War as a Strategic Tool of Policy - To what extent did the outcome of Essay

War as a Strategic Tool of Policy - To what extent did the outcome of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war serve the political objectives o - Essay Example Also dubbed as the Yom Kippur war and war that was fought in the Holy Month of Ramadan as per Islamic Calendar (White 2012 ), thereby it was significant not just on account of political rivalry but it also had the share and touch of religious affiliations from both ends. It did not engulf just Israel and Palestine alone, rather it entangled other neighboring parts as well, namely Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Although numerous other wars have been fought before and after as well, yet it is considered to be one of the greater events of war being fought after the Second World War, based on the reason that it entangled a complete region and the other world powers as well. Keywords: Golan Heights, oil embargo, Suez Canal, military might myth, bi polar world. Thesis statement: A war that was won on field by Israel, yet by Egypt and its allies on political table, setting course for new diplomatic relationships, political domination and new alliances, and ultimately further increasing the impor tance of the Arab region in the world. Impact of the war: The war being fought in October 1973, had long term repercussions, it had its impacts on the geopolitical dimension, the regional peace, the coexistence with one another, the territories re distribution, the role of each of the participant and various other factors, in short, the war that lasted n more than a few weeks had its impact over the next many years to come. The cause of the war was the hostility between the two sides, with the Arab bloc blaming Israel for taking the places that originally belonged to the Arab States. To settle the scores once for all, the states decided to launch a decisive offensive against the common enemy. Major players and their concerns: The war had direct participants in form of Egypt that had its horns locked with Israel over the Suez Canal; Palestine though did not participate directly, yet it had their issues based on the holy land of Jerusalem which was long being claimed as the place of t heir religious affiliation by the both sides. Syria had its interest locked in form of Golan Heights (Dunstan 2007, 21). Hence the major players were Israel, Syria and Egypt. The main disagreement arouse from the 1967 war (The Six Days war) which had left Israel single handed winner against the Arab states. Aiming to level the score, Egypt and Syria had planned surprise attack against Israel catching it off guard. The element of Cold War: Although the war directly involved Arab states and Israel, yet it had its roots deeply drawn in the external agents. These external agents came in form of the two super powers of the then bi-polar world that was visibly divided into the Capitalist bloc and the Soviet Union’s Socialist bloc (Garthoff 2001, 326). The cold war that started off right after the end of Second World War was an unconventional war where the battles were not fought head to head, rather through proxies and establishment of alliances and allies in different parts of the world. The Arab world was also part of the same world and hence was under the direct interest and focus of the two super powers. Israel had the backing of Capitalist state America, and Arab States, and the Arab bloc, and most dominantly Egypt had the shoulder and support of Soviet Republic over it. The associated was not just limited to backdoor diplomacy and assistance, rather officially declared ties,

Culture As Eldridge And Crombie Commerce Essay

Culture As Eldridge And Crombie Commerce Essay Culture, as Eldridge and Crombie (1974, cited in Burnes, 1996, p.112) stated, refers to the unique configuration of norms, values, beliefs, ways of behaving and so on, that characterize the manner in which groups and individuals combine to get things done. Every organization has its own unique culture even though they may not have tried to change, manage or manipulate it. Rather it will have been probably changed, managed or manipulated , based on the values of the top management or core people who build and/or direct that organization. Over time individuals (particularly the organizations leaders) attempt to change, manage or manipulate the culture of their organizations to fit their own preferences or changing marketplace conditions.Then this culture influences the decision-making processes, it affects styles of management and what everyone determines as success. When an organization is created, it becomes its own world and its culture becomes the foundation on which the organization will exist in the world. In the past decade, more and more companies have attempted to make significant changes in the way that they manage their businesses. In a world where rapid change has become the norm, a variety of forces have driven organizations to undertake task of changing their culture (Heifetz Hagberg, 2003). 1.1 Definition of Organizational Culture: There is no single definition for organizational culture. A variety of perspectives ranging from disciplines such as anthropology and sociology. Some of the definitions are listed below: Organizational culture is a series of understandings about action that is organized, and find expression in language whose nuances are special to the group (Becker and Geer 1960, cited in Michelson, 1996, p.16 ). Organizational culture is a series of understandings and meanings shared by peoples that are relevant to special group which are passed on to new members, and are tacit among members (Louis 1980, cited in Michelson, 1996, p.16). Organizational culture is a system of knowledge and standards for believing, evaluating and understanding etc that serve to environmental backgrounds (Allaire and Firsirotu 1984, cited in Michelson, 1996, p.16). Basic assumptions and beliefs have deeper level that are: learned responses to internal integrations problems and survivals problems in groups external environment; are shared by members of an organization; that operate unaware; and that define in a basic taken -for-granted mode in an organizations view of itself and its environment (Schein 1988, cited in Michelson, 1996, p.16 ). 2.0 CHANGING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE: All the organizations culture isnt static: because the internal and external factors influence culture change, so culture will change. According to Burnes(1991, cited in Burnes, 1996, p.115): assumed that culture is locked into personal values, beliefs and norms of organization, because these conceptions change is difficult. This type of organic culture will be slow if there isnt major shock to the organization. Its a big problem whether organizational culture can be changed or not. In the following, this problem will be discussed: analyzing whether culture can be changed, and if it does, in what way. 2.1 Culture can be Changed: Many people take a more considered view while sharing the belief that culture can be changed. Schein(1985,cited in Burnes, 1996, p.117) who is one of the more influential, believed that before any attempt is made to change an organizations culture, it is first necessary to understand the nature of its existing culture and how this is sustained. He argued that it can be achieved by: For new members, analyzing the process of employment and induction; Analyzing responses to critical events which are often translated into unwritten in history of organization. But rules of behavior are still very strong. Beliefs, values and assumptions of guardians and promoters of organizations culture are analyzed; Paying especial attention to puzzling characteristics which have been observed. Scheins approach is to treat culture as an adaptive and tangible learning process, and emphasizes the way in which an organization communicates its culture to new members. For a variety of reasons, organizations may find that their existing culture is unsuitable or even harmful to their competitive needs. In such a situation, many organizations have decided to change their culture. After a survey carried out in 1988 by Dobson (1988, cited in Burnes, 1996, p.116), Dobson states that these organizations sought to change culture by shaping the beliefs, values and attitudes of employees. Dobson identified a four-step approach to culture change based on these companies actions: Step 1 To change the composition of workforce, organization can change policies of recruitment, selection and redundancy so that prospects of promotion and employment are dependent on those controlling and displaying the beliefs and values that organization wishes to promote. Step 2 Organization may reorganize the workforce in order to make employees and managers who display the required traits to occupy positions of influence . Step 3 Organization can effectively communicate the new values by using a variety of methods such as one-to-one interviews, briefing groups, quality circles, house journals, etc. Step 4 Organization can change systems and procedures that related with rewards and evaluations. Many peoples advocating culture change adopt a similar approach. Some of these underestimate the difficulty involved in changing culture. For example, Egan(1994, cited in Burnes, 1996, p.117) took just four pages to show how organizations could quickly, and with apparent ease, identify and change their cultures. Gordon et al.(1985, cited in Burnes, 1996, p.117) conclude that : this type of generic approach to culture has been criticized as being too simplistic, and putting forward recommendations which are far too general to be of use to individual organizations. Schwartz and Davis (1981, cited in Burnes, 1996, p.118) suggest that: it should compare the strategic significance(importance to the organizations future) of the change with the cultural resistance when an organization is considering any form of change. They term this the cultural risk approach. They argue, it is possible for an organization to decide with a degree of certainty whether to ignore the culture, manage round it, attempt to change the culture to fit the strategy, or change the strategy to fit the culture. Though Schein (19841985, cited in Burnes,1996, p.118) believes that culture can be changed, he also argues that there is a negative side to creating a strong and cohesive organizational culture. Shared values make organizations resistant to certain types of change or strategic options regardless of their merit. Although many peoples believes the advisability of culture change and strong cultures in some situation, and someone question this , there are also people who believe that culture can not be changed or managed at all. Meek (1982, cited in Burnes,1996, p.119) commented that: culture as a whole can not be manipulated, turned on or off, although it needs to be recognized that some [organizations] are in a better position than others to intentionally influence aspects of ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ culture should be regarded as something an organization is, not something it has: it is not an independent variable nor can it be created, discovered or destroyed by the whims of management. Filby and Willmott(1988, cited in Burnes, 1996,p.119) also questioned the notion that management has the capacity to control culture. They point out that this ignores the way in which an individuals values and beliefs are conditioned by experience of exposure to the media, social activities, and previous occupationa l activities. A further factor against the feasibility of managing/changing culture is the ethical dimension. Van Maanen and Kunda(1989,cited in Burnes,1996, p.120) argued that: managers attempt to control what employees feel and what they say or do behind the interest in culture. Their argument is: culture is a mechanism for training emotion that is a method of guiding the way people are expected to feel. It can be conceived that they attempt to change culture. Cooper (1998) conclude three views relevant whether culture can be changed : Root Metaphor: If peoples believe that culture is a root metaphor, they believe that there is no instant means about changing a culture which will be developed and which is passed on from generation to generation of the workforce. Cultural change will happen only through the hundreds of forces acting between all the actors, but slowly. It cannot be pre-determined. External and independent variable : If peoples believes that culture is an external and independent variable, they believe that there is little one can do to change a culture in the face of external social behaviours, values and beliefs that employees bring into the work place. Internal variable: If peoples believe that culture is an internal variable, they believe that the culture can be directed and changed. However some focus on the more visible symbols and artifacts, many on peoples behavioral patterns, and others on peoples underlying behavior norms, values, and beliefs. 2.2 How to Change Culture: There are many solutions to changing culture, some prescriptive (directive) others more philosophical (enabling) (Cooper,1998). The need for a change in culture is invariably precipitated by some significant, even critical, external environmental change. 2.2.1 Management Directed : Culture change through the actions and behavior of leaders rather than a process they prescribe a set of actions to create an environment. Peters and Austin (1985,cited in Cooper,1998) equates business and leadership with show business and thus the need to create the right atmosphere. So they advocate shaping values, symbolizing attention even to the point of saying it is the opposite of professional management . Drama can be just for impact and creating stories that get told time and time again, such as the when the founder of McDonalds ordered all managers chair backs to be sawn off so they would be more inclined to get out and meet the customer. Consensus building based on sharing: developing high-trust between individuals; allow time for people to change; to set the direction but allow the employees to work out the details, more direct intervention, provide the training to develop the new skills needed. Within atomized organization, managers will be both the bearers of culture as well as its promoters. 2.2.2 Management Enabled: According to Schein(1985, cited in Cooper,1998):organization need leadership to help the group learn new assumptions and unlearn some of its cultural assumptions when culture becomes dysfunctional. Leaders encourage groups to undergo group cue. The aim is to surface the unconscious assumptions and values of the group as a prelude to changing them to meet the needs of a new environment. Schein had process models: General Evolutionary Process [this is change from within a group that is natural and inevitable and passes through predictable stages]. Adaptation, Learning, or Specific Evolutionary Process [here the environment causes responses by which the group learns and adapts]. Revolutionary Process [in this power is a key variable]. Managed Process [here there is a focus on what can and cannot be changed].         Schein proposes that leaders are responsible for which model to adopt and for ensuring the group knows and agrees which model it is using. Burnes (1996) conclude: If organizational culture lack clear fuidelines, managers must make themselves to choice based on their own circumstances and perceived options as to whether to attempt to change their organizations culture. If organization lacks strong or suitable cultures which bind their members together in a common purpose and legitimate and guide decision-making, managers may find it difficult either to agree among themselves or to gain agreement from others in the organization. 3.0 MANAGING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE Cultures are hardly planned or predictable; they are the natural products of social interaction and develop and emerge over time. Someone believes that cultures can be shaped to suit strategic ends. Even if cultures can be managed is this necessarily a good thing? This is the tendency for culture to be promoted as a device for increasing organizational effectiveness. Culture spans the range of management thinking. Organizational culture has been one of the most enduring buzzwords of popular management. Why? Perhaps most importantly culture penetrates to the essence of an organization it almost analogous with the concept of personality in relation to the individual and this acute sense of what an organization is its mission, core values seems to have become a necessary asset of the modern company. There is the contentious question of whether or not organizational culture can be managed or not. While there may be no definitive answer to the question. According to Bate (1994,cited in Willcoxson Millett, 2000, p.97): there exist two basic approaches to culture and strategy: conforming (maintaining order and continuity) and transforming (changing and breaking existing patterns). The effectiveness of the chosen approach to organizational culture and strategy at any given time is dependent on contextual factors that relate to both the internal and the external environment. Thus, context determines a culture needs to be maintained or changed, but the strategies adopted are very much determined by the perspective subscribed to by the manager or change agent. In dealing with the management of organisational culture, it is firstly necessary to identify as fully as possible the attributes of the existing or new target culture the myths, symbols, rituals, values and assumptions that underpin the culture. Allen et al.(1985, cited in Willcoxson Millett, 2000, p.97) concluded that: action can be instigated in any of several key points of leverage: recruitment, selection and replacement -organization ensure that oppointments strength the existing cultures or support a culture change, that can affect culture management. Organization can change the culture by using removal and replacement; socialization -which is especially critical in fragmented organisational cultures. An existing or new culture can be provided by induction and subsequent development and training for acculturation and for improved interpersonal communication and teamwork; performance management/reward systems -organization can highlight and encourage desired behaviors which may (or may not) in turn lead to changed values through using performance management/reward systems. leadership and modelling executives, managers, supervisors can reinforce or assist in the overturning of existing myths, symbols, behaviour and values, and demonstrates the universality and integrity of vision, mission or value statements; participation it is essential that participation of all organization members in cultural reconstruction or maintenance activities and associated input, decision making and development activities if long-term change is to be achieved in values, not just behaviors. interpersonal communication an existing organizational culture can be supported much by satisfying interpersonal relationships. Satisfying interpersonal relationships integrate members into a culture; effective teamwork supports either change or development in and communication of culture; structures, policies, procedures and allocation of resources need to be congruent with organizational strategy and culture and objectives. The above constitute a number of many strategies and leverage points that can be used in organizations to manage an organization in terms of its overall culture. The management of culture is based on a understanding of the tacit and explicit aspects that make-up the existing culture. 4.0 MANIPULATING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE: Culture determines what a group pays attention to and monitors in the external environment and how it responds to this environment. Thus, as Bate (1994, cited in Willcoxson Millett, 2000 ) notes, for those who take an anthropological stance, organisational culture and organizational strategy are inextricably linked and dependent each other. Culture is not a separable aspect of an organisation, it is not readily manipulated, and it is not created or maintained primarily by leaders. For the peoples who called as scientific rationalists, organisational culture is one aspect of the component parts of an organisation, a aspect that can be measured, manipulated and changed as organisational variables such as skills, strategy, structure, systems, style and staff. Organisational culture is primarily a set of values and beliefs that articulated by leaders to guide the organisation, translated by managers and employees into appropriate behaviours and reinforced through rewards and sanctions. Scientific rationalist peoples thus tend to talk about culture as if it is a definable thing the culture of the organisation; the organisation has a service culture and their strategies for change focus on modular, design-and-build activity often related to structures, procedures and rewards. 5.0 CONCLUSIONS: Organizational cultures are created or changed by people. In part, an organizations culture is also created and cahnged by the organizations leadership. Leaders at the executive level are the principle source for the generation and re-infusion of an organizations ideology. What constitutes organisational culture and its perceived role in organisational are argued, resting on perceptions of culture either as a historically-based, change-resistant, deep social system which underpins all organisational strategy and action, or as just one aspect of the total organisational system, manipulable though surface structures such as rewards. The model adopted will determine which of the key points of leverage are deemed most likely to achieve the desired outcome of cultural maintenance or change. The perspective adopted will determine the focus of cultural change, development or maintenance activities. There are no definitive answers to questions about whether culture can be changed, managed an d manipulated or not. There are different views about this question. The view of yours based on your knowledge, experience about organizational culture. Although there are no definitive answer to question, you can conclude a answer which fit your view through analyzing of this paper.

When Things Fall Apart, Should We Fall to Pieces: Essay -- Literature

â€Å"Turning and turning in the widening gyre, the falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the Centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world† (Yeats, p.1102). This metaphor represents man when he is far removed from what keeps him centered; it illustrates how there can be no control when you lose control the only thing that can come out is chaos. Our decisions are the foundation to how everything finds balance. Though our decisions usually are based on past experiences. It is our beliefs, which may lead us to make decisions. We as humans use faith or a belief system to deal with problems to which we need to solve. Sometimes it is our beliefs that may cause more harm than good. When our beliefs do just that what do we look for in ourselves to make decisions. Is our belief system the one and only thing that causes us to make the decisions that we make? Should our decisions based on belief have other factors involved before an exact will transpire? Throug h history and in recent years, it seems that our beliefs our conflicting with a multitude of people who don't share the same feelings. The biggest demonstration of tragedy from our beliefs is death. Death must be taken into account when decisions are made, otherwise we may not have much time left alive. In the story â€Å"Things Fall Apart† is it a coincidence that the belief of a people control the decisions that our made throughout, or is it an ill-fated story with tragedy springing up at every turn? Chinua Achebe brilliantly illustrates this story of a man â€Å"Okonkwo† despite his every effort to better his life; is plagued with disastrous outcomes. Throughout this tale it is apparent that Okonkwo’s decisions are heavily weighed upon by his beliefs. Is it his beliefs t... ...102. Print. Gyekye, Kwame. An Essay on African Philosophical Thought: The Akan Conceptual Scheme. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1987. Foot, Philippa. Virtues and Vices. Berkeley: University of California Press. 1978 Hauser, Marc D. Moral Minds: How Nature Designed Our UniversalSense of Right and Wrong. New York: HarperCollins, 2006 Mayo, Bernard. â€Å"Virtue or Duty?† In Vice or Virtue in Everyday Life, edited by Christian Hoff Sommers and Fred Sommers. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1985. Narveson, Jan. â€Å"Morality and Violance: War, Revolution, Terrorism. â€Å"In Matters of Life and Death, 3rd ed., edited by Tom Regan. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993. Roosevelt, Franklin D.. "Address on Hemisphere Defense." The American Presidency Project. Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, 2012. Web. 5 Apr 2012. .

Jaffna Tourism Essay

1. Executive Summary There is a huge vacant area in all over the world to enhance the Tourism. Almost all the countries are developing their Tourism industry in their country. Sri Lanka is such one of them becoming more popular in the Asian Country. So it’s a good opportunity to Investors to come and invest their Income to earn high profit. This Assignment all about Tourism of Sri Lanka, Where a foreign company going to operate their Business with clear understanding of the present scenario of the country So as a Local partner I have prepared an important report to join hands with foreign company and enhance the tourism in Sri Lanka 2. Introduction A Canadian based Tourism industry is coming to Sri Lanka and to operate their Tourism industry in Pasikuda region. So as a local partner I have proposed some important focal areas of Pasikuda region with clear justifications These short and clear proposals that every one can understand and come to know a bout Sri Lanka and its Tourisms Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is an island country which is located in the Indian Ocean and the subcontinent in South Asia. Sri Lanka is a strategic place for trade because of its location and the major sea routes. Sri Lanka has been called The Pearl of the Indian Ocean because of its unique features and attractive natural places around the country. The capital city of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte which has high population and busy crowded people. Sri Lanka is encapsulated with varieties of cultures, languages and religions. The Sinhalese people occupy the majority of the population; Tamils and Muslims are with smaller quantity where as it include Moors, Burghers and Malays. The country is famous for the production tea, coffee, gemstones, rubber and cinnamon. The island contains tropical forests, wonderful Land scape. The country claims a long history over 2500 years. The country is a founding member state of SAARC; Sri Lanka was one of the fastest growing economies of the world. 3. Tourism in Sri Lanka Tourism is one of the famous major industries playing a vital role for the development of Sri Lankan economy recently. It attracts many foreigners because of its unique features and undisturbed rain forests. Sri Lanka is portrayed as a play ground for European people for its cheapest prices and fine historical areas. After end of the civil war we can see the development of tourism recently. However after the end of the conflict in 2009 the country’s tourism looks better and increasing dramatically. In 2010 after the war Sri Lanka had a growth of 46% in Tourism arrivals. From 2009 to 2011 the Tourism arrivals got doubled with the arrivals of reaching 855,975 as at end of 2011.Government of Sri Lanka taking a head to improve the Tourism in Sri Lanka by investing large amount of money all over the Island. The finest times to visit Sri Lanka are between the main rainy seasons, because the island is just north of the equator also good place to visit in hot seasons. Temperatures remain almost constant throughout the year, but rainfall varies widely. The Hill Country is cooler throughout the year than the other part of Sri Lanka. The country appointed educated and English speaking people to guide the tourist and enjoy the holiday throughout. According to the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authorities information the country has over 1400 registered hotel rooms and majority occupied in Colombo. The hotels are classified in five star categories ranging from 1 to 5 stars currently. Sri Lanka has consisted hotels called John keels, Aitken Spence and Jetwing hotels where as some international brands such as Taj and Aman are also present in the country. There are many other international hotels waiting to emerge inside the country such as Movenpick etc†¦they will enter either under management contracts or joint venture. Sri Lanka concentrating high in building five stars rated hotels to increase the tourist visits. Most of the hotels are owned by individual proprietors also there are many to come with 5 stars hotels. Following exhibit tourist arrivals from 2007 to 2010 2007 494,008 2008 438,475 2009 447,890 2010 654,476 2011 853,975 So we can clearly see the improvement of tourism all over the Island and also there are many empty spaces that can be filled by investors pointing out those focal areas can come out with dynamic planning to increase the sales turn over. Pasikuda and its Tourism Pasikuda Pasikuda is famous for its beautiful beaches and which is loved by every one with its wonderful lands scape, which is situated on the east coast of Sri Lanka, 300 Kilometers from Colombo. It is in the process of developing a leading tourist destination in Sri Lanka. The visitor’s main attraction Are long and wide sunny beach, Blue Sea with golden sand are some of them in this region. Pasikuda is known to have one of the longest shallow coastlines in the world, because the water is not more only a few inches deep so people can walk many kilometers into the sea without any fear and can enjoy. The closest major town is Batticaloa which is about 20-30 minutes ride in a vehicle. There are limited hotels in the Pasikuda area is the major reasons why tourism is not taking off. Some of the lands are bought by some hotel groups so in the future we are bound to see an increase in hotels. This region getting developed by building access roads, electricity and water supply getting renovated at a rapid pace, In addition to this, a super market, an art gallery, a theatre and a golf course are expected to be constructed. The government has allocated 156 acres of land in Pasikuda tourism zone, with 14 hotels to come up with approved constructions.so the total investment is around Rs 5703 million. The first hotel contains 40-rooms named called ‘Maalu Maalu’. Once all the hotels are completed, 930 rooms would be available for occupation. Foreigners and the local made this place as an ideal place for sun bathe, sea bathe and a leisure play ground for boat trips, water skiers. Pasikuda don’t have much luxury hotels you have to do with small hotels, some foreigners expecting that in the near future there will be some luxury hotels in this region. So this is the right time to build and develop the tourism in this region with the help of government, because the government expecting to increase the tourism in this region for this they are giving tax concession and other facilities.

The Language of Performing Arts

On being given the task of creating and performing a song based on the stimulus provided, it seemed doable and was approached by my group and I with enthusiasm and determination. We achieved roughly what to set out too. With some effort and contribution, every member of the group provided a vital input into the making of our final piece. Although all group members could have put in more effort to provide a more tidy finish to the performance, I believe the song written was of a good quality. When given the stimulus our group came up with several ideas based on â€Å"Of Mice and Men† for lyrics, although only those who knew the play were inspired by this particular stimulus. The other stimulus was ‘Dustbowl Days' by Nicole S.Porter and this again provided vague ideas for lyrics. The group however took more specific ideas from â€Å"Dustbowl Days† and used ‘Life' as a topic for the song, the lyrics were then written around this. As far as music is concerned the group decided that the lyrics could not be written out until chords and melody were fitted into place. As I was the most experienced with music in the group it was my job to find chords that created a sad yet effective pattern for a deep and meaningful song. After tampering with a E, D flat minor, G sharp minor, B chord progression for the verse I finally came up with just a simple A minor, F change over. Then every eighth bar a G fitted well. The rhythm was straight and of a moderate tempo, we decided working with a straight 4:4 rhythm would be easiest and besides that would fit our song better too. We practised improvising melodies over these chords until the group agreed on one fitting better than the others. To do this we took notes from the chords and practised singing them over the top of the chord to try and create a sad yet beautiful sound, this was achieved by holding the first note of the first chord of each verse and then using notes which fitted into the scales of both chords for the rest of the verse. Two members of the group then wrote the lyrics while I taught the other two members the chords and appropriate piano and guitar parts. We felt we wanted to include more instruments to give a thicker texture to make the song deeper. The piano part consisted of a simple set of notes (A, C, E, F) linking each chord before each change over. These harmonised very well as the notes were taken from the chords. The timbre of our song was very important to all members of the group and we decided that the lead guitar should be dominant and of a more clear sound so in order to do this the rhythm guitar used palm muted power chords while the lead clearly picked the notes from the chords. This did not only prove more practical but also have a more calm and tranquil effect as intended due to the songs nature. We then decided we wanted to try and make the audience ‘fall in love' with our song, this was ambitious but in order to do this we intended to take advantage of the G chord every eighth bar and create a hook from it, this we achieved and although the singers did not harmonise with each other they did harmonise with the chord creating a hook line. A chorus proved quite difficult to make as our verse had come to us so quickly we were puzzled as to what to do. As the verse was in a minor key we decided the chorus should be in a major key. We came up with possibilities for a chorus and decided it should definitely consist of C major as the first chord as this fitted the well with the song. Certain members of the group then wrote more lyrics and insisted they had to be the lyrics for the non-existent chorus; this made writing it an even trickier job. After agreeing to all meet up and work on the chorus during a free block only two of the members of our group turned up, this added insult to injury and we finally decided as a group we shouldn't spoil our song by adding another melody and set of lyrics which were of poorer standard to the verse' and instead we should simply just have a guitar picking chords C, D Bb, and G. This didn't turn out to be too badly and fitted the song well, and after speeding the tempo of the chorus up it fitted the song well. The transition from verse to chorus was immediate and very smooth, and then from chorus to verse it was paused with a two beat rest. As far as the performance of the song went it could have been better, the picked intro went as planned as with the fist verse and chorus, but one of the members of our group had decided to change the structure of our song at short notice, therefore the song did not end properly as not all group members had been informed of the removal of one of the verses. The part of the song that did go to plan was played pretty well and with little mistakes. Intentions were met as far as the audience were concerned although our mistake was noticeable it was not really commented upon. Little feedback was given but the audience responded all the same as the general tranquillity of the song was felt by most. If we got the chance to make and perform a song again I would insure more harmonising was done to create a deeper feel in timbre, and possibly more instruments were used including drums to maintain time. I would also ensure all group members were at rehearsals as appose to just two, this would mean more work could be put in to a shorter space of time.

Employee Motivation in Spanish Hotel Chains

Employee Motivation in Spanish Hotel Chains Introduction Purpose of the study There are several types of leadership feedback attributions in organizations. For instance, addressing feedback with anger may result in abusive supervision. On the other hand, addressing feedback as evaluation that is based on the results of poor performance may not give the ideal picture for proactive organizational behaviour module.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Employee Motivation in Spanish Hotel Chains specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a result, the subordinates may feel disengaged and might not display optimal performance. Organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and involvement are critical elements within an effective organizational culture (Wang, Tsui, Xin, 201, p. 98). As a manager within an organization, job satisfaction should be the top priority towards the subordinates. Reflectively, job satisfaction translates into effective workforce since satisfied emplo yees will meet their needs while fulfilling the organization’s work values. Besides, strategies promoting job satisfaction accommodate equity among the employees, in terms of rewards and treatment (Slack, 2012, p. 23). It is therefore important to review the impact of corporate leadership on employee motivation in Spanish hotel chains. The analysis will be based on the causal attribution theory, goal setting theory, and abusive supervision theory. Previously, the leadership feedback channel was depicted as a linear process in which a supervisor directly conveyed messages to the subordinates and tracks their performance. In the twenty-first century, the feedback models are interactions of transaction processes where both the supervisor and the subordinates have an influence on each other as they interact within the realms of organizational cultural context.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 1 5% OFF Learn More Employee motivation captures the concepts of efficiency, efforts, ability, and strategies in place to accomplish an effective organizational behaviour (Chan Mcallister, 2014, p. 46). The need for leaders’ feedback efficiency necessitates more research in the area of feedback systems and their impacts on organizational behaviour within the hotel industry in Spain. It is for this reason that the research will attempt to provide a framework for employee motivation as directly influenced by the type of leaders’ feedback and response by the subordinates. The dependent variable is the feedback attribution while the independent variables are personal ability, social ability, and structural motivation. Research rationale Employee motivation effectiveness determines the level of performance of an organization and business sustainability amidst competition, in terms of effort and ability of the subordinates. This research will assist the organi zations within the Spanish hotel industry to implement effective leadership feedback styles that promote efficiency and sustainability of employee performance. It will be a compilation of best leadership feedback style practices among establishments with effective employee motivation system. The study will also provide recommendations on how organization can effectively manage their employee motivation strategies, as part of the active leadership feedback channel, in order to guarantee job satisfaction among the subordinates. Insufficient information exists concerning different leadership feedback styles and their influence on employee motivation within the Spanish hotel industry. The study will not be a magic bullet in the leadership feedback style and effective employee motivation proposal. It will only provide structures that must be combined with the values and goals of a particular organization to ensure effective behaviour as a management strategy. Therefore, organizations wit hin the Spanish hotel industry cannot implement the recommendations without reflecting on external and internal weaknesses in different organizational behaviour systems and leadership feedback styles.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Employee Motivation in Spanish Hotel Chains specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More If too much emphasis goes to emerging trends, then the case study organizations will not learn about the fundamentals of the practice that got those firms to their market positions. Research questions and hypothesis Research hypothesis Null hypothesis: Different leadership feedback styles have influence on the quality of employee motivation within the Spanish hotel industry. Alternative hypothesis: Different leadership feedback styles do not have influence on the quality of employee motivation within the Spanish hotel industry. Taking the role and importance of different leadership feedback styles into consid eration, this particular research study aims to analyse the degree to which different leadership feedback styles influence the level of employee motivation within the Spanish hotel industry. The research study also has particular sub-objectives that are mentioned below: To analyse the importance of different leadership feedback styles on employee motivation within the Spanish hotel industry. To explore the different leadership feedback styles adopted by three selected hotel operating in the Spanish hotel industry. To investigate the impact of different leadership feedback styles on the quality of employee motivation strategies in the Spanish hotel industry. Research questions How effective are different leadership feedback styles in the orientation of employee motivation within the Spanish hotel industry? What is the relevance of leadership feedback style in different employee motivation strategies within the Spanish hotel industry? How effective is the role of an organizational culture as a leadership orientation in employee motivation sustainability within the Spanish hotel industry? Literature review Organization motivation effectiveness and business performance Over the last few years, the roles and responsibilities of managers within a company have significantly changed. According to Spector (2008), leadership feedback style can be explained as the overall leadership approach practiced by managers towards their subordinates. Further, there are several types of leadership feedback styles in terms of managing the subordinates of an organization. Management style can undoubtedly have a huge impact on how the employees perform.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For example, employees in multinational organizations are free to decide their way of working and their managers follow a relaxed leadership feedback style, since it is suitable within such business environments (Chan Mcallister, 2014, p. 48). On the other hand, government and public sector firms follow a stricter leadership feedback style due to the high level of bureaucracy (Wang, Tsui, Xin, 2011, p. 101). According to Grenny (2012), each type of leadership feedback style serves a purpose grounded on the kind of operations and business environment and the situation. The highly efficient management styles are those that can help the managers to develop a good operating environment for all the individuals involved and motivate employees to put in their maximum efforts (Grenny, 2012, p. 11). Moreover, it is believed that management styles also have an impact on the quality of organizational behaviour within distinct industries such as the Hospitality Industry (Chan Mcallister, 201 4, p. 46; Sinclair, 2010). According to Jian et al. (2012), management style has a strong impact on employee motivation and ability to learn in an organization. Besides, highly effective managers differ in leadership styles based on knowledge and skills, the type of task, and time restrictions among other factors. These actions inspire and encourage optimal performance among employees (Jian, Kwan, Qiu, Liu, Yim, 2012, p. 685). On the other hand, Martinko et al. (2013) note that leadership feedback styles differ in different sectors and industries. The authors are categorical in stating that different operation systems determine the type of leadership style a company is practicing. Irrespective of the leadership style, the authors conclude that leadership feedback styles have an impact on organizational behaviour in terms of motivation and performance among the subordinates (Martinko, Harvey, Brees, Mackey, 2013, p. 123). Proper communication between the management and employees de termine the success of any organization (Wang, Tsui, Xin, 2011, p. 95). In fact, different leaders’ feedback styles have different impacts on the organizational communication channel. Thus, the choice of a management style is directly proportional to the effectiveness of communication in that particular restaurant (Moss Martinko, 2008, p. 126). Organizational and leadership ethics determine the level of participation by the employees and interventions passed through a feasibility test for implementation to initiate a cultural shift in the organization. Besides, communication ethics defines content policy based on the need to address work related habits in order to create a friendly workplace environment (Tepper, 2007, p. 268). As a result of properly structured organizational behaviour ethics, the work environment becomes holistic, that is, soft and socially friendly to the staff. Besides, healthy ethical communication culture creates structural goals which develop norms, e xpectations of specific behaviour display and appropriate guideline controlling interaction with one another (Jian et al. 2012, p. 687). Aspired ideals of a stable organizational behaviour model include the need for an organization to strive to develop a good culture by fostering a strong alignment with the monitored path of achieving its goals, missions and vision. The model has written rules of engagement, expected behaviour, and repercussions for deviation. The aspect of organization behaviour system should be made effective in order to minimize conflicts of interest. Thus, the concept of aspired and profiled structures must be laid down to aid exchange of information, professionalism and pro-activeness in issue based interaction between the supervisor and the subordinates (Wilhelm, Herd, Steiner, 2003, p. 540; Spector, 2008, p. 31). The part of principles in an effective organizational behaviour model encompasses laid down rules to enable the organization to be more efficient. This is in the form of a well organized hierarchy of workforce from management with administrative roles to service providing workers. Managers are empowered by the organization’s constitution to perform the role of prefects and offer leadership solutions upon consultation with one another. To control group behaviour, desirable leadership attributes are necessary, which are possessed by the managers gained over time in experience (Moss Martinko, 2008, p. 129). Therefore, â€Å"actions are most often attributed to four causes: effort and ability (both internal and dispositional causes), luck, and task difficulty (both external and situational causes)† (Slack, 2012, p. 24). Whenever there is a strong professional relationship nurtured on the values of appreciation and respect within an organizational communication model, hidden talents are easily displayable for business sustainability (Tepper, 2007, p. 269). The concept of leadership can be broadly defined as the intri nsic ability to internalise a setting with the intention of empowering a group or team to proactively and creatively contribute towards problem solving (Moss Martinko, 2008, p. 129). The main characteristics of leadership include adaptability, empowerment, commitment, contribution and critical problem solving skills. The aspect of adaptability effects the adjustments that may be required in exercising influence over a challenge. Through these adjustments, a person exercising leadership may be in a position to model a unique setting that reassures and discerns the wants and desires of the subordinates. The aspect of empowerment involves inspiring self-esteem and confidence among the subjects to align their feelings to specific intuition or instinct. These elements determine the effects of an organizational behaviour system on subordinate performance in terms of effort and ability (Powell, 2005, p. 19). Spanish hotel industry organizational effectiveness Several literatures indicate that the Spanish hotel industry is steadily growing in terms of scope and production (International Market Bureau, 2011, p. 2). The scope involves the increasing number of employees, while production involves management techniques that have been employed to ensure sustainable growth (Ernst Young, 2012, par. 8). This requires organizations within the industry to put in place suitable management techniques to ensure effective retention and attraction of employees. Moreover, proper communication between the staff members and top management is considered as an important factor behind the success of any business (Vaccaro, Jansen, Bosch, Volberda, 2012, p. 33). Organizations function best when the intra and intercommunication systems are perfect. Therefore, successful organizations manage information continuously. The practice of information management involves the science of processing information to facilitate informed decision making among managers. Thus, in reviewing performance bas ed on feedback received, it is important to handle the voluntary information with care to boost trust and confidentiality which form the pinnacle of organizational behaviour (Peterson, Smith, Martorana, Owens, 2003, p. 796). Therefore, it is critical to balance the feedback with the goals of such an organization as a remedy towards inclusiveness and active participation which translates into desirable performance. Research Methodology Research philosophy The researcher will be fully involved in preparing both quantitative and qualitative research phases, implementing the survey and interviews and analysing the data gathered. A sense of neutrality will be maintained and the researcher will conduct research as an explorer, whose goal is to establish the link between leaders’ feedback styles and effectiveness of organizational behaviour systems within the Spanish hotel industry. The large scale questionnaire survey for the quantitative phase will help identify which competencie s and feedback styles are most common, while the qualitative phase will help focus on actual management methods used and communication channels in different organizations (De-Rada, 2005, p. 63). Research Approach Use of the qualitative research approach will facilitate understanding of the individual attributes that contribute to poor performance. Attributes of the subjects under study will be qualitatively studied through observation where the researcher will collect data using an observation schedule during the interview process. This will allow the researcher to enter observed qualitative behaviour indicative of lack of motivation in an organization. Quantitative methods used in this study will generally apply to the analysis of the collected data where analytical tools such as chi square, regression and correlation methodologies will be used. These methodologies will help in identification of statistical patterns in the data on motivation collected from organizations using quest ionnaires and interviews (De-Rada, 2005, p. 69). Research Strategy Data, to will be collected through one-on-one interviews, will be scrutinized in detail. Each question asked will be comprehensive to ensure that respondents have an opportunity to give deep and answers that provide an insight into the research problem. Transcription will then be done to each of the recorded interview process. For each response from each participant, the recorded transcripts will be perused to coin relevant and most appropriate response. Factually, instances of divergent or convergent opinions by one or more respondents will be marked appropriately (De-Rada, 2005, p. 66). Validity and reliability determine the accuracy of collecting data in research. In order to achieve validity in the questions presented in the questionnaire, it is essential to carry out question pre-testing (De-Rada, 2005, p. 67). On the other hand, reliability quantifies the magnitude of consistency of research instruments and the outcome created by the same. The way in which an event is experienced is related to the way in which the person, who has experienced this event, can give a different perspective. However, in this qualitative study, the researcher will have the opportunity to get the perspective of the participants. Utilising these experiences as a framework from which to develop the study, the work is likely to reflect the unique understanding that the personal experiences bring to the development of case studies (Persily, 2013, p. 29). The interviews will be conducted by the researcher because of common characteristics of culture and sector. Data used This research will target employee randomly chosen from organizations within the Spanish hotel industry, since they have the knowledge of the feedback attribution and systems management strategies that promote employee motivation. A sample space of 100 participants will be interviewed. The sampling criterion that will be used in the initial sampling plan represents the true picture of the activities on the ground. Adaptation of this sample plan as authentic would not compromise the aspect of comparative study in decision making, that is, it gives room for comparison to another set of data. Methods and techniques used Research survey technique This research will be conducted using research survey study approach. The researcher chose qualitative approach rather than quantitative, because the scope of the research is focused, subjective, dynamic, and discovery oriented. The qualitative approach is best suited to gain proper insight into the situation of the case study. Besides, qualitative data analysis is more detailed than quantitative one. Moreover, this approach will create room for further analysis using different and divergent tools for checking the degree of error and assumption limits. The researcher will use direct interviews with open ended and close ended questionnaires to target respondents (De-Rada, 2005, p. 67). Use of the qualitative research approach will facilitate understanding of the individual attributes of organizational employee motivation effectiveness as influenced by the leaders’ feedback attribution. Attributes of the subjects under study will be qualitatively studied through observation, where the researcher will collect data using an observation schedule during the interview process. These methodologies will help in identification of statistical patterns in the data on motivation collected from organizations using questionnaires and interviews. For interviews, as long as an interviewee agrees to be recorded, the interview will be recorded. This will ensure that all points made by the interviewee are documented and available for consideration in the analysis. Research Plan Week 1: Research Commencement This stage will involve reviewing the research topic and rationale for the proposed hypothesis. This stage may take one week, since choosing the topic will be dependent on ava ilable literature. Week 2 3: Choosing the case study Choosing the case study will be very challenging as research papers adopt different approaches. Specifically, I will have to choose the most convincing research variables from different research articles with a diverse approach to the research questions. Week 4 5: Background research Since materials are available for the research topic, I will have an easy time in merging the relevant material to the research question. This stage may take two weeks to accomplish. Week 6, 7, 8: Conducting the literature review This stage will be very demanding, since different sources of information will be searched. The sources of information that will be probed include the internet, the university library, course notes and public libraries with relevant information on the topic of research. I will concentrate on scholarly papers, conference proceedings, and relevant books. Week 9, 10, 11: Conducting interviews, collecting data and analysing d ata This stage will be the most difficult in the research study. I will have to balance direct interviews, questionnaires, and other methods of research to present information about the topic. Data collected through one-on-one interviews will have to be scrutinised in detail. Open-ended and closed-ended questions will be used. Transcription will be done to each of the recorded interview process. For each response, from each participant, the recorded transcripts will be perused to coin relevant and most appropriate response. This part will be more time consuming than any other part of the research paper. Week 12 13: Research conclusion Emerging themes will be identified and the findings will be interpreted and related to the research question. I will have to manage the data findings and interpretation within the scope of the research topic despite any research dynamics that may arise in the process. The final study will be reviewed to confirm its comprehensiveness in answering the r esearch question before submission. References Chan, M., Mcallister, D. J. (2014). Abusive supervision through the lens of employee state paranoia. Academy Of Management Review, 39, 44-66. De-Rada, V. (2005). Influences of questionnaire design on response to mail surveys, International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 61-78. Ernst Young. (2012). Research: Hospitality and leisure sector overview. Web. Grenny, J. (2012). Influence leaders. Leadership Excellence, 29(2), 11-12  International Market Bureau. (2011). Food service profile: Spain. Retrieved from https://gov.mb.ca/ Jian, Z., Kwan, H., Qiu, Q., Liu, Z., Yim, F. (2012). Abusive supervision and frontline employees service performance. Service Industries Journal, 32, 683-698. Martinko,M. J., Harvey, P., Brees, J. R., Mackey, J. (2013). A review of abusive supervision research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34(2), 120-137. Moss, S. E., Martinko, M. J. (2008). The effects of performance attributions and ou tcome dependence on leader feedback behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 19, 259- 274. Persily, A. (2013). Team Leadership Partnering in Nursing Healthcare. New York, NY: Springer Publishing. Peterson, R. S., Smith, D. B., Martorana, P. V., Owens, P. D. (2003). The impact of chief executive officer personality on top management team dynamics: one mechanism by which leadership affects organizational performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 795-796. Powell, T. (2005). Total quality management as competitive advantage: a review and empirical study. Strategic Management Journal, 16(4), 15–37. Sinclair, M. (2010). Fear and Self-Loathing in the City: A Guide to Keeping Sane in the Square Mile. London: Karnac Books. Slack, N. (2012). Operations and Process Management: Principles and Practice for Strategic Impact. Alabama, Al: Pearson Education Limited. Spector, P. (2008). Industrial and organizational psychology: Research and practice. New York, NY: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Tepper, B. J. (2007). Abusive supervision in work organizations: Review, synthesis, and research agenda. Journal of Management, 33, 261-289. Vaccaro, G., Jansen, P., Bosch, J., Volberda, H. (2012). Management Innovation and Leadership: The Moderating Role of Organisational Size. Journal of Management Studies, 49(1), 28-51. Wang, H., Tsui, A. S., Xin, K. R. (2011). CEO leadership behaviours, organizational performance, and employees attitudes. The Leadership Quarterly, 22(1), 92-105. Wilhelm, C. C., Herd, A. M., Steiner, D. D. (2003). Attributional conflict between managers and subordinates: An investigation of leadermember exchange effects. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 14, 531-544.

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buy custom Expository Essay on Skepticism Expository Essay on Skepticism Scepticism describes the tendency of an individual to doubt or disbelieve some knowledge or facts. It is a popular misconception by people that sceptics are people who disbelieve things (Dunning, 2014). More so, the common word sceptical supports this misconception. As a result, being sceptical has been wrongly accepted as being negative about things. However, the main concept of the word scepticism and its forms will be discussed in this paper. The true scepticism has no relationship with disbelief, doubt or negativity (Dunning, 2014). It refers to the process of applying critical thinking and reasoning in order to determine the validity. It means trying to find a supported conclusion, and not trying to justify a preconceived idea or conclusion. Scepticism is the application of critical thinking to different subjects in order to derive a supported conclusion. Scepticism is an extraordinary power that has a positive influence on the world. This is all about redirecting attention, influencing, and avoiding worthless superstitions towards ideas and projects that are believed to be of a significant benefit to humanity, and to the world at large. Scepticism is divided into two main forms called the Kantian scepticism and Cartesian one. The Cartesian scepticism is an imaginary philosophy that consents to the Cartesian paradox, while more imaginary philosophy that consents to the Kantian paradox is referred to as the Kantian Sceptic. However, based on these concepts, scepticism does not only refer to a particular philosophical position, but rather to a broad dialectical space in which philosophers who occupy a range of opposed positions engage themselves. They do this in a search for a stable way in which they can answer sceptical questions in the affirmative, instead of answering in the negative manner. Also, the same is applied to the relationship between being concerned with the Kantian Sceptical problem as being a Kantian Sceptic. These forms of scepticism give rise to the two varieties of philosophical problems as a result of trying to address the two forms of scepticism. However, the most familiar method to formulate the contrast between them is that of knowledge versus the conditions of knowledge. Differences between the Two Types of Scepticism There are a lot of ways to reveal this difference, but it will be revealed in three possible ways discussed below: 1. Possibility versus Actuality/Reality- In this perspective, Kantian scepticism brings within the scope of its worry that experience has the requisite unit of as much as being able to do something. Thus, it brings about the importance of the word possible, which relates to the level of importance attached to experience and possibility. On the contrary, the Cartesian scepticism does not value the possibility of experience, and it only has to do with the question of actuality. Therefore, according to Cartesian formulations, the importance of the word real is based on whether things appear as they really seem to be (Conant, 2012). 2. Being so versus being so- According to this distinction, Cartesian scepticism brings to notice, the question about the truthfulness of ones experience, while the Kantian scepticism questions the intelligibility of ones experience. It is associated with the question of how to know that things are as they seem; hence, it focuses on an inferential step from the appearance of things to their reality. On the other hand, Kantian problematic is based on the question: how can things seem to be as much in a certain way? However, it focuses on the sort of unity that must be characterized by a play of presentations (Conant, 2012). 3. Truth versus objective support- In this context, a Cartesian sceptic always wants to know which of his thoughts are true, which of his experiences are truthful, as well as the transition from a sensory experience to a judgement, and from a thought to its true value. Thus, the Cartesian problematic is based on inquiries into the grounds of truth (Conant, 2012). On the contrary, the Kantian sceptic deprives us of the resource we need in order to enjoy an experience such as dreaming or waking. However, it tends to inquire into the grounds of the possibility of enjoying an experience and entertain a thought-consent (Conant, 2012). Five Applications of Cartesian Scepticism Scepticism about Perception The Cartesian scepticism tries to relate the things that happen in ones senses and the things that are happening in the outside world. People are sometimes faced with the questions of how to know that things are as their senses present them. There are no features or marks that make it possible for one to conclusively distinguish dreaming state from being awake. Therefore, the gap that the Cartesian sceptics try to bridge is from their own minds to the outer world. However, the outer world lies behind the veil of perception (Conant, 2012). Scepticism about Language The Cartesian scepticism tries to know the correctness of the interpretation of things, either utterance, text, or sign-post (Conant, 2012). For example, when one sees a sign-post, it might be unclear what it really means; hence the observer tries to interpret the sign which might be right or wrong. There is always a need for people to understand things that are being communicated to them. In order to understand a sign or utterance, one must be able to interpret it, and the interpretation can be right or wrong. Therefore, the Cartesian scepticism seeks to fill the gap of understanding the meaning of a particular sign or utterance and its actual meaning (Conant, 2012). Scepticism about Intentional Actions Cartesian scepticism tends to look into the actions of people and their intentions or the motives behind such actions. For example, a person might decide to say a word that could be offensive to someone else without really having the intention to offend that person. However, in such a case, there is a need to understand the intentions of such a person in relation to the offense perceived by the other person, which is sometimes difficult to distinguish. Therefore, the Cartesian Scepticism tries to bridge the gap between mere actions and the intentions behind such actions (Conant, 2012). Scepticism about Art Cartesian scepticism about art has to do with human actions in relation to art. For example, while working at home one accidentally turned a can of paint which splashed over a wooden board, creating a pattern of splatter on the board. From one perspective, this seems to be the waste of paint and wooden board, and from another it could be assumed as an intentional artistic design. So, if taken to an art gallery, it might be indistinguishable for a similar artwork in the gallery. However, the Cartesian scepticism is aimed at bridging the gap between the mere physical appearance of the art work and its status as a locus of aesthetic value (Conant, 2012). Scepticism about Other Minds Cartesian scepticism about other minds focuses on the processes going on in peoples minds in relation to other peoples actions. This could be the question of people convincingly pretending to be passing through or doing something indistinguishable from the case of others passing through such things. For example, a person might be pretending to feel severe pain, but an observer might find it difficult to know that the person is actually feeling such pain. There is no mark or feature that conclusively distinguishes someone pretending to be in a particular state from being in another state. Therefore, the application of the Cartesian scepticism is to bridge outer bodily movement of others with ones inner state (Conant, 2012). Five Applications of Kantian Scepticism Scepticism about Perception The Kantian scepticism focuses on the problem of how the sense must be in order to be able to furnish testimony. Sometimes people are faced with challenges of perceiving things just the way they are, how their experience can be as intelligibly as an external world (Conant, 2012). An outer object that is impinging on the sense would appear as a mere transaction in nature, providing anyone with a reason to believe anything. However, the paradox in this form of scepticism is based on how a mystery that impinges on the senses could as much appear to be revelatory to the world (Conant, 2012). Therefore, the Kantian scepticism seeks to overcome the gap between sensory consciousness and sensory blindness (Conant, 2012). Kantian scepticism and the Philosophy of Language In this case, Kantian scepticism deals with the way a sequence of signs, utterances or noise can be related to its actual meaning. Signs and utterances are considered mere physical entities which are devoid of any semantic content; hence, how could the meanings derive from these entities. However, the Kantian scepticism seeks to overcome the gap between meaningless sequences of signs and utterances or noise in order to determine thoughtful expressions. This is done form semantic concatenation of sound or scratches made to a legible field of intelligible meanings (Conant, 2012). Kantian scepticism and the Problem of Intentional Actions Kantian scepticism attempts to define how mere body movement or physiological events could express the intentions. It determines the internal relation between actions in the natural world and those that happen in the mind (Conant, 2012). However, this form of scepticism seeks to overcome the gap in the movements of tissues, limbs and muscles in order to determine the expressions of human will. Kantian scepticism and the Philosophy of Art This application of scepticism deals with ways in which mere configurations that result in some artistic phenomena can become structures of aesthetic significance and value. In other words, it determines how mere configurations of sound and matter can be things that are supposed to possess the features that can be discovered in the works of art. Nevertheless, the Kantian scepticism seeks to overcome the gap between aesthetic appreciations and criticism and aesthetically inert constellations of sound and matter (Conant, 2012). Kantian scepticism and the Problem of Other Minds This application of Kantian scepticism is based on how the human body seems to express the mental state of a person. It is related to the way a particular state of the human body can be of such significance as attributed to it, considering someone in pain, angry or happy. However, it is aimed at overcoming the gap between the inexpressive physical entity and the animated field of human expression. In conclusion, Scepticism generally refers to the tendency of an individual to doubt or disbelieve some knowledge or facts. It is a popular misconception by people that sceptics are those people who disbelieve things. True scepticism has no relationship to disbelief, doubt or negativity. It refers to the process of applying critical thinking and reasoning in order to determine validity of something. However, there are two main forms of scepticism called the Cartesian and Kantian scepticism. The Cartesian sceptic is an imaginary philosopher who acquiesces in the Cartesian paradox while the more imaginary philosopher, the Kantian Sceptic acquiesces in the Kantian paradox. Nevertheless, the main differences between these forms of scepticism and their applications have been discussed in this paper. References Conant, J. (2012). Two varieties of skepticism. University of Chicago. Dunning, B. (2014). What is skepticism? Skeptoid. At EliteWritings.com you can order custom written essay

The Everyday Blues

The Everyday Blues The Everyday Blues The Everyday Blues By Erin When I was a reporter for a small daily newspaper back in the late 90s, I had an editor whose biggest pet peeve was the misuse of the word everyday. His peeve has followed me into my professional life, and I cringe a little every time I see it being used improperly. Everyday, the single word, is an adjective describing something that happens daily (an everyday occurrence), or is common or usual. For example: Because I was going to be doing messy work, I wore my everyday clothes instead of my work clothes. Many people use the word everyday when they mean to use every day. When the two words are used separately, they are synonymous with each day. I eat peanut butter for lunch every day. Mistakes involving the use of the word everyday are common. Even famous musicians are guilty! Take Elvis Costello and his 1983 hit Everyday I Write the Bookits right there in the title: And Im giving you a longing look Everyday, everyday, everyday I write the book Of course, Mr. Costello meant to say Every day I write the book. But the mistake is forever immortalized. Going back a little further, we have the 1958 hit Everyday by Buddy Holly making the very same error: Everyday, its a gettin closer, Goin faster than a roller coaster, Love like yours will surely come my way As in the previous example, were talking about something thats happening each day, not describing something thats ordinary or common. When is it a-gettin closer? Every Day. Keep this difference in mind, and stop making this simple error an everyday occurrence! Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Is She a "Lady" or a "Woman"?What is the Difference Between Metaphor and Simile?30 Words for Small Amounts

End Stage Renal Disease Economics Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

End Stage Renal Disease Economics - Coursework Example comes were not clear to evaluate due to insignificant increase in the number of physicians and clinics to take care of the ESRD patients all over the country sufficiently. Before then, the discussions concerning the program were treated as options that would keep the cost of providing care low (D., 2010). The current Medicare payment is $20.3 billion and this seems to burden the taxpayers. Comparing the medical expenses on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the traditional in center hemodialysis; apparently, the End Stage Renal Disease patients will spend less if they are under PD than SERD. However, despite these economic relief, the United States’ taxpayers, the number of PD patients has remained constant with many patient being prescribed for the in-center hemodialysis treatments ("Baxter announces the launch..." 2003). The simple way of reducing the medical expenses on the Stage Renal Disease treatment would be to increase the peritoneal dialysis,  as opposed to in- center hemodialysis. Nonetheless, critics hold that these Medicare program initiatives are just but myths. The Renal Disease diseases are often caused by kidney failure. The end stage renal disease has no cure; thus, patient suffering from this disease can either undertake dialysis or kidney transplantation for their survival. Failure of immediate treatment may lead to uremia, that is, a buildup fluid and toxic substances in the blood ("Baxter announces the launch..." 2003). This condition often leads to death after a few days or week of infection. The intense effect of this disease depends on the functions of the existing renal as the kidneys deteriorate. The ideal way of treating the end stage renal disease is through transplantation; however, in the United States, the rate of transplantation has remained low due to lack of the organs (D., 2010). Nonetheless, studies have indicated that patients can also get quality life through therapies. Additionally, these therapies have proved to be the most

Communications in Business - Social Performance of BMW AG Essay

Communications in Business - Social Performance of BMW AG - Essay Example It is in this context that the company has been recorded to be the winner of Sustainability Index Leader for consecutive 7 years (Jackson 2011). However, there are several cases which reveal facts against the operations of the company. With this concern the paper shall intend to critically analyse the performances of BMW AG in the international platform and analyse its efficiency in performing its corporate social responsibility. In this regard, both the positive and negative issues will be discussed with briefings based on the social impacts and its effect on the company’s stakeholders. The Case against BMW AG One of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) goals which have been determined by BMW AG to enhance its performance and sustainable growth is focused on the minimisation of the impact automobile creates on the environment. In this regard, the company enforces few technological transformations which are expected to reduce emissions and at the same time minimise the ne ed of natural resources (BMW Group 2009). With this concern the company implies the concept of environmental management system in its operations. Adhering to its objective and the environment management approach the company concentrates on recycling the resources, such as unused cars, engines and other required materials to produce new cars. It also focuses on the utilisation of natural fibres in the door panels and sound-proofing (BMW Group 2009). However, the utilisation of natural fibres in the automotive designing can cause few disadvantages. For instance, due to the employment of natural fibres in the automobile designing, providing a perfect shape to the body of the products becomes tough. This in turn gives rise to the operational cost of the organisation. Moreover, after the recycling of natural fibres it becomes weak. Natural fibres also absorb moisture from the climate and causes swelling which in turn hamper the longevity of the automobile. Other disadvantages of using na tural fibres are lower durability and quite weaker fire resistance (Rijswijk, Brouwer and Beukers 2001). Therefore, it can be stated that utilisation of natural fibres reduces the negative impact on environment which could have taken place directly due to the usage of other fibres. But on the contrary it causes deficiency in the performance of the vehicles hampering the interests of the consumers. It lacks in safety precautions, durability and reliability which can directly affect the company’s sustainable growth creating a negative impact on the society and the stakeholders on the whole. In its sustainability operations, the company is also recorded to implement hybrid technology in its production system with PSA Peugeot Citroen as a joint venture. The objective of the company in this regard is to minimise the fuel consumption and emissions with the purpose to reduce the amount of negative impact that widely used automobile technologies have on the environment (PR Newswire 2 011). But the hybridisation of automobile technologies also has their inevitable disadvantages. To be mentioned in this context, hybrid technology can certainly be quite costly with limited affordability in the current market situation. According to evidences from automobile engineers it is also revealed

International Marketing Plan ( The Argos entering the China market) Coursework

International Marketing Plan ( The Argos entering the China market) - Coursework Example One of such notable is the introduction of one child policy by the government in 1979. Another, significant change noted in 1997, when Hong Kong returned to the control of China. This has lead to a significant impact in the economy as well as in the culture of the region. However, through all the changes from the history of the nation, presently the nation has commanded as the second largest economy in the world. With regard to geographical scenario, the location of China is highly favourable to most of the foreign as it is located near to most of the nations. The nation is located in the South East Asia and along the costal lines of the Pacific Ocean. Thus, shipping from China is highly convenient to the international traders. As China is the largest nation in the world and having a vast land area the climate greatly differs throughout the nation. This enables China to have a varied temperature and rainfall throughout the nation. However, majority of the land area of the nation possess continental monsoon. Additionally, the winter season of the nation is mostly observed to be cold and dry while the summer is hot and rainy. Moreover, it is also important to note that China do not possess extreme climatic condition that discourages the investors. Topographically, China has higher altitudes in the western part while it has lower altitudes in the eastern region. It is observed that two third of the nation possess plateaus and mountains. However, it is also important to note that topographically the nation is not unfavourable that would discourage the investors. The topographical image of China is shown underneath. With the change in the economical structure of China, the nation has also undergone a significant change in the family structure. It is observed that majority of the people of the nation possess a nuclear family structure. This comprises of

Year 12 stress levels for australian students Essay

Year 12 stress levels for australian students - Essay Example Because of this, stress is a serious issue for Australian students in year 12. A recent study carried out by an Australian psychologist Karen McGraw of the University of Swinburne indicates that almost one in five year 12 students have thought about hurting or killing themselves because of the stress caused by exam and homework pressures. In this study, 941 Victorian final-year students were surveyed. McGraw has described the effects of stress on the mental health of the students studied as â€Å"alarming†, and further states that while 19% had thought of suicide or self-harm, around one third of students were â€Å"severely depressed† and 41% were suffering from anxiety.2 Another Australian psychologist, adolescence specialist Michael Carr-Gregg, has stated that an inquiry in 2004 into youth suicides found that one in 11 completed suicides is a direct result of stress related to the pressures of year 12.3 McGraw’s study results come after a report in December of last year that Australian scientists had discovered conclusive proof that stress causes physical sickness – it was discovered that during periods of stress, the body releases a hormone called neuropeptide Y that dampens the body’s immune system.4 Thus it is likely that many year 12 students who are suffering from stress may also suffer from stress-related illnesses, which can only serve to increase the pressures that homework and examinations place upon them. An earlier study, carried out in the late 1990s by Lorraine Smith and Kenneth E. Sinclair of the University of Sydney reported that 31% of year 12 and 25% of year 11 students surveyed had suffered anxiety, stress, and depression which fell â€Å"outside the normal range†.5 Together with the results of McGraw’s work, the results of this study suggest that stress is becoming a more severe problem for year 12 students over time. In recent years this has been recognized as a serious issue, and there is an

CASE STUDY ON ETHICAL ISSUES Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

CASE STUDY ON ETHICAL ISSUES - Term Paper Example He is seen to be making decisions that may put the police in question, but such actions often led to successful gathering of evidence against drug traffickers. In this case, the general ethical dilemma is choosing to behave ethically in the police force and lose evidence or behave unethically in order to gather evidence. The police usually face a lot of dilemmas, and if they do not have the courage to face such dilemmas and make quick decisions, their efforts may not be fruitful. The ethical codes of the police usually go beyond their individual moral values (Sharps, 2010). The police need to develop an appropriate mechanism of apprehending criminals and obtaining evidence to be used in court while at the same time adhering to the police code of conduct. Some of the ethical issues that pose ethical dilemma to the police include: seduction and entrapment, deception, and issues related to selective enforcement, privacy and discretion. In order to identify and overcome ethical dilemmas, there are certain steps that need to be taken. First, it is important to understand the issues raised by the situation. Secondly, it is important to identify the ethical principle that is being violated in the situation. The third step is to identify the steps that need to be taken in order to correct the situation. Lastly, the police should identify what they could have done in order to avoid the situation. When discharging their duties, police officers should avoid ethical dilemmas by performing their primary responsibility which is to act an official government representative trusted to work according to the law. Ethically, police officers are required to perform their duties without favor or ill will. They should not discriminate people in terms of status, sex, religion, political inclination or aspiration while serving them. The police should also treat people equally with a lot of consideration and dignity. Furthermore, officers should not let

Summerize articles Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summerize articles - Article Example This book narrates the success story of a group of English craftsmen who took to labor with the aid of some capitalists which can be used as a guide for others. Though there was acute commercial depression, the Guild of Craftsmen successfully functioned when they worked in group minimizing the use of machines. 2. Ceastlake It is ironic to see how awkward the beauty concept of many people is as the design of household items is concerned. Many of the objects in our everyday use are poorly designed, which, often, are unsuitable to practical use and pathetic in artistry. Far from being progressive, we have gone backward in the quality of manufacture and design. Fields like metal-work, joinery have all ruined in artistic quality due to the eagerness to reduce labor and increase price but the general public is still unaware of it. It is possible to bring the universally accepted principles of good design into practice. The design of the item should indicate the purpose, and the character o f ornament should depend on the nature of material and the use of the article. In industrial art, beauty and use are closely associated though it is not so for partially educated ones. In fact, real art sticks to the simplest and most practical shapes. 3.

CASE STUDY ON ETHICAL ISSUES Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

CASE STUDY ON ETHICAL ISSUES - Term Paper Example He is seen to be making decisions that may put the police in question, but such actions often led to successful gathering of evidence against drug traffickers. In this case, the general ethical dilemma is choosing to behave ethically in the police force and lose evidence or behave unethically in order to gather evidence. The police usually face a lot of dilemmas, and if they do not have the courage to face such dilemmas and make quick decisions, their efforts may not be fruitful. The ethical codes of the police usually go beyond their individual moral values (Sharps, 2010). The police need to develop an appropriate mechanism of apprehending criminals and obtaining evidence to be used in court while at the same time adhering to the police code of conduct. Some of the ethical issues that pose ethical dilemma to the police include: seduction and entrapment, deception, and issues related to selective enforcement, privacy and discretion. In order to identify and overcome ethical dilemmas, there are certain steps that need to be taken. First, it is important to understand the issues raised by the situation. Secondly, it is important to identify the ethical principle that is being violated in the situation. The third step is to identify the steps that need to be taken in order to correct the situation. Lastly, the police should identify what they could have done in order to avoid the situation. When discharging their duties, police officers should avoid ethical dilemmas by performing their primary responsibility which is to act an official government representative trusted to work according to the law. Ethically, police officers are required to perform their duties without favor or ill will. They should not discriminate people in terms of status, sex, religion, political inclination or aspiration while serving them. The police should also treat people equally with a lot of consideration and dignity. Furthermore, officers should not let

Project Managment Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Project Managment Leadership - Essay Example Discuss how you would manage this project using a matrix OBS approach. 6 Reference 8 1. Discuss how your company manages projects which span two or three department? Project management is the process to facilitate planning, scheduling and controlling of the different activities in an organization. Operating projects in a multi project platform is setting up projects at the same time at different departments in an organization. The team in different departments may share members and organizational support systems and clients and also may use same resources to some extent but the working styles of the different departments are completely different in most cases. Project management includes project portfolio management in which the different processes are selected according to their need, organization performance and the objectives with the controlling groups are selected. This includes a planning and budgeting process by consulting with the team members of the different departments for an effective utilization of the resources by the management. Co-ordination with the different departments with effective communication can address the risk issues from different departments and help the management to cope with the unexpected occurrences during the execution of the project. Resource allocation is another important issue of the management to look after while working with multiple departments. The collaboration between the different team members of the separate department are needed to be understood by the management otherwise it may lead to conflict in the work place. The project team should be build by the company keeping in mind the goals of the project and dividing the roles of the different departments with the individual roles of the tea members can ease the processes and its execution. Working together can build a better relationship amongst the employees and collaborative problem solving can help the departments identify and cope with diverse problems faced at work environment. Administering the daily activities of the departments and managing the performance of the organizational departments will optimize the different processes and help the company to effectively deal with issues arising from different departments (Portny, 2006, p. 287). 2. Discuss how your company manages the two boss situation when a staff member is reporting to both the project manager and the functional manager. Reporting to different bosses can be a challenging situation in management issues. But with proper communication skill and expertise in the business this situation can be handled very effectively by the managers. With consistent work and documentation of the work schedule this situation can be handled and the staff member will be able to impress two bosses of both project management and functional department. Few points are needed to be maintained by the staff to manage two bosses at the same time. First step is to know the two managers and their relationsh ip amongst them. Knowing the style of working of the two different managers will help the staff to communicate effectively with them in their way of working. If the managers need to be reported every day or weekly or after project completion the staff should work accordingly. The communication process is also needed to be understood by the staff. Knowing whether there is any communication between the two bosses is an important task. Otherwise staff needs to

Analyzing Thailands Tourism Industry

Analyzing Thailands Tourism Industry Abstract In the present context of an increasingly globalized world, and the nature of the tourism industry, it is worthwhile to note if Porters Diamond framework still provides answers to the changing competitiveness of Thailands tourism and identifies success factors and factors detrimental to its competitiveness. A revised version of the Diamond framework has been proposed for the given context of tourism industry and Thailand state. This paper tries to analyze Thailands Tourism industry using this revised form of Porters Diamond Framework, identifying the various sources of competitiveness or the lack of it thereof. It attempts to identify key areas for improvement based on the above analysis and suggests solutions for the same. Keywords: Competitiveness, Thailand, Tourism, Diamond Model, Revised framework Introduction For any country tourism impacts not only revenues but employment and economic development as well. For Thailand, this is even more so. It is therefore important for Thailands tourism industry to be competitive not just in ASEAN region but globally. Subsequent to the success of Visit Thailand Year in 1987, Thailand, a small country in the Asia Pacific region became the biggest growth story in the region with a growth rate of 7 %. Subsequently its economy (GDP) grew at an astounding 10.9 %, 13.2 % and 10 % respectively in the next three years i.e. an average of 11.7 % from 1998 1990, about the best in the world. However, it did not maintain that growth subsequently, and its tourism industry faced many adversities. This paper will analyze the recent developments in the tourism industry to help understand the reasons for the same in todays context. Today when not only individuals, products, firms compete against each other but industries and nations themselves strive to outdo the competition, it becomes imperative to understand what it takes to beat the completion and stay competitive i.e. to acquires a good understanding of the determining factors of competitive growth. This paper proposes to do such an analysis for the tourism industry of Thailand. It also, argues a case for revising the Porters Diamond Model framework for the given context. Porters Diamond Model Framework Besides traditional resource advantages like land, location, labour, natural resources and size of population Porter (1990) argued that grouping or clusters of interconnected firms and stakeholders like institutions, suppliers and related industries provide competitive advantage which are not inherited and which can be acquired. To get a better understanding of the determinants for such attainment of competitive advantage, Porter (1990, 1998) provided the famous diamond framework (Fig. 1). This framework helped in the analysis of not only industries but also nations. The four vertices of the diamond indicated four groups of determinants. These were: factor conditions (also called input conditions), demand conditions, related and supporting industries; and firm strategy, structure and rivalry. These were the basic determinants. There were however two external or additional factors chance; and government. All these factors were not isolated but interconnected. Thus, demand and factors conditions were connected. So were the factors: related and supporting industries; and firm strategy, structure and rivalry. The national factors of production like natural resources, infrastructure and skilled labour are the key factor conditions. The nature of domestic demand for product and services chiefly define the demand conditions. The presence (or absence) of suppliers, related industries which are themselves competitive (internationally) form the related and supporting industries vertex. The domestic rivalry between the firms and the conditions that govern their formation, organization and management form the last vertex of the diamond in the framework. The framework is useful in identifying not only the sources of competitive advantage but also identifies key problem areas to be addressed. Oz (2006) illustrated this when identifying the sources of competitive advantage of Turkish construction companies in international markets. The success factors like dynamic domestic market, variables favourable to entrepreneurship, and intense domestic rivalry pressures effects were brought to fore along with the trouble causing areas like government induced hindrances, difficulties in financing and weak consulting and design engineering capabilities positioning of Turkey in the international arena. However, there are limitations to this framework and many researchers have combined this with other form of analysis like Rugman and Verbeke (1993) used SWOT for comparison, citing flaws like difficulty in making it operational i.e. of putting it in practice. It is noteworthy that this framework is been applicable to services as given by Lee and Spis to (2007). The case for the Endogenous Role of Government and Chance Apart from the limitation attributed to the diamond framework above, another flaw in it is that it does not include government as one of the basic factors but only considers it as an external factor despite the fact that it greatly affects all the other basic factors. To compensate for this Wickham (2005) re-conceptualized the framework for the Australian context. It had government as an integral basic factor at the centre of the framework, depicted as government surrounded by all the other factors as vertices of a hexagon with the chance factor in incomplete (dotted) lines giving it a separate identity as an external factor alone. He also suggested that the role of chance be considered in with new attention when applied to a regional economic model like that of the Porters Diamond. Fig. 1: Determinants of Competitive Advantage: Porters Diamond Model Framework Factor Conditions Chance Firm Strategy, Structure Rivalry Related Supporting Industries Government Demand Conditions The importance of government policy initiatives to promote and develop the industry can be seen for the tourism context in Prideaux (1996), who on examining growth trends of Taiwanese inbound tourism to Australia, studied the factors responsible for this and listed them as better air connectivity, promotions and organization of Taiwans travel industry. Suggestion was also made that repeat visitations would be greatly beneficial and to achieve better tourism prospects with Taiwan steps like forging links with operators in Taiwan, increasing frequency and connectivity of airlines, cultural education including language training, and customization of products to suit Taiwanese tastes should be undertaken. The importance of the study lies in the fact that it provides a model for Thailand to replicate with neighbouring ASEAN nations. It provides inputs as to what it should do to target a lucrative, individual nation like China. Clearly government policies and trade agreements with regional nations play a great role in determining the relative competitiveness of Thailand as a tourist destination. The role of government and chance here, for the Thailand tourism industry plays a crucial role given the recent history of Thailand it was the epicenter of the Asian financial crisis of 1997; it faced the Indian Ocean earthquake followed by Tsunami on 26th December 2004; it dealt with global recession post September 11, 2001 attacks, the financial downturn of 2008, SARS (and H1N1 Flu phenomena) and more recently domestic political chaos. These seem to have impacted tourism severely. This builds the case of chance being a critical determinant in the diamond model leading to the assumption that it should definitely be regarded as an endogenous factor and not just one having an exogenous role in the whole framework. Pine, Chan and Leung (1996) have outlined the impact of the Asian economic downturn and stated that the economic downturn which affected adversely the tourism industry has led to slowing or halting of many projects in the hospitality arena. It noted that intra-regional tourism had grown due to the regions strong economic growth. They further expect the tourism to be adversely affected (based on limited data); intra-regional tourism was expected to decline but increase from Europe and Americas in the light of the recent currency devaluations. Zhang (2005) has reported after analyzing industry data that Chinas outbound tourism got distributed as a result of the Tsunami. The South East Asian and South Asian nations lost out on many Chinese tourists to hitherto new choice of destinations. The perception of the region was one of high risk and this eventually led to loss in tourist numbers and revenue. The new destinations garnering attention even saw escalation in prices. Travel insurance was more sought as a result of the tsunami phenomena. Also, Ichinosawa (2006) provides highlights as to how Tsunami stigmatized Phuket as a tourist destination. Leiper and Hing (1998) studied unrelated four events in 1997-98 in the Asian context and the impact on the tourism industries of the respective nations. The events included huge forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Chinese takeover of Hong Kong, the triggering of Asian Economic Crisis with currency collapse in Thailand and social and economic unrest in Indonesia; and political and economic crises in Cambodia. These they inferred resulted in decline in international as well as domestic tourism. Thus, chance was a major factor here. Malhotra and Venkatesh (2009) have explored how vital it is to have contingency plans for crises and provide guidelines to proactively design a crisis management plan; even to take care when things go really bad. They compared Hong Kongs strategy and Thailands response to the Tsunami and the SARS outbreak. Based on such deliberations they advise having fluid structures and policies with regards to the organizational design, so as to effectively and timely deal with uncertainties of various kinds. They name various kinds of crisis, along with all their stages and depending upon the readiness of the affected entity (nation etc) determines the gap that needs to be filled in terms of crisis management. This they argue is the responsibility of the hospitality and tourism industry. The role of the government in formulating beneficial policies then becomes crucial given the above chance factor is so influential in the tourism industry. Thus, roles of chance and government are said to be cri tical in relation to the tourism industry. The influence chance has over government policies (and even governments themselves) implies that chance is way too important and thus should be regarded as intrusive, internal factor integrated with the whole framework of the diamond model. Clearly, for the case of a highly specific industry like tourism and a country where the government (directly or indirectly) holds more than half of its net capital stock (Phongsathorn, 2001), the government cannot be left out as just an exogenous factor. It is too important to be dealt as an influence. Thus, government should be thought of as an endogenous factor in the model. Also, government today has more a role of a collaborator than just an influencer or policy maker. Considering that the diamond framework has not been applied to services as it has been to manufacturing industries, and also less work is done specifically on the tourism industry using the model, the role of the external factors need to be seen in new light. Besides, tourism itself is such an industry which in the case of nations like Thailand may incorporate the whole country as the operating area. More recently, Pettus and Helms (2008) have included government in an endogenous role in the diamond model framework, while analyzing the case of Argentina. Though, Porter (1990) has opined that chance events are outside the control of the industry, nevertheless its effect can be negated. Also, prudent investment and preparation can actually prevent the occurrences of man-made disasters and reduce the probability of many untoward incidents. Besides, the operationalization of chance even outside the diamond as an external factor is also very difficult. It is noteworthy also that chance even affects the government and its role. In the scenario of much globalized world where two countries are not isolated anymore and the events in one country affects the other in a more significant way than ever before the model requires an upgrading. Thus, a case has been made for the exogenous factors Government and Chance to be treated as endogenous. Therefore, in effect the diamond model gives way to the proposed model (fig.2). Fig. 2: The Proposed Revised Porters Diamond Model Framework Factor Conditions Government Related Supporting Industries Firm Strategy, Structure Rivalry Chance Demand Conditions Research Methodology The study identifies the key variables that act as constituents to the various determinants of competitiveness of the tourism industry of Thailand. It also looks into the role played by Chance and the Government in altering the industrys competitiveness. For this, unforeseen events and government policies and their impacts were studied and extensive literature reviewed to achieve the above stated objectives. A couple of telephonic interviews with Thai people were conducted to probe into specific areas and to corroborate findings. Thus, primarily the analysis is qualitative in nature. Discussion and Analysis Factor Conditions Factor conditions like infrastructure have been in the governments eye along with the human resources. However, it is perchance that the multi-million dollar airports that were to be a gateway to Thailand and its scenic beauty was the centre of anti-establishment protests and subsequently two airports were then shut down. Thailands natural resources like beautiful beaches definitely provide a competitive edge. This factor condition is also one of the key variables for the tourism industry. Its spicy food, hospitality and exotic culture are inherent attractions. The significant external markets for the tourism industry are widely spread across the world and include major European countries, the U.S. and now even China. Thailands ideological commitment to liberalization and open economy has had major impacts on the industry dynamics especially over the long run. Knowledge resources also have grown. Capital resources which were an area for concern has been dealt well in recent times and policy measures for financial markets has made it more sound and less prone to international volatility in comparison to earlier years. Location is definitely an important issue here. Singapore and Taiwan are so important for global businesses because of their strategic location. Quality and quantity of highly skilled work force for the industry is also a huge concern. Serious policy initiatives are to be taken by the state in this regard. Recommendations include the continued development of various transport related infrastructure and maintaining and enhancing a skilled labour pool. The Tourism Authority of Thailand Travel Industry Portal provides online training for the industry personnel. Another facilitator for easy travel is a rail link from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Bangkok by means of a sky train. This initiative reduces the travel time to 15 min and is greatly appreciated by travelers.  [1]   There is growth in the road linkages. The newly formed North South Economic Corridor links Thailand to other Asian countries by means of a twelve hundred km R3A road highway which links Thailand with Laos to China emerging from Chiang Rai in Thailand was developed successfully in 2009. Thailand is becoming known for its status as a definitive hub for regional aviation. It has strong aviation linkages and airlines presence. Now, many countries have more flights from Thailand than most others in the whole of Asia. There are weekly 131 direct by around 13 airlines connecting Middle East Asia. Thailand is served by over seven hundred flights per by charter, scheduled and low-cost airlines from all over the world. Thai Airways has also launched new routes to Abu Dhabhi and Jeddah form Bangkok. Tehran-Bangkok link has been proposed. Similarly, rival Emirates Airlines have inducted Airbus-380 aircrafts for its Bangkok route to provide daily service from the city of Dubai.  [2]   Human Resources: Labour Force Statistics 2009 (Source: NSO) Total population is 66.72 million of which persons who are aged below 15 are 14.15 million, and persons aged 15 years old and over 52.57 million. Total labor force (Available for work) 37.53 million. Persons not in labor force (Not available for work) are 15.04 million. Thus, employed persons are 36.50 million, unemployed persons are 0.78 million. Of these seasonally inactive are 0.25 million. Household workers are 4.93 million, students are 4.41 million, and others are 5.70 million. Fig. 3: Comparison of number of employed persons between Quarter 1 of 2008 and 2009 by Industry Unit: Million Persons (Source: Labor Force Survey 2009, NSO) The physical and natural beauty of the beaches and islands of Thailand are the greatest attraction for tourists. Thailands most popular beaches and island destinations include along the Andaman Coast: Phuket, Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park, Mu Ko Surin Marine National Park, Ao Phang-nga National Park, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands, Mu Ko Lanta Marine National Park, Tarutao Marine National Park; along the Gulf of Thailand: Cha-am (Hua Hin), Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National Park, Ko Tao and along the Eastern section: Pattaya, Rayong Ko Samet and Ko Chang Marine National Park. The National Telecommunications Commission Act of Oct 2004 along with the earlier Telecommunications Business Act 2001 has done a lot to setup the competitive environment for telecommunications industry. The formation of the Universal Service Fund by CAT (Communications Authority of Thailand) and TOT (Telecommunications Organization of Thailand) has provided impetus to the development of the industry. This has been instrumental for the growth of the tourism industry of Thailand. Car (rentals), train, bus; taxi services are available for transportation. A host of other offerings are available for inland transportation which includes motorcycle taxis, Tuk-Tuks, tricycles, bicycles and Song Thaeo or the very popular pick-up trucks. Charter, scheduled and low-cost airlines make up the air travel avenues; cruises, boat, etc provide water transportation facilities. Railways provide access to a large network of destinations in Thailand, providing economical and efficient transportation. Firm Strategy, Rivalry Corruption and bureaucratic hurdles created by the government is another deterrent to it reaching its competitively superior position. Anti-trust policies of the Government are few and far between. There is a lot to be desired on this front from the Thai government. A recently enacted anti-competitive law had a monumental flaw in it as it did not apply to state-owned enterprises (that enjoyed monopoly). Environmental regulations are being looked into by the state. To be competitive on the global platform requires efficiently producing goods and services of value more than that provided by other competing nations. It is important for Thailand to do so for the tourism industry to make a mark for itself on the global platform especially when its productivity levels are low. Firms should lay emphasis on retention of and attracting intellectual capital. Within the industry as well as across the industry technology should be shared. The Trade Competition Act 1999 and thereby the Trade Competition Board helps provide fair trade. The General Agreement on Trades in Services (GATS) furthers this cause. However, the anti-trust policies are not very effective as these are biased in favour of the government. Also, the players pay a high price for the illegal or unethical practices of rivals. The governmental officials prove a bane as there is rampant corruption and cases of corporate cronyism provide hinder fair competition between the players. The rivalry is also relatively less intense than it could be to get more value for the consumers for the services offered. The local base of the competition makes the rivalry worthwhile. Employer and labour relations are adequately cooperative to discourage any untoward strikes or major hurdles in provision of productive output. There is adequate decentralization of various corporate activities and delegation of responsibility and authority is a prevalent phenomenon. However, the corporate boards leave more to be desired in terms of efficacy. The cry for greater privatization is justified as it would certainly help in making the industry more competitive. Greater role of the private sector would ensure better management and corporate governance practices, reducing the business related corruption highly prevalent today. This process could be expedited by better corporate control activities, maintaining ethical business standards, sharing management know how, devising incentive based compensation systems, applying performance based appraisal systems, and having collaborative partnerships with local players with an understanding that practices to be in the right spirit, having joint investments, etc. Considering the significant role of the government in this industry, Private public partnerships (PPP) could effectively achieve the requisite competitiveness for being one of the best globally. No doubt that if this is implemented properly over time then the incident revelations from CNNs survey of global travel and tourism that Thailand was the best on the basis of value for money amongst all countries in the Asia Pacific region would not be an isolated event but among a series of similar results. Turtle Conservation Plan in Mai Khao area which involved beach and reef cleaning also is a PPP initiative for environmental considerations. Interestingly, many hotels in Thailand have raised the quality standards in terms of environment friendliness by going smoke-free i.e. promoting anti-smoking measures. Thai Airways and Nok Air have decided to cooperate to boost up domestic traffic over specific routes like Bangkok to Phitsanulok, Bangkok to Ratchathani and Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son Already Thai Airways is part of the Star Alliance the worlds first major global airline alliance which aids its network operations. Demand Conditions The internal demand though grown is limited by the population size and disposable incomes. Reductions in prices have encouraged local demand in recent years. However, Thailand may not be able to charge the premium it did during the hey-days. And any further price increase will discourage domestic demand. However, the internal demand for Thailands tourism industry offerings has been seen to grow in recent years. Advantage for Thailand exists in the offerings in terms of varied services and a competitive value proposition vis-à  -vis other countries. Also, the active tendency of the local tourists to readily accept the latest offerings offered by the tourism industry makes the demand. A few regulatory standards for tourism based trade and environment are exacting in nature. Even the intellectual property rights and safety standards for online transactions are less than desirable providing less encouragement for innovation and stimulation of demand. However, not only does the internal demand conditions condition the industry to become competitive globally it provides an avenue for experimentation and more importantly provides revenues when global tourist inflows ebbs below expected levels. Increasing internal demand could then easily be used as a hedge for fluctuations in collections from international tourists especially during the off seasons. Specialized market segments for specialized services and distinctive benefit segmentation provides impetus to the internal demand and subsequently to the external demand. In this regard providing incentives for innovation and aiding multinational corporations should be the policies pursued by the industry. There are various activities that a visitor or tourist can undertake for pleasure. Thailand offers a wide array of such offerings which include shopping, golf, adventure treks, hill tribe visit, special cooking and food, elephant rides, special festivals and celebrations, spa, spiritual and religious insights and learning (especially Buddhism), meditation, water sports, etc. Water sports include diving, sailing, yachting, cruising, canoeing and kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, rock climbing and bouldering, jet skiing and wakeboarding. Medical-tourism and business events also form an integral part of the range of offerings. Many indigenous events attract visitors from within and outside the country thereby stimulating demand. Some key events that happened from time to time in Thailand are the Luang Phor Thuad and Sunflower Field Festival dealing with the first blossoming of sunflower at a distinguished temple and paying tribute to Luang Phor Thuad, Chinese New Year Fair where prayers are offered the Chinese way, and there are opera shows and a food festival for vegetarians, Chinese Lantern Festival where a competition for lanterns and its decoration is held, World Wetland Day involving environmental related activities and awareness, bird watching and games, Eco-tourism and Kasalong Flower Festival involving bonfire and camping activities, showcasing of rare species of wild flowers and visiting caves, Thailand International Kite Festival that showcases traditional kites from different regions, kite flying competitions, etc; Thai Sky Festival involving a show of Skydiving by skydivers from many countries, Traditional Gold Leaf Covering Ceremony at Kuiburi Temple involving prayers and religious rites and as the name suggests gold leaf covering, Blooming Lotus Festival providing a tour of the Lotus Pond and trekking, Hua Hin Jazz Festival where Jazz concerts are performed, Hua Hin Regatta involving a race of sailors, Hua Hin (Cha-am) Golf Festival involving golfing contests, Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally which involves parading vintage cars. Many sports events, trade events and festivals had been planned for attracting visitors to Thailand in 2009. Important among these were the 1st World Comedy Film Festival, Thailand Grand Sale 2009, Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) 2009, LPGA Thailand 2009 (Golf), The 2009 Kings Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, 1st Asian Martial Arts Games, Loi Kratong, Candle Festival, Songkran Festival and the 14th ASEAN Summit. New attractions like Sirindhorn Museum and Phu Kum Khao Dinosaur Excavation site, Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium, Dragon Descendants Museum, etc have come up. It is interesting to note that Thailand was voted as the best sailing venue in Asia in a poll conducted by Top of The Gulf Regatta. Also, Phuket Kings Cup Regatta was the winner for best regatta in Asia. Thailand was also voted as the Asian Spa Capital for 2009 by AsiaSpa magazine. Also, Thailand won the Destiantion Spa of the year for Six Senses Destination Spa in Phuket. The major destinations chosen by tourists are (by region): Central Thailand: Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi, Cha-Am, Chachoengsao, Lampun, Nonthaburi, Petchburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Pranburi, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi. Southern Thailand: Koh Lanta Island, Koh Phi Phi Island, Koh Samui Island, Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Trang, Chumphon, Hat Yai, Khao Lak, Koh Phangan Island, Koh Tao Island, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Suratthani. Eastern Thailand: Koh Chang Island, Koh Samed Island, Pattaya, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Koh Kood Island, Rayong, Trat. Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Lampang, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Tak. North-East Thailand: Nakhonratchasima, Khon Kaen, Loei, Nong Khai, Ubonratchathani, Udonthani. Latest foreign technology is available to it and this should be made good use of by the industry players and the government. Use of ICT (info-communications and technology) in hotels and other areas is a step in the right direction. The following of the Star Rating methodology for hotel standards by Thailands premier hotels was a step in achieving quality and recognition. To the advantage of Thailand is the level of orientation of the tourists coming to Thailand and the internal tourists as well). These are more or less favourable for the state and should be capitalized upon. Thailand Travel Mart was a large showcase for travel and events held in June in Bangkok. Such events promote the internal demand significantly. Inadequate reliance on experts and professionals for managing the business and related aspects of the industry, poor managerial innovation, low level research and development activities for the tourism industry, provides a hindrance for Thailand to emerge competitive against other players compromising the very nature of its competitive advantage. The extents to which it brands its industry though much better now and steadily improving over the years even in quality, leaves more to be desired in this front. Basing compensation on incentives is another recommendation for the industry. Training staff, at various levels is required to put together a skilled workforce and efficient labour pool for the industry. Related and Supporting Industries The tourism industry is well connected and linked with industries like the transportation and hospitality. Specialty services and has also provided impetus to the industry. However, the stigma of child prostitution and Aids epidemic is still a major concern for the government of Thailand. Labour productivity of Thailand is also not competitive at all. The revenues per tourist to Thailand are less than many competitors in the region. Also, these have not gone up over the years. Understandably, this was due to the chance factor but nevertheless, it seems to compromise the competitiveness of the industry even further. The importance of the framework applied here is that it helps identify sources of competitive advantage. One specific area of interest is the formation of clusters. Domestic rivalry and geographic concentration enhance competitiveness of Thailands tourism industry. The six factors depicted in fig. 2 help the framework act as system. Scalability, magnification and upgrading help provide linkages and networks. These thus help in forming clusters which provide competitive advantage. Efforts should be made to build special business relationships with the various players. Partnerships and alliances between and across the industry could help get the maximum value to the consumer inevitably making Thailand more competitive and the formation of clusters more evident, thereby benefitting the industry greatly. Provision of incentives to encourage; and subsidies to support the entrepreneurial talent in the industrys core and related areas could benefit the industry in many ways including the adoption of innovative tools, techniques and methods and e