Infant and Child Development Essay

This assignment will critically review Howlett, Kirk and Pine’s (2011) study, which aims to investigate whether attendance of gesturing classes affects parental stress. Howlett et al. , (2011) attempt to examine claims, advertised by commercial products, that believe attending gesturing classes can improve child-parent communications, thus reducing parental stress. Participants gave demographic information and completed a Parenting Stress Index (PSI) questionnaire. ANCOVA was used to look at whether attending gesturing classes affected parental stress, mothers attending a gesture group and mothers attending a non gesture group were compared; with ‘sibling status’ and ‘birth order’ controlled. Researchers found that mothers who attended infant gesture classes had higher stress scores than mothers who had attended non-gesturing classes. From these findings the following claims are made: that mothers in the gesture group had higher pre-existing stress than in the non gesture group, * that mothers attended gesturing classes in an attempt to alleviate their pre-existing stress, * that gesturing classes may cause mothers to view their child negatively. This critique will firstly provide an overall evaluation of the article with reference to strengths and weaknesses found. Flaws will also be highlighted with suggestion to how these could be rectified. Points of detail in the evaluation will then be expanded and conclusions di scussed. Overall evaluation First and foremost, the overall presentation of the article appears to lack in structure and organisation; this results in a lack of flow and clarity. In the introduction, the research question and key definitions of interest (i. e. ‘gesture, ‘non gesture’ and ‘stress’) are not discussed at the beginning. Characteristics of non gesturing mothers are instead firstly mentioned in the discussion section. The outline of categories in the background demographic questionnaire should have been made aware to readers in the methodology. Furthermore, in the results, findings from the study should have been stated in the opening paragraph. A fundamental flaw consistent throughout the article regards its lack of sufficient detail in ensuring strength of argument. In the introduction and discussion more research is needed in relation to how and why parental stresses occur to support findings. Furthermore unjustified claims are used to sustain argument which questions the validity of the research. The lack of detail regarding the direction of study also instigates ambiguity. More information is also needed about the procedure of the study so as to allow for replication. Further details as to how these flaws can be rectified are discussed later. Fundamental flaws are apparent regarding the non-random sample used and the lack of baseline stress measures. As no baseline pre-test has been conducted authors’ claims, as stated previously, can only be based on speculation. More information is provided on these flaws in the latter section. Strengths highlighted in the article include the demographic information provided. This information is useful as it allows for generalisation of results by ensuring groups are appropriately matched and offers useful information for future research in the region. (Keith, 2010). Furthermore the PSI questionnaire used, is well validated (Colver, 2006); using a creditable measuring instrument like this increases the reliability of the study. Moreover, the correct statistical test has been used, ANCOVA, and results are also provided with appropriate information. Abstract and Introduction The abstract fails to provide a rationale for the study; as this is unclear, readers may misjudge the subject matter. There is also no description of the stimuli used; the meaning of ‘gesturing’ is unexplained. Authors should elaborate upon what they mean by ‘gesturing’ so as to avoid misinterpretation. However, principal findings and design measures used in the study are stated. The introduction appears to lack in structure and organisation. No initial description of research question with reference to what it attempts to demonstrate is present; this is firstly mentioned in the third paragraph. Furthermore, authors first provide a definition of ‘gesturing’ in midpoint of this section. Considering this topic is the phenomenon of the study it would have been more appropriate to be stated at the beginning, rather than after the discussion of the benefits of gesturing; this may prevent misinterpretation. Although an explanation of ‘non-gesturing’ is provided in the discussion section, it would also be helpful for readers if it were included in the introduction; this enables differentiation between the two conditions. Similarly, a definition of the authors’ interpretation of ‘stress’ could have been stated at the start in ensuring readers’ clarity of terms. There is also no statement of hypothesis. nd authors do not provide a rationale or historical backdrop, therefore it lacks in significance and does not substantially contribute to the literature. Moreover, research discussed appears to be framed as a general review of literature and set out in list form with a lack of evaluation. For example, research has been described in relation to a study that has found no relationship between gesturing and linguistic benefits in infants (Kirk, Howlett, Pine and Fletcher), however it has not been evaluated or linked to the aims of the study. Furthermore, there are limited findings provided relating to the negative aspects of gesturing. Considering the paper is directed towards whether these classes affect parental stress, more research should be discussed in relation to the disapproval of gesturing classes, to support findings in the article. In addition, the article has included different research examples to support their view that parental stress can inhibit parent-child relationships, however there is no development in argument of how or why these stresses occur. To rectify, in ensuring clarity, more detail should be provided whereby these examples should be put in context with direct reference to the research question. Moreover, unjustified claims have been used in an attempt to sustain argument; for example, Howlett et al. , (2011) highlight ‘‘advertising claims that baby sign will reduce parental frustration and stress have little empirical foundation’. As this statement is not explained, it may seem misleading and as an ineffective use of argument. There is also no valid reference provided. In improving the structure and validity of their argument, authors should use evidence from influential papers to provide further detail in supporting their claims. The direction of study also appears ambiguous as authors switch between terms when stating the aim of the research. It is unclear whether authors are focusing on gesturing affecting stress or gesturing reducing stress. Howlett et al. , (2011) firstly state, ‘there are valid reasons to suggest that gesturing with an infant could reduce parental stress, this paper evaluates that claim’, (p. 438) they continue by stating, ‘this research investigates whether gesturing with an infant affects parenting stress’ (p438). One clear statement of what is being intended to measure needs to be used throughout the article so as to avoid confusion. The final paragraph includes a vague definition of variables whereby readers are left to determine their own assumptions. For example, it is stated that the frequency and duration of gesture use was used to measure the relationship between gesture use and stress, however it is unclear at this stage whether authors are implying ‘gesturing’ in terms of when mothers’ attended gesturing classes or their general use of gesturing; in and out of classes. The PSI is outlined, however researchers have not explained its benefits or why it have been use; this may leave readers questioning its credibility. Furthermore, it is important for researchers to include a statement of predictions, however this is not present. Methodology The authors recruited 178 participants (mothers) from the south-east of England; the sample size represents regional bias as mothers’ solely attending gesturing classes in this region is not representative of the whole country. Age range of infants used in the study is firstly mention in this section. It is stated infants ranged between 3 and 36months; however research discussed in the introduction only refers to the importance of gesturing from 9 months. Therefore authors have not justified the relevance of focusing on infants younger than 9 months; in certifying readers understanding, this could have been mentioned in the introduction. Authors have stated the measuring instruments used in the study. A strength regards the sufficient detail provided about the PSI booklet; examples of typical features such as the subscales of both the child and parent domains have been described. However no further details are provided about the background demographics questionnaire; categories are presented in the results section, however, it would be helpful for readers if details were included in this section. The potential confounding effects of using self-report questionnaires should also be noted. Social desirability bias may be apparent whereby participants may respond in a favourable light; mothers may not want to admit they are experiencing difficulties and respond untruthfully. Furthermore, as questionnaires are standardised, ambiguous questions cannot be explained; this may lead participants to misinterpret questions. Motivation for parents to complete questionnaires may also be scarce, resulting in superficial responses. In helping overcome these difficulties, authors could have stated whether participants were informed about why the information was collected and how the results will be beneficial; if participants knew the importance of their responses and were informed that negative responses were equally as helpful as positive, it may have made them want to answer more honestly. A fundamental flaw in methodology regards the fact that authors have not measured parental stress levels before conducting study. As there is no baseline stress measures prior to class attendance, there is no way of knowing if gesturing classes caused an increase in stress or what would have happened regardless of the implementation of the program; to rectify, researchers should use a pre-test methodology. Furthermore, another weakness in the methodology regards the fact that no ethic considerations are discussed. For example, authors could have included whether participant confidentiality was taken into account and whether de-briefing was offered subsequent to the study to respondents who may have expressed signs of upset. Description of procedures appears to lack in detail whereby there is no sequential pattern to how the research was carried out. There is also no precision in relation to what is investigated, to whom, and under what conditions. For example, Howlett et al. , (2011) state ‘contact was made with the infant groups’ (p. 39); more information should be provided such as how and when participants were contacted. Furthermore, no information is provided on how many classes parents had attended before the study or when the questionnaires took place; more sufficient detail is needed so as to allow replication and in ensuring consistency. There are also issues surrounding the amount of time participants were given to complete the PSI; it is stated the questionnaire takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, however, the procedure of collection differed between participants. Some gave completed questionnaires to a group leader, others were returned by post; the same conditions should be applied to all participants in ensuring standardisation. In addition, authors have not provided details of data collection or analysis undergone in the study; to avoid ambiguity it is important to include where the scores used in the analyses have derived from. An apparent fundamental flaw in the procedure relates to the fact that participants were not randomly allocated to the two groups in the study; randomisation is important as it eliminates sources of bias and ensures unpredictability. To rectify, random selection of mothers from a population could participate in the study. Results The beginning paragraph of the results is too vague; the hypothesis is not stated and no information on what statistical tests were used is provided. Furthermore, what the study found has not been not stated; it is firstly mentioned half way through this section. However, a strength in the article regards the demographic information provided for the two groups of mothers. Hours a week mothers’ work, maternal education, family income and siblings were included. It also highlights the similarities and equivalence between the two groups, making the interpretation of results valid. Another strength to this study regards the fact that researchers have applied the correct statistical tests. Two analyses of ANCOVA were conducted to measure the differences between the gesturing and non gesturing groups’ PSI scores. ANCOVA is appropriate to use as it allows to compare one variable (PSI stress scores) in two or more groups (gesture group and non gesture group) ith consideration for variability of other variables; covariates (‘sibling status’ was used as a covariate in the first ANCOVA and ‘birth order’; in the second). Controlling ‘sibling status’ and ‘birth order’ stops these conditions being confounding variables and ensures validity. As ‘sibling status’ and ‘birth control’ covariates have been controlled, it may have been more beneficial for readers if authors ma de aware of these strategies used prior to the results section as there is no discussion relating to siblings until this point. Results found from ANCOVA also confirm to readers exactly what the researchers were intending to measure; after confusion from the introduction, uncertainties are clarified and findings explain that the focus is upon whether attending gesturing classes affects parental stress. Results are also provided with adequate information whereby the obtained F value, df and level of significance have been stated. Furthermore researchers are correct in using a Pearson’s r correlation in confirming results which is used to see if there is a correlation between at two continuous variables. By doing so, it was found that there was no relationship between how long or often gesture groups mothers had been gesturing with their infant, and the mothers’ total stress scores. Therefore mothers stress levels were unrelated to frequency and duration. Furthermore, in this section descriptive statistics have been provided in two separate tables. In ‘Table One’, which shows the ‘mean (S. D) stress scores for each item on the PSI by group’, data does not seem to be explained in full. The scale used is unclear and readers have not been informed on the system used whereby there is confusion as to what the numbers mean. Tables 2 which shows the ‘summary of two ANCOVA results’, is more coherent as a brief description is displayed underneath describing the covariates. Discussion In this section, yet again, the aim of the research remains unclear; it is stated ‘the aim of the study was to investigate the impact of gesturing with an infant upon parental stress’ (p442), authors need to be more specific in their interpretation of ‘gesturing’, whether they are referring to attendance of gesturing classes or general use of gesturing is uncertain. Possible explanations for findings have been discussed, such as the view that there may have been a difference between gesturing and non gesturing mothers due to gesturing mothers feeling more stressed prior to the study. Authors continue by suggesting these mothers chose to attend gesturing classes because of these feelings of stress in hope that they would help. However, authors’ claims can only be seen as speculation as no baseline measurement was used. It should be noted that researchers have evaluated their findings and acknowledged that as baseline measures are not present, no assumptions can be made as to why mothers who attended gesturing classes had increased stress levels compared to non gesturing mothers or whether they were more stressed before attending the classes. Due to the lack of solid findings, like in the introduction, groundless claims have been used in an effort to uphold argument in explaining mothers’ cause of stress. For example, it is stated ‘mothers have high aspirations for their child and the parenting industry may, albeit unwittingly, foster maternal insecurities’(p443); no justification has been provided for this claim. Moreover, additional research is needed to support the authors’ concluding claims that attending gesturing classes may be detrimental and effect mothers’ perception of their infant in a negative light. Only Hyson’s (1991) study relating to mothers who induced academically focused activities on preschool children has been used as evidence to back up this claim, this does not justify the authors’ inflated claims. To conclude, even though this article has used creditable measuring instruments and appropriate statistical tests, Howlett et al’s claims can only be seen as speculation as no pre-test baseline is used. No findings can be validated without measuring the stress levels of mothers prior to class attendance, whether increase in stress has occurred due to attending gesturing classes in unknown. For future recommendations, authors could use a baseline measures to test mothers’ stress scores prior to the study.

Starbucks Delivering Customer Service

Lifetime Value For Unsatisfied, Satisfied And Highly Satisfied Customers The story of Starbucks transformation from a small independent coffee shop tucked away in a corner of Seattle’s Pike Place Market to a cultural phenomenon spanning the globe is legendary. A number of factors have been attributed to the success – one being a keen understanding of its patrons. There are multiple methods used to obtain customer information and the value derived therein. Customer lifetime value is one. Customers are assets, and their values grow and decline.Segmenting customers based on their lifetime value is a powerful way to target them because marketing mix activities can then aim at enhancing customer value. (Ho, 2006) Roughly translated, customer lifetime value is the projected profits that a customer will generate during their lifetime. We used the case data to segment Starbucks customers into three distinct categories of unsatisfied, satisfied and highly satisfied. Fortunately, the case provided some useful data to make our initial assumptions about the stream of expected revenues from each category.Exhibit 9 UnsatisfiedSatisfiedHighly Satisfied Number of Starbucks Visits/Month3. 904. 307. 20 Average Ticket Size/Visit$3. 88$4. 06$4. 42 Average Customer Life (Years)1. 104. 408. 30 The data allowed us to calculate the annual expected revenues by taking 12, the number of months in a year, times the product of each component given in Exhibit 9 for each category of customer. UnsatisfiedSatisfiedHighly Satisfied Expected Lifetime Future Revenue$ 199. 74$ 921. 78$ 3,169. 67To derive the CLV it is necessary to determine the profits. This requires taking costs against the expected future revenues. The expected costs are typically any amount incurred from attracting, selling and servicing customers. The best representative cost of servicing the customer from the given data was the gross margin from Starbucks financial statements. After all, this number reflects the true costs incurred in servicing each customer, while leaving out extraneous expenses such as depreciation and other corporate overhead that have little relation.FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 Average Net Revenue1,308,700,0001,686,800,0002,177,600,0002,649,000,0003,288,900,0002,222,200,000 Gross Profit730,200,000939,200,0001,215,700,0001,536,200,0001,938,900,0001,272,040,000 Operating Profit109,200,000156,700,000212,300,000281,100,000310,000,000213,860,000 Net Income68,400,000101,700,00094,500,000181,200,000215,100,000132,180,000 Gross Profit Margin55. 80%55. 68%55. 83%57. 99%58. 95%56. 85% Operating Profit Margin8. 34%9. 29%9. 75%10. 61%9. 43%9. 48% Net Profit Margin5. 23%6. 03%4. 34%6. 84%6. 54%5. 0% The average of the five years of financial statement data was used for the margin to take against revenue. The figures below represent the CLV for each category using a discount rate of 12% to give the present value. A discount rate between 10% – 20% is typically used in these applications. Starbucks is a mature company at this stage of development and the cost of capital is likely to be toward the lower end of the spectrum. Unsatisfied Satisfied Highly Satisfied Expected Lifetime Future Revenue $ 199. 74 $ 921. 78 $ 3,169. 7 Gross Margin56. 85%56. 85%56. 85% Discount Rate 12% CLV Undiscounted $ 113. 55 $ 524. 03 $ 1,801. 94 CLV Discounted$105. 88 $405. 59 $1,137. 64 Finally, we calculated the annual CLV for each category to provide information for our upcoming problem facing Starbucks about investing in increasing staffing levels. The annual amounts were derived by annualizing the products of visits/month and average ticket size/visit. Unsatisfied Satisfied Highly Satisfied Number of Starbucks Visits/Month 3. 90 4. 0 7. 20 Average Ticket Size/Visit$3. 88 $4. 06 $4. 42 Customer Annual Value $ 103. 23 $ 119. 10 $ 217. 10 Traditional Customer Annual Value (textbook version)$209$241$440 For comparison, our group also decided to calculate the textbo ok version of CLV by taking the average retention rate of 75% derived from Exhibit 8 and inputting it into the formula used in the text. We used the same discount rate, 12%, and took that rate times the product of the number of Starbucks visits/month and average ticket size annualized.CLV = m * r/(1 + I – r) Exhibit 8 % of Starbucks’ customers who first started visiting Starbucks . . . In the past year27% 1–2 years ago 20% 2–5 years ago 30% 5 or more years ago 23% Average25% $40 Million Investment In Improving Its Customer Service Using the data provided from Exhibit 3 in the case in regards to sales data broken down for each company operated store in North America we derived the figures in the table below. DailyWeeklyMonthlyYearly Average Store Sales$2,194$15,400$66,733$800,800 Average ticket/visit$3. 85$3. 85$3. 85$3. 5 Average Customer Count5703,99017,338208,050 One assumption made was the investment in improving customer service would be restricted to North American stores (4,574) from our calculations regarding the forecasted cost of $40 million. As mentioned in the case, â€Å"the company had plans to open 525 company-operated and 225 licensed North American stores in 2003. † (MOON, 2006) Consequently, these were the figures used to determine the forecasted North American store growth in 2003 and the same growth projections were made for subsequent years.Additionally, using the customer count derived from the calculations in the previous table we projected the change in customer count by using the same retention rate of 75% calculated from Exhibit 8 to determine the amount of retained customers. This is also supported by the fact the Starbucks’ cannibalizes its existing store revenue by opening new stores in geographically clustered markets. But this is offset by the total incremental sales associated with new store concentration. That figure was then used to provide the new customers by taking (1 – 75% = 25%) the percentage times the retained customer count.Thereby, our total projected customers equaled the sum of the two and those amounts were continually projected forward. YearCustomers Retained/storeNew Customers/storeTotal Customers/storeNumber of Stores 2002208,0504,574 2003156,03839,009195,0475,324 2004146,28536,571182,8566,197 2005137,14234,286171,4287,213 2006128,57132,143160,7148,396 2007120,53530,134150,6699,772 2008113,00228,250141,25211,375 One final assumption, the growth rate in stores was halted in 2008 to reflect the effect of the recession.All of these amounts allowed the $40 million investment in customer service to be broken out per store over our projected period spanning years 2002 – 2008. Year2002200320042005200620072008 Customer retained/store156,038146,285137,142128,571120,535113,002 New customer/store39,00936,57134,28632,14330,13428,250 Total customer count /store208,050195,047182,856171,428160,714150,669141,252 Number of Stores4,5745,3246,1977,2138,3 969,77211,375 Improvement/Acquistion Cost per store$8,745$7,513$6,455$5,545$4,764$4,093$3,517As shown, the growth in stores allows for a considerable reduction in the per store cost over the projected period. The initial acquisition cost was made by simply dividing the initial $40 million cost by the number of stores in 2002. From the information provided on Page 11 Fig A – Customer Visit Frequency, we calculated the customer base for each satisfaction level. Added to this information was the data derived from the prior table to break out the forecasted revenue stream less the acquisition cost to arrive at the profits made from improving customer service. 002200320042005200620072008 Number of Customers208,050195,047182,856171,428160,714150,669141,252 Customers – Unsatisfied87,38181,92076,80072,00067,50063,28159,326 Customers – Satisfied76,97972,16767,65763,42859,46455,74852,263 Customers – Highly Satisfied43,69140,96038,40036,00033,75031,64129,663 Total R evenue per store$800,800$840,840$882,882$927,026$973,377$1,022,046$1,073,149 Acquistion/Improvement Cost for store-$7,513-$6,455-$5,545-$4,764-$4,093-$3,517 Total Revenue – AC$833,327$876,427$921,481$968,613$1,017,953$1,069,632To increase the profitability based on the CLV data, the maximum bang for the buck is gained by increasing the customer level from satisfied to highly satisfied. Making this switch, Starbucks not only will see an increase in average ticket size from $4. 06 to $4. 42, but the frequency is also increased from 4. 3 to 7. 2 visits per month. All gains yield an additional $98 in incremental gross profit per every customer moved up in satisfaction. Additionally, customer life increases from 4. 4 years to 8. 3 years.As shown in the table below, it makes more sense to pursue after switching satisfied customers to highly satisfied customers as the NPV is far greater than the alternative. Using the NPV from the table and improvement cost for each store we can cal culate the minimum number of customers that we need to switch in 2003 per store. The minimum number of customers to be switched in 2003 = Improvement cost / NPV of satisfied to highly satisfied. = $7,513/$497 = 16 customers/store = 16 * 5,324 stores = 85,184 total customersCustomer LTV/yearChange in revenue by moving up in customer satisfaction levelAvg Customer LifeNet Present Value Unsatisfied$103 Satisfied$119$164. 4 yrs$51. 86 Highly satisfied$217$988. 3 yrs$497. 31 As Starbucks expands and builds more stores, improvement cost per store that is needed is reduced. This, in turn, has a direct effect in reducing the number of customers it needs to switch up one level. Qualitative assessment of Starbucks’ challenges Expectancy-Value ModelKey Attributes (Exhibit 10)Customer Ranking (Exhibit 10)Weights (Exhibit 11)Customer ranking (Exhibit 11)Combined ProbabilityRanking of Importance Treated as a Valuable Customer0. 75free cups after certain number of visits0. 190. 14251 Friend ly Staff0. 73Friendlier, more attentive staff0. 190. 13872 Appropriate Prices0. 65Reduce Prices0. 110. 07153 Fast service0. 65Faster, more efficient service0. 10. 0654 Knowledgeable Staff0. 39More knowledgable staff0. 040. 01565 Selection of merchandise0. 5Better Quality/Variety of Products0. 090. 00456 There is a direct relationship between customer satisfaction and number of visits and revenue which eventually leads to higher profits, Starbucks’ should raise the customer satisfaction levels of its current customer base by making them visit stores more frequently. By using key customer attributes from Exhibit 10 and the consumer weights which was given in Exhibit 11, we can use the expectancy value model to see what are the perceived values to the customer.We can then rank the attributes that consumers would value the most. The expectancy value model shows that faster service is not the highest in perceived value to consumers. There are others that rank higher. Specifically, Starbucks should focus on treating the customer as a valued consumer by rewarding the consumer with free cups of certain coffees after so many purchases. This would surely build more loyalty to the their brand, especially among both the newer and older customers.Starbucks can achieve this by doing one or more of the following: †¢Prices and Promotions – Since Starbucks’ typical customer profile is evolving, the company should look in to running promotions such as discounted prices or a free drink after so many number of visits which could generate additional revenue and possibly increase the average ticket size and customer life for both unsatisfied and satisfied customer level as well as build loyalty among newer and older customers. Improve value to customers with friendly staff – Knowledgeable staff who offer attentive service by greeting and knowing regular customers as well a remembering their drinks would help to improve the value proposition for Star bucks’. This will also try to bridge the gap between Starbucks’ and various other independent specialty coffee shops. †¢Cleanliness – Starbucks’s should ensure that the store is clean at all times (i. e. , restrooms, countertops, trash cans, seating areas, etc. as store cleanliness was ranked as key attributes in creating customer satisfaction (Exhibit 10) †¢Convenience – next on the list is convenience. Starbucks’ could continue to offer customized drinks and further promote sales of its SVC cards to help customers pay for their concoction at their convenience. †¢Improve the customer snapshot measuring techniques to strike a balance in measuring customer satisfaction level. †¢Improve the quality and variety of the coffee Explore additional opportunities to earn peripheral revenues in selling pastries, sandwiches, lunch menus or even liquor. †¢Study in making store atmosphere more conducive to ethnically concentrated geographical locations. WORKS CITED Ho, T. -H. (2006). Incorporating Satisfaction into Customer Value Analysis: Optimal Investment in Lifetime Value. Marketing Science , 260-277. MOON, Y. (2006). Starbucks: Delivering Customer Service. Harvard Business Review .

Customer Engagement Is Vital For Saas Success - 1186 Words

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Renewablee Energy The Benefits Of Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Renewable energy is defined as using resources that are easily replenished such as water, the sun, or wind, as forms of energy. So why should citizens of the Earth use renewable energy? Many people use renewable energy because of the environmental benefits and the economic benefits or in order to preserve the nonrenewable resources. Using renewable energy sources provides many different benefits for society and for the environment but they also have drawbacks that makes the use of renewable energy a controversial topic. Alternative or renewable energy has been used since the beginning of ancient civilizations. Before the discovery and development of coal, renewable energy was the only type of energy available. Hot†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"According to the International Energy Agency, renewables represent the worlds second largest electricity source (Staff).’† Many states have set mandates to reach a goal of getting a certain percentage of energy from renewable resources with California in the lead. The cost of harnessing and using renewable energy is now at about the same as nonrenewable energy. Solar panels are over one million houses including the White House. The lowering cost and inclusion of renewable energy into everyday lives has made total dependence on clean energy more possible. Renewable resources are the abundant resources that the Earth supplies and do not have a limit. These resources include the sun, wind, water, and the internal heat of the earth. Solar energy collects and uses the rays of the sun to generate energy, and is completely renewable until the sun burns away. Energy can be generated by the sun through the use of solar panels. Solar panels can be any size, and can be connected to garden lamps, houses, lights, or in a big solar farm for an entire city. Wind energy uses the force of the wind to spin a turbine which then generates electricity. The turbines are constructed on large plains, over the water, or in rural towns where the wind is most powerful (Ailworth). Water is another source of power that is used in many different ways to produce energy. Hydropower is the energy produced from fast flowing or falling water, such as strong rivers. Hydroelectricity is energy

Swot And Analytical Tools Business Analysis Tools

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Strengths and weaknesses are for internal factors such as location, patents held and reputation. Opportunities and threats look outside the company for things like competitors, market changes and supplier impacts. (Angeles,S. Sept 10,2015). Overall it gives a basic direction of what to do next for the business or project and ensure a greater chance of success. There are many factors in the macro-environment that will affect the decisions of any business. Tax changes, new legislation, trade barriers,Show MoreRelatedIntegrative And Analytical Tools For The Business1174 Words   |  5 PagesIntegrative and Analytical Tools To be successful in any modern business there are a few things that must take place. The company has to get oriented; it needs to identify the primary objectives of the business, as well as define the scope, and finally perform both internal and external analysis of the operations. 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Organisational Change Management

Question: Discuss about theOrganisational Change Management. Answer: Introduction: Topic: The topic of the article is organizational quality and organizational change. Both the aspects are essential to bring the suitable changes in the organization in the stable and appropriate manner. Simultaneously, the execution of the quality and change is essential for managing the suitable options for the growth of the organization. The article mainly works on the interconnection of quality and change (Smith, 2011). Objectives: The organization is considered as the object in which continuous changes are being observed. To manage the continuous change, the strategic and simultaneous approach is compulsory. The active management through the quality can be helpful in bringing the rapid change in the organization and growth in the economic aspects of the organization as well. The article provided for the discussion mainly emphasizes on the large scale change management. With that, the simultaneous management of the quality and change are also being identified. Through this article, the importance and the coordinated approach of the quality and change will be tried to identify. The essay mainly covers the methodology and analysis, arguments, findings, implications, the suitable strength and the weaknesss and last but not the least conclusion. All these sections will be helpful in critically analyzing the article as well (Alnaweigah, 2013). Methodology and Analysis: The methodology which is used in the organizational management is quite similar in different aspects. As defined in the objective above that the most promising growth of the organization can only be done, when the appropriate coordination of the quality and changes can be done. For adapting this approach, the most suitable methodology should be used. There are various models which are defined in the article. According to the author, the two best models named as the Kotlers Model and the Doppelts Seven Point Wheel Model will be used for defining the process of coordination. Both of these models are considered as the best models to solve the organizational issues. Rather than this, the process of analysis is also considered as the major outcomes obtained from the Kotler and the Doppelts Model. After obtaining the suitable output, the large scale program related to the organization can be easily performed. With the help of this program, the appropriate analysis of the quality and change can be done (Zhang, 2012) Argument : The argument defined in the article mainly emphasizes on the organizational management of the organization. The main argument is related to the aspect that whether the coordination of the change and the quality can be possible. To manage this argument in the suitable manner, there are various supporting aspects are provided which supports that the coordination of the both the aspects is essential. To support the interconnections of both quality and change, some arguments are also defined in the article. Rather than this the argument is also related to the performance related to the organization which can be affected by the change and the quality process. Though for managing the performance aspects there are various frameworks which are defined which are known as the TQM (Total Quality Management), EFQM ( European Foundation for Quality Management), ABEF (Australian Business Excellence Framework), IIP and the PQASSO. In fact on the international level as well, the ADRI is i ntroduced which is helpful in defining the interconnection of both the aspects. But, according to Ian Smith (Author of the Article), the aspects related to the performance needs an improvement in coordination with the quality and change (American Society for Quality, 2015). Conclusion and Findings: In the article, the author has tried to define the major findings and conclusion related to the organizational change and quality. The article clearly shows the interconnection of both the aspects (i.e. Quality and change) which can able to provide the suitable growth perspectives to the organization. In fact, there are various evidences defined, which shows the positive impact for the progress and the improvement of the organization. The major findings which are obtained at the end of the research relate to the coordinated approach of the quality and changes in the organization. As the example of the library is defined in the article, through which the suitable management aspects can be identified. Through his assessment, the author has declared that with the help of the suitable models and the toolkit, the intersecting issues related to the organizational quality and organizational changes should be tried to identified on the wider level in the concluding section. The conclusion al so helped in defining the proactive solutions related to the common issues and problems of the organization (McNamara, 2014) Implications: There are various implications defined for the managers. From different types of implications, the most prominent implication is related to the formation of the pointers in green and red form. With the help of these pointers, it becomes easy to manage the different aspects related to the change and quality in the organization. Rather than this, the suitable strategic plans and the well -defined approaches are also been adapted by the managers to achieve the appropriate targets in favor of the organization (Becker Gerhart, 1996) Strength: During the critical analysis of the article, the major strength and weakness are tried to identified. The major strength which is highlighted in the article is quality and change management in the organization are having a focused approach. According to the case study define in the article, the employees themselves are working for the managing the suitable quality and change in the organization. The other strength is related to the identification of the various models for coordinating both the aspects of the organization(Becker Gerhart, 1996) Weakness: The major weakness of the article is related to the lack of evidences. Before adapting the concept of the quality and the change, the organization requires a suitable evidence or valid proof. For example, the output and the suitable reviews are obtained by the interconnection of changes and quality which is not defined properly in the article. Only few case studies and examples are defined in the article which are not sufficient to assess and conclude. The other weakness is related to the unavailability of the models. Only few models are defined properly for showing the relationship between the change and the quality in the organization (Smith, 2011) References Alnaweigah, A. B. (2013). Total Quality Management Role in Organizational Change and Development - Case Study: Taif University. International Journal of Business Administration , 4(4). Retrieved from www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/ijba/article/viewFile/3026/1784 American Society for Quality. (2015). We are the faces opf Quality. Retrieved from https://asq.org/: https://asq.org/learn-about-quality/total-quality-management/.../implementing-tqm.htmlwww.asq-qm.org/resourcesmodule/download_resource/.../@random536a2af846c2d/ Becker, B., Gerhart, B. (1996). The Impact of Human Resource management on Organisational Performance: Progress and Prospects. The Academy of Management Journal, 39(4), 779-801. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/256712?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents McNamara, C. (2014). Organizational Change and Development. (NilesRiver.com, Editor, Authenticity Consulting, LLC) Retrieved from https://managementhelp.org/: https://managementhelp.org/organizationalchange/ Smith, I. (2011). Organisational Quality and Organisatinal Change: Interconnecting paths to effectiveness. Emerald Insight, 32(111-128). Retrieved from https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/01435121111102629 Zhang, Z. (2012). Developing a TQM Quality Management Method Model. Netherland: Faculty of Management and Organization. Retrieved from https://www.rug.nl/research/portal/files/3232065/97a48.pdf

Tartuffe Morals And Ethics Essays - Ethics, Tartuffe,

Tartuffe: Morals And Ethics Tartuffe: Morals and Ethics From the moment of our conception, who we are and how we will one day believe and behave is completely laid out for us. Truly our upbringing and everyday environment play a role in who we are and how we present ourselves but, the reality is, we are who we are meant to be. We each serve a very specific purpose in life. Granted some of us are blessed with a more dignified role, and others, well, were not as lucky in the casting department. However, within those of us who were graciously bestowed a sense of morality, lies a specific amount of morals, or ethics. The question of course, is how much and why, why do we believe as we do. Well, Ill tell you why.we were born that way. From birth we were meant to be a certain way. We were meant to follow a certain believe, thats what makes us who we are. For example, in Molieres Tartuffe, Tartuffe acted in the name of every ethical belief imaginable, yet lived by not one of them. Tartuffe was without a doubt a man of nonexistent morality. Which better proves my point, people are born with morals. Just as some people are born to be leaders, people are also born to live as honest ethical human beings. Of course in the case of morality, ethical stability comes in various levels. All who hold the ability to live as principled individuals maintain a certain amount of moral dignity. Despite how much or how little your ethical reasoning stretches, its still there, and will always be there. Tartuffe was an odious hypocrite whose apparent piety ingratiated him with the credulous Orgon and his mother Mme. Both Orgon and his mother believed that Tartuffe's pious example of immaculate ethics would be good for the remaining members of the family. But everyone else in the family, including the outspoken servant Dorine, was perceptive enough to see right through the impostor. Right from the get go, Tartuffes overwhelming misconception of ethical truth is completely avoidable. Tartuffe promoted the lifestyle of an everyday noun. But, he lived the lifestyle of a blatant hypocrite. Regardless of the amount of agony he imposed, he was still able to disregard every ethical rule. He saw what he wanted and went after it full force, despite all consequences. The man obviously lacked any sort of morality. I believe he acted this way because of whom he was inside. Tartuffe was a very intelligent man. He devised many plans and conjured up numerous fabrications to implement each of his schemes. Now, any man or woman who had the slightest amount of moral integrity would surely feel some remorse. Tartuffe on the other hand didnt. He executed each of his plans without the slightest amount of compunction. Now ask yourself this, why didnt he ever repent any of his sins? Well, because he was born lacking the morality gene. Just as people are born without a mean bone in their body Tartuffe was born lacking any sense of ethical understanding. How dare you even hinder or annoy, When I've the means to ruin and destroy. You should have thought before my toes you trod. Attacking me, you set yourself 'gainst God. Tartuffe being the fraudulent monster that he is stated the previous quote. During the whole of the play Tartuffe bounced back and forth between the word of the lord and blatant hypocrisy. The previous quote justifies his unstable perception of right and wrong. ...this house belongs to me, Ill have you know, And I shall show you that you cant hurt me By this contemptible conspiracy, That those who cross me know not what they do, And that Ive means to expose and punish you, Avenge offended Heaven, and make you grieve That ever you dared order me to leave. Ironically enough even after being exposed for fraud he reverts to his religious asceticism using references to offending heaven. He also makes a brief biblical reference, That those who cross me know not what they do. This is similar to what Jesus said when speaking to God during the Roman crucifixion saying, Forgive them Father