Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Organizational Design and Structure Essay Example for Free

Organizational Design and Structure Essay People are interested in great stories of great success. Lincoln Electric uses such practices as Intensive employee involvement (Advisory committee, Suggestions plan); Job security; Compensation (Piece-rate system, Bonuses, Report cards); Points for process improvements; Strong management control; No paid sick days; No paid training. General Electric is committed to equal employment opportunity, a basic of a free society. By continuing to extend equal opportunity and provide fair treatment to all employees on the basis of merit, we will improve GEs success while enhancing the progress of individuals and the communities where our businesses are located. These two companies have different structures. But they are both successful. A narrow span of control consists of only a few employees; a wide span of control includes many employees. The tendency nowadays is to flatten organizations by widening the span of control and decreasing the layers of management (hierarchy), and by relying more on employee teams to take on many of the roles formerly performed only by managers. There is a limit to number of employees any one manager can properly supervise. If a supervisor has a wide span-of-control she is supervising activities of many people. If span-of-control is narrow few subordinates report to her. Wide span-of-control is possible in most assembly line situations where each employee has only a few repetitive tasks to perform. Wide span-of-control is possible in situations where subordinates are highly educated. Narrow span-of-control is advisable when cost of making an error or wrong decision is high. History indicates that a wide span-of-control is more productive in long-run. While different, Gen X and Gen Y have some similarities. Both will demand a more innovative workplace, with flexible hours, state-of-the-art resources, cooperative scheduling and supervisors who listen. One of the reasons Gen X and Y will be so valuable is that there will be a shortage of skilled managers to replace the retiring Traditionalists and Boomers. Developing experienced and skilled young managers will become vital to any organization hoping to compete in the future. The Apprentice. I will advice for women and men to improve the following features: Leadership takes courage and initiative. (Initiative is a critical component of good leadership. ); Self-awareness and self-correcting leadership; High energy. (A great leadership rule: if you want it, model it); No direction (clarity of roles and expectations), protection or order. A successful leader with a new team needs to set the stage for success by facilitating an initial session (order) to determine how the team will work together most effectively to achieve their task or goal. A leader should inspire confidence by creating a safe container (protection) for the team to elicit the highest of collaboration, creativity and effective strategy. All components of organisational design and structure were taken up. Organizational Redesign is structuring an organization, division or department to optimize how it supplies products and services to its clients and customers. The process of organization design matches people, information, and technology to the purpose, vision, and strategy of the organization. Structure is designed to enhance communication and information flow among people. Systems are designed to encourage individual responsibility and decision making. Technology is used to enhance human capabilities to accomplish meaningful work. The end product is an integrated system of people and resources, tailored to the specific direction of the organization.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Doctor Zhivago Essay -- Doctor Zhivago Essays

Doctor Zhivago    Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize winning novel, Doctor Zhivago, is exceedingly successful due to its strong characterization and profound believability. The historical period matches flawlessly with the serious mood evident throughout Pasternak's work. The tone of this novel bleeds into the style and flow of Doctor Zhivago. Exceptional development of these traits makes Zhivago a triumphant effort.    The book begins with the introduction of several primary characters. Introduced as a child, Yurii A. Zhivago, lives his life in front of the reader. The long period covered gives the reader a variety of life experiences to identify with. As more of Yura's family life is revealed, a link between the story and the reader is constructed. Conversations in the story illustrate the feelings and ideals of the characters in Zhivago. One such conversation is between Nikolai Nikolaievich and Ivan Ivanovich. The two discuss philosophy, relating to their ideals and not those of the state or past theorists such as Solovi_v and Marx. The ideals expressed in this discussion are not just the characters', but an idea held by the author. Nikolaievich states "that man does not live in a state of nature but in history...It is the...exploration of death with a view to overcome it." (13) Pasternak's belief is people create to overcome their mortality; Pasternak has done so by creating Zhivago. The author lives on in the characters that he created. Through the story, different types of life are lived by the characters and the reader. Exploring the life of the rich and the poor, living while at peace and in war causes a variety of characters and emotions to be evoked. This vast array causes a few problems. The primary difficulty i... ...chnique creates a fully developed world in which the characters exist. The book opens with a funeral, that of Zhivago's mother, and it ends with a funeral for Zhivago. The story is assembled in a balanced manner. The symmetry in the novel adds another unique element to its style. The method in which Zhivago is told is at times annoying but overall it is a part of why the book as a whole succeeds.    In following the life of Zhivago, the effects of the Russian revolution on Russia's society are made evident. The strong characterization, believability, powerful imagery, and writing style all help construct a link between the story and the reader. The successful development of this bond draws the reader in the lives of the characters. This union that Pasternak creates is the basis of a universally readable novel, a union that makes Doctor Zhivago a success.    Doctor Zhivago Essay -- Doctor Zhivago Essays Doctor Zhivago    Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize winning novel, Doctor Zhivago, is exceedingly successful due to its strong characterization and profound believability. The historical period matches flawlessly with the serious mood evident throughout Pasternak's work. The tone of this novel bleeds into the style and flow of Doctor Zhivago. Exceptional development of these traits makes Zhivago a triumphant effort.    The book begins with the introduction of several primary characters. Introduced as a child, Yurii A. Zhivago, lives his life in front of the reader. The long period covered gives the reader a variety of life experiences to identify with. As more of Yura's family life is revealed, a link between the story and the reader is constructed. Conversations in the story illustrate the feelings and ideals of the characters in Zhivago. One such conversation is between Nikolai Nikolaievich and Ivan Ivanovich. The two discuss philosophy, relating to their ideals and not those of the state or past theorists such as Solovi_v and Marx. The ideals expressed in this discussion are not just the characters', but an idea held by the author. Nikolaievich states "that man does not live in a state of nature but in history...It is the...exploration of death with a view to overcome it." (13) Pasternak's belief is people create to overcome their mortality; Pasternak has done so by creating Zhivago. The author lives on in the characters that he created. Through the story, different types of life are lived by the characters and the reader. Exploring the life of the rich and the poor, living while at peace and in war causes a variety of characters and emotions to be evoked. This vast array causes a few problems. The primary difficulty i... ...chnique creates a fully developed world in which the characters exist. The book opens with a funeral, that of Zhivago's mother, and it ends with a funeral for Zhivago. The story is assembled in a balanced manner. The symmetry in the novel adds another unique element to its style. The method in which Zhivago is told is at times annoying but overall it is a part of why the book as a whole succeeds.    In following the life of Zhivago, the effects of the Russian revolution on Russia's society are made evident. The strong characterization, believability, powerful imagery, and writing style all help construct a link between the story and the reader. The successful development of this bond draws the reader in the lives of the characters. This union that Pasternak creates is the basis of a universally readable novel, a union that makes Doctor Zhivago a success.   

Monday, January 13, 2020

The Seven Sacraments by Rogier van der Weyden: Early Northern Renaissance

Rogier van der Weyden was one of the foremost artists from the Netherlands. During the Renaissance, religious themes were prevalent. Europe, was predominantly Catholic and the Church was a huge patron of the art that was produced. Northern Europe was different from Italy, the center of Renaissance art, in that it was more ornate the art produced in this area eventually was known as Baroque. The painting The Seven Sacraments by van der Weyden is typical of the art produced in the area. The subjects of the painting The Seven Sacraments, painted in fourteen forty-five, are baptism, confirmation, and penance on the left; the Eucharist in the center; and ordination, marriage, and extreme unction are on the right. The Catholic Church believes in the seven sacraments while the Protestants believe in only baptism and marriage. The religious subject is what makes this painting characteristic of the artistic period of the Renaissance. However, it is typically Northern in that the colors are bright and vivid and they painting is extremely realistic. An example would be that the dying man in the right of the painting is realistic in his body. During this time artist studied the human body at great lengths so that they could produce it realistically. They even studied cadavers so that they would be familiar with the inner and outer elements of the body. The setting for The Seven Sacraments is a large open cathedral. The Crucifixion is displayed in the center while there are angels on each side. Christ is hung above the other figures to symbolize his dominance in the lives of mankind. The angels represent the ever present being sent from heaven. The wedding on the left is not only a literal sacrament, but it also symbolizes the union of Christ and the Church on the day that Christ returns. The dying man on the right symbolizes the guarantee that life will end and man will have to face the unknown. The Seven Sacraments by Rogier van der Weyden is a good example of the early Renaissance painting from Northern Europe. Weyden’s focus on emotion and grief made him the most famed painter of the time when he died. After his death, many artist went on to make the Renaissance the most popular period of art.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Explain Platos Allegory Of The Cave - 1483 Words

Philosophy is perhaps the most ancient field of thought existing today. It emerged before the sciences and, in fact, gave birth to all the contemporary sciences. In the ancient world, philosophy was perceived as a much wider field of thought than today, because back then, all sciences were the parts of philosophy – if someone did research on nature or solved mathematical problems, he was doing philosophy. Nowadays, philosophy has a substantially narrower domain, however, its questions are much more specialized and developed. The entire modern Western philosophy is the heir of the Ancient Greek philosophy. The impact of the ancient philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle has been so evident and powerful throughout the history of†¦show more content†¦Thus, they think that shadows are how the world really looks like (Plato Bk.8). As they have never seen daylight, they may be satisfied with the blurry shadows. They may discuss what they see and make guesses ab out what that is. They will have their names for all the different kinds of shadows, and, overall, they will be content with their life. When put in modern context, looking at the world through smartphones may be a good analogy. Suppose people are locked in a dark room without windows. All they have is smartphones. They explore life through their gadgets. As they have never been outside, they will be used to thinking that those tiny coloured things on a palm-sized screen are what reality is like. They will be watching photos and reading news without ever seeing what they relate to in reality. They may even be content with their lives seeing only tiny flat images on the screen. In this part, Socrates describes people living without philosophy. Without the taste of truth, people only enjoy its bleak and blurred reflections. Having never seen the daylight, they thrive in their darkness and think that this is how the world really looks like. In the smartphone analogy, the situation is pretty much the same, although its details are much better imagined and understood, because it involves contemporary technology. The second part of the allegory, according to Socrates, tells about how one of the prisoners is taken away from the cave. Socrates suggests thatShow MoreRelatedPlatos The Allegory of the Cave as Means to Explain The Apology1672 Words   |  7 PagesMichael Ehrecke Plato’s â€Å"The Allegory of the Cave† As Means to Explain â€Å"The Apology† Authors sometimes use one work to explain or elaborate on the intricacies of another piece of theirs. Plato is one such example as he uses â€Å"The Allegory of the Cave† as means to better decipher â€Å"The Apology of Socrates.† Plato himself never appears in either dialogue, but it is clear that he disagrees with how Socrates’s trial ended and hopes to prevent another unneeded execution in the future. In â€Å"The ApologyRead MoreAnalysis Of Platos Allegory Of The Cave864 Words   |  4 PagesOn the surface of Plato’s â€Å"Allegory of the Cave† it is just a simple piece, but the main purpose of the piece is to explain people living in a world of face value and having individuals break free from the main idea to create a new sense of what the world is truly about. In here, Plato uses the writing style of allegory to encompass the use of imagery and symbolism to explain his purpose. He also uses very clever dialogue with constant repetition to represent a bigger idea about the philosophy withRead MoreThe Allegory of The Cave, by Plato Essay856 Words   |  4 PagesPlato’s logical strategy in the allegory of the cave is of deductive reasoning. Plato uses a cave containing people bound by chains which constrict their neck and legs in such a way that they are unable to turn around and there is a fire roaring behind them casting shadows on the wall. Since the prisoners cannot turn their heads to see what is casting the shadow the only thing they can perceive are the shadows and the sounds that seem to becoming from them. This is what Plato argues in the allegoryRead MorePlatos Allegory of the Cave in Pleasantville Essay1087 Words   |  5 PagesWriter and director Gary Ross captured the essence of Plato’s philosophical views in his movie, Pleasantville. The movie is about two siblings, David and Jennifer, who live in completely different high school social scenes. Jennifer is the wild, extroverted teen wh o is obsessed with partying and boy drama. David, on the other hand, is a social outcast and spends most of his time watching TV, specifically, his favorite show, Pleasantville. David idolizes the show because of the perfect town inRead MoreAnalyzing Plato s Allegory Of The Cave874 Words   |  4 PagesI’ll be analyzing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave through my own interpretation. An allegory is defined as â€Å"a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.† In Plato’s Republic the short excerpt The Allegory of the Cave can be viewed through multiple perspectives. Plato’s image of the cave is known as the â€Å"theory of forms†¦ The theory assumes the existence of a level of reality inhabited by ideal â€Å"forms† of all things and concepts (Revelations:Read MoreAllegories of Life1682 Words   |  7 PagesThe Allegory’s of Life In The Allegory of the Cave, Plato uses a vast spectrum of imagery to explain ones descent from the cave to the light. While Plato uses this Allegory to explain his point through Socrates to Glaucon. This allegory has many different meanings. The Allegory can be used in many different ways, from religion to politics to ones own intellectual enlightenment, or it can be interpreted as the blinded person in a colt like reality. Are we all prisoners in a world that is forcedRead MoreThe Allegory Of The Cave1086 Words   |  5 PagesQuestion # 3 Explain the allegorical significance(s) of the cave in Plato’s Republic. How is the cave an allegory of Plato’s philosophy? How is the allegory of the cave an allegory for enlightenment or philosophical education? How and why are most human beings like prisoners in a cave? Who are the puppeteers? What does the world outside the cave represent? What does the sun represent? Etc. What is Plato’s Theory of the Forms? What is a Form? How does the allegory of the cave express Plato’s Theory ofRead MoreComparison of the Matrix and the Allegory of the Cave Essay1240 Words   |  5 PagesMatrix and the Allegory of the Cave What if one were living through life completely bound and facing a reality that doesnt even exist? The prisoners in Platos Allegory of the Cave are blind from true reality as well as the people in the movie The Matrix. They are given false images and they accept what their senses are telling them. They believe what they are experiencing is not all that really exists. Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher wrote The Allegory of the Cave, to explain the processRead More Allegory of the Cave vs The Matrix Essay1473 Words   |  6 Pagesfacing a reality that doesn’t even exist. The prisoners in Plato’s â€Å"Allegory of the Cave† are blind from true reality as well as the people in the movie â€Å"The Matrix† written and directed by the Wachowski brothers. They are given false images and they accept what their senses are telling them, and they believe what they are experiencing is all that really exists. Plato the ancient Greek philosopher wrote â€Å"The All egory of the Cave†, to explain the process of enlightenment and what true reality may beRead MoreThe Main Elements Of Plato s Cave1152 Words   |  5 PagesPlato In this paper the main elements of Plato’s cave will be described along with a short explanation of Plato’s theory of forms, which is what the cave allegory is attempting to address. A brief description of the plot of the movie â€Å"The Island â€Å"will follow. This will be followed by an explanation of how the movie correlates to the elements of Plato’s cave. Finally, the conclusion will discuss what Plato was hoping to achieve with the cave allegory. Over the course of many years

Friday, December 27, 2019

The Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy Essay - 2119 Words

Statement of the Problem Most people say that your teenage years are supposed to be the best years of your life; Finding your place in this world, mostly carefree (with the exceptions of homework and parents), and most of all, having the least amount of responsibilities you will have before you reach adulthood. Sadly, some teens do not get to live this luxury. Many girls in this generation become mothers while they are still considered children. There are approximately 1.3 million homeless teens living in the United States right now. Out of the 1.3 million, 6-22% are pregnant girls (Finzel, 2016). If you do the math, that is nearly 78,000-286,000 pregnant girls who are homeless right now. I chose to write about this topic because I have witnessed many friends, and community members become pregnant at a young age. With government funded programs that help teen mothers learn safe sex methods, and family counseling for distressed mothers and teens, the rate of teen pregnancy would be r educed. Background of the Problem Teenage homelessness, as defined by the National Conference of State Legislatures, are unaccompanied youth who lack parental, institutional, or foster care (Finzel, 2016). Pregnant teenage homelessness has been a rising problem since the late 1980’s-early 1990’s. No one can give one reason as to why teenage mothers become homeless, as there are a broad range of categories that can lead these teens to homelessness. The most common issues that lead toShow MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy1720 Words   |  7 Pages Like Amy and Loeber (2009), when it comes to the ecological paradigm of teenage pregnancy, Corcoran, Franklin, and Bennett (2000) also believe one’s socioeconomic status is a huge factor that contributes to this problem. A person’s socioeconomic status a lot of times determines â€Å"education, expanded family size, single-parent household structure, and lessened resources in terms of employment and income.† These three authors claim that educational performance and goals â€Å"dictate the potential costsRead MoreThe Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy1894 Words   |  8 Pagesactually deliver the baby (Kirby 2007). Out of that 20%, 82% of those pregnancies were unintended (Kirby 2007). Teenaged parents are more likely to drop out of high school, will not go to college, and the mother more than likely becomes a single parent (Kirby 2007). Children who are born to teenage parents are more likely to have a less supportive and less stimulating home environment, lower cog nitive development, behavioral problems, and will most likely have a child when they are a teenager (KirbyRead MoreThe Social Problem With Teenage Pregnancy1358 Words   |  6 PagesThe social problem with teenage pregnancy is one to be aware of. Throughout the years we have seen the numbers all across the spectrum. This being, the number of pregnant teenage girls has decreased in recent years, but on the other hand, has also been pretty high ten to twenty years ago. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), â€Å"In 2013, a total of 273,105 babies were born to women ages 15-19 years, for a live birth rate of 26.5 per 1,000 women in this age group. This is a record low forRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy : A Serious Problem1690 Words   |  7 PagesTeenage pregnancy is widely viewed in our society as a serious problem. According to Pregnant Teen Help, over 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant each year. This is a statistic that has lowered in numbers since the 1990’s mai nly due to more teen pregnancy prevention programs in schools and contraceptive availability(). The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate than any other industrialized country in the world. About a third of these teens abort their pregnancies, 14 percent suffer aRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Is Becoming A Problem921 Words   |  4 PagesEarly pregnancy is becoming more of a problem every year. More and more teenagers are becoming pregnant and becoming young mothers. There are many reasons on why this is such a problem. For instance, young mothers drop out of high school, their bodies are not mature enough, not as financially stable as they should be, and many other reasons. In the periodal How to Stop Teen Pregnancies, it states â€Å"When teenage girls have babies, they are in danger. They more likely will suffer serious health problemsRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Is A Growing Problem1782 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction Teenage pregnancy is a growing problem today even though statistically over the history it has improved the U.S. still has the highest teen pregnancy rate. These issues have a spiraling effect with the teenage parents or the mother. Financial, academic, and childcare for a teenage parent can be stressful and demanding more so with a teenager. Not only will the child of the teenager be affected but the parent and the community will have adverse effect. Thesis Even though with properRead MoreThe Social Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy929 Words   |  4 Pagespositive. Occasionally, â€Å"average age† parents are not sufficiently prepared to deal with parenthood, thus a teenager is greatly less prepared. Therefore, teenage pregnancy has become a major social problem which fundaments should be understood in order to provide a solution to it. In order to understand a social problem such as teenage pregnancy, it is important to look firstly at its causes. In the first place, parents are of immense importance regarding a child’s development because they are theRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy And Parenthood As A Social Problem1466 Words   |  6 PagesTeenage pregnancy and parenthood as a social problem Question – To what extent should we regard the efforts of recent governments to reduce teenage pregnancy and early parenthood as successful? * Source 1 Williams-Wheeler, D. (2004). The unplanned pregnancy book for teens and college students, Virginia Beach, VA: Sparkledoll Productions. The information gathered from this source is definitely devoted to the topic of teenage pregnancy because it is a helpful guide to those handling unplanned pregnanciesRead MorePublic Health Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy2260 Words   |  10 PagesPublic Health Problem Teenage pregnancy has been a common public health problem in society, particularly in America. When an individual hears that 15 year old girl is pregnant, people perceive it as a negative connotation. The average age to have a child today is 28 years old (Jewkes, Morrell, Christofides, 2009).   Adolescent pregnancies are preventable, but are still bound to happen today and in the future (Langille, 2007). This is a problem is society due to teenagers not being able to supportRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy : Society s Biggest Problem1503 Words   |  7 Pages Teenage Pregnancy Teenage Pregnancy is society s biggest problem, there are so many ways to prevent it, also many advices from people and many decisions a teen parent must make in life. It is today s biggest issue because it affects teen parent s future in many results. The three most important things that it affects is education, financial problems, and being a teenage parent. Those three important things are key to each other in order to succeed in life. Teenage Parents are most

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Analysis of Letter From Birmingham Jail - 773 Words

Every Individual comes to a point in their life when he or she must take a stand for what he or she believes in. For some, this may mean coming to the defense of other people, for others taking a stand could mean holding firm to beliefs or morals. In any case taking a stand is part of the human experience. Realizations, reformations, revelations, and revolutions have been brought forth in history because a dauntless individual stood firm for what he or she held to be true. Martin Luther King is famous for his daring counter-cultural beliefs and for being a man who truly made a stand in his struggle to gain civil rights for black people. A genius of the art of persuasion, King uses tremendously effective emotional†¦show more content†¦King states â€Å"Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say wait. But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your brothers and sisters at whim...† For most people the bonds of family are among the most prized sentimental establishments, making it uncomfortable and even painful to imagine one’s own family members being lynched, mobbed, or drowned as haphazardly and unjustly as King describes it. By escorting his audience to a seat of suffering King engages his audience’s sympathies. By doing so he causes his audience to be more perceptive to his message. Though King pierces the heart of his audience by pinpointing their patriotism and value of family relations, he also provides his targets of persuasion with a more comfortable and enticing appeal. Throughout King’s letter there are numerous alliterations, each serves the same purpose of augmenting his argument. King states â€Å"When you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, and even kill your black brothers and sisters. The hard â€Å"c† or â€Å"k† sound reinforces the idea of cursing, kicking or killing. The repetition of the hard consonants even makes it feel as though King himself is â€Å"kicking† his point into the readers mind. It almost causes one to wince at the sound of the three words. Alliteration stands as a highly effective element in emotional persuasion because the human brain enjoysShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail1052 Words   |  5 Pagesdiscrimination is? A Rhetorical Analysis of Letter From Birmingham Jail It is known to all that Martin Luther King is a famous person in America, who strongly goes against the racial discrimination all the time. Here, in this letter, Letter from Birmingham Jail, it is easy for us to realize that racial discrimination appears and the non-violence action is still serious at that time. As a matter of fact, this letter is coming from the people in the Birmingham jail, stating their inner thoughts aboutRead MoreLetter From Birmingham Jail Analysis850 Words   |  4 Pagesfriends. (MLK)† This quote from the inspirational civil rights leader captures the motivation behind his â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail.† He wrote this letter in 1963--after he had been jailed--in response to southern white clergy who called his actions â€Å"unwise and untimely.† Although MLK utilizes many varying appeals and devices, Kairos and anaphora are the most forceful because they pressure the white clergy and stimulate guilt in them. MLK inserts kairos in his letter to pressure the white clergyRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Letter from Birmingham Jail1517 Words   |  7 PagesPonder Eng291-001 13 September 2013 Rhetorical Analysis Rhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† by Martin Luther King, Jr., is a letter in which King is writing to his â€Å"fellow clergymen† in a response to their recent criticism of the actions he was leading in Birmingham at the time. The letter was written in April of 1963, a time when segregation was essentially at a peak in the south. Birmingham, in particular, is described by King as â€Å"probablyRead MoreAnalysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail785 Words   |  4 PagesWhile imprisoned in Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. received a letter from the local clergymen that condemned his actions calling them rash and extreme, in response Dr. King wrote his own letter back defending his decisions. In his letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. King introduces the idea of positive extremism as he attempts to convince the clergymen of the need for direct action in Birmingham, by showing the similarities in his own struggles and those faced by countless historical and biblicalR ead MoreCritical Analysis: Letter from Birmingham Jail1191 Words   |  5 PagesCritical Analysis Essay â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† In arguing, writers use different techniques to effectively convey their message to their intended audience. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter from Birmingham Jail was a response to A Call for Unity by eight white clergymen in which King’s presence in Birmingham and his methods of public demonstration were questioned. King’s letter was not only a response to his presence in Birmingham, but he also used the opportunity to address theRead MoreLetter from a Birmingham Jail Analysis1025 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"A Letter from Birmingham Jail† by Martin Luther King Jr. was written in the margins of a letter posted by the clergymen of Alabama at this time that sparked his interest and while he inhabited the jail cell for parading around without a permit. This time allowed him the ability to respond wholeheartedly to this cynical oppressing. King’s letter addresses specific points presented in the Clergymen’s and this direct response distinguishes Kingà ¢â‚¬â„¢s strong points through his powerful writing.   UnethicalRead MoreLetter From Birmingham Jail Analysis1617 Words   |  7 Pagespeaceful protests in Birmingham, Alabama, he was jailed on accounts of â€Å"parading without a permit† (King 3). While in jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a response to â€Å"A Call For Unity,† written by eight white clergymen of Birmingham, regarding King’s actions as â€Å"unwise and untimely† (King 1). This famous response soon came to be known as â€Å"Letter From Birmingham Jail,† and is currently regarded as one of the best pieces of rhetoric ever written. Dr. King’s â€Å"Letter From Birmingham Jail† is thoroughlyRead MoreAnalysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail1058 Words   |  5 PagesLetters from Birmingham Jail, was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s response to an open letter from eight Caucasian clergymen in the state of Alabama who had condemned the actions of King Jr. and blac k civil rights leaders. Dr. King Jr. made an impassioned argument addressing the concerns of the clergymen and vigorously discussed shock at their response. His letter covered a multitude of factors clearly and succinctly in a stinging critique of the clergymen’s views. In his infamous letter, Dr. King JrRead MoreSummary and Rhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†1708 Words   |  7 PagesSummary and Rhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested on April 12, 1963, in Birmingham, for protesting without a permit. The same day that King was arrested, a letter was written and signed by eight clergymen from Birmingham and titled â€Å"A Call for Unity†. The letter called for ending demonstrations and civil activities and indicated King as an â€Å"outsider†. On April 16, 1963, King responded to their letter with his own call, which has come toRead Moreâ€Å"Letters from a Birmingham Jail† Analysis of the Rhetorical Appeals1182 Words   |  5 Pagescreate a trustworthy bond with the audience, support his claim through reason, and create emotion in the audience that compels them to leap out of their seats and take action. Martin Luther King Jr. attempted to do this when he wrote an open letter while in his jail cell after a peaceful debate against segregation. His lettered response was guided at a statement by eight white Alabama clergymen saying that segregation should be fought in court and not on the streets. King uses a combination of three

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Financial Information System free essay sample

A financial information system (FIS) accumulates and analyzes financial data used for optimal financial planning and forecasting decisions and outcomes. FIS is used in conjunction with a decision support system, and it helps a firm attain its financial objectives because they use a minimal amount of resources relative to a predetermined margin of safety. FIS can be thought of as a financial planner for electronic commerce that can also produce large amounts of market and financial data at once obtained from financial databases worldwide. Financial data analysis may be conducted through trend evaluations, ratio analyses and financial planning modeling. Data outputs that are produced by FIS can include operating and capital budgets, working capital reports, accounting reports and cash flow forecasts. The predictive analytics included in these applications may also narrow down exactly what could be expected from a business interaction or transaction that has yet to take place. The management of financial information in an e-commerce business is paramount in order to gain maximum operating results in the shortest amount of time. An FIS can also yield huge amounts of data for daily business operations. Financial markets traders and salespeople have the greatest demand for FIS because they work in very fast environments and their on-demand computing systems must keep up with real-time activities in order to allow these professionals to operate in real time. Broker investigating, investment and trade data along with fiscal asset classes can be relayed through an FIS. This also works for smaller businesses that need to obtain financial data about local markets. FIS is a form of real-time operating system that works to enhance financial information exchanges. Term for a system that accumulates and analyzes financial data in order to make good financial management decisions in running the business. The basic objective of the financial information system is to meet the firms financial obligations as they come due, using the minimal amount of financial resources consistent with an established margin of safety. Outputs generated by the system include accounting reports, operating and capital budgets, working capital reports, cash flow forecast, and various what if analysis eports. The evaluation of financial data may be performed through ratio analysis, trend evaluation, and financial planning modeling. Financial planning and forecasting are facilitated if used in conjunction with a DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (DSS). Features of FIS Main Modules Systems typically have three main modules. The financial accounting module records all accounting and financial transactions and produces financial statements. Funds management identifies funding sources and overall spending consistent with budgets. Controlling tracks revenue and expenses for each project or department. Processes and modules within IFIS: The following services and features are available through IFIS * Accounts Payable allows online entry of invoices and maintenance of vendor data. * Budget and Staffing provides input, storage, maintenance, and reporting of budget and staffing data. * Chart of Accounts (COA) provides codes necessary for recording, organizing, and reporting financial information. * Communications defines groups and tracks notices, bulletins, and announcements. Express Order enables online reporting, placement of telephone orders to vendors, and invoice remittances. General Accounting encompasses fund accounting, chart of accounts, system table maintenance and update, and grants and contract accounting. * Person/ Entity records and maintains basic information on individuals and entities such as vendors, third parties, and institutions. * Purchasing facilitates buying activities, such as requests for goods and services, and online ordering and buying. * Security maintains all IFIS security activities. * Travel enables online reporting and maintenance of travel accounting. * Utilities contain additional table maintenance and system features used throughout IFIS. Availability Major global software providers such as Oracle and SAP develop and sell financial information systems. Increasingly, systems are available as Internet-based applications that need not be installed on company servers. Cost Systems are not cheap. Costs include the initial software license, system installation and integration, annual maintenance contracts for support and upgrades, and staff training on system features and use. Implementation Systems need to be integrated with other business applications such as Human Resources modules on pay and benefits. Therefore, businesses often hire integration specialists. System deployment and integration is complex and time consuming, and raises overall cost Benefits A financial information system is not suitable for everyone. Due to its complexity and cost, it is better suited for medium- and large-sized organizations. Types of FIS Accounting Software Business size and needs determine the type of account software needed. A basic accounting software program can assist a business with invoicing and financial statement reporting but is limited for complex organizations, particularly ones with overseas operations. A sophisticated accounting program can incorporate sales, audit, treasury (cash management), inventory tracking and other functions. For a company with overseas operations, a sophisticated financial information system can integrate various parts of the business operations, taking into account currency conversion. Mid-Market A company needs great enhanced financial information as it becomes larger and more complex. Accounting functionality is usually bundled in a robust software package as part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) program. ERP software combines all processes and data used by a business into a single system. A mid-market ERP program can accommodate a business with 10 to 100 employees and revenue of $10 to $50 million. Mid-market ERP software offers database capabilities and better analytics. An example of a mid-market ERP program is SAP Business One. A mid-market ERP program can cost a company as much as $75,000 as of 2011. High-End Systems Companies such as IBM utilize high-end ERP software to handle their vast operations. Examples of high-end ERP vendors include SAP, PeopleSoft, Great Plains and Oracle. A high-end financial information system can cost as much as $500,000 as of 2011 and, depending on business needs, can run into the millions of dollars. Vertical Vertical financial information systems are often proprietary in nature so no two systems are alike, even for companies within the same industry. For example, a bank can use vertical accounting software to analyze profitability by specific banking product and identify profitability by branch location. Considerations Before considering a financial information system, perform a cost-benefit analysis. You must not only account for cost but how the system should fit your business needs and whether it can grow with your business. You also have to consider implementation time, training and customer support. System Complexity * FIS is far more complex, but more dynamic, than the current FRS system. * Transactions flow through multiple modules * User training is critical and will be required to fully utilize the system. Background Current hardware based on IBM mainframe * Old technology * Expensive to maintain (Maintenance and repair parts) New System is Oracle Based * Very Robust, Modular System * Web based access Enhanced ability to encumber funds * Enhanced capabilities and future growth * Enhanced ad-hoc reporting with access to University Wide data What Are the Benefits of Financial Information Systems? A financial information system (FIS) is charged with monitoring finances within an organization or business. It takes complex data and processes it into specialized reports, saving time and effort in dealing with business accounting. While financial information systems have many benefits, it should be noted that having an FIS in place can be costly and usually requires training for those people operating the system. Accounting The center of a financial information system will be found in accounting. This area looks at the overall financial picture of a project, business or individual, incorporating both accounts payable and accounts receivable. The larger the project, the more beneficial a financial information system becomes. While an advanced system might not be necessary for an individual financial account, an organizations finances can be tracked through a financial information system. Funds Another benefit to having a financial information system in place is seen with funding. The FIS examines where funds are coming in and where funds are going out. Unlike accounting, however, FIS can make use of rigid budget controls. This enables a user to quickly identify whether or not a financial situation is developing. If funding has been designated for Maintenance for $200,000 and several servers go down and require immediate repair in the amount of $215,000, the FIS program will indicate that funding has gone over budget and will require changes to be made to the budget. Reporting Reporting is another benefit to having an FIS in place. By allowing users to examine reports on any aspect of the financial data, it assists in keeping track of past expenses, as well as projecting future expenses. In addition, it helps identify different departments and divisions that consistently go over budget, as well as which departments operate within their budget, and even which departments actually come in under budget. Specialization Specialized financial information systems are available, ranging from those designed for stock brokers and traders to medical institutions. Financial information systems used in stocks and bonds are designed to provide near-instant financial market data, projecting trends, keeping track of stock sales, and generally gathering and disseminating stock market data as quickly as possible. A medical FIS would contain patient information as it relates to payment costs for insurance purposes, as well as an extensive database of insurance claims, insurance payouts and anything else related to a medical offices finances. The Disadvantages of Accounting Information Systems Learning the System Learning an accounting information system can often be difficult and time-consuming. Individuals must be trained on a system, and this can cause a disadvantage to companies in terms of time and manpower. An accounting information system is made up of many different components, and almost all systems are computerized. Because of their complexity, some people may find them hard to use. It can take weeks or months for a person to understand an accounting system, and usually the individual still does not understand completely what the system is capable of. If the employee quits working at the organization, it can take weeks or months, once again, to train another employee. Loss of Information Accounting information systems are usually computerized. Because of this, there is always a risk of losing information through power outages or system crashes. When this happens, there is a chance that all the information in the system could be lost. Companies take precautions for this problem by backing up their files regularly and performing standard maintenance on all computer systems. They also install anti-virus software as another precaution. Still, none of these steps eliminates the potential problem that may occur. Accounting information systems store a companys financial information for years. If a system crash occurs, it causes a major disadvantage to the company. All, or some, information is lost, and theres a chance it may never be recovered. Re-evaluation Companies often change their way of doing business to keep up with the latest trends. To keep up in a demanding business world, these changes may impact an accounting system. An accounting information system is difficult to set up because every company is unique in its own way. In order to keep up with changes, accounting information systems must be re-evaluated often. Changes often need to be made in a system in order to process information efficiently. This can be a disadvantage to companies because it takes time for the re-evaluation, and it costs money.