will provide support, it will be the indi- vidual managers who have to ‘drive’ their own learning and that of others in periods of intense change, often using technology such as video con- erencing or E-l earning/blended learning to pursue their studies. HRM needs to consult with managers on how best to use modern methods. ?The need for creative management: This can be the way to bring new insights into common view or to introduce new issues as an area for the HRM specialist to develop. Many managers are locked into their own reality or their own version of their world, allowing themselves to be trapped into a mind-set of either success or self-perpetuating failure. One 266 Julia Merkel, Paul Jackson, and Doreen Pick f the keys to successful business growth is for managers not to allow themselves to be trapped in a ‘psychic prison’ (Morgan 2001) of t heir own making, causing them always to see retail in one dimension only. Current General Conditions ? Corporate Governance. The recent case of Enron and the difficulties faced by retailers such as Sainsbury suggest that the governance of these organi- zations was grossly at fault in permitting the excessive amounts of power vested in their chief executive officers (CEOs).The nonexecutive directors seem to have abdicated their duties in not restraining the CEOs in their riskier schemes. Expansion, absolu te power, soaring costs, and misinterpre- tation of facts and figures appear to have gone unchecked and a tacit acqui- escence to have been entered into, presumably with the goal of presenting stakeholders with a picture that was m ore positive than the reality. As th e impact of the backlash is always difficult to predict, it is likely that HR di- rectors will become more closely involved in the careful examination of candidates’ integrity and suitability for high office.It is likely that this will slow t he decision-making process within t he board e nvironment, b ut i t might be a small price to pay for a more responsible environment acting in the best interests of all parties. HRM needs to motivate the entire staff of their company, to observe and evaluate the ‘political’ situation within the company, and to react in a n appropriate way that ca n influence the re- tailer’s level of success. HRM has the opportunity, and therefore the duty, to influence national and international codes of corporate governance. ? Technology/IT Infrastructure.In some of the ne w and emerging m arkets management has to decide whether to implement a total system with all branches totally aligned with the parent company. It can be prohibitively expensive for a branch at the periphery of the organization to lock into a global IT infrastructure that is geared to operations in Western countries where labor costs are very much higher. Retailers operating internationally rely on com mon platforms and IT structures; the decision to be m ade is when is the time right for investments? A major change in retailing in the future will be the worldwide use of RFID technologies.The success of the METRO Group in developing and running their â€Å"Future Store† in R heinberg as a tigh tly controlled experi- ment has ha d a strong impact on t he application of new technologies in ‘real business,’ since METRO Group has shared the results with industry and with its wholesalers, as well as its IT and logistics providers (see, e. g. , chapter by Kalyanam, Lal a nd Wolfram in this book). The scientific re- search involves customers’ reactions to the new shopping methods, and possibly also staff training in the use of intelligent technologies and intro- ductions to available information and changing processes for customers.New Challenges in Retail Human Resource Management 267 In conclusion, there has been, and continues to be, a great deal of activity sur- rounding staff appraisal. The management of progression, or performance moni- toring, continues to exercise HRM professionals, who wish it to be as fair as pos- sible to individuals, but also want the company to obtain maximum benefit from the exercise. While the strategy should be systematic, it also needs to be continu- ous, with a fully im plemented set of key me trics.A full look at each individual’s future, which can be a position as well as a set of personal go als, should be carried out at regu lar intervals. HRM professionals must ensure that line managers can perform this function. Next, we discuss approaches that address current HR challenges in retailing. HR Challenges General Conditions ?Company Strategy ?Added Value Management ?Change Management ?Recruitment and Retention ?Employability and Life-long Learning ?Corporate G overnance ?Technology/ IT Infrastructure Structure Motivation Fig. 2.Approaches to Challenges and General Conditions for HRM Approaches to HR Challenges in Retailing Practice Building up and Keeping Motivation As indicated in Figure 2, HRM has to en sure that the workforce is motivated and trained to satisfy consumers’ needs. Retailers have to develop the employee value proposition. This means an attractive position with the fulfillment of employee needs and expectations and achievement of a go od, unique image in terms of re- cruiting and keeping human capital. We list below some approaches to retaining an adequate sales force. HR quality cannot be assured without investment.Such investment has to be justified in economic terms and must therefore be constantly monitored: ? Planning the HR costs and expenditures for the annual business budget and forecasts ? Supplying key data needed for planning the workforce at all levels and providing benchmark data on key performance indicators, such as average working hours per store opening hour, turnover per w orking hour, profit per working hour 268 Julia Merkel, Paul Jackson, and Doreen Pick ? Elaboration of systems to measure the work involved in and results of HRM (training investment per employee, rate of internal job placements, etc. ? Providing common and communicated values of the com pany to give the workforce a strategic framework and common mind-set ? Creating a transparent internal job market ? Offering the staff a perspective for the future and clear career paths ? Flexible models of working times, such as part-time working concepts , an- nualized hours contracts, and balancing of profession and family with the aid of sabbaticals ?Ensuring adequate processes, tools, and budget to allow for members of the workforce to achieve their objectives and ambitions Continuing education of ex ecutives and employees within actual training programs and a corporate university ? Training the workforce in soft skills and mentoring to ensure proper align- ment of their values with the company’s values and beliefs ? Initiation of an employee suggestion/inquiry system to improve the process of cooperation ? Recruitment of talented graduates from exchange programs with universi- ties worldwide ? International education within internal exchange programs, with p artici- pants from different countries ? Apprenticeships and e ducations in new professions to build up t he best workforce Sharing company success with e mployees (incentive systems at all sta ff levels, based on parameters that are accessible to employees) ? Offerin g fringe benefits, such as discounts for shopping at the employer’s stores, company cars, equity programs, retirement arrangements, company nursery/kindergarten, and other social benefits. The Future of HRM and Final Remarks Most employees spend a substantial amount of time at work. Some people there- fore consider their job decisions on joining a retail company or some other indus- try in the cont ext of social environment.HRM has to kee p an eye on s uch con- straints, as the retail trade is anxious to attract the best employees. Future HRM will concentrate on supporting management and workforce and outsource admin- istrative tasks to contractors. In future, there will be more intensive collaboration New Challenges in Retail Human Resource Management 269 and networking with external parties. New professions in retail, such as that of IT specialist, are developing. HRM must also place greater emphasis on ethical work- ing conditions, safer working environments, and equal-opp ortunity policies (end- ing sex/age discrimination, inclusion of minorities, etc. . In any company, HRM has to build up trust and commitment among all persons working in that organiza- tion. Continued reliance on traditional processes is d efinitely no longer a recipe that pr omises much success. HR m anagement has t o a ssure fast a nd market- oriented actions that are appropriate to complex market situations. HRM will have to set priorities on the HR strategy and its realization, but will be viewed on the operational side more in the role of a serv ice center. In future, the issue of management development will gain even greater importance.To sum up, HRM has to be aligned with the business strategy of the company, to work in keeping with all of its corporate objectives, and to be prepared not only to help in implementing all changes necessary but also to instigate and be at the vanguard of change programs. Further, HRM should be aware of employee inter- ests within the organizatio n yet conscious of its place as the ‘power house’ when controversial business decisions, such as downsizing, have to be implemented. Lastly, it plays a key role in ensuring that constant retooling and retraining takes place in the operation to meet ever-evolving challenges.Life-long learning should be an integral part of any business, to enable it to respond to its rivals’ activities with fresh initiatives within the company. HRM specialists have to ensure the long-term performance of â€Å"their† retail or- ganizations. 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