Description of Grace

A DESCRIPTION OF GRACE By Emmanuel O. Obiorah Jos, Plateau State 27th March, 2013 GRACE INTRODUCTION The word ‘Grace’ is not a new word to most religious circles. Among Christians, such adjectives like amazing, extravagant, divine and awesome have been used to qualify the word grace with each depicting its importance to the Christian faith. Our concern in this work is to describe and analyze this word- Grace for a better, richer and more fulfilling understanding of its meaning. We hope that this would be of immense blessing as we consider this word which made us what we are today- Christians. Definition of the wordIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for Grace is Chen ( ). Strong’s Concordance defined this word as â€Å"favor, grace or charm†¦the moral quality of kindness, displaying a favorable disposition†. Chen was translated as â€Å"grace† thirty –eight times in the King James translation. It was also translated â€Å"favour† twenty-six times, twice as â€Å"gracious†, once as â€Å"pleasant†, and once as â€Å"precious†. The Greek word charis ( ) was used for Grace in the New Testament. Strong's Concordance defined charis as; â€Å"the state of kindness and favor towards someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object. Another Greek word that is related to charis is charisma (khar'-is-mah- gracious gift) both of which originated from the Greek word chairo (to rejoice, be glad, delighted) (Olowe 2011a). According to Olowe (2011b), Grace can be simply defined as an unmerited gift of God to assist and to equip man. This means that Grace comes in form of assistance, potential or resource. It is â€Å"a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own, the gift of divine grace, the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue†.The economy of divine grace is that through it â€Å"the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in considerati on of the merits of Christ laid hold on by faith†. Grace or gifts (as it is sometimes referred to) also denotes extraordinary powers that distinguish certain Christians by enabling them to serve the church of Christ. Grace motivates Christians to exercise all the Christian virtues â€Å"the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit† (Olowe 2011b).The Catholics on the other hand defined Grace (gratia, Charis) generally as â€Å"supernatural gift of God to intellectual creatures (men, angels) for their eternal salvation, whether the latter be furthered and attained through salutary acts or a state of holiness† (Knight 2012). Having considered the various definitions, this writer believes that Grace is a divine enablement or favourable disposition towards an undeserving person to do or become what such a person would not have been or done without such enablement. Genre of the word: GraceGrace is a theological term which is present in and among many religious groups other than Christianity. However, there are significant differences between the ways these other religions use the word grace. Even within Christianity, there are differing conceptions of grace. Infact the differences in the view of Grace including the so-called controversies of grace which space may not allow us to discuss in this work made Bill Gothard describe grace as â€Å"the watershed that divides Catholicism from Protestantism, Calvinism from Arminianism, and modern liberalism from conservatism†(Olowe 2011a).One of the differences in the views of the concept of Grace is that while the Protestants believe that special grace can only be received through the Spirit of God, the Catholic doctrine teaches that God uses the sacraments to facilitate the reception of this grace (Knight 2012). Protestants on the other hand generally held the view that even without the sacraments; divine grace has been imparted by God to h umanity. Theological discussion of the word- Grace Gift and Grace are sometimes used interchangeably because Grace manifests as a gift from God. God’s grace is upon all humanity.Even though salvation is the greatest gift God has given to all mankind, it is not the only gift man receives from God. Olowe (2011b) pointed out that the Grace of God is unlimited and are in five forms. These are: Material Universal Grace (Gifts of Matter and Time), Spiritual Universal Grace (Gifts of the Soul and the human Spirit), Spiritual Special Grace (Gifts of Supernatural (divine) Spirits), Divine Universal Grace (Gifts of Favor and Restraint) and Divine Special Grace (Gift of Salvation). Two forms of this grace come from special grace and three from universal grace (Olowe 2011b).Universal Grace is to be seen as the grace that God bestows on all mankind whether believers or unbelievers as resources to implement good works. On the other hand the atonement of sins by the blood of Jesus is the so urce of the Special Grace of God. The above five forms of grace are classified under three categories: – Divine Grace, Material Grace and Spiritual Grace. Divine grace Divine Grace whether universal or special generally involves God’s direct intervention in human lives. Divine universal grace and divine special grace are not resources for implementing good works.Their general purpose is to provide assistance to man in reaching God and in faithfully implementing stewardship. Divine grace gives meaning and purpose to life. The major difference between divine universal grace and divine special grace is their manifestations. Divine special grace (gift of salvation) manifests in the salvation of the sinner and it is a long term grace that can last for ever if no apostasy occurs whereas divine universal grace manifests in making possible the other forms of grace and it can be an instantaneous or a short term grace.Material grace Material Grace is the only category of grace t hat is totally universal and not special in nature. Material Grace is for both believers and unbelievers and is gifts of matter and time. This gift include the universe, the earth, and all other resources including, the air, the sea, animals, minerals, plants, sun, moon, rain, snow, and so on. These things are available to both believers and unbelievers and were graciously given to all men by God.Paul observed that this grace is a prove of God’s love for man when he said to the people of Lystra â€Å"Nevertheless he (God) left not Himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filing our heart with food and gladness† (Acts 14:17). This was in agreement to the words of Jesus that God â€Å"maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust† (Matthew 5:445). This grace is for all. The essence of this grace is for man to use these gifts to get provisions and to implement good works. Spiritual graceSpiritual Grace whether universal or special is the only resourceful grace that resides in man. Spiritual grace determines the ability of each man. No two persons may have exactly the same spiritual gifts as the scripture puts it â€Å"but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he wills† (1 Cor. 12:11) . It is a gift that enables man to relate to God and this gift is received by believers only (special). Spiritual universal grace on the other hand is the gift of the soul that enable man to relate to his fellow man and to his environment and also of the human spirit.It is that inner longing in man to relate to God or to other spirit beings (gods) (Olowe 2012). The Grace of God expresses itself as a combination of many attributes of God, especially mercy, goodness, compassion, and love. In many verses in the Bible, these attributes are interrelated and a combination of two or more stresses the Grace of God (Eph 2: 4-5; Ps 145:8; Exo 33:19). Unlike the above view, the Catholics distinguished between only two forms of grace which are the â€Å"transient help to act† (actual grace) and the â€Å"permanent state of grace† (sanctifying or justifying grace).The former (actual grace) has a fourfold meaning. In a subjective sense, it signifies good will or benevolence and in its objective sense it refers to every favour proceeding from this benevolence (good will) and thus every gratuitous gift. The latter (sanctifying grace) â€Å"is the gratuitous gift of his life that God makes to us; it is infused by the Holy Spirit into the soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it† (Grace and justification 2012). Charles Wesley calls this sanctifying grace the â€Å"sustaining grace† that leads believers towards perfection (sanctifying grace 2012).A closer look into the Catholic concept of actual grace would reveal the literary value of the word grace. Actual grace descri bes grace further as â€Å"seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion† or â€Å"a characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement†. This grace is also seen as â€Å"a sense of fitness or propriety† or â€Å"a temporary immunity or exemption; a reprieve having the notion of mercy; clemency† (Grace 2012). It is believed to be that admiration or charm as hen the bible said that â€Å"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us† (Psalms 90:17). This is because beauty or charm attracts benevolent love and prompts the bestowal of benefactions (blessings). This goes to explain why grace is also used in literary or secular circles for either clemency in the court and manner of behavior or poise. This grace also means the expression of gratitude from a person who has received blessing or favour by giving of thanks. This is where blessing of meals comes to play. The word gratiae (plural of gratia) also stands for t hanksgiving.Kevin Knight (2012) connected this beautifully when he said that: Universality of grace does not conflict with its gratuity, if God, in virtue of his will to save all men, distributes with sovereign liberty his graces to all adults without exception†¦ if the universality of grace is only a result of the Divine will to save all mankind, we must first turn our attention to the latter as the basis of the former. This goes to say that the universal grace that God gave to all human is to the effect that they be drawn closer to God by the salvation of their soul on the merit of Christ’s blood.Thus according to Knight, universal grace (actual grace) is the basis or foundation for special grace (sanctifying grace). One question that most theologians often ask about the matter of grace is the question of man’s free will. The bible said that â€Å"it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure† (Phil. 2:13). The question theref ore is if man needs grace to act or decide then where is his free-will to make choices on his own?Knight (2012) responded to this by observing that there is â€Å"a grace which precedes the free determination of the will and another which follows this determination and co-operates with the will†. He is of the opinion that grace does not destroy man’s free will but co-operates with it. This grace helps the believer to make decisions that would glorify God and for the unbeliever, gives him an option to choose the right. The ultimate will of God for this grace is â€Å"not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance† (2 Peter 3:9) and to remain in the faith.Knight puts it well when he opined that this grace is a way of God protecting the believer â€Å"against fall into sin and with the final experience of a happy death† (Knight 2012). Scripture text and its interpretation. Most times the particular meaning of Grace could be unders tood from the context in the passage in which the word is found. For instance, in Romans 5:1-2 â€Å"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand†¦ Grace in this context is something that is God-given and is made possible only through Jesus Christ. This is God's gift of salvation granted to sinners for their salvation. This is the divine grace or as in the Catholic parlance the justifying grace. It is that unmerited mercy (favor) that God gave by sending his son to die on a cross and thus delivering eternal salvation to humanity. Another example is to be found in Luke 2:40 â€Å"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. In this example when using the definition of grace to mean unmerited favour it does not make sense. The reason is that the sinless Christ would not need the unmerited or undeserved favou r of salvation. Thus grace in this context literally means â€Å"favour or attractiveness†. It could also mean divine enablement which does not necessarily bring one to salvation but as Olowe (2012b) puts it this grace is the â€Å"resources to implement good works† Also in Galatians 5:4 which reads â€Å"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. It would not make any sense to interpret grace in that context as â€Å"unmerited favour† for how can one fall short of grace through pride or attract grace through meekness (James 4:6; Galatians 5:4) if it is unmerited? Grace in this context is â€Å"†¦the empowering Presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and the power that God gives us to do his will†(Olowe 2011a). This suggests that the empowering is subject to being connected to the source (God). This then holds that sin could make one fall away from such empowermen t.Any form of disobedience is rebelling against the will of God and thus a fall from grace (divine empowering). CONCLUSION John Newton’s â€Å"Amazing Grace† remains the greatest hymn of all times. This song was written by a man who described himself as â€Å"once an infidel and Libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa†. He testified that it was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that he was preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he once long labored to destroy. This story of God’s amazing grace shows the power of God in transforming lives.It is the story of hope for all men, sinners and saints alike. Hope that the sinner can still return to God and be accepted by Him. Hope that the saint need not depend on his strength for victory over sin. Hope that we could be co-opted into the service of God and function effectively because grace is available. The challenge before the church therefore is not just to sing a bout this grace, but to be so motivated by its power that we would carry this message of God’s grace to the unsaved neighbours and friends around us. May this be our passion and mission! REFERENCEAbi Olowe (2011). Grace of God. Houston: Omega Publishers. http://www. graceti. com/books. asp? bkid=7. Abi Olowe (2011). The Five Forms of Grace. Houston: Omega Publishers. http://www. graceti. com/books. asp? bkid=1 www. scborromeo. org/ccc/p3s1c3a2. htm†¦. â€Å"Grace and justification†- St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. www. olrl. org/Lessons/Lessons8. shtml†¦ Lesson 8 â€Å"sanctifying grace†. www. gbgm-umc. org/umw/Wesley/walk. stm. ‘Grace’ Easton Bible Dictionary version 2. 0. 0 Vintech Systems (accessed 03 October, 2012) http://www. illumina. com/encyclopedia/hymns/amazing_Grace

“Pride and Prejudice”: Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet Essay

In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet are absolute opposites. Jane Austen portrays Elizabeth Bennet as an intelligent, independent, yet strong character, in a soft and feminine manner. The cruel and dominating personality traits are left for characters such as Lady Catherine. In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet are absolute opposites. Elizabeth is a realistic and masterful character, which makes all her qualities of strength and independence intensify and create an ideal stability between her emotions and what is reality. Her passion and overwhelming capability to stand her ground is just an introduction into her ability to be able to oversee the weak, the naà ¯ve and the dominating. Elizabeth proves her daring abilities in her meeting with Lady Catherine, which leads to a battle between respect and independence. Elizabeth tested Lady Catherine’s desires for personal information by holding back her true story, and Elizabeth suspected that she was â€Å"the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with such dignified impertinence†(124-125). Elizabeth is a character who has enough courage to acknowledge her faults and her inaccuracy. After reading Darcy’s letter, she distinguished the fact that she had judged him incorrectly. She scolded herself for her inaccurate opinions and for being blinded by her thoughts. She wasted no time in facing up to the unpleasant truth about herself â€Å"How despicably I acted. Till this moment I never truly knew myself†(156). Her character is greatly respected and creditable for admiration. She is a character that is undeniably strong and intellectual, and at the same time fascinating. Lady Catherine is introduced into the novel as an exceedingly wealthy character. She has a desire to let others know of their inferior rank. Lady Catherine takes pleasure in involving herself in other people’s affairs. Without any hesitation, she recommends her advice whenever she feels necessary. She believes it is part of her right to inform people of how they should conduct their lives. She voices her opinion periodically throughout the novel, and makes her opinions clear, You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women traveling post by themselves†¦ I have the greatest dislike in the world of that sort of thing†¦ I am glad it occurred to me to mention it†¦(pg.158-159). One of Lady Catherine’s most evident characteristics is her necessity and enjoyment of receiving flattering compliments. She loves to hear compliments from others because it allows her to keep her authority intact. Lady Catherine isn’t full of independence and strength because she thrives off other people’s inferior status. â€Å"Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being poorly dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved† (Mr. Collins, p.120). Lady Catherine is an uncomplicated character that feels disgusted by others who try to contradict her. Throughout the novel it is evident that the characteristics of Elizabeth Bennet and Lady Catherine, are at many times, repealed against each other. Most noticeable to the novel is that Lady Catherine seems to completely lack the capacity for reflection and self-awareness, while Elizabeth masters these traits and is able to use them to strengthen her personal traits. The two personalities of Lady Catherine and Elizabeth are so offset that it creates a feel of constant hostility between the two characters. Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, represents the qualities of independence and lack of self-awareness between the two characters, Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet, who differ completely.

Selfridge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Selfridge - Essay Example The impact of this culture cannot be underestimated. Corporate culture can be the "the hardest part of managing any enterprise...," and those companies that "know how to develop their cultures effectively enjoy significant advantages in both the productivity of their organizations and the quality of work life for employees" (Schulz 2001: 29). In Selfridges' management's approach, the company has set forth a corporate culture that, in part, seeks to bring personal responsibility into the workplace. This approach touches the needs of employees to engage in meaningful and responsible employment. A second notable result of the Selfridges' approach to culture is to provide for individual employee enrichment. The company actually accomplishes this by using the principle of job autonomy and team accountability to provide the individual worker with a sense of significant contribution to the final product. As each employee devotes himself to the process at hand, they are personally enriched by knowing that they are making a positive contribution to the overall operational goals of the organization; they see that the corporate goal is being accomplished through their own effort. This makes a significant impact upon the morale of the workforce because they are allowed to see the larger picture. They are not just employed in, for example, selling clothing. They are a part of a larger family that is supplying a valuable service to customers. Management, by choice or by necessity, oversees two types of HRM change; incremental change or the more dramatic transformational change (Conger, et. al 1999: 223). In the course of controlling the process, executives should seek to build and maintain an amicable and trustworthy change management methodology to ensure an enthusiastic workforce and a positive workplace environment. Management will never successfully implement an efficient transition if employees do not have confidence in them; yet they are vital in bringing about changes that impact the corporate culture: Organizations develop cultures that incorporate the values and practices of their leaders. Culture evolves through the accumulation of actions and events the members of an organization experience. Leaders-especially the organization's founders--play a key role in this evolutionary process. They, more than any other actor, are critical in structuring experiences within the group that point toward desired results. Leaders also emphasize some experiences over others and, in this way, further focus the acculturation process. (Fairholm 1994: 67) It is within the implementation of a new or altered culture-such as a change HRM approach-that employee confidence has its greatest impact on the workplace environment (Creech 1995: 35). It is a simple fact that HRM involves people talking to people. If management has been trustworthy and straightforward with its workers, they are going to be much more receptive to the changes that are being made. In a changing environment such as Selfridges, an executive or team leader that has a bad relationship with his people-or no relationship at all-could create an antagonistic

Despite mare liberum as advocated by Hugo Grotius, in reality High Essay

Despite mare liberum as advocated by Hugo Grotius, in reality High Seas freedoms have been diminished legally by Article 76 U - Essay Example inner seas and steadily challenging the scope and range of mare liberum or freedom of the seas. For example, Ireland ratified UNCLOS III in 1996.8 Since that time Ireland’s continental shelf consist of three zones, which are either shared with other adjacent states or expanded by agreement.9 Ireland represents the consequences of the evolving international law of the sea in which states are increasingly expanding their coastal jurisdictions to include parts of the ocean once previously regarded as the outer/high seas as contemplated by Grotius’ mare liberum concept. ... Grotius’s Concept of Mare Liberum Grotius claimed that the law of the sea was dictated by the laws of nature and as such: Every man is free to travel to every other nation, and to trade with it. God himself says this spellbind through the voice of nature...10 In other words, the open seas are a naturally ordained method by which mankind is free to travel and to trade with one another. In justifying the concept of mare liberum, Grotius argued that just as there was property that man could possess and own exclusively: ...so has nature willed that some of the which she has created for the use of mankind remain common to all...Law moreover were given to cover both cases that all men might use common property without prejudice to anyone else, and in respect to other things so that each man being content with what he himself owns might refrain from having his hands on the property of others.11 Grotius argued that natural parts of the earth have not and cannot be acquired and as such may not become individual’s property or the property of states. These parts of the earth must be used by all of mankind and by all sovereign states with no exclusive right to possession. In addition nature dictates that nothing should go to waste and as such no man or state should be at liberty to stake a claim in excess of the capacity to use it.12 Specifically, Grotius argued that air is common property and cannot exclusively be used by one person or state to the exclusion of all others. If a man or a state could exclusively claim the air, it would go to waste as it is designed for all of mankind to use. Moreover, air cannot be occupied, a primary requisite for

Renoir Etching and Drypoint Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Renoir Etching and Drypoint - Essay Example Their dresses have been engraved with lines that look wiry and have ends that taper. All other features of on these women depict the same quality of lines. Taking a closer look at the lines, they portray rough scratches made by some sharp pointed object. These lines have been repeatedly scratched on the plate so as to come up with complete images. The objects on the background, seemingly children playing, reveal this act of scratching without leaving distinct lines on the images. Furthermore, the ridges left after the engraving process are not very regular and deep. The burr, it seems, was not removed during the entire process of incising. From far, an audience may be under the impression that this piece of art is drawing; which is not the case. It is only a colorless ‘dry point’ that can create such a shadowy scratch on a plate. Nonetheless, the use ‘dry point’ has given the picture a feathery touch that may be attractive to most

Studying and analysing the performance of UK Gambling 1252 Essay - 1

Studying and analysing the performance of UK Gambling 1252 - Essay Example In order to evaluate the performance of UK’s gambling industry, three leading gambling organizations; Ladbrokes PLC, Rank Group PLC and Sportech PLC’s financial performance has been considered. The report presents rationales for the selection of gambling industry and selection of the three gambling firms to conduct the study (Chalabi, 2014). The researcher has briefly discussed the outlook of the UK gambling industry on the bases of statistical representation and interpretations of three major gambling firms of UK. The report will elaborate about the internal and external factors that have influenced performance of UK gambling industry. Therefore, PEST analysis has been conducted to illustrate about Political, Economical, Social and Technological factors to determine external environmental factors influencing the performance of the industry (Chalabi, 2014). Moreover, legislative and environmental concerns have also been discusses with respect to the recent amendments in laws and regulations of the government that has affected profitability of the firms. The second section of the report focuses internal factors of the gambling industry. Thus, ratio analysis and SWOT analysis have been conducted to determine financial and non financial aspects of firms and industry (Scherer & Palazzo, 2014). The ratio analysis has been conducted using five years financial results of the company obtained from the annual reports and industrial ratios (Fridson & Alvarez, 2011). The ratio analysis has been used as a tool to compare the performance of each firm to provide insight to the financial concerns of the gambling industry. The third section discusses SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats) of the selected firms and industry, as it allows understanding potential opportunities and threats of the UK’s gambling industry. The report would significantly contribute to evaluating and study the performance of gambling industry in UK. It will

Strategic Management and Leadership Techniques Efficiency Research Proposal

Strategic Management and Leadership Techniques Efficiency - Research Proposal Example The present century is mostly expected to do his own works like typing emails and reports and also handling his own computer apart from his abilities towards budgeting and forecasting. In an age where information plays a major part in the framing of strategies, it is important even for the manager to avoid the luxury of an assistant in every trivial job in order to maintain privacy and security. Organizations are therefore becoming flattered and the â€Å"†¦ modern workplace is more stressful, moves at a faster pace, and is more demanding than before† (Teik, 2009) The use of technology has brought about the dehumanization of the workforce and human resource has turned into a product which can easily be discarded on grounds of effectiveness (Green, 2008). The modern day’s leaders need to alter their tactics and ways of dealing with the subordinates in order to keep parity with the changing time. Therefore, their strategies towards management will also change. The layers of management are gradually being eliminated such that costs might be reduced and decisions are made faster than usual. This gives rise to a flatter organizational structure. This again imparts greater responsibilities to the managers who will now have more workers reporting to them. The managers need to work under stress and empower themselves with coaching abilities such that some of their tasks might be passed on to their subordinates. This also gives rise to team leaders who are designated to take care of their small teams. No more can an autocratic structure be used in the firm. Motivation is the main factor where the managers need to lay stress upon. However, owing to the enormous stress at times the managers forget the small notes of appreciation towards those who are indispensable to the organization in terms of know-how.  

Critical analysis on potential benefit of using CRM in organization Essay - 1

Critical analysis on potential benefit of using CRM in organization - Essay Example grating effective customer relationship management into business strategy, with a contextual focus and comparative analysis of the retail sector and tourism industry. The digitisation of business through the Internet has expedited novel business opportunities through the piecemeal development of e-commerce, thereby culminating in an unfamiliar business paradigm. However, the rapid pace of online business activity has led to ad hoc responsive retail strategy measures in an attempt to balance the interests and protection of consumers, whilst simultaneously facilitating market growth. Furthermore, a central business strategy mantra of conventional businesses is â€Å"location, location, location† as being imperative to profitability and commercial prosperity; however the e-commerce paradigm arguably renders physical location irrelevant (Lloyd, 2004). As such, the traditional emphasis on â€Å"location† has created an inherent contradiction, where â€Å"location returns very much to the forefront† (Lloyd, 2004). To this end, it has been argued that the common issues deriving from e-commerce are contractual jurisdiction, applicable law, tax and and consumer protection (Lloyd, 2004). This in itself highlights the multifarious complex issues pertaining to contemporary retail management strategy as a result of the e-commerce business model. For example, the internet business model reduces overheads and provides increased anonymity with regard to customer interaction as a result of globalisation. Indeed, Brah et al, further highlight the instantaneous nature of globalisation as highlighted by the increased internet usage and wide dissemination of information (Brah et al, 1999: 3). They further posit that a crucial element is movement of capital, commodities, cultural imaginations and practices (Brah et al, 1999:3). Moreover, Tomlinson posits that globalisation culturally impacts the contemporary social and cultural framework, arguably creating a fragmentation of the

Reward System and Employees Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Reward System and Employees Performance - Essay Example Reward System – A Motivational factor in Developing and Managing Employee’s Performance - A Case Study based on a UK Company The organization is a reputed UK group with a chain of supermarkets across the country and sells clothes, food and household products. Between 2004 and 2005, the company employed around 70,000 people with 65,000 for UK operations of which 78% are female and 13% are from ethnic minority groups (MarksandSpencer.com, 2006). Along with a commitment towards equality and diversity, the group is also committed towards providing the right levels of rewards and incentives to its employees. According to Marks and Spencer workplace facts as claimed by the company, pay and benefits to employees are an important part of human resource management as retailers compete to provide the best remuneration for the best people (MarksandSpencer.com, 2006). The company maintains that the rewards package given to its employees is flexible, competitive, focused on superior results and is aimed to support personal choices of personal lifestyles. The elements of the reward packages of the company include fixed and competitive pay rates, variable performance related pay and a wide range of other benefits. In this study we would prepare a detailed questionnaire to understand the impact of these benefits, payment and reward systems on employees and we would also determine whether these rewards actually help in improving motivation and how this would relate to improved company performance. Marks and Spencer has boasted of 73% employee retention over 2004-2005 and retention may be considered as an important indicator of employee satisfaction and motivation. (MarksandSpencer.com, 2006). Questionnaires would be distributed to employees of Marks and Spencer to determine whether rewards systems given to them have a positive impact on their motivation and performance levels. Aims of Research: The aim of the research is to determine the relationship between reward systems and benefits given to employees and levels of motivation that affect work performance and overall company performance. This study would determine whether increased rewards help in providing job satisfaction and whether reward systems also aid in staff retention and work performance. Research Objectives: The objectives of the research are given as follows: To determine whether rewards and benefits help in improving motivation in employees To determine the reasons for differences in employee retention within companies To determine the performance levels of employees with and without rewards To evaluate whether improved employee motivation and job satisfaction can also lead to improved company performance To evaluate whether rewards, incentives and benefits are effective tools in human resource management Background/Literature Review: Companies use different means of rewarding employees and Brody et al (2001) discuss merit pay plans used by companies to motivate and reward employees. The theory of motivation would highlight that rewards and reinforcement for individual accomplishments should produce positive results although there may also be negative outcomes (Brody et al, 2001). Brody et al suggest in their study that when individuals are involved in hiring and merit allocation for employees, their prior commitments have significant effects on rewards allocated to the employees. This shows that a manager's

The Causes and Effects of Asthma Sufferers Essay Example for Free

The Causes and Effects of Asthma Sufferers Essay The Problem With 5.2 million diagnosed asthmatics in the UK, Asthma is a common disease which affects both adults and children. Of these 5.2 million asthmatics, 1.1 million are children. Asthma is a condition that has been around for many years and has caused around 1400 deaths per year, of which 90% are preventable. [1] The numbers of asthma cases have been high due to environmental changes, familial history and lifestyle choices such as smoking during pregnancy to name but a few. It is a chronic condition that affects the airways, causing breathing difficulties. The condition has different levels, long-lasting or recurrent. Mild forms of asthma can affect people, as can very severe cases of asthma. Sufferers of asthma have a lower supply of air to and from the lungs. As this serious condition affects so many people, can it actually be cured? What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways of sufferers. The inside walls of the airways are inflamed or swollen. This inflammation makes your airways very sensitive to any form of irritations and causes an allergic reaction to occur. As the airways become inflamed, they become narrower, restricting the flow of air to and from the lungs. This air restriction causes symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and also breathing difficulties. These symptoms are more likely to be experienced at night or in the early morning hours. [2] Many causes and triggers of asthma have been identified. Dust, paint and pet hairs are just a few of the identified examples. [1] Below is a diagram of a normal and an asthmatic bronchiole: [pic] Words: 299 The Solution A solution for treating asthma would be the use of inhalers. This is the most common treatment for asthma, and is much more effective than tablets or liquid by mouth. There are two main types of inhalers, reliever inhalers and  preventer inhalers. Inhalers contain drugs that are delivered directly to the lungs. [3] Relievers (Blue), e.g. Salbutamol, contain bronchodilator drugs which widen the bronchi so that more air can pass through, making breathing easier. This is a fast treatment to relieve symptoms and is only usually used when needed. Preventers (Brown), e.g. Pulmicort, contain steroids that reduce the inflammation in the airways. When the inflammation has gone, it is much less likely for the airways to narrow and cause symptoms. This is not an immediate reliever of pain as it takes 7-14 days for the drug to build up its effect. This reduces the need to use a reliever inhaler, as symptoms more or less disappear. [4] Is the solution appropriate? The use of inhalers is appropriate as the steroids they contain to treat asthma are corticosteroids. These are imitations of the natural steroid that is produced in our bodies. [1] Also as these steroids are inhaled, a tiny amount is absorbed into the body, as they go directly into the lungs. Also the dose supplied through the inhaler is a very mild dosage, so therefore will not have any major side effect on the body. The drug also acts faster as it travels directly into the lung. Hence, inhalers are considered as the best treatment for asthma because of the effectiveness of the doses taken. Implications of solution to problem A sufferer’s social life can become damaged due to having asthma, therefore it has social implications. This is due to asthmatic patients needing to carry their inhalers around to treat an attack if it occurs. This is not an average thing to do within the realm of a critical society so it is deemed as a social issue of asthma. Undoubtedly, sufferers feel outcast as they are perceived differently to others and cannot socialise in the way that others can. This is because the younger generation of today, usually socialises through smoking or physically demanding activities, football. These are both difficult to perform or even more harmful to an asthmatic than a normal,  healthy person. Medical research should soon create a treatment for asthma which can be carried around easily and is smaller in size. However, the smaller size would mean fewer doses in one inhaler and also in the duration of an asthma attack, a small inhaler would be harder to find on a person, unlike a larger inhaler. Also economical issues are linked with this disease as the medical treatments cost a lot of money to produce and then supply to patients. Manufacturing the current inhalers cost a very large amount of money, to change this and produce smaller inhalers would cause costs to rise further. Machinery would have to change and so would the workers routines, so that an efficient technique of producing the smaller, attractive and trendy inhalers is achieved. Benefits and risks of the solution Inhalers are not completely safe to use as side effects do occur due to the drug contained in the inhaler. A very common drug that inhalers contain is steroids for which side effects occur. The steroids contained are not anabolic steroids that enhance athletic performance. Most side effects to asthmatic steroids are in the upper airway and the throat. The steroids weaken the voice slightly as the muscle controlling the movement of the larynx also weakens. However the problem can be overcome by using spacer devices and rinsing the mouth out after using the inhaler. Steroids have also been suggested to retard children in their growth, although it is known that poorly treated asthma causes failure to grow properly. Normal doses of steroids for asthma do not cause growth failure, whereas high doses may affect growth. [5] Steroids are not only bad as they help with breathing difficulties by relaxing the muscle to allow an increase in the amount of air flow to the lungs and the body. This helps the sufferer of asthma to breathe more comfortably as air travels round the body more freely. Another benefit of using inhalers is that only small doses are prescribed to patients who are diagnosed with asthma. This ensures the safety of the patient as they are not subjected to large doses which may have adverse effects on the body and their health too. Alternative Solutions There are many alternative solutions for treating asthma. Examples of the alternative solutions are oral therapy and also changing lifestyles so that trigger factors are minimised. Oral therapy is a treatment for asthma as it is the same treatment as an Words: 1110  inhaler but is in a different form. It is a tablet that contains steroids that reduce the inflammation of the airways and also reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Relievers and preventers do the same job as this, but take a powder form that is inhaled into the lungs. However, oral therapy is not very safe as each tablet contains a higher dosage of steroids. Therefore it makes a patient more susceptible to the side effects of steroids. A tablet gives 50 times the dosage of steroids than an inhalation from a standard steroid inhaler. More serious side effects are linked with steroid tablets such as, diabetes, cataracts, increased hunger etc. [1] Changing lifestyles would not treat the disease as no medication is involved to suppress the symptoms. This simply helps calm down and also remove symptoms that may trigger an attack. If triggers of asthma are reserved from a sufferer or even minimised when in close proximity to a sufferer, the chances of an asthma attack occurring is less likely. [6] Therefore a healthier lifestyle for an asthma sufferer leads to a less perilous lifestyle too. By inhaling cleaner air, the lungs are delivered a greater volume of air, which carries more oxygen. Thus making breathing easier as there is an excess of oxygen in the bloodstream, not causing the rapid heartbeat that is needed to pump blood around the body. Validity of Sources Information obtained from ‘http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/asthma.htm’ [2], is a GP and has the title of Doctor. Therefore this would become a reliable source of information as it has been written by someone who has a degree in treating and curing illnesses. Also as he is Dr. Roger Henderson, it shows that he has studied for a long period of time to understand the subject. This  understanding was supported by ‘http://www.asthma.org.uk/all_about_asthma/medicines_treatments/’ [3], which is the society for asthma in the UK. This can be trusted fully as it delivers information on a disease which it is a specialist in. Therefore the sources can be deemed as reliable as they all confirm each others information. Bibliography 1. Numark Pharmacy Medicines Use Review, Page 4 2. Henderson, R, (10/06/2009), (21/02/2010) http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/asthma.htm 3. Asthma UK, (04/01/2008), (23/02/2010) http://www.asthma.org.uk/all_about_asthma/medicines_treatments/ 4. No Authors listed, (17/09/2008), (23/02/2010) http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Inhalers-for-Asthma.htm 5. Chung, K F, (2003), Treating Asthma (2) – Drug Therapy, Dr. Dan Rutherford, Asthma, 59-65, Great Britain, Hodder Stoughton 6. Rollins, G, (published date not listed), (13/03/2010) http://articles.directorym.com/Treatments_For_Asthma-a977839.html KEY: Website, Book, Article Words: 1518 A pie chart that shows the inhaler success rate on asthmatic patients. This shows the inflamed/swollen bronchiole of an asthmatic person. This shows the normal bronchiole of a person who does not suffer from asthma. http://www.thechiroteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/graph1.gif http://www.mims.com/pic/Malaysia/4504.gif http://salbutamolinhaler.com/images/salbutamol-inhaler.jpg http://www.aaenvironment.com/Pictures/asthma.jpg

Definition of Research and Research Methodology

Definition of Research and Research Methodology In this section of study, components used to answer research questions and the methodology constructed to analyse those procedures are justified based on literature reviewed. Consequently, special emphasis is provided to other methods of research and the rationale behind them for not being subjected to be part of this exploration. However, constituent of research philosophy, research strategy and element of research design and research procedure are dealt in detail to offer maximum credibility to decisive findings. Besides, throughout the chapter ethical considerations have gained great substance allowing results to be analysed with immense attention. Research is used to describe a number of similar and overlapping activities relating a search for information. It is something that people undertake in order to find things out in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge (Saunders et al. 2009). According to Kothari (2004), endeavour of any research is to uncover the concealed reality that is yet to be exposed or revealed. However, research is constantly used to solve organizational problems through systematic strategies (Ojo, 2008). Foundations of research are built and conducted over a structure called methodology (Remenyi et al. 1998) and a valid study will always adapt encouraging research methodology (Buckley et al. 1975). Hence, it is decisively fundamental to deploy quintessential methodology with great care and systematic understanding of the intricacies involved (Amaratunga et al. 2002). In this particular piece of study, efforts are made to discover the factors that lead to bullying at workplace with special emphasis on ethnic bullying. Intentions of this research were to illustrate, appreciate, anticipate, criticize and interpret the existing social science phenomenon (Maylor Blackmon, 2005) by systematically obtaining data to solve research problem (Ghauri Gronhaug, 2005). 3.3 Methodological Considerations: 3.3.1 Preconceptions and frame of reference: Generally research questions are derived from preconceptions. When study samples respond to these questions they react differently with reality (Lundahl Skarvad, 1992). Meanwhile, frame of reference formed in the minds of people due to preconceptions, repeatedly affect on findings of any research either directly or indirectly. Johansson Lindfors (1993) writes there are three major aspects to be considered in perceptions; Epistemological perceptions, Common perceptions and Theoretical perceptions. Temporarily, epistemological perception is a method used to explain the knowledge in the form of theories (Fisher, 2004). Thus, it is obligatory to know the acceptable knowledge of any discipline (Bryman Bell, (2003). While formation of common perception are developed through personal experience or firsthand information gathered from work or studies, Theoretical preconceptions provide an opportunity to appraise a range of views attained through various theories of academic sources, books, journals, articles, and magazines. To be precise they are impractical to compile through personal experience (Johansson Lindfors, 1993). 3.3.2 Research Philosophy and administration: Given that the research philosophy transmits the enlargement of knowledge and its temperament, chosen research philosophy ought to answer all the research questions in actual fact (Saunders et al. 2009). A lot of times research philosophy inculcated will manipulate the researcher views and the methods that are chosen to construct research strategy. But, within the context of social science there is an uncompleted argument to pick the most suitable position from the excessive horizons of positivism to the extreme end of interpretivism (Smith et al. 1991). However, research philosophy is further broadly classified into three major categories; Positivism, Interpritivism and Pragmatism or Realism. Core regulations of any approach are authentic/perceptual knowledge and hermeneutics (Johansson Lindfors, 1993) which constantly travel in opposite directions to each other (Andersson, 1979). While authentic/perceptual knowledge or positivism represents phenomenon of a discipline through quantifiable observations (Dayarathna, 2009), hermeneutics interprets the same social components through qualitative observations (Saunders et al. 2007). Under positivism there is a possibility of cause effect relation that can be confirmed or rejected (Patel Davidsson, 2003). Here, values of researcher and phenomenon of the study are clearly distinguished with a rule or law helping the researcher to observe reality. Whereas in interpritivism, this rule or law doesnt exist thereby making it viable for the researcher to involve in the process (Hartman, 2004) by allowing him/her to interpret the work at any desired stage in any desired ways to obtain complete knowledge. The philosophy adopted here is believed to express both positivism and interpritivism. Objective methods are used to measure properties of externally existing social world and are not subjectively attached through sensation, reflection or intuition (Smith et al. 2008). Hence, working with an observable social reality and the product of such research can be law-like generalizations similar to those products by natural and physical scientists. (Rememyi et al. 1998, pp. 32). For the moment, Interviews and self administered questionnaires are used here to gather the required data by emphasising on both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The objectives of research: To discover different sources of ethnic minority bullying at work To inspect diverse forms of ethnic minority bullying at work To find out important causes that leads to ethnic minority bullying at work To expose effects of bullying on ethnic minority employees at work To observe reactions of ethnic minority employees to unhealthy practices bullying at work To realize various defensive mechanisms developed by ethnic minority employees to prevent from being bullied at work To examine the management/managers perspectives on ethnic minority bullying at work To suggest recommendations to prevent ethnic minority bullying at work A range of problems will be encountered throughout practical implementation of the project or research administration (Rowley, 2002). To avoid these inadequacies, study should infuse the objectives that are measure driven. Concurrently all the aims of research cannot completely revolve around human interests and beliefs (Smith et al 2008). Because, qualitative approaches often fail to reproduce commonality of the results (Sekaran, 2003). In such situations quantitative approaches appears much more meticulous. 3.3.3 Research strategy: Normally intentions of research invade strategy, where time, resources, philosophy and approaches play a greater role. But, there will always be an element of deduction in any type of studies undertaken (Ticehurst Veal, 2000), thereby persuading the researcher to be selective towards the data required or the data gathered. However, quantitative strategy is a method of data collection under deductive approach where data will be accumulated through survey questionnaires and acquired data will be analysed through statistical methods. Sub-sequentially deductive approach always helps in verifying or discarding a hypothesis by assembling and quantifying data (Dayarathna, 2009). Being objective and scientific in its nature this strategy is considered to be black and white method due to its lack of consideration with the results (Bryman Bell, 2003). Owing to positivism deductive approach is used for this study. Although there are various types of research strategy, general and business research rely more upon survey based strategy (Saunders et al. 2009). Because, the techniques applied here to collect data largely depend on purpose of the study, intensity of the problem, information required and the availability of time, money and human resources (Ghauri Gronhaug, 2005). Indeed, under this strategy data can be gathered in three different forms; personal interviews, survey questionnaires and telephone interviews (Bernard, 2006) and for the current project, personal interviews and survey questionnaires are used to extract required information. As part of quantitative analysis, a self administered questionnaire will be sent to the ethnic minority employees working in the organization to extract maximum information on ethnic minority bullying, and the sources, causes, and forms that leads to bullying behaviour. Personal interviews will also be used as part of study to know the responses of the employees to bullying manners and the measures anticipated by them in abolishing ethnic minority bullying at workplace thereby fulfilling the requirements of qualitative analysis. First section of the survey questionnaire consist of five basic or personal information questions; Age, Gender, Job Level, Ethnicity and Work Experience and in the second section of the questionnaire, eleven close ended and three open ended questions were asked focusing more on bullying and ethnic bullying at work. Especially, Open ended questions were used to present employees with an opportunity to express their genuine ideas and thoughts about the subject without any barrier. Primarily, all questions of the study were designed and uploaded to an online survey portal; SurveyPirate with a note in the beginning of the questionnaire clearly stating the purpose and objectives of the survey in brief. Later, link of the portal leading to questionnaire was downloaded and delivered to the respondents by emails with the help of Vice President-HR, ABB. India. Constructive nature of qualitative method makes it central to understand respondents views and how they generate meaning in an active manner (Maxwell, 2005). To involve interview approach as part of study researcher has to be very open in his perspective. As nature of the project demanded a qualitative approach to explore the unquenched myriads of ethnic bullying, a prior prepared semi-structured interview questions were also used during the study along with quantitative methods of data collection (Saunders et al. 2003). Personal interview conducted with the managers during the project will help in understanding the mangers perspective towards existing ethnic bullying practices and the problems caused by them. Furthermore, it also assists in recognizing the policies and measures implemented by both organization and the government to address these unpleasant and unfavourable workplace traditions By making use of qualitative or interview methods, analysis of the report gains a comprehensive and exclusive edge over other similar explorations undertaken on bullying. As it lend a hand in gathering valid and reliable information relevant to the questions and objectives of the research (Kahn Cannell, 1957), it becomes easier to compare the outcomes of the study to the theoretical frameworks ethnic bullying. Under qualitative method understanding between the author, respondents and the subjects will be on much higher grounds than other approaches of data accumulation (Bryman Bell, 2003) because Interview is nothing but a conversation or exchange of views and ideas between two people on a topic of mutual interest (Kvale, 1996). In order to accomplish the aims of the study eight managers from different department were interviewed with prior appointment. The ambitions behind interviewing managers were to bring broader viewpoint to the observations made and to explore the problem on macro levels. All the interviews were carried out as per the semi-structured questionnaire designed with in the time limit allotted. Despite all the above precautions qualitative methods can be very subjective and the final outcomes could involve element of bias due to preconceptions (Patel Davidsson, 2003). Semi-structured Questionnaire: Q1. Is ethnic minority bullying at workplace a major issue in your organization? Why do think so? Q2. What according to you are the major reasons that ignite and magnify ethnic minority bullying in your organization? Q3. In what form does the bullying take place in your organization and who are people that are often involved in the bullying practice? Q4. Have any staffs of yours left their job or taken time off work in the past six months? If yes, what were their reasons for leaving? Q5. How do the employees react in your organization when are being bullied? Q6. How do you tackle ethnic minority bullying in your organization? Q7. In your opinion what are the crucial factors that might lessen the likelihood of ethnic minority bullying in your organization? Q8. Does your organization make any efforts to prevent ethnic minority bullying? What are your views? Q9. Does your organization provide counselling services for bullied employees? If yes, how effective are they? 3.4 Research Design: According to Gauri and Gronhaug, (2005, pp. 56), The research design is the overall plan for relating the conceptual research problem to relevant and practicable empirical research. It is an important method used by the authors, in order to answer research questions (Saunders el al. 2007) and any design under the control of researcher will adjoin more flexibility in terms of valuable information. Meanwhile, there are four major types research design; exploratory, inductive, and casual descriptive (Zikmund, 2003) and the most appropriate way to get solutions to the research problems is through exploratory design (Zikmund, 2003). In exploratory design, researcher will have a weak idea about the problems as they are defined very poorly. But, the moment author starts accumulating relevant information; the entire picture becomes brighter and better thereby supporting to find healthier solutions to the problems (Gauri Gronhaug, 2005). On the other hand, inductive design employs various theories built on observation. Diverse approaches are carried over for deliberating and pursuing these observations. Justified theory emerging out of these observations will further aid in discovering appropriate solutions to the research problems. Although casual research is better structured than the other designs of research, cause and effect relationship is often confronted. In fact, during majority of instances it becomes very easy to predict the final results evolving from the changes incorporated (Nargundkar, 2003). Nonetheless, in contrary to the explorative method, problems are well defined under descriptive design. Thus researcher can start assembling secondary data associated to the problem instantaneously. In some circumstances, where there is a scarcity or absence of resources author will have attempt to collect data through different data collection techniques (Gauri Gronhaug, 2005). The research design used for this project is descriptive approach where a concrete problem is identified and defined by exploiting secondary sources of data existing. It is frequently used to depict precise silhouette of person/persons events and situations (Robson, 2002). Since research question is a problem which necessitate further investigation to formulate anticipated results (Bjereld et al, 2002), question for the current study is derived from the area of interest. Passable numbers of study samples are involved right through the process and unbiased measurements are practiced to execute and report about on project. Given that the sampling is important in this form of research, survey questionnaires and interviews are included with definite time limits. 3.5. Research Process and Procedure: 3.5.1 Sources of data: Sources of data are broadly classified in two categories, primary and secondary. According to Parasuraman et al. (2004) primary data are the information collected for the first time to bring about any explicit needs of a particular research. They are the firsthand descriptions represented by research reports, published in a scientific journal or periodical to reflect on the observations performed by the researcher (Gravetter Forzano, 2008). Furthermore, they also facilitate authors to illustrate their research by answering and substantiating against the questions or uncertainties rose during the progression of investigation. Like, why and how study was undertaken, what results were found, and how those results were interpreted. However, course of primary data collection entail a range of diverse means. They are, personal or emails based survey questionnaires, face to face or telephone interviews, observations and focus groups (Ghauri Gronhaug, 2005). Primary data is often more consistent with the research questions and objectives. Under this method of data gathering questions can be formed both formal and informal ways (Parasuraman et al. 2004). Yet, success of this approach relay largely upon the capabilities of the researcher, who pose the questions to the respondents (Bryman Bell, 2003). Major downside of this data source is that they require ample amount of time and may consume lot of money (Malhotra Bricks, 2007). Since the researcher is completely dependent on the willingness and ability of the respondents, at times it becomes very hard to approach respondents (Kanikapati, 2007). Secondary data is detailed information accessed by the researcher through other available sources of information to obtain thorough literature review. In fact, most of the studies begin in that fashion (Kanikapati, 2007). It is a second hand report where the observations of different authors will be discussed by the researcher to accomplish aspired objectives (Gravetter Forzona, 2008). Generally secondary information is of high standards (Bryman Bell, 2003) and fundamentally used to understand and explain research problems better. Secondary source of data is very easy to extract and available in plenty through, books, magazines, journals, articles, websites and etc. More importantly it is inexpensive and time saving but, its basic nature of collection for different purposes during different time span with different objectives makes it less effective to robust into present study. In this project, a combination of both sets of data are used achieve maximum results. Since the objective of the research is to observe whether, membership of an ethnic minority plays a greater role in work place bullying? A significant role is played by the primary data as it is directly accumulated from the employees in the ABB, UK. All over the study secondary data have been utilized to explore literature on the consequence of bullying, workplace bullying and ethnicity bullying. Majority of the data pertaining to study have been collected trough books, magazines, journals, websites and articles. 3.5.2 Direction-finder: Opportunity of every large study requires to be tested on a smaller sample size before execution. Direction-finder or pilot study will assist in inspecting the pros and cons of extensive process to be accomplished further. According to Saunders et al. (2007) questionnaires needed to be experimented on a limited population, to assess the difficulties that might encounter in answering the questionnaire and while recording data. By doing so, researcher can make certain that the collected data is valid and reliable. Conversely, pilot study is also essential to realise that the collected data answer all the research questions, easy to scrutinize and findings of the study are valuable (Smith et al, 1991). In the meantime, a direction-finder test was conducted to 4 employees of the Lebara organization, UK to investigate accuracy of questionnaire in extracting require data and their precision in gauging ethnic bullying factors in ABB, UK. Pilot process not only helped in understanding whether the respondents have interpreted the research questions as the same way they are intended to but, made the author realise that there were lot of concerns pertaining to open ended questions. However, a few of them were later modified or replaced with close ended ones. 3.5.3 Time horizons: At the outset, collection of samples was planned for the Month of July 2010 but shortly it was rescheduled to October 2010. Soon there were Christmas holidays to follow in the Month of December 2010 decision was made to distribute questionnaires in the Month of October to capture a balanced response as highlighted by Saunders (2007). 3.6 Research Context: 3.6.1 Obtaining permission: To obtain data, a request letter (Annexure) drafted by the researcher explaining the purpose of the study and the types of data required was sent to the Manager-Human Resource of ABB, UK through Vice President of ABB, India. Mr Rajesh Kumar Roy (Vice President ABB, India), who happens to be previous employer of the researcher accepted the request and recommended the proposal for further consideration. This was later approved by the respected authorities of ABB in UK. 3.6.2 Sample size: Multi-cultural or ethnic diverse nature of the research topic encouraged the researcher to choose ABB, UK for sample selection. Since the organization has its branches in more than 100 countries, mobility of ethnic centred employees within the company will be abundant. And this movement of workforce will be much more effective in UK because of its versatility. As it is impractical to survey the entire ethnic minority staff of ABB, UK due to time and budget constraints, a sample of 120 employees that represents the entire ethnic minority population of the organization was viewed as satisfactory for the quantitative method of study (Saunders et al, 2007). But, when it was realised that whole ABB labour force in UK consists approximately 8% of ethnic minority employees, the numbers of sample numbers were further reduced to 92 by considering 50% of the total ethnic minority workers (8% of 2300 is 184 and 50% of 184 is 92). On the other hand, qualitative research requires very limited num ber unlike quantitative approach (Miles Hubermann, 1994). Thus it is restricted to 8 members from four different locations (Daresbury Park Warrington, 9 Moorbrook Park Didcot, Park House Eastern Avenue Burton-on-Trent and Unit 15; Peddie Street Dundee). 3.6.3 Sampling techniques and selection: Selection of appropriate sample is the key in both qualitative and quantitative procedures of research (Maxwell, 2005). There are two major types of sampling techniques; Probability sampling or representative sampling Since they reflect the characteristics of the population, they often provide the most valid or credible results. But, they are expensive, time consuming and require certain level of skill sets to perform (Adamchak et al. 2000). However, under probability sampling every element has a chance of being selected and the selected elements probability can be calculated. Any variation between the elements is only a matter of chance as there is no bias involved (Adamchak et al. 2000). Non-probability or systematic sampling Though these methods are more elastic, cheap and require very limited time span, they are less desirable than probability samples due to their weaker evaluation and outcomes (Adamchak et al. 2000). But, their validity can be increased by approximating random section, and eliminating sources of bias. Here the elements are obtained on the basis of opportunity, judgement and referrals from other sample subjects (Adamchak et al. 2000). Probability sampling technique or procedure cannot be employed for this research because the population of the study is well defined. Therefore, systematic stratified sampling method is used to represent all the ethnic minority employees of ABB, UK without any discrimination. 3.6.4 Non response bias: Non response rate of any study depend upon sensitivity of the subject, clarity of objectives and level of confidentiality. However, anonymous questionnaires always enjoy high response rates. Hence, a covering letter (Annexure) stating purpose of the study was attached to the questionnaire to attract soaring response rates. Meanwhile, questions of the survey were kept anonymous to convince the respondents that the data collected will be treated with confidentiality (Sekaran, 2003). 3.6.5 Response rate: Respondents interests vary depending upon the type of research being conducted. Response rates tend to be very high among educational oriented studies. However, according to Saunders et al. (2007) satisfactory response rate of a research lies between 30% 40% and they could become even lesser when a topic is more sensitive and hard to relate. Meanwhile, unbiased approaches and ethical considerations might boost response rates despite all obstacles and hardships that could come in between. For the current research 92 survey questionnaires were distributed and 72 returned back. So the total response rate for this project was 78.26%. Non-response rate for the project was 21.74% and the core reasons for non-response could be refusal to become a part of the study or reluctant to answer all the questions (Dayarathna, 2009). 3.6.7 Rejected methods: Even though, focus groups are the supreme means of understanding through exchange of ideas within a group. They are not involved in the study due to their unfeasible nature. They are boring and often unsuccessful in bringing the group together under a single roof. Moreover, they dont provide sufficient time to the respondents during group discussions (Parasuraman et al. 2004). 3.7 Ethical Considerations: Issues pertaining to ethics of the study arise throughout research starting from formulation of research question, till presenting results. According to Saunders et al. (2007), they arrive in five stages; topic selection, designing and gaining access, collecting data, processing and storing data and during analysing and revealing findings. To begin with, access to data collection was attained by drafting a formal request letter to the concerned authority explaining the purpose of the study. When the access was granted a covering latter was prepared addressing respondents of the study ensuring that the data collected will be kept confidential and will be used only for the academic purpose. Anonymous questions were formed to conceal the identity of the individual participants (Smith et al. 1991) making it hard for other to recognise separately. To avoid personal bias and to add credibility and validity to the report research was conducted with minimum intervention. Collected observations are carefully analysed and results presented without any manipulations. All the secondary sources used for the study are recognised and acknowledged. 3.8 Limitations of the Study: Limitations are often accompanied by the element of human factor. Like any other general and social research even this research escort certain amount of boundaries to its procedure, scope and applicability. Firstly, Very limited numbers of open ended questions are used in the study and the ones that are used with the help of qualitative approach can make the results of the project biased (Patel Davidsson, 2003) by reflecting lack of transparency (Brayman Bell, 2003). Secondly, Closed ended questions used in the study might have restricted the respondents from indentifying various others factors that encourage workplace bullying. Finally, there will always be a problem of time, money and resources when a particular study is undertaken. 3.9 Conclusion: Comprehensive discussion about methodology for the selected study was presented in the above chapter to justify tactics incorporated is in line with the topic chosen. Deployment of deductive approach and addition of positivism and interpritivism were proved to be appropriate for the research due to various reasons as illustrated. Sampling procedures, sampling techniques and the size of samples were also explained along with the data collection methods, ethical considerations and limitations of the project. In the next chapter results of the research will be evaluated in detail.

Hawthorne’s Style in Young Goodman Brown :: Young Goodman Brown YGB

Hawthorne’s Style in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚         The style is â€Å"how speakers or writers say whatever it is that they say† (Abrams 303). This essay will present an analysis of the style found in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown.†    First of all, the reader can notice right away that Hawthorne writes in a well-read and cultivated style, avoiding the use of profanity, vulgar language, or words offensive to the ear. Consider his precise word selection from an enormous vocabulary:    They continued to walk onward, while the elder traveler exhorted his companion to make good speed and persevere in the path, discoursing so aptly, that his arguments seemed rather to spring up in the bosom of his auditor, than to be suggested by himself. As they went, he plucked a branch of maple, to serve for a walking-stick, and began to strip it of the twigs and little boughs, which were wet with evening dew    Even the most emotional outburst in the entire story does not contain any language even remotely displeasing or uncultivated: "’Ha! ha! ha!’ roared Goodman Brown, when the wind laughed at him. "Let us hear which will laugh loudest! Think not to frighten me with your deviltry! Come witch, come wizard, come Indian powwow, come devil himself! and here comes Goodman Brown. You may as well fear him as he fear you!’"    Though he has obviously read widely, where are the references to the works Hawthorne has enjoyed? It is a feature of his style in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† that he does not allude to a single author or literary work. It would be so easy for him to do, and yet he restrains himself – for whatever literary reason.      Hawthorne’s style in this tale is, without a doubt, imaginative. Consider his description of the second traveler and his staff:    It was now deep dusk in the forest, and deepest in that part of it where these two were journeying. As nearly as could be discerned, the second traveler was about fifty years old, apparently in the same rank of life as Goodman Brown, and bearing a considerable resemblance to him, though perhaps more in expression than features. Still, they might have been taken for father and son. And yet, though the elder person was as simply clad as the younger, and as simple in manner too, he had an indescribable air of one who knew the world, and would not have felt abashed at the governor's dinner-table, or in King William's court, were it possible that his affairs should call him thither.

Essay on Symbols and Symbolism in Toni Morrisons Beloved :: Toni Morrison Beloved Essays

Symbolism in Beloved Toni Morrison enhances the effectiveness of Beloved with symbolism. This symbolism has a myriad of origins as well as forms. Number symbols come from astrological sources, while characters' names are allusions from ancient Egyptian mythology, the Bible, and African culture. Furthermore, important color symbols are discernible throughout the novel. From the very beginning of Beloved, the number 124 is distinguishable. In fact, it appears as the first character of each book of the novel. As the address of the home where most of the plot takes place, this number is extremely important. According to astrology, the numbers 1, 3, 7, and 22 are "ascribed with magical powers" (Samuels 135). These magical powers are said to be symbols of completion and creation. 124 fits this astrological delineation because the sum of the three digits in the number add up to the aforementioned 7. In addition, a significant association among characters in the novel is in the form of three people -- Sethe, Beloved, and Denver. Secondly, the name of the protagonist of the novel, Sethe, is associated with "one of the major gods of ancient Egypt and the Biblical Seth, who was the child of Adam and Eve" (Samuels 136). This Egyptian god was part man and part animal or bird, which explains the animal imagery surrounding Sethe in the novel. For example, when explaining her secret about Beloved to Paul D., Sethe is described as if she is a circling falcon or bird. Morrison writes, "She just flew...and the hummingbird wings beat on" (163). The name Sethe is also unique as a name for a female slave because it is derived from the names of Egyptian and Biblical males. Morrison uses the name to add to the masculinity of Sethe's character. Sethe's ability to overcome overwhelming tragedies and challenges such as her escape from slavery in Kentucky and the murder of her child identifies her with this quality. Additionally, the name Sixo symbolizes the dehumanization of slaves during the late 19th century. His name, derived from the number 6, implies that white masters didn't consider their slaves with enough respect to recognize them with more than a number. This renaming also symbolizes the power the slaveowners felt by stripping slaves of their individuality. The distinction of color in slavery adds to the color symbolism which pervades Beloved.

Gregory Howard Williams Life on the Color Line Essay -- Williams Life

Gregory Howard Williams' Life on the Color Line Life on the Color Line is a powerful tale of a young man's struggle to reach adulthood, written by Gregory Howard Williams - one that emphasizes, by daily grapples with personal turmoil, the absurdity of race as a social invention. Williams describes in heart wrenching detail the privations he and his brother endured when they were forced to remove themselves from a life of White privilege in Virginia to one where survival in Muncie, Indiana meant learning quickly the cold hard facts of being Black in skin that appeared to be White.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This powerful memoir is a testament to the potential love and determination that can be exhibited despite being on the cusp of a nation's racial conflicts and confusions, one that lifts a young person above crushing social limitations and turns oppression into opportunity. Williams is defiantly a man of two worlds. In one world he had promise and comfort, in the other he lived in deprivation and repression where one had to work in order to just survive. Williams's recollection of his ?life on the color line? is a unique testimonial of the life of an individual who has walked in both the shoes of a White man and then those of a Black man. His story provides examples of real life experiences and events that can further the research of social psychologists by offering insight into the understanding of many social psychological theories and concepts, such as modern racism, in-group favoritism and confirmation bias just to name a few. From beginning to end the reader is bombarded with all kinds of racism and discrimination described in horrific detail by the author. His move from Virginia to Indiana opened a door to endless threats of violence and ridicule directed towards him because of his racial background. For example, Williams encountered a form of racism known as modern racism as a student at Garfield Elementary School. He was up to win an academic achievement prize, yet had no way of actually winning the award because ?The prize did not go to Negroes. Just like in Louisville, there were things and places for whites only? (Williams, 126). This form of prejudice is known as modern racism because the prejudice surfaces in a subtle, safe and socially acceptable way that is easy to rationalize. Another form of racism experienced by the author is blatant racism whi... ...Williams had been White. Ingroup favoritism is the tendency to discriminate in support of an ingroup over members of the outgroup. The author experienced ingroup favoritism when the coach of his basketball team decided to drop Williams from the varsity team in order to replace him with a white, B-team player who was not as well developed a basketball player as Williams. Many of the stereotypes we encounter and hold today were formed because of events in the past, which were formed to rationalize and justify past social and political agendas. Many of the stereotypes that we now hold today were learned long ago and have been passed from one generation to the next. This book has forever inspired me to believe in the value of each child and discourage racist attitudes wherever I encounter them. Gregory Howard Williams encountered many hurdles growing up and successfully defeated them all. He could have easily confirmed the expectations of his negative peers and developed into a self-fulfilling prophecy, but instead he chose to shun his stereotypes and triumph over incredible odds. Works Cited: Williams, Gregory Howard. Life on the Color Line. New York: Plume Book, 1995.

Feu You and Me

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThere are four (4) key success factors which are critical to the success of a regular law school industry. These are :1) Good reputation of the school;2) High quality of instruction;3) Consistently high passing percentage of graduates in the bar examinations;4) Consistency of graduates making it to the top 10 in the bar examinations.Currently, Far Eastern University Institute of Law (FEU-IL) has an average of 22. 4% passing percentage in the bar examinations in the last five years. Compared to leading law schools such as Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, University of the Philippines and San Beda College of Law (average passing percentage in the last five years is 89. 6%, 77. 37% and 84. 29% respectively), Far Eastern University definitely does not belong to one of the preferred law schools in the country. At present, FEU-IL has inadequate facilities and library collection. It does not join in Law Debating Competitions and does not even have an official FEU-IL Journal which other leading law schools would normally have. However, FEU-IL has a dynamic and proactive Dean who has strong linkages with Law schools in the Philippines. This distinct competitive advantage can be utilized in order to make the Marketing Plan an effective and successful one for purposes of 100% enforcement. Several marketing strategies were formulated for the FEU-IL. Some of these are as follows: ) Product Development Strategy = This includes enhancement of the Mission / Vision Statement of the FEU-IL, improvement of the facilities and library collection, enhancement of the IL curriculum which would eliminate the Socratic Method of teaching, involvement of faculty members in the syllabi construction and curriculum development for IL, creation of the FEU-IL journal, and conducting seminars for lawyers under the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Program (MCLE) 2) Product Positioni ng Strategy = This includes the formation of the FEU-IL Debating Council, and the formation of the FEU-IL Website. ) Predatory Marketing Promotion Strategy = This distinct strategy involves campus visits by the Dean of the Institute of Law in cooperation with the Admissions and Placement Office. 4) Other advertising and PR blitz – This includes print advertisements and write-up showcasing the top graduates of Far Eastern University, distribution of flyers, TV guestings and other press releases. The marketing expense rate for 2006 (1. 72%) is considered within acceptable range. As a result, marketing plan will post a phenomenal growth rate of 46. 0% by SY 2006-2007. With the execution of this marketing plan, FEU-IL will become the preferred law school in the Philippines as it achieves the following in the year 2007: 1. Increase market share by 5%. 2. Reinforce the brand to aspiring lawyers through niche marketing. 3. Increase visibility in all legal fora. 4. Attract better qua lity students in order to raise the bar passing percentage of the school. 5. Increase profit by 10%. CURRENT MARKETING SITUATION TYPE OF INDUSTRY:Regular Law School IndustrySIZE OF THE INDUSTRY:This marketing plan will focus only on the regular law school industry in the NCR Region (such as Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), University of the Philippines (UP), San Beda College (SBC), University of the East (UE), Lyceum University (Lyceum), Arellano University School of Law (AUSL), San Sebastian College (SSC), Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) and Far Eastern University (FEU). This excludes hybrid programs such as the JD-MBA program. Over the years, the number of law schools has steadily increased and recently, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) reported that there are 104 law schools operating in the country. The great majority of lawyers graduated from private law schools. Of the 59 law schools listed by the Supreme Court in 1999 in connection with the bar examinations for that year, only eight are state or public law schools. Of the eight state-supported schools, two are established by chartered cities, five are regional schools, and one national law school which is the UP College of Law. About 28 law schools are university-based. At least nine schools are run by Catholic religious orders. One law school forms part of a state university established for the Muslim community and maintains education in Islamic Law. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) supervises law schools in the country. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B. ) or Juris Doctor (J. D. ) degree. The potential market would comprise fresh graduates, holders of MBA and PhD Degrees, doctors, nurses, accountants, engineers, architects and government officers STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF THE INDUSTRY: Around 80% of the average law school population are working students who study at night being taught mostly by part time faculty, while the rest are enrolled in day or weekend classes. Most Philippine law schools subscribe to the American law school teaching model. Law teaching was done through lectures. English is the medium of instruction. Class attendance is compulsory. The â€Å"modified Socratic method† in which questions and answers were generally derived from assigned texts and the case study system are the most widely used. A strategic weakness of the legal education in the Philippines is the part time character of the faculty. Law schools draw lecturers from the courts and law firms. Pursuing their full time work in the Court of Appeals or Regional Trial Courts and in law offices, law teachers go to the law schools in the evening to lecture or hold classes, within the duration of their contracts. Moreover, hardly is there a full-time law dean. The only exception prevails in the U. P. College of Law which keeps a full-time dean and 20 full-time faculty members, in addition to 30 adjunct or non-regular professorial lecturers. The annual bar examinations is a rite of passage deemed locally to be the ultimate test of excellence for students and for law schools. Each year, on four Sundays in September, around 4,000 law graduates take the bar examination. About 20% pass each year, or about 800 new lawyers. Applying this gauge, a little over 15% of law schools are performing above par. The Supreme Court is constitutionally vested with the exclusive power over admission into the bar. It exercises this power through the bar examinations, administered by the Court itself. By way of example, the Court, by identifying the subjects and the coverage of each subject, effectively tells the law schools what courses to offer and what laws to teach. Tools that were utilized in order to assess the structure of the industry are: 1) Porter Framework – The ultimate function of this framework is to identify companies competing with each other and analyze the four factors affecting the competitive situation of the Regular Law School Industry (NCR) 2) Mckinsey Matrix – One of the tools used in order to analyze the competition. This matrix is composed of two parts such as the business position in the vertical analysis and market attractiveness in the horizontal axis. 3) Winner Analysis – It is used to analyze what makes a competitor a winner and a loser. The FEU-IL will be evaluated based on the industry’s assessment of winners and losers. 4) Competitor Fact Sheet (Figure 4. 1)– contains comprehensive facts about the competitors in the regular law school industry. Detailed facts are presented such as: how old is the law school, size of enrollment, number of topnotchers for the last five (5) years, Average passing percentage for the last five (5) years, tuition fees, best features, professor-student ratio, and areas for improvement. PORTER FRAMEWORK [pic] REGULAR LAW SCHOOL INDUSTRY This framework establishes the market segments which the FEU-IL can tap (i. . New graduates and Entrepreneurs). There is also a need to be competitive on facilities and library collections as this affect the regular law school industry where FEU-IL belongs MCKINSEY MATRIX (Figure 6. 1) The matrix utilized two (2) components that determined the over-all performance of the regular law school industry, namely: Business Position and Market Attrac tiveness. The business position is based on the following criteria: 1. Revenues 2. Enrollment 3. Stability 4. Growth On the other hand the market attractiveness is based on the following criteria: 1. Track Record 2. Reputation 3. Quality Instruction 4. Facilities 5. Reasonable tuition fees The matrix will indicate that UP, SBC and AdMU are leaders of the industry. However, UST and AUSL are beginning to make their marks in the industry. UST and AUSL have the potential of becoming the leaders in the industry. MLQU lags behind among the law schools mentioned. WINNER ANALYSIS (Figure 6. 3) In the Winner Analysis, you will see that FEU is considered a loser, having 3 out of 4 characteristics of a loser. THE STATE OF THE PHILIPPINE LEGAL EDUCATION In a recent study, it was observed that schools that do well in the bar examinations â€Å"remain to be producers of higher percentage of passing rates and they share similar policies such as the rigid/screening process, maintenance of high level of academic performance in their law subjects, adoption of the quotient point index (QPI) to remain in the law school, hiring of deans with pro-active hands-on management style, and infusion of financial resources to the law library to better equip the faculty and students with the mass of the legal knowledge, data and materials to enhance their skills and aptitude in the field of law. The study recommended that the law curriculum/program be improved and developed so as to produce competent world-class lawyers with proper sense of ethical values in exercising their profession. It is also stressed the need for new policy standards on the law program that will take into account several major developments in the field of law during the past decade and the trend towards globalization of the practice of the profession. THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY The Arellano University School of Law is the only law school in the Philippines with a comprehensive legal database and which is available for free on the internet. Lex Libris, which is on subscription basis, and which provides practically the same data, is another Philippine database. Many of the younger law faculty in Metro Manila use computers to illustrate material in class through powerpoint presentations. They are likewise already transmitting syllabi and course materials to students over the Internet. Electronic casebooks and textbooks are now being marketed locally although they are not very popular among law students. No law school in the Philippines, as of this writing, has required students to own or bring computers.KEY SUCCESS FACTORSConsidering the current external environment, the following constitutes the key success factors critical to the success of the industry: 1. Good reputation of the school 2. High quality of instruction 3. Consistently high passing percentage of graduates in the bar examinations. 4. Consistency of graduates making it to the top ten in the bar examinations.OPPORTUNITY AND ISSUE ANALYSIS BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPANYThe FEU Institute of Law opened its doors in 1934, making it one of the older colleges of law in the country. It prides itself as a pedigreed law school from whose ranks two other law schools located in the university belt were formed. The Institute is proud of its alumni whose accomplishments have honored their alma mater and the legal profession. These include two justices of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of Justice, several Justices of the Court of Appeals and Sandiganbayan, regional and municipal trial court judges and government prosecutors. In addition, many of its graduates now occupy positions of leadership in the community and play vital roles in legal practice, business and government service. Also, the Institute has the unique distinction of having two Senate Presidents serve as Dean – Jovito Salonga from 1957-1961 and Neptali Gonzales from 1976-1986. In 2003, the Institute teamed-up with the De La Salle University Graduate School of Business to offer the JD-MBA program, the first graduate dual degree program in law and business administration. The dual degree program prepares students to approach problems from the perspectives of both a business executive and a lawyer. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in two interrelated disciplines and to understand the interrelationships between them. It has been the Institute’s consistent policy to provide quality legal education at an affordable cost. The Institute of Law endeavors to maintain its tradition of being a law school that remains a haven for the working but deserving class. VISION STATEMENT It has been the Institute’s consistent policy to provide quality legal education at an affordable cost. The Institute of Law endeavors to maintain its tradition of being a law school that remains a haven for the working but deserving class. MISSION STATEMENT To complement the objectives of the legal education enumerated in Republic Act 7662, the Institute of Law is committed to pursue the following: †¢ To impart to the law students a broad knowledge of law and its various fields, and of the role and functions of legal institutions; †¢ To develop their legal research skills and to analyze, articulate and apply the aw effectively, as well as to enable them to gain a total approach to legal problems and issues †¢ To prepare law students for advocacy, counseling and decision-making and imbue them with the ability to deal with legal problems; †¢ To inculcate in them the ethics and responsibilities of the legal profession; †¢ To train young men and women for the legal profession known for their technical competence, professional zeal and unblemished integrity. BUSINE SS SYSTEMS MODEL a) Admission of students b)Processing of students [pic] [pic] The FEU-IL Business System Model describes the processing of human resources, particularly lawyers. It has two components: 1) Admission of Students — Before a student is admitted in the FEU-IL program, he has to take an entrance examination. Once he passes the entrance examination, he becomes eligible to enroll in the FEU Institute of Law. 2) Processing of Students – Once a student becomes eligible to enroll at the FEU Institute of Law, he now enrolls the subjects which he is required to complete. All methods of instruction are done inside the classrooms with the Professors of Law supervising the students. Final grades will be given to the students through the professors of law at the end of every semester. Upon completion of all the academic requirements, he now becomes eligible to take the Bar Examination administered by the Supreme Court. The graduate reviews for six months and once he passes the bar examinations, he is now admitted to the bar. It is important to take note of the business system model because this will be the blue print for making the marketing plan for the FEU-Institute of Law SWOT ANALYSIS A SWOT analysis is a tool in determining the company’s strengths and weaknesses, exploiting the different opportunities which the company might face and thinking of ways in order to ward off the possible threats that it may face. It tends to present alternative courses of actions that will be the basis for the various marketing strategies that will be utilized for the marketing plan of FEU-IL. The strategies should address the following issues: †¢ How can the company overcome its weaknesses to ward off the threats it faces? (WT Strategies) †¢ How can the company utilize its strengths to ward off the threats it faces? (ST Strategies) †¢ How can the company utilize its strengths to exploit the opportunities it faces? (SO Strategies) †¢ How can the company overcome its weaknesses to exploit the opportunities it faces? (WO Strategies) |Opportunities (O) |Threats (T) | | |MRT |Bad pronouncements about lawyers | | |Good write-up about FEU |Many lawyers are dragged in scandals | | |TV guestings |High attrition rate in the bar examination | | | |High cost of living | |Strengths (S) |SO Strategies |ST Strategies | |Good location |Flyer Distribution at MRT (O1,S1, S3) |Print Ad showcasing top gradua tes of FEU-IL| |Reasonable fees |TV pluggings (O2, O3, S4) |(T1, T2, S3) |Good Instruction |Press releases of testimonials who |Intensive Review for the bar examinations | |Proactive dean |benefited from the reasonable tuition fees |(T3, S2, S3) | |Offers the MBA-JD Program in cooperation |(O2, O3, S2, S3) |Inviting bar lecturers and appointing them | |with the DLSU School of Graduate Studies |Conduct a Tamaraw Tour in chosen |as professorial chairs (S2, S3, T1, T2, T3)| | |universities and provide promotional CDs |Aggressive improvement of the physical | | |for give away (S4, O2, O3) |plant and library collection of the | | | |Institute (S4, T3) | | | | | |Weaknesses (W) |WO Strategies |WT Strategies | |Inadequate facilities |Full scholarship to honor graduates with |Creation of the FEU IL Journal containing | |Low passing percentage rate as compared to |stipend (W3, O2, O3) |the published works of the FEU-IL Faculty | |the leaders |Creation of the FEU Law Debating team to |with th e latest legal updates and Supreme | |No topnotchers for the last five (5) years |prepare FEU-IL students to win in |Court Resolutions (T1, W4,) | |Current image: not a preferred law school |competitions (W2, W3, W4, W5, S3) | | |Inability to attract quality students |Creation of the FEU-IL Website containing | | |Support Staff service |the IL Curriculum, syllabi and other | | |Lack of financial resources |activities that are pertaining to the | | |Faculty unrest |Institute of Law (i. e. bar exam operations,| | |No fulltime Associate Dean |articles published by FEU-IL faculty, etc. )| | |Inadequate library collection |(W4, W14, O2) | |Absence of professorial chairs | | | |Problem in salary structure of faculty | | | |members | | | |Weak U-belt Consortium Bar Review | | | |Lack of published research colloquia within| | | |the Institute | | | |Faction in the IL Alumni Foundation and IL | | | |Management | | | STRATEGIC ISSUES 1) How will the Far Eastern University Institute of Law inc rease its market share? 2) How will Far Eastern University Institute of Law become the preferred law school in the Philippines? DISTINCT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FEU-IL has a pro-active, young and charismatic Dean who is elected President of the Association of Law Schools in the Philippines for three consecutive terms and who finished his Master of Laws at Harvard University, U. S. A. SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE The FEU — Institute of Law has produced a total of 74 topnotchers for the last 71 years of forefront in the law school industry. One of them is Artemio Panganiban, now the Supreme Court Justice of the Philippines, and Jose N. Nolledo, an author of various books in Commercial Law and Remedial Law. MARKETING GOALS / OBJECTIVES 1. Within 2007, FEU Institute of Law will increase market share by 5%. 2. Reinforce the FEU Institute of Law brand to aspiring lawyers through niche marketing. 3. Within SY 2006-2007, the FEU Institute of Law will increase visibility in all legal fora. 4. Within 2007, FEU Institute of Law will be able to attract better quality students in order to raise the bar passing percentage of the school. 5. Within 2007, FEU Institute of Law will increase profit by 10%. MARKETING STRATEGIES I. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY a. Enhancement of the Mission and Vision Statement of the FEU-IL The Vision and Mission Statement of FEU-IL should be improved and enhanced in order to achieve the above marketing goals. The following is the suggested Mission/Vision for FEU-IL: We are committed to produce lawyers equipped with globally relevant, competitive and real world skills. Our graduates are trained to be service-oriented to their clients but at the same time mindful of their social responsibilities to the community and their ethical duties towards the administration of justic e. † â€Å"Through our core values of teamwork, responsibility and integrity, we shall passionately dedicate ourselves to the development of the mind and spirit of our students by adequately preparing them to become committed and responsible citizens responding to the changing needs of the global community and ready to provide the required specialized legal services. † b. Physical Plant: There is a need to be aggressive in purchasing law books that will be utilized by students for their studies. The FEU Law Library must be physically equipped and ready for the acquisition and storage of new books that will be used as a tool for effective instruction. There is also a need to improve the physical plant of the Institute. Most of the law schools in the University belt area are now having sound proof rooms and sturdy chairs with AVR facilities. Some law schools have their own exclusive law building to accommodate more enrollees with state-of-the-art facilities. Today, there is no escape for the need of becoming globally competitive in terms of facilities and instruction. It is also appropriate for the University to have an image of a technologically oriented institution with a view of providing quality but affordable legal education for the working class. c. Enhancement of the IL Curriculum: In a recent study of the Best Practices of Law Schools in the United States and United Kingdom, the following were noted: 1. A law school can best achieve excellence and have the most effective academic program when it possesses a clear mission, a plan to achieve that mission, and the capacity and willingness to measure its success or failure. Absent a defined mission and the identification of attendant student and institutional outcomes, a law school lacks focus and its curriculum becomes a collection of discrete activities without coherence. If a school does not assess its performance, it can easily be deluded about its success, the effectiveness of its pedagogical methods, the relevance of the curriculum, and the value of its services to its constituencies. A law school that fails to assess student performance or its performance as an institution, or that uses the wrong measures in doing so, has no real evidence that it is achieving any goals and objectives. A law school that lacks evidence of achievement invites demands for accountability (Gregory Munro, Outcomes Assessment For Law Schools 3-4, Institute for Law Teaching 2000) 2. It is especially important for law schools to clearly articulate specific outcomes for their programs of instruction. 3. Law schools should be encouraged to coordinate their programs of instruction and to integrate the teaching of theory, doctrine and practice. Legal educators should be discouraged in relying on the case method / Socratic dialog, to make problem-based learning the primary mode of instruction and to be more attentive to basic principles of effective education. 4. There is a need for law schools to employ teachers who are 100% committed to excellent teaching and to establish improved teacher development programs. 5. There must be a regular evaluation of the school’s program of instruction to determine whether its objectives are achieved effectively or efficiently. This can be done by soliciting and incorporating opinions from outside the academy, and gathering information from students about their needs and objectives. 6. Best practices for delivering instruction are: 1) Coordinate the Program of Instruction; 2) Integrate the teaching of theory, doctrine and practice; 3) Employ basic principles of effective educational programs; 4) Encourage active learning and give prompt feedback; 5) Effective Time Management; 6) Use of technology. In this regard, it is suggested that the Institute of Law enforce the following in the enhancement of its Faculty Instruction: 1. The problem method (as opposed to the Socratic Method) should be used to achieve clear, appropriate objectives. It requires students to analyze and answer legal problems in context. Extensive research of the students is required. If possible, cases and Supreme Court rulings should be assigned to facilitate legal problems in context. It is also advised that there must be integration of teaching theory, doctrine and practice. Exposure to real life situations (i. e. interviews or sponsored tours) should also be incorporated in each subject so that students will have to apply what they have learned in theory. 2. All subjects offered by the FEU-IL must have a syllabi in modular format, specifying the topics to be discussed with the objectives to be achieved every meeting. Activities every topic should be indicated to guide students on what is expected of them every meeting. 3. Recruitment of efficient and effective teachers who are 100% committed to teaching is imperative. That is why a regular evaluation of quality of instruction of teachers should be done on a regular basis (i. e. monthly) to determine if effectiveness of the instruction is being done consistently and regularly. Feedback from students regarding their suggestions and concerns should be addressed immediately, favorable or unfavorable. 4. It is imperative that faculty members take part in the program development of the Institute’s curriculum. Committees should be formed among the faculty members in the Institute of Law to make faculty members involved in IL’s growth and development. 5. In determining the placement of law graduates who newly passed the bar, continuous collection of data on educational outcomes will be used for the school to articulate how these educational outcome data is used to improve individual student and overall program performances. This can be done by soliciting and incorporating opinions from different employers outside the academy. 6. Strategic planning workshop is therefore imperative to achieve excellent quality of instruction. Participants will be the Dean of the Institute, the Associate Dean, chosen faculty of the Institute, the Supervisor and a Supreme Court Justice (if possible) to map out program of activities and wish list for the Institute of Law. d. FEU-IL Journal The formation of the FEU-IL Journal is an excellent tool for research and development and a good forum for IL faculty members to publish their works. It is suggested that FEU-IL coordinate closely with the Office of Research and Development of Far Eastern University for the mechanics. e. MCLE Provider For your information, the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) is a requirement for all lawyers to comply. In this regard, all members of the bar are required to attend the MCLE seminars to be abreast of the new laws and procedures in the legal profession. Currently, some agencies and universities (i. e. UP College of Law, Arellano Law School, Integrated Bar of the Philippines) are already MCLE providers, giving seminars for the lawyers. As of this date, no agency or law school in the University Belt Area has become an MCLE provider. It is suggested that the FEU Institute of Law would apply as an MCLE provider. To be an MCLE provider at an affordable fee will be a good promotion for the school, aside from the fact that it is a good source of funding for the FEU Institute of Law for the improvement of its facilities and physical plant. f. Administration of the FEU Institute of Law: A delineation of duties and responsibilities is now appropriate and forthcoming for the FEU Institute of Law with respect to its Dean and Associate Dean. The Associate Dean should now be directly in-charge in serving the needs of the students and faculty in the Institute of Law while the Dean is directly in-charge of networking and promoting FEU Institute of Law with other universities and colleges Managing the Curriculum, Instruction, faculty and students should be done by the Associate Dean. Staff members should also be pro-active in walking the extra mile in giving excellent service, not only to students, but also to visiting prospective students. There should be series of training for the staff members of FEU-IL to prepare them for the SY 2005-2006. II. PRODUCT POSITIONING STRATEGY a. Formation of the FEU-IL Debating Council There must be an active Law Debating Council to compete with the different law schools within the country. The formation of an active Law Debating Council will expose the students to various debating competitions. With the aim of becoming No. 1 in debating competitions, it will help boost the image of the FEU Institute of Law across all law schools in the country. The Oracle and Debating Council is the official debating council in Far Eastern University. It is suggested that the FEU Oracle and Debating Council should help in the formation of an active FEU Institute of Law Debating Council to help boost the FEU Institute of Law’s image in winning debate competitions. b. FEU-IL Website There must be a regular, effective and comprehensive FEU-IL Website that will show the Institute’s Vision, Curricula and syllabi of the different subjects. The Website is also a good tool for the Institute to make it as a forum for bar exam operations. III. PREDATORY MARKETING PROMOTION STRATEGY AGGRESSIVE ARTICULATION CAMPAIGN (TAMARAW CAMPUS TOUR) Leading law schools in the industry do not engage in an aggressive articulation campaign since they are confident that there will have enrollees, considering their reputable image in the industry. Therefore, a flank attack is necessary to attack the weakness of these leading law schools. It is suggested that the Dean of the Institute of Law, in coordination with the Admissions, Placement Office, establish a strategy on how to go to different colleges and universities in the Metro Manila Area, and possibly in the provincial areas, to articulate the FEU Institute of Law. No dean in Metro Manila has done any aggressive articulation campaign by going to different universities and colleges. It will be the first time in history that a dean will be doing school to school articulation on behalf of the FEU Institute of Law. In-campus entrance exams, in coordination with the Registrars of the universities involved, may also be conducted to further facilitate the admission of students who desire to take up Bachelor of Laws. That is why there is a need for a fulltime Associate Dean who should be the one in-charge of the management and administration of the FEU Institute of Law while the Dean is busy establishing network and doing articulation within the country. IV. ADVERTISING AND PR BLITZ The company will engage into the following advertising and promotion strategies: 1. Print ads or write-up showcasing the top graduates of Far Eastern University (i. e. Justice Artemio Panganiban) 2. Distribution of flyers near the MRT UBelt station regarding the FEU-IL 3. Engage in TV guestings to give FEU-IL the opportunity plug its IL program. 4. Press release of testimonials of several FEU-LAW Alumni. 5. Distribution of brochures and promotional CDs during the Tamaraw Campus Tour CURRENT MARKET SEGMENTATION STRATEGY OF FEU-IL [pic] Proposed Segmentation Strategy for FEU-IL: Within 2008, the market segmentation will be composed of 90% Fulltime students and 10% Working professionals as hereto indicated: ACTION PROGRAM FOR SY 2005-2006 Sales Plan June – August 2005 |Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget |Expected Output | |Printing of brochures |Associate Dean |June 1, 2005 |Printing |10,000 brochures printed | | | | |P4 x 10,000 = P40,000 | | |Training of Office Staff |Associate Dean |July 15, 2005 |Food |Trained office staff | | | | |P135 X 7 = P945. 0 | | |Printing of Flyers |Associate Dean |June 1, 2005 |P2 X 20,000 = P40,000 |20,000 flyers printed | |Promotional CDs |Associate Dean |August 1, 2005 |P25 X 200 = P5,000 |200 Promotional CDs for give| | | | | |away | |TAMARAW CAMPUS TOUR / |Dean / Admissions and |July 15, 2005-August|Transportation |Visited 45 schools | |Articulation , Metro |Placement Office |30, 2005 |P200 X 3 (schools)=P600 X 15 | | |Manila Area | | |days= P9,000. 00 | | |MCLE provider |Associate Dean |June 30, 2005 |Application fee =P2,000. 00 | | September – November |Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget |Expected Output | |Printing of the FEU IL |Dean / Associate Dean / |October 15 |P45,000. 0 |Printed Journal | |Journal |Director for Research and| | |containing published | | |Development | | |works of faculty | | | | | |members of the FEU-IL, | | | | | |with up to date laws | | | | | |and Supreme Court | | | | | |rulings | |School Tour / Articulation |Dean / Admissions and |September 15- November|Transportation |Visited 45 schools | |, Metro Manila Area |Placement Office |15 |P200 X 3 (schools)=P600 X 15 | | | | | |days= P9,000. 0 | | |Information Dissemination |Dean |November 30, 2005 |Flyers |Printed flyers and | |for the MCLE Seminars | | |P4 x10,000 = P40,000 |posters for the MCLE | | | | |Posters |Seminars | | | | |P25 X 200 = P5,000 | | December 2005-February 2006 |Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget |Expected Output | |School Tour / Dean / Admissions and |January 15-February |Transportation |Visited 15 schools | |Articulation, Provincial|Placement Office |28, 2006 |P400 X 3 (schools)=P1,200 X 5= | | |Area | | |P9,000. 00 | | |MCLE Semi nar |Dean / Associate Dean |January, 2006 |Food |An MCLE accredited | | | | |P60 x 75 = P4,500 |seminar for the lawyers | | | | |Production of handouts | | | | | |100 pages x P2 x 75=P15,000. 0 | | March 2006-May 2006 |Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget |Expected Output | |School Tour / |Dean / Admissions and |March 15, 2006-May |Transportation |Visited 15 schools | |Articulation, Provincial|Placement Office |15, 2006 |P400 X 3 (schools)=P1,200 X 5= | | |Area | | |P9,000. 00 | | |Printing of the FEU-IL |Associate Dean / Director |April 15, 2006 |P45,000. 0 |An informative journal | |Journal |for Research and | | |containing the latest | | |Development | | |laws, decisions of the | | | | | |Supreme Court and | | | | | |administrative bodies; and| | | | | |articles written by | | | | | |Faculty members of the | | | | | |FEU-IL | |Promotional CDs |Associate Dean |March 1, 2005 |P25 X 200 = P5,000 |200 Promotional CDs for | | | | | |give away | ADVERTISING PLAN June – Augus t 2005 Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget |Expected Output | |Production of posters |Associate Dean |August 15, 2005 |Printing |50 sets of printed posters | | | | |P20 x 50 = P1,000. 00 | | |Production of T-Shirts |Associate Dean |July 1, 2005 |Printing |50 shirts produced | | | | |P50 x 250 =P5,000. 00 | | March 2006-May 2006 Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget |Expected Output | |AD regarding the FEU-IL |Dean |March 15, 2006- |Billboard = P30,000. 00 |-Billboard advertising the | |and its successful | | |Newspaper Ad (for |FEU-IL | |graduates or topnotchers | | |PDI)=P50,000. 00 |-printed advertisement of | | | | | |the FEU-IL | PR PLAN June – August 2005 Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget |Expected Output | |TV Guesting |Dean |July 15, 2005 |Tranportation= P200 |Guested in a TV program to | | | | |Honorarium= P2,000 |give his legal opinion on an | | | | | |important issue; Plugged | | | | | |FEU-IL | September – November 2005 |Activity |In-Charge |T arget Date |Budget |Expected Output | |Write-up in a newspaper |Dean |October 15, 2005 |Honorarium for the writer |Published article | |regarding testimonial of | | |P5,000. 0 |regarding the testimonial | |an FEU-IL Alumnus (PDI) | | | |of one of the successful | | | | | |FEU-IL Alumnus | |Write-up in a magazine |Dean |November 15, 2005 |Honorarium for the writer |Published article | |regarding one of the top | | |P5,000. 00 |regarding one of the top | |graduates in the FEU-IL | | | |graduates in the FEU-IL | December 2005-February 2006 |Activity |In-Charge |Target Date |Budget Expected Output | |TV Guesting |Dean |July 15, 2005 |Tranportation=P200 |Guested in a TV program | | | | |Honorarium=P2,000 |to give his legal opinion| | | | | |on an important issue; | | | | | |Plugged FEU-IL | FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF LAW FINANCIAL PROJECTION OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES FOR SY 2005-2006 a) Growth Rate | |Revenues |Increase (Decrease) |% | |SY2004-2005 |P14,063,233. 00 | | | |SY2005- 2006 |P14,488,740. 0 |P 425,517. 00 | 3. 02 | |SY2006-2007 |P21,285,000. 00 |P6,796,260. 00 | 46. 90 | b) Marketing Expense Rate | |Revenue |Attributed Marketing Expense |Marketing Expense Rate | |SY 2005-2006 |P14,488,740. 00 |P267,124. 00 |1. 84% | |SY 2006-2007 |P21,285,000. 00 |P365,885. 00 |1. 72% | ) Revenue-Marketing Expense Ratio NR – OR ————————= 21,285,000. 00 – 14,488,740. 00 =P6,796,260. 00 NME-OME ————————————– —————– 365,885 – 267,124. 00 P98,760. 00 P68. 82 ** For every P1 spent on marketing expense, FEU-IL generates P68. 82 return. Thus, the marketing plan is deemed cost effective. The additional P98,760. 00 marketing budget can yield an incremental tuition revenue of P6,796,260. 00 (Note: The impact of a marketing budget can only be reflected in the succeeding schoolyear) RISK ASSESSMENT AND CONTROLS Predicted Problems to be encountered |Suggested Control Measure | |Marketing Budget might not be approved by top management |Always provide a justification for the approval of the marketing | | |budget | |Press releases may not be cost-effective |PR Company must submit copy of press releases for documentation | | |purposes. Press releases should be filed properly with all the | | |expenses allotted to it. The papers should be placed under Public| | |Relations file with the indispensable back-up in case of | | |misplacement; | | |There must be proper recording and filing of all expenses | | |incurred. | |Students, Staff and Faculty members might not cooperate |Make the students, staff and faculty members appointed responsible| | |and accountable in certain tasks | |Desired outputs of the Marketing plan are not met. A regular post-evaluation per activity must be done to determine | | |the problems encountered and the solutions to be done in order to | | |arrest future problems; | |A scandal may erupt which could lead to tarnish the name of |The IL Dean, Associated Dean and Faculty should guide properly IL | |the FEU-IL |students and graduates | |Factionalism could affect marketing efforts |Infuse new blood. | A P P E N D I X ———————– Promotion of the school Substitutes Good income Entrepreneurship Managerial work Overseas work Stud ent enrolls ee To be an esteemed professional Pursue other high income professions such as medicine, architecture, accountancy, engineering Professional Growth in legal practice Diploma / Certificate of Participation in Seminars sponsored by the IBP The need to pass the bar exams Enroll in Hybrid programs (MBA-JD Program) To go to law schools outside NCR Customers: †¢ New graduates †¢ Professionals †¢ Entrepreneurs †¢ Government employees 3-time flunkers in the Bar †¢ exams †¢ Transferees COMPETITORS SBC (Leader) UP (Leader) AdMU (Leader) FEU (Laggard); UST (Laggard) Lyceum (Laggard) SSC (Laggard) AUSL (Laggard) Suppliers: * Publishing Companies * E-learning resources * Office Equipment Distributors * Office Supplies Distributors * Furniture Distributors * Staffing * Law Professors New Entrant None Graduate reviews for the bar exams Student attends class and professor teaches, mentors and counsels student If prospective student passes, he enrolls Prospe ctive student takes entrance exam Will student graduate? If no If yes Graduate fails bar exams Graduate is admitted to the bar. [pic]