Harriet Jacob's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Essay

Harriet Jacob's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl - Essay Example I also think this quote is significant to me because as Harriet explains, both masters and mistress felt no sympathy to suffering slaves and even proclaimed to them heartlessly that heaven was not their place. In my own opinion and judgment I would imagine the extent to which these people suffered in the hands of their masters, despite the fact that in her childhood, Harriet mistress quoted the Bible and told her that she should not do any evil to her neighbor, it was the same mistress that was subjecting her and her family to slavery. This was a complete hypocrisy and furthermore, it demonstrates the extent to which the whites took slavery as part of their normal lives. Harriet Jacob’s story is more revealing in an exceptional way; it clearly demonstrates her desire to stand for her rights and the rights of other slaves that they suffered together. This is evident by the fact that she openly expressed her sufferings from sexual degradation and enslavement. She was able to rea ch the hearts of many people who later contributed to the fight against slavery. Jacob’s story also connects many other historical suffering that came before and after her story. In essence, in later 1960s in the era of the civil rights activists, many people were killed and their fundamental rights violated by their masters. In the extract from Fredrick Douglas The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, â€Å"Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to- day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? and am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?†(184) In this quote, Fredrick Douglas had been called upon to speak during the celebration party of the U.S. independence in Rochester, New York. He had previously made many speeches and lectures in an area of about five miles in Rochester. This speech was particularly important because despite the fact that America was celebrating its 76th birthday, Fredrick and what he represented did not have anything to celebrate about. This speech means a lot to me because Fredrick spoke in irony; he even asked questions about the relevance of the Independence Day to him and his fellow black slaves. This quote is significant in the sense that despite the age of the nation approaching a century, there was no freedom for the black community; racial segregation was the norm of the day. The rights of the minority were not recognized by the same country that they toiled to build. In my opinion and judgment, I would see the pain that Fredrick was undergoing; his speech is ironic and full of desire to get equal rights with their white counterparts who were celebrating the bi rth of their country. It was an irony and mocking to invite a slave to the celebration of their independence from the British government. This quote reveals Fredrick’s passion to end slavery; he clearly fought for his rights and the rights of his fellow minority black community. He resisted injustice by airing his views about the whole idea of freedom that the country was enjoying. His experience also connects with other civil rights activists that came after him and specifically during the 1960s with Malcom X and Martin Luther King. Both

Policing Domestic Violence Essay Example for Free

Policing Domestic Violence Essay Domestic violence can be considered to be an act of violence which has been observed to occur in every socio-economic class as well as within all cultures. Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive control that one individual intermittently exerts over another by means of spiritual, emotional, sexual, physical or economic abuse (http://www. dvvap. org/i). This form of exploitation has victimized mostly the women and children and men in much fewer cases and it continues to be perpetrated all over the world. In some regions or nations of the world, domestic violence has become a daily occurrence. Domestic violence leads to very drastic effects on the family, especially if perpetrated on both women and children. When this form of violence is done through physical harm, it results to injury, disability or even death in victims. Mental problems that may also occur usually make the victims feel unloved, lonely and have low self-esteem. Depression occurs in many victims of psychological abuse, which in turn may cause severe isolation of the victims from family and friends. Sexual violence and incest are other forms of domestic violence. In some regions of the world, domestic violence causes continue to rise due to patriarchal, cultural and religious traditions, (Human Rights Watch, 2005. , pp 12). All over the world, different governments handle domestic violence in many ways due to differing views on violence Different proposals have been presented to encourage the governments to have certain views on this form of violence. According to Lisa, domestic violence should be treated as a political and public problem. It should also be viewed as a breach of the human rights. It is a violation of human rights which every individual is entitled to. Those who perpetrate actions of violence against the others should be stopped, (Lisa, H. 78-79). Policing domestic violence refers to a scientifically developed application that aims at solving the domestic violence problem. In the past, it has involved testing of hypothesis in relation to the classification, prediction and the domestic violence prevention. Policing domestic violence policing as a tool of solving domestic violence also experiences several challenges as a crime prevention strategy (Hoctor, M. 53). In order to identify more effective policing strategies for domestic violence prevention and control, a culture of science is very necessary where the strategy integrates trial and error as a norm in crime prevention. The domestic violence policing programs aim at offering support to victims of domestic violence while at the same time preventing domestic violence. However, the public has raised concern about the domestic violence public policy. Lawrence et al states that in the past, the public has been concerned about the domestic violence policy. This is because it is sometimes based on ideology and it lacks evidence based on science. The public advocates for an effective domestic violence policing which should be practical and also be implemented appropriately. This would be a very good measure in preventing domestic violence (Lawrence S. et al, 24). In the last decade, police response to domestic violence has been criticized with a claim that the police did not take violence incidents seriously. However, effective measures to curb domestic violence are being developed and implemented through better policing. In this paper, the domestic violence policing issue will be discussed. The ethical stance of domestic violence in policing will be looked at, as well as the police departments’ responsibility of policing. The past system and current issues arising due to violence will be evaluated. Discussion For effective policing in domestic violence, a cultural evolution in policing needs to be developed in order to support the scientific revolution in order to solve the domestic violence problem. The cultural evolution rapid movement requires a growing partnership between the police and criminologists, public health community officers and professional scientists. Coherence of approach by the different police units to domestic violence is promoted by policy statements or documents where the Police officers introduce the policy documents with varying extent and content. With the increasing reports of domestic violence to the police, the police service has been required to utilize their limited resources to improve domestic violence service delivery to the people. Domestic violence is a great concern for the community where the police intervene in many cases. Whenever the police receive an initial call for assistance, it is their responsibility to provide immediate protection to the victim due to the fact that the police have certain powers which allow them to respond to domestic violence incidents. Whether the victims feel confident in contacting the police departments later in future will depend on how the police perform their tasks when the victim makes the initial contact (Lawrence, S. 126). The police have a major role in arresting criminals or offenders with the perpetrators of domestic violence considered as criminals because they undermine the human rights of the victims. The suspects are usually arrested and charged if there is enough evidence of violence against the victim. However, law enforcement officers should ensure that the suspect’s rights are not violated until the truth is established much later as one of the requirement in the police departmental policy. The police forces have domestic violence policy documents which contain written aims and priorities that are expected to assist them either solve, prevent or reduce domestic violence incidents. The policy documents normally contain the domestic violence definition, its implications, as well as guidance about the various police response components. The responsibility to implement domestic violence policies is something that is shared across a range of the police roles. The policies are very vital in protecting domestic violence victims against actions of exploitation such as domestic violence involving withholding of economic resources from a victim. Some children are even denied education through this form of abuse, as well partners who do not work. This denies the victims their basic needs, which is considered unethical and unacceptable. Domestic violence policing prevents this form of exploitation and instead promotes ethical practices in the society. Through policing, public safety problems are defined, analyzed and effective solutions to the problems addressed. Though the society is responsible for propagating ethics, it sometimes undermines the ethics if it allows domestic violence to occur without taking any action. For instance, in patriarchal societies, men are sometimes allowed to completely dominate over women. This had led to lack of knowledge and empowerment in women to speak out against violence, whereby the victims lack the ability to express their views and opinions with those who do not adhere to this being severely punished through domestic violence. Domestic violence policies have been developed to address such cultural practices with the police ensuring that law enforcement in relation to such policies is carried out. The police department should have the responsibility of policing domestic violence in the community because they are law enforcers who are responsible for ensuring law and order is maintained in the society and the human rights are well protected. Preventing and reducing domestic violence is one of the ways in which the human rights of everyone in the community are protected. For instance in Australia, police powers and procedures are well set out in the Crimes Act 1990(Policing Domestic Violence in New South Wales NSW, 1999). In addition, the police powers can be found in the police guidelines, referred to as Domestic Violence Standard Operating Procedures. Another example can be seen in the US, where the police department has adopted mandatory arrest policy for domestic violence cases. For spousal violence cases, arrest based on probable cause could be done where the Police officers were allowed to arrest suspects without a warrant as long as the officers had probable cause whether he/she had witnessed the incident or not. This was happening in 23 states of the United States of America by the year 2005 (Hoctor, M. 007) Another reason why the police should participate in domestic violence policing is that, the legislation that protects people from domestic violence in most cases directs the police to intervene in protecting the victims of domestic violence. The police have the power to exercise arrest of criminals or offenders when need be. In policing domestic violence, domestic violence incidents should be stopped as soon as possible making the arrest of offenders by the police an effective means of stopping domestic abuse. This therefore makes it their vital responsibility in policing domestic violence with the responsibility aiming at stopping the conflict, as well as protecting and ensuring the immediate safety for the victims. As law enforcers, the police have a responsibility to ensure criminals are charged in court which mitigates future abuse. The police department receives reports on domestic violence from the community members and then investigates the cases to establish the cause of the abuse, the effects and the victim or offender. After establishing the facts about a case, offenders are charged in court. For instance policies allow police officers to apply for an apprehended violence order (AVO), which guides the judicial process (Lawrence, S. 101). Good police service initiatives in the police departments that enhance awareness in people about violence and service delivery show that they should have a good responsibility in domestic violence policing. The police departments in many nations have instituted the initiatives as a result of their recognition that a high percentage of people in our community are now aware that domestic violence is a crime. These initiatives include, public awareness through advertising campaigns, placement of domestic violence liaison officers (DVLO), specialized training for officers, working with the Attorney General and the development of COPS (Computerized Operational Policing system) to produce statistics relevant to the development of effective domestic violence prevention measures. The initiatives are a good indication of how effective the police department can be in domestic violence policing. The domestic violence issue has attracted widespread public concern, in the past and also in the current world. However, the past system differs with the current system in relation to how policing in domestic violence was/is handled. In the past, the number of domestic violence cases that were reported was fewer than the current number of the cases reported to the police. The continued increase of the reported cases in turn has necessitated the development of measures that will curb the violence effectively. This has led to the development of new measures/policies to address this problem. However, in the past, this problem was not handled with much seriousness as it is now which made the past system less effective in domestic violence policing. Cultural beliefs and practices in the past contributed to continued domestic abuse, because the victims were sometimes convinced that they deserved to be abused. Different societies have changed their beliefs towards domestic violence over time with people become more aware of domestic violence as a crime currently, which has greatly assisted in effective domestic violence policing. People are more willing to speak out about this issue in the modern world as compared to the past years. Modern police service initiatives have enhanced better domestic violence policing as compared to the past system of policing. For instance placement of domestic violence liaison officers (DVLO) in the local areas as a modern initiative has made it easy for people to report violence cases. In addition, offenders are easily apprehended and charged for their offences. In the past, lack of awareness in some victims and the community as a whole in policing encouraged continued abuse because the offender had no action taken against them. Current systems have developed specialized training for officers, which involves training of officers in response to domestic violence and other issues that surround domestic violence. On the other hand, the past systems did not have such training programs. The standard operating procedures (SOP) launching together with the development of computerized operational policing system (COPS) have been very instrumental in adoption of effective domestic violence policing measures in the modern systems (Policing Domestic Violence in New South Wales NSW,1999). The domestic violence policing have also experienced several problems. The policing may lack inadequate support which may in turn undermine how effective the policing can be in solving domestic violence. The police officers who handle domestic violence cases have been accused of not providing the involved parties with enough information and sometimes they have an inappropriate attitude towards the victims. In addition, they have shown unsympathetic, rude and indifferent behavior towards the victims. Nevertheless, solutions to these problems have been integrated in domestic violence policing programs to ensure domestic violence is prevented. Though domestic violence prevention measures were present in the past, current measures have been developed to improve on the past strategies

Rights of Old People in New Zealand

Rights of Old People in New Zealand Nirpreet Kaur Brar ABSTRACT The main purpose of the report is to tell about the rights of the old people with common geriatric health conditions. It tells about the needs of the individuals and how they can meet with them. It also describes the codes of the practice and standards related to common geriatric health conditions for example Dementia etcetera. INTRODUCTION All the countries are facing the problems with elderly related to geriatric health conditions. In New Zealand ageing population placing an increased demand of support services. DHB’s have a need to provide the services for the older people in which they are treated so that they can make the best use of staff and high cost facilities. To provide good services to the old people it requires all the services and practitioners who are working with the old people should have holistic and client centred approach and also should have the understanding about the work. THE TASK Question 1 Critically review and discuss the principles involved in the person-centred approach to dementia and other common geriatric health condition’s care, with respect to the following: ANSWER: (1) Individuality: Culture change is a very long-term effort. It starts when analysing individual, team or organisation practice for identifying areas which requires development. About individual assumptions should never be made. They should never have to be fit in with you or your employer. Individuals should be supported and allowed for make their own choices. For every individual support and care needs should be tailored. This shows respect by preserving the individual’s dignity and individuality. Their personal beliefs should be respected. (2) Independence: You should allow the individuals to whom you are supporting to do things for themselves. You should take time to enable the individuals you are supporting to be independent. Don’t do things for them because it is quicker. Support them for doing things that they can do or almost they do because independence makes the people feel in control of their lives and gives them a sense of self-worth. (3) Privacy: you should understand the needs of the client related to privacy and support them in a way you work. (4) Choice: Every individual to whom you support and give care should allow making their own choices. They should be given information so that they can make choices. (5) Dignity: Dignity is that when we respected then what we feel that is important in society and in their lives. When individuals are eating, shopping, sleeping they should be dignified. The support workers should help them to do so. (6) Respect: You should support an individual in a way in which they are comfortable and what they believe is important related to their age, culture, sexuality etcetera. When you are working with other people or professionals you should not ignore your clients to whom you support. You should always include them in your conversation. (7) Rights: The individuals to whom you are caring and supporting should have the same rights as they were having at the time when they were independent. Each individual have the right to say no and the right to ask about the way in which you care and support them. They should have the right what to eat, what to wear and how to wear. They should have the right to make the friends of their own choice and how much time and how they spend with them. (8) Autonomy: With other professionals for working in partnership with colleagues, families and carers is an essential part to provide care and support. Person-centred care and support is about a whole range of people who are working together for improving the lives of individuals. Question 2 Critically review the non-person-centred approach to dementia and other common geriatric health condition’s care, from the Answer: (1) Institution perspective: People are not disease-specific. Through a quality and safety perspective, there is good reason for arguing for healthcare to be centred on patients or on people. It was argued that from medical error major reason for the high level of morbidity and mortality in many nations is due to healthcare being system-centred and doctor-centred. The involvements of patients and their families in healthcare, or patient-centred and family centred care, are now recognised to be an important partnership approach in ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare delivery .However, people with the highest health needs are often those who miss out on healthcare and, thus, can be identified neither as patients nor consumers. We argue that people-centred care ensures that healthcare is not only safe, but appropriate and accessible for all people (2) Bio-medical perspective: For scientific inquiry traditional approaches in a positivistic paradigm are relied on to maintain a distance between the phenomenon of interest and the researcher in a quest to reveal â€Å"truth† or a high degree of certainty. The researcher designs a study carefully for maximizing the distance through maintaining a neutral context-free approach and degree of objectivity. In the essence, the researchers attempts to hold themselves over and against a phenomenon, assuming a bird’s-eye view from a predetermined vantage point. Methodologically, control and manipulation of determinants of study variables are emphasized. By using such experimental approaches, a handful of neuroscientists have launched the AD movement in the 1960s, which results in rapid growth in four major areas of dementia research and practice. Question 3 Critically evaluate and discuss at least five of the following range of techniques used to meet the fluctuating abilities and needs of individuals with dementia and other common geriatric health conditions to maintain their health and wellbeing. Answer: (1) Reality-orientation approach Reality orientation has helped in declining the popularity over many years. Validation therapy emphasizes on the feelings that are behind the behaviors and statements. It emphasizes on the persons for talking about the reality in which they are in. Good reality orientation can result in a harsh imposition of the real reality and a good response to a question. Poor reality response results in bad response. The people using reality orientation must apply sensitivity and wisdom. In clinical experience both reality orientation and validation therapy understanding is immensely beneficial. Most beneficial response can be used according to person’s emotion state, personality and situation. (2) Validation approach: Validation is a method to interact with people who have dementia in the last stage of Alzheimer’s disease. People with last stage of Alzheimer’s disease exhibit abnormal behavior. For example they think that they are living in a different place or they may continuously repeat a physical gesture. Many people for example professionals think that caregivers should stop this type of behavior by stopping it or by correcting it. According to validation method this behavior is an attempt by the Alzheimer’s patient for communicating and expressing their needs. The main aim of the validation approach is to understand and emphasizes on the needs of the person trying to express. So the theory behind this method is the belief that the people with dementia do and say something for a reason. The validation in their words and actions is a way to encourage them to keep communication open with rest of the world. Other principle of validation states the o lder people are to be valued as is and those who have dementia should not be changed. Principles behind the validation approach:- Validation is the method to communicate with and to disorient the very old people which results in reducing the stress, enhancing dignity and increasing happiness. Validation practitioners are taught to be caring and judgmental and open to the feelings expressed by patient. This theory understands the patients who are in final stage of life they try to resolve unfinished issues in order to die in peace. (3) Holistic Approach:- When someone who reaches the later stages of a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer s disease, to give care to them can be much for one person, even if others pitch in. People with dementia lose their ability to function in a certain progression, although there may be individual differences, First is the inability for doing independent daily living activities such as driving, paying bills, or taking medications. After that, essential daily functions such as eating, bathing, or using the bathroom independently become very difficult for them. This loss of function happens in different ways for different people, but in some instances, it can occur very quickly. Before your loved one reaches the point to need full-time care, you need to have a firm plan in place. That s where Memory Care comes in. The memory care is the third component of Erickson Living comprehensive Memory Support program. The first component is memory fitness designed for the people wanti ng their memory sharp. Memory health is a third component which is for the people who are in the later stage and who need support. (4) Assistive technologies: Assistive technology refers to a device or system which enables an individual to perform a task which they cannot perform independently and it increases the ease in which they can perform their task safely. It includes the device for helping the people who have problems in:- Speaking Hearing Eyesight Moving out Getting out and around Memory Cognition Socialising Daily living activities for example dressing and preparing meals Assistive technology helps in:- Promoting independence and autonomy to the person with dementia as well as to whom who are around Helping to manage potential risks in and around home Reducing early entry into care homes and hospitals Facilitating memory and recall Reducing the stress on carers, improving quality of life for them, and also with the person who have dementia. The technology available is:- (1)Memory aids Reminder messages Clocks and calendars Meditation aids Locater devices Aids for reminiscence and leisure (2)Telecare Floods Extreme temperatures Gas Falls Absence from a bed or chair Getting up in the night Leaving the home (5) Alternative therapies: The term complementary and alternative therapy includes many diverse forms of treatment. Complementary and alternative therapies are a high range of treatments that are outside of conventional medicine and which are used for treating and preventing illness and promoting health and well-being. Practitioners of complementary therapies are not much trained for diagnosing disease. The area of complementary and alternative medicine is controversial and it changes regularly. The therapies that are considered complementary or alternative in one country that may be considered conventional in another. Therapies that are now considered alternative that may become more mainstream over time, as researcher discover their effectiveness and become integrated into mainstream health care practice. Some of the complementary and alternative therapies are now available on the NHS, although this varies from region to region. Question-4 Critically analyse and discuss the impacts of equality, and cultural and diversity issues on the provision of the person-centred approach to individuals with dementia and other common geriatric health conditions within Answer (1) public health and health promotion Cultural competency is at the core of high quality, patient-cantered care, and it directly impacts how care is delivered and received. According to the Institute of Medicine’s report, Unequal Treatment Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare, a consistent body of research indicates a lack of culturally competent care directly contributes to poor patient outcomes, reduced patient compliance, and increased health disparities, regardless of the quality of services and systems available. In addition to improving care quality and patient satisfaction, delivering culturally competent care increases job satisfaction and contributes to staff retention. Impacts include:- Families may not know the right questions to ask regarding service offered within the organization, limits on what the organization can do for the residents/patients, resources that are available, or how they engage those resources. Families do not or cannot—for cultural or linguistic reasons—discuss their expectations with the organization. Families may find it hard to visit and participate in programs with residents, especially if they do not have access to transportation. Volunteerism is not part of the value system in some ethno-cultural communities, and adult children may not be interested in participating in social and cultural activities with residents. Without the encouragement and support of community partners, organizations face challenges in meeting the needs of residents from recently arrived or smaller ethno-cultural or religious groups. Regulatory requirements may restrict the degree to which organizations can adapt their current practices to accommodate ethnic groups with different perspectives and backgrounds. Attitudes to health and demand for healthcare Staff expects promptness Staff expects compliance Staff takes paternal approach Staff disrespects non-traditional healing practices Staff does not consider residents’/patients’ conflict regarding familiar belief systems and current practices Staff does not keep an open mind Question-5 Critically analyse and discuss the impacts that health sector standards and codes of practice, and other published standards have on the person-centred practice approach for individuals with dementia and other common geriatric health conditions. Answer: Healthcare Quality Professionals are defined as a standard of conduct deep-rooted in commitment, confidentiality, and relationships. By committing to improvement of performance and by integrity maintenance, the Healthcare Quality Professional can recognize the personal accountability and moral obligation to all customers which are served—clients, employers, employees, organisations, physicians, and the public. Healthcare Quality Professionals promote the profession’s dignity are committed to practicing the profession with integrity, honesty, and accountability. To respect all laws and to refuse to participate in or conceal any unethical, false, fraudulent, or deceptive activity:- †¢ to practice the profession with honesty, integrity, and accountability †¢ maintaining the level of competency as outlined in the Standards of Practice for Healthcare Quality Professionals †¢ seeking the trust and confidence of all customers †¢ supporting the Standards of Practice for Healthcare Quality Professionals †¢ respecting all laws and avoiding involvement in any false, fraudulent, or deceptive activity †¢ promoting the right of privacy for all individuals and protecting the maintenance of confidential information to the fullest extent permitted by law †¢ using expertise to inform employers or clients of possible positive and negative outcomes of management decisions in an effort to facilitate informed decision making †¢ giving credit for the work of others to whom it is due †¢ aiding the professional development and advancement of colleagues †¢ using the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) designation only after passing the written examination, adhering to standards established by the Healthcare Quality Certification Board (HQCB) and continuing to maintain those standards through the recertification process †¢ maintaining membership in professional organizations as a means of promoting quality and professional growth and avoiding the use of such membership for the sole purpose of solicitation of business or for personal financial gain. †¢ Healthcare Quality Professionals’ primary commitment is to the health, wellbeing, and safety of patients. They must take appropriate actions regarding any instances of incompetent, unethical, illegal, or impaired practice. They work to promote cultural change that encourages the reporting of events that may result in actual or potential harm to patients or others. Standards of practice:- †¢ maintains active personal and professional development programs in the field of healthcare quality and exhibits a broad range of knowledge †¢ creates and supports an environment that fosters teamwork, emphasizes quality, recognizes the customer, and promotes learning †¢ maintains a commitment to the improvement of the professional through participation in, and active support of, the local, state, and national professional organizations †¢ addresses concerns and takes formal actions to resolve or report the unethical or questionable practices to the appropriate channels. †¢ Supports the Code of Ethics for Healthcare Quality Professionals RECOMMENDATIONS Good services should be provided to the patients suffering from dementia and othe geriatric conditions. There should be good codes of ethics and standards of practice for the people and they must be followed. Conclusion The group believed that good management services are necessary for every patient. There should be suitable principles for providing care and support to the patient. REFRENCES Ministry of health: guideline for specialist health services for older people (2004).Retrieved fromhttps://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/guidelines.doc Person centre support retrieved from https://www.health.vic.gov.au>Dementia-friendly environments. Strategies The international journal of person cantered medicine (2012) Retrieved from https://www.tpk.govt.nz/_/wo-nzjouneytowardspeoplecentredcare.pdf Using reality orientation in the treatment of people with Alzheimer’s disease ( may 2014) Retrieved from https://www.Alzheimer’s.about.com>>Treatment options Diversity and culture competency in healthcare settings Retrieved from https://www.matherlifewaysinstituteonaging.com//Diversity-and-Cultural-Com... Codes of ethics and standards of practice Retrieved from http://www.nahq.org/uploads/files/about/condestandards.pdf

Investigate notions of sisters and sisterhood within Top Girls :: English Literature

Investigate notions of sisters and sisterhood within Top Girls In Act 1 the women at the dinner party, speak of their suffering in the past, but they all relate to Marlene and to each other as a sisterhood of the present, even though the women represent contemporary figures supposedly alive in the early 1980’s in England. Lady Nijo and Pope Joan are similar in that they both had babies in difficult situations, and both stood up for their rights as women. The portrayal of these women contrasts with the traditional and ‘classical’ representation of women in plays. In the past women characters have been presented as dependent on men and limited by the conversations of a male dominates world. A typical example of this is seen in Hamlet by William Shakespeare, with both Gertrude and Ophelia saying ‘I will obey my lord’ however in Top Girls the characters think independently and believe in themselves and show support for their sisters. The characters are individualised which is dramatically interesting as they open to a new experience on the stage. The modern women is shown in Top Girls to be living in the time of shifting priorities and expectations, challenging the female ‘roles’. An example of this is Louise in act 2 saying, ‘She has a different style, she’s a new kind†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Many themes that run throughout Top Girls relate to the time when the play was written. An example of this and also an example of sisters in the play is the argument between Joyce and Marlene. Marlene is an individualistic and through her own determination and effort has managed to lift herself out of working class environment to middle class. Class structure, as seen by Marlene, is the cause of oppression and the row between the sisters is exaggerated and simplified with Marlene saying ‘I hat the working class’ and Joy replying ‘ I spit when I see a Rolls Royce.’ Marlene shows support for Thatcher saying ‘She’s a tough lady, Maggie†¦. Certainly gets my vote.’ Which can be interpreted as, her own success could have been due to the encouragement and initiative of an individual. Act 3 reveals aspects of Marlene’s life that could be questioned. She left home at the age of 17, she cut herself of from all family ties, she hasn’t been home for 6 years and Angie’s arrival in the office is a complete inconvenience to her. In many respects Joyce can be interpreted as a failure too, she is worn out, let down by her husband and has a mixed success to look after Angie. The history of the sister’s social and family background is grim.

Introduction to Computer Theory

CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND The twentieth century has been filled with the most incredible shocks and surprises: the theory of relativity, Communist revolutions, psychoanalysis, nuclear war, television, moon walks, genetic engineering, and so on. As astounding as any of these is the advent of the computer and its development from a mere calculating device into what seems like a â€Å"thinking machine. † The birth of the computer was not wholly independent of the other events of this century.The history of the computer is a fascinating story; however, it is not the subject of this course. We are concerned with the Theory of Computers, which means that we form several abstract mathematical models that will describe with varying degrees of accuracy parts of computers and types of computers and similar machines. Our models will not be used to discuss the practical engineering details of the hardware of computers, but the more abstract questions of the frontiers of capability of these mec hanical devices.There are separate courses that deal with circuits and switching theory (computer logic) and with instruction sets and register arrangements (computer ar-chitecture) and with data structures and algorithms and operating systems and compiler design and artificial intelligence and so forth. All of these courses have a theoretical component, but they differ from our study in two basic ways. First, they deal only with computers that already exist; our models, on 3 4 AUTOMATA THEORY the other hand, will encompass all computers that do exist, will exist, and that can ever be dreamed of.Second, they are interested in how best to do things; we shall not be interested in optimality at all, but rather we shall be concerned with the question of possibility-what can and what cannot be done. We shall look at this from the perspective of what language structures the machines we describe can and cannot accept as input, and what possible meaning their output may have. This descripti on of our intent is extremely general and perhaps a little misleading, but the mathematically precise definition of our study can be understood only by those who already know the concepts introduced in this course.This is often a characteristic of scholarship—after years of study one can just begin to define the subject. We are now embarking on a typical example of such a journey. In our last chapter (Chapter 31) we shall finally be able to define a computer. The history of Computer Theory is also interesting. It was formed by fortunate coincidences, involving several seemingly unrelated branches of intellectual endeavor. A small series of contemporaneous discoveries, by very dissimilar people, separately motivated, flowed together to become our subject.Until we have established more of a foundation, we can only describe in general terms the different schools of thought that have melded into this field. The most obvious component of Computer Theory is the theory of mathematic al logic. As the twentieth century started, mathematics was facing a dilemma. Georg Cantor (1845-1918) had recently invented the Theory of Sets (unions, intersections, inclusion, cardinality, etc. ). But at the same time he had discovered some very uncomfortable paradoxes-he created things that looked like contradictions in what seemed to be rigorously proven mathematical theorems.Some of his unusual findings could be tolerated (such as that infinity comes in different sizes), but some could not (such as that some set is bigger than the universal set). This left a cloud over mathematics that needed to be resolved. David Hilbert (1862-1943) wanted all of mathematics put on the same sound footing as Euclidean Geometry, which is characterized by precise definitions, explicit axioms, and rigorous proofs. The format of a Euclidean proof is precisely specified. Every line is either an axiom, a previously proven theorem, or follows from the lines above it by one of a few simple rules of in ference.The mathematics that developed in the centuries since Euclid did not follow this standard of precision. Hilbert believed that if mathematics X'ere put back on the Euclidean standard the Cantor paradoxes would go away. He was actually concerned with two ambitious projects: first, to demonstrate that the new system was free of paradoxes; second, to find methods that would guarantee to enable humans to construct proofs of all the true statements in mathematics. Hilbert wanted something formulaic-a precise routine for producing results, like the directions in a cookbook.First draw all these lines, then write all these equations, then solve for all these points, and so on and so on and the proof is done-some approach that is certain and sure-fire without any reliance BACKGROUND 5 on unpredictable and undependable brilliant mathematical insight. We simply follow the rules and the answer must come. This type of complete, guaranteed, easy-to-follow set of instructions is called an a lgorithm. He hoped that algorithms or procedures could be developed to solve whole classes of mathematical problems.The collection of techniques called linear algebra provides just such an algorithm for solving all systems of linear equations. Hilbert wanted to develop algorithms for solving other mathematical problems, perhaps even an algorithm that could solve all mathematical problems of any kind in some finite number of steps. Before starting to look for such an algorithm, an exact notion of what is and what is not a mathematical statement had to be developed. After that, there was the problem of defining exactly what can and what cannot be a step in an algorithm.The words we have used: â€Å"procedure,† â€Å"formula,† â€Å"cookbook method,† â€Å"complete instructions,† are not part of mathematics and are no more meaningful than the word â€Å"algorithm† itself. Mathematical logicians, while trying to follow the suggestions of Hilbert and st raighten out the predicament left by Cantor, found that they were able to prove mathematically that some of the desired algorithms cannot exist-not only at this time, but they can never exist in the future, either. Their main I result was even more fantastic than that.Kurt Godel (1906-1978) not only showed that there was no algorithm that could guarantee to provide proofs for all the true statements in mathematics, but he proved that not all the true statements even have a proof to be found. G6del's Incompleteness Theorem implies that in a specific mathematical system either there are some true statements without any possible proof or else there are some false statements that can be â€Å"proven. † This earth-shaking result made the mess in the philosophy of mathematics even worse, but very exciting.If not every true statement has a proof, can we at least fulfill Hilbert's program by finding a proof-generating algorithm to provide proofs whenever they do exist? Logicians bega n to ask the question: Of what fundamental parts are all algorithms composed? The first general definition of an algorithm was proposed by Alonzo Church. Using his definition he and Stephen Cole Kleene and, independently, Emil Post were able to prove that there were problems that no algorithm could solve. While also solving this problem independently, Alan Mathison Turing (1912-1954) developed the concept of a theoretical â€Å"universal-algorithm machine. Studying what was possible and what was not possible for such a machine to do, he discovered that some tasks that we might have expected this abstract omnipotent machine to be able to perform are impossible, even for it. Turing's model for a universal-algorithm machine is directly connected to the invention of the computer. In fact, for completely different reasons (wartime code-breaking) Turing himself had an important part in the construction of the first computer, which he based on his work in abstract logic.On a wildly differ ent front, two researchers in neurophysiology, Warren 6 AUTOMATA THEORY Sturgis McCulloch and Walter Pitts (1923-1969), constructed a mathematical model for the way in which sensory receptor organs in animals behave. The model they constructed for a â€Å"neural net† was a theoretical machine of the same nature as the one Turing invented, but with certain limitations. Mathematical models of real and abstract machines took on more and more importance.Along with mathematical models for biological processes, models were introduced to study psychological, economic, and social situations. Again, entirely independent of these considerations, the invention of the vacuum tube and the subsequent developments in electronics enabled engineers to build fully automatic electronic calculators. These developments fulfilled the age-old dream of Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716), and Charles Babbage (1792-1871), all of whom built mechanical calculating devic es as powerful as their respective technologies would allow.In the 1940s, gifted engineers began building the first generation of computers: the computer Colossus at Bletchley, England (Turing's decoder), the ABC machine built by John Atanosoff in Iowa, the Harvard Mark I built by Howard Aiken, and ENIAC built by John Presper Eckert, Jr. and John William Mauchly (1907-1980) at the University of Pennsylvania. Shortly after the invention of the vacuum tube, the incredible mathematician John von Neumann (1903-1957) developed the idea of a stored-program computer.The idea of storing the program inside the computer and allowing the computer to operate on (and modify) the program as well as the data was a tremendous advance. It may have been conceived decades earlier by Babbage and his co-worker Ada Augusta, Countess of Lovelace (1815-1853), but their technology was not adequate to explore this possibility. The ramifications of this idea, as pursued by von Neumann and Turing were quite pr ofound. The early calculators could perform only one predetermined set of tasks at a time.To make changes in their procedures, the calculators had to be physically rebuilt either by rewiring, resetting, or reconnecting various parts. Von Neumann permanently wired certain operations into the machine and then designed a central control section that, after reading input data, could select which operation to perform based on a program or algorithm encoded in the input and stored in the computer along with the raw data to be processed. In this way, the inputs determined which operations were to be performed on themselves.Interestingly, current technology has progressed to the point where the ability to manufacture dedicated chips cheaply and easily has made the prospect of rebuilding a computer for each program feasible again. However, by the last chapters of this book we will appreciate the significance of the difference between these two approaches. Von Neumann's goal was to convert th e electronic calculator into a reallife model of one of the logicians' ideal universal-algorithm machines, such as those Turing had described.Thus we have an unusual situation where the advanced theoretical work on the potential of the machine preceded the demonstration that the machine could really exist. The people who first discussed BACKGROUND 7 these machines only dreamed they might ever be built. Many were very surprised to find them actually working in their own lifetimes. Along with the concept of programming a computer came the question: What is the â€Å"best† language in which to write programs?Many languages were invented, owing their distinction to the differences in the specific machines they were to be used on and to the differences in the types of problems for which they were designed. However, as more languages emerged, it became clear that they had many elements in common. They seemed to share the same possibilities and limitations. This observation was at f irst only intuitive, although Turing had already worked on much the same problem but from a different angle. At the time that a general theory of computer languages was being developed, another surprise occurred.Modem linguists, some influenced by the prevalent trends in mathematical logic and some by the emerging theories of developmental psychology, had been investigating a very similar subject: What is language in general? How could primitive humans have developed language? How do people understand it? How do they learn it as children? What ideas can be expressed, and in what ways? How do people construct sentences from the ideas in their minds? Noam Chomsky created the subject of mathematical models for the description of languages to answer these questions.His theory grew to the point where it began to shed light on the study of computer languages. The languages humans invented to communicate with one another and the languages necessary for humans to communicate with machines s hared many basic properties. Although we do not know exactly how humans understand language, we do know how machines digest what they are told. Thus, the formulations of mathematical logic became useful to linguistics, a previously nonmathematical subject. Metaphorically, we could say that the computer then took on linguistic abilities.It became a word processor, a translator, and an interpreter of simple grammar, as well as a compiler of computer languages. The software invented to interpret programming languages was applied to human languages as well. One point that will be made clear in our studies is why computer languages are easy for a computer to understand whereas human languages are very difficult. Because of the many influences on its development the subject of this book goes by various names. It includes three major fundamental areas: the Theory of Automata, the Theory of Formal Languages, and the Theory of Turing Machines.This book is divided into three parts correspondi ng to these topics. Our subject is sometimes called Computation Theory rather than Computer Theory, since the items that are central to it are the types of tasks (algorithms or programs) that can be performed, not the mechanical nature of the physical computer itself. However, the name â€Å"computation† is also misleading, since it popularly connotes arithmetical operations that are only a fraction of what computers can do. The term â€Å"computation† is inaccurate when describing word AUTOMATA THEORY processing, sorting and searching and awkward in discussions of program verification. Just as the term â€Å"Number Theory† is not limited to a description of calligraphic displays of number systems but focuses on the question of which equations can be solved in integers, and the term â€Å"Graph Theory† does not include bar graphs, pie charts, and histograms, so too â€Å"Computer Theory† need not be limited to a description of physical machines but can focus on the question of which tasks are possible for which machines.We shall study different types of theoretical machines that are mathematical models for actual physical processes. By considering the possible inputs on which these machines can work, we can analyze their various strengths and weaknesses. We then arrive at what we may believe to be the most powerful machine possible. When we do, we shall be surprised to find tasks that even it cannot perform. This will be-our ultimate result, that no matter what machine we build, there will always be questions that are simple to state that it cannot answer.Along the way, we shall begin to understand the concept of computability, which is the foundation of further research in this field. This is our goal. Computer Theory extends further to such topics as complexity and verification, but these are beyond our intended scope. Even for the topics we do cover-Automata, Languages, Turing Machines-much more is known than we present he re. As intriguing and engaging as the field has proven so far, with any luck the most fascinating theorems are yet to be discovered.

True Blue essays

True Blue essays If I have my ticket, Lord, can I ride? My bones are weakening, as is my hope. I overheard Master Tolbert speaking to a man, and I have been a slave for over 40 years. Can I have my ticket Lord, please? It could be worse; I could still be a field slave. Now that my legs and arms are weak, Master Tolbert allowed for me to become a house hand. Working on a plantation allows for more social interaction with other slaves than other places. My wife passed over three years ago but I still enjoy the comfort of the other slaves in our community. On Sunday, we even attend our own church ceremonies, which is the only time I ever feel human. Religion plays a key role in our community. Many of us are tempted to run away, but then we are reminded that the sacrifices that we endure now will be rewarded on judgment day. Master Tolbert was in an extremely foul mood today. I believe that his plan to buy four more slaves collapsed leaving him short a few workers in the field tomorrow. Last week I was helping clean up a mess that one of the children made when Master Tolbert came over and accused me of stealing his cigarettes. Now for all the years I have been alive I cannot remember a single time that I have ever touched, let alone thought about, polluting my body with smoke. For that unfair accusation I received ten lashes and was not allowed diner. Im sure one of his ungrateful children stole his pack of cigarettes or Master Tolbert just misplaced them. In general he is not that cruel, Master has his phases. For all the years I have been a slave, I have only been whipped on four different occasions. I know slaves from other communities who receive that kind of abuse in a year. I saw my son a few days ago. He has grown into a well-developed man, only he has very radical beliefs and I fear the white man will kill him. He was taken from my wife and I at birth and I ha ...

Colonial Unity essays

Colonial Unity essays The American colonists, on the eve of the Revolution were very concrete in their identity as well as their unity. The colonists had endured many years of far off governance by the mother country, as well as intercolonial problems that could only be solved by coming together as one close knit colonial unit. The colonists had made their decision; that they were not going to be governed by the far off, and tyrant mother country of England, and they were going to come together as one to defend their beliefs. The colonies had been exposed to many different instances in which they had to deal with a harsh suppression put on them by England. The Proclamation Act of 1763 was the first, and more would follow. The Quartering Act of 1765, The Stamp Act of 1675, and later the Townsend Acts. Mather Byles posed the question in his publication ...which is better, to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away, or by three thousand tyrants not a mile away. He simply, but strongly makes the point that the colonists were becoming tired of being governed by some far off land. Colonists, because of this harsh suppression began to strengthen their beliefs that this governance by England was not going to meet the needs of the colonists without raising some extreme controversial. In the Declaration for the Causes of Taking up Arms in July of 1775, it was obvious that the colonists were not initially looking for the separation to happen, but because of Englands harshness, they had no choice. ...we assure them that we mean not to dissolve that union which has so long and so happily subsisted between us, and which we sincerely wish to see restored... All colonists in these beliefs would begin to strengthen their colonial unity. The Revolution was the most prominent event in which it was necessary for all the colonists to be united for the same cause. The cartoon in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754, drawn b...

Learn About Greenland

Learn About Greenland Since the eighteenth century, Greenland has been a territory controlled by Denmark. In recent years, however, Greenland has regained a considerable level of autonomy from Denmark. Greenland as a Colony Greenland first became a colony of Denmark in 1775. In 1953, Greenland was established as a province of Denmark. In 1979, Greenland was granted home rule by Denmark. Six years later, Greenland left the European Economic Community (the forerunner of the European Union) in order to keep its fishing grounds from European rules. About 50,000 of Greenlands 57,000 residents are indigenous Inuit. Greenlands Independence From Denmark It wasnt until 2008 that Greenlands citizens voted in a non-binding referendum for increased independence from Denmark. In a vote of over 75% in favor, Greenlanders voted to reduce their involvement with Denmark. With the referendum, Greenland voted to take control of law enforcement, the justice system, coast guard, and to share more equality in oil revenue. The official language of Greenland also changed to Greenlandic (also known as Kalaallisut). This change to a more independent Greenland officially took place in June 2009, the 30th anniversary of Greenlands home rule in 1979. Greenland maintains some independent treaties and foreign relations. However, Denmark retains ultimate control of foreign affairs and defense of Greenland. Ultimately, while Greenland now maintains a great deal of autonomy, it is not yet a fully independent country. Here are the eight requirements for independent country status with regard to Greenland: Has space or territory which has internationally recognized boundaries: yes Has people who live there on an ongoing basis: yes Has economic activity and an organized economy. A country regulates foreign and domestic trade and issues money: mostly, although the currency is the Danish kroner and some trade agreements remain the purview of DenmarkHas the power of social engineering, such as education: yes Has a transportation system for moving goods and people: yes Has a government which provides public services and police power: yes, although defense remains Denmarks responsibilityHas sovereignty. No other state should have power over the countrys territory: no Has external recognition. A country has been voted into the club by other countries: no Greenland reserves the right to seek complete independence from Denmark but experts currently expect that such a move is in the distant future. Greenland will need to try on this new role of increased autonomy for a few years before moving to the next step on the road to independence from Denmark.

Endogenous Growth Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Endogenous Growth Theory - Essay Example The paper focuses on endogenous growth and utilises two major approaches to deal with the issue. These are namely the convergence controversy approach and the state of market competition (Romer). Romer’s contention is to fill out gaps in existing endogenous theory to make it more accountable for growth patterns in developing and developed countries. Historically the neo-classical model has attributed economic growth to technology. Another basic assumption is that technology is freely available to all countries in the world since a perfect competition market exists (Rebelo). Romer uses the Cobb-Douglas production and cross-country regression models in order to highlight that endogenous factors can better explain such growth than exogenous models. He attributes growth to investments in human capital, innovation and knowledge whose spill over effects tend to augment the economy as a whole . The Philippines has been compared to the United States in order to bring out the savings rates that would be required by both nations to possess an equal level of economic growth. Romer argues that if the Philippines and the United States possessed the same level of technology, then their differing growth rates could be attributed to differences in labour productivity alone. It has been estimated that the share of investment in the United States is at least twice as large as it would have to be in the Philippines for a similar rate of growth. The lack of convergence between the growth rates for poorer countries and the more rich countries tends to indicate that the differences may be attributed to more than just technology. The rate of and amount of investment tends to differ between the North and the South. Using the neo-classical model, it would be hard to explain why the model attributes low investment in the North while that is not the case. The Summer-Heston model has been used in this regard to look into investments into human resources and capital to bring out the differences (Barro and Sala-i-Martin). Romer concludes this section by delineating that the only difference between developing and developed nations may not just be the availability of data that is blamed by neo-classical economists for a loosely fitting model. In the second section, Romer argues that aggregate level models had been missing in order to exp lain growth throughout the fifties, sixties and the seventies. He also expounds that certain assumptions have always been assumed as such but have not been explored to see their effects on growth models. It is generally assumed that there are many firms in an economy but it may be that these are concentrated to favour a monopolistic market structure. Scientific discoveries are not accessible to all entities operating in an economy since information is required to turn the scientific discovery into useful output. The shortage of information from one national economy to another (such as through trade secretes) signifies that scientific discoveries are not available to all and sundry. Another issue is the replication of physical activities which is not possible since all involved factors cannot be scaled up similarly all the time to receive an equally scaled up output. Technological developments are taken as having derived from factors external to the control of individuals. However, t he application of human resources and attention is typically how technological progress is derived. Hence, assuming that technological progress is an exogenous factor is highly misleading (Sachs and Warner). Additionally, economic entities with the power to create new information and knowledge often possess the power to manipulate the information and knowledge into monopolistic systems. This would indicate that the owner of the information a

Compare and contrast literature regarding primary closure of surgical Essay

Compare and contrast literature regarding primary closure of surgical wounds and its effect in wound healing - Essay Example From February of 1996 to July of 1996, Singer et al (2002) examined 814 patients having 924 wounds. In this study, they suggested that wound infection was associated with the presence of extensive wounds and adjacent trauma in the skin. Suboptimal appearance of the wound was increased with its location in the extremity, the size of the wound, its apposition, associated trauma in the tissue, use of electrocautery, and the presence of infection. Singer et al (2002) suggested that minimizing electrocautery use and other surgical techniques traumatizing the skin as well as ensuring complete apposition of the wound with minimal tension during closure of the wound help achieve a cosmetically appealing scar. This study is limited due to its nature being a secondary prospective analysis study. Moreover, wound care was not standardized and only showed small number of poor outcome (12 infections being treated with systemic antibiotics, 9 of which belong to the adhesive group and 3 belongs to t he group that uses standard sutures). Another study done by Zeplin, et al (2007) on the comparison of various materials for treatment of lacerations of the skin by means of a pig experiment using OPTOCAT 3 – dimensional scanning technique with 10 Goettinger minipigs as experimental animals to examine wound healing process and development of scar in full incision of the skin. Suture materials used were skin adhesive, absorbing and nonabsorbing suture materials from the following companies: (1) Braun companies (Histaocryl, Monosyn, Safil, Premilene); and (2) Ethicon (Dermabond, Monocryl, Vicryl, Prolene). Zeplin et al (2007) reported that in all wounds that were treated, dehiscence occurred in about 2.5%. Histoacryl skin adhesive shared 15% of the wounds that were treated. From this research study, Zeplin et al (2007) concluded that with an increasing wound length,

Business in Focus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Business in Focus - Essay Example US Laws protect citizens against any misuse of tax records and information sharing if not having support proper authorization (Hatch n.d.). In spite of such provision of protection according to Gregory Shaffer (2000), personal information is traded and transferred about each U.S. citizen very frequently. There are privacy breaches ranging from very serious identity theft incidents to marketing solicitations. Data unlike a physical object can be sold and distributed with relative ease in today's electronic society. Medical and financial records could be used in hiring decisions. Social security numbers could be used in case of identity theft and financial fraud. One's address could be used to conduct a hate crime. Terrorists and anti-government groups can use government security information to attack nuclear plants and other government targets. The U.S. legislation on national scale is not comprehensive on privacy legislation. Their numerous privacy statutes protect personal privacy in a piecemeal fashion. The Privacy Act of 1974 gives individuals the right to access and correct information held by the federal government but did not cover private entities and state and local governments. The financial Modernisation Act also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB passed in November 2000 eased the state and federal restrictions among financial institutions in USA. The law allowed sharing of information, non-public for specific purpose and in specific situation. This raised the issue of privacy and it was demanded for notification to consumers about the institution's privacy policy and is given a chance to opt -out of information sharing with non-affiliated third parties. The survey confirmed about the widespread use of non-public information by joint marketers and affiliated institutions. Protection of non-public personal information (NPI) is must because it might lead to fraud by companies for unauthorised use. The following important legislation in USA on Consumer Privacy: 1. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970- in which credit agencies are required to make their records available, provides procedures for the correcting of information, and permits disclosure to authorized parties. 2. Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984- cable services are required to inform subscribers of the nature of personally identifiable information collected and the use of such information. The law restricts the collection and disclosure of such information by cable services. 3. Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986- The law extends Title III protections and requirements to new forms of voice, video data, and communications such as cellular phones, electronic mail, computer transmissions, and voice and display pagers. 4. Electronic Freedom of Information Act (1996) - The law allowed any person the right to obtain federal agency records unless the records are protected from disclosure by any of the nine exemptions contained in the law. 5. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996- The law requires healthcare facilities to implement security policies and systems to protect patient confidentiality. HIPAA only covers the security of the information and does not address information sharing. 6. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (1999)- The law prevents personal informat

Intercultural communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Intercultural communication - Essay Example 465). Hall’s High and Low Context Cultural Taxonomy - is a cultural framework by Edward Hall that focuses how an individual attributes meaning to their manner of communication. Low-context communication is putting ideas into words, while high-context communication is implicitly placing meaning to words (Clausen 53). Hofstede’s Cultural Taxonomy - is composed of five dimensions, which include power distance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and Confucian dynamism. These dimensions are reflected by cultures which are also represented in the business environment. Power distance is considered as high in Latin America, wherein those who are less powerful accept the decisions of those in power (â€Å"National Cultures†). Schwartz’s Cultural Taxonomy - is composed of seven cultural values that can account for culture; these are conservation, hierarchy, intellectual autonomy, affective autonomy, competency, harmony, and egalitarian compromise. For example, in the light of intellectual autonomy, a person is given the full privileged and freedom in order to pursue or achieve his or her intellectual goals (Gouveia and Ros 26). The GLOBE Cultural Taxonomy - is a global project that uses nine cultural variables, in order to encapsulate the relationship between effective leadership and organizational cultures. The cultural variables are power distance, in-group collectivism, institutional collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, future orientation, gender egalitarianism assertiveness, humane orientation, and performance orientation (Javidan, et al. 62). Globalization has paved its way in influencing the economic, political, and social aspect of a state. With this, the establishment and maintenance of the identity of an individual has also been influenced by globalization. Also, identity is

Review of the Literature Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Review of the Literature - Assignment Example The theory clearly outlines the population based health strategies for obesity prevention among older nurses including health promotion initiatives (Wu & Huang, 2013). The theory advocates for healthy eating system and proper physical activities practices in preventing obesity. This model of theory also proposes health educational strategies in solving obesity problem among older nurses (Marchiondo, 2014). It also provides a number of health related behaviors in developing public health policies in various health institutions globally (Wu & Huang, 2013). Health education as well as healthy promotion behaviors are some of the research based strategies that are widely used in the prevention and reduction of obesity among older nurses (Newman, 2009). Therefore, the main rationale for the adoption of this theory is due to its wide and broad use in the control and prevention of obesity among older nurses globally. This theory also supports various proposed solutions that are very effective in reducing, controlling and preventing obesity among older nurses (Marchiondo, 2014). This includes proper weight management, avoidance of heavy smoking, adoption of healthy eating habits and regular physical exercise among older nurses. The hypothesis advocates for various behavioral approaches in controlling obesity and adoption of these proposed changes (Weiss, Weisser, & Salario, 2014). The theory provides that behavior changes should be made step by step in order to avoid stress and other destructive conditions among older nurses (Wu & Huang, 2013). This presumption also put into consideration a number of psychological, social as well as emotional coping strategies of older nurses in adopting weight gain management practices. The theory advocates for provision of health promotional interventions through appropriate techniques that

Project Business Case (A control traffic light signal device) during Essay

Project Business Case (A control traffic light signal device) during the transfer of emergency cases - Essay Example     Sign Off: Title Name Signature Date Project Manager    Project Sponsor    Reviewers: Name Title             *add/ delete rows as required Table of Contents 1. Introduction 3 2 Options 4 3 Implementation Plan 9 4 Governance 10 5 Project Review & Closure 11 1. Introduction  1.1 Background In most parts of the world, it is common practice for paramedics to navigate their way around traffics when they are called to handle an emergency situation. They do not really have the power to control traffics and they are held by the status of traffic lights each and every time they are called to duty. It is common practice for drivers of vehicles to stop and allow paramedics to get to their destination on time (Bledsoe et al, 1998). This body of traffic rules and moral obligations forces the ‘rational’ driver to quickly clear the road for an ambulance to pass. However, in a crossroad, there are no laws that really stop the flow of traff ic in a road where there is a green traffic light reflected. Most drivers have to drive through irrespective of whether there is an ambulance coming through or not. Secondly, a ‘rational’ driver who sees a moral obligation to stop for an ambulance to pass might end up causing a serious accident because it is unlikely that the cars following him would also think like him and stop for the movement of the ambulance. It is therefore important for a middle way to be found to ensure that ambulances and their paramedic staff get to scenes of medical emergencies and then save lives. This therefore calls for some kind of method that will enable paramedics and ambulance drivers to control the traffic lights whenever they are in driving to the scene of an emergency. Currently, SAAS has little control over the traffic light systems. This therefore means that they would have to stop in every traffic light and wait till it turns green before they can proceed to save lives. This defea ts their main purpose and there is the need for SAAS to get some power to control the traffic light systems so that they can fulfill their main purpose of formation – to save lives by arriving at emergency destinations on time. 1.2 Justification By definition, paramedics are trained to give first aid and emergency medical aid as and when it is needed and this forms the foundation of their primary responsibility – to save lives (Bhushkan & Mone, 2006). This therefore means that the staff members of SAAS devote their lives and times to saving citizens and residents of Australia who are in critical condition and need to be protected from death and severe hardships at the exact time they need it. The traffic lights are there to control the normal flow of cars carrying peoples through different crossroads. It regulates the flow of people throughout their travels on Australian roads. These people driving are often normal people who are not in any form of immediate danger. It is therefore necessary for priority to be given to residents of the country who are in critical or fatal condition. This can be done by giving paramedics the right to control the traffic lights and stop all vehicles moving across the road ahead of them. This is because a delay in their movement could mean the loss of another Australian life. There is therefore the need for the city and planning authorities Southern Australia to give paramedics and a

Intercultural communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Intercultural communication - Essay Example 465). Hall’s High and Low Context Cultural Taxonomy - is a cultural framework by Edward Hall that focuses how an individual attributes meaning to their manner of communication. Low-context communication is putting ideas into words, while high-context communication is implicitly placing meaning to words (Clausen 53). Hofstede’s Cultural Taxonomy - is composed of five dimensions, which include power distance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and Confucian dynamism. These dimensions are reflected by cultures which are also represented in the business environment. Power distance is considered as high in Latin America, wherein those who are less powerful accept the decisions of those in power (â€Å"National Cultures†). Schwartz’s Cultural Taxonomy - is composed of seven cultural values that can account for culture; these are conservation, hierarchy, intellectual autonomy, affective autonomy, competency, harmony, and egalitarian compromise. For example, in the light of intellectual autonomy, a person is given the full privileged and freedom in order to pursue or achieve his or her intellectual goals (Gouveia and Ros 26). The GLOBE Cultural Taxonomy - is a global project that uses nine cultural variables, in order to encapsulate the relationship between effective leadership and organizational cultures. The cultural variables are power distance, in-group collectivism, institutional collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, future orientation, gender egalitarianism assertiveness, humane orientation, and performance orientation (Javidan, et al. 62). Globalization has paved its way in influencing the economic, political, and social aspect of a state. With this, the establishment and maintenance of the identity of an individual has also been influenced by globalization. Also, identity is

Project Business Case (A control traffic light signal device) during Essay

Project Business Case (A control traffic light signal device) during the transfer of emergency cases - Essay Example     Sign Off: Title Name Signature Date Project Manager    Project Sponsor    Reviewers: Name Title             *add/ delete rows as required Table of Contents 1. Introduction 3 2 Options 4 3 Implementation Plan 9 4 Governance 10 5 Project Review & Closure 11 1. Introduction  1.1 Background In most parts of the world, it is common practice for paramedics to navigate their way around traffics when they are called to handle an emergency situation. They do not really have the power to control traffics and they are held by the status of traffic lights each and every time they are called to duty. It is common practice for drivers of vehicles to stop and allow paramedics to get to their destination on time (Bledsoe et al, 1998). This body of traffic rules and moral obligations forces the ‘rational’ driver to quickly clear the road for an ambulance to pass. However, in a crossroad, there are no laws that really stop the flow of traff ic in a road where there is a green traffic light reflected. Most drivers have to drive through irrespective of whether there is an ambulance coming through or not. Secondly, a ‘rational’ driver who sees a moral obligation to stop for an ambulance to pass might end up causing a serious accident because it is unlikely that the cars following him would also think like him and stop for the movement of the ambulance. It is therefore important for a middle way to be found to ensure that ambulances and their paramedic staff get to scenes of medical emergencies and then save lives. This therefore calls for some kind of method that will enable paramedics and ambulance drivers to control the traffic lights whenever they are in driving to the scene of an emergency. Currently, SAAS has little control over the traffic light systems. This therefore means that they would have to stop in every traffic light and wait till it turns green before they can proceed to save lives. This defea ts their main purpose and there is the need for SAAS to get some power to control the traffic light systems so that they can fulfill their main purpose of formation – to save lives by arriving at emergency destinations on time. 1.2 Justification By definition, paramedics are trained to give first aid and emergency medical aid as and when it is needed and this forms the foundation of their primary responsibility – to save lives (Bhushkan & Mone, 2006). This therefore means that the staff members of SAAS devote their lives and times to saving citizens and residents of Australia who are in critical condition and need to be protected from death and severe hardships at the exact time they need it. The traffic lights are there to control the normal flow of cars carrying peoples through different crossroads. It regulates the flow of people throughout their travels on Australian roads. These people driving are often normal people who are not in any form of immediate danger. It is therefore necessary for priority to be given to residents of the country who are in critical or fatal condition. This can be done by giving paramedics the right to control the traffic lights and stop all vehicles moving across the road ahead of them. This is because a delay in their movement could mean the loss of another Australian life. There is therefore the need for the city and planning authorities Southern Australia to give paramedics and a

Different Cultures And Traditions Essay Example for Free

Different Cultures And Traditions Essay Using texts from different cultures and traditions discuss how free will or determinism in form of development or outcome of the stories. (1500 2500 words) I believe that we are not so free in this world even though most people would like to think we are. Our lives are controlled by many factors which we do not seem to notice. Some people accept what their future is and live with it, with out even attempting to change it. Fortunately thought there are also the same amounts of people who can see their own future but strive to do what ever they can to change it for the better. Now through out this essay I will compare two stories which are Veronica and Country Lovers. There are many instances in these stories of how if the main character in the story made a different decision than the outcome of the story would have been completely different. So we will see what might have happened if the character made a different choice later on in this piece but first I will talk about the different points of view brought out in these stories. We shall start of with the story of Veronica. This story is of a girl and a boy who are best friend and they live in quite a poor village in Africa and the boy Okeke gets a chance to go to the city and study at university due to a scholarship which he had won and Okeke asks Veronica to come but she decides to stay. When Okeke, after finishing his course at university as a doctor comes back to the village he sees Veronica in her dying moments. When Okeke asks to save her she refuses because her husband had died and her son had died also so she had nothing else to live for. Now Okeke thinks Veronica should have left with him and become his secretary and should have attended night classes where as Veronica thinks she should stay because she hates to leave her family behind even though her father was a brute and beat her. If we were to compare the points of view established in the story Veronica with the raised in the story of Country Lovers. (This is the story of Thebedi and Paulus.) This story introduces Paulus Eysendyck, a white farmers son, and Thebedi, the black daughter of one of the farm workers. As children, Paulus and Thebedi played together, but when they are teenagers they begin a sexual relationship. They have tender feelings for each other, even though their relationship is ultimately doomed in the end. Thebedi marries Njabulo, a kind young black man who has loved her for years. Two months later, Thebedi gives birth to a light-skinned child.à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ That Thebedi is pregnant when she marries is not considered scandalous because men in this culture often insist on finding out before marriage if their women are barren. The childs light skin, however, reveals who the father really is. Still, Njabulo treats the baby as if the child were his own. Paulus learns that Thebedi has married and has a light-skinned child. He panics about the child and visits Thebedi in her hut. He asks her to give the baby to someone else to raise, but she does not. Two days later, he asks to see the child alone. Waiting outside the hut, Thebedi hears soft groaning sounds, and the baby soon dies. Officials discover that the baby was poisoned, and Paulus is arrested. Initially, Thebedi says that she knows he poisoned the baby, but when the trial comes, she claims that she does not know what he did in the hut. Paulus is set free. There are clearly two separate points of view which you can clearly see. The point of view of Paulus and Njabulo. Now Paulus is very judgemental and slightly racist. I say this because he wanted to and did kill the baby just because it was light skinned. I can also say this because of the following quote you must give it to someone this proves he is quite racist because he is calling the baby an it who is quite disrespectful. Also there is also a quote which suggests that he could have been the one to kill the baby I feel like killing it myself this also adds some extra evidence against him for killing the baby. And then there is the point of view of Njabulo which is he loves the baby so much he uses the small wages which he gets from his farm work to buy the baby what ever it needs and could ever want. He is such a devoted father. But then again though I suspect that Njabulo might not believe that the baby is not his, I say this because of what he says for Thebedis birthday notice he says Thebedis baby and not their or his birthday which makes me say that he does believe within himself that the baby is his own. I suspect he may think that because the baby has got light coloured skin and because they are both black he would have thought that the baby would have had the same coloured skin as the parent and because the babys skin is light coloured he might suspect that Thebedi might have had an affair with a white man and got pregnant and had a baby. Now we can move on to analyse the language which is used in these texts. Now the language which is used in these two stories are very expressive, they allow us to feel what the character are feelings. I will start to analyse the language used in the story of Veronica. And then I will move to analyse the story of Country Lovers. This in my opinion is a very heart felt and emotional story and I feel it is quite sad that the baby died in the end and that no body was convicted for the death of the baby if there was a murderer. But before we get to that lets start with the language used in Veronica. There are many persuasive words use in this particular text. The language which I have encountered in this text I have never seen or heard of before. Many people have commented on the language which is used in these texts and it is considered to be quite complex but I shall persevere and try to unravel the language in this text for you so that you may understand it as well as I have tried to. There are persuasive words a plenty in this story to help us to understand what the characters in the text are feeling. Now if we move on to analyse the language which is used in Country Lovers. The language which is used in this text is quite complex also so I will try to impart with you the knowledge which I have learnt about the language of this text. Many may say that the words are quite simple but the thing which is hard about the language in this text I the inner meanings within these words which means there is a meaning within a meaning. Now I have scrutinised the language, I will now go on to analyse the structure. There are two main things in the structure which need to be discussed and they are story and characters. I shall start by discussing the story in both of the stories. I have explained at the beginning of this piece the main story lines of these stories but in this paragraph I will go more in to depth about how the author of this story has kept the reader interested and leaving them wanting more. In Veronica for example this story is quite short, even though the story is short does not mean that the story is not interesting or boring. Short stories are just as interesting as novels or long novels. In this story the author has not used many difficult or hard to understand words and all the long / hard words are necessary to give the effect which is given. The author also made it easier for the readers understand what the characters in the story are feeling. For example we said goodbye and she hurtled away. I thought I saw a tear in her eyes as she turned to go. From this quote I can tell that Veronica was really sad about Okeke leaving her and she wanted to avoid a long goodbye because she probably knew the longer she stayed with him the more upset she would get about the thought of him leaving. Now I will move on to analyse the story in Country Lovers. This story is slightly longer than Veronica but is still very interesting. The author of this text does not use many long/ hard words but she does not need to the story is powerful enough and gets the point across without the need to use long and difficult words. This story is quite descriptive, for example: Hidden by the mesh of old, ant eaten trees the more descriptive a story is the better picture of what is happening in the story. If the author is too descriptive it is boring and if there are only few words of description then it isnt very good to get a picture of what is happening in your head. But the author of this story has found the right limit. Now I move on to talk about the characters in these stories. In Veronica there are only two main characters and they are Okeke and Veronica. Now these characters are very well made up and they were designed to play off each other. Where as Veronica is quite resistant to move Okeke is quite happy to try to persuade Veronica to move with him to the big city. Where as in Country Lovers there is Thebedi, Njabulo and also Paulus. Njabulo is quite a shy and retiring type where as Paulus is the alpha male and is more demanding and quite mean and strict. And Thebedi last of all is quite laidback but when she was required of it she was not afraid to stand up for herself. Finally I will analyse if the main characters had main a different choice then what would have happened and how the ending would have been changed. I will start with the story of Veronica. If Veronica had decided to go with Okeke and work as a secretary to him and goes to night classes then she probably would have led a happier and fuller life and also would not have died as early as she did and she would have had a happy and rich family life. In the story of Country Lovers what would have happened if different decisions were made. If Thebedi did not have a sexual relationship with Paulus in her teenage years then he probably would not have come back in her life and Thebedis baby would not have died. Also Njabulo and Thebedis relationship would have been stronger and better. To bring a conclusion to this piece both pieces are brilliant in the way that they are written and put together. They are fantastic short reads which I would recommend to any one to read and also if you wanted to read about different cultures and traditions.

A Report on the Balanced Scorecard for Yunnan Lucky Air

A Report on the Balanced Scorecard for Yunnan Lucky Air The Chinese airline industry is a heavily regulated industry which provides limiting flexibility to both new as well as growing airlines. In the recent years many low-cost airlines have mushroomed, Lucky Air being one of them. Lucky Air was founded in July 2004 with an initial capitalisation of US$2.2 million. The ownership of the airline is with Hainan Airlines, Shanxi Airlines and Yunnan Shilin Tourism Aviation.The airline exists in a crowded field of around 15 low-cost Chinese airlines. The airline, though growing, anticipates a potential squeeze in its business. The management of Yunnan Lucky Air, hereinafter referred to as Lucky Air, approached us to advice them on monitoring their performance closely so as to achieve their organisational mission and objectives. After initial discussions with the management of the airlines, my team has recommended the use of a Balanced Scorecard to monitor its performance. I present in this report a Balanced Scorecard for Lucky Air that translat es the airlines mission and strategy into a comprehensive set of performance measures. Recent Trends in Lucky Air Lucky Air is currently based in Kunming in Peoples Republic of China. The airline has its main base in Dali airport and runs its flights between Dali to Kunming and Xishuangbanna. The routes in this region have greatly contributed to most of its profits. It is slowly reaching out to other regions in China. The overall growth of the airline has been facilitated by the limited route licensing policy of the Chinese government that has given Lucky Air a near monopoly status within Yunnan. The number of passengers carried by the airline has grown from 500,000 passengers over 5,746 flight hours in 2006 to 1.2 million over 17,875 total flight hours. During the same period, its operating revenue tripled from US$31.2 million to US$104.3 million. Over the recent years, Lucky Air has also grown in terms of flights to and from destinations outside the Yunnan province. As in early 2008, the additional routes represented almost 87 of its 150 weekly flights by the airline. Lucky Air Strategy Lucky Air operates as a low-cost, high-efficiency airline. This is the basis of its key strategy. The low-cost and high efficiency is maintained through: Using single type of aircraft leading to reduced maintenance and operational costs. Having only one category of seat class, thereby simplifying pricing. Having no seat assignments or in-flight entertainment. Increasing on-time departure and arrival by having short haul point-to-point routes. Operating mostly in secondary cities to avoid congestion and reduce landing costs. As a part of its expansion strategy, in recent times Lucky Air has tried to build its competitive advantage by focusing on e-commerce. Customers can buy and refund tickets online by paying 5% to 20% less than anywhere else. The airline has created an online community for its passengers and hopes to reach more customers directly via its website and build more brand recognition and a loyal customer base. In addition, Lucky Air has invested in own call centres to facilitate ticket booking. Balance Scorecard for Lucky Air Lucky Airs strategy rests around it being a low-cost, high-efficiency airline. A scorecard can measure the airlines performance across four different but linked perspectives that are derived from its vision, strategy and objectives. These perspectives include: Financial, Customer, Internal and Learning Growth. The left-hand side of the diagram represents the cause-and-effect relationships across the four perspectives that describe low cost and high-efficiency strategy. (Refer Appendix A for an explanation of the Lucky Air Scorecard and Appendix B for Cause and Relationship between perspectives) Benefits and Limitations of the Scorecard Like any other performance measurement tool, a Balanced Scorecard is not foolproof. Before the scorecard that has been designed for Lucky Air is implemented, the benefits and limitations of the scorecard need to be examined and understood. Benefits of Lucky Air Scorecard Balance Scorecard has led companies to develop a variety of corporate scorecards suggesting a process approach to innovations in performance measurements. (Source: Epstein and Birchard, 2000 and Hoque and James 1997). The benefits that can be obtained from a Balanced Scorecard depend on not just its design but also what it is used for and how it is applied. In general, a Balanced Scorecard will help Lucky Air: Enhance traditional financial accounting measures of Lucky Air by including certain non-financial measures. Thus, Lucky Air, through a Balanced Scorecard, can examine the drivers of financial performance by focusing at least three other perspectives: customers, internal business processes, and learning and growth. (Source: Kaplan and Norton, 1992, 1996). Acquire an effective means for clearly translating a firms vision and strategy into tool for communicating the firms strategy to the various sections of the organisation. In the case of Lucky Air, the Balanced Scorecard can show how focusing on the customer and the services can lead to increased profits. (Source: Chow, 1997; Source: Kaplan, 1992) Motivate performance against established strategic goals. A handful of critical measures have been identified for each perspective and the corresponding targets have been defined. The performance measures force managers to focus on the measures that are most critical. The targets provide managers with a framework to manage the various activities in line with the corporate objectives. For example, a manager can clearly see that managing on ground time is critical and it needs to be kept below 20 minutes. Ensure that its employees understand the long-term strategy of the organisation and also the association between the employees actions and the chosen strategic goals. It can provide strategic feedback and promote learning within the airline through the monitoring of short-term strategic results. Allocate resources and set priorities based on the initiatives contribution to long-term strategic objectives. (Source: Kaplan and Norton, 1996). Evaluate and judge the decisions, policies, plans of the airline. For example, the success or otherwise of the decision of adopting e-commerce as an expansion strategy by Lucky Air can be examined in terms of the four perspectives and its impact on the profitability of the airline. Fosters organisational learning and continual improvement when it is used as a strategic management tool. Limitations of Lucky Air Scorecard Though Balanced Scorecard may be an effective tool for many organisations, it may not help in improvement of performance of all organisations. A Balanced Scorecard is only a tool and the deployment of the tool rests with the airline itself. It is not easy to provide practical guidance for deployment of the scorecard. Some of the key limitations that can cause a Balanced Scorecard initiative at Lucky Air to fail are as follows: Effectiveness of a balanced scorecard depends on a well defined strategy and an understanding of the linkages between strategic objectives and metrics. (Source: Howard Rohm pp.4). If this is lacking its deployment will be unsuccessful. The biggest limitation of the Lucky Air scorecard is that it has been designed by an external team of consultants who have been in discussion with some key players in the airline. It did not involve a cross-section of the airline in developing the system. Thus if the scorecard of Lucky Air fails to link the correct drivers in the internal and learning and growth perspective to the desired outcomes in the financial and customer perspectives, it will not be effective. A scorecard may not be effective if it includes a few measures for each perspective. For example, success of Lucky Air is not only a result of the training and motivation of the ground crew but the entire staff. Thus a scorecard with too few measures may not depict enough of Lucky Airs strategy and does not represent a balance between desired outcomes and performance drivers of the outcomes. Likewise if too many measures are included, the managers attention may get so diffused that he may pay insufficient attention to those measures that can make the maximum impact. No balanced scorecard can be flawless with respect to its design. The Lucky Air scorecard too may have certain design flaws which may not be visible now. These will only be detected when the scorecard is implemented. It is only over a period of time that a company will learn about the effective drivers of performance. (Source: Norreklit, 2000) The scorecard on its own will not be effective if Lucky Airs top management is not committed to it. The top executives may end up looking at Balanced scorecard as a quick fix that can easily be installed in the airline. The scorecard may have its limitations if the top management simply uses it as a checklist for operational improvements or to expand the compensation system to include non-financial measures. (Source: Atkinson, A. et al, 2004) The scorecard seems to have too much internal focus. The scorecard is only depicting incentives for desired behaviour changes in the ground crew and not focusing on other employees. Conclusion and Recommendation A scorecard balances traditional financial measures of success such as profits and return on capital with non-financial measures of the drivers of future financial performance. It can prove to be an effective tool for Lucky Air if it is appropriately deployed by the airline. Appropriate deployment will require complete commitment from all levels in the organisation by making its implementation everyones job. Moreover, the initial Balanced Scorecard should only be taken as a starting point and needs to be looked upon on an ongoing basis. Frequent reviews of the scorecard are required and new performance measures identified as a Balanced Scorecard evolves over a period of time. Data on various measures or metrics needs to be collected on a regular basis and the targets of the metrics should be sufficiently linked to rewards and incentives to motivate their accomplishment. APPENDIX Appendix A: Explanation of the Lucky Air Scorecard The classes which can be formed and the parameters which may be put in the balance scorecard are: Financial: How is success measured by Lucky Airs owners, namely, Hainan Airlines, Shanxi Airlines and Yunnan Shilin Tourism Aviation? The financial parameter can be evaluated by assigning values to parameters like total revenue or increase in revenue from tickets, total amount refunded due to cancelled tickets etc. It is also measured in changes in the plane leasing costs, maintaining and operating costs etc. Customers: This is the customer perspective. It focuses on how the airline creates value for the customers. Customer perspective provides an insight into the perceptions customers hold for Lucky Air. Internal: What internal processes should Lucky Air excel in to satisfy customers and shareholders? Internal Processes can be known from turnaround time, on-ground time, arrival and departure delays, number of ticketing errors, customer care services etc. This would help in attaining an idea of the operations of the organization in question. Learning and growth: What employee capabilities, information systems and Lucky Airs climate does the airline need to continually improve its internal processes and customer relationships? It focuses on the motivation and training of the crew members. Starting at the bottom of the diagram, the strategy has a learning and growth objective to train and motivate ground crew with the expectation that this will lead to better improved ground turnarounds, from arrivals to subsequent departures, for its planes. This internal objective enables Lucky Air to have its planes depart on time and to get better utilisation of its airplanes and flight crews, further enabling it to earn profits even at prices that are lowest in the industry. It also focuses on improvement of internal processes to realise bigger revenue opportunities. The low prices and on-time departures attract more customers, improve customer loyalty and lead to a growth in revenues. The combination of revenue growth and low costs finally results in high profits and high return on assets. The strategy is clearer through the cause and effect relationships among objectives in each of the four balanced scorecard perspectives. These can be stated as follows: Increase revenues through increased sales to existing and new customers (financial) Grow to be service oriented ( customer perspective) Excel in providing services through continuous process improvements ( internal) Bring into line employee incentives and rewards with the strategy (learning and growth)