Service Industry Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Service Industry Management - Essay Example Considering the views of physical nature of activities for products, it is easier to define product rather than the services. Services generally embrace a huge diversity of activities and involve many intangible inputs and outputs. The services may be treated as an economic activity that creates value and provides benefits by bringing about a desired change in or on behalf of the recipient of the service. Services have in general four characteristics which have the potential to have impact on marketing program. These four characteristics are Intangibility, inseparability, Heterogeneity and variability. All services often include important tangible elements. Useful way to distinguish between goods and services was first suggested by Lynn Shostack (1977). In the absence of significant tangible elements, marketers may find it useful to employ physical images and metaphors to demonstrate the competencies of the service firm and to illustrate the benefits resulting from service delivery. Services are delivered in real time. In that sense, service providers become an integral part of services. So services are inseparable because they are produced and consumed at the same time unlike goods. Service marketers need to understand customers' time constraints and priorities (lovelock and Wright, 2002). People can be part of the service itself and this can be advantage of services marketers. Many services require customers to participate in creating the service product. For most of the service customers can be thought of as partial employees, and services firms have much gain from trying to train customers to make them more competent and productive (Canziani, 1997). Basically the services offerings are unique in nature and it only exists ones and so never exactly repeated. So services firms need to devote special care to selecting, training and motivating those employees who will be serving customers directly. In addition to possessing the technical skills required by the j ob, these employees also need to possess good interpersonal skills. Service marketers need to think carefully about whether it is a good idea to mix several segments together in the same service facility. This is how heterogeneity in variability could be dealt with. Finally, service is a deed or performance it is ephemeral transitory and perishable and so cannot usually be stocked in inventory after being produced. Although facilities, equipment and labor can be held in readiness to create the service these elements simply represent productive capacity, not the product itself. If there is no demand during a given time period unused capacity is wasted. Apart from these above four characteristics perhaps the key distinction between goods and services lies in the fact that customers usually drive value from services without obtaining ownership of any tangible elements. The marketing strategy defines what should happen and why. It has been argued that a combination of appropriate/inappr opriate strategy and good/poor implementation will lead to various business outcomes (Jobber and Fahy, 2006). The marketing mix is not a theory of management that has been derived from scientific analysis, but a conceptual framework which highlights the principal decisions that marketing manager's make in configuring their offerings to suit customers' needs. The tools can be used to develop both long term strategies and

The concepts of data warehouse and data mining in organization

The concepts of data warehouse and data mining in organization Introduction In today real world, most of information and data has been managed or organized by using information technology and also information system. Information systems are now widely use in every industry to stored data and information for future use. Data warehouse and data mining are the common process that can be found in information technology field. Data warehouse are used to store a huge volume of data and data mining can be defined as a process of pull out patterns fromdata. Data warehouse Adata warehouseworks as an electronic storage area of an organizations to stored data. Data warehouses are planned to assist in reporting and analysis for an organization. Retrieving and analyzing data, extracting, transforming and loading and managing data are also the fundamental components of a data warehousing. The data warehouse has specific characteristics that include the following: 1. Subject-Oriented Information is presented according to specific subjects or areas of interest, not simply as computer files. Data is manipulated to provide information about a particular subject. 2. Integrated Data stored in a worldwide accepted method with constant measurements, naming conventions, physical characteristic and encoding structures. 3. Non-Volatile Stable information that doesnt change each time an operational process is executed. Information is consistent in any case of when the warehouse is accessed. 4. Time-Variant Containing a history of the subject, as well as current information. Historical information is an important component of a data warehouse. 5. Process-Oriented It is important to view data warehousing as a process for delivery of information. The maintenance of a data warehouse is ongoing and iterative in nature. 6. Accessible Provide easy access for information to end-users. There are three Data Warehouse Models: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Enterprise warehouse collects all of the information about subjects across the entire organization à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Data Mart a subset of corporate-wide data that is of value to a specific groups of users. Its scope is confined to specific, selected groups, such as marketing data mart à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Virtual warehouse A set of views over operational databases .Only some of the possible summary views may be materialized Data Warehouse Concepts In data warehouse, there are several concepts that can be listed as valued to data ware housing and the value concepts as per below: 1. Dimensional Data Model- Dimensional data model is usually used in data warehousing systems. This section describes this modeling technique, and the two common schema types,star schemaandsnowflake schema. It is the most regularly used in data warehousing systems. 3rd normal form is different from it, regularly used for transactional (OLTP) type systems. There are few term that can be define regularly to understand dimensional data modeling: Dimension: A category of information. For example, the time dimension. Attribute: A unique level within a dimension. For example, Month is an attribute in the Time Dimension. Hierarchy: The specification of levels that represents relationship between different attributes within a dimension. For example, one possible hierarchy in the Time dimension is Year à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Quarter à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Month à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Day. Slowly Changing Dimension: This is a common issue facing data warehousing practioners. This section explains the problem, and describes the three ways of handling this problem with examples. Conceptual Data Model: A conceptual data model identifies the relationships between the different entities. character of conceptual data model including: Includes the important entities and the relationships among them. No specified attribute. There is no specified primary key. The figure below is an example of a conceptual data model. Conceptual Data Model From the figure above, we can see that the only information shown via the conceptual data model is the entities that describe the data and the relationships between those entities. No other information is shown through the conceptual data model. Logical Data Model: Logical data models explain the data in as much detail as feasible, without look upon to how they will be corporeal apply in the database. Features of a logical data model include: * Consist of all units, entities and relationships between them. * All attributes for each unit are precise and specific. * The primary key for each entity is particular precise. * Foreign keys (keys recognize the relationship between different entities) are specified. * Normalization transpires at this level. The steps for scheming the logical data model are as follows: 1. Identify input keys for all entities. 2. Locate the relationships between different entities. 3. Discover all attributes for each entity. 4. Determine many-to-many relationships. 5. Normalization. The figure below is an example of a logical data model. Logical Data Model The different between two conceptual data of the model from the diagram and the logical data as to be listed below: * Primary keys are present, whereas in a theoretical data model, no primary key is present in a logical data model. * All attributes are specified in an entity. No characteristic are specified in a conceptual data model also in a logical data model, * In a conceptual data model, the relationships are basically set, not explicit, so we simply know that two entities are related, but we do not specify what attributes are used for this relationship. The relationships between entities are specified using primary keys and foreign keys in a logical data model. Physical Data Model Conceptual, Logical, and Physical Data Model: Altered or different levels of abstraction for a data model. This part compares and contrasts the three other types of data models. Data Integrity: What is data integrity and how it is obligatory and enforced in data warehousing. OLAP- stands for On-Line Analytical Processing. The first detonation to provide a definition to OLAP was by Dr. Codd, who proposed 12 rules for OLAP. Then, it was discovered that this particular white paper was support by one of the OLAP tool vendors, thus causing it to drop objectivity. The OLAP Report has proposed the FASMI test, Fast Analysis of Shared Multidimensional Information. Bill Inmon vs. Ralph Kimball: These two data warehousing heavyweights have a different outlook of the role between data warehouse and data mart. In the data warehousing field, we frequently attend to about discussions on where a person / organizations viewpoint falls into Bill Inmons camp or into Ralph Kimballs camp. We describe below the difference between the two. Bill Inmons paradigm: Data warehouse is one part of the overall business intelligence system. An enterprise has one data warehouse, and data marts source their information from the data warehouse. In the data warehouse, information is stored in 3rd normal form. Ralph Kimballs paradigm: Data warehouse is the conglomerate of all data marts within the enterprise. Information is always stored in the dimensional model. http://www.1keydata.com/datawarehousing/concepts.html There is no accurate or incorrect between these two idea and views, as they symbolize diverse data warehousing philosophies. In reality, the data warehouse in most schemes is closer to Ralph Kimballs idea. This is because most data warehouses on the go out as a departmental attempt, and hence they invented as a data mart. Only when more data marts are built later do they develop into a data warehouse. There are many theories can be used in executing the data warehouse and depends on the criterion of data that appropriate the significance of the system needed. These concepts are copyright from the website http://www.1keydata.com/datawarehousing/inmon-kimball.html. The Benefits of data warehouse to the organization * The potential to handle server tasks and responsibilities connected to querying which is not used by most operation systems. * Can be ended within the good time frame * The set up do not need a technical skill workers * Data warehouses are exotic unique that they can act as a repository, a repository for transaction processing systems that have been cleaned. * Can produce reports, data extracts, can also be done from outside sources. * Chronological information for competent and competitive analysis * Niche data quality and completeness * Enhancement disaster recovery plans with another data back up source Data Mining Introduction Data mining is the progression of analyzing data from dissimilar standpoint and summarizing it into practical information information that can be used to increase profits, cuts costs, or both. Data mining can also called data or knowledge innovation or knowledge discovery. Software of data mining is one of a number of systematic and methodological tools for evaluating or analyzing data. It assigns the users to analyze and evaluate the data from many different scope or angles, dimensions, proportions, categorize it, and review and summarize the relationships identified. In technical view, data mining is the procedure of finding relationship or patterns among all of fields in large relational databases. The Knowledge Discovery in Databases procedure includes of a few steps the most important from raw and undefined data compilation to some form of innovative knowledge. The progression as of the following steps ²: * Data cleaning: also known as data cleansing, it is a stage in which noise data and irrelevant data are removed from the group collection. * Data integration: at this point, multiple data sources, often heterogeneous, may be combined in a general source. * Data selection: at this step, the data relevant to the analysis is decided on and retrieved from the data collection. * Data transformation: also known as data consolidation, it is a phase in which the certain data is transformed into forms suitable for the mining process. * Data mining: it is the vital step in which smart techniques are applied to extract patterns potentially valuable. * Pattern evaluation: in this step, firmly interesting patterns representing knowledge are identified based on given method. * Knowledge representation: is the final chapter in which the exposed knowledge is visually represented to the user. This crucial step uses visualization techniques to help users understand and infer the data mining results. Function Data mining is mainly data and knowledge for each relation of tools. It enables to decide relationships among home factors and external factors for each study. The purpose as large-scale information technology has been emergent detach transaction and analytical systems, data mining provides the link between the two. Data mining software analyzes relationships and patterns in stored transaction data based on open-ended user inquiry. Data mining consists of five major elements ³: * Remove, transform, and load transaction data onto the data warehouse system. * Store and administer the data in a multidimensional database system. * Provide data access to business forecaster and information technology professionals. * Analyze the data by relevance software. * Present the data in a useful format, such as a graph or chart.  ² http://www.exinfm.com/pdffiles/intro_dm.pdf  ³ http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/faculty/jason.frand/teacher/technologies/palace/datamining.htm Data Mining Concepts Data mining process contains of 5 processes, there are ³: * State the problem * Collect the data * Perform pre-processing * Approximate the model (mine the data) * Interpret the model draw the finale  ³http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/24/04712285/0471228524-1.pdf

Edna’s Realization in Chapter 28 of Chopin’s The Awakening :: Chopin Awakening

Edna’s Realization in Chapter 28 of Chopin’s The Awakening The fifteen lines of chapter 28 express Edna’s multi-voiced mindset after her relationship with Arobin exceeds the boundaries of friendship. The chapter opens with her crying and then explores the process of guilt as it sets in. Edna’s guilt, however, is afflicted by the other figures in her life, not by her own sense of wrongdoing. The manipulating voices in Edna’s life do affect her, but they do not linger as they once did. It is her voice, her realization, that comes at the end. The chapter’s second line, â€Å"It was only one phase of the multitudinous emotions which had assailed her,† suggests that Edna’s emotions are influenced by other individuals; the primary definition of â€Å"multitudinous† is â€Å"including a multitude of individuals† (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). It is as if more individuals than just her self populate Edna’s mind. These men (she hears no women’s voices) express their own wishes and wants, not Edna’s. Their voices and emotions â€Å"assail† her violently. First, Edna feels irresponsible - an odd emotion after an unfaithful act. She feels irresponsible as a married woman for she has not performed her appropriate duties, or rather, she has performed inappropriate duties as a married woman. This irresponsibility is the voice of society. Edna additionally experiences a sense of shock at something new, something out of the ordinary. Her customary way of life does not include intense sexual situations. Next, Edna senses her husband’s â€Å"reproach† - his rebuke and disapproval. She does not sense his anger or his jealousy, emotions which would perhaps be more appropriate for a man whose wife has been unfaithful to him. Rather, he is concerned with what â€Å"society† will say. Her mind’s portrayal of Mr. Pontellier’s response is quite accurate; when Edna writes her husband to let him know she is moving out, he is not angry or sad, but rather concerned with society’s estimation of the situation. He joins society in disapproving of her. Then comes Robert’s reproach, which she attributes to a â€Å"quicker, fiercer, more overpowering love....† Robert’s disapproval, then, comes from love, not from society’s cares and not from a desire to protect her (or himself) from society’s judgment. Yet this love is not Robert’s, but rather her own. The love has â⠂¬Å"awakened within her toward him† - and thus appears the title of the novel. She has been awakened to her love of him.

The Openness In Education Education Essay

Harmonizing to Alene Fink, a literature reappraisal is a systematic, expressed and consistent method for placing, measuring and synthesising the bing organic structure of completed and recorded work produced by research workers, bookmans and practicians[ I ]and hence in this chapter I am traveling to look into the literature which has helped me to make this survey. It has been divided into 10 subdivisions. In subdivision 2.1, openness in instruction, the beginning of OER and research on OERs has been reviewed. Autonomous acquisition has been discussed in subdivision 2.2. Section 2.3 reviews the literature on pupil liberty. Literature connected to motive theory has been reviewed in subdivision 2.4. Section 2.5 nowadayss literature on learner-centered attacks. Section 2.6 reappraisals literature on self-efficacy and the undermentioned subdivision is on instructional design methodological analysis. Section 2.8 is about the relationship between all these constructs while subdivision 2.9 puts some visible radiation on the deductions and findings related to the literature and eventually the last subdivision contains some recommendations.2.1 Openness in instructionOpenness in instruction is largely about sharing, cut downing barriers and increasing entree to instruction. Harmonizing to Brown and Adler ( 2008 ) , unfastened instruction has been ‘enabled and inspired ‘ by the Internet and it is the Open Educational Resources motion ( OER ) which has had the biggest impact in this country. The instruction system over the last decennary has been capable to policy force per unit areas for enlargement of formal paths for instruction ( e.g. Dearing, 1997 ) . The impact of the Internet and on-line entree alterations the manner that people interact with each other and information ( e.g. Anderson, 2008 ) . When it comes to our state, singular attempts have been put by the authorities in order to give quality instruction and transform Mauritius into a cognition hub. Access to third instruction has been extended to a larger figure of scholars so as to run into the turning demands of the occupation market. Unesco Institute for Statistics has late published that 88.5 % of grownups and 96.7 % of young person are literate in Mauritius.[ two ]Literacy rates199020102010 ( Regional norm )Adult ( 15+ ) %Medium frequency 79.9 88.5 62.6 Meter 85.1 90.9 71.0 F 74.7 86.2 54.2Youth ( 15-24 ) %Medium frequency 91.2 96.7 71.8 Meter 90.7 95.7 76.4 F 91.7 97.7 66.8 Table Beginning: hypertext transfer protocol: //stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/document.aspx? ReportId=289 & A ; IF_Language=eng & A ; BR_Country=4800 & A ; BR_Region=40540 The tabular array clearly indicates that the rate of literacy has increased since 1990 and therefore we can infer that instruction has become more accessible to all Mauritians. Harmonizing to a study published by Pauline Ngimwa, although the construct of unfastened educational resources is instead new, it is already doing a singular part to instruction in the Sub-Saharan Africa.2.1.1 The beginning of Open Educational ResourcesHarmonizing to Conole et Al, educational resources are authoritative societal objects which help to intercede interactions between instructors and scholars particularly when they are non physically present in the same room. The term OER was foremost adopted at UNESCO ‘s 2002 forum which was on the Impact of Open Courseware for Higher Education in developing states funded by the Hewlett Foundation and this term refers to freely accessible, openly formatted and openly licensed papers and media that are utile for learning, acquisition, instruction, appraisal and research intents harmonizing to Wikipedia.[ three ]2.1.2 Research on unfastened educational resourcesResearch done on OERs largely concern third instruction and to some exte nt their findings can be transferred to the secondary instruction. The footings unfastened content, unfastened educational resources, unfastened courseware and unfastened text editions are more frequently coined to HE discourse which refers to all the instruction and learning resources provided for free under the right of first publication licences. Researches which have been done boulder clay now have shown many advantages of utilizing OERs in schoolrooms. OERs are free and accessible to anyone on the cyberspace and they improve the quality of larning content. Furthermore they can be adapted, re-purposed, re-used or localized for different environments and they free the users from right of first publication and licensing issues. They allow a higher return on investing of taxpayer ‘s money because of better cost-effectiveness as the resources are re-usable. They promote digital competency and enrich the pool of resources. Harmonizing to the OLCOS roadmap published in 2012, unfastened entree to educational resources promotes instruction every bit good as womb-to-tomb acquisition and this is one of the major purposes of the Prevocational course of study. OLCOS has besides explored how OERs can do a difference in instruction and acquisition and has come to a decision that these can authorise instructors and scholars given that necessary policy and organisational models favor so. It has been mentioned that OER promote invention and asks for alteration in educational patterns. In 2008, Wolfenden stated that OER have the possible to lend considerable support where there is scarceness of high quality and didactically sound learning stuffs.2.2 Autonomous acquisitionIn the past decennaries, autonomous acquisition has been encouraged in developed states. The Plowden study ( 1966 ) in United Kingdom had outlined a doctrine based on Piagetian phase theory which emphasized kids as persons and supported a move to child-centered methods and â€Å" course of study † suited to the demands of the kid who was encouraged to be autonomous. In 2005, Christina Gitsaki stated that autonomous acquisition was more present than of all time in Japan and in her survey she found out that students were more enthusiastic when they were allowed to take part actively in their acquisition procedure by making research work, composing studies and interacting with equals. Through her survey she besides found out that although students enjoyed utilizing computing machines and do research on the web, they could non appreciate such activities since the linguistic communication used for the web sites were in English and they could non understand all the information.2.3 Student libertyHarmonizing to Henri Holec, liberty is the ability to take charge of one ‘s ain acquisition while David Little states that it is basically a affair of the scholar ‘s psychological relation to the procedure and content of acquisition. For Leslie Dickinson, liberty is a state of affairs in which the scholar is wholly responsible for all the determina tions concerned with his [ or her ] acquisition and the execution of those determinations and our educational system does non ever promote students to make so. Harmonizing to Dunlap ( 1997 ) , increasing pupils ‘ control and duty over the learning procedure is and of import accomplishment for womb-to-tomb acquisition. For case this can be done by leting students to measure what they need to larn, take and research in order to construct their cognition. I wanted to utilize OERs as extra acquisition resources for certain lessons and let my prevocational students to work on their ain to research the resources and carry out the activities autonomously but since OERs are frequently designed for specific context, I had hence to redact the resources in order to accommodate them to my existent schoolroom context. The linguistic communication used is largely English and non all Prevocational students can understand this linguistic communication good. Thus I had to utilize simpler linguistic communication and translate to the female parent lingua[ four ]really frequently during the activities.2.4 Motivation theoryIn 1981, Harter stated that research across the preschool to high school categories have shown that kids ‘s intrinsic motive lessenings and they feel more anomic to larning and I to the full agree with this statement when it comes to my pre-vocational students. It is really difficult to acquire them interested in their surveie s and unless the learning resources presented to them are non meaningful ; they lose involvement really quickly in their lessons. Equally long as scholars are actively engaged in reliable undertakings where they are involved in treatments, taking determinations, fixing presentations and join forcesing they get to use their bing cognition and research new cognition, the former are excited and motivated. Educators frequently prefer intrinsic motive to extrinsic motive and harmonizing to research by Ryan, Conell and Plant ( 1990 ) , larning results of intrinsic motive are better than those obtained under extrinsic motive. The usage of hands-on activities helps to heighten intrinsic motive and the NCFS provinces that a assortment of schemes must be used in prevocational every bit good as mainstream so as to actuate scholars. I have tried to look for some originative ways to include engineering in my teaching resources as nowadays pupils are exposed to it daily for communicating and for interaction but since most of my pre-vocational students do n't hold a computing machine at place and therefore they can non hold entree to the cyberspace. Therefore all the educational resources which I have used have either been distributed ( in the signifier of difficult transcripts ) or viewed in the schoolroom. I have tried to convey assortment in the instruction AIDSs since my students could non hold entree to all the OERs selected.2.5 Learner-centered attacksFor this survey, I have used OERs as learning resources to back up the instruction procedure. When incorporating these resources in the bing educational patterns, I have tried new attacks and patterns in forming instruction and acquisition ; and one attack is the learner-centered 1. The function of a instructor within a learner-centered attack to direction is that of a facilitator or manager ( Wang, 2006 ) . Learner-centered attacks to learning hold emerged from the acquisition theory â€Å" constructivism † . Constructivist acquisition is based on an apprehension that learners concept cognition for themselves ( Hein, 1991: Krause et Al, 2003 ) . In 2002 Weimer was largely concerned learner-centered instruction as an exercising in altering instruction pattern. Weimer identified learner-centered instruction as embracing 5 alterations to pattern: switching the balance of schoolroom power from instructor to pupil ; planing content as a agency to constructing cognition instead than a ‘knowledge terminal ‘ in itself ; positioning the instructor as facilitator and subscriber, instead than manager and beginning of cognition ; switching duty for larning from instructor to scholar ; and advancing larning through effectual appraisal. Learner-centered instruction is non so easy with the pre-vocational students because there are many students who are slow scholars and although they are allocated some extra clip for certain undertakings, the instructor still needs to be present. Therefore it is non really obvious to give greater liberty and control over the pick of capable affair, the gait of acquisition, and the acquisition methods used as suggested by Gibbs in 1992.2.6 Self efficaciousnessBandura in 1982 defined perceived self-efficacy as judgements of how good one can put to death classs of action required to cover with prospective state of affairss while in 2002 Eccles and Wigfield define it as an person ‘s assurance in his or her ability to form and put to death a given class of action to work out a job or carry through a undertaking. Self-efficacy is of import as it helps to find attempt and continuity every bit good as to put ends. Self-regulated scholars use a assortment of schemes and have high self-efficacy ; puting ends for themselves, supervising their ain activities, measuring their ain public presentation and moreover responding to their rating results. In 2007, Schunk and Zimmerman formulated the self-regulation theory which states that persons can strengthen their ain motive by prosecuting themselves in puting appropriate and accomplishable ends, using larning schemes, and monitoring and measuring advancement towards ends. In our state as I have already mentioned earlier, much accent is laid on exams-oriented surveies which nurtures a civilization of competition and really frequently pedagogues end up spoon-feeding their scholars. Therefore such actions discourage scholars from being independent and self-regulated.2.7 Instructional design methodological analysisInstructional design specifies a method which will ease the transportation of cognition, accomplishments and attitudes to the receiver.[ V ]Ins tructional design, for an educational scene, is a system of processs for developing educational plans to guarantee the most effectual and efficient larning environment. Assorted theoretical accounts have been developed and implemented to construct systematic instructions and these can be traced back to the 60 ‘s. Harmonizing to Ryder M. of University of Colorado, theoretical accounts help to organize a image of the job so as to divide it into manageable units. Each unit/ component interacts with each other so as to ‘give construction and significance to an I.D job. ‘ Although there are a assortment of theoretical accounts, most of them include the nucleus elements of ADDIE model- the acronym for Analysis Design Development Implementation and Evaluation. The ADDIE theoretical account is iterative in nature and hence during the undertaking, the developer can convey alteration among the assorted activities of the theoretical account. Revision Revision Revision Revision Figure: The Core elements of ADDIE theoretical account ( Gustafson, k & A ; Branch, R )[ six ] Harmonizing to me, instructional design is of import in an educational scene as it: encourages whole-class attack, takes into consideration students with particular larning demands, allows instructors to invent activities which will accommodate students with different larning manners ( auditory, ocular or kinaesthetic ) , allows instructors to reexamine the bringing of the lessons so as to better in the hereafter, encourages stepwise planning and this helps the instructor to consolidate parts of the lesson which students could non understand. We take the different degrees of our students into consideration while inventing activities, fixing learning AIDSs or taking learning stuffs. We try to supply students better larning experiences and heighten their battle in the acquisition activities. Since the thought behind OERs is leting users to accommodate, edit, usage and re-use the construct of instructional design tantrums in absolutely. As pedagogues we can utilize the resources and accommodate them harmonizing to the demands of our scholars so as to run into their several acquisition demands.2.8 Relationship between these constructsOpen educational resources are repurposed in order to run into the demands of students. The user supports portion of the resources which are relevant and discards the staying and if demands be some other pieces of information or media are added so as to be in line with the specific aims. Autonomous larning leads to autonomy. We can promote student liberty and autonomous acquisition by following learner-centered instruction in our schoolroom. The literature reviewed above is straight related to openness in instruction and the use of unfastened educational resources in schoolrooms.2.9 Deductions and findings from the literatureTo sum up, I have looked into the assorted theoretical facets of the use of OERs in schoolrooms. I can reason that harmonizing to the literature I reviewed, OERs: encourage womb-to-tomb acquisition, encourage usage different schemes and learning AIDSs to pull and retain attending of students, can open new avenues for scholars,2.10 Recommendations

Personality Testing of New Hires

Personality Testing During the Hiring Process Personality testing is not a new topic. What is new is the ongoing shift in mindset that has diluted the value of personality testing during the hiring process and only finds a value in using personality testing after the candidate has joined the organization. This will be challenged by first providing a brief history on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and reviewing the years of dedicated research that went into the development of the test. Second, it will reveal the correlations of the test results to job requirements through specific examples. Third, it will discuss why applicant honesty and company policy makes personality testing necessary. Fourth, it will identify and support how many organizations successfully use the MBTI for applications other than pre-employment. Finally, organizations utilizing personality testing, specifically the MBTI, as a part the hiring process will identify the strongest and most compatible candidate for the required organizational needs. Many organizations are following the notion that personality tests have no relevance to job performance and should not be used as a tool to support the hiring process; however, it can be used appropriately for leadership identification, self-awareness and team building (Robbins & Judge, 2008). The testing of personalities was at its peak in the early nineteen fifties with MBTI leading the way (Overholt, 2004). Banks initially used the MBTI as a pre-screening tool in nineteen forty six. Not one or two banks, but the entire industry was committed to utilizing the MBTI. This concept of capturing personality was developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katherine Cook Briggs. They performed rigorous studies of some earlier work by a Swiss psychiatrist by the name of Carl Jung. The first assessment was a couple of simple questionnaires that would gauge people by their personality type. There are sixteen possible types that are configured out of four specific categories. The dedication of the Myers-Briggs team was unsurpassed. Even after her mother passed away, Myers spent her life advancing this body of work. Rubis et al. , 2005) For those who may not be familiar with the structure of the test, here are the parameters. There are one hundred questions that are situational based. The participant is to choose the answer that best describes the general actions or feelings they usually have when in that situation (Robbins & Judge, 2008). The questions are built around general concepts of personality, and by answering the questions it helps to reveal the participant’s personality type (Pepper, Kolesnikov-Jessop, & Herman, 2005). There is no right or wrong when answering. The questions are open to interpretation, because every question is presented on logical opposition (Bentley, 2007). The participant simply determines which one fits them the best. Some examples of the questions a participant would be asked are as follows: â€Å"Would you rather be considered a practical person or an ingenious person? â€Å", and: â€Å"Does following a schedule appeal to you or cramp you? † (Ross, n. p. ) Once the participant finishes the test, the answers are consolidated into one of the sixteen personality types. Anyone that takes the test will fit into one of the sixteen personality types that the MBTI generates (Rutzick, 2007, June). To understand how the MBTI can be beneficial in the hiring process, a further definition of the different personality types is necessary. Robbins & Judge (2008) state the following: Individuals are classified as extroverted or introverted (E or I), sensing or intuitive (S or N), thinking or feeling (Tor F), judging or perceptive (J or P). These terms are defined as follows: Extroverted verses introverted. Extroverted individuals are outgoing and assertive. Introverts are quiet and shy. Sensing verses Intuitive. Sensing types are practical and prefer routine and order. Intuitives rely on unconscious processes and look at the â€Å"big picture†. Thinking verses feeling. Thinking types use reason and logic to handle problems. Feeling types rely on their personal values and emotions. Judging verses perceiving. Judging types want control and prefer their world to be ordered and structured. Perceiving types are flexible and spontaneous. (p. 108) Examples of how the actual results would be presented and what would be learned about the participant are: the INTJ or introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging individual and would be considered a visionary; they are strong willed and could sometimes be considered bullheaded; they are creative and like to act on their own ideas and thoughts. (Robbins & Judge, 2008). Another example would be the ESTJ or extrovert, sensing, thinking, judging individual and would be considered as the organizer; they are planners who like solving real problems, they work well around others and are very business minded (Robbins & Judge, 2008). Using the two previous examples of personality types, consider the following scenario: Employer â€Å"A† has a position open in the operations department for a supervisor. Of the two candidates, the INTJ or the ESTJ, which one would be the better fit in an operations supervisor, knowing both candidates interviewed equally? The ESTJ would make the best choice, organized, business minded, like solving problems, and as an extrovert will do better working around other people. In contrast if the INTJ is placed in this operational position, it would not challenge his visionary traits and his strong will would work against him when trying to supervise others. It would not be long before the employer or employee, or both, realized they were the wrong fit and separating the employee may be the best solution. This would cause an increase in turnover and training costs that could have been avoided. The information personality testing provides becomes extremely useful when trying to find the proper job fit, and it would have to increase job satisfaction because now the candidate is in a position or role that suites his unique personality, increasing the potential for them to naturally excel. In conjunction with the interview process, personality testing opens up insight that could easily be missed when trying to assess if a candidate will be the right fit for the position (Baker, 2008). There are other factors that create an importance for personality testing during the hiring process. Two of these factors are: the increased levels of misrepresentation on resumes and applicants learning or paying for coaching to teach them how to give a great interview (Van Steenwyk, 2008). Another factor to be considered is that references are getting harder to validate. Many organizations have implemented policies that do not allow the providing of job specific references, they will only validate dates of employment (Van Steenwyk). Having the ability to draw consensus between the information on a resume, the information given by references, what is learned in the interview, and then match all that information up against the results of the personality test allows the perspective employer to have more points of congruency when making a final decision. It helps the employer find the personal side of what is on the resume and reduces failure based on job incompatibility (Baker, 2008). It could be argued that candidates could learn to give what they believe to be the desired answers on a personality test, like the MBTI. Although not impossible it is a bad way to start a new job and most tests check for continuity of the participant’s answers to make sure the candidate in not lying (Overholt, 2004). Some other highly accepted ways the MBTI is used in organizations are for leadership identification and selection, self-awareness, and team building (Rubis et al. 2005). When an organization needs to select or identify leaders, testing becomes very useful to find the personality traits that are essential to successful leaders (Robbins & Judge, 2008). There are benefits to the established leaders learning more about their own personality. Once the leaders are armed with the characterizations of their personality type, they can make accommodations for their weaknesses or soften overly direct qualities helping them in their handling of situational outcomes (Rutzick, 2007). During the training or coaching of leaders, many professional trainers or coaches choose to use the MBTI as the first step for helping the leader better understand who they are so they can better understand and lead others (Bentley, 2007). For any leaders to be truly effective they must be able to understand others, allowing them to tap into what motivates or drives an individual or group (Bentley, 2007). Personality testing provides that essential information. Work teams find personality testing to be helpful during times of conflict resolution as many times personality differences are at the center of most communication barriers (Bentley, 2007). By understanding their individual differences, team members learns to become more tolerant of the other because now they understand why the others think what they think or react the way they react to certain situations, this understanding creates a more cohesive and productive team (Bentley, 2007). Stronger cooperation will decrease costly turnover and increase job satisfaction because it stimulates open sharing and sparks creativity. (Robbins & Judge, 2008) Currently, there are eighty nine of the Fortune One Hundred businesses that employ the MBTI for their pre-hiring process, team building, and leadership identification and selection (Pepper et al. , 2005). Personality testing works and the results are trustworthy. To state it more directly, eighty nine of the top one hundred companies choose not to lower the bar, and place a higher importance on wanting to know who they are getting into business with before they make the job offer. This type of emphasis on the selection process helps these companies sustain the strong cultures that are in place, by realizing that several candidates will have the skill or the talent to perform at high levels (Robbins & Judge, 2008). They only hire the candidates that possess that high level to perform and exemplify the highest compatibility with the organization’s culture (Robbins & Judge, 2008). The MBTI has a history of proven success and worldwide acceptance as a pre-screening tool (Robbins & Judge, 2008). Many organizations make costly mistakes in the hiring of individuals only to discover that because of their personality they just do not fit in. Organizations utilizing testing, in cooperation with the appropriate interview process, greatly reduce costly hiring mistakes and job incompatibilities, while increasing individual and team performance. The trend in people management and development has moved from hard cutting and insensitive to a softer hyper-sensitive approach. It is time to find the middle ground between the engaged work environment and putting the right people in place that will achieve greater results. References Baker, B. (2008). HIRING HINTS. PM Network, 22(9), 26-27. Bentley, R. (2007). Fit for What Purpose?. Training and Coaching Today, n. p. Overholt, A. (2004). Personality Test: Back With a Vengeance. Fast Company, n. p. Pepper, T. , Kolesnikov-Jessop, S. , & Herman, M. (2005). Inside the Head of an Applicant. Newsweek, 145(8), E24-E26. Robbins, S. P. , & Judge, T. A. (2008). Organizational Behavior (13 ed. . Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Pentice-Hall. Rubis, L. , Fox, A. , Pomeroy, A. , Leonard, B. , Shea, T. F. , & Moss, D. et al. (2005, December 2). 50 FOR HISTORY. HRMagazine, 50, 10-24. Rutzick, K. (2007). Personality Test. Government Executive, 39(9), 22-23. Van Steenwyk, J. (2008). Using Tests to Screen Employees. Journal of Financial Planning, n. v, n. p.. Williams, R. L. , Verble, J. S. , Price, D. E. , & Layne, B. H. (1995). Relationship of Self-Management to Personality Types and Indices. Journal of Personality Assessment, 64(3), 494.

Where to Find FreeSSAT Practice Tests Complete Collection

Where to Find FreeSSAT Practice Tests Complete Collection SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you (or your child) are applying to a private or independent elementary, middle, or high school, you may have heard of the SSAT. Often used as an entrance exam, the SSAT is a series of standardized tests that can be administered to students in grades 3-11. The SSAT, or Secondary School Admissions Test, is a standardized exam often given to students hoping to enter a private or independent elementary, middle, or high school. If you want to boost your chances of getting into one of these schools, working on SSAT practice tests is a great way to do it. Here, I’ll discuss where you can find these practice tests (both official and unofficial), and how you should use them. I’ll wrap up with important SSAT test-taking tips. What’s on the SSAT? There are three different levels of SSAT tests. The number and type of questions on the test will depend on students’ grade level: Elementary Level - For students applying to grades 4-5 Middle Level - For students applying to grades 6-8 High School Level - For students applying to grades 9-12 Although the content will vary based on level, you’ll find these sections on each of the tests: An unscored writing sample A quantitative/mathematics section A reading comprehension section A verbal section Official SSAT Practice Tests When it comes to preparing for any standardized test, official practice tests or sample questions are the gold standard for study material. Using real SSAT questions will help you better understand exactly what you should expect on test day. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of official practice materials out there - not as many students prep for the SSAT as for other standardized tests (like the SAT or ACT). Here’s where you can find these official materials: Sample Questions The SSAT publishes official sample questions for each level of the exam. These are free, but the amount of material available is extremely limited: Elementary-level sample questions Middle-level sample questions Upper-level sample questions The SSAT Official Guides The makers of the SSAT publish official test prep guides that include sample questions and full-length practice tests. These are the best available sources for practice materials, as the other official resources don’t give students many problems to work with. To get your hands on the most recent Middle and Upper-Level Official Guides (2015-2016), you’ll have to purchase them through the SSAT website. These guides include two full-length practice tests, scoring instructions and explanations, descriptions of question types, and information about registering for the SSAT. Both the Upper and Middle-Level guides cost $37 through the site. The most recent Elementary-Level Guides (2015-2016) arefree to download through the SSAT site, although they include less information and less practice material than the guides available for purchase. They eachinclude one half-length practice test, info on test format and question types, sample testing schedule, test day info, and preparation advice. There are separate guides available for students in Grade 3 and Grade 4. How to Use Official SSAT Practice Tests and Questions Because official practice problems are hard to come by, you’ll want to be careful with how you use them. Like I mentioned, using official SSAT tests is really important when it comes to getting a feel for different question types and overall test format. I encourage you to save any full-length tests for mimicking real testing conditions. This means following through with all test policies and timing instructions in a controlled setting - it’s best if you can sit through an entire practice test all at once. This will give you the best idea of what your performance will be like on the actual exam. As for the sampling of official SSAT questions provided on the website? These are great for question analysis. As part of your study plan, spend some time looking closely at these questions and thinking about what they’re asking and how they’re written (spend extra time on questions you get wrong). Official SSAT questions have their own style and logic (unofficial sources usually aren’t great at imitating these sorts of questions). If you notice you’re having difficulty with a certain question type, these sample questions will serve as great practice and review. You don’t need to replicate exact testing conditions, but you’ll get the best practice experience if you treat full-length tests like the real thing. Unofficial SSAT Practice Tests Since there isn’t that much practice material for the SSAT, you may end up turning to unofficial sources for practice tests. Ivy Global Ivy Global has free questions organized by level and section. They may be helpful for reviewing test content, but they shouldn’t be used to get a feel for actual SSAT questions and format - the style in which the questions are presented are pretty different from the actual test. The materials available for download are best used if you print them out and work on them by hand since the actual SSAT is done on paper, not on the computer. Varsity Tutors Varsity Tutors offers free Upper-level and Middle-level practice, with questions organized by skill type. These might serve well as supplemental material, but don’t expect them to look like official SSAT practice problems. 4tests.com The questions on 4test.com aren’t particularly similar to what you’d see on the SSAT. You can only see one question at a time, and you can only work on them online. Key SSAT Test Taking Tips Now that you have access to all of this prep material, you may be wondering what to do with it. Follow these tips and strategies to get the most out of your SSAT prep. Start With a Real Baseline Start with a full SSAT test to get a baseline score. It’s important to use an official test for this, as unofficial diagnostic tests won’t give you a good sense of what the SSAT is like or what your strengths and weaknesses are. You can’t get a valid baseline score without using one of those official SSAT practice tests. Practice Skills and Review Content With Unofficial Materials Supplements Once you have your baseline, analyze your mistakes and errors (link out) and focus on your weaknesses. Most serious weaknesses will be in content comprehension - use study materials like textbooks and notes to raise your scores. Use Official SSATs as Full Practice Tests After you’ve spent some time improving on your weaknesses, use official practice tests to test your knowledge and gain familiarity with test formatting. Take these exams under real testing conditions - time them properly and work in a quiet room with no distractions. What’s Next? The SSATsaren’t the only standardized tests out there for younger students. Read more about ACT Aspire and get your hands on official practice tests. Thinking about the future? Read about whether you should start prepping for the SAT/ACT in 7th or 8th grade.

The Meg

The Meg Summary:This novel is basically about Jonas Taylor who theorizes that the Megalodon may still terrorize the deep seas of the Mariana Trench. Jonas discovered this might be true after his last dive. The real scary part is that now this beast has arisen from the hadal zone and is terrorizing humanity.Geographic ApplicationThis book talks about the geographical distribution of marine species and how it is controlled by the oceans temperature. Also talks about the interaction between humans and the Meg, the structure, environment and the way the Carcharodon Megalodon had survived.Jonas Taylor, a paleontologist, former Argonaut, bases his theories on a dive that took place seven years ago in the Mariana Trench causing two deaths of his fellow divers, he still believes that he saw the Meg that day. He theorizes that this great predator may still exist in a 1,550 mile isolated stretch, 7 miles down.Jonas JegersAgainst other scientists, his theory is that they even survived the ice age about two-million years ago not just the climatic changes that killed off the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. He believes that the Meg survived due to the tropical current occurring in the Pacific and due to the hydrothermical vents which also made it possible for new life forms to live there. But if the Meg did exist, then, it wouldn't be able to get to surface because of 6 miles of icy water above the warmer layer at the bottom, even if it is sixty-feet long, this predator wouldn't be able to swim fast enough to reach the surface warmer layers. His theories can be backed up by recent discoveries in 1873 by the first exploration vessel the British HMS Challenger which dived down to the deep-sea trench and discovered a fossilized nine-inch, razor sharp...

The Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican-American War

The Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican-American War On Sept. 13, 1847, the American army assaulted the Mexican Military Academy, a fortress known as Chapultepec, which guarded the gates to Mexico City. Although the Mexicans inside fought valiantly, they were outgunned and outnumbered and were soon overrun. With Chapultepec under their control, the Americans were able to storm two of the city gates and by nightfall were in tentative control of Mexico City itself. Although the Americans captured Chapultepec, the battle is a source of great pride for Mexicans today, as young cadets fought bravely to defend the fortress. The Mexican-American War Mexico and the United States had gone to war in 1846. Among the causes of this conflict were Mexicos lingering anger over the loss of Texas and the US desire for Mexicos western lands, such as California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The Americans attacked from the north and from the east while sending a smaller army west to secure those territories they wanted. The eastern attack, under General Winfield Scott, landed on the Mexican coast in March of 1847. Scott made his way towards Mexico City, winning battles at Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, and Contreras. After the Battle of Churubusco on August 20, Scott agreed to an armistice which lasted until Sept. 7. The Battle of Molino del Rey After talks stalled and the armistice was broken, Scott decided to hit Mexico City from the west and take the Belà ©n and San Cosme gates into the city. These gates were protected by two strategic points: a fortified old mill named Molino del Rey and the fortress of Chapultepec, which was also Mexicos military academy. On September 8, Scott ordered General William Worth to take the mill. The Battle of Molino del Rey was bloody but short and ended with an American victory. At one point during the battle, after fighting off an American assault, Mexican soldiers crept out of the fortifications to kill American wounded: the Americans would remember this hateful act. Chapultepec Castle Scott now turned his attention to Chapultepec. He had to take the fortress in combat: it stood as a symbol of hope for the people of Mexico City, and Scott knew that his enemy would never negotiate a peace until he had defeated it. The castle itself was an imposing stone fortress set on the top of Chapultepec Hill, some 200 feet above the surrounding area. The fortress was relatively lightly defended: about 1,000 troops under the command of General Nicols Bravo, one of Mexicos better officers. Among the defenders were 200 cadets from the Military Academy who had refused to leave: some of them were as young as 13. Bravo had only about 13 cannons in the fortress, far too few for an effective defense. There was a gentle slope up the hill from Molino del Rey. Assault of Chapultepec The Americans shelled the fortress all day on September 12 with their deadly artillery. At dawn on the 13th, Scott sent two different parties to scale the walls and assault the castle: although resistance was stiff, these men managed to fight their way to the base of the walls of the castle itself. After a tense wait for scaling ladders, the Americans were able to scale the walls and take the fort in hand-to-hand fighting. The Americans, still angry over their murdered companions at Molino del Rey, showed no quarter, killing many wounded and surrendering Mexicans. Nearly everyone in the castle was killed or captured: General Bravo was among those taken prisoner. According to legend, six young cadets refused to surrender or retreat, fighting to the end: they have been immortalized as the Nià ±os Hà ©roes, or Hero Children in Mexico. One of them, Juan Escutia, even wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and leaped to his death from the walls, just so that the Americans would not be able to take it in battle. Although modern historians believe the tale of the Hero Children to be embellished, the fact is that the defenders fought valiantly. Death of the Saint Patricks A few miles away but in full view of Chapultepec, 30 members of the St. Patricks Battalion awaited their grim fate. The Battalion was composed mainly of deserters from the US army who had joined the Mexicans: most of them were Irish Catholics who felt that they should be fighting for Catholic Mexico instead of the USA. The Battalion had been crushed at the Battle of Churubusco on August 20: all of its members were dead, captured or scattered in and around Mexico City. Most of those that had been captured were tried and sentenced to death by hanging. 30 of them had been standing with nooses around their necks for hours. As the American flag was raised over Chapultepec, the men were hanged: it was meant to be the last thing they ever saw. The Gates of Mexico City With the fortress of Chapultepec in their hands, the Americans immediately attacked the city. Mexico City, once built over lakes, was accessed by a series of bridge-like causeways. The Americans assaulted the Belà ©n and San Cosme causeways as Chapultepec fell. Although resistance was fierce, both causeways were in American hands by the late afternoon. The Americans drove the Mexican forces back into the city: by nightfall, the Americans had gained enough ground to be able to bombard the heart of the city with mortar fire. Legacy of the Battle of Chapultepec On the night of the 13th, Mexican General Antonio Là ³pez de Santa Anna, in overall command of the Mexican forces, retreated from Mexico City with all available soldiers, leaving it in American hands. Santa Anna would make his way to Puebla, where he would unsuccessfully try to sever the American supply lines from the coast. Scott had been correct: with Chapultepec fallen and Santa Anna gone, Mexico City was well and truly in the hands of the invaders. Negotiations began between the American diplomat Nicholas Trist and what was left of the Mexican government. In February they agreed on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war and ceded vast tracts of Mexican land to the USA. By May the treaty had been ratified by both nations and was officially implemented. The Battle of Chapultepec is remembered by the U.S. Marine Corps as one of the first major battles in which the corps saw action. Although the marines had been around for years, Chapultepec was their highest-profile battle to date: the Marines were among those who had successfully stormed the castle. The marines remember the battle in their hymn, which begins with From the halls of Montezuma†¦ and in the blood stripe, the red stripe on the trousers of the marine dress uniform, which honors those who fell at the Battle of Chapultepec. Although their army was defeated by the Americans, the Battle of Chapultepec is a source of much pride for Mexicans. In particular, the Nià ±os Hà ©roes who bravely refused to surrender, has been honored with a memorial and statues, and many schools, streets, parks, etc. in Mexico are named for them.

Management Function, Planning and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Assignment

Management Function, Planning and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Assignment Example The other idea is related to decision roles of the mangers. Every organisation operates on the basis of decisions made by the management in particular. It can be noted that organisations operate in a dynamic environment during the contemporary period hence there is need to make informed decisions that can shape their operations. Therefore, it is the role of the mangers to take a leading role in formulating decisions that are meant to improve the organisations of the company. Failure to do so may negatively impact on the operations of the organisation. The second takeaway I have learnt from this module is related to the aspect of planning. According to Robbins (1993), planning includes defining the goals, establishing a strategy and developing plans to coordinate activities. The most important lesson I have leant is that planning gives direction in an organisation. Without proper plans, the organisation is directionless and it may be very difficult for it to achieve its set goals. The refore, planning acts as a framework to guide the operations of an organisation so that the set goals and objectives can be achieve. Without plans, there are no goals to be achieved hence they are very important to the survival of any organisation. Planning is effective in that it helps in establishing a strategy of attaining the goals. Planning is not an end in itself but a means to an end. It helps the managers to put measures that can be taken in order to achieve the set goals. Without a proper strategy in place, it may be difficult to achieve the set goals since there is no direction to be followed. Planning also helps the managers to allocate the resources that are needed in the... Therefore, it is the role of the mangers to take a leading role in formulating decisions that are meant to improve the organisations of the company. Failure to do so may negatively impact on the operations of the organisation. The second takeaway I have learnt from this module is related to the aspect of planning. According to Robbins (1993), planning includes defining the goals, establishing a strategy and developing plans to coordinate activities. The most important lesson I have leant is that planning gives direction in an organisation. Without proper plans, the organisation is directionless and it may be very difficult for it to achieve its set goals. Therefore, planning acts as a framework to guide the operations of an organisation so that the set goals and objectives can be achieve. Without plans, there are no goals to be achieved hence they are very important to the survival of any organisation. Planning is effective in that it helps in establishing a strategy of attaining the goals. Planning is not an end in itself but a means to an end. It helps the managers to put measures that can be taken in order to achieve the set goals. Without a proper strategy in place, it may be difficult to achieve the set goals since there is no direction to be followed. Planning also helps the managers to allocate the resources that are needed in the execution of various tasks.

Audit report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Audit report - Essay Example The two major perceptions are in line with the Audit Report’s adding significant credibility to the companies’ financial statements. A credible financial statement is a good basis for making a more informed management decisions as well as stakeholders’ decisions (Asare, 2009). Consequently, the IAASB is currently processing the enhanced auditor’s report. The IAASB’s research focuses on adhering to the different stakeholders’ demand for a more informed audit report. The new audit report will serve as a global solution to global popular demand for a change in the current audit reports’ standardized formats. The stakeholders’ audit report request is grounded on the growing complexities of the financial reports. The stakeholders include the investors, residents, managers, community, and employees. The standard audit report formats include the qualified opinion format, unqualified opinion format, and the adverse opinion format. The same board correctly affirms that international leaders must do their share to ensuring the audit report contains additional information needed by the decision makers. A more informed audit report contains additional relevant and valid information pertaining to the fairness or trueness of the finan cial report data (IFAC.org, 2013). The new audit report will include some notable changes. One of the major changes is to necessarily allow the external auditors to include comments to their audit reports (Gold et al., 2009). One of the reasons for the changes are necessary is that the comments will deliver additional relevant and valid information to the stakeholders, in terms of auditor’s specific audit responsibilities and tasks. The external auditor’s favorable comments will surely encourage the investors, community leaders, creditors, customers, and other affected stakeholders to invest or enter into any relevant business transaction with the company. In this regard, the IFAC accounting board is

The Importance of Workforce Motivation within an Organization Research Paper - 6

The Importance of Workforce Motivation within an Organization - Research Paper Example The performance, productivity, competitive advantage, as well as the corporate social responsibility within a company, is all attributed to excellence in employee motivation. There are varieties of environmental types that are known to influence the ways in which motivation should be done. For Cadbury, it cannot be concluded that there is no motivation that takes place, but the paths utilized may not identify these major areas. These are inclusive of all external factors like economic, legal, technological, and social factors. The internal factors are leadership, structure, culture, processes, design of job, as well as the benefit factors. The personal factors are inclusive of experiences, aspirations, needs etc. The ways in which motivation is created within Kraft may be attributed to the concern driven towards the herein stated areas (Crouse 20). The motivation of organizational employees plays a pivotal role in the determination of success levels. The main goal of managers motivat ing employees is to reduce or completely eradicate employee turnover rates. The availability of inadequate employee motivational factors leads to the increment of employee turnover rates. The turnover rates that are high lead to the exhaustion of the organizational bodies, for instance, managers will tire training workers who end up working for other organizations. The enhancement of organizational competitive advantage is very crucial as enhanced by strategic employee motivation. Competitive advantage is sort via the utilization of competitive outsourcing strategies that are geared towards overcoming a volatile and competitive business environment. The satisfaction of employees acts as a driving force to the increment of their desire to perform activities related to the job. The retention of these employees makes the company go to higher heights, for instance, the Kraft Company that now supersedes the Cadbury Company. The value of the company gains a path for increment via employee satisfaction enhancement. The value is a rationale for the creation of company sustainability in a competitively volatile surrounding regardless of its size or other considerable factors (Crouse 21). Increased company performance is also attributed to the motivation of employees. Kraft has been recently in the overtaking business and has definitely overtaken Cadbury due to its emphasis on employee retention. The more the employees are retained within an organization, the greater the ultimate performance due to long periods of job acquaintances by the employees.

Memento Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Memento - Essay Example In the short story version â€Å"Memento Mori† a man named Earl has lost his short term memory after he and his wife were viciously attacked by an unknown assailant. His wife was killed in the attack but Earl sustained severe head injuries resulting in his short term amnesia. Because he can only remember things for about ten minutes at a time, he uses notes and tattoos to keep track of new information. The story goes between two time-frames. In the first time frame Earl is in a mental institution. The second time frame details his escape from the mental institution which he does not remember. During his escape he sets out to avenge the murder of his wife by finding her killer. Since Earl is lacking long term memory he relies on notes, tattoos and a third person narrative to help him. The story is told using the third person narrative along with a first person narrative. The first person narrative is told from Earl’s point of view with sentences beginning with â€Å"you †, while the third person narrative is an outsider to the story. â€Å" The function of the third-person narration is to juxtapose an external view of Earl with the internal views that Earl expresses in his writing. The third person narrator describes how Earl's short-term memory loss affects his behavior. The external narrator shows Earl stumbling around and reading his endless notes.† (Nolan n. pag.) Earl succeeds in killing his wife’s but cannot remember this incident. The story ends with Earl in the back of a police car after he is arrested for killing his wife’s’ murderer. The film â€Å"Memento† was directed by Christopher Nolan. (Jonathan Nolan’s brother) In it the main character is named Leonard Shelby. Like Earl, Leonard and his wife were attacked viciously by unknown assailants and his wife is killed in the attack. Leonard was brutally beaten by the same man who killed his wife and as a result of this vicious attack he has no short-term memory. Leonard killed the attacker who raped and strangled his wife, but a second clubbed him and escaped. After an investigation by law enforcement, police determined that the attacker who was killed by Leonard acted alone. However Leonard insists that there was a second attacker that he believed was named John G. Like Earl in the short story version Leonard conducts his own investigation using a system of notes and tattoos in order to help himself cope with short term memory loss. He also adds Polaroid photos to help him. However while Earl acted alone Leonard has the help of Natalie, a barmaid and Teddy who claims to be Leonard’s friend. These people seem to random people that Leonard comes across who do not seem to have anything to do with the other. (â€Å"Memento†)Unlike Earl who saw the face of his wife’s killer, â€Å"You remember his face†, (sheepdean), Leonard never saw the faces of the perpetrators in the attack. As a result he win ds up being manipulated by Teddy and Natalie into killing two wrong men. (â€Å"Memento†) The plot of the film version goes from the end of the movie to the beginning of the movie (end of the plot). There are color sequences interconnected with black and white sequences throughout the movie. (Memento) The black and white sequences begin with Leonard sitting in a motel room talking on the phone to an unknown person. The color sequences are also not shown in order. Once Leonard finds out the license plate of â€Å"

Theory of Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Theory of Knowledge - Essay Example This, therefore, leads to justification of our beliefs. Justification is established by the distinction between believing that something is true and between knowing that something is what it is. For instance, for a belief to be justified, it has to be endorsed by some other idea so that it can be dependable or relied upon. More so, the concept supporting it must be believed to be true and lastly, it is significant that we have a substantive or credible and viable reason for us to believe that the idea endorsing our belief is actually real. When all these ideas are put together, it constitutes true and credible knowledge. Additionally, it is important that our knowledge that we acquire be true or real. Truth is the capability of the information acquired being consistent with evident presented and truths about it. Thus, all information is believed to be true and it is known to be true, which in turn makes up credible, reliable knowledge. Rationality is the ability to act using reason i n relation to the facts of reality of certain scenario or situation (Allen 31). Thus, if one is having false knowledge, they are not in a position to act rationally but on the other hand, if they have true and credible knowledge, they will be in a position to act or behave rationally. It is vital to note that it is possible for people to act reasonably or rationality without their knowledge since they posses wrong knowledge. The only way to avoid such kind of situation is that individuals need to reason cautiously about any scenario before they act on it. Immanuel Kant formulated his principles regarding what is right and wrong. He developed a system of three questions he referred to as formulations which an individual need to ask before undertaking any action in order to decide upon ethicality of the action. It is significant for a person to ask himself if the action they are about to partake corresponds to a rule, which should be used universally. It is good to view other people a s our end objective rather than the means to gain personal goals. For Kant, the driving force is a determining factor to what extent can an action be regarded as ethical. This driving force is known as motive. Kant’s objective morality can be well understood from a more precise philosophical vocabulary (Allen 36-7). Although, it is natural that everything in the universe acts in accordance with the law, Kant argues that only rational beings in obedience and respect to the objective principle influenced by practical reason can influence their actions. Human beings have got subjective impulses such as desires and inclinations that may contradict how they reason. According to Kant, human beings hold a significant place in creation and morality can be said to be ultimate commandment of imperative or reason. For instance, objective principle includes acting in accordance with the law and ignoring other agents such as inclinations and desires in making moral judgments. Moral action is not justified if it is done out

Strategic Plan Part III Financial Plan of Health Care Organization Term Paper

Strategic Plan Part III Financial Plan of Health Care Organization selected in part 1 and 2 - Term Paper Example Financial planning provides projection of expected expenses and income aimed at establishing the project feasibility. Financial planning helps eliminate doubts regarding the success of projects through the provision of viable information regarding financial income and expenditures. The Bayshore hospital financial plan aims at establishing the costs for initiating the intended changes following formulation of a strategic plan. Numerous elements are considered in developing the financial plan to enhance detail accuracy of the provided estimations. The financial plan could be divided into two main sections of expenses and income (Ireland, 2006). Though these figures have been estimated, these predictions include market based values of item costs. Utilisation of market based costs should ensure closeness of the estimated budget to actual figures during operation. The budget presented here is an expansion project concerning diagnostic imaging project, intended for introduction into the hospital. These allocations can, therefore, be identified as departmental allocations for the diagnostic imaging department. The expenses section of this financial plan includes all the expected activities that shall involve the use of capital available at the disposal of the hospital. During the initial stage, a capital outlay of 2.5 million shall be invested into the purchasing of equipment and setup of the essential amenities necessary for undertaking the required diagnostic procedures. This shall become the overall project capital investment. Salaries of employees to be hired have been considered as the main expense. Salaries constitute the largest section of the budgetary allocation. Within this financial plan, they constitute 65% of the revenue collected from the project. 4% Salary increments are expected to be implemented during the third year, hence increasing

Theory of Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Theory of Knowledge - Essay Example This, therefore, leads to justification of our beliefs. Justification is established by the distinction between believing that something is true and between knowing that something is what it is. For instance, for a belief to be justified, it has to be endorsed by some other idea so that it can be dependable or relied upon. More so, the concept supporting it must be believed to be true and lastly, it is significant that we have a substantive or credible and viable reason for us to believe that the idea endorsing our belief is actually real. When all these ideas are put together, it constitutes true and credible knowledge. Additionally, it is important that our knowledge that we acquire be true or real. Truth is the capability of the information acquired being consistent with evident presented and truths about it. Thus, all information is believed to be true and it is known to be true, which in turn makes up credible, reliable knowledge. Rationality is the ability to act using reason i n relation to the facts of reality of certain scenario or situation (Allen 31). Thus, if one is having false knowledge, they are not in a position to act rationally but on the other hand, if they have true and credible knowledge, they will be in a position to act or behave rationally. It is vital to note that it is possible for people to act reasonably or rationality without their knowledge since they posses wrong knowledge. The only way to avoid such kind of situation is that individuals need to reason cautiously about any scenario before they act on it. Immanuel Kant formulated his principles regarding what is right and wrong. He developed a system of three questions he referred to as formulations which an individual need to ask before undertaking any action in order to decide upon ethicality of the action. It is significant for a person to ask himself if the action they are about to partake corresponds to a rule, which should be used universally. It is good to view other people a s our end objective rather than the means to gain personal goals. For Kant, the driving force is a determining factor to what extent can an action be regarded as ethical. This driving force is known as motive. Kant’s objective morality can be well understood from a more precise philosophical vocabulary (Allen 36-7). Although, it is natural that everything in the universe acts in accordance with the law, Kant argues that only rational beings in obedience and respect to the objective principle influenced by practical reason can influence their actions. Human beings have got subjective impulses such as desires and inclinations that may contradict how they reason. According to Kant, human beings hold a significant place in creation and morality can be said to be ultimate commandment of imperative or reason. For instance, objective principle includes acting in accordance with the law and ignoring other agents such as inclinations and desires in making moral judgments. Moral action is not justified if it is done out

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Discussion board week 2 - Assignment Example gists who keep abreast with the emerging technology trends to remain flexible and to take advantage of unforeseen developments in technology (Steers, 2010). Innovation is another problem facing most organizations today. In order to meet customer needs and specifications organizations today need to invest in innovation (Barret, 2005). They are eager to create advanced cultures in innovation. The management may analyze competition and use innovation processes to satisfy customers while maintaining the company’s mission, goals, and objectives. Uncertainty in supply driven by the changes in commodity prices, disruptions in weather changes, increased costs of raw materials and competition makes supply planning more challenging (Stecher, 2004). The solution to this problem is having proper pricing strategies and developing a supply chain strategy that minimizes supply of commodities and that which ensures the lowest costs. Globalization is another challenge that organizations face. It is important to understand foreign cultures to penetrate new markets. In addition, organizations need to penetrate new markets with existing products and designing products and services for customers who are new (Galliers, 2003). Have proper channel designs that ensure that products are available for consumption. Organizations need to understand new markets and cultures by effective planning, and managing cultural differences in order to be successful globally. Organizations face challenges from government policies and regulations from different countries. Increased costs due to the payment of taxes that are ever changing. Some governments have put barriers on some products, therefore making it difficult to conduct business. Managers need to understand the policies put by the government before conducting

Role of Popular Music in Transforming Conflict

Role of Popular Music in Transforming Conflict Abstract Can popular music play a role in conflict transformation and peacebuilding? This kind of question has started to generate a great deal of debate for peacebuilding scholars and pracitioners.   Most of the recent works have focused on the role of art as a whole without looking at particular form of art or particular genre within one form of art like music and assessing its contributions to creating a peaceful society. This paper is an attempt to show only the role popular music can play. It based on a research undertaken in Gulu town in northern Uganda. Findings show that music is playing a supporting role which is either little known or less recognized. In this paper, I argue that popular music is playing a significant role. I discuss how popular music is contributing and fostering conditions of conflict transformation and peacebuilding while relying on document analysis, examinations of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“peace musicà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? lyrics, field interviews and focus group discussion with the government officials, formerly LRA soldiers, musicians and the civilian population. A. Background to Northern Uganda conflict Northern Uganda has been in conflict for over two decades. This conflict is between the government of Uganda (GoU) and the Lordà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Resistance Army (LRA).The conflict is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“rooted in a popular rebellion against the President Yoweri Musevenià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s government.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[2] but when she was defeated in 1987, Joseph Kony took over the mantle of leadership. He transformed the HSM into the LRA and with support of the Government of Sudan in Khartoum; the LRA have been able to cause destruction on the civilian population in northern Uganda. The causes of the conflict are rooted in historical and immediate factors. These includes: The British colonial legacy which divided the north and south. Failure of the President Museveni to honor peace accord he signed in Nairobi in 1985 and finally the NRA violence inflicted on the Acholi when Museveni took over[3]. Since 1993, there have been numerous peace talksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ efforts to end the conflict but all failed to bring a lasting peace because à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s lack of firm political will behind a negotiation strategy and the LRAà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s turn to Sudan for arms re-supplies.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[7] The most recent attempt to end the conflict has been the Juba Peace Talks in 2006. This peace talks was held in Juba, the capital of South Sudan and it was mediated by Dr. Riek Machar, Sudanese vice president assisted by UN Special Envoy Joachim Chissano. In this peace talks, all four items of the agenda were signed[8]. But the final peace agreement has not been signed. The notorious leader of the LRA refused to sign the final peace agreement thus throwing the peace process in doubt. This led to a military offensive on LRA by the three countries: Uganda, Sudan and DRC and means the collapse of the peace talks. Peace building initiatives? Currently in northern Uganda, there is relative peace because the LRA have been weakened by the combined military offensive of the three nations. Many civilian populations in the 53 camps in northern Uganda are returning to their villages to rebuild their lives. Both the government and nongovernmental organizations are putting infrastructures: schools, roads and health centers to assist the former victims of conflicts resettle. But there are mixed feeling among the population whether they will have a lasting peace or not since not final peace agreement has been signed by the conflict parties. One of the key issues in northern Uganda during this transition is how to ensure victimsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ justice but à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Most prioritize peace over justice and show signs of reluctance countenance question of accountability.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[10] Since 2005, GoU through the Amnesty Commission have been working to resettle many LRA the ex-combatants and supported communityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s approaches to local methods for forgiveness, peacebuilding and reconciliation. B. Background to role of Music in Acoli society In Acoli society, music occupies a central place. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Music is the lifeblood of the society.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[15] à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Musicians and dancers were highly valued and admired for their skill and their ability to entertain.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[20]. Music in Acoli was mainly by an individual or a group singing and playing musical instrument like à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“lokeme (thumb piano), ajar, a metal percussion instrument, and sometimes the smaller drums (bul).à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[22] Rise of Popular Peace Music in Northern Uganda As the war in northern Uganda escalated, this was a proof that the conflicting parties had failed to resolve their grievances. There was total breakdown in communication between the parties. This resulted into lack of confidence and understanding of each party.[24]. This music is produced in à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“modernà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? studios across northern Uganda. Voices are produced on computer aided beats. There is wide use of modern musical instruments in the music. The lyrics are directed to the government, LRA and occasionally to the civilian population in northern Uganda, other parts of Uganda and the diasporas and international community. As many as 70-100 peace songs are produced annually[29]. C. Literature Review In the last decade, there have been some attempts to show that music can be used in peacebuilding.[32] The shortage of literature on the impact of music for conflict transformation and peacebuilding remains is a serious concern because stakeholders are constrained from making an informed decision on music can function as a tool of conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Perhaps the most groundbreaking work on music and peacebuilding to date is: Music and Conflict Transformation: Harmonies and Dissonances in Geopolitics.[35] Additionally, June Boyce illustrates à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“several models useful when considering the link between music and peaceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? and finally Johan Galtung reveals how music can be used for peace. He investigates à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the uplifting and uniting power music.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Ledarachà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Moral Imagination: the Art and Soul of Peacebuilding[36], empathizes use of creativity in peacebuilding. He used a number of examples to support his arguments about art and peacebuilding. Finally, Lisa Schirchà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Ritual and Symbols in Peacebuilding also supports the view of creativity in peacebuilding.[39] There are some articles which show the prospect of using music in peacebuilding. Michael Shank and Lisa Schirch,[42] Their analysis justifies the role of art while at the same time it is useful for informing peacebuilders on what kind of art to employ and at what stage of conflict. Lesley Pruitt explores how music can contribute to positive peace[44] She adds that music and dance can lead to development of new identity by both the artists and audience and it is this new identity can help in process of dialogue. Therefore, artists through their music can act as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“mediatorsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? because they create new identities and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s this new identity that can foster dialogue between the conflicting parties. Additionally, Alba Sanfeliu[45] discusses the role of music in peacebuilding. She remarks à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Music is an eloquent language that allows us to express what is happening around us in many senses, and to reflect the times and the situation in which we live. It is inseparable from our social, political, economic and cultural reality.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? She adds that music is also a form of communication. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Lyrics strengthen the message that the author wants to express, emphasizing the sense of the song.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Mores specially she touches on role of popular music and states that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“many singers and groups have composed songs with themes related to peace, personally becoming involved by giving concerts in solidarity with various social causes and making their music into a kind of spokesman and instrument for peace.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? She concludes by arguing for further exploration of music as a tool for conflict transformation. Finally, In conclusion, the reviewed works provide interesting insights into the role of art in general on conflict transformation and peacebuilding but there are not sufficient enough in explaining how specific genre like music and in particular, popular music contributes to conflict transformation and peacebuilding. To begin with, most of the studies done on role of music were based on document reviews and this makes it very difficult to reflect the true situation on the ground. Additionally, the reviewed works widely focus on art or music as a whole. None focuses on popular music. Finally, these studies were based on realities in different parts of the world some of which are significantly different from those in northern Uganda. This study attempts to show the impact of popular music on the conflicting parties in northern Uganda and how this has helped in conflict transformation and peacebuilding in northern Uganda. D. Purpose and Methods of the Study Research was carried out in Gulu Municipality and 2 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps of Amuru and Odek[49]. In all the three locations[51]. Interview guides were open-ended and gave respondents opportunity to speak out his/her mind. This was preferred in order to get more information about knowledge, attitudes and opinions of people about the role popular music in peacebuilding. There were 5 focus group discussions with 30 people (23 were former LRA soldiers and five female) to understand peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s perspective about the role popular music can or has played in peacebuilding[52]. The discussions were freely moderated by the researcher and every participant freely expressed their views during the discussions. Finally, all accessible relevant literatures on the topic were reviewed. These data were got from various libraries including Gulu University, Human Rights Focus, Gulu Public Library and Hesburgh library. E. Impact of Music in Northern Uganda Music and conflict has have long been connected but the role music can play in conflict transformation and peacebuilding have not long been studied although there are new and emerging work in the field[53]. Therefore, to assert that music can transform conflict and promote peacebuilding may be an exaggeration but also failure to recognize the role that music can play in conflict transformation and peacebuilding would again be an understatement facts. From results of focus group discussions and interviews with government officials in Northern Uganda, one can argue that music is playing a supporting role to the conflict transformation and peacebuilding in northern Uganda. Popular music is contributing by: Reaching the government leaders with messages to engage in the peace process, recognizing the government efforts while demanding for a speedy end to peace process, portraying the government failures through comparison of the Acoli society before and after the war thus making the government leaders to work for amendments and finally popular music has become a tool of communication that is now a constant reminder for government about its obligations for peace. a. Government In northern Uganda, popular music is being used to reach both government leaders to engage in peaceful resolution of the conflict. This has been carefully done through name dropping[58]. The impact of name dropping is found to create pressure on some leaders to use their positions to engage in peace process with the LRA because musicians represent the voice of the people. This makes the leaders reach out to the president asking for peaceful engagements with the LRA. According to one government leader: Northern Uganda is a small region. Each time musicians call my name in their songs, I feel I compelled to work for peace. The songs communicate to me personally. It appeals to me in a special way. It portrays me as a leader who can do something for my people. This creates the motivations for me to work for peace. To me, a voice of one musician is a voice of the people suffering in the internally displaced peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s camps[59] Therefore, name dropping has been an effective way of pushing some of the leaders to work for their people. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“It is a push factor for the leaders. It asks nothing from them but to use their position for the sake of the suffering people.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[60] Name dropping has an appropriate appeal for different leaders at a personal level to seek an end to conflict. This appeal is compounded by the fact that the songs are in the language the leaders understand, the leaders are widely known in the region and the songs brings out rich, truthful and powerful issues that goes on in the life of their own people. This motivates some leaders to engage in peacebuilding. Additionally, in a politically hostile region to the current NRM government[68]. This is summed up in one statement by former internally displaced man: When politicians in our community are openly praised by musicians in their songs, this sets the bar so high for politicians and their party because the songs are played on the FM stations across the northern Uganda. This is not only praises and recognition for their work, politicians know that as voters we use the same songs to judge them and hence some are working very hard for peace.[69] Given an environment like northern Uganda, which has been unfriendly to the current government because of the long running conflict, people have genuine grievances again their government[72] It recognizes and praises politicians and the government, while at the same time it sets a target for them to achieve thus leading to engagement of some political leaders in the peace process. Furthermore, the religious leaders have also not been spared by the popular artists. They have also been singled out for commitment to peace in northern Uganda and asked to do more in their capacity. Musicians like Bosmic Otim, one of the first popular artists to emerge in northern Uganda in early 2000 with very high popularity went on in his song, Too Paco, to appreciate one religious leader for his extra-ordinary courage and commitment on working for peace. He points out the impact of the war on the Acoli society. He suggests to the government to adopt the non-violent strategy of the religious leaders. He calls for a non-violence strategy because failure of the military strategy which has inflicted great pain on the civilian population. He goes on in his lyrics to say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s see example from Nelson Mandela who fought for peace non violent, let us see example from Bishop Mark Baker Ochola, who is emphasizing talk peace because war increases the death tollà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Such a creative way of sending peace messages by the popular artists have been effective. Popular music have been able to communicate peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s desire for peace to the religious leaders. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Popular music has become additional call to protect their flocks from wolves.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[76]. Furthermore, popular musicians have used their songs as a comparative tool for northern Uganda especially Acoli society. This comparison is based on looking back at Acoli society before the war and comparing it with the society during war. This evokes images of past governments as more successful than the current regime[79]. Some popular songs are explicit imagery of government failure.[82]   This careful manipulation of music to compare Acoli societies is disastrous for the image of the government and NRM political leadership. It has compelled some government leaders to do more to save its image by protecting its citizens while at the same time creating a task that peace is the ultimate goal the government has to achieve in order to avoid comparisons with the past regimes. Dida Moses, in his song Too Oroma-wa, ask a rhetorical question and goes to show the suffering, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Our people, spiritual leaders what do we do? War that started since has not ended, Strong homes have collapsed, Seeing people run for their lives is painfulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Cutting peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s legs, killing is so painful, Children are suffering, children sleep hungry, Children sleep with blankets, children do go to school, Today I pray to God, the rate of death is too muchà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? In some of these songs, the government commitment to northern Uganda is questioned indirectly. The reference to pre-Acoli society invokes images of better days of freedom, schooling, ability to meet basic needs and above all a peaceful society under previous government.[84]. This creates a drive for leaders to engage more in peace talks in order to deliver peace, the ultimate wish of the people. Finally, popular music is being used to communicate and remind government of its obligation for peace in a region where people seem to have given up after two decades of war and accepted the status quo. Musicians have not given up. They have continued to remind the government and create awareness about the war in northern Uganda, nationally and internationally.   Popular music is a constant à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“burdenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? and reminder to Acoli government leaders.[86] These peace concerts bring popular artists from all over the country in northern Uganda to sing for peace and fundraise for the IDP communities. In April 2004 feted Ugandan musician Jose Chameleone teamed up with Richard Kaweesa, another renowned Ugandan musician, in a peace restoration project called [87] In these musical concerts nothing else is sung about but peace.[90] Therefore, popular music has become medium of reminding the government on what people wants while at the same time creating awareness and building a coalition for peace in the northern Uganda which generates public pressure on the government to seek an alternative to the conflict As a result of this constant reminder and call to the government and LRA for peace, the governments of Uganda and South Sudan have come to recognize the role of music in conflict transformation and peacebuilding thus exhibiting the power of popular music in northern Uganda. In 2005, Loketo Lee, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the peace process. His contribution was first felt outside his own country-Uganda to Southern Sudan and Sudanese vice president, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Salvar Kiirà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦handed Loketo Lee a Peace Award for his contribution, through his music, to the countrys peace process.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[93]. This points to the role music can in a musically responsive society like northern Uganda. b. Lordà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Resistance Army In northern Uganda, popular music is being used for informing and educating the LRA on amnesty[95] These musical messages have had some impact on LRA through the radio. According to one participant, a former LRA foot soldier: Mega FM has been useful for amnesty messages. The religious leaders and also some songs were very influential in letting us know what amnesty was all about. When our leaders realized we were listening to amnesty messages whether talk shows or music, they stopped us and whoever was found was punished severely. From the perspective of some formerly abducted children interviewed, popular music on the FM stations particularly Mega FM proved to have been effective in disseminating amnesty information. Consequently, some LRA fighters were able to return home. This statement by the former LRA solders is corroborated by Boniface Ojok, in his remarks about the impact of radio communication to the LRA. On realizing that they were reducing in numbers, the LRA leadership discouraged its middle ranking commanders and foot soldiers from listening to radios. Many of the former LRA rebels we talked to said that when the LRA realized that radios were becoming so effective in luring the midlevel commanders and foot soldiers, a warning was issued that radios should be used only by the top leadership[96] Popular music therefore is being used to communicate important messages for the LRA. These messages are effective in informing and educating the LRA. To some former child soldiers, popular artist had become their role models. Some agreed to being persuaded by popular musicians. Their songs about amnesty and asking them to abandon the rebellion was informative and as well as appealing to them to come out of the bush[97]. Additionally, popular musical is helping in confidence building among the LRA.[100]   These cases have been used as propaganda by the LRA leadership to deter foot soldiers from returning but popular artists have razed this propaganda. Strong message for brotherhood, reconciliation, forgiveness and welcome have been sung by the musician including making a personal call to the LRA top leadership about their safety on return. Artists like Baby Dalvin, believes that amnesty from the government without further assurance from civilian population was not enough for the LRA to return.   The LRA fighters were aware of the pardon through the amnesty but they did not know how the civilian populations in the camps would be reacting to them. Government assurance from prosecutions was not enough. Artists had to step in and assure the LRA fighters about their safety from the civilian populations. Popular music was able to fill the void left by the government. Popular music sent assurances about safety and that people are willing to reconcile with them. These have been able to restore some level of confidence in the LRA. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Some artists have even called the LRA fighters as brothers and for Acoli people when someone has called you a brother that is best assurance of acceptance without revenge.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[102] Similarly, when the leaders of the LRA were indicted by International Criminal Court, its impact was expected on the peace process.[105] Such opposition of the external forces to the peace process has been cited to create confidence on the LRA because they feel the masses and the government are willing to save them ICC prosecutions. Thus the artists have been able to add their voice to already a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“hostileà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? region to ICC creating a feeling of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“safetyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? among some LRA from the government and people in northern Uganda. Furthermore, the role popular music is playing today is a replica of the role songs played in Acoli traditional community. Traditionally, songs were used to entertain and teach. Leaders with unruly behaviors were mocked.[107] This role of music still lives on in the popular music today. Popular artists have not downplayed the atrocities the LRA have committed in the two decades. Lyrics reflect LRA atrocities and challenge the LRA. Popular music have exposed the atrocities and blamed the LRA. Artists have reacted to what they see as contrary to societal values. In northern Uganda, both the government and the LRA have been seeking to dehumanize and blame each for the atrocities but many popular artists have blamed LRA and asked them to end atrocities. Towngweno, in their song, Bedo I camp, hits the LRA à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“everyone is talking with name, what popularity are you seeking? Orphans, widows are becoming many because of you!   Why do you want to finish Acoli?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Such songs not only expose but also strike guilt for atrocities among the LRA[112] à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I am alone now! What can I say? I am now alone in our home! What can I say? I now have no mother, No sister, No brother, No father, No uncle, War has finished all the sons and daughters of Acolià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? According to another respondent, a former rebel, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“popular music have summed up what has happened and if you have carried such atrocities you feel compelled to lay down your gun and come and ask for apologies.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[114] Finally, popular artists have used their music to frame the conflict in a way that affects the LRA positively forcing them to reconsider peace.[116] The framing has changed perceptions and made information relevant and persuasive to the LRA. The framing is based on the notion of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“defeatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“interestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? of the LRA in the war. To many people interviewed, the conflict should have been ended if the government had pursued peaceful means[120] in his songs, Dok Paco, he plays with the notion of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“defeat.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? He calls the LRA to negotiate with the government. He says à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“negotiating does not mean you are defeatedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? to dispel the myth defeat.   Additionally, Bosmic Otim frames the conflicts on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“interestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? of the LRA. While the LRA claims to be fighting for marginalization of people in northern Uganda, they are at the same time committing gruesome violence on the people. Bosmic, in his song Peace Returns, he says à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“If a government soldier dies tomorrow, you will find an Acoli, if a LRA soldier diesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦you will find an Acoli.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? His framing reinforces the view that one tribe is finishing itself meaning there is no point in continuing the fight. These framings help in changing perceptions. It can be very persuasive. According to former rebels, they cited two impacts. First, they have been persuaded by this framing which made some rebels à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“ready to move to another life?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[121] Secondly, they have been able to see the reality of the conflict and its impact. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“We were able to see the other side of the coin.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This frame has made some large-scale changes in society. Concluding Observations Music has some problems too. There are in fights among some popular musicians and this has sometimes affected their position in society as peacebuilder. There have been incidences of popular artist fighting and how can they talk for peace if they are involved in violence. This is simply because of public rating people give to the peace songs. This has resulted into creating camps among the popular artist leading t to in fights. Additional, commercial interest of some musicians and recording artists has overshadowed peace music. Many times they are diverted from real issues and forced to sing what the government wants or because their promoters have already got money. This causes diversion and hence reduction in the peace messages in northern Uganda Furthermore, some upcoming popular artist stated that there is alot of politics of the FM stations which only play music from recognized artists leaving them to suffer and languishing with their peace songs. Some artist suggested that music managers at the FM stations ask them lump sum money to include their songs on their playlist. This limits the peace songs to only a few and popular artist leaving out some upcoming musicians. This sometimes kills the potential of young artist who could be having genuine interest in promoting peacebuilding in the region. Finally, artists also expressed fear at the government. Some artist believe they cannot confront the government because they fear for the lives and fear that FM stations will not play their songs and this limits them from being neutral and hence affecting their reputation and neutrality in the songs. In spite of these limitations, there are also a number of arguments why popular music is still effective in conflict transformation and peacebuilding in the case of northern Uganda. To begin with, in considering that music can contribute to peacebuilding, one has to look at the cultural context. In northern Uganda has been sued since time in memorial..Therefore, this provides a best opportunity to use music further for peacebuilding. Secondly, within music, there are more than songs. There is communication, rhythm and movement which when combined becomes a very powerful gesture for peace. In listening to music and watching videos, one can see that these are very effective in reinforcing There is very good creativity and understanding of the local context by musicians. The use of name dropping was suggested by one politician as the most effective way Finally, the popular music is very relevant to local issues in northern Uganda. Music and power especially electoral democracy In this article, only a limited number of songs, most of which come from the musical genre à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Bongo Flavaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ have been described. There are undoubtedly songs about AIDS from other types of music, including gospel music that may be influential. Nevertheless, the songs described here do provide insight into the promise held by utilizing musicians as popular opinion leaders and song as a medium not only to convey important health information, but also as a mechanism for triggering social and behavior changeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.SHERI BASTIEN [122] 4 [(]* Is a MA candidate at the University of Notre Dame. He earned a B.A. in Humanities from Makerere University. He also holds a Post-graduate diploma in Conflict Management and Peace Studies and a Post-graduate diploma in Education from Gulu University. He has served as an Information Officer for a relief organization and a health communication group. Recently, he worked for the Norwegian Refugee Council as communication and Monitoring and Evaluation Manager. He has conducted many researches on the role of the media in conflict transformation in northern Uganda. [1] Moses Cyprus Okello and Lucy Hovil, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Confronting the Reality of Gender Based Violence in Northern Uganda,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? The International Journal of Transitional Justice 1(3) 2007: 375-390. [2] See Behrend, Heike, Alice Lakwena and the Holy Spirits: War in Northern Uganda, 1985-97 (James Currey, Oxford 1999) [3] See Allen, Tim, 1991, Understanding Alice: Ugandaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Holy Spirit Movement in Context. Africa, vol. 61, no. 3, pp. 370-399. Branch, Adam, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Neither Peace, nor Justice: Political Violence and the Peasantry in Northern Ugandaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ (2005) 8(2) African Study Q 1, [4] Lomo, Zachary and Hovil, Lucy, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Behind the Violence: Causes, Consequences and the Search for Solutions to the War in Northern Uganda,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Refugee Law Project Working Paper No. 11 (February 2004), p43 http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4a3f8d3c1e.html [accessed 21 January 2010] [6] Moses Cyprus Okello and Lucy Hovil, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Confronting the Reality of Gender Based Violence in Northern Uganda,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? The International Journal of Transitional Justice 1(3) 2007: 375-390. [7] See Justice and Reconciliation Project, Cooling of the Hearts: Community Truth Telling in Acholi-land,   2007, 6 http://www.csopnu.net/?jc=juba [accessed 21 January 2010] [9] Moses Cyprus Okello and Lucy Hovil, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Confronting the Reality of Gender Based Violence in Northern Uganda,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? The International Journal of Transitional Justice 1(3) 2007: 375-390. [10] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [11] Interviews with a 67 year old in Odek, 27 December 2009 [12] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [13] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [14] Schumann, Anne à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Beat that Beat Apartheid: The Role of Music in the Resistance against Apartheid in South Africa,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Stichproben. Wiener Zeitschrift fÃÆ' ¼r kritische Afrikastudien Nr. 14/2008, 8. Jg., 17à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?39 p:2 [15] Kaiser, Tania 2006. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Songs, Discos and Dancing in Kiryandongo, Ugandaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Vol. 32, no. 2, March 2006, pp. 183à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å"202, pp184 [16] Ibid 188 [17] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [18] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [19] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [20] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [21] Kaiser, Tania, pp 7 [22] Kaiser, Tania, pp 7 [23] Interviews with a leader, Odek, 27 December 2009 [24] Interviews with a musician, Gulu Town, 3rd January 2010 [25] Interviews with a studio owner in Gulu Town, 23rd December 2009 [26] There are 5 radio stations in Gulu [27] There are 10 recordi