BUSINESS LAW(All contractual terms are either categorised as Essay

BUSINESS LAW(All contractual terms are either categorised as conditions or warranties. How true is this statement Discuss, with reference to case law. ) - Essay Example There ought to be a consideration that will pass hands once the promises of the contract have been fulfilled. Finally, the agreement should be not violate the laws of the land. For example, it would be illegal to enter into an agreement of drug trafficking. Once these conditions have been fulfilled, the agreement becomes a contract that can be enforced by the court of law.2 As such, all contractual terms are either categorized as conditions or warranties Terms of contracts are promises or statements made by one person to another in order to encourage him to enter into a contract.3They comprise of duties and responsibilities of the parties to a contract. The terms may be express or implied. The parties themselves put down express terms, either in writing or verbally. In a written contract, any statement is an explicit term of the contract. An example is in Duffy & Ors v. Newcastle United Football Co. Ltd. (2000). The law from the actions or intentions of the parties infers implied terms of a contract. Shirlaw v Southern Foundries [1939] is a good example of a situation where terms of the contract were implied. In the case, the claimant was hired as a managing director for a term of ten years. Later the defendant altered the articles of association giving the company the power to remove directors. The firm fired the claimant before the end of his ten years contract. The court held that when signing the employment contract there was an assumption that the company would not remove the managing director from his position during the term of the contract. Another assumption was that the enterprise would not alter the articles of association to give it the right to fire the managing director. A condition is a term of a contract that goes to the root of the contract. Failure to honour a conditional term renders an agreement very different from the original one. Hence, conditions are the essential terms of a contract.4 Due to their

HRM - Summary post Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HRM - Summary post - Essay Example The L&D strategies need to be clear and must mention the learning outcomes whilst promoting the self-esteem of employees. Currently, my focus organization has an effective L&D strategy. Within their budget they have created opportunities of learning via classroom sessions, seminars and various job rotations so an employee fully understands and learns different aspects of his job and his role within the organization. As effective as it is, the mundane routine often leads the employees to be strayed. The continuous office routine incorporated with lengthy seminar and classroom session sometimes seem meaningless to the employees. Job rotations too are difficult to manage and incorporate. On the other hand learning from everyday activities or incidental learning must be incorporated in the strategy for a better training. Make the training fun so the employees wish to learn and excel. Providing incentives at the end of training session would optimize the employee’s performance. The employees must be sent on field for some practical knowledge and must be trained to implement these details when they return to the

Human factors in technology Essay Example for Free

Human factors in technology Essay Man is the only being who has utilized technology, to the point that it also caused technology to change rapidly through time. Technology has been one of the most influential concepts in the lives of every human being throughout history. It was so influential that it had become one of the major deciding factors in the direction of history. Technological innovations had evolved from the simple to the very complex. From the simple stone cutting tools that prehistoric man had, to the contemporary blades that virtually do not need any resharpening at all. There had also been evolution from the very crude computing technique such as the finger counting, to the very complex supercomputers. In terms of transportation, from the very simple mode of walking and running, man had innovated transportation technology by inventing and innovating cars, planes, ships, etc. Technology had not only affected transportation and computing, but also the social and psychological scene as well. Companies whose general trade is information and technology are the ones whose organizational structure is very much affected by the technological changes. Most of the companies are either computer manufacturers or technological research companies. Apple Inc. , formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc. is an American-based multinational corporation which has its focus on technical manufacturing and designing of electronics and software programs for variations of consumers all around the world. It headquarters can be found in Cupertino, California (Apple, Inc. , 2007; History of Apple, 2007; Mesa, 1998; Apple. com, 2007). This company basically focuses on the development and support of several electronic gadgets for the market. This same company currently has its eyes focused on the innovation of already existing technologies, as well as the formation of a new breed of technology for the market. Some of its world-famous creations are the iPod, iPhone and the AppleTV. Aside from these electronic equipment and gadgets, the Apple, Inc. is also into the creation of new and better software programs. In the past, it had focused on creating and developing operating systems (OS), and specific application programs. Today, Apple, Inc. is now setting the path before it releases its newest operating system, the Mac OS X â€Å"Leopard†. Apple is very much into expanding its frontiers by exploring new ways of marketing and product presentation (Apple, Inc. , 2007; History of Apple, 2007; Mesa, 1998; Apple. com, 2007). It is now into the trend of having an online store where its products, whether hardware or software, can be bought by just a click of the mouse. The company is well-known for their very user-friendly hardware as well as software. Their iPod series, as well as their iPhone, Macintosh series of personal computers and peripherals, iLife software suite, and the Mac OS are just some of their best-known software and hardware products. Also, the company is a major supplier of prosumer software products for specialized purposes such as the audio and film industry (Apple, Inc. , 2007; History of Apple, 2007; Mesa, 1998; Apple. com, 2007). The mentioned things about Apple, Inc. , set up a background for the contemporary company. Technology has an implicit message, and that is to put everything into a very objective perspective, where everything could and should not be subject to an individual’s / group’s personal judgments or beliefs. By virtue of technology, man was able to do things such as measurement and judgment without having biases. With the use of technology, organizations can track their development without having doubts if the people who assessed them were biased about the evaluation process. But this strength is also its weak point. Being very objective would mean that the assessment would be very strict, and it would be guided by certain sets of quantified measurements such as numbers and / or a set of quantified codes. These standards for judgment and assessment can be used to evaluate employees’ activities, company sales and company economic standing. Having these strict standards would mean an easier, more efficient and more economic way of assessing the company. With these, companies such as the Apple could rely on machines about their company’s survival. Machines, which are products of modern technology, could be programmed to assess particular aspects of the company and suggest possible options about how to make the company even more productive. This may sound farfetched, but it could be a good way of looking at the possibility of how machines could help organizations in optimizing their parts. Business oriented companies such as the Apple is currently facing the possibilities of having less human members, and more help from the technology they are developing. These companies, with the help of modern technology, could be able to assess their employees using certain standards that can be input to a computer for further assessment. This way, there would be less processing time, less need for human HRD team members, less specialists in the field of assessing people, more possible members for the pool of computer and technology specialists (which could also mean more capital would be invested on the specialty of the company), and less expenses on the part of the company. Looking at the advantages posed by this method, it would be good to conclude that this could boost company income, thus uplift the lives of its employees in an economic and political sense. On the other hand, this method could also pose a very detrimental effect to the company as a whole, both in the macro and micro perspectives. One disadvantage of this method would be that without the subjective judgments of humans on human resources, it would be possible to miss important and potentially able applicants. Also, it would be possible that the programmed machines would not be able to look the implicit factors such as family background and the personality types of the applicants. Another is the fact that hardcore statistics, which programmed machines use, does not claim that the results are products of the interplay of all possible factors, instead it can only present results with the extraneous factors (which may possibly matter) omitted. References: Apple. com (2007).Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://www. asia. apple. com/. Apple, Inc. (2007). Wikipedia: The Fee Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Apple_Computer. History of Apple (2007). ). Wikipedia: The Fee Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/History_of_Apple_Inc.. Mesa, A. (2007). Apple History Timeline. The Apple Museum. Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://applemuseum. bott. org/sections/history. html.

The Services Offered By Barclays Internet Banking Information Technology Essay

The Services Offered By Barclays Internet Banking Information Technology Essay In this report I seek to look at one of the big worldwide financial provider called Barclays and concentrate very much on its internet banking. Barclays has got 300 years of experience in banking (baclays.com 2010). Barclays bank offers internet banking and serves a large number of customers in the world. The report will also give an outline of the services offered by Barclays internet banking and a deep explanation will be given on how this internet banking is beneficial to the society. There are several services offered by Barclays internet banking. The internet banking services offered by Barclays are not different from the services offered by other banks which are involved in internet banking. Some of the transactions which can be done through internet banking are as follows (lawyerment.com); Furthermore, Barclays online banking allows the user to open his bank account, do savings and investments, pay loans and mortgages, pay insurance as well as to contact international banking. Barclays internet banking also allows students to have their students account, approve their loans, share trading and many more services. Extend to which internet banking is beneficial to society In order to give a judgment on the extent to which internet banking is beneficial to society, two things are to be considered. These are advantages and disadvantages of internet banking to society. The services offered by Barclay internet banking are advantageous to society and detrimental in another way. So in order for me to give a judgment on the extent to which this internet banking is beneficial to society , I will also use the advantages of internet banking as given at (Barclays.co.uk) as well as the general advantages and disadvantages of internet banking. ADVANTAGES OF INTERNET BANKING Convenient and easy Barclays bank provides free online banking and the services are given any time needed. With internet banking, the users can pay their bills, transfer their money, and check their balances while they are home. Whenever something urgent arises for example in paying the bills, users will not need to go to the bank but they can do their transactions right from their homes whenever they have access to internet. For some other people who go to work away from their bank branches, it becomes easy for them to access their accounts everywhere they are. It is also possible to use your mobile phone to access your bank information. Time efficient When opening an account, a lot of time is taken in doing the paper work. But using internet banking, the necessary procedures are clearly provided for users. In the case of Barclays, the necessary information for users is provided on the necessary websites. This makes it easy for business people because they dont waste most of their time standing on queue or finding where the bank is. Barclays provide information on how to get an online account. Safety Barclays provides safety for users of its internet banking services though many ways. These include making their regular checkup of their systems to make sure there are no problems, provision of security measures like automatic logoff, systems which can sense and protect the account from attack by internet hackers. The bank maximizes its risk management to make sure that every protective measure is done to ensure safety of the accounts. Furthermore enough information is given to people regarding how they should keep their login information- for example they should not send their login information to some people via some unnecessary and unprotected mails. Barclays takes its full responsibility in protecting the privacy of the users information. These include some warnings if the user does use the service unnecessarily. International banking With the globalization that is taking place in a fast growing world like this, people need everything to be fast. People now are contacting their business beyond their borders without any limitation. Internet banking allows users to access their banks accounts and do whatever transactions they want even though they are outside the country where their banks are. It is now easy to contact business from outside your country. In general, not all business has their braches all over the world but with internet banking it becomes possible to do everything from wherever you are. Accessibility With the fast growing world and technology, internet has become accessible to large parts of the world. Internet services are offered 24 hours every day in many parts of the world. Provided the availability of internet access, all users can log into their respective accounts. Value Internet banking is beneficial to people in the sense that the running costs are less. When using other banking ways, will need to pay a certain amount of money to go to a bank to transfer money, or to go where there is an Automated Machine to make a transfer. But using online banking all these can be performed while lying on your bed. DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNET BANKING Forgery Many cases are reported about the forgery that takes place in online banking. With the advancing technology many people have devised some websites they can use to access other peoples user names and passwords. As a result if the banks do not have strong safety measures against this many people would lose their money as a result of hackers. However as I said reputable banks like Barclays have also devised safety measures against hackers. These include automatic log off, sites which detect hackers, protection of users privacy, teaching users how to protect their computers from hackers and so on. Less trust People in general do not put much trust in machine than they put on people. So the reason why there are only few people doing online banking, its because less trust is given to the way these machines operate. So many people will not want to take risks by doing online banking. CONCLUSION I have used Barclay bank as one of the major financial provider using internet banking. With the information that I obtained from the Barclays websites as well as other reputable websites in an effort to find out to what extend internet banking is beneficial to society. I have included several services offered by internet banking which included paying of bills, making of transfers and so on. Then in answering to what extend online banking is beneficial, I searched the advantages and disadvantages as shown above, some advantages included how easy it is to do all your transactions anytime , anywhere as covered in convenience . For disadvantages I also included the risk of forgery that can be done by other people to obtain other peoples login details and use them to steal their money. However after weighing the advantages and disadvantages I discovered that there are more benefits than disadvantages of internet banking to society. In conclusion, internet banking is beneficial to the society to a greater extend.

Examination Of Muted Group Theory Sociology Essay

Examination Of Muted Group Theory Sociology Essay Imagine for a moment that you find yourself in an exotic and far off land. You have been forced to live in a foreign country that speaks a completely different language than yours. You struggle day after day not just to articulate yourself in this strange, foreign tongue, but to simply be heard and have your opinions appreciated by your new peers. Instead you find your new neighbors disregard every word you say and write you off as inarticulate or just plain dumb; or even worse they ignore your unique existence and experiences altogether. This is exactly the sort of phenomenon that Muted Group Theory details and why it is so incredibly fascinating. This literature review will define exactly Muted Group Theory and its basic tenets are, delve into the theorys origins, and provide a few examples of its further use before moving on to several research studies illustrating the theory in practical, scientific application. The Muted Group Theory of Communication seeks to explain and rationalize the faults inherent in language and the ways in which it fails many of its users. While most individuals would simply dismiss language merely as a tool of communication to be molded in order to fit their specific needs; in actuality, language acts as a dominant and controlling factor in establishing and shaping its users. Muted Group Theory asserts that because language was developed primarily by the dominant group of society; specifically white males of greater income and socio-economic status, that minority cultures and non-dominant groups such as women, individuals of lower economic means, and non-whites are thus muted by their own lack of influence on the formation of their language (Wood, 2008, as cited in Turner West, 2009). Because non-dominant groups have had little to no contribution towards the creation of their language they are poorly served by it. Muted Group Theory emphases a minority groups inabi lity to fully and properly articulate themselves or designate their unique experiences due to the necessity of translating their individual views and opinions into what is essentially a foreign language (Wood, 2008, as cited in Turner West, 2009). The language of a particular group does not consistently support or function for all of its members with any sense of equality due to the disparity in their involvement in their languages development (Kramarae, 1981 as cited in Orbe, 1998). Muted Group Theory posits that language acts as a representation of a societys overall ideologies. The dominant sector of a group conceptualizes a means of communication which not only maintains, but perpetuates their specified worldview and establishes it as the correct and proper language for all of said groups remaining members (S. Ardener, 1975, as cited in Orbe, 1998). As it is defined as a critical theory, the Muted Group Theory of Communication is both valuable and worth exploring because it str ives to reexamine the established status quo of a society or culture, it highlights the imbalances and unfairness within said society for its possibly unsuspecting inhabitants, and lastly; and most importantly, it proposes potential solutions to these problems plaguing said culture (Turner West, 2009). Muted Group Theory interestingly illuminates individuals to the unconscious methods through which a language and its creators dictate and manipulate interpersonal behaviors and relations as well as concepts of ones own self-identity. Muted Group Theory finds its origins within the research of social anthropologists Edwin and Shirley Ardener and their work on social hierarchy and structure. Muted Group Theory developed following the Ardeners examination of the, at the time, male dominated fields of ethnography and social anthropology (Turner West, 2009). Individuals and groups which inhabit the highest tiers of a social hierarchy define the specific communication system within a culture and the non-dominant groups are thus relegated to working within the confines of whatever communication guidelines the ruling class has consciously or unconsciously imposed upon them. Subordinate groups are thus rendered mute as the mainstream structures of communication echo the dominate groups perceptions (E. Ardener, 1978, as cited in Orbe, 1998). A further implication of Muted Group Theory founded by the Ardeners is that the silencing of women as a muted group bears a direct correlation to deafness of their male counterparts. The notion put forth here is that even if a minority group has yet to be muted, on the whole or in a specified subject, the continued obliviousness committed by the dominant group as they ignore the assessments and opinions of their subordinates results in a lack of any further articulation on said subject by the non-dominant group as they thus become muted over time (S. Ardener, 1978, as cited in Turner West, 2009). Put simply, a dominant group, by not understanding or completely ignoring the views of their subordinate counterparts, can in essence silence these views completely. The repercussions of this sort of passive thought suppression are staggering. The undesirable ideologies and wishes of a silent minority can be expunged over time simply by ignoring them. This idea is highly reminiscent in the old adage to ignore a bully into leaving one alone. Though its genesis lies with the work of Edwin and Shirley Ardener, Cheris Kramarare is commonly regarded as the true founder of Muted Group Theory. Kramarares work expanded on the ideas brought on by the Ardeners, and tailored it primarily to the study of communication. Kramarare focused Muted Group Theory into three paramount assumptions: women, and other minority groups, view the world far differently from men due to the division of labor, due to male-centric political superiority, mens views and communication systems are given priority, thus restricting the communication of women, and other subordinate cultures, and lastly, in order to effectively partake in a society, non-dominant groups are forced to shoehorn their own ideologies into the dominant groups established system of expression (Kramarare, 1981, as cited in Turner West, 2008). Kramarares work expanded the bounds of Muted Group Theory and inspires further inquiry and analysis to questions and concepts raised by the Ard eners initial research. Far more intriguing than the unfortunate in-articulation of minority groups brought on by Muted Group Theory are the stunning implications of the theory on the development of an individuals self-concept. From birth men and women are treated vastly different by society at large. From the color of the clothes they are put in to the way in which they are described, male and female infants are immediately indoctrinated by the societal views and expected gender roles of the dominant group they were born into. Muted Group Theory further invades into ideas of self-concept via the ways in which dominant groups perceive society. Female nurses, for instance, are limitedly defined by societys dominant group as either hardened battle-axes of anti-femininity, or ultra-compassionate and sensitive angels of mercy. These highly constricting labels, imposed by dominant groups, limit these women to identifying themselves as one of these two, polar descriptors (Callan, 1978, as cited in Turner West, 2 009). Because of the restricted definitions provided by dominant groups, these nurses can only potentially conceive themselves as aligning with one of these completely differing camps and are thus limited in the development of their own self-concept and individual identity. The first of the research studies examined here focuses on the muting inherent in the culture of date rape found on many college campuses. A rape culture can be defined as an environment which supports attitudes conducive to rape and increase sexual violence risk factors (Buchwald, Fletcher Roth, 1993, as cited in Burnett et all., 2009). The study in question, Communicating/Muting Date Rape: A Co-Cultural Theoretical Analysis of Communication Factors Related to Rape Culture on a College Campus was authored by Ann Burnett, Jody L. Mattern, Liliana L. Herakova, David H. Kahl, Jr., Cloy Tobola, and Susan Bornsen and was first published in the Journal of Applied Communication Research in November of 2009. Burnett et al. (2009) sought to uncover how certain attitudes and outlooks regarding the act of rape, as expressed by social, individual, and cultural perspectives, stemmed from various behaviors preceding a possible rape, during a rape itself, and as a response to a rape occurring. Th ese attitudes served to mute college students, primarily women, and possibly perpetuate the continued creation of a rape culture on college campuses. Their research primarily utilized Muted Group Theory in a co-cultural theoretical paradigm in order to define campus rape culture through communication focused on rape and sex, the negotiating of sexual consent, the potentiality of a rape to occur, a rape itself, the aftermath and repercussions of a rape, and peoples perceptions of, and reactions to, date rape (Burnett et al., 2009). Burnett et al.s (2009) study methodology chiefly utilized hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry. Hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry involves delving into the shared, lived experiences of individuals who have been involved in a specified phenomenon (Lanigan, 1979, as cited in Burnett et al., 2009). Researchers utilizing a phenomenological approach search for any central, underlying themes behind a given experience and attempt to develop general or universal implications from them (Creswell, 2007, as cited in Burnett et al., 2009). Phenomenological inquiry involves researchers gathering descriptions of lived experiences, reviewing the various capta found to uncover any essential themes of the experiences, and discovering any interrelatedness among the established themes (Nelson, 1989, as cited in Burnett et al., 2009). The capta for Burnett et al.s (2009) study were gathered through nine separate focus groups at a Midwestern university. These focus groups contained five with just wome n, two of only men, and two groups were co-ed in composition. The university in question housed an approximate population of 12,000 students, contained fifteen fraternities or sororities, and had a Division 1 athletics program on campus. The study did not specify a need for focus group members to have been rape victims to be involved. Focus group moderators utilized an open-ended conversational style in order to encourage member participation (Nelson, 1989, as cited in Burnett et al., 2009). Topics put to the focus groups included various definitions of, and motivations for, rape, alcohols role in rape, post-rape options, potential reasons why rape is not reported, how to avoid possible rape scenarios, and group members perception of the prevalence of rape on their campus (Burnett et al., 2009). Following this, the gathered capta were reduced by recognizing what given factors were essential to the experience and which were not, and then attaching meaning to the essential elements re maining by contrasting and comparing the different given experiences and how the identified themes contributed to them (Nelson, 1989, as cited in Burnett et al., 2009). Burnett et al.s (2009) results indicated an ambiguity surrounding date rape that silences potential, meaningful intercourse on the subject and mutes both possible and actual victims of date rape. Burnett et al. (2009) found that focus group members had great difficulty in pinpointing a firm definition of date rape as they felt situational factors affected any interpretation of the event. For instance, although sexual consent was suggested as an essential element, focus group members probed which non-verbal and verbal actions could be construed as consent. Because they had no firm way of defining what date rape was, both male and female participants were muted from recognizing the signs of date rape or when to report it. Students are thus forced to rationalize their notions of rape because their culture, the college campus, fails to do so (Burnett et al., 2009). On an individual, psychological level, the focus group members, even the women, utilized primarily dominant, male-driven language to characterize known date rape victims as overtly promiscuous individuals whose state of dress could almost function as a form of consent. Participants also noted how males are often praised for extreme sexual prowess and a high number of partners whereas women are cast in a negative light for the same sort of behavior. These common views reiterate the dominant position of men in society and their influence on the language and ideologies concerning date rape (Burnett et al., 2009). From a post-rape perspective, female focus group members questioned the strength and validity of their ability to communicate a lack of consent. This sort of interrogation places the responsibility for the rape on the victim (Burnett et al., 2009). Both female and male focus group members agreed that the reporting of date rape is muted due to further ambiguity regarding the cor rect steps to take following a rape and a fear of others reactions to said rape. This fear of victim blaming only serves to further isolate and mute anyone who has been the victim of date rape or knows a victim who is choosing to remain silent (Burnett et al., 2009). Additional dominant groups such as a colleges administration and staff can silence victims and perpetuate a date rape culture through a lack of backing for anti-rape preventative education and post rape support services on campus. This lack of recognition of date rape in the dominant discourse leads individuals to mute themselves via various explaining-away tactics in order to not contradict the mainstream. Following their study, Burnett et al. (2009) concluded that both male and female students participate in the inherent muting of a date rape culture and that date rape victims are actively muted before, after, and even during a rapes occurrence. The largest factor in the continued perpetuation of campus date rape culture is the failure of the student population to properly and affectively define what constitutes date rape and sexual consent. Because there is no firm classification of either of these, date rape victims, and potentially the rapists as well, have no clue they are actually involved in a date rape. The scope of this study, while thorough on the campus it took place, is in actuality quite limited. Because Burnett et al. limited their focus to one specific college campus in one specific area of the country it cannot be considered an entirely accurate representation of possible rape cultures on college campuses across the board. Along with its scope, the studys testability is extremely limited because of their research methodology. While relying on interpersonal communication allowed for a more personal and in-depth examination of various individuals experiences with date rape, these particular views are that of the individual in question and cannot be affectively measured with any sort of documentable accuracy. The parsimony and heurism of the study are both notable, however. At its core, the explanation for the continuance of date rape culture is exceedingly simple and direct and the new thinking initiated by the study is of paramount importance. Hopefully, colleges can use the data provided here to better arm their student bodies against possible date rape in the future. The second research study being examined here involves the gender specific effects of muting on outdoor ropes challenge courses. The study, authored by Phillip A. Irish III, first appeared in the Journal of Experiential Education in 2006. Irish (2006) sought to discover the myriad of effects that verbal muting, a primary means for modifying a courses objectives, has on both genders and how successfully they can accomplish the tasks set forth by the moderators of these ropes courses when thusly limited. The ultimate goal of the study was to better arm ropes course facilitators with documented research to supplement their own experience and intuition in an effort to further the communication enhancing nature inherent in these sorts of challenges. The ropes course study examine two primary hypotheses: on specifically masculine-attributed outdoor ropes courses, muted males will experience stronger goal engagement, specified by proximal distance to said objective, than their muted, female counterparts, and, conversely, the greater time spent on a particular task will result in greater disengagement of muted males, measured by increasing distance from goal, than muted females in the same given time span. The methodology of Irishs (2006) study involved adult groups being given one of three possible outdoor ropes challenges: Doughnut, Thread the Needle, and Water Wheel. These challenges were selected specifically for because they involve the team members navigating a specific, centralized piece of equipment while simultaneously not limiting participants free movement about the challenge arena. These trials were also selected due to their generally male oriented objectives, such as lifting individual members up into the air. In differing groups, either all of the men or all of the women were verbally muted though gesturing and pantomime were allowed. The average group makeup consisted of five males to three females with individuals being lined up and divided my height in an effort to spread the height advantage out to each group. Distance measurements were taken every two minutes during the planning phase of the given challenge. The results of Irishs (2006) study indicate varying shifts in involvement by both sexes in regards to factors of group composition and the handicap of verbal muting. When looking at group makeup, there was no correlation on the involvement of males or females in the task based upon the increased number of females in the group, or male involvement based on the increased number of males in the group, however, when the number of males increased, regardless of other factors involved, female involvement dropped significantly. When the influence of verbal muting is examined, again, male involvement is curiously unaffected by muting or not, but female involvement dramatically lowered when they were muted. Irish (2006) felt his research was successful in terms of providing future researchers a methodology for empirically measuring involvement and interest in a task with relation to muting and non-muting factors. While muting had little variant effect on the position and involvement of males, muted females were generally twice as far away from the specified goal as non-muted females (Irish 2006). Muted females seemed to disengage entirely from the task as the positioned themselves farther away from the goal than their male counterparts. Irishs (2006) research shows slight correlation to male disinterest and disengagement overtime, but not enough, he felt, to be entirely conclusive and supportive of his original hypothesis. Irish posits that greater effect of muting on women may be due to the verbally communicative style generally attached to women. The implications of Irishs research on future Muted Group Theory are compelling. Even though Irish was not trying to illustrate the ways in which male dominant groups subjugate female non-dominant groups, the results of his research still support that central tenet of Muted Group Theory. As discussed previously, Muted Group Theory posits that male originated language forces women to translate everything into what essentially amounts to a foreign tongue. Irishs examination demonstrates how the severity of the male language barrier places women in an ingrained mindset of near constant verbal translation in order to be heard and understood by their male counterparts. When this verbal element is removed from their repertoire, women are left with no further tools to successfully navigate the ropes course or contribute in any meaningful way; because of both an inability to fully articulate themselves in a now non-verbal, male-centric language and because their male counterparts will essent ially ignore their female-oriented non-verbal communication tactics. The scope of this study is quite narrow as it only delves into a small aspect of muting; however, the study provides a high level of testability as the data provides an easily repeatable experiment in an effort to replicate the results and has great utility as it can be used to reinforce the basic notions of Muted Group Theory. The third research study being explored delves into the realm of email communication and how the once gender neutral communication arena now exhibits gendered voices which are being muted. The study, authored by Heather Kissack and Jamie L. Callahan was first published in the Journal of European Industrial Training in 2010. Kissack and Callahan (2010) sought to critically asses the validity of newfound research indicating increased textual gender cues in regards to preferred language use in email based communications. Kissack and Callahans goal was to illustrate how the muting of feminine voices occurs even in email communications. The methodology of Kissack and Callahans (2010) study is fairly straightforward. The study utilizes a vast array of previously completed research into the foundations and implications of Muted Group Theory on subjugating the speech of women and draws logical correlations to previous research on male-female communication in a structured organization as well as studies on genders impact on email conversing. The arguments posited are logically consistent and draw understandable conclusions between already researched topics. Kissack and Callahan (2010) discovered that feminine voices are more than simply marginalized in the work place as was once believed, but are in fact muted as well. Despite lacking the visual and audio cues of verbal language, email communication has still developed unique male and female centric consistencies which allow them to be easily distinguishable to a given reader (Corney, de Vel, Anderson, Mohay , 2002, as cited in Kissack Callahan, 2010). Even if the names of sender and receiver are omitted, either sex can easily identify the gender of email senders as gender specific language cues aid in this accuracy (Savicki et al., as cited in Kissack Callahan, 2010). Kissack and Callahan (2010) successfully accomplish their studys goal of shedding light on the still prevalent issues of feminine voice muting, specifically in an arena that most thought to be gender neutral be default. What is most intriguing about the work of Kissack and Callahan is that the majority of email users would claim the format to be primarily without gender bias. After all, the anonymity presented on the internet allows a user to appear as any gender they wish. This research study shows great logical consistency and scope through the great volume of research Kissack and Callahan have done to draw successful correlations between preexisting research topics. This study also shows potential to stand the test of time because it initiates a heuristic response to a fairly modern invention and the biases that have unfortunately come along with it. These growing trends could even be reexamined in the future to further track the validity of Kissack and Callahans work and to measure if any improvements have been made in the field. Kissack and Callahan focus strongly on the critical aspects of Muted Group Theory in an effort to inform (re: warn) our modern, technology-dependent society; as forward thinking as we think we are, to the dangers of gender muteness now creeping its way into email communication. The suggestions of their work are frightening. If gender bias and muted groups can find new life thriving in technology can these relics of a bygone era ever truly be stamped out? The fourth study observed focused on the application of two primarily feminism based theories, standpoint theory and Muted Group Theory, to emphasis the resilience and fortitude of individuals living in rural America and plan more effective methods of community-based healthcare promotion to better suit their needs. The study was authored by Deborah Ballard-Reisch and was first published in Women Language in 2010. Ballard-Reisch (2010) sought to rectify the vast differences in her previous research on the lives of rural Americans with that of some of her statistician and epidemiologist peers whose own research painted a vastly different, and far less optimistic, picture of frontier life. Ballard-Reischs (2010) methodology, in a similar fashion to the previously explored work of Kissack and Callahan, utilized a veritable melting pot of formerly gathered research and theoretical ideologies in an effort to repurpose them into a grounded, community based approach to better serve the healthcare needs of diverse rural and frontier constituents. Ballard-Reisch (2010) combined aspects of Muted Group and Standpoint Theories together with engaged scholarship and a community-based participatory research approach to more effectively recognize the strengths, needs, health issues, and dynamics of these rural residents to create and exercise far more efficient health promotion interventions. Ballard-Reischs research showed that rural areas contain a higher percentage of older adults than anywhere else in America (U.S. Census Bureau, 2009, as cited in Ballard-Reisch, 2010) and that women constitute a far larger portion of this percentage than anywhere else in the country; representing 52% of individuals aged sixty to sixty-four, and representing 68% of individuals aged 85 or older (CDC, 2010; ERS/USDA, 2001, as cited in Ballard-Reisch, 2010). Ballard-Reisch also discovered that despite containing a far larger portion of elderly Americans, one of the largest groups of consumers of healthcare products and services in the country (Wright, Sparks, OHare, 2008, as cited in Ballard-Reisch, 2010), rural areas hold a far lower concentration of able, effective healthcare professionals than their urban counterparts (ERS/USDA, 2007, as cited in Ballard-Reisch, 2010). The engaged scholarship approach suggested by Ballard-Reisch emphasizes collaboration and cooperation between both r esearchers and collaborators in a learning community to cultivate a theoretical and practical knowledge base (Van de Ven, 2007; Barge Shockley-Zalaback, 2008, as cited in Ballard-Reisch, 2010) and the community based participatory approach she posits underlines the participation of community members along with scholars to more properly research and address various issues of mutual interest (Israel et al., 2005, as cited in Ballard-Reisch, 2010). Ballard-Reisch (2010) theorizes that these two approaches in tandem can be utilized to unmute the healthcare issues of the disenfranchised elderly population of rural America and more successfully serve their needs. Ballard-Reisch believes the older individuals living in rural America must un-silence themselves and take an active role in shaping the future of their health. Ballard-Reischs research highlights the ways in which rural Americans, primarily older women, have their problems muted by a mainstream that instead chooses to focus its attention on the healthcare needs of urban individuals only, leaving the frontier population to fend for themselves. Because they are members of several non-dominant groups; elderly, female, and rural-based, these individuals are triply muted and to such an extent ignored by the urbanite healthcare professionals they so desperately need. Ballard-Reischs proposed solution would seem to be the most effective approach as it plays to the community focused nature of these rural areas and allows them the forge their own path to health moving forward instead of relying on the otherwise preoccupied dominant, urban groups for a hand out that may never come. Ballard-Reischs ideologies most notably show heurism as they seek to stimulate new kinds of thinking to solve old problems. The utility is less substantial as Ballard-Reis chs ideas require a lot of additional legwork and extensive knowledge and research of individuals who are often less educated, and less willing to educate, than their urban counterparts. The ramifications of Muted Group Theory are astronomically important. Something as simple and taken for granted as ones language has astounding implications towards ones ability to not only articulate their thoughts, but also generate said thoughts in the first place. By not having a specified word for something; whether it be an object, an idea, or a feeling, that notion cannot exist. It is fascinating to explore how; hopefully unconsciously, white, heterosexual, upper-class, males have strictly dictated for muted groups exactly how they can not only think, but perceive.

Southwest :: essays research papers

Changes in cost and efficiency   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The situation today in the airline industry is basically a price/cost war. Companies are battling to cut and keep their operating cost low in order to remain competitive in an industry that is strongly driven by price. The principal cost factors that drive the industry are labor and fuel. In terms of labor Neeleman, Jetblue’s CEO, said that â€Å"The biggest problem in the industry isn’t pay, its work rules†. Labor cost accounts for the 38% of the overall operating cost of an airline company. Depending on the system that a company uses, its labor cost and labor necessity will vary. The point-to-point systems requires less personnel and the aircraft is less time on the ground, and more in the air, being able to flight more times that those aircrafts flying under the hub-and-spoke system. The first system is widely used by the new low-cost carriers, while the hub-and-spoke is very typical of the traditional airlines (Appendix 1). Moreover, labor cost is rising, which increases the overall cost per seat (Wright, September 8, 2003). In terms of labor efficiency, low-cost carriers are reducing labor or either by e-ticketing or by doing what Southwest states on their contracts, any qualified employee can perform any function (load, unload, cleaning, etc) as needed (Thompson.2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second, most important factor that determines the cost structure in the industry is fuel cost. It is said that for one-dollar increase in the price of a fuel barrel, is costs the industry a billion a year (Tang, C. April 11, 2005). Moreover, in the future, the price of fuel is expected to continue increasing, what will tighten even more profit margins.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What other companies have done to lower their cost is to eliminate meals. Instead, in short flights, snacks are served to the passengers, and in long-distance ones, costumers are allowed to bring food with them or buy it on board.

Cisco Systems` :: essays research papers

1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The relationship between information systems, Internet Technology and Cisco’s business strategy was quite intriguing. Cisco’s company worked hand in hand directly with the Internet and their IS system was supported by almost 45% by digital means. Their sales were all Internet driven by almost half of their production. 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cisco is a digital firm in the many senses, while John Chambers will adamantly defer the fact that their company relies directly on software (digital) it is my opinion that from viewing on the proceedings it appears to all eyes that their structure is almost 75% if not more digital. Their training, applications, update forms, orders and accessibility options are all based through the Internet or some digital means. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cisco’s reliance on information systems and the Internet was a great success until about November 2000 when there was the first 10% decline in sales. By December 15 Chambers realized that his ales were going down the drain. Finally in August 2001 Cisco underwent a makeover that changed the way that they depended upon the Internet and IS. Their forecasts were no longer FULLY based upon this information; rather they were used as in centralizing market analysis and finding new methods of technologies to network their company. 4)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cisco reacted so slowly to the deteriorating economic condition because they had continued to aggressively expand and they had also increased their market shares. What really influenced the way Cisco responded to the economic condition was the decline of 2/3’s in the technological advances in the NASDAQ. While other companies were falling around them Cisco stood strong. They continued to pour themselves heart and soul into their company. Nortel Networks – Cisco’s rival fell largely in the market, and they continued to expand. 5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that Chambers and Cisco could/should have done would have been to pull back on their large â€Å"all-out† pushing the production â€Å"buck†. If Chambers had not have pushed the 600 million dollar contracts for orders of unmade parts and materials I believe that the company would have held stronger.