Why a College Education Is Important to Me

Heather Keller AC1300869 EN110 Achieving Academic Excellence Assignment 5_06 Why a College Education is Important to Me April 17, 2013 The importance of an education in today's society proves demanding and also essential. To understand the importance of education, we must first understand what education entails. Education can be described as the process of learning and applying the materials learned to everyday situations. Education plays an important role in our success in this ever changing world.As our economy explodes with many advances, the necessity for education grows considerably. As an adolescent in high school we begin to examine the significance of that of an education. Questions pertaining to our choice in a particular career field, the amount of salary that we desire, and the goals we wish to obtain may arise. The choice to pursue a college education can open numerous opportunities. Also a college education will improve your overall success throughout life.In securing a future involving a college education, one must be dedicated to spending several hours to studying and obtaining realistic goals. The advantages to obtaining a college education are endless. For most individuals the clear cut advantage is a higher paying salary. According to the U. S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, an individual with a bachelor's degree earned more than twice as much as those without a high school diploma or equivalency.Opportunities for employment are in higher demand for those who demonstrate higher more efficient knowledge. The knowledge or skills gained from attending college with help further guide you throughout life. With multiple career opportunities available, college proves to be beneficial to a persons success. Another advantage to having a college education is the personal growth and development that a person acquires during this time. For myself, personal growth is a main factor for achieving my personal goals.Personal growth and development can be described in many different forms. Mental, physical, financial, and emotional are just a few examples. The sense of accomplishment or personal gain received from applying one's self, is an advantage all in its self. The importance of an education has been repeatedly stated by several of history's inspirational leaders, such as Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin stated â€Å"Genius without education is like silver in the mine. † Also he stated â€Å"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. These ingenious words are clear in their meaning and hold a very inspirational thought. The rationale for pursuing a college education is all to clear. The outcome that arises from extended education has proven more beneficial compared to those of a high school graduate. Potential for better career opportunities, higher pay salary, advancements in career fields and personal satisfaction are clear advantages to the importance of a college education. References: Brainyquote. com Author: Benjamin Franklin Source: National Center for Education Statistics The Condition of Education 2012 Why a College Education Is Important to Me Heather Keller AC1300869 EN110 Achieving Academic Excellence Assignment 5_06 Why a College Education is Important to Me April 17, 2013 The importance of an education in today's society proves demanding and also essential. To understand the importance of education, we must first understand what education entails. Education can be described as the process of learning and applying the materials learned to everyday situations. Education plays an important role in our success in this ever changing world.As our economy explodes with many advances, the necessity for education grows considerably. As an adolescent in high school we begin to examine the significance of that of an education. Questions pertaining to our choice in a particular career field, the amount of salary that we desire, and the goals we wish to obtain may arise. The choice to pursue a college education can open numerous opportunities. Also a college education will improve your overall success throughout life.In securing a future involving a college education, one must be dedicated to spending several hours to studying and obtaining realistic goals. The advantages to obtaining a college education are endless. For most individuals the clear cut advantage is a higher paying salary. According to the U. S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, an individual with a bachelor's degree earned more than twice as much as those without a high school diploma or equivalency.Opportunities for employment are in higher demand for those who demonstrate higher more efficient knowledge. The knowledge or skills gained from attending college with help further guide you throughout life. With multiple career opportunities available, college proves to be beneficial to a persons success. Another advantage to having a college education is the personal growth and development that a person acquires during this time. For myself, personal growth is a main factor for achieving my personal goals.Personal growth and development can be described in many different forms. Mental, physical, financial, and emotional are just a few examples. The sense of accomplishment or personal gain received from applying one's self, is an advantage all in its self. The importance of an education has been repeatedly stated by several of history's inspirational leaders, such as Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin stated â€Å"Genius without education is like silver in the mine. † Also he stated â€Å"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. These ingenious words are clear in their meaning and hold a very inspirational thought. The rationale for pursuing a college education is all to clear. The outcome that arises from extended education has proven more beneficial compared to those of a high school graduate. Potential for better career opportunities, higher pay salary, advancements in career fields and personal satisfaction are clear advantages to the importance of a college education. References: Brainyquote. com Author: Benjamin Franklin Source: National Center for Education Statistics The Condition of Education 2012

Indian Financial System

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT ON INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM & SOURCES OF LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM FINANCES SUBMITTED BY, PREMJITH. A P10144 PGDM 2010-12 INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The financial system in india refers to the system of borrowing and lending of funds or the demand for and the supply of funds of all individuals, institutions, companies and of the government.Commonly the Indian financial system is classified into: * Industrial finance: funds required for the conduct of industry and trade * Agricultural finance: funds needed and supplied for the conduct of agriculture and allied activity * Development finance: funds needed for development; actually it includes both industrial finance and agricultural finance * Government finance: relates to the demand for a nd supply of funds to meet government expenditure The mobilization of savings and the effective distribution of the savings among all those who demand the funds for investment purposes. The banking system, the insurance companies, mutual funds, investment funds and other institutions which promote savings among the public, collect their savings and transfer them to the actual investors * The investor in the country composed of individuals investors, industrial investors, industrial and trading companies and the government, these enters in the financial system as borrowers. FUNCTIONS OF INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The Indian financial system performs a crucial role in economic development of india through saving investment process also known as capital formation. Sometimes it is also calls financial market.The purpose of financial market is to mobile savings efficiently and allocates the same efficiency among the ultimate users of funds, ie: investors * Increase in savings, that is resources that are would have been normally used for consumption purposes should be released for other purposes. * Mobilization of savings – domestic savings collected by banking and financial institutions and placed at disposal of actual investors; and * Investment proper, which is the production of capital goods. COMPOSITION OF THE INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The Indian money market is the market in which short term funds are borrowed and lent.The capital market in india on the other hand, is the market for medium- term and long term funds. Reserve bank of india Organized sector Sub Market Unorganized sector Public sector banks Private sector banks NBFC IDFC, GIC, LIC Call money T- Bills Certificate for Deposit Commercial Papers SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM FUNDS SHARES Shares comes in the Long term funds. A share is a unit of capital of the company. It has a definite face value. It represents ownership rights of their holders. Buyers of shares are called shareholder and they are legal owners of the firm whose shares they hold.Each shareholder invest their money in the shares of a company in exception of a return on their investment capital. The return of shareholder consists of dividend and capital g ain. Share holder make capital gain or (loss) by selling their share. Each share carries a distinct number. Shares are transferable units. Shareholders are of two type ORDINARY and PREFERENCE shareholders. Preference share: These shares have preference over the ordinary shares in terms of payment of dividend and repayment of capital if company is wound up. They may be issued with or without a maturity period.REDEEMABLE PREFERENCE SHARE are shares with maturity and IRREDEEMABLE PREFERENCE SHARES without any maturity. The holder of preference shares get dividend at a fixed rate. With regards to dividend, preference shares may be issued with or without cumulative features. In the case of CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES unpaid dividends accumulate and are payable in the future. Dividends in arrears do not accumulate in the case of NON CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES. Features of Preference share Claim on income and assets: preference share is a senior security as compared to ordinary share.It has a prior claim on the company’s income in the sense that the company must first pay preference share dividend before paying the ordinary dividend. Fixed dividend: The dividend rate are fixed in the case of preferences share, and preference dividend are not tax deductable. Cumulative dividend: that all past unpaid dividend be paid before the ordinary dividends are paid. Ordinary Shares: represents the ownership position in a company. The holders of ordinary shares called shareholders are the legal owners of the company. Ordinary shares are the sources of permanent capital since they do not have a maturity date.However, the ordinay shareholders are entitled to receive dividends. The amount or rate of dividends are not fixed. An ordinary share is called variable income security. Being the owner the company, shareholders bear the risk of ownership; they are entitled to dividends after the income claims of others have been satisfied. Similarly, when the company is wound up, th ey can exercise their claim on assets after the claims of other suppliers of capital have been met. Features of Ordinary shares: Claims on income: Ordinary shareholders have a residual ownership claim.They have a claim to the residual income, which is earnings available for ordinary shareholder after paying expenses, interest charges, taxes and preference dividend. Claim on asset: Ordinary shareholder have residual claim on company asset in case of liquidation. Voting rights: Ordinary shareholder are required to vote on a number of important matters. The most significant proposals include: election of directors and change in memorandum of association. RIGHTS ISSUE When company distributes all earnings to shareholders, then, it can reacquire new capital from the same sources by issuing new shares called rights shares.BONDS A bond is a long term debt instrument or security. Bonds issued by the government do not have any risk of defaults. The private sector companies also issue bonds, which are called debentures. A company can issue secured and unsecured debenture. In case of bonds and debentures, the rate of interest is generally fixed and known to investors. Features of Bonds * Face value is the par value. A bond is generally issued at a par value of Rs:100 or Rs:1000, and interest in paid on face value. * Interest rate is fixed and known to bondholders.Interest paid on a bond is tax deductable. Interest rate is called coupon rate. * Maturity bond is generally issued for a specified period of time. It is repaid on maturity. * Redemption value The value that a bondholder will get on maturity is called redemption or maturity value. A bond may be redeemed at par or at premium or at discount. * Market value A bond may be traded in a stock exchange. The price at which it is currently sold or bought is called the market value of the bond. Market value may be different from par value or redemption value.Bonds may be classified into three (1) Bond with maturity (2) Pur e discount bonds (3) Perpetual bonds Bond with maturity The companies issue bonds that specify the interest rate and the maturity period. Pure discount bonds These bonds do not carry an explicit rate of interest. It provides for the payment lump sum amount at a future date in exchange for the current price of bond. Perpetual bonds These bonds are also consols, has an indefinite life and therefore, it has no maturity value. Types of Debentures * Convertible debenture (CD) * Non convertible debenture (NCD) * Fully convertible debenture (FCD) * Partly convertible debenture (PCD)WARRANTS A warrant entitles the purchaser to buy a fixed number of ordinary shares at a particular price during a specified time period. Warrants are generally issued along with debentures as sweeteners. Warrants are used in conjunction with ordinary or preference shares. Characteristics of Warrants Exercise price of a warrant is the price at which its holder can purchase the issuing firms ordinary shares. Exerc ise ratio states the number of ordinary shares that can be purchased at the exercise per warrants. Expiration date is the date when the option to buy ordinary shares in exchange of warrants expires.Detachability the warrant can either be a detachable or non detachable. Detachable warrants Warrant can be sold separately from debentures to which it is originally attached Non detachable warrants cannot be sold separately from the debenture to which it was originally attached. Some of the other methods used for raising long term capitals, * CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERNCE SHARE * DERIVATIVE SECURITIES * BORROWING FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (BANKS) SHORT TERM FUNDS It is the market for near money, or it is the market for lending and borrowing of short funds.It is the market for lending and borrowing short term surplus investible funds of banks and other financial institution are demanded by borrowers comprising individual companies and the government. The composition of Indian money mar ket consist of Call money market One important submarket of the Indian money market is the Call money market, which is the market for very short term funds. This market is also known as money at call and short notice. This market has two segments (a) the call market or overnight market and (b) short notice market. The rate at which unds are borrowed and lent in this market is called the call money market. Call money rates are market determined by demand and supply of short term funds. The public sector banks account for about 80% for the demand and foreign banks and Indian private sector banks account for the balance of 20% of borrowings. NBFC’s like IDBI, GIC, LIC are call money market lenders. Bill market in India The bill market ir the discount market is the most important part of the money market where short bills normally up to 90days are bought and sold. The bill market is further subdivided into commercial bill market and treasury bill market.The 91 day treasury bills are the most common ways the government of india raises funds for the short period. Government has also introduced the 182 day T-Bills and 364 day T-bills, In 1997 government introduced 14 day T-Bill. Dated government securities The government of india has also decided to sell dated securities on an auction basis. The purpose of this government decision is: * To develop dated securities as a monetary instrument with flexible yields * To provide financial instrument to suit investors expectation, and * To meet Government needs directly from the market.Repo and reverse repos Repos are now a regular feature of RBI’s market operations, If the banking system experience liquidity shortage, then RBI comes to assist banking system by repurchasing government securities. When the government securities are repurchased from the market, payment is made by RBI to commercial banks and this adds to their liquidity and enables them to expand their credit to industry and trade. Reverse repo is to sell dated securities through auction at fixed cut off rate of interest.The objective is to provide short term avenue to banks to park their surplus funds. Certificate of Deposits (CD) The CD’s are another important money market instrument. They were issued by banks in multiples of Rs:25 lakhs to expand the investor base of CD’s, the min: value was reduced and is presently Rs: 1 lakhs. The maturity is between 3 months and one year. CD ‘s are freely transferable after 45 days after the date of issue. CD’s became immediately popular with banks for raising resources at competitive rates of interest.Commercial papers (CP) The commercial papers are issued by companies with networth of Rs 10 crores, later reduced to Rs: 5 crores. The CP is issued multiples of Rs. 25 lakhs subject to minimum issue of Rs 1 crore. The maturity of Cp is between 3 to 6 months. The purpose of introducing CP is to enable high level corporate borrowers to diversify their source of s hort term borrowings on the one hand and provide an additional instrument to the banks and financial instrument in the money market.Reference: Financial Management by I M Pandey

Measurements Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Measurements Paper - Essay Example Finally the paper concludes with the statement of present research's variables and describe the types of reliability and validity that is intended to be used in respect of such variables. The target object of the proposed research is to evaluate service quality performance versus customer expectations of the same. A variable is a data that can assume one or more attributes called its values. The level of measurement refers to the relationship among the values that are assigned to the attributes for a variable. Level of measurement is important as it helps researcher to decide how to interpret the data from that variable. It also helps the researcher to decide what statistical analysis is most appropriate on the values that were assigned. As is typically posited four levels of measurements are identified i.e nominal(here the numerical values just "name" the attribute uniquely; no ordering of the cases is implied),ordinal( here measurement of the attributes can be rank-ordered and distances between attributes do not have any meaning),interval(in such measures distances between attributes do have meaning) and ratio(in such measurement there is always an absolute zero that is meaningful; this means that you can construct a meaningful fraction (or ratio) with a ratio variable).(Trochim,2006-a). Th ese measurements have to be reliable and valid in an integrated manner and based on true score theory of measurement. to ensure high quality (Trochim, 2006-b). Unobtrusive measures are measures that don't require the researcher to intrude in the research context. Direct and participant observation requires that the researcher be physically present.Reseracher presence can affect respondent behavior and response. Three kinds of unobtrusive measures are normally used in social science research: Indirect Measures, Content Analysis and Secondary Analysis of Data(Trochim,2006-c).In short, unobtrusive measurement work to reduce the bias caused by researcher's presence but result in lesser control over the data. The earlier paper on relationships had identified the primary constructs as: reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibles, and business success in relation to services' quality. Construct validity refers to the degree to which inferences can legitimately be made from the operationalizations in your study to the theoretical constructs on which those operationalizations were based. Construct validity involves generalizing from the program or measures to the concept of such program or measures (Trochim, 2006-d). Threats to construct validity may be caused by not properly defining operationally the constructs; using only one version of your treatment; inadequacy of using a single measure to look at a particular concept; interactions between different treatments; interaction of the testing and the treatment; unanticipated consequences etc.( Driebe ) It is posited here that answers to the proposed

Discussion question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Discussion question - Essay Example Chips (1939)† is based on. The profession of a teacher â€Å"demands character and courage", Mr. Chipping is warned in the beginning. What makes the film interesting is the way he succeeds in proving his spirit of professionalism and the way he establishes the necessity to go beyond the university degree in pursuit of having ‘character and courage’ which would help him impart knowledge to the students in the light of the professionalism. So is it just character and courage that takes a teacher to succeed in giving â€Å"you something to take home to think about besides homework† (Tomlin)? We can think about so many other characters that a teacher must possess although the two aforementioned is as much necessary. In fact I would say that the function of a teacher should take a form which is full. Therefore he must justify the full form of TEACHER. He must teach, educate, advise, change, help, encourage and rear; all the qualities of which is given, not by a university degree but by the ability to go beyond it! Quite influentially, Howard Gardener in his theory of multiple intelligences has pointed out that the concentration that the schools tend to give on logical intelligence and linguistic intelligence (mainly reading and writing) does not help in imparting actual knowledge for, not many students excel in this area of intelligence. An education institution thus, must have an approach of such kind that serves the broader vision of the education. That would be possible if the teacher utilizes different methodologies, techniques, exercises and activities that cater to not only those students who excel in logical and linguistic intelligence but also to those who do not. (Theory of Multiple Intelligences). I once undertook a test in the net (Assesment: Find Your Strengths) developed by Dr. Terry Armstong based on the theory aformentioned and was happy to score 3.29 points in my top three intelligences while the highest that can be scored is 5. My top

Media and Cultural Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Media and Cultural Diversity - Essay Example These movies constructed white men as heroes and guardians of morality and civilization, white women as frail but morally superior figures, and African-American and immigrant men and women as uncontrollable sexual deviants who threatened civilization. These films reflected the fears of the white middle class that massive immigration, waves of black migration to the North, and the increasingly public role of women were irrevocably changing American society and threatening the power of the traditional dominant group in the United States: white middle- and upper-class men. In the 1910s and 1920s the film industry was fascinated with rape in silent feature films. Out of a sample of fifteen of the most popular feature films from 1915 through 1927, eleven contained single or multiple scenes of attempted rape.(1) The attempted rape served as a transitional point for the films and indicated some momentous change in the story line was about to occur. But more importantly rape also acted as a metaphor for larger cultural concerns. Indeed, the action initiated by the sexual violence operated as a symbolic episode that legitimized the power and dominance of white men of the middle and upper classes, who were united through a common culture of respectability that emphasized etiquette and genteel values (Bushman, 1993). Attempted rape scenes in these popular films developed a triangular relationship between the white, manly hero saving his white, female love interest from the sexual violence of the African-American or immigrant rapist. Such plots were based upon a long tradition of melodramatic story-telling with clearly defined notions of good and evil, and many films followed the time-worn traditions of the past. But because films defined white men as good and powerful, white women as objects of sexual violence or adoration, and African-American and immigrant men as violent, all helped to reinforce the cultural perception that white middle-class men were powerful, and that civilization depended on that power. These films defined images of all three types of people by juxtaposing them against the others: logical and powerful white manhood contrasted with weak and passive womanhood and with the destructive sexual energy of the more "primitive" manhood of African-American and southern- and eastern-European men. In short, silent feature films often used rape to preserve and support dominant white manhood, to subordinate women, and to perpetuate negative stereotypes of non-Caucasian males. Further, the metaphorical form these movies used to c onvey that power--rape--also created a highly charged atmosphere of sexuality. Dersu Uzala [1975]: This film, directed not by a Russian but a Japanese (the famous director, Kurosawa) using mostly Russian or Soviet actors and staff, is nonetheless a classic of Russian cinema in the same way that the St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow is a symbol of Russia despite having been designed by an Italian. An Imperial Russian Army survey party in pre pre-WW1 times goes to chart previously uncharted lands in Eastern Siberia.

Main Tenets of the Theory in Criminal Justice Essay

Main Tenets of the Theory in Criminal Justice - Essay Example Social learning theories explain that people learn new behavior through overt reinforcement, punishment or observation. People learn through others’ behavior.   If people observe positive, desired outcomes in the observed behavior, they are more likely to model, imitate, and adopt the behavior themselves.   It also suggests that the environment can have an effect on the way people behave.   This theory believes that criminality is a function of individual socialization, how an individual has been influenced by his experiences or relationships with his family, peer groups, teachers, church, authority figures, and others.   Various theorists have attempted to develop concepts on how an individual within the social order learns. This has been an important topic because of the manner in which different people function within society. For example, the habitual criminal may not always learn from a jail sentence because of behavioral patterns learned in childhood. Yet, if this is the case, criminal justice entities, as well as psychological therapists have a method of understanding the behavior and treating it.     Learning is defined as the habits and knowledge that develop as a result of experiences with the environment, as opposed to instincts, drives, reflexes, and genetic predispositions. Associationism is the oldest learning theory.  It is based on the idea that the mind organizes sensory experiences in some way, and is called cognitive psychology today.  Behaviorism is the second oldest learning theory.  It is based on the idea that the mind requires a physical response by the body in order to organize sensory associations.  There are two types of learning in behavioral psychology: classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Most social behavior is of an operant nature.  

Exclusionary rule Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Exclusionary rule - Essay Example It was applied in 1955 in California supreme court in a case between people V. Cahan, so by almost 1960, 22 sates in USA adopted the rule, this are califormia, Delaware, Frorida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, north, Caolina, Oldahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennesse, Washington, Texas, west Vigina, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Michigan. Also Exclusionary Rule does not bar the introduction of all evidence obtained in violation of the fourth, Fofth, or Sixth Amendment in case of Criminal case. See Hudson V. Michigan, 547. U.S. 586, 126 S. Ct. 2159 (june 1, 2006), justice scalia write for U.S. Supreme court. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusionary_rule)Suppression of evidence, however, has always been our last resort, not our first impulse. The exclusionary rule generates "substantial social costs," United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 907 (1984), which sometimes include setting the guilty free and the dangerous at large. We have therefore been "cautious against expanding" it, Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 166 (1986), and "have repeatedly emphasized that the rule's 'costly toll' upon truth-seeking and law enforcement objectives presents a high obstacle for those urging [its] application," Pennsylvania Bd. of Probation and Parole v. Scott, 524 U.S. 357, 364-365 (1998) (citation omitted).

A study of why Norway did so much better than UK and Greece in the Dissertation

A study of why Norway did so much better than UK and Greece in the financial crisis - Dissertation Example It is obvious though that government economic policy does shape the quantitative results as can be determined from the GNP and GDP. Because of this, the global financial crisis also highlighted the different approaches that governments employ in managing the economies of their respective countries. The experiences of Norway and Greece expose the fundamental differences in government’s type of leadership in the economic sphere, particularly in finance. While many countries, including the economic powers reeled in the midst of recession, Norway’s economy grew stronger by almost 3 percent while its government enjoyed an 11 percent surplus budget (Thomas 2009). Greece’s economy, on the other hand, started to plummet at the onset of global financial crisis. While Norway, despite its relatively robust economic policies, managed to institute reforms to cushion the impact of the recession, Greece continues to experience worsening social turmoil brought about by the crisi s. The Greek government gets a huge part of the blame as it failed in the area of financial management. According to the Global Financial Integrity analyst Dev Kar, â€Å"over the past decade ending 2009, Greece lost an estimated US$160 billion in unrecorded transfers through its balance of payments† (2010). This extremely blatant example of economic mismanagement is just one of the major factors that have caused the current financial crisis in the Mediterranean country. Further explications of the reasons why Norway fared much better than Greece during the global financial crisis would be presented in this literature review. The development of Norway’s economy took a long and tedious process before it achieved its current healthy conditions. While the uncertainties plagued the country in the decades and centuries before, it has been able to sustain its growth since the 1970s. There were times since the mid-1970s when the growth rate slowed but, compared to the respect ive economies of its European neighbours, Norway’s steady development has been considered as unprecedented. Ola Honningdal Grytten of the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration points out that there are three major factors that contributed to the economic growth of the country, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. Grytten identifies these as the country’s richness when it comes to natural resources, its skilled labour force, and its willingness to make use of the latest technology for productive endeavours (2010). In his article, Grytten acknowledges that government policies play a very important role in the maximisation of the said assets. For a long time, since the years of the economy’s rapid development, Norway was led by the Labour party. The Labour-dominated government initiated countercyclical policies which resulted in deindustrialization in the 1970s, a process which many economists, was regressive in essence. Countercyclical policies include the imposition of heavy taxes on business to generate funds for the government, particularly for its welfare programmes. During those times, the country was on the path of becoming one of the most advanced welfare states in Europe. Grytten’

Book Report on Three Books Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Book Report on Three Books - Essay Example After reading the author's story and confronting his notions, the reader finds that they stick in his mind just like the way a delicious meal's aroma engulfs and settles with a person. Charles Fourier is amongst the extra obscure individuals among chief utopian thinkers. This is not on grounds that we know remarkably little of him, but since for a majority of academicians his identity amasses a stock illustration of long standing. By reference to Frank Manuel’s preface of 1971 to choosing from the writings of Charles Fourier, nearly all the scholars of Utopia are conversant with the slender, droning subsistence. The writings are centered on the poorly paid clerk, roomer in monotonous boarding residences and the pitiful return home each mealtime to wait for the affluent sponsor who would sponsor the founding of Harmony. His area’s general secretary, refused to edit one of Fourier’s exertions because, the appraisal of such bizarre paradoxes shows too many complexit ies ever becoming too hazardous. Most ensuing judgment faced with such notions as sexual appeals, amid extraterrestrial bodies and oceans finally becoming lemonade, adjusts this verdict only by totaling or be taken sincerely. Jonathan Beecher takes apart this typical representation and discloses Fourier as an additional wholly rounded individual and rationally logical intellectual. Beecher has dedicated over 20 years of powerful analysis to the author, who, he thinks of all socialist intellectuals appeared to tender the broadest, most liberal revelation of human likelihood. The consequence is a merge of individual and scholar memoirs that can position as ultimate; no basis, serious or minor, appears to have fled the writer, who incorporates them into a complete, sensible, and extremely decipherable study (Goodwin, Barbara, and Keith 56). Nietzsche "Beyond Good and Evil" Beyond Good and Evil, is a complete general idea of Nietzsche's way of established thinking. The volume comprises of 296 sayings, ranging in extent from a handful sentences to some pages. These sayings are thematically clustered into nine dissimilar sections and are concluded by a foreword and a verse. Whereas every saying can position individually, there is the existence of a linear development amid sayings within sections and from one section to the next. However, each saying gives a characteristic viewpoint and still the section conclusions leave out a grand deal. The preface indicts theorists of rigidity, and the initial section surveys this allege. Every grand viewpoint, Nietzsche declares, is modest surplus to the confession. Theorists build up intricate structures of thought to validate their individual suppositions and chauvinism. If we could excavate these, we could perceive what these theorists treasure most profoundly, and so achieve analysis into their temperament. Nietzsche compares their rigidity with the "liberated spirit" that is not detained in a meticulous viewpoint. He antici pates that the future theorists will be typified by such an untried technique, eager to attempt out whichever supposition, and trail every dispute all through to its end. After a debate, of the spiritual spirit, which he asserts is a type of rigidity; Nietzsche get on a sequence of axioms, the majority of which emphasize

Dialogues in Virtual Environment Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Dialogues in Virtual Environment - Term Paper Example Numerous researches have been conducted on the application of virtual environments. Animesh et al.’s MIS QUARTELY described it as below. Virtual environments refer to interactive, head-referenced computer displays that are enhanced by special processing and nonvisual display modalities such as auditory and haptic, they convince users that they are in a computer simulated space. Organizations working on virtual environments have a virtual team and office. The popularity of working in a virtual office is becoming common. Many businesses, organizations, and institutions are not run from a central office with set hours. The workforce in the current world is more flexible,. mobile, preferable and more convenient trend with the help of the modern portable technology and wifi. One can work in a coffee shop, in another state, in airports, beaches,...just to mention but a few; all what they need is a laptop and access to internet to connect to workplace, clients and team members. As we ’ve already stated, organizations may work with a virtual team on global levels. These teams operate autonomously with directions from a manager. The major advantage of these teams is that they try to maximize geographic talents to focus on key elements of the organization. The economists believe that the virtual office will change the way our economy works as well as the nature of work. Working from home or places where we are more comfortable exerts less stress on individuals, which can adversely affect the quality of work being produced. Dialogue is a most important proponent of virtual office. It is more efficient to avoid unnecessary meetings, dealing with office chatter, gossip and commutes. Dialogue supports a wide range of applications of virtual environments in businesses, education, healthcare, government and entertainment. The usefulness is in customer service, selling, help desk, technical support, and personalized service, training, education, website navigation and simple dialogue systems. The virtual office involves space utilization, however, a the actual application requires live communications or dialogue. This is possible through various methods. First, workers can use high-tech computer telephone integration software, a voicemail, mailing, business meeting space, and many other applications for communication. Systems Theory A set of interacting, interrelated, and interdependent components that form a complex and a unified whole is known as a system. Systems are everywhere- example is functional departments in any organization, the human circulatory system, and so on. They have several defining characteristics: First, every system has a role to play within a larger system. Second, all parts of a system must be present for a system to carry out its purposes optimally. Third, system’s parts must be arranged in a particular manner, if they are rearranged, the whole system would have trouble executing its purpose. Fourth, Systems c hange in response to a feedback, and finally, they maintain their balance by making changes based on the feedback (Pokharel, 2011). Systems theory, therefore, is a trans disciplinary study of systems in general, irrespective of their kind, type, or nature of existence. It focuses on the relations and arrangement of parts which connect them into a whole rather than reducing an entity into parts like organs or cells. Systems theory as a trans disciplinary study addresses a problem regardless of discipline in diverse fields like engineering, biology, sociology, psychology, and organizational theory. There are two versions of systems theory: closed systems and open systems. Closed systems originated in classical physics which deals with relatively few variables. Its modern version is exemplified by

The Cornell University Essay Example for Free

The Cornell University Essay Is a research that was conducted by the Cornell University and it did set a good example and helped in the development of the undeveloped nations. The research covered areas of Lake Titicaca Lima, Peru and Chibote. The main objective of this project was to make the natives of these areas in to the new world full of technology and improve their economy. Is was tasking job to put into practice because they still were to implement in other places like Bang Chan, Thailand, India, they did put records of all the works they did and even today is available in the libraries. During the course of their mission they were having problems due to communication barrier between the researchers and people who lived there, but as they continued with their research they learned these languages and some of them finally managed to speak the Quechua Language. Mario Vazquez was hired as the acting director of the Vicos Project, other seven Peruvians. The whole project to complete took the team fourteen years to complete and compile all their findings. They evaluated places like the Vicos Hacienda which had an area of estimated 44000 acres of land and of which less that 10% of it was cultivated. The fertile lands were controlled by the rich, but later the Hacienda was announced a public property something that many termed as ironical. The Cornell Project in conjunction with the government enacted good health plans and supply of essential dugs to the residents of the area, as mast of them were affected by infectious diseases which they helped and treated. Vegetations were adversely affected due to pest which had invaded the area and thus totally reducing the production. In the Hacienda there were workers who protected the horses in the farm and they were being overworked by their bosses.The project was a major success for those who managed it and they achieved their objectives as they had planned. References JSTOR: Directed Cultural Change in Peru: A Guide to the Vicos retrieved on 21st Dec 2008, available at links. jstor. org/sici? sici=0002-7294 (197703)2%3A79%3A1%3C144%3ADCCIPA%3E2. 0. C – Women and Gender Equity in Development Theory and Practice: Google Books Result retrieved on 21st Dec 2008, available at books. google. com/books? isbn=0822336987

Identity Construction of the Entrepreneur

Identity Construction of the Entrepreneur BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR: ENTREPRENEURIAL IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION OF AFGHANS IN PESHAWAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS 1.0 Introduction Wealth creation and economic growth has been one major factor which distinguish the developed countries from the third world countries and entrepreneurship is one of the main reasons, responsible for of the current progress of nations (Baumol, Litan et al. 2007). The identification of ‘entrepreneurship as a differential factor raises numerous challenges. One of those is to replicate the economic success in nations which lag behind, the developing countries and the third world countries. However it is of importance to answer some basic questions about entrepreneurship, what are its causes? What are its effects? And its different understandings and meanings specially when applied to wide arrays of contexts. In the seminal literature there exists an inherent divergence. Richard Cantillons (who used the term entrepreneurship for the first time) defined an entrepreneur are â€Å"wholesalers in Wool and Corn, Bakers, Butchers, Manufacturers and Merchants of all kinds who buy country product to work them up and resell them gradually as the inhabitants require them†. This description essentially included ‘replicative entrepreneurs who set up a business for livelihood purposes. This type of entrepreneurship can be found in abundance in capitalist economies however in terms of impact on economic growth ‘innovative entrepreneurship is of higher significance. Schumpeterian entrepreneur is one of its kinds among thousands, a hero, motivated by higher order goals than mere profit earning, fights against the odds, battles risks and achieves success. One implication of a celebrated figure of hero entrepreneur is that there is an elite group of higher order ‘homo-sapiens who are considered the driver of economies and whose vision will be followed by ‘lower order humans. Those working for ‘real entrepreneurs will be working either as ‘cogs in a machine or entrepreneurially in some respects, depending on the type of organization and the economy they are in. While the few ‘real entrepreneurs enjoy the fruits of their success and find infinite reasons for their success the rest have to be content with what they are allowed to take. The speed and trajectory of progress of ‘the rest differs, e.g. someone working for Donald Trump or Bill Gates can earn a fortune and easily spun out their own organization. While a lady working on handicrafts in far flung mountains of Afghanistan may never get to know the real value of the art her fingers create. Surely not even in terms of monetary rewards leave alone t he artistic and aesthetics appreciation of it. Entrepreneurship is a multidimensional concept. For entrepreneurial venture to materialize many factors must get aligned at a critical junctures. Because of the ‘hero entrepreneur model considers the ‘successful innovative entrepreneurs it might ignore all those potentially innovative entrepreneurial ventures which could not materialize. In other words ‘innovative entrepreneurship will be appreciated if it goes the distance. This essentially believes that humans will either be entrepreneurial or not. However Hornaday (1992) proposes that entrepreneurship rather lies on a continuum along three dimensions of organization creation, economic Innovation and profit-seeking in the market. This approach relies on the fact that entrepreneurship can only be rated (like rating points in gymnastics) and not measured (like clocking the exact time in 100 meter race) along three dimensions. This view is more humanistic, as the difference between an innovative entrepreneur and a me re factory worker is not that the former was born with abilities (and led a track) which implies 1 while the later was a zero. If all human beings are entrepreneurial to some level, that is that they essentially form unique combinations to create or add value, then entrepreneurship lies at the heart of human spirit. However it is necessary to see why it expresses itself in differently under different conditions. The question of where to find an entrepreneur is elaborated by Baumol, (1990) giving examples from history, suggests that variation can be found among societies in terms of both the total supply of entrepreneurs as well as their allocation between productive activities such as innovation and unproductive ones such as rent seeking and organized crime. This allocation is influenced by the relative payoffs society offers to such activities. It follows that numerous reasons pertaining to context actually allocate the entrepreneur to different sectors and thus there is no reason to eliminate any sector from entrepreneurship. For the developing countries and the third world, entrepreneurship is more significant than only economic development â€Å"Replicative entrepreneurship is important in most economies because it represents a route out of poverty a mean by which people with little capital, education or experience can earn a living†. ((Baumol, Litan et al. 2007, page 3). However it does not qualify everyone as an entrepreneur. There must be some scale on which one can segregate entrepreneurialism. Gartners (1990) reports distinct perceptions of entrepreneurship as ‘focus on characteristics and ‘focus on outcomes of entrepreneurship. Resource acquisition and integration under the head of new venture creation and organization creation emerged as the most agreed upon parameters for assessment of being entrepreneurial. This means that perceptually organizational creation will be creation of new organization will be one of the foremost requirement for people to start considering as entrepreneurship to be taking place. This research investigates entrepreneurial identity as it perpetuates the entrepreneurial process. The study takes a dynamic view of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial identity is seen as becoming rather than static phenomenon. 1.1 Background In Pakistan, cultural orientations discourages independent thinking which is a significant impediment to research, this results into low level scientific knowledge. The hierarchal system at every level of society means that elders can ‘never be wrong and children are ‘not expected to speak unless asked to (Jafarey, 2005). Though efforts have been made to stimulate research activities, the solution is still elusive. Social Sciences have emerged as the weakest, Altaf (2006,s.1) expresses his views: Research is mostly funded, demanded by foreign donor agencies and has no internal demand and thus never translates, locally, into actions. Pakistani culture predominantly oral, the response to written word is lukewarm and the world view deriving form this kind of wisdom is renewed very slowly. Researchers must direct existing and future knowledge and research to permeate popular wisdom and help it update much quicker. The situation is unique to us and cannot be achieved by only as setting up research and policy institutions and publishing journals. This has now led to the stagnation of continuous process of making sense and understanding. Educational institutes and faculty should be the mainstay of research, have failed to produce the desired results in Pakistan and they have not produced significant contributions (Inayatullah, 2005). A considerable increase in disciplines and number of teachers in social sciences has still resulted in low to average research output. Economics and business administration also suffer from the lack of local research and knowledge. A deeper analysis reveals that education is perceived as a direct means to employment. In the absence of well defined, overarching strategies in pursuance of clear goals corresponding to long term vision has resulted in mushroom growth of institutions following a convoluted meaning of ‘education and research. Whatever local indigenous, research activity is produced in these circumstances is neatly summarized by â€Å"We might have gone beyond the point of diminis hing returns and we are researching in the state of habitual mindlessness† (Altaf,1, 2006). Research in Pakistan has been largely initiated and funded due to foreign (donor bodies and funding agencies) interest (as mentioned already). This type of research, though beneficial, cannot drive the research towards the knowledge and understanding which can direct action. Thus there has been little effort to understand the local scenario. Particularly, there are very few mentionable publications on entrepreneurship and SMEs. Predominantly highlighting problems has been much more prevalent rather than exploring success stories. This study takes different and deeper view that explores success stories which are deeply ingrained with social and cultural factors. This research aims to make sense of the business successes achieved by Afghan Entrepreneurs in unfavourable business conditions. This research aims to answers the question of how this group of people construct their success as entrepreneurs. Peshawar, not the best city in Pakistan for business, where the local population grapples for any business opportunities and jobs are hard to find, Afghans appear to be highly entrepreneurial and successful entrepreneurs (Inayatullah, 2005). This study takes departure from a position where this phenomenon has been considered as a refugees practice of livelihood. The conventional idea of Business functions such as Finances, Marketing and Human Resource though highly relevant with self-employment their contribution is secondary to the entrepreneurial success in this case. The Success of Afghan Entrepreneurship is about a group of people with ancient culture and strong traditions faced with odd circumstances. The interpretation is that Self-employment and creation of sustainable business ventures translates into a strong entrepreneurial identity which leads to successful entrepreneurial activities. As a knowledge quest his study, firstly, will contribute to opening up new avenues of research in entrepreneurship. Understanding of entrepreneurship can be enhanced through contextualization (Morrison, 2006). Secondly, exploration of research consistent with local interests and more inline with local wisdom can be helpful in improving local business opportunities. My personal conclusion, based on me living for the last 15 years among Afghans in Peshawar, is that socio-cultural factors are the key factors in forming their entrepreneurial identity. Thirdly an Afghans are open to talking about their culture and their relationships which affect their business; this is compatible with an in depth research. 1.2 Motivations My experience with Afghans come from living together with them or 15 years as well as carrying out business transaction as I work for family business, â€Å"Junaid Paper Mart†, a printing and packing paper and board business , headed by my father. I have observed the rapid rise on many Afghans; they take part in diverse range of businesses. So much so that Afghans are found in every kind of business and it will be next to impossible to find a business without any Afghan Entrepreneur. 1.3 Expected Contributions This study researches a group among Afghans who are involved in entrepreneurial business activities; it opens up new areas for future research e.g. comparative studies with other groups. This study actually tries to find the roots of entrepreneurial identity as a social process in a refugee/immigrant context. In particular, the proposed study will have the following implications. i) This study is beneficial for wide range of audience (e.g. Governments, United Nations, humanitarian non Governmental organizations) concerned with refugees. From policy making to directing of aids and grants in efficient manner, the results form this study can be of importance. ii) The context of study makes it unique but is not the only one in the world (War Refugees crossing into nearby countries). As a contribution to knowledge, entrepreneurial identity has not been explored in a refugee context. iii) Underdeveloped and developing countries do not necessarily need to â€Å"Export Policies† from developed countries in order to progress. This research will explore the way entrepreneurship as a social practice, thus opening up new ways for promoting entrepreneurship. iv) Geographically, the area of study lies at the heart of South Asia and is of high importance to China, India, Iran , Pakistan and the oil rich central Asian states. Afghanistan, after the defeat of invading Russian forces, never settled. From the policy perspective, one main reason for failure is lack of local knowledge. This study will also prove to be a first step towards this direction. On the practice front, firstly, this research will make potential contributions to refugee and immigrant knowledge. The interest in this research is consistent with the current world scenario where population movement is a natural consequence in prevailing circumstances. Chinese economy growing ever stronger by economies of scale, the Europe Union forming an integrated economy and Canada and Australia encouraging valuable human resources to immigrate. The integration of new settlers is a matter of importance. The utilization of these immigrants in entrepreneurial ventures will be highly desirable by the host countries. This research can contribute to formulate better policies that govern current and new immigrants and refugees. CHAPTER 2: Literature review 2.0 Introduction There is no one agreed upon definition of entrepreneurship and it has led to an ever increasing debate. The word ‘Entrepreneur is derived from French word ‘entreprendre which means ‘to do something and it was used in the sense of ‘a person who is active, who gets things done (Hoselitz, 1951). In 1730, Richard Cantillon, a Paris banker gave the first economic theory of entrepreneurship in an article titled ‘Essays on the nature of commerce in general. In the mid nineteenth century John Stuart Mill, an economist, gave the term general currency. Since then the term has been used in variety of ways, all having some justification as they point towards different dimensions and forms of entrepreneurship. The distinction and relationship in basic terminologies can serve as a starting point. Essentially, the phenomenon, ‘entrepreneurial process, is made up of an activity (entrepreneurship) where a market place combines individual (entrepreneurs) act in a certain way (entrepreneurially) (Virtanen, 1997). Theories from different fields have been used in effort to capture the essence of entrepreneurship. This chapter will highlight different views of entrepreneurship as progressed by theories from various fields. 2.1 Views of Entrepreneurship: Definition and Meaning The research in quest for the how, what and why of entrepreneurship has been undertaken under the umbrella of social science, traditionally. However business schools are responsible for the current surge in studies of entrepreneurship (Swedberg, 2000). The contributions of Social Sciences can be broadly categorized as studies under Economics and non-Economics social Sciences. Social sciences (such as economics, anthropology, sociology and economic history) and business studies alike have contributed to highlight the different aspects of entrepreneurship, however the debate among different disciplines about the ‘usefulness of their insights still goes on (Swedberg, 2000) . A view progressively posed by business studies community is that Social sciences answer the ‘what and ‘why of entrepreneurship however they lack in terms of explaining the ‘how question (Jarillo Stevenson 1990:23). Though it is right to argue that business school ought to concentrate more on the ‘How aspect of entrepreneurship, at the same time social sciences have contributed to the preclinical side of entrepreneurship though the emphasis on what and why have been deeper than business studies. The different understandings given by social sciences and business studies gives a complex but deep insight in the phenomenon. 2.1 Contributions of Economics Economics literature on entrepreneurship is not nearly as intensive as it should be on entrepreneurship because mainstream economics have great difficulty in fitting entrepreneurship in its theory. The work done in economics (on entrepreneurship) has therefore only been possible through invention in conventional economic model. 2.1.1 Early contributions the legacy of Joseph Schumpeter Among economists, Joseph Schumpeters contributions are a landmark because firstly, he is able to give a comprehensive account of entrepreneur and entrepreneurship and fitting it in economic theory. Secondly his views on entrepreneurship have evolved into a multi-dimensional and eventually (1940 and onwards) into multidisciplinary perspectives. Joseph Schumpeter was born in 1883 in todays Slovakia in family with business background; he also tried his hand in venture capital later on. There is some evidence which suggest that Schumpeter did not had much success in his business endeavors. He started with a thesis in economics and followed Leon Walrus, the great mathematical economist; believing equilibrium theory is the solution to every problem in economics. Schumpeter developed felt that Walruss static economic model does not take account some essential parts of economy. According to Walruss model economy is static and responds to external impulses (e.g. population growth) by trying to adapt and get back into equilibrium. In his book The Theory of Economic Development (1911) Schumpeter progressed dynamic view of entrepreneur. He emphasized that entrepreneurs are responsible for all important changes in economies, thus changes in economies are not only form external impulses. Schumpeter classified the activities in all pheno menon (including economics) as consists of two types of activities, the routine and repetitive ones and the new and innovative ones. In 2nd edition of the same book (1926) Schumpeter suggested a comprehensive theory of economics with entrepreneur placed in centre. His views became more moderate e.g. Innovation, described in terms of business cycles was simply ‘new production function (Schumpeter 1939; 87). Entrepreneurship was defined as making of new combination of already existing resources, it is innovation not invention. Accordingly no one is an entrepreneur forever but only when they are doing an act of entrepreneurship. In other words it can be concluded that humans are essentially entrepreneurial, though they differ on the extent to which they are entrepreneurial and for the time they act entrepreneurially. Schumpeters view of newness is applicable to variety of situations; he broadly categorized entrepreneurial behavior consisting of ‘essentially new a) Good; b) Method of production; c) Market; d) Source of supply and e) Organization of industry. Schumpeter also highlighted the motives behind a n act of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs are not purely motivated by profit; in his view three main factors motivate the entrepreneur The dream and will to found (strive for independence and power) The will to conquer (or thirst for success) The joy of creation ( to get things done) Considering profit motive as a contributing factor and not the foremost primary motivational factor is well founded in research. Hirschman (1967) argues that many businessmen would never start a business if they come to know in advance how difficult it was going to be. Though without any profit motive, an act of entrepreneurship may not be considered entrepreneurial. Profit motive might be acting as a catalyst which induces the act of entrepreneurship. Whereas, afterwards the entrepreneurial process requires further motives and money is not enough as motivator. After 1940s Schumpeters works consist of sociological work, mainly Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942), where he argues that routinization of change, demystification and rationalization of innovation has created an environment of less opposition towards entrepreneurs. This environment is not conducive for breading real entrepreneurship (Schumpeter). The presence of opposing force for ‘unleashing entrepreneurship has been evident throughout history, though in different forms, ranging from dissatisfaction with current job to need for a basic ‘bread earning activity. Schumpeters views entrepreneurship as not limited to a single person and organization (social or business) or institution (even as a society) can be entrepreneurial; this argument comes from his belief that theory of entrepreneurship should be based upon the actual activity of entrepreneurship rather than researchers personal injunctions. Schumpeters views on entrepreneurship does glorify entrepreneur to some extent. This element does not lend Schumpeters entrepreneur to be explained through mathematical economics. Some may view this as detrimental even unacceptable in terms of economic contribution, however in essence Schumpeters work lives on even today only because his views are ‘practical. Schumpeter ‘spoke of realities which he tried to explain through theories rather than theories trying to explain the reality. 2.1.2 The Contributions of Mainstream Economics Economics is unable to place Entrepreneurship in its mainstream theory, though the presence of entrepreneurship has been largely accepted by economists. The lack of entrepreneur from economics has been termed as the performance of Hamlet with Danish Prince missing (Baumol 1968; 64), so much so that Blaug (1986; 229) calls it a ‘scandal of keeping the students of economics unaware of entrepreneurship. Economics does have some thoughts on entrepreneurship mainly Schumpeters thoughts, which are supplemented by theories of Israel Kirzner and mark Cason. Other also takes account of William Baumol and Austrian economics such as Friedrich Von Hayek and Ludwig Von Mises. The first two economists who considered entrepreneur were both French. Richard Cantillon defined entrepreneur as those willing to buy at a certain price and sell at uncertain one. (Blaug 1986; 220) while Jean Baptise Say tertmed entrepreenruship as combining of factors of production into an organiasm. Entrepreneur and capatilst were also confused however it was suggested that entrepreneurial profit can be termed as rent of ability (Hans Von Mangoldt 1824-68). Among the Neo-classical economists entrepreneurship was classified as ‘rent on ability (Marshal 1842-1924) while others ignored entrepreneurs as neutral entities in terms of profit or loss in equilibrium conditions (Walrus cited by Schumpeter 1954: 893). Frank Knights Risk, Uncertainty and Profit (1921) explained entrepreneurship in terms of risk (where objective probability can be calculated) and Uncertainty (where nothing can be known). She classified entrepreneurial profit as profit derived from bearing uncertainty which is consistent with neo-classical framework as entrepreneurs. Mark Cason views entrepreneur as specialist on decision making regarding coordination of scarce resources (Cason 1983; 23). Isreal Kirzner termed entrepreneurship as alertedness to profit making opportunities; he argues that entrepreneurs restore the equilibrium of economy. The argument is often contrasted with Schumpeters thought of entrepreneurs as disrupting the equilibrium. Mises and Kirzner bo th agree that one entrepreneurs error becomes other entrepreneurs opportunity. Kirzners insights also draw from Ludwig Von Hayek (199-1992). Hayeks relates entrepreneurship to knowledge. The knowledge about local condition where profit can be made come more in form of ‘discovering new information rather than being preceded by analysis of already present information and diagnosing it as incomplete. The above insights are of significant importance for theory and practice. An entrepreneur is someone who takes on selected uncertainties as he is alert to ‘appropriate for profit uncertainty. Entrepreneur is specialist decision maker and goes through ‘discovery of information process. A comprehensive sketch of entrepreneurship consists of various external and internal forces shaping the process of entrepreneurship. At an individual lies the ability of a human to interpret opportunity, decide to take on an uncertain situation while discover information throughout the process. Economy is but one element of the ‘habitat of entrepreneurs, they are doing all these activities in a social setting where all non-economic social sciences become relevant to exploring the concept in further detail. 2.2 Contributions of Non-Economic Social Sciences literature Non Economic social sciences have contribution from a much larger variety of perspectives on entrepreneurship though it lacks the coherence which is the mainstay of economics literature on entrepreneurship 2.2.1 The contribution of psychology Psychological theories of entrepreneurship pay attention to personality traits, motives and incentives of one individual. Entrepreneurship has been researched by focusing on the individual since long mainly under the field of psychology. The approach used in this study adheres to these traditional approaches (that are going to be discussed in the following) which consider Entrepreneurs as unit of analysis, however it takes a more holistic view. Various studies researched the traits responsible for entrepreneurship (e.g Gartner 1998, 1989; Bird 1989, baron 1998). Psychology has mainly contributed two broad categories of insights, both have at its core, the personality of an entrepreneur 1) the trait theories of entrepreneurship take a view that internal characteristics of an individual are responsible for entrepreneurial behavior, 2) the more social psychological insights into entrepreneurship take a view that an entrepreneurs personality is shaped by outside forces (Swedberg, 2000). Entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs are differentiated on the basis of attitudinal and behavioral factors. In general, tra it theorists see non-monetary rewards as the main source of motivation for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is dictated by innate characteristics. Nature rather than nurture is what would determine entrepreneurship. McLelland Winter (1971) concluded that a strong need for achievement is a distinguishing trait of entrepreneurs. Yet as Virtanen (1997) summarize In analyzing entrepreneurial behavior we should pay more attention to expectations, motives and incentives. â€Å"The forces in the brain region† (needs) foster expectations, motives and incentives to take some action. What kind of motives and incentives are required to enforce entrepreneurial activity? Why would someone start a new venture? The reasons, as well as the businesses, may differ from case to case. Why do People act entrepreneurially? The Motivation for entrepreneurship comes from diverse sources but at the individualistic level Vrooms (1964) expectancy model takes into account the desirability and the feasibility of becoming an entrepreneur. Recent studies of OECD-Member nations shows that dissatisfied people draw satisfaction from the very acting of creating own business (Noorderhaven et al., 2003; Hofstede et al., 2004). Results of studies focusing on trait theories show a large variation of characteristics that are held responsible for entrepreneurialism e.g. need for achievement and strong urge to build (David McClelland ,1961), toughness, pragmatism unwilling to submit to authority (Collins and Moore, 1970), mercurial, cunning, opportunistic, creative, and unsentimental behaviour (Bird, 1992), overconfidence (Busenitz and Barney 1997). Trait theories project the image of entrepreneur as some one who is (or assumes to be) in control historically because of higher need for achievement and high self-efficacy. This high level of self control has roots in Descartes philosophy of self, which argues: While the external world, including the thinkers body, is subject to the laws of physics and other external contingencies, the mind is not. I, being pure mind, enjoy a supreme degree of independence from my body and everything physical. †¦..The radical separation of mind and bodyand of the mental and the physical in generalis known as Cartesian Dualism†. (frostburg, September 2007) The field of Psychology has produced more studies than either in mainstream economics or sociology (Chell et al 1991). The status of psychological theories of entrepreneurship is fairly low among social scientist mainly because firstly, the existence of a distinct blueprint for ‘entrepreneurial personality is doubted and secondly, psychology has tried to explain about entrepreneurship what other fields e.g. sociology or economic history would be better equipped to explain (Swedberg, 2000). 2.2.2 Sociological view of entrepreneurship Indeed, some theories have pointed at the dynamic view of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial process feeds on change and in fact can create it, as Bagby (1988, 5) concludes: â€Å"Entrepreneurs capitalize on change, or even create it.† This means that Change and dynamism can be favorable for entrepreneurship. This thought leads to a process view of entrepreneurship which is dynamic â€Å"Entrepreneurship is the process of doing something new and something different for the purpose of creating wealth for the individual and adding value to society† (Raymond 1993). The notion of ‘becoming emphasizes the nature of the entrepreneurial process as a dynamic rather than static phenomenon. According to Bygrave Hofer (1991, 14) the later contains all the functions, activities, and actions associated with the perceiving of opportunities and the creation of organizations to pursue them†. The process itself is not taking place in vacuum. Social institutions play a major role, they are defined as the written and unwritten ‘rules of the game: laws, norms, beliefs, etc. (North 1990). How the social system works varies and different social system that places a high value on innovation, risk-taking, and independence is more likely to produce entrepreneurial events than a system with contrasting values (Amir, 2006). The way in which culture, societal values and personality create this effect is complex and highly interrelated 2.3 Entrepreneurship as an embedded process In this thesis I will propose that entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in society. It is a dynamic process of interaction between socio-cultural factors and personal attributes; change is the essential ingredient of this process. Such embeddedness perspective is highly relevant to most of the eastern part of the world. The reasons for greater need for affiliation, strong family structure and embeddedness is one plausible explanation is given by Amir (2006), the environment of weak resource-sharing institutions are vulnerable and thus entrepreneurs ‘must bond themselves by affiliating with a social network. For deeper insights the entrepreneurial process rather than entrepreneur in isolation should be researched. Entrepreneurship is an economic process drawing from the social context which influences outcomes, so it is fitting to call it socio-economic. Jack and Anderson (2002) emphasize that; â€Å"Embeddedness is process whereby entrepreneur (acting as agent) becomes a part of the local structure; both the agent and structure affect each other through diverse mechanisms. The social structures nature is understood; ties forged through enactment of re-enactment and maintained, this leads to drawing on resources and creating opportunities.† 2.4 Discussion Entrepreneurs give different understandings to their own selves and may be acting entrepreneurially and not knowing, For instance, a businessman may say that why would he want to know if he is entrepreneurial or not, he thinks he is (Gartner, 1990). It is mo

HRM Activities in Tesco

HRM Activities in Tesco In any organization, the most important asset is its employees though it may or may not be profit-oriented. So the most complicated task is to manage the human resource. Today, in the rapid advancement of technology, Human Resource is unavoidable. No machines can replace Human Resource in utilization the available resources effectively. In this competitive market, every organization ensures that it has an effective and efficient Human Resource Development that supports to achieve every objective. The HR department works very hard in utilization of every available human resource to realize the organizations by linking it with the policies and strategy. The HR department also helps the employs understand and respect the values of the organization by constantly conducting activities that involve the employee from every level in the organization. Every large scale firm activity needs to be supported by different departments integrated into one which leads to as a group activity and finally it becomes a coordinated activity carried out at various levels to achieve the organisational goal. Therefore, these strategic objectives can be achieved only with effective human resources management which is controlled by HR department. In the assignment, we have given to carry out research into the HR policies carried out by Tesco. COMPANY PROFILE Tesco is the biggest super market in UK. It has been dominating in British retail sector with domestic market share and global sales. It initially caters in food and later expanded its area of business like clothing, electronics, financial services and telecom. So the Tescos has set up the store namely Tesco extra, Tesco metro and Tesco express in order to meet the customers needs. Since Tesco is considered a one stop retail outlet that has covered every segment of market in the country and it shows Tesco has a great number of manpower. This shows how the HR strategy has been implemented. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Three key HRM activities carried out by Tesco are: Recruitment and pay revision. Training and development. Providing healthy work atmosphere. (See appendix-1) Recruitment, training and healthy work environment are the three key HRM activities carried out by Tesco which I would like to discuss. Recruitment is the process of new employment which is consists of important steps. Some of the important steps involved in recruitment are call for application, criteria allocation, short listing, interview, salary negotiation and offer of employment. Its all about acquiring more human resource as per requirement which can be met in different ways like open day recruitment, application through own website, from agencies on contractual basis, interview from campus and finally internal job posting (IJP). Every job offer should be incompliance with the rules and regulations. Some of the important rules and regulations are: Equal Pay Act (1970). Sex Discrimination Act (1975), Race Relations Act (1976), Disability Discrimination Act (1995), Employment Protection Act (1978). Tesco plc is one of the organizations in the UK that follows very strict procedure of recruitment with aware of various acts. Every different position has its own unique procedure. Most of the selection is done through online system like customer support agent and its immediate higher level appointments and so on. Before any direct interview the candidate is short listed by an online procedure by general aptitude test. Then those who pass the test are called for interview thereby saving time and energy from both sides. Direct application is also available in store which helps in the same way. For higher management positions, there are a few ways like appointing external agencies and direct reputed institutions and also through internal job posting. Once the right candidate is selected the next process is training where the potential of candidate is transformed with the help of available resource to convert them into standard employee. Generally there are two types of training available namely process training where the candidate is made aware of the process his/her duties. The second is on the job training. This is carried further once management feels that employee is able take his responsibilities. So every step is carefully studied and overlooked by HR department in order to ensure the efficiency. Every large scale organization provides training to their employees so does the Tesco plc. Tesco plc ensures that new employee is carefully nested into the organization. They provide training with a payment options and other facilities to the fulltime employees. Tesco plc always demands proficiency among its employees. It also carries out the different programmes like personality development and career advancement options available from time-to time in order boost their morale. Providing healthy work atmosphere is another challenge for the HR department. As we know the world is global village so we can see multicultural society and it is not easy for them to mix into the crowd that they may feel not welcoming. So the HR department duties to make sure these things are discussed and evaluated among the employees before they come on board. Personal Health and Safety is also important issues which needs to addressed by the HR department very cautiously. Better work environment encourage employees to perform their best and to provide better work atmosphere is another challenge for any organization. Tesco plc is aware of this fact. So it ensures that every single employee is aware of his/her rights within the organization. Tesco plc provides more opportunities like part-time and weekend jobs where most of the students are encouraged to work. Though it can be complicated but Tesco plc ensures that this is carried out carefully with the help of HR department. It is the responsibility of HR department to ensure that proper shifts are allocated and there is no confusion among the employee. So these are the reoccurring issues which HR team have to handle it with great care. Tesco plc prohibited the consumption of alcohol and other related products within the premises in order to ensure the safe working atmosphere. This reflects the capability and vision of Tesco plc to provide better work conditions for its employees. Assessing the effectiveness of the Tesco Approach In the era of globalization, every organization like Tesco plc must keep itself along with other organizations on being globally competitive. So employee involved in the organization must be competitive so that they can achieve competitive advantage. The analysis of HR management is based on the different activities carried out. The different activities of HRM that are going to be analysed here are recruitment, training and safety. Tesco plc is one of those organizations that thrive for customer satisfaction and retention. Providing the best prices to stop the customer going anywhere else is the main objective of Tesco plc. For this, Tesco needs to be aware of prices, quality of products, facilities and most important is customer service. For better customer service, the employees need to be trained time-to time. Not every employee joins the company with ample experience and customer skills. So they need to be developed from scratch for a few. Tesco plc is providing employment to stu dents and other part time employees which could help to regulate cost of production. This is vital factor since Tesco plc trying to reduce cost by introducing customer new low price products. It also encourages employee to work close to their homes in order to save the time which makes life easy for all. In addition to these, employees are allowed to opt for transfer that will help to keep loyal to the organization i.e. low labour turnover. Training employees reveals the involvement and dedication of any HR department of organization. Training is cost incurring process which is difficult to afford once it is not utilised economically. So the HR department has to be careful in providing the right training to the right candidate in the organization. As earlier discussed, training could be of two types i.e. process training and on the job training. The main components of Tesco plc training procedure are: Core skills programme fundamental training which helps to deal with customer. Winning in Europe- designed especially for countries other than UK. Excel programme- ranges from fundamental to manger training programme. Training procedure is carried out to perfection in the Tesco. Training with pay and training alongside senior experienced employees provide the best work atmosphere for the best performances. Tescos long-term strategy is to continue with training to employee and to integrate this into culture of the organization. So it always emphasis on staff training and to integrate this learning in the organization. So when employees are trained and showing a higher commitment to the organization which make them feel as part of the overall strategy. Finally, this leads employees feel valued and results a more committed workforce Safety at work is criteria that Tesco management insists to be accounted for in the best possible means. Disaster management and other safety training are provided to employee at no extra charges. This is the contribution that organization makes to the benefits of employees career, a certain advantage. Prohibition of intake of any alcohol related products or any form or drugs unless prescribed by doctor is another step taken by Tesco plc to ensure safety of fellow employee and the customer. Two HRM model For any organization to perform its task efficiently and achieve its common objectives, the people are the utmost important resources to the management. The two approaches have been developed namely hard approach and soft approach. There are two models of activity has developed which I would like discuss in relation to Tesco plc. They are as follows: Harvard model Michigan model The Harvard model was developed in the year 1984 by group of academics. This model is also referred as soft HRM which emphasizes on more human side. According to this model human are not only resources but also a human. There are four main HR policies which are very important in order to deal with people. Firstly there is employee-influence which is inclusive of power, delegation and responsibility with purpose and interest of management. The second is the element of human resources flow i.e. recruitment, selection, placement and promotion, job security, career advancement and termination of employment. The next is rewarding system such as pay and motivation like bonuses, insurances and flexible working hour. The reward should be always align with the overall organizational strategy. Finally work system which deals with the arrangements of people, information and technology i.e. right man in right job with depending upon the skills. (See appendix-2) The Michigan model was developed by Fombrun, Tichy and Devanna in the year 1984. This model is known as hard HRM which is focus on human resource which should be used and exploited fully in order to achieve organizational goals. Here people are treated as a means of achieving the organizations strategy. It also assumes that HRM will respond to the external and internal environment. Basically this model concentrates on managing human assets by motivating and rewarding them in order to achieve companys goal. (See appendix-3) The Harvard model emphasizes on human formulation with HR elements and is considered as the soft aspects of HRM. The soft aspect of HRM is related with human relation whereas the hard aspect is seen as emerging from the business strategy and policy. On the other hand, the Michigan model focused on the human resources strategies and structures in order to improve the companys performances. It considers human resources as key resource of the organization. These two models are the most commonly use HRM models in business today. Based upon the above analysis it can be concluded that the soft model is advisable to be practiced within the service sector while manufacturing sector would be better to use the Michigan model of HRM for increased production. Tesco and its Approach towards HRM Tescos approach towards its HR policies and practices demonstrated the both approaches i.e. soft and hard version of HRM. Tesco is continuously invest on human resources i.e. employees empowerment, participation of employee in management. Tesco also ensures that each employee has the opportunity to understand his or her individual role in contributing to the its core purpose and values which require commitment with an innovative induction programme. Tescos human-resources strategy revolves around work simplification, challenging unwritten rules, achieving steering-wheel targets. It also emphasise on higher level of training to all employees which results in higher commitment to the organization. This highlights the way in which Tescos business measures are closely linked to hard and soft version of HRM Critical analysis of HR performance at Tesco Analysis of performance of any process plays a key role in the development of any organization. As a result of this analysis, various HR plans and policies can be evaluated in order to find out the effectiveness i.e. drawbacks. Recruitment, training and development of employee calibre and also providing best working condition with suitable growth opportunities has been met with high standard. Apart from these, keeping track of the best performance of employee and providing them with opportunity for overall growth and retaining them has been carried out successfully. The analysis shows that the HR department has been performing to the required level of standard in the existing market. We can see the Tesco plc management style of recruitment is strong enough in order to maintain low cost with highly effective training which consists of senior employees as well. Tesco plc also have been using the external agencies to recruit the employees in order to ensures quality recruitment. Tesco p lc ensures the employee is recruited in lines with the national minimum wages or above minimum wages to pay. They also offer the job to those student who wants to work as a part time or weekends which would meet both i.e. organization and student goal. Every employee is aware of his/ her positions and duties to be carried on which is primary activity of HR department. A job description is handed out in order to make aware of task to be performed by each individual employee. The payment procedure is also responsibility of HR department and Tesco ensures that they follow the national minimum wages act. And also there is an alternative feature that is periodical increment in the payment and evaluation based on the performance. Safety of the employee is the prime concern for the HR of Tesco plc which is met with extreme cautiously. They are trained to help themselves in the event of any unfortunate incidents or accidents like fire or theft. This is all to ensure safety among the employee and establish morale. This kind of Tescos method really helps the individual learning preference. This further complicates the role of HRD, balancing organizational needs with the individuals expectations. Employees will vary from each other. So its HR duty to organize right people in right job and this will help to sustain competitive advantage. CONCLUSION The role of human resources in any organization is very crucial in order to achieve organizational goal. The study of Tescos HR policies has focused on level of training provided to all employees i.e. an effect in the bottom line which leads to more commitment among the employees. The study carried out on the different activities of a general HR department and that of Tescos explain that Tesco has been highly successful in implementing the suitable plan and programme. So this helped Tescos to increase their market share and retail units over the years which have been achieved partly through effective HR department although it is not sole factor in their path to success but it has certainly been a major factor of Tesco plc. APPENDICES Appendix-1 Human Resources Activities C:Usersshahi kingDesktophrm activities.gif Adapted: http://www.bized.co.uk Appendix-2 http://www.africancentreforcommunity.com/Best%20Perspectives%20to%20human%20resource%20management%20by%20Arrey%20Mbongaya%20Ivo-Dateien/image005.jpg Figure 1 Harvard model HRM cycle, source: Beer et al, 1984, it works on commitment, congruence, competence and cost effectiveness Appendix-2 http://www.africancentreforcommunity.com/Best%20Perspectives%20to%20human%20resource%20management%20by%20Arrey%20Mbongaya%20Ivo-Dateien/image007.jpg Figure.2 The Michigan model, source; Fombrun, Tichy Devanna, 1984. HRM cycle; selection, appraisal, rewards development increase organisational performance

knowledge :: essays research papers

2.4 There can be differences between the knowledge people access through school and that they feel to be really useful. Interview two members of your family about their views of school knowledge and what they have found to be really useful for them. Drawing on the reading for this Unit, analyse these interviews and discuss how what factors might have impacted on their view of what constitutes really useful knowledge. The concept of knowledge in any society is a fluid, ever-changing notion which has different connotations depending on time and place. Typically what is thought of as knowledge in any given society is greatly influenced by the demands of the work that society most commonly carries out. Today, for example, in Western twenty-first century society it is claimed that we are now living in a ‘post-industrial’ society or have ‘entered into an information age’ and as such what we define as knowledge has altered in as little time as three decades. Knowledge can be gained independently at one’s own free-will or from life experiences but it is via school that nearly all of British people gain the foundations of their own personal knowledge. What makes education such an interesting subject for scholars is that it is governments who define what knowledge should be taught in schools and what knowledge is ‘useful’ despite what pupils themselves may think. For the purpose of this essay I have interviewed two former students who both studied in state schools in Edinburgh albeit a generation apart. I wish to analyse what both these individuals thought constituted ‘useful’ and ‘useless’ knowledge taught during their schools lives and if the fact that one was at school in the 1960’s and the other attended school in the late 1990’s/early 21st century resulted in any differentiation in their opinions. Knowledge at school can be taught in three ways; Academic knowledge, practical knowledge and radical knowledge. Each of these systems has their own unique method of delivering knowledge to the pupil and have varying degrees of ‘usefulness’. Academic knowledge could also be known as the ‘traditional’ form of delivering information to school pupils. Proponents of such methods would claim that it is not the actual information which academic knowledge presents to the pupil, rather the methods in which this information is delivered that is beneficial. In this sense then it could be claimed that academic knowledge is merely knowledge for knowledge’s sake or ‘useless’.

Macbeth: Many People Were Involved In the Death of Duncan :: Macbeth essays

Macbeth: Many People Were Involved In the Death of Duncan There were many people involved in the death of Duncan, the King of Scotland. However, Macbeth bears the major responsibility for the murder. Macbeth committed the task by his own hand. He understood the significance of the prediction in relation to his own ambitions. Finally, Macbeth was aware of his actions and he accepted them. Macbeth murdered Duncan. He was the one who stabbed the King and he admits that freely in the play. "I have done the deed" relates Macbeth to his Lady after he completed the objective. (II, ii, l.19) Before the murder he says "I go and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell." (II, I, l.69-71) In such he plainly states his intent to murder Duncan and again later on, he mentions in a soliloquy that "To know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself." (II, ii, l.92) Preceding the actual death of Duncan, Macbeth's ambitions became apparent as the significance of the prediction and actual events emerged. Being an ambitious man, Macbeth said "I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other." (I,vii,l.25-28) In this speech Macbeth broadcasts his immense ambitions which are the only reason he is pursuing the witches prediction. Macbeth, upon hearing the witches speak was startled at their prophecy. Banquo said to him "Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair?"(I,iii,l.54-55) Macbeth was startled because of the implications of the forecast. Macbeth had thought before about the very thing that he was now being told was his. He was infatuated with the idea and he lusted after information pertaining to it. "Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives, A prosperous gentleman; and to be king Stands not within the prospect of belief, No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence? or why With such prophetic greeting? speak, I charge you." (I,iii,l.73-81) Macbeth began to fluster and ramble on, as if in fear that the truth of his thoughts become clear to those near him. He wanted more information from the witches on how he was to become King, but he feared that he would be considered

Pre-literacy and Modern Vestiges Essays -- Literature Epic Poetry Poem

Pre-literacy and Modern Vestiges For many years, the conventions and existence of epic poetry from the pre-literate age were explained as repositories for information. A well-known story, usually involving a hero that embodied the virtues of the society who told the story, engages in battles, quests, etc. As the epic is spoken to an audience, the hero’s actions and the way they are described impart the audience with information and teachings. The information the listeners received is thought by some to be analogous to a modern day textbook lesson, in which students learn mathematics, grammar, and law, all by the written word. So is the contention of Homeric scholar Eric A. Havelock. As Hobart and Schiffman state in Orality and the Problem of Memory, Everywhere he looked in Homer, Havelock saw a wealth of instruction. For instance, the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon at the beginning of the Iliad embodies for him a wide range of subliminal â€Å"teachings.† It lays out the rules for disposition of captives, the etiquette of making and receiving ransom requests, the reverence due to priests, the respect accorded to kings by powerful warriors, and the symbols of public authority†¦(19). Havelock believed the nature of the epic was to verbally hand down a type of classical social contract, so that society could remain stable based upon the information that the speaker’s gave audiences of the Iliad. Integral to the audience’s reception of these teachings was a willingness to become participatory in the communication of the epic. According to Havelock, this is not a choice, but a necessity for a pre-literate listener. Havelock contends that a pre-literate soci... ...ring a list of words and definitions. What is important in Hobart and Schiffman’s essay is the idea that the purpose of oral epics is radically different than what has been traditionally thought. Our modern concept of memory is a very personal experience, as is for the most part our learning styles. Books are intimate and stress the individual interpreter of them; their pages are filled with information that in the reader’s hands might be hundreds of years removed from the time they were written. Yet with spoken epics, the only way to experience them was in the flesh, listening in a group to the speaker. It was a nominally individual process, but did include information as a print culture knows it. In the present day, perhaps the immediacy of the performance nature of pre-literate work is overlooked when so many written words flash before our eyes on pages. Pre-literacy and Modern Vestiges Essays -- Literature Epic Poetry Poem Pre-literacy and Modern Vestiges For many years, the conventions and existence of epic poetry from the pre-literate age were explained as repositories for information. A well-known story, usually involving a hero that embodied the virtues of the society who told the story, engages in battles, quests, etc. As the epic is spoken to an audience, the hero’s actions and the way they are described impart the audience with information and teachings. The information the listeners received is thought by some to be analogous to a modern day textbook lesson, in which students learn mathematics, grammar, and law, all by the written word. So is the contention of Homeric scholar Eric A. Havelock. As Hobart and Schiffman state in Orality and the Problem of Memory, Everywhere he looked in Homer, Havelock saw a wealth of instruction. For instance, the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon at the beginning of the Iliad embodies for him a wide range of subliminal â€Å"teachings.† It lays out the rules for disposition of captives, the etiquette of making and receiving ransom requests, the reverence due to priests, the respect accorded to kings by powerful warriors, and the symbols of public authority†¦(19). Havelock believed the nature of the epic was to verbally hand down a type of classical social contract, so that society could remain stable based upon the information that the speaker’s gave audiences of the Iliad. Integral to the audience’s reception of these teachings was a willingness to become participatory in the communication of the epic. According to Havelock, this is not a choice, but a necessity for a pre-literate listener. Havelock contends that a pre-literate soci... ...ring a list of words and definitions. What is important in Hobart and Schiffman’s essay is the idea that the purpose of oral epics is radically different than what has been traditionally thought. Our modern concept of memory is a very personal experience, as is for the most part our learning styles. Books are intimate and stress the individual interpreter of them; their pages are filled with information that in the reader’s hands might be hundreds of years removed from the time they were written. Yet with spoken epics, the only way to experience them was in the flesh, listening in a group to the speaker. It was a nominally individual process, but did include information as a print culture knows it. In the present day, perhaps the immediacy of the performance nature of pre-literate work is overlooked when so many written words flash before our eyes on pages.