Meeting Stakeholder and Quality needs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Meeting Stakeholder and Quality needs - Essay Example (Ashley & Amir, 2010) Intermediary stakeholders are not directly related to the organization but may have an interest in the organization. E.g. - government. The list of stakeholders of any company are- The stakeholders have many expectations and it can be categorized as satisfied, exceeded, created or eliminated. The success of the organization depends if the expectations are met or not met. The expectations of the stakeholders can be overlapping and there are various operational and management goals are designed to satisfy the different stakeholder expectations. The expectations of the customers will be to get the better quality service and low costs and the expectations of the management and the company is to improve the return on investment, increase profit margins and control operational expenses. (Kumar, 1998) There are different ways of achieving the stakeholder expectations. Defining standards for input, process and outcomes are very essential for meeting the requirements. The standards laid by the organization must be realistic, reliable, valid, clear and easily measurable. Firstly, the organization needs to analyze the stakeholders and understand their interest and impact in the organization. The organization then needs to develop a strategy that provides guidance to communicate and interact with the key stakeholders. The strategy developed need to be implemented across the organization to achieve the desired results. The stakeholder strategy should incorporate the following elements-   These results have to be periodically checked and monitored to access the results. This helps the organization to evaluate where they stand and what are the additional strategies that need to be adapted in order to improve the results with the organizations stakeholder.  (Lauri, 2009) It is very essential for the organization to organize regular meetings with the key stakeholders and involve them in every meeting. Review process should be initiated and approval of

Global Language Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Global Language - Essay Example There are various nations in the world who speak French as their professional and official language. Ability to communicate in French along with English will help an individual in accessing employment opportunities in areas where French and English is used professionally to communicate. An individual who has the ability to communicate in French along with English can gain access to the top universities throughout the world. A total of 41 universities where education is delivered in French language are amongst the top 250 universities throughout the world. One such university includes Ecole Polytechnique ParisTech University (Top Universities, 2015). Individuals who know how to communicate in French can easily gain admission in such universities. Learning French can help an individual learn about the cultures of different groups and regions. Broady states that there are more than 200 million individuals who speak French language and they are divided in five different continents (Broady, 2003, p.200). One can take advantage of having the ability to communicate in French to learn about the culture of these individuals. Two languages that can be considered as global languages includes French as well as English but one needs to learn French along with English to reap the various benefits that the French language has to offer. By learning French one can increase the number of employment opportunities they can access. An individual can gain access to top universities throughout the world by learning French and they can learn about the cultures of 200 million individuals throughout the world with this

Sustainable Operation Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sustainable Operation Management - Essay Example The sudden shift in the approach of companies towards sustainability occurred due to the sheer pressure from the customers, investors, local people in the area of operation and to some extent the employees (Dernbach, 2002). This report will shed light on the importance of sustainability in an organization. In addition, factors such as benefits of sustainability will also be covered. However, the principal purpose of this study is to address the issues that companies are facing in developing and implementing sustainability policies. Apart from addressing the aforementioned issues, the report will also emphasize the effectiveness of the approaches of different companies towards sustainability. The persisting inconsistencies of those companies in terms of their sustainability will be also highlighted. Finally, based on the outcomes the study will draw a conclusion and will provide recommendations on how to improve sustainability. Before getting further deep into the study, a brief synop sis of what sustainability actually means will be presented below. Discussion Sustainability has always been a significant and relevant issue for a large number of organizations. Sustainability management practices and strategies are of growing importance to every department of the organization. Sustainable development can be defined as a process of development in which the companies meet the present needs of the customers without compromising on the future needs (Bigg, 2004). Over the last few years, there has been an increasing pressure on the companies to reduce operations which harm the environment. Therefore, it is important for the companies to follow sustainable development. The principal driving factors of this drastic shift are competitive pressures, perceived marketing advantages, legal obligations, demands of investors and internal ethical values of the firm. The organizations which have considered sustainable development got benefitted to a large extent. For example, the se companies have been able to reduce their operating costs, increase market share and market penetration, increase investment levels, enhance brand reputation, developed new products and markets and improve customer satisfaction process (Misra, 2008). In order to get these advantages, it is important to take sustainable initiatives. According to a study carried out by Deloitte, several factors act as the enabler of sustainability. The major ones are allotted budget, dedicate employees, technology and also the company’s capability to focus on financial and strategic considerations. The table below will depict these factors more clearly. Figure 1 (Source: Deloitte, 2010) It is important that companies should meet the present needs without diminishing the capabilities of meeting future demands. Sustainable development is therefore regarded as a challenge for the organizations. In order to implement sustainable development, companies have to deal with a large number of issues. F or example, the increase in energy and food prices during the year 2008, led to severe food crisis. Despite in the reduction of energy prices, the food prices continued to remain high. The global economic downturn of 2009 has further exacerbated the condition. The negative impacts were reduced growth rates and increasing unemployment (Department of Economic and Social Affair, n.d.). Figure 2 (Source: Carter and Rogers 2008) The significance of sustainability in every department of an organization cannot be denied. However, the importance is more for a

Investing in Human Assets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Investing in Human Assets - Essay Example It might be possible only if proper coordination within the employees of the organization might be seen resulting in the prospects of the firm. This is because; as human resource or employees act as the prime pillars of any organization so it is duty of the management to offer all types of basic facilities to them in order to make them happy and motivated towards work. Only then, the productivity of the organization might increase resulting in amplification of the profit margin and revenue among others. Therefore, it might be clearly stated that the productivity and image of the organization entirely depends on the hands of the human resource and so proper investment over human resource is essential. In this essay, the importance of investing in human resource of the organization is highlighted along with this the significant impact of RBV in making such investments in the fields of HR is also focused. Side by side, the ways by which RBV supports the competitive advantage of the orga nization. Along with five recommendations are also provided to make the implementation program successful in all regards. Importance of the Organization in Making Significant Investments in HR Organization is an association or group composed of employees of varied skills and talents. They are collectively recognized as the human resource of the organization. Human resource is the main part of an organization without which it might not function effectively. This is because it is the employees or the human resource who work for the betterment of the organization thereby enhancing its profit margin and revenues in the market among others. Other than this, the brand image and reputation of the organization is also due to the introduction of varied types of innovative products or services by the employees of the organization. Due to these products or services a large array of customers gets attracted towards it resulting in enhancement of the entire ROI. Thus it is also a duty of the org anizational management to work for the benefit of the employees to make them happy and retain them for a longer period of time. Thus it is a vice-versa process and if one side goes wrong then the entire process might fail (Wright, 1993). Each and every organizational management is commitment to make significant investment in enhancing the interior skills and talents by organizing varied types of training programs. This might prove effective for the employees in improving their job skills and abilities resulting in amplification of their performance level as well as productivity of the organization. It might also improve the dedication level and devotion towards their work resulting in amplification of organizational productivity and revenues (Mello, 2011). Apart from this, proper communication is also essential to improve organizational effectiveness and image in the market with the help of an efficient leader or manager. If the manager very easily mingles with the employees through interpersonal relationship and tries to understand their views and ideas regarding any plan or program then the entire revenue invested in recruiting him might become effective. This might reduce the risks of turnover rates along with the fear to lose good performers of the organizat

Terrorism and Homeland Security Quiz Assignment

Terrorism and Homeland Security Quiz - Assignment Example Terrorism and Homeland Security Quiz Force multipliers, in terrorism, is the process and means that aid in augmented activities in terrorism. The five types of force multipliers in terrorism are: religion, media, transitional support, technology and recruitments as discussed. Religion offers an auspicious environment for member groups to have a common ideology towards a certain goal. Religion offer doctrines used to recruit and train new members. Members have to respect the belief systems of the group such that they can even sacrifice their bodies in order to uphold the teachings. The terrorism groups use various religions such as Islam through quoting verses in the Quran that encourage killings. (Chandra, 2003). The terrorism groups use media to convey their message to the wider world, which enhances their survival, and as a means to elicit fear to the populace (Hamm, 2007). The terrorism groups use media to convey a message of ill intentions that lead to fluctuations in moral behaviors, in the society. The transitional support provides an opportunity to the terrorist to carry out an attack through offering financial support and military empowerment (Hamm, 2007). The terrorist groups use this support to deviate from the law; thus establishing their guidelines in order to control various localities within their dispensation in order to enhance their dominance. Terrorism takes advantage of the rapid advance of technology in the contemporary world, which allows inventions of explosive devices that terrorist groups use to make sophisticated bombs. Terrorist inculcate various technological skills in their training in order to make such explosive devices.

Compare how the theme of loss Essay Example for Free

Compare how the theme of loss Essay As he was inexperienced and had childlike thoughts and imagination, he was unaware of what situation he put himself in, which once again outlines the innocence of his youth. However, it does mention several times that â€Å"He asked to join. He didn’t have to beg† which refers back to the idea that he is only to blame, as whatever position he is now standing in, was completely his decision. He had also been taken away by the persuasive black propaganda. This makes his loss feel more pointless and very regretful. So this defies his argument about blaming Meg. Whilst comparing these characters together they, as well, blame their faults onto somebody else. We, as a reader, understand this, because when he mentions the reasons why he joined up for war, he mentions how it was â€Å"to please his Meg†, and this sounds sarcastic to us that he threw his life away at such a young age for a girl who doesn’t even care enough to visit him anymore, instead leaving him lonely in a â€Å"wheeled chair, waiting for dark†. He is more or less blaming her for making his life futile. Also, again in proximity with the poem ‘Out, Out-’ where he blames it on the â€Å"snarling† saw that appeared to attack at him. Frost personifies the saw repeatedly throughout the poem, how the saw â€Å"leaped out at the boy’s hand† and how it had â€Å"snarled and rattled in the yard†. Giving the image of an animal, waiting to pounce. These two characters are forced to be independent about their lives because they are both rejected by others. In the poem ‘Out, Out-’ he complains about how once he died nobody had taken much interest when he died â€Å"since they were not the one dead†, they â€Å"turned to their affairs†, and this compares nicely within ‘Disabled’ where he talks about how â€Å"women’s eyes passed from him to the strong men that were whole†, as well as having rejection hit at him, it also makes him feel dehumanised, that he is now labelled â€Å"Disabled† and now he has stripped of his masculinity. This again alludes to the idea of loss as he is being abandoned by everyone. He had a massive crowd of people chanting him off to war, whereas â€Å"only some cheered him home†. This gives a lonely, isolated and unloved atmosphere. Furthermore, these two poets have created a contrast between idyllic working environments with the beautiful setting coming into contrast with horrific events. Robert Frost has created a perfect example of this in the poem â€Å"Out, Out-† when mentioning the â€Å"Five mountain ranges one behind the other Under the sunset far into Vermont† and also describes the â€Å"sweet, scented stuff†. The sibilance on the â€Å"sweet† and â€Å"scented† exaggerates the pleasant atmosphere. By mentioning these notes about how everything was delightful, and how all of his five senses are all sensational and pleasurable, it creates a sense of danger in a way that everything at the moment is perfect and it is making the reader predict that it is just leading up to something more hazardous and dangerous. Another example of the use of this effect would be in the poem ‘Disabled’ where Wilfred Owen describes how the disabled soldier listens outside from his hospital bed how the â€Å"Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn† and also their â€Å"Voices of play and pleasure†. The use of this anaphora gives the effect of an echo and how the children’s happiness haunts him. Also the plosive used on â€Å"play and pleasure† gives it a harsh tone to possibly show that he is jealous of the freedom of the children as he barely had any youth himself so he envies those who have. What sounds to the reader (which is mirrored earlier on) is a beautiful setting by which Owen has as well as Frost added a negative perspective to it. However, in this poem it is to show the emotions of the angry and bitter disabled soldier, unlike in ‘Out, Out-’ where it is to show the building tension of a beautiful setting coming into contrast with a scene of horrific events. These characters are very remorseful about why they had made their stupid mistakes in the first place. This once again makes the loss wasted and valueless.

A History Of Air Pollution In Pietermaritzburg Environmental Sciences Essay

A History Of Air Pollution In Pietermaritzburg Environmental Sciences Essay There is enough scientific evidence from various sources to support the fact that Pietermaritzburg is plagued by air pollution, which is worsened by the topography of the city. There is also much research proving the link between air pollution and asthma. Recent trials show, that not only does air pollution exacerbate asthma, it can actually cause asthma. However, there needs to be further research and trials done to scientifically prove this point. Medical statistics are extremely hard to come by in South Africa, which makes proving the link between air pollution causing asthma difficult. However, there is substantial evidence showing how air pollution triggers asthma attacks and makes them more severe. Air Pollution in Pietermaritzburg: History Past to Present day: Air pollution in Pietermaritzburg is not a new problem. There are over two-hundred newspaper articles in the Witness Newspaper Archives, dating back from the 1980s to present day, reporting on this issue. Old and current photographs of the city often show smog hanging over Pietermaritzburg. In the past, air pollution was caused mainly by cooking fires. However, todays pollution has the added toxicity of man-made pollution from factories and motor vehicles (Banfield, 1992). Twenty percent of Pietermaritzburg residents are affected by air pollution compared to five percent elsewhere in South Africa (Banfield, 1992). Pietermaritzburgs air is monitored by the Msunduzi Municipality, which has recorded that the citys air contains the following pollutants: particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen (oxides), ozone, carbon monoxide and many other harmful gases (Anthony, Nov 2007 and June 2007). Figure 1: Showing the smog formation over Pietermaritzburg: (The Witness Newspaper, 28 June 2008) (Wilson, 2008) Location of Pietermaritzburg: Pietermaritzburg, owing to bad town planning, has all of its main industry and landfill site in the citys bowl. This has resulted in a worsening of air pollution. The N3 highway runs straight through the heart of Pietermaritzburg, as the number of large trucks and vehicles increase, so do the emissions from these vehicles. The timber plantations on the escarpment of the citys basin and sugar plantations on the hilltops, add to the pollution in Pietermaritzburg as these plantations need to be burnt as routine farming practice. (Anthony, Nov 2007 and June 2007) Pietermaritzburgs geographical position in a valley causes a temperature inversion to occur. A temperature inversion is not a normal phenomenon, it only occurs in a valley (such as Pietermaritzburg) and the effect is worsened in winter. The cold air sinks down the sides of the valley and remains on the base of the valley frost may form here. The warm air (along with pollutants) then rises and stops half way up the valley slope to form a thermal belt. This belt traps pollutants and enhances their bad properties and negative health impacts, as the pollutants are not able to escape and they remain over the city and cause health hazardous smog to form. The diagrams below show the effect of the Temperature Inversion in Pietermaritzburg: (Sherriffs, 1989) Major Contributors of Air Pollution: The major contributors of air pollution in Pietermaritzburg are: emissions from industry, motor vehicles, fires at the landfill site and the burning of timber plantations and sugarcane plantations (Anthony, Nov 2007 and June 2007). Major industry, such as FFS Refiners, is guilty of adding to the pollution problem of Pietermaritzburgs air. Below are two graphs showing two of the major pollutants specific to the triggering and severity of asthma: Figure 2: Graph showing the daily averages and acceptable level (in red) of Particulate Matter (air pollution) in Pietermaritzburgs air (Anthony, Nov 2007 and June 2007) Figure 3: Graph showing the daily averages and acceptable level (in red) of Carbon Monoxide (air pollution) in Pietermaritzburgs air (Anthony, Nov 2007 and June 2007) In both graphs pollutants exceed the acceptable national pollution guidelines (highlighted in red) in the months of June and July (winter months) this is owing to the temperature inversion which worsens the pollution problem. Health Problems: Asthma is a chronic health condition, which causes inflammation and narrowing of the lungs airways, which causes difficulty in breathing for the patient and the patient may develop a dry, wheezy cough. Pollutants cause the restriction of the airways, as the pollution particles aggravate the airways of the lungs. Dr R.Gilbert, a general practitioner in Pietermaritzburg with an interest in asthma, states that the number of asthma patients that he treats is much higher than one would expect to find in a town the size of Pietermaritzburg. Dr Gilbert mentioned that Dr W.Robates, an ENT specialist, and Dr A.F.Jooma, a paediatrician, supported his views that the air pollution in Pietermaritzburg is a very real problem, which, without doubt, has a significant effect on the control and severity of asthma. He also states that many of his patients who leave Pietermaritzburg for significant lengths of time and then return often do not suffer from their asthma condition while out of the city. However, on returning, their allergies and asthma symptoms reoccur (Gilbert, 2010, Robates, 2010 and Jooma, 2010). In a telephonic interview with Umbalica Balrashie, the regional sales manager for Glaxo Smith Kline, a leading pharmaceutical company which promotes asthma products, information was provided noting that the three highest sales areas for asthma medication in Kwa-Zulu Natal are Richards Bay, Durban South and Pietermaritzburg. Both Richards Bay and Durban South are highly industrialised areas with significant air pollution emissions, when compared to Pietermaritzburg but owing to Pietermaritzburgs temperature inversion, the pollutants are intensified and therefore, the triggering and severity of asthma attacks in Pietermaritzburg are equal to these two industrialised areas (Balrashie, 2010). Community Views and Issues: Many residents in Pietermaritzburg have complained about the issue of air pollution in the city. In the year 1993, Pietermaritzburg residents spent nearly R1,5 million on asthma medication, stating that the citys pollution has significantly contributed to these costs (Quinlain, 1993). There have been many cases reported of families moving to Pietermaritzburg, and developing asthma or suffering from worsening existing asthma conditions, simply owing to the exposure and intensity of the citys air pollution, which is enhanced and worsened by the temperature inversion. Residents in Pietermaritzburg have complained continuously about the state of the citys air. However, the Msunduzi Municipality have done little about the pollution levels, as these levels of emissions are under the accepted and legal levels during most of the year. What the municipality has failed to promote to National Government is the fact that Pietermaritzburg is situated in a valley which causes a temperature inversion, ultimately worsening the levels of pollutants hanging above the city (in smog). This results in the pollutants being trapped over Pietermaritzburg. Industry and the Local Governments Role: Industry is responsible for the output of toxic emissions, which need to be monitored. Local Government need to take a more stringent and committed stance in relation to industry emission levels. The government needs to create awareness about air pollution and its negative health effects. Car emissions are great contributors to health problems (such as asthma). Pollution warning systems have been taught to the public in the United Kingdom (UK) by the government. South Africa needs to do the same (Hutton, 2010). The South African government has recently (March 2010) invested in a new air quality monitoring system (ODonnell, 2010), which monitors the amount of pollutants in the air and the quality of air (whether good or bad). The major areas of concern that need air-quality assessment and monitoring include transportation areas such as highway routes and main roads, urban areas, municipalities and local community exposure. (ODonnell, 2010) this suggests that Pietermaritzburg should be monitored closely along the main highway through the city and where industry is situated. However, for this to be successful, the local government needs to maintain the monitoring system and it costs a lot of money. This maintenance of the monitoring system needs to be put into South Africas yearly budget for the municipalities. National government needs to constantly assess the problematic pollution cities, such as Pietermaritzburg. This monitoring system should show improvement in the air. If not, the government can ascertain from the monitoring system which pollutants are most rife and where they are being emitted from. National government, together with Local government, could then work on strategies to lower the toxic emissions which ultimately cause health problems. Solutions: N3 Highway The N3 highway is a problem as heavy duty trucks create huge emissions. The railroads should be reintroduced to transport containers from Durban Harbour to Johannesburg. This would dramatically reduce the number of big trucks on the highway and as they often travel in the early hours of the morning, air pollution would be reduced as the temperature inversion is most significant in the early hours of the morning. Industry Local Government needs to work with industry in Pietermaritzburg to improve the amount of emissions that factories produce. As discussed, in an interview with Mr J.Pather, the Head of Environmental Health Services at Msunduzi Municipality, industry have complied in many instances to reduce emissions. From information supplied by Mr C.J.Anthony, Pollution Control Coordinator at Msunduzi Municipality, many specific air pollution issues have been dealt with. For example, Greys hospitals oil furnace has been replaced with paraffin (Anthony, Nov 2007 and June 2007). No further industry should be built in the citys bowl, this will contain the present air pollution. Pietermaritzburgs New England Landfill Site The New England Landfill Site needs to be moved out of the citys bowl. The particulate fall out is unacceptable and because of the temperature inversion, the pollution emissions are worsened. The municipality has attempted to improve conditions but the fact is that the landfill site needs to be moved elsewhere. Burning There are strict regulations concerning the burning of forests and sugarcane. These need to be monitored and implemented to prevent fire emissions in the wrong seasons. Monitoring National Government needs to work closely with Local Government and provide funds which will allow the municipality to upgrade and maintain air pollution monitoring equipment. Constraints: Economic Msunduzi Municipality is in a crisis. The control of air pollution is a low priority at present. It would be a huge expense to fix railroads and to move the Landfill Site. Pietermaritzburg lacks both funds and skills to drive the concept of clean air. Environmental Pietermaritzburg is surrounded by timber plantations and sugarcane farms. This cannot be changed. Conclusion: It is scientifically proven that air pollution triggers and increases the severity of asthma attacks. The link between air pollution and asthma is an accepted fact by specialists throughout the world. In recent years scientists have shown that air pollution from cars, factories and power plants is a major cause of asthma attacks. Further research is currently underway in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) to prove this theory. Pietermaritzburg has high levels of particulate matter and ozone which are two pollutants directly responsible for the triggering of asthma attacks. The temperature inversion in Pietermaritzburg is a known geographical fact which worsens the pollution significantly. It is therefore scientifically correct to state that air pollution in Pietermaritzburg is worsened by the temperature inversion and this air pollution triggers and worsens asthma attacks.