Ten Steps to a Home Manicure

B. [pic] D. [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] F. Ten Steps to Give yourself an at Home Manicure This is a fun, easy, and safe way to achieve polished fingernails without paying the higher beauty store prices when going through these ten steps. This is for adults only, or to do with adult supervision for younger girls, always keeping safety in mind, and always putting the products up safely after use. Before beginning, wash your nails thoroughly, even with the polish on your fingernails. Try to get your nails clean underneath your nail cartilage where it is not attached to the skin before beginning.If you notice growths, tiny knobs under there, or any redness or dirt substance that does not come out from under your fingernail bed, stop this process, and go to see a medical doctor. You will need: †¢ 1 pack of cotton balls  (cotton wool balls) †¢ 1 fingernail polish remover †¢ 1 emery board †¢ 1 nail trimmer †¢ 1 cuticle remover †¢ 1 bottle of fingernai l polish †¢ A couple of paper towels Nail polish removing. Firstly, take out as many cotton balls as needed one at a time, and safely douse each fingernail with nail polish remover, until your whole fingernail is your natural true color (colour).It is available now at the stores in bottle or sponge form. For the sponge type, you have to dip your finger into the container, usually a plastic one, and swish your finger around frequently checking it to make sure your fingernail polish is coming off. For the fingernail polish in the bottle (without a sponge embedded in it), you have to carefully tip it over using the cotton ball at the top to stop the liquid from spilling out and it is recommended that you have some paper towel handy to wipe off any excess fingernail polish remover that spills over as a result.Whichever fingernail polish remover you choose, swab your fingernails one by one until they are your natural color (colour). If you frequently use nail polish, your natural na il can become tinged with yellow, not to be confused with bold yellow, and not red or green, or swollen. If your fingernails or fingers start to become red, green, or swollen, seek medical attention immediately. If you are doing ok and your nails are now their natural color (colour) go to step 2. Filing your nails with an emery board. Next, you should have what is called an emery board.An emery board is usually a very inexpensive fingernail board used for filing down rough nail surfaces that is rough on the surface at least on one side. An emery board should not be used to scrape your natural nail surface at all. It will make your smooth fingernails rough. You can use the emery board quite effectively on the end of your nail, in order to give it a consistent shape and make the tip of your nail smooth, not rough. Emery board comes in all shapes and sizes, and you can even look for one to fit your personality or wardrobe color-wise.As soon as you are done smoothing the tips of your na ils in a uniform manner, proceed to the next step 3. Trimming your fingernails. A fingernail trimmer is used in your home nail process when you want to reshape or shorten your nails more efficiently than with an emery board. You can make your fingernails shorter using fingernail clippers, which are clippers that are small in size, designed to fit your nail shape and be able to cut your fingernail without doing any damage, but care should still be taken. You should trim your nails at least once a month if they are healthy.Never  trim unhealthy, discolored (discoloured) or brittle fingernails. Never trim your nails to the quick, which is the place where your fingernail cartilage meets your skin. Be mindful of safety, even at this stage of the process. If you have hypoglycemia, or any other disease such as Parkinson’s or nerves, do not clip your own fingernails if you might have an issue of safety. Some fingernails are hard and take some sharper fingernail cutters to cut throu gh them. If this is the case with yours, you may want to consider going to a salon or a simple medical visit and have a professional trim them, however, if not, trim away.This is mostly a basic and fun procedure for most people. Then start with step #4. Cuticle removing. Next, you need to use your cuticle remover to remove your cuticle, or actually push it down. Your cuticle is that soft skin that forms at the bottom of your fingernail at the place where your fingernail cartilage and your skin meet. Its job is to cover the place where your nail cartilage meets your skin, and make a smooth transition for that to happen. As your fingernails grow, your cuticle skin stretches, and this process of removing your cuticle pushes back that excess to promote your nail growth and health.Again, you would want to check your cuticle area for rashes, redness, swelling, discoloration of any kind, and if any of those issues are present in your cuticle, seek the advice of a medical professional befor e pushing it back. If you find that it looks pretty much like your fingernail and finger color (colour), but with a different smoother and softer texture, go ahead and push the cuticle back with the cuticle remover, which is a little stick like device with a softer but firm tip made especially for the cuticle.It is not a cutting type tool. It looks a little shorter than a chopstick, but has a necessary soft tipped end to make sure that your cuticle does not get damaged. Push back your cuticles one at a time using the cuticle removing tool. These are available from nearly any beauty supply store, or store that carries fingernail accessories of any kind. These are also relatively inexpensive. It is important to note that if at any time in your process your nails start to bleed mildly or a lot, stop this procedure at once.This is not likely to happen in a normal fingernail manicure, but it may be a warning of a problem with your own nails that may need medical attention. Pick a color ( colour) Now you are ready to pick out a nail polish color (colour) from your own home nail polish collection. Pick out a color (colour) that matches your skin coloring (colouring), outfit styles that you wear, or shade of lipstick. If you polish your nails frequently, make sure that you give them one or two days to air out and breathe naturally to promote healthy nails in between polishes. Application of finger nail polish color (colour)Each bottle of nail polish comes with it's own applicator inside the bottle, attached to the handle of the fingernail polish bottle. Just unscrew the top and scrape off the excess fingernail polish on the fingernail polish brush applicator on the side of the bottle itself. You can use a paper towel for this process, but you may end up with paper towel residue mixed into your color (colour) so I would not recommend it. Also, you need to make sure that you have a steady hand for this in order to get your finger nail polish on your fingernail area only, not on your skin.Skin always needs to breathe, and cannot with polish on it. When you are ready, take the applicator holding non-dripping color (colour) to your nails, brushing from the base of your fingernails upward towards the top tip of your nail. Make sure you coat your whole nail evenly. Starting at the base of the nail and applying polish in an upward motion helps you evenly coat your nail. Correcting polish mistakes. If you make a mistake, take a paper towel and douse it with nail polish remover, as you did with the cotton ball in step one, and try to get the excess polish off your skin using the flat edge of the paper towel.Then, if you need to re-coat that fingernail, go ahead. If not, great. Just move on to the next fingernail until you are done. Second coats of nail polish. Wait at least ten minutes before applying a second coat. You should not paint over your nails until the previous coat is completely dry. Without air, or low to medium speed fans blowing on them, it w ill take about five minutes for your fingernails to dry. Using high-speed fans near your wet nail polish can move your fingernail polish around your fingernail and mess its even coat up. Quick drying nails.You can buy the quick drying kind of nail polish at the stores, or a quick drying, clear sealer that is painted over the color (colour) of your nail polish to quicken drying if you are in a hurry. As a reminder,  do not attempt to polish your fingernails in an area that does not have proper ventilation  and do not polish your nails around close to infants. Save and print this article to have your own home fingernail painting party repeatedly. This is a fun and easy way to polish your own nails at home without paying the higher priced salon prices. Save this article, and print it out for your own fingernail painting party.Use this time as a de-stressing technique for you while beautifying your fingernails, or use this time as a special and fun group nail polishing time, invitin g your closest family and friends to have a home nail polish party with you. G. Growing vegetables can bring out the farmer in you. You till the soil and tend the plants, then reap the rewards when the plants bear fruit. Even if you don't have much sunny ground, you can still experience the pleasure of harvesting your own vine-ripened tomatoes and other crops. All you need is a generous-size container, good potting soil, and a suitable spot  ? patio, deck, or corner that gets at least six hours of full sun a day. If you do have actual ground for growing, containers can still help you overcome problems like poorly drained soil, pests such as gophers, and soil-borne diseases such as fusarium wilt, nematodes, and verticillium wilt. Also, since soil in pots warms up more quickly in spring than it does in the ground, you can get a tomato or pepper off to a faster start. And tall pots make it easier for gardeners with limited mobility to tend crops without kneeling or squatting. Vegetab les in containers add visual punch to the landscape.Choose large, decorative containers and surround them with smaller pots of colorful flowers, and you'll have attractive focal points  ? and a bounty of vegetables  ? all summer long. Garden designer Rosalind Creasy of Los Altos, California  (650/948-1588), even displays potted vegetables such as golden squash and fiery red peppers in her front yard (pictured above). Soil preparation and plant care Potting medium. Use a high-quality mix containing peat moss and perlite. Blend in a complete fertilizer, either a dry organic product  ? such as one containing alfalfa meal, bonemeal, kelp meal, or other natural nutrients  ? r a controlled-release type that supplies nutrients over a three- to six-month period. If you plan to water pots by hand, add soil polymers such as Broadleaf P4 (available at most garden centers) to the mix before planting to help alleviate the wet-dry cycle. As the soil dries out, these small crystals, whic h absorb a hundred or more times their weight in water, supply moisture to the roots. Feeding. If you use an organic fertilizer at planting time, supplement it with weekly applications of fish emulsion or reapply dry organic fertilizer according to package directions.If you use controlled-release fertilizer, give vegetables a boost by applying fish emulsion every two to three weeks. Watering. The best way to water vegetables in containers is with drip irrigation operated by an automatic controller. For each container, install a circle of inline emitters over the soil or distribute three or four 1/2-gallon-per-hour emitters over the soil surface (use more for very large pots). Set the controller to water often enough to keep the soil moist (in hot climates, that might be daily or every other day). If you hand-water, never allow the soil to dry out completely.Pests. If aphids, mites, or whiteflies attack, spray them with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Handpick and destroy tom ato hornworms. Harvest. Pick crops when they're ripe:  beans  before the seeds swell inside the pods;  cucumbers and squashwhen fruits are fully expanded but not seedy;  eggplantswhile skin is shiny;  peppers  when fully grown and showing appropriate color (green, red, or another shade);  tomatoes  when fully colored (red, orange, or yellow). Sources. Most nurseries and garden centers sell seeds and seedlings of common summer vegetables.For unusual varieties and potato tubers, try these specialists. The  Natural Gardening Company  (707/766-9303) sells certified organic seeds, potato tubers, and seedlings of eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. Seeds of Change  sells certified organic seeds, potato tubers, and seedlings of peppers and tomatoes. Territorial Seed Company  sells seeds, potato tubers, and seedlings of eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. I. Decide what kind of a club it will be and think up a catchy name. The club should have a topic and the people in y our club should be gathering because they share a common interest.Figure out where and when your club will meet. If you would like the meetings to be held at your school, talk about it with your other club members first. Is it just once a month or twice a week you're meeting? It's important to have these details ironed out so that your members don't get confused. Make sure everyone can get to the meetings easily. If they can't come to  every  meeting, it's okay! Begin recruiting members for your club. Most members should be among your friends, but a few people you don't know well should be allowed to join so that it will become more popular.But keep in mind, having too many members can result in a lot of anger or frustration. Establish a â€Å"government† in your club. You could include: †¢ a leader (president). They should run the club, meetings, and enforce the rules †¢ a deputy leader, who's in charge when the leader cannot make it (vice president) †¢ a treasurer. They should handles the club monies, and keep track of dues for memberships, pay the bills for the clubs operations and activities. They should also keep records of all debits and credits for accounting purposes. †¢ a secretary. They should keep minutes f every meeting and read them for correction or addition at each consecutive meeting. They can assist with the activities of the club, such as events that are hosted, and give a report of the event at meetings that follow these events. †¢ a historian. They should keep a record of activities that the club hosts, etc. †¢ a head of Events. They should delegate club members to help in planning organized activities. †¢ an advertising team. They should be responsible for creating flyers etc. Decide on a club symbol, colors, etc. This should also be decided by the club and voted on.Make club IDs. Make a template with your name, the club's name, the member's rank (if they have one), contact info for the club, c lub location, and the time since they became a member. Get a motto/slogan. This step is optional, but it can help to keep everyone in the club on the right track. Make it inspirational. Have your first meeting. It's best to have snacks and some kind of games to make a good impression. Call members to remind them of the first meeting, as it's best if everyone attends. Keep moving forward. Have a good constitution to help clarify what you want to do and how.Help your officers to know what they should do and how to behave. There are books to guide you in these things – get one. J. Start small. Don't run for class president your first year out. Try one of the other positions, instead. If you're new at the school, try volunteering for a position that's not elected your first year, such as yearbook or newspaper. It will be a way to get to know classmates and the school and gain experience before you run. Recognize your strengths and interests. For example, if you like writing, run for secretary. If you're a leader, try president. Make promises.If you make promises that are appealing to the majority of people many of those people will vote for you. For example say you'll create a 5 minute break in the day. Collect a dedicated following made of friends. If they yell, shout and campaign for you people will get into mood and will think it is cool to vote for you. If you get elected president, make all of your possible promises come true, and try to make a good one, so you can get elected once more. Advertise! you're not going to win if people don't know you're running. Put up posters, hand out flyers or buttons, chalk the sidewalks around campus.Do anything you can do to get your name out there. However, make sure it doesn't go against the school rules. L. Instructions Torn Hem o 1 Trim or pull out any loose threads. Do this carefully so that you only attend to the area around where the hem has come down, and do not accidentally remove the stitching from the enti re of the dress's hem. o 2 Pin hem back into position. o 3 Thread your needle with as close to the same colored thread as you can manage so that your repair will be unnoticeable. o 4 Do slip stitches to repair the hem when you fix a torn dress.To do slip stitches, tie a knot in your thread, and pass your needle through a very small portion of the fabric on the back-side of the dress as possible. Draw the thread through this small portion until you reach the knot. Push the head of the needle through the top of the folded portion of the hem, then push the needle out again. Pass the needle through a portion of fabric above the hem, draw the thread through until you reach the end without pulling so you don't pucker the fabric, pass the needle into the top, folded portion of the hem, and repeat. Torn Seam o 5Take out or cut any loose threads, being careful to not remove any thread in the portion of the seam that is still OK. o 6 Pin the seam back together. o 7 Sew the seam back together by hand or with a machine, being careful to overlap the areas on both sides of the ripped seam that are still intact. Torn Button o 8 Replace a torn button by first removing the thread that remains in the dress when you try to repair it. o 9 Choose a thread that closely matches the thread that's being used for the buttons on the other dress. o 10 Be careful to sew on the button in the same fashion as the other buttons when you fix a torn dress.If the button is attached via a built-in loop or shank on the button's bottom, this isn't as much of a concern. However, if the button has four holes, make sure you sew it on in the same pattern, which will be either diagonally or vertically. o 11 Start sewing the button on from the back of the torn dress. o 12 Tie a knot in the thread, push the needle through the hole in the button and through the front of the dress, then pass the needle through the button and toward the back of the dress in either the hole above it or the hole diagonally fro m it. 13 Repeat until you get the amount of thread on the button you wish, then go on to the next group of holes. o 14 Finish the button by passing the needle up through and back through the button, but do not pierce the fabric of the torn dress yet. Loop the thread several times around the thread just beneath the button and on the top side of the dress, pass the needle up through one of the holes of the button, then back down the other hole to the back of the dress, and make a knot before cutting the thread.M. Getting good grades on exams is a dream of every student. But term papers can be overwhelming for many students who want to get good scores but don’t like to write. However, term papers are compulsory if you really want to succeed in academics. Writing a good term paper might not be as hard as many students think. It requires good organizational skills, good research, and immediate action instead of waiting till the last moment. Below are some tips to help you know how to write a term paper on time.

Negroponte’s decision to partner with Microsoft Essay

2. Do you agree with Negroponte’s decision to partner with Microsoft? Yes I agree with this decision Negroponte partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, which is very trustworthy, and reliable name in the computer sector for the operating system and software. Nicholas Negroponte, founder and director of the MIT Media Lab, introduced the idea for the $ 100 laptop in 2005. The laptop will be directed towards the child in â€Å"developing countries.† The intent is to help education in those countries. The purpose of this project, to be specific, is â€Å"To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.† Technical achievement of the laptop project fast-low power requirements, the physical design of all closed to prevent water or sand or dirt damage, open source software [originally, this has since changed], a unique interface, and the possibility for solar and hand-crank powering, and designers who are doing well to achieve their costs disappear. Despite its considerable innovation, or perhaps because of it, the OLPC project has been unable to achieve its $100 targeted cost. The current cost of each unit is listed on the OLPC Website as $199 (www.laptop.org/en/participate/ways-to-give.shtml). However, this does not include upfront deployment costs, which are said to add an additional 5%–10% to the cost of each machine (wiki.laptop.org/go/Larger_OLPC), and subsequent IT-management costs. Nor does it include the cost of teacher training, additional software, and ongoing maintenance and support. OLPC initially required governments to purchase a million units, and then reduced the number to 250,000 in April 2007. Such large purchases are difficult to justify for governments in developing countries, and the requirement was ultimately eliminated. Some countries eventually lost interest due to the higher costs of the XO. For example, Nigeria failed to honor a pledge by its former president to purchase a million units, partly because they no longer cost $100 apiece.21 Meanwhile, other countries, including Libya, have opted for the Intel  Classmate, which is priced at approximately $250 for the PC alone. Officials in Libya, which had planned to buy up to 1.2 million XO laptops, became concerned that the machines lacked Windows, and that service, teacher training, and future upgrades would not be provided directlyby OLPC. Subsidies from Intel, including donated laptops and teacher training, also helped persuade the Libyan government to choose the Classmate. The goal of OLPC is to provide each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop. To this end, we have designed the hardware, software and content for collaborative, fun, and self-empowered learning. One Laptop per Child is not about machines, it’s about movement. to get computers into the hands of children that will help them learn, then â€Å"this is a price worth paying.† Use technology to transform education by bringing connectivity and constructionist learning for poor children around the world, â€Å"said Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of OLPC.

Non-Profit Organizations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Non-Profit Organizations - Assignment Example Different types of shares such as equity shares and preference shares may be issued to accumulate the initial capital needed for the creation of the company. Microsoft and Apple are two major publicly-traded companies in the United States. After choosing the type of business (limited-liability company or partnership), the firm’s name should be registered with the local/state government. Then the business concern should acquire the federal tax ID and register with the state revenue agency. Ernst & Young and Deloitte are two non-publicly-traded companies in the US. American Red Cross was established by Clara Barton in 1881after organizing a meeting of 15 people. Currently, the organization has no subsidiaries. The organization invests in marketing campaigns as part of its fundraising efforts. This nonprofit organization acquired $3.4billion and $3.5 billion in revenues for the fiscal years 2013 and 2014 respectively. While analyzing the recent annual reports of the American Red Cross, it seems that the organization maintains a healthy financial status. Amnesty International was founded by Peter Benenson in 1961. It has no subsidiaries. The organization also invests in marketing initiatives in an attempt to raise a sufficient amount of donations. For the fiscal years, 2013 Amnesty International gained revenues of  £24.8m. As the organization has access to potential sources of finance, its financial position is very strong. Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Microsoft has hundreds of subsidiary businesses, and some major subsidiaries include Microsoft Global Finance, Microsoft General Management Company, Microsoft Licensing, and Microsoft PF Holdings. Microsoft’s revenues rose from US$77.85 billion in 2013 to US$86.83 in 2014 although the company’s growth declined in 2014 compared to the previous fiscal year (â€Å"Microsofts global revenue 2002 to 2014†).

Does cultural globalization inevitably result in cultural Essay

Does cultural globalization inevitably result in cultural homogenization Your answer should consider examples from at least one - Essay Example Globalization is an ongoing process, and the term has come into use since around 1990. The spread from one region to another of different symbols, products and concepts of culture across the globe, and their incorporation into new cultures are key to cultural globalization. It is important to understand whether the mutual assimilation of new cultures by different countries leads to their homogenization and uniformity of culture. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to determine whether cultural globalization inevitably results in cultural homogenization. Cultural Globalization Results in Homogenization and Differentiation Traditional concepts of culture are challenged by globalization. Culture was considered as that which differentiated one group from another, thereby identifying â€Å"otherness†. Culture has been one of anthropology’s main means of categorization; however the flexible boundaries today makes the concept of culture even more abstract. Lewellen (2002: 162) states that â€Å"globalization tends to break down categories; boundaries dissolve and once-differentiated types overlap, flow into each other, are transformed by contact into new forms, and take on unanticipated meanings in new contexts†. ... Moreover, globalization is almost never unimpeded. Nationalism, ethnicity, nongovernmental organizations, and transnational communities form a defense to prevent economic and political marginalization, cultural disintegration, and anomy or social instability caused by erosion of cultural standards. This is also true for cultural assimilation of transnational communities. Modernization theory predicted increasing cultural homogenization through assimilation of ethnic groups in western cultures over several generations. However, mainly due to global technology it is increasingly possible to maintain one’s ethnic identity through quick visits to home country by air, cheap and instantaneous communication with family that stayed behind, business networks and financial transactions both ways, expatriate participation in home-country politics, and a constant introduction of new immigrants from home country contribute to sustaining migrant ethnicity for long periods of time, and preve nts homogenization with host culture. Contemporary anthropologists tend to look for differences and not similarity, resistance not accommodation, transnationalism not assimilation. Friedman (1994) states that there are several examples of cultural devolution which are not represented in evolutionary theories. Examples are cultures such as those of Hawaii, North American and Peruvian Indians, and Congo pygmies that have lost much of their original autonomy and complexity as they are absorbed into the peripery of dominant cultures. Anthropologists agree that no cultural convergence is observable, and it is likely that the â€Å"total repertoire of cultural forms

Content analysis Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Content analysis - Dissertation Example The systematic element means the proper procedures should be followed in selecting a data sample that provides an equal opportunity for each item of the wider content to be included in the analysis. Simultaneously, each item under consideration should be treated the same. Meanwhile, the objective description means that future researchers should be able to utilize the outcomes of the research easily in their study. Finally, the quantitative requirement means the researcher should take great care in his/her reporting to facilitate further usage of his/her analysis, interpretation and findings (Wimmer & Dominick, 1983). Content analysis is associated with the core content that, as explained by Patterson (1984), refers to what is written or said, but not to what is stated between the lines. Thus, the conceptual structure for the content analysis should incorporate the following elements: 1. Data as provided to the researcher 2. Data context 3. The knowledge of the researcher constructs h is/her perception , 4. The objective of the content analysis 5. Interpretation of the data as the prime intellectual task 6. Validity considered as the significant evaluation factor (Krippendorff, 1980). Keeping this under consideration, the structure of this investigation will serve analytical, methodological and perspective purposes. In order to acquire the perspective to support conceptualisation, it important to present the framework of the practical content analysis for the two selected leading Saudi newspapers, Alriyadh and Alyoum, during the events that occurred in Bahrain between February 14 and March 16, 2011. The framework of this study is analytical in that it aids the critical evaluation of the findings of the content analysis as acquired through the researcher’s interpretation. Furthermore, the framework of this study is also methodological, as it controls the development and the systematic improvement of the content analysis method employed in this study and dis cussed later. Consideration of the definitions, the requirements of the content analysis and the framework presented above provided an effective method of evaluating the content of Alriyadh and Alyoum, and provided reliability and validity to this study. The evidence, in accordance with the framework, for the application of the interpretation of the content analysis is provided with the help of data sampling, categories of the research and their measurement. This is discussed later in this chapter. For interpreting the inferences and tasks of the Krippendorff model accurately, it is important to consider the context of the data available. Therefore, the objective here is what the researcher wants to investigate (Krippendorff, 1980). For instance, in this study, an uncertain objective might be the political handling of the issue in Bahrain by the Saudi Arabian government, or more specifically, the relationship between the Saudi Arabian government and the Bahrain and Saudi pressâ€⠀particularly Alriyadh and Alyoum—at the time of the Bahrain protests. 1.2. Data Sampling The data sample for the content analysis of the printed press in Saudi Arabia has been extracted from the two leading daily newspapers, Alriyadh and Alyoum. These have been selected because of their large circulation and geographical dissemination. Alriyadh is distributed in the capital city of Riyadh, which is also the political hub of the

Voluntary environmental management initiatives Essay

Voluntary environmental management initiatives - Essay Example This defines the basic approach the company takes in implementing the system. If the focus is on compliance, then the benefits that the company will expect are reduction in their liabilities. (A Strategic Approach to ISO 14001) This is an EMS and the company is likely to consider it a cost. On the other hand, if the company's objective is to improve their products, design and processes, with the attendant benefits of pollution reduction, but more importantly customer satisfaction, then it could be a VEMI and the company would consider this an investment. The company, in this case, will not be worried about the certification per se, but about the satisfaction of the stakeholders. This does not, of course, mean that the certification is not necessary or is useless, but the company in question is pursuing real results in terms of pollution reduction and improvement in the processes and products, leading to customer and stakeholder satisfaction. (A Strategic Approach to ISO 14001) To answer the question - 'Why are VEMI's important' - The first thing that we need to understand is that it is more realistic than an ISO 14000-oriented EMS. To elaborate, there can be no uniformity in the framework to be used to implement EMS systems - this will differ from company to company, industry to industry. For instance, a retailer may focus on how environment friendly the suppliers are; while a chemical company may focus on how to develop products that cause less harm to the environment and how to recycle the waste products. Even the expectations in the ISO context - that the company has a commitment to ensure compliance, that it seeks to improve its systems on a continuous basis and that it aims to control pollution - cannot be evaluated in the same way for different facilities. (A Strategic Approach to ISO 14001) To take the example of the first expectation - commitment to compliance - different nations have varying levels, strictness and coverage in their environmental regulations. Since ISO 14000 stipulates compliance with regard to the location of the company seeking certification, it may be that a company located in a country where there are less number of laws, will be able to show compliance sooner and with much greater ease. (A Strategic Approach to ISO 14001) The chance of companies getting the certification by adhering to certain minimum regulation requirements is also high. Hence, for real environment management in letter and spirit, it may be necessary to motivate companies to take up VEMI, where they are genuinely interested in environmental improvement. VEMI will therefore be the instrument through which real environment management systems with responsible environment friendly actions take place. Voluntary initiatives or programmes are of three types, according to Lyon and Maxwell. They can be unilateral commitments in which case business organisations voluntarily set up environmental initiatives or programmes. The organisation and not the government take the initiatives in this kind of programme. They can also be public voluntary programmes, where more than one firms agree to adapt the standards established by a public body, like an environmental agency. They can also be negotiated agreements where the government industry

Research topics and explanation Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Topics and explanation - Research Paper Example The increasing trend of students being expelled for exam cheating in schools is a matter that has aroused debate in the society. Since the students are expected to be the future leaders, there is need to give them sound bringing up and in the event they commit some mistakes especially in learning institution. It is therefore important to resort to other rehabilitative measures like counseling in cases of examination cheating instead of the ultimate destructive move of expelling them. This issue is therefore critical for the general welfare of the society. Various states have been experiencing high cases of accidents caused by reckless motorists. Most of these accidents can be attributed to lack of safety measures like helmet for the motorcyclists and the passengers (Savageau, 2007). The society has kept blaming transport department and related authorities on laxity of enforcing safety measure rules with particular emphasis on wearing helmet. This topic is relevant as if it is addressed it will significantly mitigate cases of motorcyclists and passengers having head injuries at the slightest contact with the ground or any other object in the event of an accident. The sensitivity of the head to injuries also makes it important to address the issue of wearing helmet as a compulsory requirement for any motorcyclist (Merson, Black, & Mills, 2012). The audience of this subject should be the motorcyclists, general public who forms the passenger community and the transport governing authorities who should ensure rules and regulations on road safety are implemented. The increasing call for safety measures in the roads requires that all the motorcyclists enlist the use of helmet. It is in the interest of the general public that helmets are made available for the passenger and the motorcyclists to minimize case of fatalities in

Thesis statement is The corporate model of management should not be Essay

Thesis statement is The corporate model of management should not be used for citywide hospital agencies to address its inefficiences - Essay Example thcare sector has massively invested resources in carrying out research on the possibility of developing cure/treatment for these infections that claim lives of many in the 21st century. However, both the states and local government have equally increased medical and clinical awareness campaigns aimed at increasing and improving the quality of healthcare provided to the public. This has been made possible through enacting legislation on healthcare provision to ensure universal access to services. This has resulted into improvement in the quality of life and hence the general productivity of the industry. The management and administration of hospital agencies remains an incredibly complicated and challenging task that calls for effective balancing of all aspects in a hospital setting. Therefore, hospital overseers must balance between pressure from all aspects including internal demands (public expectations, pattern of emerging diseases and demographics changes), demands from suppliers (health care workforce, clinical knowledge and technology), as well as social demands (global research and development market, internationalisation and financial pressures). The complexity of managing hospital agencies remains a concern to researchers who have questioned the wisdom of the application of the corporate model of management in the hospital settings. Presently, many hospitals agencies citywide are relying on a corporate model of management. This model has encouraging impacts on the hospitals productivity. However, overreliance on the model presents severe consequences on the quality and sus tainability of service delivery. It is notable that the theme for adopting corporate model of management in the citywide hospital agencies arose from the need to improve productivity and quality of service delivery (Debra et al.). The need to enhance the development of citywide hospital agencies necessitated the adoption of this model. The model has presented diverse discrepancies,

Why abortion should be illegal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why abortion should be illegal - Essay Example For instance, in the UK it is legal for termination to be carried out up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. On the other hand abortion in the United States is a highly-charged issue with significant political and ethical debate. Statistics point out that, there were 854,122 legal induced abortions reported to CDC in the US in 2003.If abortions are legal, there are several problems that can occur. For instance, the number of abortions can increase tremendously. In families where there is a gender bias, it can result in the termination of unwanted gender. Additionally, it can also result in youngsters getting involved in unsafe sex. Though getting an abortion is a difficult decision to make, many women take this decision under pressure. It is also an emotionally disturbing decision as the process requires the pregnant women to go through a procedure where the fetus in the uterus is killed and extracted from their body. Abortion is a morally wrong decision and it affects society, families, and t he individuals who allow the procedure to be done. It is important to note that there are several methods to avoid pregnancy and people should adopt these methods to prevent pregnancy than to terminate it and that's why it should be illegal. Today, it is important to create awareness among the youth that abstinence from sex is a good option so that they would never have to worry about experiencing an unwanted pregnancy.

Managing Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 2

Managing Change - Essay Example Organizational leaders and its respective managers make the necessary efforts in order to accomplish the change. It is basically the nature of their work that they do such modifications. While in the process it reflects that some are very much acquainted with such practices while others are not. Also, some are able to grasp the things swiftly while others take longer hours to settle down. This often make significant differences in the job pattern of the people who settle down and spend a good span of time in their jobs while others get bogged down under pressure. This makes the candidate much more inferior with respect to his counterpart and ultimately settles down frustrated and aimless. This also makes him loose his efficiency level. But unfortunately there are least number of schools and institutions that apply to the study of such practices and thereby provide possible solutions. They are required to identify those particular areas and develop strategies by critical examination o f the shortfalls. It should become a priority for these organizations to develop solutions. (Organizational Change Management, 2009) However, changing a management is sort of a difficult practice to implement. It is similar to changing an individual’s long established habit that has been continuing over the years. On the organizational context in order to bring about change, it is required to understand the basic concepts about the structures and the different roles played by the management. This is a practice implemented in order to gear up the performance level of the organizations and side by side improve the performance level of the people in and around the organization. Researchers have almost borrowed thoughts and several concepts covering these areas which try to unfold the various aspects of organizational change. They have put up theories in order to describe situations

Community Development Essay Example for Free

Community Development Essay Achieving gender equality and empowering women are necessary to achieve social, economic and political development. Today, girls and women continue to benefit from health and education services with women surpassing men in enrolment and academic achievements in many situations. Women in Malaysia are also more actively involved today in politics and numerous other national initiatives. Malaysia’s commitment and dedication to the advancement of women is evident in many of its programs and policies in the last two decades. In 1985, the Government of Malaysia formulated the National Policy on Women as a guide for women’s participation in the development process. The Policy helps enhance women’s quality of life by overcoming challenges through poverty eradication and education. The stature of women became a primary objective of the 6th Malaysia Plan (1991 – 1995), where a special fund for the development of women became a significant and integral step towards empowering women in Malaysia. Subsequent Malaysia Plans continue to focus on the needs of women with recommendations to advance their position in society. By agreeing to the commitments set forth in the Beijing Platform for Action at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women (1995), the Government promised to 1) enhance the national machinery for womens advancement; 2) increase womens participation in decision-making; 3) safeguard womens rights to health, education and social well being and 4) remove legal obstacles and gender discriminatory practices. In 1995, the Government also ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women(CEDAW). In 2001, the Government created the Ministry of Women and Family Development with a mandate to address issues on women and uplift the stature of women in the country. Malaysia’s Constitution was amended in August 2001 to prohibit discrimination in any law on the basis of gender. The Government continues to play a crucial and supportive role in achieving greater gender equality in the country, by providing a healthy environment for the advancement of women at both national and international arenas. The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development which is responsible for addressing women’s issues in Malaysia has had its budget increase from RM 1.8 million (US$ 0.5 million) in 2001 to RM 30.5 million (US$ 8.6 million) in 2005, demonstrating the country’s serious commitment to the cause. Future challenges to be considered include: addressing the continued poverty among female-headed households; combating violence against women; raising the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming strategies; reducing women’s risk of contracting HIV; removing attitudinal challenges that impact capacity-building; and raising the level of women’s participation in the labour force, in business and in politics and government. KPWKM is headed by a Minister, currently held by Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (UMNO). She is assisted by a Deputy Minister, currently held by Senator Heng Seai Kie (MCA). The following departments and agencies are under the purview of the KPWKM: * Department for Womens Development  In 1975, the Government set up the National Advisory Council on the Integration of Women in Development (NACIWID) as the machinery to ensure the involvement of women in development. In 1983, the Secretariat for Womens Affairs (HAWA) in the Prime Ministers Department was established to take over the tasks of the NACIWID Secretariat. From 1997, HAWA functioned as a department under the former Ministry of National Unity and Social Development. In 2001, the Department was placed under the then newly established KPWKM and restructured as the Department for Womens Development (DWD). By 2002, the DWD had set up branch offices in every state in Malaysia.[7] * Social Welfare Department  Initially set up in 1946 as the Community Welfare Department of Malaya, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has evolved in fulfilling its role in national development. From initially being involved in mitigating the social problems brought about by the immediate post-war period, the role and functions of this department have expanded to cover prevention and rehabilitation services in social issues as well as community development.[8] * National Population and Family Development Board  The National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) was established in 1966 to improve the reproductive health status of women and men and encourage family planning. It has since evolved to include policy and advisory roles by assisting planners and programme managers to integrate population and family development into sectoral development programme planning as well as facilitate policy makers to consider population and family development factors in the formulation of national development policies and strategies.[9] * Social Institute of Malaysia  The Social Institute of Malaysia was set up to promote professional and semi-professional training in the field of training and research as well as social education to all social workers from various levels and groups from within and outside the country including non-governmental organizations. It currently operates from a 50-acre (200,000 m2) campus in Sungai Besi that was completed in 2001.

The Importance Of Safety In The Workplace Construction Essay

The Importance Of Safety In The Workplace Construction Essay Safety, health and environment are important thing in our workplace. This is the top priority in every workplace. Something must need to be done to encourage employees, employer and industries to put safety, health and environment at the top of their agenda. The most important thing is our commitment in taking the action and our commitment to take suitable changes to ensure that safety, health and environment is forefront of everyones thinking. Thus, the objective of this topic is to know how engineers can contribute in the awareness of safety, health and environment. In addition, an engineer also must always keep abreast with development in order to be a successful engineer in all aspects. II.METHODOLOGY Methodology used in preparing the report (do the work) are do research on the selected titles, collecting the data, interpreting the data, and finding the suitable case of study as the example. III.DISCUSSION This part of report will discuss about the theory, concept and explanation on contributions of engineer in safety, health and environment. The ethics on safety We were also discussing the ways of an engineer can keep abreast with the development of technologies without confining any other discipline . i.Contribution in safety Safety is priority thing in workplace. We need to ensure that safety in workplace because to minimize the risk of accident occur [1]. Every employee has their own role to make sure that nothing happened when doing the task. When something occurs, the companies need to use a lot of money either in new design or pay the money to the victims. There are many ways how to contribute awareness in safety. One of them is engineer need to participate in design state [2]. With this way, engineer will know the problem in their design. Problem in the design will be found during the testing design. With this testing design, engineer can solve or upgrade their design. Other than that, enforcement snag should be carried out continuously. In order to prevent workers from repeating their false, they need to be penalized. If it involves serious case, they need to be charge in court. However, some people state that this is not proper way to encourage them to become a good worker. Serious enforcement and inspection has to be made especially for high rise projects. This is to ensure that all workers ensure that the equipment and structures at workplace would not pose a danger to the workers themselves and the public. Perhaps in the future, the authorities would have the right to penalize workers who defy safety and health guidelines at a wo rkplace. Another suggestion is the ministry could also publish the names of engineers, details of their projects and their track records in meeting safety guidelines. Training and education are also important to educate worker. With training and education not only reduce the accident also reduce the cost and save life. A study by Toole (2002) had found that if workers do not have proper training on safety, they may not be able to recognize potential hazards at a site. The workers also need to sit for a basic skills test written examination on safety. This exam carried out to determine the competency level of new workers on their knowledge and awareness. At Singapore, government of Singapore has introduced a skill test to construction workers in the country. Workers who passed the examination would be awarded with skill evaluation certificate. But Malaysian government still did not use this approach. Maybe in the next future, it can be used to increase the safety in Malaysias industry. The main problem with the safety issues is the attitude of the worker. They need to change their behavior in order to prevent accident occur to them. Some workers did not expose with the environment of workplace. So, they need to enter programs that teach them how to contribute awareness in safety. Last but not least, commitments of management also important in adopting safe work at workplace. Nothing happened if only the workers take part in awareness of safety. Management need to prepare a safety workplace like prepare a fire hole in building and also put a poster about safety in building. ii. Contribution in Health There are many ways to contribute awareness in health. Actually, we can take ways from awareness in safety as contribution awareness in health. One of the ways to contribute awareness in health is a change in designer mindset. Some designers always think their design without thinking others prospects. They just think their design can publish or not. This is bad attitude because they not think about the others. Other than that, motivate the designer also one of important way of contribution of awareness in health. Many designers need incentives beyond the benefits to worker safety and health, in order to wholeheartedly embrace the practice. Other potential sources of motivation and incentive include the design contract, market forces, knowledge of potential cost savings, professional codes of ethics, building codes, standard design practice, and legislative actions such as regulations that clearly recognize a safety role for designers. Designers also need have high knowledge. The lack of safety and health knowledge among designers should be addressed by providing training on safety health-related topics during the designers formal education and continuing professional development. Alternative designs that enhance safety and health must be collected and made available for reference. Also, designers need practical guidelines for addressing safety amid the complex array of design processes and regulations they encounter in their work. Constructor involvement also plays the important role in contribution awareness in health and safety. Constructors and construction workers can help designers recognize potential construction safety hazards and identify a facilitys permanent design features that could be modified to minimize such hazards. iii.Contribution to Environment Nowadays, environmental protection has becomes significant issues. In order to increase the awareness in this problem, Environmental Ethics have been introduced in purpose to develop roots of environmental movement and to understand the responsibility to the environment [1]. Engineers lead in the creation of solutions for the problems caused by current technologies. Thus, engineers play important roles in protecting environment. Environments protection is needed in order to protect the integrity of biosphere, to control dangerous and unnatural substances and lastly to provides a healthy environment for human beings [1]. One of the important contributions of engineer to environmental issue is working to find solutions to the problems caused by the modern technology. The skills and knowledge of an engineer is needed to help to protect the environment and this duty is one of the engineering codes of ethics. The concern about the environment has grown thus when developing a new technology, engineers should ensure designed product does not affect the environment. The product that has been produced must have the least effect to the environment. For examples, many of the products nowadays are recyclable and can be reused thus this can save the source of our nature. To make sure the environment is protected and be taking care with the development of technologies, environmental code of ethics should be practice by all engineers. Professional codes of ethics already told us the safety of people and environment to be of paramount importance. This statement clearly states that engineer do have responsibility to ensure their work done in the most environmentally safe manner [1]. In reality, there might be complexity on these issues such as conflict between employers desires and the employee. When an employer suggest on project that ethically wrong and gave a big impact on environment, an engineer have the right to express his opinion on moral issues regarding environment. In this case, both professional and personal ethics can be used as the guidelines in making a decision. Basically, an engineer needs to make a decision in the area which he competent. Thus, for many environmental issues, engineers should seek for counsel who have better knowledge in environments policy in order to help analyze and to understand the possible consequences of a project done to the environment. Engineers also can corporate with biologists or public health experts when developing a new project in order to ensure the project conducted in the most environmental manner. Sustainable Design is widely been practiced in most development countries in this world. It is also known as Green Engineering in some countries. Sustainable Development is the challenge of meeting human needed in many areas likely in natural resources, industrial products, energy, food, transportation and effective waste management [4]. This concept also conserved and protected environmental quality and the natural resource base essential for future development [4]. This is to ensure that engineer products design does not harm the environment. By using this Green Engineering Principles, an engineer can help to maintain the integrity of the environment and most importantly to make sure that quality of human life can be sustained. iv. Way to keep abreast with the development of technology In this technological era, an engineer must go ahead and keep abreast with the new development. One way to keep abreast with the development of technology is to attend the professional conference or seminar. Usually in the conference all engineer from various field are pleasantly presenting their new research and projects. Globalization is trending in world right now. It is a term that describes the global actions toward economy, politic, technology and society needed which makes national boundaries is less important. Globalization is changing the way of our lives either on a personal basis or social relationship. Engineers should take advantages on globalization as it is a world without boundaries. The effects of globalization includes such as the emergence of worldwide production markets, expanded level of trades and the development of global telecommunications system which allow engineers to work in any places in the world while keep in contact in the other part of the world. The rapidly changing skill requirements and knowledge in the engineering profession are important challenges to engineer. Thus, lifelong learning is a way for individual engineers to keep abreast with the new fundamentals. Merely take notes on the new development and takes training on the latest technology are good ways to keep in the right track of the current developments. It is noticeable that an engineer should make decision only in the area which he is competent. Thus, in developing new project, all engineers in various area should cooperates and work together to ensure the project done have good impacts to society. Cooperation of all engineers can keep them abreast with the current technologies that been produced and make them aware of the new products that will be produced. v. Case Study on Clean Water: The Professional Engineers Contribution to Health In 1848, after a second outbreak of cholera again due to polluted drinking water in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, a water supply system was suggested to overcome the growing health problem[5]. Five years later, John Fredrick Bateman, a civil engineer, concluded his study to find the best potential source for Glasgow, recommending the high-quality water of Loch Katrine. The resulting supply system took three and half years to complete and involved the construction of a dam on the loch, 42km of aqueduct, a similar length of trunk mains, 74km of distribution pipes and the Mugdock storage reservoir at Milngavie. Over 140 years later, changes to European and UK water quality standards, particularly in respect of disinfectant by-products and micro-organisms such as Cryptosporidia, formed the main driver behind the new water treatment plant. In 2003, the main contractor, MJ Gleeson was appointed to manage the design and construction of the new Loch Katrine Water Works. The design of the new treatment works involved over 100 technical staffs from 25 different disciplines. Disciplines involved included are civil engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental consultants, cost consultants etc. In addition, due to the Katrine is a famous tourism spot, environmental factors were considered for the construction. In order to minimize the visual and landscape impacts of the project, the plant is partially sunk into ground while open exposed areas have been given a natural stone finish and service reservoir has a green roof [5]. The sludge system was moved into the sewer system on the other side of the site, which prevented developing a separate on-site sludge treatment plant. To summarize, the original works was for transporting water form Loch Katrine to Glasgow with very little in the way of treatment. The fundamental function of the new works is treatment. Both are excellent examples of outstanding professional engineering. IV.CONCLUSION As the conclusion, engineers have the responsibility to concern on health, safety and environment issues for their design and workplace. In order to overcome new threat, they also need to keep updated with new technology such that they can contribute more in improving the life of mankind. V.REFERENCES [1] Charles B. Fleddermann, Engineering Ethics, E Source Prentice Hall 3rd Edition. [2] Engr. Mohd Khairolden Ghani, Grad. IEM, Engr. Dr. Zuhairi Abd. Hamid, MIEM, PEng, Engr. Maria Zura Mohd Zain, Grad.IEM, Engr. Ahmad Hazim Abdul Rahim, Grad. IEM, Engr. Kamarul Anuar Mohamad Kamar, Grad. IEM, Muhammed Asraff Abdul Rahman Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) CIDB Malaysia, Safety Malaysian Construction: The Challengenges and Initiatives [3] John Gambatese, Jimmie Hinze, Michael Behm ,Oregon State University, University of Florida, East Carolina University(May 2005), Investigation of the Viability of Designing for Safety [4] National Society of Professional Engineers, United States [5] Katrine Water Treatment Project, Glasgow, United Kingdom. Retrieved Oct 4, 2010, from http://www.watertechnology.net/projects/katrine

Return on Investment for Emergency Obstetric Care Training

Return on Investment for Emergency Obstetric Care Training Social Return on Investment for Emergency Obstetric Care Training in Kenya Dedication â€Å"To philanthropy and all those contributing to making the world a better place† List of tables Table 1‑1: Summary table of social impact assessment methods Table 2‑1: WHO emergency obstetric care signal functions.. Table 3‑1: Krlev et al. 12-point quality assessment framework Table 3‑2: Sources of retrieved SROI studies. Table 3‑3: Criterion quality scores of health SROI studies across the 5 dimensions Table 3‑4: Health interventions that have been measured with SROI Table 3‑5: Summary table describing application of the SROI methodology in Health Table 3‑6: Summary of duration of health SROI analysis. Table 4‑1: Outputs of the current phase of the Making it Happen programme Table 4‑2: Content of the LSS-EOC NC. Table 4‑3: Distribution of Kenyan population across age groups. Table 4‑4: Kenyan Key development indicators.. Table 4‑5: EmONC indicators in Kenya compared to UN standards. Table 5‑1: Description of SROI principles. Table 5‑2: MiH outcome and output data indicators relevant for SROI analysis Table 6‑1: Stakeholder analysis of the EmONC training component of the Making it Happen programme Table 6‑2: Primary and secondary data required from the included stakeholders List of figures Figure 1‑1: Types of Social Return on Investment Studies Figure 2‑1: Annotation of the logic model (version 1). Figure 2‑2: Annotation of the logic model (version 2). Figure 2‑3: DFID 3Es + CE framework for Value for Money.. Figure 3‑1: Schematic representation of the conceptual framework underpinning the review Figure 3‑2: PRISMA flow diagram summarising the search process. Figure 3‑3: Mean quality scores of health SROI studies since 2005. Figure 3‑4: Number of public health SROI articles published since 2005. Figure 3‑5: Number of health SROI studies published by year, showing countries where the methodology was applied Figure 3‑6: Distribution of countries conducting SROI studies Figure 4‑1: Map of Kenya showing the eight provinces and the surrounding countries Figure 5‑1: SROI process map Figure 5‑2: Methods to be used within the SROI data collection stages.. Figure 6‑1: Analysis of stakeholders related to EmONC training in Kenya List of appendices Appendix 1: Search strategy Appendix 2: Systematic review results Appendix 3: Ethics Appendix 4: Materials relating to Making it Happen Appendix 5: Questionnaires Abbreviations ACAFIAtkisson Compass Assessment for Investors AIDSAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome BACOBest Available Charitable Option BEmOCBasic Emergency Obstetric Care BEmONCBasic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care BoP Base of Pyramid BScBalanced Scorecard BVABlended Value Accounting CAQDAS CEmOCComprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care CEmONCComprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care CBACost Benefit Analysis CEACost-Effectiveness Analysis CMA Cost-Minimization Analysis CMNHCentre for Maternal Newborn Health CRTCluster Randomised Trials CSOCivil Society Organisation CUACost-Utility Analysis DALYs Disability-Adjusted Life Years DFIDDepartment for International Development DHDepartment of Health DHS Demographic and Health Survey EEEconomic Evaluation EmOC Emergency Obstetric Care EmONCEmergency Obstetric and Newborn Care EOC NCEssential Obstetric Care and Newborn Care FGFocus Group FGDFocus Group Discussion GRIGlobal Reporting Initiative HCPHealth Care Providers HEFCEHigher Education Funding Council for England ICPIntegrated Care and Prevention IDIIn-Depth Interview KHSSIP Kenya Health Sector Strategic and Investment Plan KIIKey Informant Interview KPIKey Person Interview LADSILabour and Delivery Satisfaction Index LATHLiverpool Associates in Tropical Health LEMLocal Economic Multiplier LMICsLow and Middle Income Countries LSS-EOCNCLife Saving Skills – Essential Obstetric Care and Newborn Care LSTMLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine MARPMost At Risk Population MDG-ScanMillennium Development Goal Scan MICSMultiple Indicator Cluster Survey MIFMeasuring Impact Framework MiHMaking It Happen MMRMaternal Mortality Ratio MNHMaternal and Newborn Health MOHMinistry of Health MOMSMinistry of Medical Services MOPHSMinistry of Public Health and Sanitation MSCMost Significant Change nefNew Economics Foundation NGOsNon-Governmental Organisations OASISOn-going assessment of Social Impacts OVCOrphan and Vulnerable Children PLHIVPeople Living with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus PLHWAPeople Living With AIDS PSIAPoverty and Social Impact Analysis PTOPerson Trade-Off QALYsQuality-Adjusted Life Years QIQuality Improvement RCOGRoyal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RCTRandomised Controlled Trials REDFRoberts Enterprise Development Fund RFRoberts Foundation ROIReturn on Investment SAASocial Accounting and Auditing SBASkilled Birth Attendant SCStakeholder Consultation SCBASocial Costs-Benefits Analysis SDRSocial Discount Rate SIASocial Impact Assessment SIAASocial Impact Analysts Association SRASocial Return Assessment SRHSexual and Reproductive Health SROISocial Return on Investment SSQSix Simple Questions STDsSexually Transmitted Infections SVAStakeholder Value Added TBLTriple Bottom Line ToCTheory of Change TSOThird Sector Organisation UKUnited Kingdom UNUnited Nations UNICEFUnited Nations Children’ Fund VfMValue for Money WBWorld Bank WHOWorld Health Organization 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of the chapter This chapter introduces the social return on investment methodology – its definition, history as well as strengths and weaknesses of its application. It then proceeds to identify examples of previous applications of the method, explores any previous intersection of the methodology with the maternal and newborn health field and provides the rationale for the study. Finally, the objectives of this research and an overview of the thesis are provided. 1.2 What is Social Return on Investment? The first definition of Social Return on Investment (SROI) is â€Å"a simple financial assessment of socio-economic value. SROI compares a project’s net benefits to the investment required to generate those benefits over a certain period of time† (Emerson and Cabaj, 2000). Over time, this definition has been modified. In the most recent SROI methodology guidance, SROI is defined as â€Å"a framework for measuring and accounting for the much broader concept of value. It seeks to reduce inequality and environmental degradation and improve wellbeing by incorporating social, environmental and economic costs and benefits† (Nicholls et al., 2012). This definition is most commonly referred to in the literature, when authors define SROI, probably because it is stated within the SROI guidance. New Economics Foundation (nef) also defines SROI as â€Å"an analytic tool for measuring and accounting for a much broader concept of value, taking into account social, economic and environmental factors† (nef, 2014). SROI measures change from the perspective of stakeholders that experience or contribute to a particular activity, intervention, project, programme or policy. â€Å"It tells the story of how change is being created by measuring social, environmental and economic outcomes and uses monetary values to represent them† (Nicholls et al., 2012). Data collection and subsequent analyses allow calculation of a benefits-to-costs ratio. For example, a ratio of 4:1 indicates that an investment of  £1 delivers  £4 of social value. There are two types of SROI (Nicholls et al., 2012) [Figure 1-1]: Evaluative SROI: This retrospectively measures outcomes that have already happened. Forecast SROI: This estimates how much social impact will be generated if the activities to be conducted meet their intended outcomes. Figure 1.1: Types of Social Return on Investment Studies 1.3 History of SROI A review of the development of the SROI methodology would aid understanding of the initial considerations of those who developed the tool and the capabilities and potentials of the tool. This understanding is critical for this research as it provides a foundation upon which the application of the SROI framework in the maternal and newborn health (MNH) area can be better understood. Roberts Foundation (RF) developed the initial SROI framework in 1996, presented in a report titled New Social Entrepreneurs: The Success, Challenge and Lessons of Non-profit Enterprise Creation (REDF, 1996). The purpose of the first SROI report by REDF was to demonstrate the blend of financial, social and environmental value that all the social enterprises within REDF’s funding portfolio were producing compared to the total investment the organisation was making. This first SROI did not attempt to account for all benefits accrued from a programme, but estimated the cost savings or revenue contributions that are attributed to the programme. The framework utilised a modified discounted cash flow analysis for this calculation to demonstrate impact (Emerson and Cabaj, 2000; Emerson et al., 2000). In 1997, the RF, under its new initiative Roberts Foundation Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) updated the framework so to have the capacity to account for total organisational social return on investment and adjusted to be able to account for actual performance that could be continuously updated. REDF recognised more limitations in the methodology (Emerson et al., 2000), but has since not produced any further SROI reports or guidelines. However, the concepts that underpinned the development of this initial framework have been built upon in the subsequent development of the methodology over the past two decades (Tuan, 2008). Guidelines for SROI application have been produced in year 2000 (Emerson and Cabaj, 2000), 2004 (Lingane and Olsen, 2004) and 2006 (Scholten et al., 2006). In 2008, the United Kingdom (UK) Office of the Third Sector (Now referred to as Office for Civil Society (Civil Society Media, 2010)), which is responsible for charities, social enterprises and voluntary org anisations in the Cabinet Office (UK Government, 2014) launched the Measuring Social Value project (Arvidson et al., 2010) and this led to the development of an updated guideline in 2009 (Nicholls et al., 2009) and the production of another revision three years later (Nicholls et al., 2012). These revisions have over the years integrated the initial REDF SROI methodology, which was essentially a social impact measurement tool with principles and processes normally used in economic evaluations and financial return on investment to build a framework that captures social, economic and environmental impacts of interventions (Rotheroe and Richards, 2007). This concept of capturing the broader impacts is widely referred to as the â€Å"triple bottom line† (Norman and MacDonald, 2004), which is in itself encapsulated within the â€Å"blended value accounting† theory (Emerson, 2003). Furthermore, through this evolution, a more detailed stakeholder analysis is now included, shorter time frames are used for estimations and a process to adjusts the results for outcomes that may be attributable to different organisations has been incorporated into the calculation of the SROI ratio (Tuan, 2008). Discussions on how best to structure the methodology are on-going and networks such as the European SROI Network (ESROIN), formed in 2004, the SROI Network (international), formed in 2008 and subsequently affiliated networks formed in Sweden, Canada and Australia, are constantly leading and shaping this process (SROIN, 2014a). The methodology is gradually gaining interest in Africa and Asia too. The drive to develop the methodology has come from within and without the third sector, as third sector organisations (TSOs), such as not for profit organisations, charities and voluntary organisations, are increasingly getting involved in delivering public services and are viewed as development partners who need to show ‘value for money’ (Netten et al., 2010). On one hand, TSOs are pushing to become better in being accountable and demonstrating the value of their activities to donors. On the other hand, the focus of funding organisations has shifted from â€Å"output† to â€Å"outcome† and â€Å"impact† and from â€Å"generous giving† to â€Å"accountable giving†, through which they can demonstrate that evidence-based decisions have informed their choice of funded interventions, projects or programmes (Leat, 2006). 1.4 Application of the SROI methodology The application of the SROI framework can vary from measurement of the impact and social value generated by a project to a programme or indeed to an entire organisation (Millar and Hall, 2013). A rapid search of academic databases does not retrieve substantial amounts of research work that have used the SROI methodology, however the methodology is very popular within the third sector and has been widely embraced by the Office of the Civil Society, donors, commissioners and the public sector (Ainsworth, 2010; Heady, 2010). Its wider practice-based use but limited application within academia restricts its development and could potentially be the reason for its minimal uptake (Arvidson et al., 2010; Ebrahim and Rangan, 2010). Since its first use by REDF in 1996 (Emerson and Cabaj, 2000), the SROI methodology has been broadly applied to many organisations and within many industries. Examples of its use across different sectors include agriculture, where it was used to account for impact of care farming (Leck, 2013); environmental, where it was used to account for impact of a natural regeneration project (Weston and Hong, 2012); energy, where it was used to account for impact of energy efficiency of homes in Germany (Kuckshinrichs et al., 2010); social, where it was used to account for impact of providing training and employment for blind people (Sital-Singh, 2011), transport, where it was used to account for impact of a co-ordinated shared transport service which provides access to workplace, training and childcare in rural Scotland, where no alternative transport is available. (Wright et al., 2009) and indeed health, where amongst other examples, has been used to account for impact of a community-based pa ediatric asthma programme and provision of highly nutritious breakfast for school children in Sydney, Australia (Bhaumik et al., 2013; Varua and Stenberg, 2009). As regards its application in health [described in detail in Chapter 2: systematic review of SROI application in health], It is worth noting that in 2009, the UK Department of Health (DoH), with the support of the Cabinet Office, commissioned an action research project on which five health focused social enterprises were supported to conduct SROI analysis (Department of Health, 2010). This research demonstrated the relevance of the SROI methodology to the health sector and proved that there were additional benefits of using the methodology (Millar and Hall, 2013). However, to the best of our knowledge, though relevant and appropriate, there is no reported evidence of the application of the SROI methodology in the field of maternal and newborn health. 1.5 Difference between SROI and other related methodologies As mentioned above, the SROI methodology has evolved from a combination of social impact assessment tools and economic evaluation tools. It is therefore important to understand how SROI differs from these existing tools and identify what innovative approach it actually offers. When compared to other social impact measurement tools, there are subtle differences. There are several tools that have been previously or are currently being used in measuring and accounting for social impact (Acumen Fund, 2007; Brest and Harvey, 2008; Brest et al., 2009; Centre for High Impact Philanthropy, 2008; Clark et al., 2004; Emerson et al., 2000; Maas and Liket, 2011; Maas, 2008; Maughan, 2012; Nicholls et al., 2012; Owen and Swift, 2001; Schaltegger et al., 2004). Table 1‑1: Summary table of social impact assessment methods Method Primary application to Date Process Outcome Impact Monetisation Non Profit For Profit Government Acumen Scorecard à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Atkinsson Compass Assessment for Investors (ACAFI) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Balanced Scorecard (BSc) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Benefit-Cost Analysis à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Best Available Charitable Option (BACO) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Base of Pyramid (BoP) Impact Assessment Framework à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Cost per Impact à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Expected Return à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Global Reporting Initiative à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Local Economic Multiplier (LEM) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Measuring Impact Framework (MIF) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Millennium Development Goal Scan (MDG-Scan) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Most Significant Change à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Ongoing Assessment of Social Impact (OASIS) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Poverty and Social Impact Analysis à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Social Accounting and Auditing (SAA) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Social Costs-Benefits Analysis (SCBA) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Social Return Assessment (SRA) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Social Return on Investment (SROI) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Stakeholder Value Added (SVA) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ Theories of Change à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã… ¸ [Table 1-1] shows the key characteristics of these different social impact measurement tools described in the literature, identifying the tools that monitor efficiency and effectiveness of outputs, indicators or variables (process); tools that relate outputs and outcomes and to substantiate incremental outcomes above what would have occurred if the intervention was not implemented (impact) and tools that monetize outcomes and/or impact by transforming them to monetary value (monetization). Finally the table details the sector(s) in which the method has thus far been applied – non-profit (third sector), for profit (commercial) or public sector (government). Of these tools, SROI appears to have gained wide acclaim because of its involvement of all stakeholders, who independently define the value they have experienced because of the intervention. In addition, SROI monetises costs and benefits and also ticks all the boxes of the logical framework, as it accounts for processes, outcomes and impact (Arvidson et al., 2010; Nicholls et al., 2012). The other similar methodologies to SROI are Economic Evaluation (EE) tools. These compare two or more alternative interventions in terms of their costs and benefits (Drummond et al., 1997). Economists have distinguished four types of economic evaluation: Cost-minimization analysis (CMA), Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), Cost benefit analysis (CBA) and Cost-utility analysis (CUA). While the definition of cost remains the same, the manner of accounting for the benefits differs across the types (Drummond et al., 2005). These different types of EE are described below: Cost-minimization analysis (CMA): In which, there is proven evidence that equivalent effectiveness of the comparators in question. Thus the more cost-effective option would be the cheaper one (since both options have similar outcome). Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA): Effectiveness is measured in ‘natural units’ such as life years gained. Cost benefit analysis (CBA): Costs and benefits are monetised, with the cost-effective option being the one that results in a lower monetised ratio. Cost-utility analysis (CUA): Outcome is measured in Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) or Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which is a composite metric of both length and quality of life. When compared to the SROI methodology, whereas a large focus of economic evaluation tools is on the microeconomic evaluation of the impact of any intervention, SROI accounts for not just economic value, but social and environmental impacts. It has been described as an extension of the cost-benefit analysis that incorporates broader socio-economic outcomes (Westall, 2011). In addition, SROI focuses on stakeholders, uses financial proxies, is more of a management tool, is more likely conducted by organisations themselves, while CBAs are usually conducted by external agents and the most up to date guidance does not recommend comparing estimated SROI ratios, unlike CBAs that are designed to be comparable. However, these differences appear to be largely based on â€Å"the style of each approach, rather than the true substance† (Arvidson et al., 2010). 1.6 Strengths and limitations of the SROI methodology 1.6.1 Strengths of the SROI methodology Practitioners and previous authors have identified some of the key strengths of the SROI methodology. Firstly, the fact that the SROI process generates a singular ratio that captures the broader impact (positive and negative) of an intervention is perceived as a key strength (Millar and Hall, 2013). One other strength is its meaningful engagement of stakeholders and its representation of their benefits in ways that are unique to the stakeholders themselves (Millar and Hall, 2013). More so, the fact that this benefits experience or impact experience is being explained from the perspective of the stakeholder is a unique characteristic of SROI, and this important stakeholder view is often neglected in conventional impact evaluation tools (Rauscher et al., 2012). In addition, the method provides a platform for social enterprises to leverage and/or effectively communicate their impact. This ultimately promotes better communication amongst all partners, whether they are beneficiaries, funders or implementers (Mdee et al., 2008). The SROI process also strengthens accountability and transparency systems of social enterprises (Arvidson et al., 2010). Finally, the SROI process is a very useful auditing tool to aid management decisions and service improvement (Social Ventures Australia (SVA) Consulting, 2012). 1.6.2 Limitations of the SROI methodology However, there are limitations of the methodology, just as there are of other impact evaluation methodologies (Arvidson et al., 2010). Some methodological limitations that have been raised include the difficulty of attaching financial values to â€Å"soft outcomes† that require subjective evaluation to generate â€Å"financial proxies† (Lingane and Olsen, 2004) such as self-esteem or confidence (Bertotti et al., 2011). Albeit still in developmental stage, is the Wiki Values, Outcomes and Indicators for Stakeholders (VOIS) database of the SROI Network is an attempt are to standardise such outcomes by recommending indicators and values of such outcomes that can be used to account for them (Rauscher et al., 2012). An example of a health related outcome on WikiVOIS is â€Å"change in incidence of abortion†. Contributors to the database have suggested that â€Å"cost of medical termination of pregnancy† can be used to value this outcome in Canada (The Global Value Exchange, 2013). In addition, the methodology needs an estimation of â€Å"what would have happened anyway† to calculate the value that can be attributed to the specific organisation, programme or intervention, however, this counterfactual data is seldom available (Cordery, 2013; Heady, 2010). Furthermore, the lack of comparability of SROI ratios across different organisations and/or interventions is perceived as a limitation (Ryan and Lyne, 2008). On practical grounds, SROI methodology is adjudged to be cost-intensive and requires the expertise and know-how of professionals and in some cases training, some of which small organisations cannot afford (Wood and Leighton, 2010). 1.7 Rationale for the study Though applicable and relevant, to the best of our knowledge, there is no documented application of the SROI methodology in the area of maternal and newborn health. For most MNH interventions, the key beneficiaries are the women and their families. There is currently no tool that captures the perspectives of all these stakeholders on impact of any intervention in one summary figure. This underscores the need to explore the use of primary data that will include inputs of those benefiting from MNH interventions, as this may potentially be useful in identifying the most complete estimate of the impact of these interventions. To buttress this, some authors have pointed out that this complete evaluation of MNH interventions needs to include identification of the most culturally appropriate intervention for each local setting and peculiar issues unique to the setting. Those who are the major beneficiaries of the intervention are better positioned to identify these culturally appropriate in terventions. Thus the call for culturally sensitive impact evaluations, which attempt to identify specific causes of problems, rather than basing decisions on â€Å"superficial† indicators such as maternal mortality rate, which is only quantitative and does not capture softer outcomes that also demonstrate impact of an intervention (McPake and Koblinsky, 2009; Pradhan, 2008). Secondly, data used as maternal health indicators are usually generated from relatively credible sources such as the Demographics and Health Survey (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and World Development Indicators, but the problem of lack of uniformity in the process by which the indicators were generated remains (Pradhan, 2008). This is complicated by the fact that a large number of developing countries, that receive aid, do not have accurate or complete secondary data to base impact evaluation on (WHO,

The Problem Of Evil Essay -- essays research papers

The Problem Of Evil   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is impossible to deny the existence of evil in the world as we as human beings experience pain and suffering every day. It is generally accepted that there are two different types of evil – natural (based on God) and moral (based on humans). Moral evil is caused by human beings and occurs when humans inflict suffering on other people like September 11th, world wars, the Holocaust and other human related travesties. We also inflict evil on animals with testing or hunting for game not using the animals as God intended for fur or food. Humans also have obliterated the environment with pollution, destroying the rainforests and the way we litter and think nothing of it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Natural evil is not caused by humans but considered to be caused by God and occurs naturally in the world. Some natural evils could be Earthquakes, droughts and some forms of cancer. However, not all evils can be easily separated into these categories as humans can contribute to natural evils.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cancer is a naturally occurring disease; humans often do things which bring it about. Tobacco for example is the cause of eleven million deaths per year; do you think God believed that humans would actually be dumb enough to put such a harmful chemical into our bodies? No, there was an obvious better way to use tobacco but humans mostly use it in a negative way. Some could look at the problem of evil and sugg...

James Gregory :: essays research papers fc

James Gregory is described as "the greatest scientist associated it St. Andrews". Gregory contributed many diverse consepts and helped spread the new teachings of his time. CHILDHOOD & EDUCATION James Gregory was born in a small town just outside of Aberdeen, called Drmoak, Scotland. When he was little James suffered from quartan fever for a year and a half. Because of the fever he was afflicted with fevers in 72 hour intervals. His mother introduced basic math and geometry at a very young age. Gregory was home schooled untill his fater, a wealthy minister, died when James was about 13 years old. After his father died, his older brother, David, sent him to grammar school in Aberdeed. After finishing grammar school James attended Marischal College, Aberdeen University. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Shortly after college he began to study optics and the construction of telescopes, and wrote his first book, Optica Promota ^1. In 1663 James went to London where he published Optica Promota, which discussed topics such as lenses, mirrors, reflection and refraction, paralax and transits. Optica Promota also discussed Gregory's most famous invention, the reflective telescope. It later became known and the Gregorian Telescope. However, at the time the telescope was only discussed because the mirror polishers could not polish the mirrors properly, so it was never auctually made untill after Gregory's death. He laso invented the feflective burning mirror. In 1664 James went to Puda, Italy and studied under Stefano degli Angeli in geometry, mechanics, and astronomy. While he was there, the published two more worksVera circuli et hyperbolae in which James showed how to compute logarithms by finding the areas of inscribed parallelograms between a hyperbola and its asymptotes, thus leading t o the term "hyperbolic logarithms" in 1667. ^2 And Geometriae para universalis where he attempted to prove that the (little shape thingy that i cant type ...looks like a n mixed with pi) and e are transcendual, unfortunatly, his arguments contained a subtle error which was published in 1668, right before he left Italy for London. In 1668, he was elected as a member of the Royal Society of London. James was appointed the chair professor of mathematics at the University of St. Andrewsin 1669 where he greatly improved the mathematics department. He bought instruments such as clocks, astrolabes, and an armillary spere, he also planned an observatory. However, the masters of the university began to dislike Gregory's new teachings.

Teaching Computer Ethics in the Classroom :: essays research papers

Teaching Computer Ethics in the Classroom The computer is considered one of the most technological advances of the twentieth century. As the general public becomes increasingly ‘computer literate,' the gap between technology and peoples' intellect notably shrinks. The readily available computers, software, and assorted output devices have enlightened many but, in turn, have increased the using of computers for unethical activities, privacy invasion and illegal purposes. Legal sanctions against abusive use of computers are a reactive approach. A proactive approach is to teach students about computer ethics in classrooms. An effective teaching method are the presentation of ethical scenarios. It is anticipated that through this method, students will personalize the need for developing ethical standards of behavior. The ultimate goal is for students, if necessary, to change their set of personal beliefs to include ethics. INTRODUCTION The computer is considered one of the most important technological advances of the twentieth century. Security and privacy issues have been in existence long before the computer became a vital component of organizations' operations. Nevertheless, the operating features of a computer make it a double-edged sword. Computer technologies with reliable error detection and recording capabilities, permit the invasion of a supposedly secure environment to occur on a grand scale and go undetected. Furthermore, computer and communications technology permit the invasion of a persons' privacy and likewise go undetected. Two forces threaten privacy: one, the growth of information technology with its enhanced capacity for surveillance, communication, computation, storage and retrieval and two, the more insidious threat, the increased value of information in decision making. Information has become more vital in the competitive environment, thus, decision makers covet it even if it viol! ates another's privacy. Violation of ones personal privacy, via computers, may in part be due to the incomplete understanding of responsibility on the part of those involved. Is it a management or a technical concern? Ethical standards that evolved over the history of Western civilization deal with interpersonal relationships. What is right or wrong? What one should do and not do when dealing with other people. Ethical behavior in a business environment has not been as clearly defined. When businesses were small and the property of a few individuals, traditional ethical standards were applied to meet different situations. However, as businesses became larger, the interpersonal ethical relations did not provide any clear behavioral guidelines. Likewise, the principles of ethical relationships were even less pertinent to the corporate environments. Teaching Computer Ethics in the Classroom :: essays research papers Teaching Computer Ethics in the Classroom The computer is considered one of the most technological advances of the twentieth century. As the general public becomes increasingly ‘computer literate,' the gap between technology and peoples' intellect notably shrinks. The readily available computers, software, and assorted output devices have enlightened many but, in turn, have increased the using of computers for unethical activities, privacy invasion and illegal purposes. Legal sanctions against abusive use of computers are a reactive approach. A proactive approach is to teach students about computer ethics in classrooms. An effective teaching method are the presentation of ethical scenarios. It is anticipated that through this method, students will personalize the need for developing ethical standards of behavior. The ultimate goal is for students, if necessary, to change their set of personal beliefs to include ethics. INTRODUCTION The computer is considered one of the most important technological advances of the twentieth century. Security and privacy issues have been in existence long before the computer became a vital component of organizations' operations. Nevertheless, the operating features of a computer make it a double-edged sword. Computer technologies with reliable error detection and recording capabilities, permit the invasion of a supposedly secure environment to occur on a grand scale and go undetected. Furthermore, computer and communications technology permit the invasion of a persons' privacy and likewise go undetected. Two forces threaten privacy: one, the growth of information technology with its enhanced capacity for surveillance, communication, computation, storage and retrieval and two, the more insidious threat, the increased value of information in decision making. Information has become more vital in the competitive environment, thus, decision makers covet it even if it viol! ates another's privacy. Violation of ones personal privacy, via computers, may in part be due to the incomplete understanding of responsibility on the part of those involved. Is it a management or a technical concern? Ethical standards that evolved over the history of Western civilization deal with interpersonal relationships. What is right or wrong? What one should do and not do when dealing with other people. Ethical behavior in a business environment has not been as clearly defined. When businesses were small and the property of a few individuals, traditional ethical standards were applied to meet different situations. However, as businesses became larger, the interpersonal ethical relations did not provide any clear behavioral guidelines. Likewise, the principles of ethical relationships were even less pertinent to the corporate environments.

Leader More Feared than Loved: Evaluating Chapter 17

A leader is someone who is followed by others. All managers are not leaders, but good leaders can be good managers. Those who are not trusted or respected by their employees may fail when attempting to institute something new. They can tell everyone to do something, and even show them how, but the employees do not embrace the new program and it may not succeed. Employees, on the other hand, will embrace a new program (even if they don't particularly like it) simply because they trust the manager's judgment and vision.We have heard about military leaders who led their troops into dangerous, near-certain death situations. On the other hand, we heard about soldiers in Vietnam who assassinated officers rather than obey them. Why would soldiers in the first example follow the officer into battle knowing they would probably be killed, while those in the second case not only refused to follow, but actually went so far as to kill the officer? Was it because of the cause or because of the off icer?Niccolà ² Machiavelli wrote The Prince during the Renaissance in sixteenth-century Florence, Italy. It was one of the first texts on leadership. Machiavelli was a government official during a period of warfare and political intrigue between city-states vying for hegemony, and he had a cynical view of human nature, believing that people were motivated by very narrow self-interest.Most highlighted in the book is Machiavelli’s dictum, found in Chapter 17, which advised the leader or prince that it was better to be feared than to be loved by the governed because love is a fickle emotion, whereas fear is constant. In other words, survival is a basic human instinct that dominates other emotions. Machiavelli also suggested that a leader should engage in lies or deceptions for the good of society, as long as he appears to be virtuous to the people.The leader should be fair yet tough, harshly punishing disloyal subjects to discourage others from engaging in treason. Machiavelli believed that the aristocrats close in stature to the prince posed the greatest threat to his welfare and that the prince had to use cunning and intrigue to keep them off balance. Thus, he warned the leader not to trust his peers. He believed that an effective leader forms alliances of convenience with some enemies to keep more powerful enemies off balance.Summarizing Chapter 17At the beginning of Chapter 17 of The Prince, Machiavelli purports that there is no doubt that the leader must have compassion.   Similar to being generous, compassion is usually admired by everyone. However, Machiavelli warned that a prince must be careful that he does not show compassion indiscriminately. If a prince is too compassionate, and does not adequately punish disloyal subjects, he creates an atmosphere of disorder, since his subjects take the liberty to do what they please—even to the extremes of murder and theft. With this, Machiavelli envisioned that these crimes might harm the entire c ommunity, whereas executions harm only the individuals who commit crimes.Thus, Machiavelli suggested that some degree of cruelty is necessary to maintain order in a particular community. However, the prince must heed the warning of being judicious in terms of his decisions with regards to cruelty; it should be coupled with critical judgement, humanity and prudence.At this point, Machiavelli reflected on whether is it better off being feared or being loved. Ideally, a prince should be both loved and feared, but this condition is nearly perfect and difficult to attain. So Machiavelli deemed, when forced to make a choice, it is much better to be feared than loved. This is because men, by nature, are â€Å"ungrateful, fickle, dissembling, anxious to flee danger, and covetous of gain.† This decision is most applicable during times of danger or emergencies, it is easier to break a bond of love when the situation arises, but the fear of punishment is always effective, regardless of the situation.Yet, Machiavelli reminded that when choosing to generate fear, a prince must be wary to avoid inducing hatred. This is for the reason that the leader must make sure that every move he makes are properly justified and agreeable to majority of his people. Most importantly, leaders should not abuse his authority by taking the property of his subjects or take their women, since these actions are most likely to breed hatred. If a prince must confiscate property, he must make sure he has a convincing reason. With one’s army, however, there is no such thing as too much cruelty. Keeping an army disciplined and united requires cruelty, even inhuman cruelty.In a nutshell, Chapter 17 of The Prince argues that it is better for a prince to be severe when punishing people rather than merciful because severity through death sentences affects only a few, but it discourages crimes which affects many people. Moreover, Machiavelli ultimately recommended that it is better to be fea red than to be loved. But Machiavelli warned of the prince should avoid being hated, which he can easily accomplish by not taking away the property of his subjects: â€Å"people more quickly forget the death of their father than the loss of their inheritance.†Man of No Virtueâ€Å"The man of virtà º has no virtue.†Ã‚   This statement does adequately describe one of Machiavelli’s position in The Prince.   Machiavelli can be seen as a supporter of Remigio and Dante, rather than Aristotle. Throughout his treatise, Machiavelli most definitely strives to achieve peace, but he feels that virtue is not necessary.   Rather, Machiavelli suggests that peace should be the sole legitimizing factor of a ruler.   A good ruler should simply rule by whatever means necessary to achieve peace.   A good ruler ignores virtue and must be practical, rather than impractical.   The practical ruler is tightfisted, justly cruel, feared and respected, dependent on subject loyal ty, and able to use advisers as tools.First and foremost, what is the difference between virtà º and virtue?   A person who is said to possess virtue is commonly seen as a person who is of high moral excellence and upright goodness.   Common virtues include prudence, courage, and practicality.   Virtues are most often found in people who are seen as good.   Virtà º, while extremely similar to virtue, is not quite the same thing in terms of Machiavelli’s usage of the word.   On pages 103 and 104 in Appendix B of The Prince, virtà º is defined.   It is defined as having various senses, which include, â€Å"ability, skill, energy, determination, strength, spiritedness, courage, or prowess.†Ã‚   The common reader might interpret all of these senses as differing aspects of virtue.   Also, a good ruler is commonly perceived as having virtue or even virtà º.   However, Machiavelli had something a little different in mind.Normally, the term virtà º is most ly frequently used synonymously with the term virtue.   Machiavelli uses the term a little differently.   On page 104, it states that, â€Å"Machiavelli’s use of the word has overtones of ‘ruthlessness,’ which is not a characteristic of a good man.†Ã‚   Of course, the word which is being described is virtà º.   On the same page of Appendix B, virtà º is properly defined in Machiavellian terms.   It states, â€Å"Virtà º, then, in this usual sense (or set of senses) denotes qualities that may have been combined with ‘villainy†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚   Therefore, Machiavelli is generally arguing that the man of villainy and ruthlessness has no moral excellence and upright goodness.   Since good leaders possess virtà º, good leaders must thereby be villainous and even nefarious.   This can be seen throughout the whole of The Prince.Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli argues that in order to be an excellent ruler, one must possess virtà º.   V irtue is definitely not necessary under a Machiavellian form of rule.   According to Machiavelli, a good ruler is one who is in control and will do whatever is necessary to be successful.   The most notable examples can be found in chapters fifteen through twenty-three.In chapter 15 of The Prince, Machiavelli gives his first argument as to why rulers should be ruthless.   On page 55, Machiavelli states, â€Å"Yet one should not be troubled about becoming notorious for those vices without which it is difficult to preserve one’s power†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚   On the same page, Machiavelli goes on to write, â€Å"†¦doing some things that seem virtuous may result in one’s ruin, whereas doing other things that seem vicious may strengthen one’s position and cause one to flourish.†Ã‚   Essentially, Machiavelli is saying that a superb ruler should not worry about possessing virtue.   A proper ruler should have no problem with making friends with vice, so l ong as in doing so the ruler is being practical and successful.   After all, there is no reason to be ruthless without practicality.   The only reason for a lack of practicality would be sheer and blatant ignorance.In chapter sixteen of The Prince, Machiavelli goes on to write that a good ruler should not be overly generous.   On page 57, Machiavelli states that the charitable ruler will rule while, â€Å"†¦being despised and hated; and generosity will lead to both.†Ã‚   This emphasizes the fact that a tight-fisted ruler will be more popular, and thereby, the better ruler.   A ruler who is parsimonious will have money when it is necessary.   Machiavelli stresses this on page 56.   Rulers who do not waste their money on building projects, artistic patronage, or friendly gifts, will have plenty of money when it is needed, say when a rival state rises up to attack.   A ruler who is tight-fisted also would not need to tax his subjects as much as a generous rule r.   A generous ruler would need constant high taxes due to his lavish expenditure or open-handedness.   Of course, generosity is a virtue; and in order to posses virtà º, and hence, a good rule, generosity must be left in the dirt.   Therefore, the man who is tight-fisted has no virtue.Machiavelli’s next argument as to why the ruler of virtà º can have no virtue comes in the next chapter, that is, chapter seventeen.   When comparing the cruel and feared ruler to the merciful and loved ruler, the cruel and feared ruler is the exceedingly better ruler.   After all, Machiavelli states on page 59, â€Å"†¦it is much safer to be feared than loved.†Ã‚   Cruelty is needed to maintain order. If a ruler is cruel to simply those who disobey the law, the lawbreakers alone will suffer.   Hence, the people under the ruler will learn not to break the law, due to fear of punishment.   Therefore, peaceful order will surely ensue.   However, if he is excessively kind and lets public order break down, everyone suffers from the increase in the excess of subsequent robbery, murder, rape, etc.   Cruelty is most definitely not a virtue; so therefore, Machiavelli agrees again that the man of virtà º lacks any virtue.  Next, on page 64 of chapter nineteen, Machiavelli argues that a ruler becomes despised when he acquires the reputation of being, â€Å"†¦inconstant, frivolous, effeminate, pusillanimous and irresolute: a ruler must avoid contempt as if it were a reef.†Ã‚   In order for a ruler to stay in the people’s favor, he must become none of these.   Rather, a good ruler would constantly try to be the opposite of these.   Thus, a good ruler must be usual and accepted, determined and motivated, masculine and rugged, dauntless and courageous, and resolute and unequivocal.If these qualities are necessary for the best possible ruler, that ruler should have no problem in trying to attain and maintain these qualities.   Again, the ruler should not bother with virtue.   Rather, he or she should attempt whatever in their power is necessary to achieve and preserve these qualities.   Also, although some people may view these qualities as virtuous, they are still to be attained through whatever means necessary.   This is a quality of a man of virtà º.   Virtue must be placed aside while attempting to gain these qualities.Following this argument comes one which involves the importance of a fortress.   On page 76, Machiavelli states, â€Å"†¦I criticize anyone who relies upon fortresses, and does not worry about incurring the hatred of the people.†Ã‚   Despite the great importance of military power, a ruler who bases his rule on building fortresses to intimidate and threaten his subjects cannot rule securely. The subjects would simply not tolerate it.   More than likely, they would look for assistance elsewhere, such as a foreign power, and overthrow the ruler.   Therefore, the single best fortress that a ruler can have is the loyalty of his or her subjects.Without subject loyalty a ruler is useless.   In order to maintain subject loyalty, a ruler must be good.   In order to be a good ruler he or she must be feared by the subjects, as well as be cruel and tight-fisted.   Again, this emphasizes the fact that the best possible ruler can posses no virtue.A final argument is brought forth in chapters twenty-two and twenty-three.   On page 80, Machiavelli states, â€Å"The choosing of ministers is a very important matter for a ruler: whether or not they are good depends on whether he is shrewd or not.†Ã‚   A prince needs able advisers.   If the ruler chooses wise advisors, the subjects of the ruler will take him or her to be wise as well.   Also, just like the subjects of the rulers, advisers should also be loyal and fearful of the ruler.   The ruler must act the same way towards his advisors as he or she does to the subjects.   This wil l show the people that they are no different from the advisors.   No jealously would ensue and no rights would be violated.   Although, there was no specific rule regarding rights at the time, the subjects would no doubt at least feel inferior.   Thus, rule would be maintained by virtà º and not by virtue, as was previously stated, because cruelty is needed to maintain peace.Machiavelli goes on in chapter twenty-tree to describe more specifically how a ruler is to properly use his or her advisors.   After a ruler has taken advice from the advisor, he must make up his own mind about policy decisions. A good ruler should not accept unsolicited advice, and he or she should not let the advisers talk the ruler into constantly changing his mind.   This would show everyone that the ruler possesses poor qualities of a ruler.   The ruler must rule, not the advisors.   Again, the ruler must do this by whatever means necessary.   Thus, virtà º is again favored above virtue.Ul timately, in Machiavellian terms, the man of virtà º most definitely does not possess virtue.   The man of virtà º, or the good ruler, must be cruel, feared, tightfisted, reliant on subject allegiance, and able to use advisors as tools.   The man of virtue would never be any of these.   Therefore, the man of virtue would not make a good ruler.   Therefore, Machiavelli definitely does not agree with Aristotle in his opinion that virtue can legitimize a ruler.   Rather, Machiavelli agrees with Remigio and Dante, in that peace can be substituted for virtue.   So long as peace is achieved, a ruler is successful and good.   Peace, through whatever means necessary, is solely legitimizing.ConclusionSome leaders nowadays are still taking their cues from Machiavelli's proposition in Chapter 17 of The Prince, believe that fear is more reliable than love as a means of influencing people. It is true that if someone hates and fears you, his or her behavior may be quite predictabl e. If you have the allies to back up your threats, it may not be necessary for you to get along with the people you work with. But power in public bureaucracy is often a temporary thing, like powerlessness. Yesterday's powerless subordinate may be tomorrow's powerful boss.Machiavelli proposed that it is better to be more feared than loved. You can lead by the force of high moral example. History and experience have proven that it could be done. But it's risky, because people are fickle, and they will abandon you at the first sign of failure. Fear is much more reliable, and lasts longer. Once you show that you are capable of dealing out terrible punishment to your enemies, your power will be far greater.In closer analysis, Machiavelli’s proposition is somewhat more troublesome to apply in today’s hierarchy. At present, it is unusual for any leader to have authority over every aspect of his or her job or status. For example, a supervisor might need the help of the person nel office, if he wants to hire someone. You need the help of the budget staff if you must obtain certain resources and need to move money from one cost center to another. Organizations operate informally, as well as through a formal hierarchy. In order to get things done, you must sometimes exchange favors and information.Thus, the effectiveness of a leader in any organization will be a direct reflection of his or her ability to get along with people. You will find it easier to get your work done if people want to help you because they like you or even because they feel sorry for you. If you are feared or hated, you may get cooperation when people have no choice, but the minute you turn your back, your colleagues will find a thousand ways to undermine your attitude.Working in organizations or leading a community involves a series of exchanges rather than power relationships. Like the rest of society, organizations are more complex in the twenty-first century.   As organizations c hange, downsize, and modernize, complexity does not decrease because organizations increase their use of advanced technology and knowledge. Machiavelli’s proposal that leaders should better be â€Å"feared than loved† would be definitely inappropriate and dangerous, if applied in our time. Just think about the people you step on as you climb up the career ladder might very well see you again on your way down the ladder. Effective leaders should take the long term perspective in considering their strategies.Aggressive leadership does not require you to disregard the feelings of subordinates or co-workers. Leaders who are committed to the long term perspective usually become quite skilled at influencing people and at stroking key individuals within the organization. Thus, as Machiavelli’s proposition might have some good points, it could not be well applicable, if we consider the fast-changing times that, more often than not, frown upon leaders who lash out fear o n their people.Works CitedMachiavelli, N. The Prince. (Anthony Grafton, Introduction; George Bull, trans.). London: Penguin Classics, 1999.