Article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Article - Essay Example The article begins its focus on the nature of the universe and the relation between the supernatural and the scientific world in the context of G-d’s existence. Despite the fact that they are affiliated with different religions, the four authors mentioned in the article believe that the existence of G-d is merely a subject of conversation. It shows that they believe G-d does not exist in this world of science. On further note with respect to the article, it was revealed that, some think G-d is a creature like human beings while others think G-d to be fictional. Moreover, few believe that, the existence of G-d would have been abolished if language had not been invented. Furthermore, the article reflects about history, which tends to reveal the atrocities committed by the theists against the atheists. Correspondingly, this article has provided valuable information with regard to the existence of G-d. Based on information from the article, the existence of G-d is viewed as a system of symbols and purpose by many people. Furthermore, this particular article has revealed that the views of the authors remain the same despite the fact that they belong to different religions and systems of faith. The article has also reviewed various motives and objections of people regarding organized religion and the existence of G-d. There prevail various dominant ideologies or the perception about the topic of the debate conducted. The ideologies are the similar belief or thinking of a group of people in the same society. The subject of this paper is quite similar to the meaning of the term ideology. The main focal point of the article is atheism; which is a non belief or rejection in the survival of G-d or deities. In the article two of the authors i.e., Anthony Lowenstein and Jane Caro are atheists and are providing their views with regard

How useful are Marx ideas to understanding the problems and struggles Essay

How useful are Marx ideas to understanding the problems and struggles of our 21st century - Essay Example According to Marx, the problem of society is rooted in equality between classes. Free trade had unmasked the true picture of society by giving us a clear image of â€Å"brutal exploitation† in the face of civilization. In the 21st century, the picture painted by Marx during his time can still be vividly seen and observed all over the world. If you take a closer look at the big establishments that ruled the industries nowadays, you will notice that these companies and are becoming like dynasties where the top ranking corporate executives lord the place and the lives of the employees. Although learned individuals may argue that employment is but a matter of choice, such choice is not easy to make nowadays for the lack of better opportunities available. This scenario is comparable to the time of landlords and serfs where the farmers don’t really have a choice but to toil in the face of unfair conditions for fear that he/she will lose the land and compromise the survival of his/her family. Much as we would like to view labor in our present time as a form of capital, it is still viewed as a form of commodity that people trade and is subject to market fluctuations of supply and demand thus the continuing antagonism between class of individuals such as the skilled and the unskilled labor. This phenomenon cause the prices of labor in other parts of the world to be cheaper than that in the United States and other developed countries.

An Effective Manager of Home Depot Essay Example for Free

An Effective Manager of Home Depot Essay According to Robbins and Coulter (2005), effective managers all over the world acknowledge the role that strategic management plays in their organization’s performance. Moreover, Drucker (2004) said that the gauge of an effective manager or executive is the ability to get the right things done. This typically entails doing what other individuals have ignored in addition to avoiding what is unproductive. Imagination, intelligence, and knowledge might all be wasted in an executive job without the attained habits of mind that form them into results. I believe that Bob Nardelli is exhibiting these characteristics and management style of an effective manager as he leads Home Depot to become continually successful in its operations. As he triumphed over various problems in managing the company and a s a result oh his managerial strategy, Home Depot is now has now increased sales by 60 percent and earnings per share by 105 percent (Business Week Online, 2006). During his first day as CEO at Home Depot in the year 2000, the company has various problems to deal with, some of which, were as follows: it lacked the necessary infrastructure to send even a companywide electronic mail, Home Depot stores were already run-down and was being known as a store with poor customer service, the stores’ shipments were logged using pencil and clipboard, and Home Depot stores did not have automated inventory systems (Sellers, 2001). Being a visionary leader that he is, Nardelli believed that better processes must lead to better quality ad higher profits for Home Depot. He employed strategic management in planning to improve the company. As asserted by Robbins and Coulter (2005), the prevailing belief in management theory and society on the whole is that managers are completely responsible or accountable for an organization’s success or failure. However, Nardelli demonstrated that aside from the fact that much of an organization’s success or failure is because of external forces outside of the manager’s control, the manager has a big responsibility in making decisions for the success of the organization. A major component of Nardellis far-reaching move to reform Home Depot, which is considered to be the world’s third-largest retailer, into a more centralized company, include importing people, ideas, and platitudes from the military (Business Week Online, 2006). This might be an unwelcome concept in management circles; however, Nardelli couldnt care less. He believes that it is a vital aspect of his strategy to lead in a cumbersome 2,048-store chain and get ready for its next leg of growth (Business Week Online, 2006). In an uncertain and dynamic environment, real world organizations employ strategic decision-making when making decisions offers managers with a comprehensive and systematic means for taking into consideration the external environment, concentrating on an organization’s strength, reducing weaknesses, and recognizing opportunities in which an organization can have a competitive edge (Shafritz Hyde, 2004). As maintained by Holstein (2004), the Nardelli decision-making model might help create a pattern for other CEOs who have been extremely frustrated and disillusioned by their lack of success in harnessing technology. In transforming Home Depot to what it is now, Nardelli increased information technology spending by almost 20 percent (Sellers, 2001). Then in year 2003 Nardelli spent a total of $400 million on inventory shipping and tracking systems (Sellers, 2001). Aside from these, Nardelli also spent around $250 million refurbishing Home Depot stores (Pellet, 2001). This included the installation of self-checkout systems in 800 stores to lessen customer lines and ease up salespeople. This also included the establishment of two-way cordless scanners, which enabled products to be price-scanned in the shopping cart, in this manner shortening lines. Being an effective manager, he also paid attention to motivating the organization’s workers. Armstrong (2002) said that in providing rewards to employees, supervisors and managers should identify what rewards will succeed for specific employees at any given time. Even though supervisors and managers might not be able to have power over certain rewards like benefits or wages, they have the liberty to give out rewards like recognition and praise. In Home Depot, Nardelli instituted innovations in providing rewards and in human resource management. First, he substituted 157 different employee evaluation forms with two (Pellet, 2001). In addition, coworkers, above and beneath them, rated aalaried personnel from the CEO down and salaries were derived from the scores. Then during a period when Home Depot was planning to hire approximately 100,000 new employees, Nardelli did not automatically fire those employees with poor scores (Pellet, 2001). Nardelli first requested for the advice of others and informed underperformers precisely what they were doing wrong. This way, Nardelli showed that it is important for a manager to vigorously seek opposing opinions and inquire regarding the basis for those opinions before selecting a course of action is being stressed, instead of acting on the basis of tacit or pre-arranged agreement. Necessarily, this needs constantly listening with real curiosity so as to promote development of different opinions and supporting rationales, instead of merely setting forth suggestions and working to make agreement around them (Drucker, 2004). Furthermore, Nardelli seemed to follow step two in Peter Drucker’s model (204) that executives require both themselves and their staff or subordinates what they contribute presently to the organization and what they could contribute to the organization in the future. In Home Depot, Nardelli asserted that in spite of whether a person’s belief of what he/she now contributes, or could contribute, equals his/her managers belief, emphasizing and bringing out the importance of everybody’s role as a contributor is necessary to the organizations general effectiveness. In initiating change in Home Depot, Nardelli showed that everybody in the organization makes decisions; nevertheless, decision-making is specifically vital in a manager’s job. I think that he followed what Robbins and Coulter (2005) said that decision-making is part of all four managerial functions – planning, organizing, leading, controlling, and that decision-making is synonymous with managing. Holstein (2004) has written that when Nardelli joined Home Depot, the challenge of improving the company’s supply chain and logistics became apparent because the company is way behind other stores in these areas. Hence, he established a model called â€Å"full truckload to the store,† which means that the more you brought, the more it would oblige you to sell, since you get kind of jammed (Holstein, 2004). In terms of information technology, at Home Depot, Nardelli has established a system of checks and balances (Sellers, 2001). The manner is which Nardelli is managing the technological transformation is attracting attention and interest from other executives and managers. Sellers (2001) said that Nardelli has borrowed from the CE playbook to establish a system of checks and balances on how technology is managed, and Nardelli has likewise incorporated technology decisions deeply into his business strategy in runring and managing Home Depot. Furthermore, Nardelli likewise employed building deeper relationships with fewer vendors. As stated earlier, the Nardelli decision-making model might possibly help create a pattern for other CEOs who have been exceedingly frustrated and disillusioned by their lack of success in utilizing technology. In conclusion, in transforming Home Depot to become the earning company that it is now, I believe that Nardelli demonstrated that leadership is the capability to influence people or groups toward the accomplishment of goals. As a process, Nardelli showed that leadership forms the goals of an organization or group, inspires behavior toward the attainment of those goals, and helps characterize organizational or group culture; hence, it is fundamentally a process of influence. # References Armstrong, M. (2002). Employee Reward (3rd Edition), CIPD: London. Drucker, Peter. â€Å"What Makes an Effective Executive,† Harvard Business Review, Vol. 82, No. 6, June 2004. Holstein, W. (2004). â€Å"The Depot goes digital: how CEO Bob Nardelli is managing a $2 billion technology transformation,† The Chief Executive. Pellet, J. (2001). â€Å"Mr. Fix-It Steps In,† Chief Executive. â€Å"Renovating Home Depot. † (2006). Business Week Online. Robbins, S. , M. Coulter. (2005). Management, (8th ed. ). Prentice Hall. Sellers, P. (2001). â€Å"Exit the Builder, Enter the Repairman: Home Depots Arthur Blank Is Out. New CEO Bob Nardelli Is In. His Job: To Tackle the Companys Renovation after Two Decades of Nonstop Expansion,† Fortune. Shafritz, J. M. A. Hyde. (2004). Classics of Public Administration, 5th ed. Belmont , CA : Wadsworth/Thompson

Impact And Cultural Dimensions Of Globalisation

Impact And Cultural Dimensions Of Globalisation There are both winners and losers associated with globalisation, however what exactly is globalisation and how can it be defined? Daniels et al. Defines the term globalisation as follows: A contested term relating to the transformation of spatial relations that involves a change in the relationship between space, economy and society.  [1]  There are a few key dimensions connected to globalisation, these are economical, political, social, cultural and environmental. This paper will argue that there are some positives linked to globalisation, however many people are still worse off and suffer as a result of this phenomenon. There are some general winners as a result of globalisation: the highly skilled and educated, large firms, global markets, men, or any people with assets. Then there are the losers of globalisation: the workers, women and children, local communities, the uneducated, people without skills, the environment and small firms. For globalisation to work inequality must be decreased in order to close the gap between the rich and poor countries. Transnational and Multinational Corporations are those corporations which have headquarters in a certain country (mainly in a global city) and operate in several other countries around the world. They have been the central players in the evolution of globalisation since the Second World War. These have continued to become some of the most powerful economic and political entities in the world today. The corporations can influence globalisation greatly and bring wealth to developed countries. Many of the larger Transnational Corporations (TNCs) have a higher turnover than the majority of the worlds countries. For example, the combined revenues of General Motors and Ford alone, the two largest automobile corporations in the world, exceed the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for all of sub-Saharan Africa.  [2]   Economic globalisation refers to increasing economic interdependence of national economies across the world through a rapid increase in cross border movement of goods, service, technology and capital.  [3]  Capitalism drives globalisation in this present era and will continue to do so with the markets opening up and becoming neo-liberal. Whilst economic globalisation has been occurring over several thousands of years, recently it has expanded rapidly with the increasing improvements in technology, transportation and free trade. This recent growth has occurred mainly because of developed countries integrating with less developed countries, by means of foreign direct investment (FDI), the reduction of trade barriers and the modernisation of these developing cultures. Countries involved in trade liberalisation benefit from an increase in living standards, increased incomes, and higher rates of economic growth. For economies to grow, TNCs need to generate profit and expand globally. They achieve this by moving their production line to less developed countries in order to decrease production costs and increase profit. The winners of this process are the major corporations (Nike, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.) whose products are made at a minimal cost, thus generating increased amounts of profit allowing them to globalise their business and become wealthier. TNCs have been heavily criticised, however they have invested in developing countries and by doing this, have managed to raise the living standards. Despite the western view that sweatshops are unethical, the labourers who work in them are often benefiting greatly. Many economists whose studies are directly related to sweatshops find that after controlling for other factors, multinational firms pay higher wages than domestic firms in Third World countries.  [4]  Many citizens in developing countries are unqualified or uneducated, thus making it extremely difficult for them to find employment by being unqualified. Feenstra and Hanson (1997) find that multinational firms improve the lives of workers by increasing the demand for labour.  [5]  This indicates that unqualified citizens still have a chance of employment and receiving an above average income. The apparel industry has drawn most attention in the press for its use of sweatshop labour. Evidently, the apparel wages are l ow by Western country standards however, these wages compare favourably with the average standard of living within these countries. For example, in Honduras, the site of the famous Kathy Lee Gifford sweatshop scandal, the average apparel worker earns, $13.10 per day, yet 44% of the countrys population lives on less than $2 per day.  [6]  Evidently, sweatshops do play a major role in developing countries, however there still are some negatives surrounding them. The negative associations with globalisation cannot be overlooked. The losers of this process are the workers who work increased hours, earn little income, along with poor living and working standards. Even though sweatshops produce a reasonable, above average income for its workers, they usually work in dirty polluted factories which may have a negative effect on the worker and may decrease their life span. For example, Tommy Hilfiger a world renowned brand has set up sweatshops in developing countries, where products are made at a minimal cost and sold in developed countries at a high cost, producing major profits which return to the specific TNC headquarters, thus the developing countries economy does not benefit greatly. This in turn leads to an increase in inequality between the rich and the poor. As a result of sweatshops, citizens in the developing world may suffer as well. When these major corporations move their production line to reduce costs they leave several thousands of local citizens unemployed, which may lead to them relying on welfare. They may also substitute humans with labour saving technologies which will also increase unemployment levels. This can continue to lead to issues such as a loss of tax revenue which may be detrimental to the home country and halt them from moving forward. An additional loser in this process can be the consumer who purchases these products which can be described as being highly overpriced. Another significant and often overlooked loser from economic globalisation is the environment. Major corporations decreases in environmental integrity as polluting corporations take advantage of weak regulatory rules in developing countries. For example, human systems are depleting resources and degrading the environment at unprecedented rates, such as mining companies clearing land for production causing deforestation and pollution. There are many more examples of environmental degradation such as urbanization of productive land; water logging and salinization of soil; soil erosion; deforestation; ground water depletion; ozone depletion; pollution; and climate change to name a few. These are all issues which are currently being seen through media sources. Such as the BP oil spill which has been graded the biggest environmental disaster in the US history, The oil rig, about 40 miles (64km) off the coast of Louisiana, sank two days later, gushing an estimated 12,000 to 19,000 barrels of crude oil a day into the Gulf of Mexico.  [7]  This appears to be a prime example of environmental degradation. This disaster has continuing effects on the environment and economy such as killing wildlife and habitat, and effecting tourism on this part of the coast. Ms Wickman, owner of the Treasure Trove gift shop that occupies an 18th century church, one of Alabamas oldest buildings, estimates that her business has dropped by half since news of the April 20 explosion that destroyed an oil rig under contract with BP.  [8]  Due to the interconnectedness of globalisation when this disaster occurred all the oil prices around the world fluctuated and were unstable at the time. Some countries may suffer from the resource curse. A prime example of the resource curse is Nigeria, a country rich in land, but poor in population. Despite its large earning from oil, 70% of its estimated 140 million people live below the poverty line.  [9]  About 95 percent of Nigerias revenue is generated by oil and gas, resulting in billions of dollars in state funds every year, though much of the country remains impoverished and underdeveloped this is mainly due to a high level of corruption in its government.  [10]  These can lead to much greater issues within developing countries such as an increase in the chances of civil war within developing countries and open war between developing countries as they fight for resources. In conclusion, there are evidently positive impacts which have occurred as a part of the globalisation phenomenon. It has contributed to increased job opportunities for uneducated or unqualified citizens, has increased economic growth for developed countries through transnational and multinational corporations, and increased living standards due to trade liberalisation. Even though there are some negatives associated with globalisation such as increasing the gap between the rich and poor, exploiting labourers, along with having environmental impacts, globalisation has still continued to have many great benefits on the world. It is unreasonable to predict that globalisation will encourage equality around the world; there will always be winners and losers, regardless.

The Tragedy of Emma Bovary :: essays research papers fc

The Tragedy of Emma Bovary "I've never been so happy!" Emma squealed as she stood before the mirror. " Let's go out on the town. I want to see Chorus and the Guggenhiem and this Jack Nicholson character you are always talking about." Emma Bovary in Woody Allen's The Kugelmass Episode. As I sit here pondering the life of Emma Bovary I wonder what it must have really been like for her. She was young, younger than I am now when she died. She was curious and bright and probably would have been a great college student; passionate but with her head a little bit in the clouds. Opportunities for women in the 1850's were, as we all know, extremely limited. I wonder if I would have fared much better than Emma if I had been as trapped as her. I also married young, but when I realized it had been a mistake I had the option of a divorce, Emma did not. I have had the opportunity to receive a good education and to choose for myself what path my life would take. I feel very sorry for Emma. Having never been given the opportunity to discover her true self or to develop her dreams and hopes for her future, all she had to base her aspirations on were trashy romance novels. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if all of my teenage curiosity had been forced to be satisfied by nothing but Danielle Steel romance novels. Emma strove to better herself and her situation. She wanted to reach the upper echelon of society; she wanted what we in this country refer to as the "american dream." She wanted more than her parents had. Emma wanted to feel great love and own nice things and live in a wonderful city. These are not things that are alien to most of us. Although it may be amusing to read Woody Allen's‘ #' 0*((a a ‘ take on what Emma Bovary might be like if she went to modern day New York, it must also be realized that he is not completely mistaken in his ideas of her character. In a very humorous manner, Woody Allen is able to sum up Emma's lust for life and her desire to experience and learn new things; to actually go out and live. Perhaps a trip such as the one described in Mr. Allen's short story would have been the thing to save Emma Bovary, although I doubt she would have ever wanted to go back to Yonville as she does in Allen's story.

why their conscience is not their guide :: essays research papers

Why Their Conscience Is Not Their Guide? In recent years there has been a serious shift in values among our Turks and Caicos families in terms of ideals handed down to children. Have you noticed how parents are going out of their way to purchase their children the latest designer wear? Be it Fubu or Phat Farm or Tommy Hilfiger. But have you also noticed that many of these parents do not go out of their way to make sure their homework is done or that they are in fact learning something in school? Have you noticed that kids are walking around with cell phones strapped to them and some the latest model? But have you also noticed that many of these same parents do not make sure that their children have a Bible or that they go to Sunday School or Church? HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW MATERIALISTIC AND SUPERFICIAL OUR CHILDEN ARE BEING RAISED WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT FOR MATERIAL POSSESSIONS RATHER THAN GOOD MANNERS AND SPIRTUAL VALUES? Well, I have and I am actually sicken by this shift in recent years. Tonight, I sat in a meeting and heard about the drug abuse and criminal activities among High School and College students: our future. And I questioned myself as to real fact that if our youth, our future does not realize they are the future and if parents don’t realise that their kids are the future and if society on a whole continues to watch our future drink and smoke themselves into a drunken stupor and slowly poison their minds with drugs, where will we be as a people? My mother is a very community minded person always cooking for community functions and playing for community events such as funerals, weddings and church services, including playing every Sunday morning in her own Church in South Caicos. Her mother raised her in the Church and ensured that she learnt a musical instrument. She in turn raised my siblings and to serve in any way we can in our community and she also made sure that we each learnt a musical instrument. Why am I saying this? There was a successive plan in my family not consciously I am sure but because they were raised that way, my mother and my grandmother raised their children that way. Parents are not making the Church an important institution in the lives of their children.

Obesity In the United States Essay -- Health Weight Obese Essays Diet

In America we have many issues to worry about from AIDS to Ebola. A large worry should be the epidemic in America that has killed more then 300,00 people a year (tuberose,1). An epidemic so strong that over the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in the United States? (Nutrition,1). How would you feel if I told you this very epidemic was in your house now? America is at war right now and we are losing , this war started many years ago and has not yet been won. Every year we lose many of our beloved ones to this monster , what can we do? Obesity, the new green eyed monster, has taken over America and nothing has been done. Americans are heaviest people in the world we have been the heaviest since , the 1950s. With our growing wealth and appetites we eat way more than three meals a day, which in some countries is a whole weeks worth of food. â€Å"In 1996, a U.S. Department of Agriculture study revealed that at least 33 percent of all adults in the United States were overweight; that number increased to 61 percent of adults and 13 percent of children in 1999 according to the Surgeon General. In late 2001, the Surgeon General’s report said 27 percent of Americans are obese and 61 percent are overweight.† ( Tuberose,3) Scientists have found there are four main components working against us in this battle of the bulge, The media, our eating habits, lack of exercise, and our own individual heritage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In today’s society it seems that everywhere you look you are always being pressured into trying to make yourself better, there are signs every where you look telling you that your not pretty enough, smart enough, thin enough, or that anything you have is not good enough. All this pressure that the media puts on people causes a low self-esteem (Tuberose,6). When people are stressed out or have a low self-esteem they produce a hormone called insulin, which increases the lipid intake causing people to gain weight in their midsection and buttocks, the two most dangerous storage areas. (Susan G. Berg page 12). Not only does the media tell you that you are worth less they try to fool you into thinking that you might not be so worthless if you bought some of their products for example, diets pills. Most diets pills are dehydrators, they make you think you are losing weight when in reality you are onl... ...   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If we can come together and learn to live a healthier life ,full of eating right ,and exercising we can over come this monster which kills to many of our beloved ones each year. If we don’t act now we might face worse consequences in the long run. â€Å"According to a 1995 report by the Institute of Medicine, 59 percent of the adult population met the current definition of clinical obesity, which qualifies the disease for epidemic status. One study predicted that if obesity continues to increase at its current rate, every single man, woman, and child will be obese by the year 2030.†( Tuberose,3) Works Cited: 1. American family Physicians. â€Å" what it takes to lose weight†. Jan 1,2003. American   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Academic of family physicians.02/03/05.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2. Tuberose â€Å"calories and obesity† no posting date, Tuberose .02/03/05   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3. Nutrition & Physical Activity.08/17/04.National Center for chronic diseases prevention   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  and health. 02/03/05 4.Aliha Bauman and the editors of Prevention . Fight Fat. Library of congress: St. Martins press. 1998 5. Susan G. Berg and the editors of Prevention . Food Smart. Library of congress: St.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Martins press. 1998