An Analysis of Theodore Roethkes My Papas Waltz

Discussion #1: Part I: My Papas Waltz by Theodore Roethke appears ambiguous, especially at the first reading. The main reason for this is the type of diction the author uses. Stanza 1 seems innocent enough, for example, where the speaker ends by referring to waltzing. Although he refers to the dance as not easy, it can still be that the father indulged a little and started playing with his boy. In the second stanza, the word romped further confirms a sense of fun, despite the mothers frowning countenance. The third and fourth stanzas become ambiguous with the use of diction such as battered in Stanza 3 and beat in Stanza 4. A significant change in these stanzas is also that the speaker addresses his father directly, whereas the first two stanzas told the story in the third person. However, there are certain elements that clarify the intent of the subject matter, not to describe or address a father who was abusive, but rather to describe the realities of life at the time. In Stanza 3, for example, it is important to note that it was the fathers knuckle was battered. In Stanza 4, he did not beat the boy himself, but rather kept time on his head with his palm. The palm that was caked by dirt could have been from a day at menial labor or falling on the way from drinking whiskey. The buckle that scraped the childs ear appears to be the result of an accidental misstep rather than intentionally harmful. A final and somewhat conclusive clue to the intentionShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Theodore Roethke’s â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† Essay733 Words   |  3 PagesAnalysis of Theodore Roethke’s â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† Theodore Roethke’s poem â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† illustrates a nightly ritual between a working-class father and his young son. In the first stanza a young boy holds tightly to his father. The second stanza describes a playful roughhousing between father and son. The fourth stanza shows again the boy’s unwillingness to let go of his father. Roethke’s AB rhyming scheme and waltz-like meter set a light and joyful cadence. The music of the waltz comes throughRead MoreCritical Analysis of My Papa’s Waltz by Theodore Roethke757 Words   |  3 PagesTheodore Huebner Roethke was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Otto Roethke and Helen Huebner. As a student at Saginaws Arthur Hill High School, Roethke demonstrated early promise in a speech on the Junior Red Cross that was published in twenty-six languages. However, the death of his father from cancer in 1923 was a loss that would powerfully shape Roethkes psychic and creative lives. Roethke atti tude toward his father Otto was depicted in his widely anthologized work My Papas Waltz writtenRead MoreAnalysis Of Theodore Roethke s My Papa s Waltz, And Robert Hayden s Those Winter Sundays925 Words   |  4 PagesIn the analysis of Theodore Roethke’s â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz,† and Robert Hayden’s â€Å"Those Winter Sundays,† both modernistic and highly respected poets similarly write with a sense of reminiscence of childhood experiences. Similarly, both poems are about a memory as a boy looking back at a specific time in their lives and the love they have for their respected fathers. A similar implication is expressed in the way of their lives not being perfect, but still remaining a humble family. This is shown withinRead Moreâ€Å"My Papa’s Waltz†1568 Words   |  7 Pagesdetermine what Theodore Roethke’s poem â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† conveys. Readers either interpret the poem as telling the happy memory of a l ittle boy playing with his father or as describing a scene of child abuse. From my point of view, the poem is more likely to be about the enjoyable time between the father and the son and I would explain this by discussing on the word choice, tone and rhythm of the poem. Before analyzing, the first thing to look at is the background of the poet, Theodore Roethke. Roethke’sRead MoreEssay about My Papas Waltz vs. Those Winter Nights1521 Words   |  7 PagesRichard Koch Literature and Culture 5/6/13 Research Paper My Papa’s Waltz Vs. Those Winter Nights In â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† by Roethke and â€Å"Those Winter Sundays† by Hayden, the two narrators speak about their fathers in a way that shows there were two different sides to their fathers. One side was abusive and strict, while the other side was loving and caring. Each narrator has a different attitude toward their feelings for their fathers. Roethke has a more fun and understanding view of hisRead MoreMy Papas Waltz: an Analysis of Speaker and Situation Essay772 Words   |  4 PagesThe poem My Papas Waltz by Theodore Roethke is a moving representation of childhood spent in a working middle class family. The speaker of this poem is a man recalling his childhood, his father and his mother through the means of a waltz. The following essay will present a detailed analysis of the dramatic situation and speaker through the explanations of the various poetic tools used in this poem such as similes, choice of words and style. Theodore Roethke portrays the father figureRead MoreAnalysis Of Theodore Roethke s My Papa s Waltz958 Words   |  4 PagesDeath with Love: An Analysis of Form in Theodore Roethke’s â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† In â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† there are a plethora of word twists, hidden meanings, and thought provoking terminology. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the meaning of the word waltz is â€Å"a dance performed to music in triple time by couples who, almost embracing each other, swing round and round in the same direction with smooth and even steps, moving on as they gyrate.† The term of the â€Å"waltz† in this poem hasRead MoreAnalysis Of My Papas Waltz1001 Words   |  5 PagesDue to Theodore Roethke’s use of imagery, syntax, and diction, â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† continues to spur passionate academic debate from professors, scholars, and students alike. Roethke uses these elements to allow the reader to recognize that he is reminiscing the intricate relationship he and his father shared. Although it is not essential, one could put the historical context into consideration. Evidently, there will always be individuals t hat see only abuse or a fond memory; however, we will neverRead More The Actual Meaning of My Papas Waltz by Theodore Roethke Essay836 Words   |  4 PagesThe Actual Meaning of My Papas Waltz by Theodore Roethke Poetry is made to express the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of the poet. The reader can interpret the poem however they see fit. Critics are undecided about the theme of Theodore Roethkes My Papas Waltz. Some people believe that the poem is one of a happy exchange between a father and son. The more convincing interpretation is that it has a hidden message of parental abuse. Careful analysis of the keywords and each individualRead MoreTheodore Roethkes Poetry Analysis1598 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of Theodore Roethke’s Poetry Around the globe, there are a couple of authors who have been put into the limelight by the quality of their work. Authors of books and poems play a vital role in educating the community through communicating certain issues through writing. This paper focuses on discussing and analyzing Theodore Roethke, one of the poets who have been recognized all over the world and whose work has been read by many people from all over the world. The paper tries to analyze

Audience About A Culture Or Sub Culture - 999 Words

General Purpose: To inform the audience about a culture or sub-culture Specific Purpose: To give audience an insight to the lives of the Ancient Greeks and to teach them about Ancient Greece as a culture (Kendall) Introduction (Reagan) Attention Gainer: Here is a quote from a Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, â€Å"day by day, what you chose, what you think and what you do is who you become†. This quote represents the evolution of Greece from the beginning of Ancient Greek time. Every day, the culture evolved in some way whether it is in architecture, philosophy or any other attribute of culture. Reason to Listen: Not only is it interesting, but is important for us all to understand the historical culture of Ancient Greece and respect the significance the Greeks find behind their culture. Speaker Credibility: Kendall and I have both spent hours researching this subculture in order to provide the most accurate information to give to you all today. Thesis Statement: We are here to inform you about the sub-culture of Ancient Greece and go into depth about philosophy, art and architecture, and religion and mythology. Preview Main Points: Hopefully we will be able to teach you all about the symbolism and history of Greek art and mythology, as well as give you an insight look as to what philosophy was like in Ancient Greece. Body Main Point # 1 (Kendall) The Ancient Greeks founded the concept of philosophy. (Sub-Point # 1) The literal definition of philosophy is the love of wisdom. TheShow MoreRelatedHmong Culture And Who We Are1080 Words   |  5 PagesPurpose: I will Educate the audience about the Hmong Culture and Who we are. Thesis Statement: One of the least known cultures in this world is the Hmong culture and myself as a Hmong person the history and the culture has shaped to what we as Hmong people are today. INTRODUCTION I. (Attention Getter): [write the word â€Å"Hmong† and ask the audience â€Å"whoever can pronounce this word right I’ll give them a dollar†} II. (Reveal Topic): Today, I will be talking about a culture that many of you probablyRead MoreOlaudah Equiano Essay989 Words   |  4 Pagesaddition to the central theme, Equiano indirectly provides the reader with various sub-themes in order to support the central theme and to eventually convince the reader to support his argument that the institution of slavery should be done away with wholly. One such sub-theme is the existence of a set way of life, traditions, and/or customs by which the Africans live. The above passage is one that supports this sub-theme. The tone, diction, and syntax of the passage are the literary elements usedRead MoreUnited Arab Emirates Culture : Family, Date And Marriage1021 Words   |  5 Pages United Arab Emirates Culture (Family, Date and Marriage and Personal Appearance) By Mahoula Dosso Introduction I. 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The Glorious Revolution in England Free Essays

The Glorious Revolution of England happened in the seventeenth century, and the French Revolution, happened in the late eighteenth century to early nineteenth century this is during the age of enlightenment. The revolutions where started because of the new ideas and wants of the common people. They have a lot of similarities because they influenced each other but they also have many differences because they are different countries and people. We will write a custom essay sample on The Glorious Revolution in England or any similar topic only for you Order Now Because the ideas from the revolutions are so new and smart they influenced many other countries and their governments. The Glorious Revolution of England came fist during the eightinth century was the idea to overthrow King James II and replace him with a ParliamentThe French Revolution began with members of the Third Estate pronouncing the Tennis Court Oath in June, the assault on the Bastille in July. The similarities are mostly in how the revolution was started. Both King Charles I and Louis XVI were in debt because of the lack of money left behind from past monarchs. Both kings gave the problem on the peasants which made them very angry. They didn’t want to pay off the debt of the monarchs who they already payed large taxes to. King Charles I and Louis XVI had to summon on Parliament and the Estates to fix their financial issue. Instead of fixing the money problem they came up with new ways of government and planned against the monarchy. The main differences between the revolutions came from the philosophers. The main philosopher that influenced the revolution in France was Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the main philosopher for England was John Locke. John Locke was known as the father of libertarionism and is reguarded as one of the most influencial elightenment thinkers. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political philosophy influenced the French Revolution and the advance of modern political and educational ideas The political and social ideas of both the English and the French revolutions influenced many governments in the world such as America, Canada, Germany.. tc. Because of the English revolution the political idea of a constitutional monarchy rose and allowed more freedom and input from the common people in England. The French revolution made way for new government systems, such as democracy and socialism. The glorious revolution in England and the French revolution both are key turning points during the age of enlightenment and have influenced many of today’s governments as well . How to cite The Glorious Revolution in England, Papers

Whole Pieces free essay sample

* Every time someone asks me to tell them the three things I like best about myself, all I can think of is how I would rather use my head as a punch bowl than answer that question. There are about a million correct ways I could answer. I am a girl, yes. A sister, yes. A daughter, yes. A lover, at times. A fighter, yeah sure. A thinker, always. A cook, yup. A runner, a fashionista, and a barista. Vaguely speaking, yes. But, I said vaguely. I can’t be pinpointed by a single description. I cannot be defined easily. I could answer any way I like. I could make you think annnnything I like. But, the truth of the matter is that I can solely be defined by looking at my life in its entirety. I change daily. (Case in point: favorite band circa 1999, Spice Girls). I am more than what I do, I am what I am. We will write a custom essay sample on Whole Pieces or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page * I hate racing. Loathe, despise, abominate it. Have me run 10 miles, perfect. Track repeats, wonderful. Racing, can you please kill me? Don’t get me wrong, I’m competitive as hell. But have you ever tried to race yourself? I’m my own worst enemy. And it’s damn frustrating. Nothing I do is ever enough. Apparently, I have a split personalityaˆâ€  one who loves to race and one who hates it. Why is it that whenever I race the one who hates it is out there chugging along? Once my race-lover side took over and I won. I was 100 yards ahead and I couldn’t feel my body. Not from lack of pain, but from the inexplicable happiness and disbelief that comes from pushing your body further than you imagined possible. I crossed the finish line; I seriously thought I had died. 800 meters. 2 minutes, 35 seconds. Not great, but respectable. That was two years ago, I still haven’t stopped bragging. * â€Å"I NEVER EVER WANT YOU TO SEE HIM AGAIN!† Dad said â€Å"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL ME THAT!! YOU CANNOT TELL ME WHO TO LOVE! I CAN’T WAIT TO LEAVE THIS (insert foul language) HOUSE!!!!!† daughter said Storms off aˆâ€ I only want what’s best for heraˆâ€ Dad thinks aˆâ€  I hate himaˆâ€  daughter thinks (Sixty-five minutes elapse) â€Å"Do you want chicken marsala for dinner?† Dad said â€Å"Yeah† daughter said aˆâ€ I love heraˆâ€  Dad thinks aˆâ€ I love himaˆâ€  daughter thinks They’re a family * Apparently the key to world peace is empathy and â€Å"walking a mile in someone else’s’ shoes.† Nah. Don’t you think all the worlds’ differences could be solved over a warm cup of coffee and a heaping plate of chocolate-chip pancakes? Trust me, we’d have peace. Well, that is until the coffee runs dry and the pancakes have all been devoured. Then expect a fight. Actually, expect a big fight, those pancakes are killer. * Following footsteps to†¦ London. Rosenheim. Rome. Chicago. Fontainebleau. Florence. New Delhi. Hong Kong. St Louis. Agra. Paris. Prague. Beijing. New York. Orlando. Venice. Berlin. Jaipur. Xi’an. York. Austria. Oahu. Willow Glen. Memphis. Tokyo. Fort Meyers. * I used to think that if you fell out of love, it wasn’t real in the first place. I used to think that I’d fall in love once. People used to tell me it wasn’t real. They told me we’d grow apart. They said it couldn’t last and we’d get sick of each other, he’d go to college and we’d change. I refused to believe them because I was so in love, it hurt. He was my best friend, my boyfriend, my mentor, my everything. We had plans. The wedding was going to be in late November. Flowers? Gerber daisies. Colors? Yellow and blue. Best man? His brother. Home? Seattle. It was perfect and I gave him all of my heart, I really had nothing left to give. He was wonderful and we were wonderful. Now it’s just one big was. Even so, I know it was love. * He thinks the world of her. She’s going to be an actress. She’s going to be a princess. She’s going to change the world. She loves him but doesn’t know how to show him. His confidence in her is never forgotten. She wishes she could let him know how much she loves him. â€Å"Grandpa, how was your day?† * They say diamonds are a girls’ best friend. Diamonds, huh? I’m not so sure about that. What about chocolate eclairs? A tall nonfat upside-down, caramel macchiato? Surely there are finer things in life that a shiny rock. What about a decadent piece of chocolate, coconut cream pie? Give me a piece of that and I’ll be your friend. In fact, I’ll be the best damn friend you’ve ever had. * I am a master at metamorphosis. Time travel, no biggie. Sex changes, they only take me seconds. I have an infinite number of personalities. Currently, I’m involved with countless lovers. I’m the leader of nations and I’m a wise spider, living in a barn, watching out for a dim pig. I am not a diagnosed psychotic and I don’t suffer hallucinations. I am a reader. Not only do I live in the real world, but I also live in the worlds contained on my bookshelf. Between the covers of my books live some of my very best friends, my most precious memories, and the most exciting chapters of my life. Reading is my escape. In a moments notice I can flee to a faraway land and take up an entirely new life. * â€Å"Hellllo, welcome to Starbucks!! My name is Katie, how are you doing today?† (she smiles) â€Å"You know what, you just made my day. You’re the first person to ask me that.† * 2:39 pm. May 19, 1991. It’s a girl.

Supply and Demand Essay Example

Supply and Demand Essay chapter: 3 Supply and Demand Krugman/Wells Economics  ©2009 ? Worth Publishers WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS CHAPTER ? ? ? ? ? What a competitive market is and how it is described by the supply and demand model What the demand curve and supply curve are The difference between movements along a curve and shifts of a curve How the supply and demand curves determine a market’s equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity In the case of a shortage or surplus, how price moves the market back to equilibrium 2 of 42 Supply and Demand ? A competitive market: ? ? Many buyers and sellers Same good or service ? ? The supply and demand model is a model of how a competitive market works. Five key elements: ? ? ? ? ? Demand curve Supply curve Demand and supply curve shifts Market equilibrium Changes in the market equilibrium 3 of 42 Demand Schedule ? A demand schedule shows how much of a good or service consumers will want to buy at different prices. Demand Schedule for Coffee Beans Price of coffee beans (per pound) Quantity of coffee beans demanded (billions of pounds) $2. 00 1. 75 7. 1 7. 5 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 8. 1 8. 9 10. 0 11. 5 14. 2 of 42 Demand Curve Price of coffee bean (per gallon) $2. 00 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 A demand curve is the graphical representation of the demand schedule; it shows how much of a good or service consumers want to buy at any given price. As price rises, the quantity demanded falls Demand curve, D 0 7 9 11 13 15 17 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) 5 of 42 GLOBAL COMPARISON Pay Mor e, Pump Less†¦ ? Price of gasoline (per gallon) Germany Because of high taxes, gasoline and diesel fuel are more than twice as expensive in most European countries as in the United States. We will write a custom essay sample on Supply and Demand specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Supply and Demand specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Supply and Demand specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer According to the law of demand, Europeans should buy less gasoline than Americans, and they do: Europeans consume less than half as much fuel as Americans, mainly because they drive smaller cars with better mileage. $8 7 6 United Kingdom Italy France Spain ? 5 4 3 Japan Canada United States 0. 2 0. 6 1. 0 1. 4 0 Consumption of gasoline (gallons per day per capita) 6 of 42 An Increase in Demand ? ? An increase in the population and other factors generate an increase in demand – a rise in the quantity demanded at any given price. This is represented by the two demand schedules one showing demand in 2002, before the rise in population, the other showing demand in 2006, after the rise in population. Demand Schedules for Coffee Beans Quantity of coffee beans demanded (billions of pounds) Price of coffee beans (per pound) in 2002 in 2006 $2. 00 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 7. 1 7. 5 8. 1 8. 9 10. 0 11. 5 14. 2 8. 5 9. 0 9. 7 10. 7 12. 0 13. 8 17. 0 7 of 42 An Increase in Demand Price of coffee beans (per gallon) $2. 00 Increase in population ? more coffee drinkers 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 0 Demand curve in 2006 Demand curve in 2002 7 9 11 13 D 1 D 17 2 15 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) A shift of the demand curve is a change in the quantity demanded at any given price, represented by the change of the original demand curve to a new position, denoted by a new demand curve. 8 of 42 Movement Along the Demand Curve Price of coffee beans (per gallon) $2. 00 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 A C †¦ is not the same thing as a movement along the demand curve B A shift of the demand curve†¦ A movement along the demand curve is a change in the quantity demanded of a good that is the result of a change in that good’s price. 1. 00 0. 75 . 50 D 7 8. 1 9. 7 10 13 1 D 17 2 0 15 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) 9 of 42 Shifts of the Demand Curve Price Increase in demand An â€Å"increase in demand† A â€Å"decrease in demand†, means a leftward shift of rightward shift of the demand curve: at any given price, consumers demand a smaller quantity larger quantity than before. (D1? D3) (D1? D2) Decrease in demand D 3 D 1 D 2 Quantity 10 of 42 What Causes a Demand Curve to Shift? ? Changes in the Prices of Related Goods ? Substitutes: Two goods are substitutes if a fall in the price of one of the goods makes consumers less willing to buy the other good. Complements: Two goods are complements if a fall in the price of one good makes people more willing to buy the other good. ? 11 of 42 What Causes a Demand Curve to Shift? ? Changes in Income ? ? Normal Goods: When a rise in income increases the demand for a good the normal case we say that the good is a normal good. Inferior Goods: When a rise in income decreases the demand for a good, it is an inferior good. ? ? Changes in Tastes Changes in Expectations 12 of 42 Individual Demand Curve and the Market Demand Curve The market demand curve is the horizontal sum of the individual demand curves of all consumers in that market. (a) (b) (c) Darla’s Individual Demand Curve Price of coffee beans (per pound) Price of coffee beans (per pound) Dino’s Individual Demand Curve Price of coffee beans (per pound) Market Demand Curve $2 $2 $2 DMarket 1 1 1 DDarla DDino 0 20 30 Quantity of coffee beans (pounds) 0 10 20 Quantity of coffee beans (pounds) 0 30 40 50 Quantity of coffee beans (pounds) 13 of 42 Supply Schedule ? A supply schedule shows how much of a good or service would be supplied at different prices. Supply Schedule for Coffee Beans Price of coffee beans (per pound) Quantity of coffee beans supplied (billions of pounds) $2. 00 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 11. 6 11. 5 11. 2 10. 7 10. 0 9. 1 8. 0 14 of 42 Supply Curve Price of coffee beans (per pound) Supply curve, S $2. 00 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 0 7 9 11 13 A supply curve shows graphically how much of a good or service people are willing to sell at any given price. As price rises, the quantity supplied rises. 15 17 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) 15 of 42 An Increase in Supply ? ? The entry of Vietnam Supply Schedule for Coffee Beans into the coffee bean Quantity of beans supplied Price of business generated coffee beans (billions of pounds) an increase in (per pound) Before entry After entry supply—a rise in the quantity supplied at $2. 00 11. 6 13. 9 any given price. 1. 75 11. 5 13. 8 This event is 1. 50 11. 2 13. 4 represented by the 1. 25 10. 7 12. 8 two supply schedules—one 1. 00 10. 0 12. 0 showing supply before 0. 75 9. 1 10. 9 Vietnam’s entry, the 0. 50 8. 0 9. 6 other showing supply after Vietnam came in. 16 of 42 An Increase in Supply Price of coffee beans (per pound) S $2. 0 1 S 2 Vietnam enters coffee bean business ? more coffee producers 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 0 7 A movement along the supply curve†¦ †¦ is not the same thing as a shift of the supply curve 9 11 13 15 17 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) A shift of the supply curve is a change in the quantity supplied of a good at any given pric e. 17 of 42 Movement Along the Supply Curve Price of coffee beans (per pound) $2. 00 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 0. 50 0 7 10 11. 2 12 A C †¦ is not the same thing as a shift of the supply curve 15 17 A movement along the supply curve†¦ S 1 S 2 B Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) A movement along the supply curve is a change in the quantity supplied of a good that is the result of a change in that good’s price. 18 of 42 Shifts of the Supply Curve Price S 3 S 1 S 2 Increase in supply Any â€Å"increase in â€Å"decrease in supply† means a leftward shift of the rightward shift of the supply curve: at any given price, there is an a decrease in the increase in the quantity supplied. (S1? S2) S3) Decrease in supply Quantity 19 of 42 What Causes a Supply Curve to Shift? ? ? ? ? ? Changes in input prices ? An input is a good that is used to produce another good. Changes in the prices of related goods and services Changes in technology Changes in expectations Changes in the number of producers 20 of 42 Individual Supply Curve and the Market Supply Curve The market supply curve is the horizontal sum of the individual supply curves of all firms in that market. (a) Price of coffee beans (per pound) (b) Price of coffee beans (per pound) (c) Market Supply Curve Price of coffee beans (per pound) Mr. Figueroa’s Individual Supply Curve SFigueroa Mr. Bien Pho’s Individual Supply Curve S Pho Bien $2 $2 $2 S Market 1 1 1 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 Quantity of coffee beans (pounds) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Quantity of coffee beans (pounds) Quantity of coffee beans (pounds) 21 of 42 Supply, Demand and Equilibrium ? Equilibrium in a competitive market: when the quantity demanded of a good equals the quantity supplied of that good. The price at which this takes place is the equilibrium price (a. k. a. market-clearing price): ? ? Every buyer finds a seller and vice versa. The quantity of the good bought and sold at that price is the equilibrium quantity. ? 22 of 42 Market Equilibrium Price of coffee beans (per pound) Supply 2. 00 1. 75 1. 50 1. 25 Market equilibrium occurs at point E, where the supply curve and the demand curve intersect. Equilibrium price 1. 00 0. 75 E Equilibrium 0. 50 0 7 10 Equilibrium quantity 13 Demand 15 17 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) 23 of 42 Surplus Price of coffee beans (per pound) Supply $2. 00 1. 75 Surplus 1. 50 1. 25 1. 00 0. 75 E There is a surplus of a good when the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded. Surpluses occur when the price is above its equilibrium level. 0. 50 0 7 8. 1 10 11. 2 13 Demand 15 17 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) Quantity demanded Quantity supplied 24 of 42 Shortage Price of coffee beans (per pound) $2. 00 1. 75 Supply 1. 50 1. 25 There is a shortage of a good when the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied. Shortages occur when the price is below its equilibrium level. 1. 00 0. 75 E 0. 50 0 7 9. 1 Shortage Demand 13 15 17 Quantity of coffee beans (billions of pounds) 10 11. 5 Quantity supplied Quantity demanded 25 of 42 >ECONOMICS IN ACTION The Price of Admission: †¢ Compare the box office price for a recent Justin Timberlake concert in Miami, Florida, to the StubHub. com price for seats in the same location: $88. 0 versus $155. †¢ Why is there such a big difference in prices? For major events, buying tickets from the box office means waiting in very long lines. Ticket buyers who use Internet resellers have decided that the opportunity cost of their time is too high to spend waiting in line. For those major events with online box offices selling tickets at face value, tick ets often sell out within minutes. †¢ In this case, some people who want to go to the concert badly but have missed out on the opportunity to buy cheaper tickets from the online box office are willing to pay the higher Internet reseller price. 6 of 42 Equilibrium and Shifts of the Demand Curve Price of coffee beans An increase in demand†¦ Supply E P 2 2 Price rises E P 1 1 †¦ leads to a movement along the supply curve due to a higher equilibrium price and higher equilibrium quantity D 2 D 1 Q 1 Q 2 Quantity of coffee beans Quantity rises 27 of 42 Equilibrium and Shifts of the Supply Curve Price of coffee beans S 2 S 1 A decrease in supply†¦ P Price rises E 2 2 †¦ leads to a movement along the demand curve due to a higher equilibrium price and lower equilibrium quantity P 1 E1 Demand Q 2 Q 1 Quantity of coffee beans Quantity falls 28 of 42 Technology Shifts of the Supply Curve Price An increase in supply †¦ S1 S2 †¦ leads to a movement along the demand curve to a lower equilibrium price and higher equilibrium quantity. E1 Price falls P1 P2 E2 Technological innovation: In the early 1970s, engineers learned how to put microscopic electronic components onto a silicon chip; progress in the technique has allowed ever more components to be put on each chip. Demand Q 1 Q 2 Quantity Quantity increases 29 of 42 Simultaneous Shifts of Supply and Demand (a) One possible outcome: Price Rises, Quantity Rises Price of coffee Small decrease in supply S 2 S 1 E P 2 2 The opposing forces Two increase in demand dominates the determining the decrease in supply. equilibrium quantity. E P 1 1 D D 1 Large increase in demand Q 1 Q2 2 Quantity of coffee 30 of 42 Simultaneous Shifts of Supply and Demand (b) Another Possibility Outcome: Price Rises, Quantity Falls Price of coffee Large decrease in supply S 2 S 1 E P 2 2 Two opposing forces determining the equilibrium quantity. E P 1 1 Small increase in demand D D 2 1 Q 2 Q 1 Quantity of coffee 31 of 42 Simultaneous Shifts of Supply and Demand We can make the following predictions about the outcome when the supply and demand curves shift simultaneously: Simultaneous Shifts of Supply and Demand Demand Increases Demand Decreases Supply Increases Supply Decreases Price: ambiguous Quantity: up Price: up Quantity: ambiguous Price: down Price: ambiguous Quantity: ambiguous Quantity: down 32 of 42 FOR INQUIRING MINDS Your Turn on the Runway: An Exercise of Supply, Demand and Supermodels ? The ease of transmitting photos over the Internet and the relatively low cost of international travel ? beautiful young women from all over the world, eagerly trying to make it as models = influx of aspiring models from around the world In addition the tastes of many of those who hire models have changed ? hey prefer celebrities What happened to the equilibrium price of a young (not a celebrity) fashion model? Use your supply and demand curves to determine the salaries of â€Å"America’s Next Best Models†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 33 of 42 ? ? FOR INQUIRING MINDS Another Example: Supply, Demand and Controlled Substances Price S2 S1 E2 P2 Price rises P1 E1 Howe ver, we can see The equilibrium by comparing the price has risen from original equilibrium E1 P1 to P2, and this with â€Å"war on The the new drugs† induces suppliers to equilibrium E2 that the provide drugs shifts the supply actual reduction in the despite the left. curve tothe risks. uantity of drugs supplied is much smaller than the shift of the supply curve. Demand Q2 Q1 Quantity Quantity falls 34 of 42 >ECONOMICS IN ACTION The Great Tortilla Crises: †¢ A sharp rise in the price of tortillas, a staple food of Mexico’s poor, which had gone from 25 cents a pound to between 35 and 45 cents a pound in just a few months in early 2007. Why were tortilla prices soaring? †¢ It was a classic example of what happens to equilibrium prices when supply falls. Tortillas are made from corn; much of Mexico’s corn is imported from the United States, with the price of corn in both countries basically set in the U. S. corn market. And U. S. corn prices were rising rapidly thanks to surging demand in a new market: the market for ethanol. 35 of 42 Demand and Supply Shifts at Work in the Global Economy ? A recent drought in Australia reduced the amount of grass on which Australian dairy cows could feed, thus limiting the amount of milk these cows produced for export. At the same time, a new tax levied by the government of Argentina raised the price of the milk the country exported, thereby decreasing Argentine milk sales worldwide. These two developments produced a supply shortage in the world market, which dairy farmers in Europe couldn’t fill because of strict production quotas set by the European Union. ? ? 36 of 42 Demand and Supply Shifts at Work in the Global Economy ? In China, meanwhile, demand for milk and milk products increased, as rising income levels drove higher per-capita consumption. All these occurrences resulted in a strong upward pressure on the price of milk everywhere in 2007. ? 37 of 42 SUMMARY 1. The supply and demand model illustrates how a competitive market works. 2. The demand schedule shows the quantity demanded at each price and is represented graphically by a demand curve. The law of demand says that demand curves slope downward. 3. A movement along the demand curve occurs when a price change leads to a change in the quantity demanded. When economists talk of increasing or decreasing demand, they mean shifts of the demand curve—a change in the quantity demanded at any given price. 38 of 42 SUMMARY 4. There are five main factors that shift the demand curve: †¢ A change in the prices of related goods or services †¢ A change in income †¢ A hange in tastes †¢ A change in expectations †¢ A change in the number of consumers 5. The market demand curve for a good or service is the horizontal sum of the individual demand curves of all consumers in the market. 6. The supply schedule shows the quantity supplied at each price and is represented graphically by a supply curve. Supply curves usually slope upward. 39 of 42 SUM MARY 7. A movement along the supply curve occurs when a price change leads to a change in the quantity supplied. When economists talk of increasing or decreasing supply, they mean shifts of the supply curve—a change in the quantity supplied at any given price. 8. There are five main factors that shift the supply curve: †¢ A change in input prices †¢ A change in the prices of related goods and services †¢ A change in technology †¢ A change in expectations †¢ A change in the number of producers 9. The market supply curve for a good or service is the horizontal sum of the individual supply curves of all producers in the market. 40 of 42 SUMMARY 10. The supply and demand model is based on the principle that the price in a market moves to its equilibrium price, or market-clearing price, the price at which the quantity demanded is equal to the quantity supplied. This quantity is the equilibrium quantity. When the price is above its market-clearing level, there is a surplus that pushes the price down. When the price is below its market-clearing level, there is a shortage that pushes the price up. 11. An increase in demand increases both the equilibrium price and the equilibrium quantity; a decrease in demand has the opposite effect. An increase in supply reduces the equilibrium price and increases the equilibrium quantity; a decrease in supply has the opposite effect. 12. Shifts of the demand curve and the supply curve can happen simultaneously. 41 of 42 The End of Chapter 3 Coming attraction Chapter 4: The Market Strikes Back 42 of 42

Astrophil and Stella Essay Example

Astrophil and Stella Essay Example Astrophil and Stella Paper Astrophil and Stella Paper Breaking Free of Convention: Sir Philip Sidney In his sonnet, Strophic and Stella, Sir Phillip Sidney attempts to break free of the conventional displays of love while still maintaining a conventional sonnet form to represent that love does not follow any rules. The poem itself is a metaphor of love, infused with drama and passion that ultimately ruins the relationship. However, to stay within the confines of a sonnet from allows love, an uncontrollable force, to be controlled. Sidney wants to follow the form of a sonnet, but he makes the epic poem is own by infusing it with his own voice, and his own conventions about love. He does this to make the poem more real to readers. It is not a poem of courtly love, where marriage ensued for politics. Instead this epic poem demonstrates real love, and all the trials and tribulations that come with loving another, especially another who is involved with someone else. First, Sidney breaks free of convention with his first sonnet in the sequence. Kidneys way of completely disregarding the ways of displaying love accepted in his time era makes him stand out as a renaissance writer. Sir Philip Kidneys entire first sonnet is a great example of his unconventional style. The entire sonnet is forced forward, and it seems that Strophic does not know how to start to describe his love for Stella. He does not want to use the click ©s of the time to describe his love. In the beginning of the sonnet, he is hopeful that Stella could give him her grace which the audience understands to be her love. However, as the sonnet continues, he gets more and more frustrated, unsure of what he should write. He looks to his muse for some help to which she replies, Fool, look in thy heart and rite(1085). Readers see that all regular conventions of love and poetry are not in this poem. Sidney paints the picture of this epic poem being raw and real love, and not full of click ©s associated with Patriarchs poems. Many poems following Perpetrates form used sonnets as a way to flatter the beloved, as discussed earlier. The readers can clearly see that Strophic thinks of Stella as beautiful. However, the audience never receives a full description of her. Usually, poets would write on in great detail about the body and face of the beloved, but the readers only see a half- rated description of Stella in the conventional way. Furthermore, Stalls eyes are black. This breaks free of convention because most poets described a womans eyes as light. Sidney also uses his description of Stella when he writes of her grace. In sonnet 9, he writes, The door, by which sometimes comes forth her grace(1086), meaning that the grace that comes from her mouth, or when she speaks, is sometimes graceful. He flatters her, but completely when he uses sometimes. Not only does he use unconventional descriptions of Stella, Sidney also uses unlikely drama in his poem. Most displays of love in the time period were sweet, and flattering to the beloved. Instead, Sidney infuses his poetry with drama. Sidney paints Astrophysics situation as a life or death situation. The audience sees this in sonnet 20 when Sidney writes, Fly, fly, my friends, I have my death-wound fly'(1088). The line illustrates that Sidney uses drama in his epic poem. Here, he talks about love as a death wound, with no hope of recovery. He does this to make Astrophysics love more real and raw to readers. Another example of drama in the poem can be found at the The readers see her true anger and disdain for Strophic. She is appalled that he would continue in his attentions even while she has begged him not to do so. Finally, she dismisses him forever. Strophic ends the sonnet alone and empty without Stalls presence. Sidney hopes to portray how it feels to be rejected, and abandoned. The readers understand that Strophic is devastated, simply because Stella rejected him because of her marriage. Another way Sidney disregarding the traditional way of showing love in his poem is Astrophysics clear desire for sex with Stella. He obsesses over her, calling her face a Queen Virtues court, decorated by Natures chiefs furniture(1086). Furthermore, Strophic believes that if Stella were to have sex with him, she would surely love him. The readers see this in sonnet 61 when Strophic says, With chastened mind I straight must she that she Shall quickly me from what she hates remove(1095). This quote simply put, Strophic believes that although Stella hates the desire he has for her, if they were to have sex, she would no longer hate the desire he has to have sex. When he steals a kiss from here while she was sleeping, Sidney portrays the kiss as a sort of rape. Strophic let he desire get the best of him, and ruined his love with Stella. The desire is not unconventional, as all love poetry possess some element of desire of the beloved. However, how Sidney portrays this desire is unconventional. He makes the yearning for Stella seem personal, and like a confession. Strophic knows the consequences of how his love may react to this betrayal of his trust, but he does it anyway. Stella is furious and ends her affair with Strophic for the sake of her marriage. Although he tries to break free of many conventional ideas about love, Sidney still follows Patriarchs form of sonnets. He uses the trials and tribulations of being a lover, Strophic experiences setbacks, and suffers at the hands of his lover. He shows the contradicting faces of love. For example, Strophic has hope that Stella will love him but despairs when she does not. Strophic also has unbelievable tenderness towards Stella, but when she rejects him he is quick to resent her. In sonnet 18, Sidney lists all of the things that Strophic has wasted because of his love for Stella. Strophic lists his wealth, his wit, his youth, and his knowledge as wasteful towards the cause of paving Stella when he has only gained sorrow from loving her. The audience clearly sees this bitterness in this sonnet. However, Sidney uses desire and morals associated with love as the biggest contradiction. It is clear that Strophic has a strong desire for Stella, and he wishes to consummate this desire with her. However, the morals of the time do not allow him to do so. Stella is married, and does not wish to move Astrophysics love further along than being a platonic, friendly love. In conclusion, in the epic poem, Strophic and Stella, Sir Philip Sidney attempts to reek free of the conventional way of displaying love while still trying maintain a conventional sonnet. This unconventional style can be found in the first sonnet of the epic poem, his description of Stella, the high drama, and the persistent desire exhibited by Strophic that causes the relationship to end. However, he does try to maintain some form of a sonnet similar to the Italian, Patriarch, and he also follows some conventional ideas of love proposed by Andrew Capsules. Sidney found ways to change Patriarchs form of a sonnet to make a name for himself in Renaissance writings.

Attitudes to students misbehavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Attitudes to students misbehavior - Essay Example The report would investigate the students’ increasing behavioral problems through literature review and interviews of parents, teachers, pre-service teachers and non teaching friends. The interviewees broadly comprised of a father (P), a high school teacher (HT), two pre-service teachers (PT1 & PT2) and two non teaching friends (NF1 & NF2). The interviews were conducted under neutral environment where they were asked to respond on two questions: 1) Why students misbehave in classroom and outside of classroom and 2) what can teachers and school do to address students’ misbehaviour? The questions generated wide ranging themes encompassing parenting, home life, class management, discipline, boredom in classroom, lack of understanding across cross cultural segment of students etc. ADHD, learning disability etc were also issues that were raised. The report would be evaluating the findings of the interviews and efforts would be made to analyze the same with inputs from the literature reviews. The report would be adhering to the wider implications of students-teachers relationship and the teaching tools that could be used to address students’ behavioral pro blems. Parenting and home life have emerged as one of the major factors for the misbehavior of the students. All the six interviewees have reiterated that parents have little control over their children and bad parenting allows the children to misbehave with impunity inside and outside the school. As P says ‘Parents make less clear boundaries about what kids are allowed to do and what not allowed to do.

Diversion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Diversion - Assignment Example Apart from ensuring basic fairness in the application of criminal law, diversion has also had the effect of increasing the efficiency of the system by freeing up resources that can then be directed to more serious legal issues. It also has resulted, in many cases in a great deal of cost savings for the stretched budgets of many criminal justice departments throughout the country. Introduction Diversion is the conditional changing or suspension before the conviction of formal criminal proceedings against a person, in return for which the defendant performs certain agreed activities such as restitution, community service or undergoing treatment options. This process, when successfully completed, results not only in the stopping of the conviction for the crime but also in the expunging of the criminal incident from public records or the sealing of the record. In other instances it may also lead to a reduction of a sentence. Diversion offers an opportunity to provide a more comprehensive and efficient approach to managing the defendants flowing into the system and the utilization of court resources by determining which type of case intervention is most appropriate for any given case (National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies, 2008). 1. There are various reasons that have been advanced for diversion as provided for in United States law. One reason is that it allows for the management of not just the crime but the underlying cause of the reported criminal behavior. Except for a few cases, diversion is primarily applied to first-time offenders, and in a majority of the cases, these are usually juvenile offenders. A lot of the times that these offenders are brought to court for minor charges that are usually related to the kind of environment they are brought up in, depending on the nature of the charges. Mino drug possession offenses, such as possession of small amounts of marijuana are some of the offenses that qualify for diversion (Steadman & Naples, 2005) . In many cases such as these, the offenders are not only given an opportunity to confess their crimes, they are also given a chance to have their criminal record wiped clean, as long as they participate in an educational program on the dangers of drug use and drug possession. Diversion requirements may include making restitution to any victims of a crime, attending an educational program and performing community service or any combination of these. In a majority of these cases, the fact that the offenders have been offered a â€Å"second chance† has been known to be enough of a caution to ensure that the criminal behavior does not occur again (Steadman & Naples, 2005). The other reason that diversion is used is because in some of the cases, the criminal behavior is caused by underlying mental and psychological disorders, which are better dealt with through treatment than through incarceration. It is estimated that up to seven percent of all persons charged with criminal offe nses and imprisoned have some form or degree of mental or social disorder which is usually the underlying cause or trigger for the crime. Studies have shown that a large majority of these cases suffer from mood disorders and schizophrenia, with most of the patients (two out of three) being female. Studies have also shown that diversion improves the quality of life in cases of offenders who undergo treatment programs rather than incarceration (Steadman & Naples, 2005). A third reason why diversion is used

Airport Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Airport - Article Example Airports receive their financial support from the general airport revenue bonds and state grants. However, they also rely on businesses and passengers using the airport. Additionally, the shippers also contribute immensely towards their success in meeting the operating expenses. The funds contribute to its airport successive running. Development has also played a significant role towards reducing aircraft pollutions. For instance, it has led to the production of new designs of airframes that reduce the noise created when a plane or jet displaces air when moving at high speed. Engine manufacturers have also managed to come with engines with reduced velocity of engine exhaust. Additionally, advancement in technology has also led to the replacement of the oldest and noisiest with new quieter technology. Since airports look like small cities, their organization is just like that of a small city. It has departments for purchasing, finance, personnel, and public relations. Additionally, they have fire department that handles fire tragedies. Airport departments enhance the success of activities in airside and groundside capacities. Development of the airport relies on the funds collected. These departments enable air transport to be

Merger Management of Kraft and Cadbury

Merger Management of Kraft and Cadbury Nowadays, organisations must actively develop and adapt appropriate changes that fit the dynamic environment. This highlights the importance of change management in judging how flexible and responsive an organisation is. As more companies expand and diversify, it is inevitable that smaller organisations are now looking into merger with bigger organisations to boost their share of their market. Bigger organisations are also attracted by the opportunities of entering untapped emerging markets. Therefore, the nature of change that we will be investigating in this report is merger and acquisition (MA). We will relate this change to USs Kraft Foods Incorporated, as the company recently acquired UKs Cadbury. The issues we have selected to focus on are in the following order: leadership and communication, cultural change, and staff resistance. Leadership is chosen because leadership is critical to determine the success of an acquisition. Firstly, due to the huge number of employees involved, the choice of an appropriate leadership style is vital to ensure integration in both companies is a smooth process. Next, an effective leadership will improve the productivity of both companies through the efficient allocation of resources to achieve the organizational strategic goals. Communication is chosen because the acquisition will raise doubts among Cadburys employees on their roles in the new company and its vision and goals. The feeling of uncertainty about their future could lead to a dip in their morale and low productivity at work. Thus, it is essential for Kraft to use an appropriate communication strategy to increase the awareness of the employees of any impending change initiatives. Culture is chosen because of the diverse cultures between Kraft and Cadbury. Cadbury was founded on Quaker ethics to build a socially benign business. This philosophy helped Cadbury to build a world-class brand that is close to the hearts of the British people. In contrast, Kraft is more of a performance driven company with decades of profit driven mergers and demergers. Thus, it is essential for Kraft to identify and value the cultural differences as sources of synergy and efficiency in order to manage the acquisition process effectively. Staff resistance is chosen because management and employees made up the core structure of the organisation. The policies undertaken by these personnel and behaviour exhibited can have an immediate and vital impact on determining how organisation functions. In the horizontal acquisition of Cadbury, Kraft must also be able to seek equilibrium for integrating the staff from both sets of organisation. Conflicts at management levels, diverse working styles and even motivational approaches are some situations that may hinder and pose challenges. Before implementing any change initiatives, we recommend Kraft to conduct diagnosis of the three issues mentioned above. 2.0 Leadership and Communication 2.1 Definition of Leadership Koontz and ODonnell (1955, pg 17) the activity of persuading people to cooperate in the achievement of a common objective 2.1.1 Adairs Action Centred Leadership Duberly (2010) Adairs Action Centred Leadership model points out that a leader can only be successful when he is able to meet all three areas of needs task, individual and team maintenance needs- by helping his followers achieve the objectives of the common tasks, generate team dynamics and cater to the individuals needs. 2.1.2 Case-Study Rebecca Johnson (2008) The case study of Refresh Yourself illustrates Britvics use of Adairs action centred leadership to revive their company. For meeting task needs, the use of the balanced scorecard system with job descriptions provided their employees with a clearer understanding of their duties and responsibilities. With that, it helped to set the direction for employees to achieve their objectives. For meeting individual needs, the use of a performance management system with a core set of behaviours allows the employees to know how effectively they are performing relative to expectations. With a performance-based rewards system, Britvic motivated their employees by rewarding them accordingly as a form of recognition. For meeting team maintenance needs, a workshop session was conducted for the leaders of Britvic to reflect on their leadership. The insights gained proved to be very beneficial to them in their role as a leader as survey results showed that the employee engagement increased from 55% to 70% and employees confidence in leadership leapt to 72%. 2.1.3 Recommendations For meeting task needs, Kraft needs to provide a detailed road map which includes specific and clear goals, a detailed approach for achieving these goals, and a list of resources and time required to reach these goals. With that, Kraft and Cadbury can identify common goals so that the employees from both companies can work together on common projects in order for a smooth integration to occur. In the case of Kraft, the closure of Cadburys Somerdale plant led to a loss of 400 jobs. This caused the Cadburys employees morale to decline as they were fearful of further jobs losses. More importantly, this caused a loss of trust in the leadership of the organisation. Thus, Kraft should make a pledge to them that there will be no further job losses and factory closures to assure them of their job security. This form of assurance will restore their morale and bring about greater productivity within the team to meet the team maintenance needs. For meeting individual needs, Kraft should acknowledge employees achievements by offering rewards to keep them motivated. The rewards can be offered in the form of the cafeteria rewards system which offers employees the ability to choose a combination of benefits that best suit their needs. 2.1.4 Transformational Leadership Bass, B. M. (1990) There are four factors which make up a transformational leader, namely, charisma, inspiration, intellectual stimulation and individualized attention. Firstly, a transformational leader exudes charisma and instils pride in employees within the organisation. He creates vision to guide his followers and as engines of change within the organisation. They are deemed as role models. Secondly, a transformational leader communicates optimism about future goals to inspire his followers. Thirdly, he uses intellectual stimulation which encourages innovation and creativity in approaches towards identifying and solving problems. Lastly, he shows individualized attention by addressing his followers concerns and providing them with training for self-development. 2.1.5 Case-Study Catherine Monthienvichienchai (2007) The case study of Korea Ladder illustrates how Jonathan Cormack took on the role of a transformational leader. He united the two organisations behind a shared vision to inspire his employees. They were placed in groups for a discussion to help them realise the shared vision. He also fostered workplace creativity by conducting workshop sessions which were not a common practice in a Korean workforce. It was used as a form of intellectual stimulation to instil a sense of belonging in the employees. The positive feedback received from the employees proved that it was a success. He showed individualized consideration for the staff when he convinced the union that the foreign executives should not be removed as their experience and strengths possessed were essential to bring the bank to the next level. 2.1.6 Recommendations As the acquirer, Kraft needs to unite the two companies under one vision by offering communication programs that support the shared vision. The programs can be in the form of workshop sessions which creates a participative environment to foster a sense of belonging and involvement among employees. This environment would enable Kraft and the employees to work out a mutually satisfying outcome (i.e. a win-win situation). Next, Kraft must work at gaining the trust and respect of Cadburys employees to prevent the defection of talented people. Kraft can do so by bringing talents from both organisations together to work jointly on projects. This will encourage employees to focus on their similarities rather than their differences.The organisations various departments need to be restructured and processes must be redesigned to align with Krafts vision. 2.2. Communication 2.2.1 Definition of Communication Newman Summer (1977, pg 12) Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons. Communication Process Duberly (2010) Communication begins when the transmitter encodes a message to convey an idea, the receiver then decodes the message to achieve understanding. The context of a message refers to the non verbal cues conveyed by the transmitter to the receiver. The perceptual filter actually influences the way the message is transmitted. It ends with the receiver providing feedback to the transmitter to evaluate the effectiveness of the message. For effective communication on change, we will focus on three communication strategies. Firstly, spray and pray is used when employees are showered with a wide variety of information, and managers pray that staff will pick up what is needed to be done. Secondly, tell and sell is used when management attempts to both inform employees on changes and sell them on why they are required to the passive employees. Lastly, underscore and explore is used when management engages employees in a dialogue about the change process and seeks to identify obstacles and the misunderstandings that need to be addressed. Lastly, withhold and uphold is used when information is withheld until it is absolutely necessary to release it. 2.2.2 Case-Study Sarah Butcher (2005) The case city of Recovery plan illustrated the use of tell and sell as a communication strategy to persuade the bankers at Citigroup to be receptive to the new performance appraisal and compensation system. With regards to the revised compensation system, Citigroup need to sell to their bankers the idea that bonus payout will not be solely based on reaching financial targets but also dependent upon comprehensible understanding of the shared responsibilities. Another communication strategy adopted by Citigroup was spray and pray in educating their employees on the ethics and the banks code of conduct. It is a top down and one way communicating approach as the responsibility of communicating the acquired knowledge to the rest of the employees falls on the shoulder of 3000 senior employees at Citigroup. 2.2.3 Recommendations For effective communication, Kraft can adopt the underscore and explore method whereby they conduct a transparent and truthful dialogue with the employees to address the differences in culture and to identify any constraints for the change to be implemented. Kraft can also go beyond reassuring the Cadbury employees of their motive regarding the closure of the Somerdale plant. Since this is a two-way communicating process, the feedback generated from the active employees will be useful in resolving misunderstandings and build consensus on key issues. Kraft has to be cautious especially when dealing with redundancies. The communications, compensations, and benefits for redundant workers need to be clear and direct so as to build trust and commitment. In addition, they should also take a closer look at the effects of survivors (remaining workers) who suffered from low morale and decreasing commitment, trust and loyalty towards the organisation after the merger. Kraft can being by educating and persuading survivors of their good intentions by accounting personally for their action. On the other hand, the survivors need to be informed of their specific job roles and entitlements. Unless companies try to deal with this survivor syndrome by demonstrating to the remaining employees that the process for determining redundancies was transparent and professional, and those made redundant were treated fairly and lawfully, the general productivity and morale are less likely to be affected adversely. 3.0 Cultural change 3.1 Definition of Culture Drennan (1992) defined organisational culture as, Culture is how things are done around here. It is what is typical of the organisation, the habits, the prevailing attitudes, the grown-up pattern of accepted and expected behaviour. And as aptly phrased, culture is the key factor for making or breaking a merger and acquisition dealÂÂ ­. (Accenture, 2000) 3.1.1 Understanding Organisational Culture To better understand organisational culture, different methods are used, one being the Onion skin (Duberley 2010, modified from Schein 1992, 2004) Schein suggests three levels to organisational ÂÂ ­ structure: artefacts (e.g. language, environment, rituals), espoused values (organisations strategies, goals, philosophies) and basic underlying assumptions level (subconscious perceptions, thoughts and feelings that are the ultimate source of values and actions). Onion Skin (modified from Schein) 3.1.2 Sources of Organisational Culture The founder, organisational history, industry and size of the organisation impact its culture. (Duberley, 2010) Organisational culture is also reflected by national cultures and professional subcultures. (Hofstede, 1981) 3.1.3 Influence of National Culture The difference in various elements of a country such as languages, laws, values and attitudes will lead to one nations culture diverging significantly from another (Hofstede, 1980; Tayeb, 1989; Wilson, 1992) As an example of national culture, Adler (1997) describes Americans strong individualistic tendencies evidenced in their language such as trounced the opposition, and their human resource management based on individual knowledge and skills. (Calori and De Woot, 1994; Hemel Hempstead: A European Management Model Beyond Diversity), we understand that though organisational culture in the United Kingdom has similarities with the United States, certain significant differences include the adversarial relationships with labour, the tradition of the manager as a gifted amateur (as opposed to the professionalism of US managers) and the influence of class differences in the firm. 3.1.4 Cadburys and Krafts Culture Cadburys culture stems from its founder of Quaker origins: a paternalistic and philanthropic culture, which also focuses on the well being of groups rather than the individual. This translates to the idea that the leader knowing what is best for the organisation and its followers: (i.e. leaders as expert father figures). Cadburys culture of principled capitalism is what makes Cadbury great and it has successfully built a socially benign business. Cadbury has a loyal workforce that consists of staff and managers who have been in the organisation for a long period. Cadbury has a long tradition of high quality production and most of its factories make use of its local community, thereby ensuring that the brand itself is close to the hearts of locals. What this translates to is a family orientated and communal working atmosphere where staff takes strong pride in their work. Krafts culture is more performance oriented and is more focused on the meeting of sales and performance goals. Kraft is the quintessential traditional multinational business firm. There is a mercenary culture present; most staff and managers perform in relation to the rewards they get. Most rewards they expect are material and on an individual basis. Furthermore, Kraft is very much interested in destroying competition and seeks many alternatives and ways to ensure they are always ahead of competitors. Krafts culture is less communal and the working atmosphere is unlike a family atmosphere, in that people view each other as merely working colleagues and do not share deep friendships with one another. Staff and managers in Kraft are productive and focused in their work and most of them have a passion for business. 3.1.5 Potential of Post-Acquisition Culture Clash The acquisition will damage Cadburys current culture as the striking differences between Cadbury and Krafts culture may damage Cadbury existing successful culture of principled capitalism. This would bring about lower morale and performance and de-motivated staff. Krafts competitive and goal orientated culture might cause staff burn out amongst the Cadbury employees as they may feel insecure and uncertain. Krafts mercenary culture may create a lack of trust, which will weaken Cadbury staffs strong loyalty. By joining an American company, Cadbury risks losing UK benefits schemes to American procedures. Also, consumers may feel betrayed by the loss of its original organisational goals, resulting in a weakened brand. However, one advantage is that Cadburys shareholders will profit through the acquisition with the worlds second largest food manufacturing company. 3.1.6 Case-Study (Quote your Reference)SCB (an America-originated company) acquired and merged with KFB. SCB was successful with the merging of cultures due to effective communication, the understanding of the differences in cultures and the understanding that If you dont stretch things at all then nothing will change, but if you stretch things too far or too fast youll leave people behind. The approaches SCB used were the Conciliative, Educative and Corrosive approach, evidenced in the heavy use of consultation, training and use of networking. With this, they successfully overcame problems of national culture and cultural change such as: over-enthusiastic labour unions and differences in management styles, to name a few. What Kraft and Cadbury can learn from this is the importance of communication and flexibility in the use of approaches. 3.1.7 Recommendations Because culture is an essential element in an organisation, culture analysis should play a major role in an acquisition. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis exists in corporate culture: visual artefacts or manifestations of the organisation, the espoused values and basic assumptions (The Onion skin model) of the organisation have to be properly evaluated. This is essential to better understand the Krafts inner-workings and most importantly, its employees and their feelings toward the acquistion. The difference in national cultures of a UK in comparison to US organisation also impacts organisations greatly. Thus, Kraft should exercise patience and understanding to ensure that culture change is implemented and not resisted. (Whittle et al (1991:3) We understand that culture change is not a single event but an ongoing sequence of changes. Flexibility is important, as different stages of the change program may require appropriate approaches. 4.0 Resistance and Resentment Felt by Cadbury Employees 4.1 Definition of Individual and Change We will be illustrating the definition using case-study of the acquisition of Cadbury by Kraft. The process involves organisation undergoing a transformative change. This is so as the nature of change is large-scale and fundamental. At the same time, the effect is permanent and can be observed in the long-run. This issue raises the question of uncertainty which in turn, brought about greater anxiety. According to Schein E. et al. elaboration on Kurt Lewins(1951) Three-Step Model, anxiety can be broken down to two major forms survival and learned anxiety. The former pushes for change while the latter obstructs change. In order to integrate the change, Scheins theories suggest an inclination towards minimizing the learning anxieties. Generally, there are three areas we will be investigating with regards to the case-study. Firstly, the consideration of parochial self-interest which will need us to look into how the various groups in organisation will react upon their immediate interests in the company. With a likely shift in management, Cadbury staff will be reassigned to new job roles and positions in Kraft Inc. this may affect the individuals and probably also management. A possible reshuffling of manpower by HR will see the Cadbury staff go through a series of re-employment tests to allocate them to suitable tasks. This means that potential loss of authority and power especially for the executives and leaders of Cadbury relevant to their positions resulting in a conflict between their self-interests and the organizations interests. Therefore, the move to quit by the staff may be explained by this clash of interests. Next, the misunderstanding may be another consideration since the top management could be inconsistent in conveying their messages while middle-level managers could have failed to communicate clearly and on a constant basis to employees. They may put off the delivery of what they deemed as negative news. At the same time, employees are interpreted to be in denial and avoid the truth. They are sceptical of success and are unwilling to move out of their comfort zone to embrace change. Lastly, the tolerance for change is low as the former Cadbury staff may take huge pride in how they go about doing their work. Kraft personnel think otherwise and what they thought to be desirable for the organisation could be in contradiction with the new staff. The former Cadbury staff may reject changes while Kraft personnel likewise will stick to their ways of carrying out tasks. We will look into the Model of Stages of Psychological Reaction by Hayes and Hyde (1996) adapted from Elizabeth Kubler-Ross(1969) and see how it affects the individual change of Cadbury worker. Model of Stages of Psychological Reaction When Kraft Inc. based in the America announces the acquisition of UKs Cadbury on February 2010, there was first, feelings of shock among the stakeholders and also the employees of both companies as the ongoing speculation has been realized. Upon the acquisition of Cadbury, subsequently Kraft drew up plans to smooth the process of integration of the UK-based competitor into the confectioner family. However, at this stage the general sentiments among the people involved are denial. The employees may find it difficult to come out of this particular stage. Implementation of the changes to the different levels of organisation as Kraft begins to incorporate and find a fit for the new employees, new teams and new managers. At this stage, employees may experience depression and letting go but the main idea is that most personnel will not be able to come out of the previous stage so they will have regress or stay put in the previous phase. Thus, not all will complete this cycle. Some may progress beyond and enter the acceptance and testing stage which we believe to consist of majority to be the lower level of staff and employees while the senior management figures most probably regress or stay in the denial stage or even move on to another company highly likely for the case according to the article 120 of 165 Cadbury Staff Leave Since Krafts Takeover on webpage http://www.foodanddrinkdigital.com/sectors/food-manufacturing/120-165-cadbury-staff-leave-kraft-takeover. Case Study (Quote your reference) In January 2005, Gillette was acquired by PG. The merger resulted in around 6000 job cuts which was equal to 4% of the combined workforce of the two companies. The process of post-merger integration of these two companies faced an inevitable resistance. A number of people were told that they had joined what they thought was a long-term employer with sufficient size and famous brand. They felt that Gillette was a leader in the industry on many fronts. Not only were some Gillette staff personally unprepared for the takeover, because they often felt that their company was the better one, they also did not believe in the tremendous opportunities that were promised by top management from PG. Gillette employees had to face the unpleasant dilemma of whether moving to PG (and coming to terms with the changes) or leaving the company. PG and Gillette essentially had two different corporate cultures. Employees of Gillette hoped that Gillette, because they had been so large and successful, would be able to influence PG post-acquisition. But hoping for that was a complete utopia, as one former employee said. Gillette was absorbed into PG and very little from its culture was left, another said. Rather than change, employees voluntarily but reluctantly left the jobs they thought they would have until retirement. (Quote your Reference) In a joint press release at the time of their merger in 1997, the president of Daimler-Benz, JÃ ¼rgen Schrempp, and the president of Chrysler, Robert Eaton, declared that there will be no plant closures or layoffs as a result of the merger. However in 2000, the company announced there would be between 20000 and 40000 job cuts in the North American Chrysler division. Schrempp, by then the DaimlerChrysler president, claimed that the company was overstaffed by at least 6%. Announcing redundancies two or three years after the initial deal can cause even greater stress to the employees who thought that they were survivors. Employees are better prepared to handle the bad news straight after the transaction than two years later, after the newly merged culture has started to take shape when they thought they could rely on managements assurances regarding the merger, often accompanied, as in the Daimler/Chrysler example, with promises of no future redundancies. 4.1.2 Recommendations The negotiation and agreement approach would be much recommended. The resistance stems from Krafts inability to walk the talk of retaining the Somerdale plant in operation. On top of walking the talk, they are expected to keep behaviour consistent with messages, keep commitments and promises, and demonstrate some energy and enthusiasm regarding the change. Only then will team members feel they can take the next step of commitment. Kraft has to deploy the soft power to facilitate integration between the two cultures. The soft power provides an effective mean for Kraft to reach out to employees at a personal level. This promotes the establishment of a long-term positive relationship as empathy and communicating at employees level builds trust and strengthens their commitment to the organisation. 5.0 Conclusion In view of the acquisition of Cadbury, it is critical for Kraft to establish an effective leadership team to pave the way for a change programme. Kraft can adopt Adairs action leadership to have an overview of the three areas of need and ensure that they are met adequately. The success of the acquisition is also influenced by how well Kraft communicates to their employees on the change. Thus, Kraft should use the underscore and explore method to address the possible challenges and problems caused by culture differences. Due to the diverse cultures of Kraft and Cadbury, onion skin method can help Kraft identify the differences to prevent culture clash. With this in mind, Kraft can set directions for the management and employees to realign their styles of working to fit the companys vision. This will pave the way for Kraft to achieve their objectives and develop a strong standing corporate culture at the same time. Effective HR management may be a viable solution but in the long-run, in order to foster a harmonious relationship and spirit of unity among the management and employees. It is necessary to inculcate positive employee attitudes and promote willingness to learn with the acceptance of changes. Eventually, the organization can help staff to align their interests with those of the company so as to keep motivation high level across all departments. 6.0 Appendices 6.1 List of References References for Leadership Communication Type of Source Reference List Reference Books Bernard M. Bass, Ruth Bass (2008), Concepts of Leadership, The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications (4thedn), pg 17, Simon Schuster M V Rodriques(2000), The Meaning and Process of Communications, Perspectives of Communication and Communicative Competence, (1st edn), pg 12, Concept Publishing Company Bass, B. M. (1990), Organizational Dynamics, From Transactional to Transformational Leadership: Learning to Share the Vision, pg 22, Winter Case Studies Rebecca Johnson (2008), Refresh yourself, People Management Magazine, pg 32 Catherine Monthienvichienchai (2007), Climbing the Korea ladder, People Management Magazine, pg 30 Sarah Butcher (2005), Recovery plan, People Management Magazine, pg 34 Lecture Notes Duberly (2010), Change Management Lecture Notes References for Staff Resistance Type of Source Reference List Reference Books Esther Cameron Mike Green (2004,2009), Making Sense Of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools and Techniques of Organizational Change (2ndEdition) various Chapters Moeller S., (2009), Surviving MA: Make the Most of Your Company Being Acquired, John Wiley Sons Ltd Adolph G., Pettit J. and Sisk M., (2009), Merge Ahead: Mastering the Five Enduring Trends of Artful MA), Booz Company Inc Maginn M. D., (2007), Managing in time of change, McGraw-Hill Case Studies Gillette and Daimler Online Articles 120 of 165 Cadbury Staff Leave Since Kraft Takeover by Chris Farnell on July 29,2010 accessed on Saturday August 28, 2010 Kraft Gets Boost from Cadbury Thursday August 5, 2010 taken from The Wall Street Journal Earnings accessed on Saturday August 28, 2010 Kraft Criticised over Cadbury Factory Pledge May 26,2010 taken from BBC News Business accessed on Saturday August 28, 2010 Lecture Notes Duberly (2010), Change Management Lecture Notes Session 5 The Individual and Change Quotes Esther Cameron Mike Green (2004,2009), Making Sense Of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools and Techniques of Organizational Change (2ndEdition) What gets in the way of change: resistance to changeSchein E. Page 57, Kogan Page Limited, London UK

Alternative Sources of Energy Essay -- Energy Research Papers, 2015

As the population continues to increase day after day, so does the demand for oil and other natural resources. Eventually we will get to a point where we will need to find different ways of efficiently producing energy at a low cost. Twenty to thirty years ago it was hard to imagine what sources of energy (other than obvious possibilities like solar panels and windmills) that could efficiently supply the world. The advancement of technology today is opening new doors in the energy field that are likely to change the way we think about energy. With so many different sources of energy that are prevalent around the world, the challenge is found in harvesting and securing the energy at its source, and doing so in an efficient manner. I decided to do some research about possible future sources of energy, and my search turned up some interesting results. One of the most basic yet potentially worthwhile investments was found on an alternative energy website. This particular article talks about the use of flying wind farms. These flying wind farms are essentially "airborne turbines spinning at high altitudes sending power down via nano-tube cable tethers to generate power." Basically there would be two turbine's attached via the nano-tube cables that would fly high in the sky like kites. The strong wind from the high altitude would allow the turbines to capture and transmit the energy down the cables. The idea was being explored by NASA who said that the t...

Cultural Dilemma in the US Postal Service Essay

There are numerous cultural differences in our societies as a result of the numerous diverse cultures that people belong to. Each culture has its own ways of doing things with different cultural norms, values, perceptions, as well as behaviors. People from certain cultures will practice the values, norms and perceptions that their cultures belief in and therefore will end up having difficulties when interacting with people from different cultures who will have differing cultural norms, values and perceptions. These cultural differences are manifested in the workplace as different people from different cultures come together to work together for the common goal of the institution or organization they work for. Since our cultural values and norms influence our individual understandings and perceptions, people will react differently towards events and circumstances that could occur within us and in the environment. These differences in perceptions will affect how employees within an organization will interact with each other and work in harmony so as to satisfy the needs of the organization’s stakeholders. As such, cultural differences are a major concern for managers within organizations as they could help the organization achieve its objectives or hinder it from achieving them. The objectives of an organization are set in place by its stakeholders who have invested in the organization in one way or the other and expect to gain from such an investment in future. It is therefore the responsibility of managers to find a way in which the employees within an organization can work together in a seamless manner despite their differences in culture so as to ensure the organization operates continually for the common good of all stakeholders. The United States Postal Service The Postal Service is an agency authorized by the constitution of the United States and is responsible for the provision of postal services to the whole of the United States. Established in 1775 in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin through the enactment of a decree passed by the second continental congress, it experienced minimal growth and was later transformed in to its current form as an independent organization through the signing of the postal reorganization act of 1970 by President Nixon. As an independent organization, the postal service is self sufficient and does not rely on taxpayer’s money for its operations. The Postal Service’s mission is to offer the American people with trusted wide-reaching postal services that are at affordable prices. As such, the Postal Service is the only delivery service within the United States with the responsibility of providing all of the various features of a universal postal service at reasonably priced rates. The Postal Service conveys about 660 million mails to about 142 million delivery spot around the United States. Although the postal service enjoys a monopoly as contained in Article I, (8), (7) of the Constitution that grants the Postal Service with the special right to make delivery of letters in addition to the power to restrict the access to mailbox that are exclusively meant for mail. Its major competitors are United Parcel Service and FedEx. The postal service manages 32,741 post offices within the United States with a labor force of about 656,000 employees. Cultural differences of management and how they affect the US Postal Service The United States is a country that is full of cultural diversity with different cultural practices based on the numerous ethnic groups that live in the United States. The employees working in the postal service are drawn from these different cultural groups. As such, managers at the postal service have to deal with these differences effectively so as to ensure continues success of the organization. In doing so, managers need to be aware of and understand the seven dimensions of culture developed by Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner detailed in their book Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business. Below is a discussion of these seven dimensions. Universalism v/s Particularism This dimension is based on the view of how a culture perceives rules and relationships. Cultures that embrace universalism hold the belief that general rules, values, codes, norms and standards take preference over other particular needs, claims of friendship and other relations. In a society that is universalistic, the rules usually apply equally to all of the members of the universe (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). Exceptions to these rules are deemed as to weaken them. Universalism is based on finding rules that take a broad and general picture. In the event that there lacks a rule that fits for accomplishing something, universalism advocates for taking the alternative of establishing the most appropriate rule. Cultures that embrace Particularism perceive the ideal culture as one that is based on human friendship, and intimate relationships . People in these cultures view the spirit of the law as being more significant than the letter of the law. This has the effect that when the rules within a culture take a perfect fit, people in such a culture will judge the case based on the advantages of the law instead of attempting to force the rule to fit. Rules and regulations within particularistic cultures merely codify how people are supposed to relate to one another. Individualism v/s Communitarianism This dimension is based on the view of how members of a culture functions, whether in groups or as individuals. Individualism has a basis on rights that appertain to an individual. This is usually experienced in communities that have loose ties connecting their members resulting in an expectation of individuals to look after themselves. Individualism is aimed at giving individuals the right to personal space as well as the freedom of doing things as per individual liking (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). It permits each individual to develop or fail on an individual basis, as well as perceiving group-focus as striping the person of their absolute rights. Individualistic cultures are more egotistical and give emphasis to their personal goals. People resulting from individualistic cultures have a propensity of thinking only on personal basis. Communitarianism or collectivism is based on rights that appertain to a group. Collective cultures usually place a lot of emphasize on groups and are more concerned with the whole rather than on the single individual. Harmony as well as loyalty within a group are very imperative and ought to be maintained always (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). Confrontations of any kind are highly avoided with people using expressions and phrases that would describe an argument in less negative manner. Saying no to others is considered to be wrong and deemed as a way of destroying the harmony found within these groups. Neutral v/s Emotional Emotional or neutral perspectives are used in the description of how cultures articulate their emotions. Emotional cultures articulate their emotions in a natural way (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). This is witnessed in reactions that occur instantly through verbal and/or non-verbal means such as mimic as well as body signals. Members of the emotional culture unlike those in the neutral culture display a tendency of overreaction creating scenes. Emotional cultures are usually focused on the individual and rarely on the object or position of discussion. It is considered to be alright for one to use emotional intelligence when making decisions. It is also okay for people to show various forms of physical contact while in public and during the communication process. The neutral culture tends to avoid displaying emotions publically. This is based on the fact that neutral cultures do not reveal what they are thinking in a way that is more precise as well as direct (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). This is an aspect that has the likelihood of leading to misunderstandings. This is because emotions of a certain kind may not necessarily demonstrate a certain situation. Neutral cultures usually appear to be rather reserved, an aspect that cannot be viewed as an indication of their disinterest or boredom. This appearance of reservation is based on lack of emotional tone. On a general perspective they harbor feelings of discomfort over contact in public resulting in a mode of communication that is more subtle thus making it hard for members of another culture to understand. Specific vs. diffuse Specific cultures are those that usually have a small area reserved for privacy and its separated from the public life. People in these societies have many interactions with the outside world and are constantly involved in such activities such as socializing in various areas that involve many people. People from these cultures have a rather small amount of privacy preferring to share there interests with others who are within their groups of socialization (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). People from such a culture deal with specifics and will view the whole as a sum of these specific parts. The life of an individual is divided into several specific parts and one deals with one part at a time. Conversely, diffuse cultures are usually concerned with maintaining people’s privacy. People in these cultures will avoid any kind of confrontations in the public and have a high degree of privacy preferring to share just a small amount of their private life with other people especially strangers (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). People from diffuse cultures usually start with the whole before going down to the various parts that make it up. Each of the parts is viewed in the viewpoint of the whole total with all of these parts being related to one another. These people prefer attributes and behaviors that help build trust and honesty fostering the building of strong relationships. Achievement vs. ascription This dimension is concerned with the status accorded to individuals within cultures. In cultures that are achievement oriented, the status of an individual is based on the accomplishments that one has achieved and accomplished. Individuals from these cultures gain their status from the various things that they have accomplished on their own (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). A person with such a status has to show prove of what he or she is worth with the various powerful positions within the culture being accorded to people who have certain accomplishments. In cultures that are ascription oriented, the status of an individual is based on the groups that one is associated with. In ascriptive societies, individuals gain their status mainly through birth, gender, wealth, or age (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). A person who has an ascribed status does not necessarily have to accomplish something so as to preserve his status since his or her status is accorded based on his or her being. Sequential vs. synchronic This dimension is concerned with the attitude of a culture towards time. People who are from sequential cultures tend to carry out one thing at a time in a sequential manner . They examine time as distinct, and made up of consecutive divisions which are both tangible and divisible (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). People from these cultures strongly prefer to plan for their time and will keep to these plans once they made them so as to aid in implementation. Any time commitments that one might have are usually taken seriously and staying on schedule is considered an important aspect of time management. Sequential people in particular place a lot of importance on the value of completing of tasks. Conversely, people from cultures that are synchronic usually perform several tasks at a time. These cultures view time is a constant flow that allows many things and tasks to be carried out simultaneously (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). Time is perceived as a force that one can not be able to contain or control. Time is also regarded as flexible as well as intangible. Time commitments are often desirable but not absolute with plans that people could be having being easily changed. Internal vs. external control This dimension is concerned with the attitude of a culture towards the environment. In internal cultures, people usually posses a mechanistic outlook of nature. They perceive nature as an intricate machine and which can be directed if one has the correct expertise needed to do so. People from these societies do not believe in the existence of luck or any form of predestination (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). These people are directed towards the inside as one’s personal decision is usually deemed to be the starting position for each action that they will do. They also believe that one can live the kind of life that he or she wants to live if that are in a position to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that might come on the way. In addition, they believe that man is capable of dominating nature if he wishes to do so. . In external cultures, people usually posses an organic outlook of nature. They perceive that mankind is one of the forces of nature and should therefore operate in one accord and harmoniously with the rest of the environment. These cultures hold the believe that man should subdue to nature as well as get along with the other forces existing within the environment (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998). These people do not believe in their ability of shaping their own destiny but rather hypothesize that nature moves in rather mysterious ways hence one can not never know what is going to happen in the future. As such, their actions are directed externally to the environment and are adapted to the external circumstances surrounding them. Conclusion Based on these seven dimensions, the American culture is individualistic, achievement, emotional, internal, sequential, universalistic, and specific. These dimensions have several implications that managers need to consider in order to make sure that the employees are able to work in a manner that benefits the organization as well as themselves especially in a large organization such as the postal service that employs over 600, 000 employees. In addition, due to the cultural diversity present in the United States and the growth of globalization, there are numerous citizens from different cultures in the United States that do not follow these seven dimensions of the American culture and therefore follow different aspects of the seven dimensions. With the postal service being a national agency that offers employment to all citizens irrespective of their cultural backgrounds, managers need to ensure that the employees are able to work in a manner that benefits the organization. This will require the managers to build cultural understanding through: †¢ Building awareness of cultural differences. †¢ Educating the employees on the various strengths and limitations of different cultures within the workplace †¢ Educating the employees on the Building skills the impact of cultural differences within the workplace †¢ Educating the employees on various adaptive behaviors that could help them to realize valuable results within a setting with cultural differences. †¢ Building unity and consistency through team working †¢ Developing a shared understanding and vision between the employees †¢ Establishing effective communication channels amongst the employees to facilitate quality exchange of ideas between themselves †¢ Establishing feedback mechanisms aimed at reviewing and improving the employee’s awareness of cultural differences. In addition, the managers need to come up with strategies that will enable the postal service to compete effectively. This will require them to actively develop: †¢ A shared understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives †¢ An acknowledgment of the significance of diversity in contributing towards expertise. †¢ A clear and shared comprehension of the role of professional pooling of skills and knowledge within the organization. Reference Trompenaars, F. , & Hampden-Turner, C. (1998). Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Cultural Diversity in Global Business. New York: McGraw Hill.