Training and Institutional Performance in National Social free essay sample

These include financial performance, product market performance and shareholder return. As the business environment hangers, the survival of firms will depend on their ability to understand and manage their key assets. When there is proper alignment between the knowledge management and business strategy, then organizations move towards superior performance (Median and Earlier, 1987). The goal of improving organizational performance is to ensure that the organization designs processes well and systematically monitors, analyzes, and improves its performance. This involves measuring the functioning of important processes and services, and, identifying changes that enhance performance all of which are determined by management Managerial competencies are sets of knowledge, skills, competencies. Behaviors, and attitudes that person needs to be effective in a wide range of managerial Jobs and various types of organizations. Pounded (2000) asserts that strategic skills are of particular importance since they relate to setting of key objectives based on an understanding of what is happening inside and outside the organization. We will write a custom essay sample on Training and Institutional Performance in National Social or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Pounded adds that task related skills encompass functional and operational competencies which enable one to define the best approach to achieving objectives, given the resources available and people related skills. According to Zacchary, Raritan Marks (2001), managerial competencies provide a sound basis for an effective performance management development program. As a consequence of declining resource level, organizations have sought to improve the efficacy of resource use in their institutions. Organizations have engaged in performance assessment with the intention of using the results as management information for improving institutional performance (Zacchary, 2001). NSF Performance report (2010) pep acts that the institutions performance tort the last 5 years ( not been to the standard due to failure to meet the set targets. Within that period, the Fund registered a 5-25% deviations from the set targets against actual amounts collected. Annual Report, (2009) depicts that member statements which are supposed to be annually delivered have continued to encounter delays. However, according to Commercial reports, it has been noted that most employers have been defaulting for quite a long period due to the Funds failure to have in place a tracking mechanism to identify defaulters, hence making it hard to meet the set targets. This is also attributed to, failure to have sufficient policies as well as high labor turn over within the organization. According to NSF Benefits Report NSF (2009), it is stated that, delays in processing members claims have created total public dissatisfaction. This is as a result of the Funds failure to have in place a tracking system to identify and clean up members statements that are encroaching the retirement age before their claims are logged on. 1. 2 Problem Statement NSF has been shaken up by numerous scandals that include; resistance from staff, inadequate skills, unethical members of management and unreasonable remuneration deals to staff among others that has led into poor staffing, (NSF Performance Report, 2010). Customer complaints have persistently increased regarding untimely delivery of incomplete member statements as well as delays in benefits processing. This is as a result of managements failure to identify specialized competencies to meet the demands of the clients, employing staff without the required skills to perform their Jobs as well managements failure to realize that competent staff are a key to future success of the organization. According to Commercial Reports, the Fund has in the past 5 years registered a 5-25% deviations from the set targets against actual amounts collected and this has been largely attributed to its management failure to have in place a tracking mechanism to identify defaulters, hence making it hard to meet the set targets.

The Jack and the Bat Professor Ramos Blog

The Jack and the Bat Why does the Dark Knight work so well? Every time this question is presented, it seems to fallback to one answer, The Joker. Heath Ledgers performance swept the floor with this film. While the movie slightly lacks in certain areas of logic, it recovers with a fantastic plot and character development. This adaptation of the Joker provides a chilling and convoluted plot to what started as a simple superhero movie. This article will provide an in depth analysis of his methodical actions and how he uses them to turn Gotham from order to chaos.   To thoroughly analyze the Joker, we must first understand what he is. By no means is he a psychopath as he is repeatedly called on screen. A psychopath is described by professionals as, â€Å"someone with a lack of moral emotions derived from empathy, unable to distinguish moral from merely conventional rules.† (Greenspan 226). The Joker is fully aware of his actions, he believes that what he is doing is morally right. By creating chaos through Gotham he is creating his ultimate city. One that is not perfect and has criminals to afraid to actually be criminals, as shown in the opening scene, but one that brings Gotham to its knees and reminds it what fear is. But what makes the Joker so intriguing? â€Å" Usually the viewer is not drawn to the antagonist as much as the protagonist. â€Å"Character evaluations are strongly based on personal moral values that shape moral judgments of others within the individual viewers’s conceptualization of what is right or wrong† (Eden, Oliver, Et al. 2014) If this is the case then why is it when people think of the Dark Knight series the first thing that comes to mind for many casual viewers is the Joker? Heath Ledgers performance has such an impact on the film as a whole. His style and method acting bring the film to a whole new level. People do not relate to the Joker because they support his chaos and destruction, nor do they support his actions throughout the movie. Heath Ledger’s Joker has created an effect to which every time the character is on screen the movie does not feel like a superhero movie. His presence alone creates so much suspense and tension with his ability to i mprovise in a way that leaves the viewer clueless for what is going to happen next. Throughout the film, the joker is portrayed on a surface level as a psychopath. Providing that intense and out of ordinary character a common viewer would be looking for. What is fascinating about this joker is that he is not just a crazy criminal with an end goal in mind. This is an agent of chaos. A controlled, while granted unique, methodical character that always ends up one step ahead of his opponent. Before anything happens it is thought through by the joker. This is revealed at the beginning of the movie in the bank heist scene where the Joker has his men kill off each other when their task is completed. He knew precisely what was going to happen and when. But what makes a good Antagonist? Sydney Smith believes, â€Å"An antagonist is a character who pursues a certain goal in the story, which usually opposes that of the protagonist.† (Smith, Scouller, et. all) For the most part, that is an antagonist in a whole. What makes the Joker such a unique villain, is that he and Batman both have the same goal. They are both after the soul gotham. The difference between these two is the way they approach gaining this. Batman, feeling as though he already has the city under his control, fights throughout the movie to maintain that order. Where as the Joker is attempting to seize control of that order and turn it into what in his eyes, gotham should be. This clown has the ability to create doubt in his opponents. This is shown specifically in the interrogation scene. It begins with the darkness behind the joker turning on revealing Batman. Batman proceeds to interrogate and intimidate the joker which shows what he really is, a vigilante with a moral code. The joker not even phased by the pain tells Batman that he is responsible for the murderers he has committed. Which plants the seed of inner conflict for Waynes morality. Which he later is shown conflicted, pondering if he actually could have prevented the murders. The Joker pushing the idea that Batman is not as much as a hero as he thinks. When the joker captured Rachel and Harvey, he essentially renders Batman useless. Because he relies so much on strength and intimidation, once the joker took it away by having leverage, he knew there was nothing Batman could do to him. Going through the film every time the Joker came on screen the only word that came to mind was chaos. The Joker compliments the Batman so well as a villain because he wants the opposite of him. Batman wants order and control within his city. Where as the Joker wants to disrupt the order and create chaos. He succeeds in doing so by showing the city the darkness that has always lurked within it. He shows that even the great Batman has weaknesses and can be cracked. Every step taken is one that layers fear into the citizens of gotham. The Joker is constantly pressuring Batman into making choices. This is first shown when he demands that Batman unmasks and turns himself in. Otherwise people will continue to die. We know that Bruce Wayne has a lot of raw strength and intelligence, and how he is able to handle himself in a fight and under pressure. But the Joker is always one step ahead of him. This situation places a lot of pressure under Wayne and seeing no other out he prepares to actually give in to the Jokers demands. It is only when Harvey claims to be Batman that saves his skin. We also see this later on in the film during the interrogation scene when Joker forces him to choose between Harvey and Rachel, which ultimately reveals Batmans true character. That he is not able to endure the pressure the Joker has placed on him. Batman is not the same as he was at the beginning of this film. He learns that not every criminal has order and an ending goal, to get money, kill someone, etc. He learns not to underestimate his enemies and what they are capable of. Ultimately, he discovers that he sometimes has to make the hard decisions that no one else can. Joker made the Batman into a veteran. Into someone who has had to endure for his city. And do things and make decisions no one else wants to. The Joker works so well because of his connection to batman. As well as his order of chaos that he presents to our protagonist and what he forces him to do and ultimately learn. Batman not only becomes a better hero because of his encounter with the methodical overplanning clown, but becomes wiser and more developed as a vigilante because of the choices he is forced upon to make. The choices he is forced to make teach him that he needs to become a certain type of person to better deal with these situations. This is the reason the Joker compliments the Batman so well. Because in the end, through experiencing a different kind of villain, Bruce Wayne realizes that he does not need to become a better Batman, but become Someone who will do what it takes to protect the city he loves. Which turns the batman into The Dark Knight. Nolan, Christopher, director. The Dark Knight. Eden, Allison, et al. â€Å"Perceptions of Moral Violations and Personality Traits Among Heroes and Villains.† Mass Communication and Society, 13 June 2014, web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1sid=15c859f5-0250-45b3-850f-bd143de398e5. Smith, Sydney, et al. â€Å"Three Writers Discuss What Makes a Good Antagonist.† Threekookaburras, threekookaburras.com/blogs/news/12839265-three-writers-discuss-what-makes-a-good-antagonist. Greenspan, Patricia. â€Å"Responsible Psychopaths Revisited.† The Journal of Ethics, 7 June 2016, web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3sid=de1cdf1a-c36a-4461-9b28-151cca8fc996=.

How do governments respond to large volcanic and earthquake disasters Research Paper

How do governments respond to large volcanic and earthquake disasters - Research Paper Example Also, buildings that have remained intact or partially damaged need to be stabilized so that they do not collapse in the aftershocks that follow. To initiate rescue operations, Civil defense organizations need to get their disaster control centers immediately into the act. Most of the hazards to people come from man-made structures. Liquefaction occurring underneath a building can make the building lean, or collapse, or sink several feet (UPSeis – MichiganTech, 2007) (Fig. 1). Hence, liquefaction is a risk especially in areas where the groundwater table is high and the soil is sandy. Also, the strong surface waves generated by an earthquake can make the ground heave and lurch, and thereby cause damage to buildings. Another major earthquake hazard is fire due to broken gas lines and snapped power lines. The Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 made the city burn for three days (Fig. 2), and destroyed most of the city. Flooding due to cracking of dams and levees is yet another major earthquake hazard. ... Government’s response to hazards from large volcanic eruptions and earthquakes It is not possible to ascertain if a volcano has become extinct. A volcano that lay dormant for 5000 years erupted in 1973 on Heimaey island near Iceland (USGS, 1983). Furthermore, the eruption of volcanoes can neither be prevented nor controlled. But knowledge of the type of eruption, that is, whether explosive or effusive will give an idea of the potential hazards, and that will help in determining the measures to be taken during a volcanic eruption. The problems due to volcanic eruptions will be compounded in the likely event of an earthquake occurring in conjunction with the eruption. Furthermore, volcanic activity can provoke atmospheric repercussions because of the billowing clouds of smoke and ash plumes (Fig. 4). Governments should keep the disaster management plan in readiness with help from the civic bodies as well as fire departments in the area to deal with the evacuation of people livin g in the path of lava flow, to combat fires caused by molten rock and hot cinders, to take appropriate steps to deal with atmospheric pollution from sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and acid vapors. It is not possible to carry out ground-based monitoring on all volcanoes around the world. But space-based monitoring through satellite radars can help identify the volcanoes presenting the greatest danger. The radars are able to track minute changes in the Earth's movement which facilitates prediction of ensuing volcanic eruptions (European Space Agency, 2007). In the case of earthquakes, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are 45 states

Employability and Personal Development Assignment - 1

Employability and Personal Development - Assignment Example The employee, if works efficiently under a concrete and esteemed employer, can expect promotions, pay increases and a decent pension to retire with. Traditionally, a career would comprise of similar jobs, like a cook, food caterer, and a hotel chef. An experience of jobs as diverse as a doctor, a designer, and a cook would not traditionally constitute of a career. The traditional theme also emphasizes on a career as a profession, which is perceived to belong to a higher socio-economic standard and gives greater independence. As such, lawyers and doctors fall as examples of traditional careers. The limitations of traditional careers, namely downscaling of the workforce by firms, declining mutual loyalty between the employers and the employed and rising job security evolved the nature of careers over the decades that help individuals adjust to the rising uncertainties of the working environment. Most common of this contemporary or modern perspective of careers is boundaryless careers. They operate beyond the hierarchical, social and industrial parameters, and are not linked to a central employment setting, and have a good degree of inter-organizational mobility. This is hence followed by people focusing on a global career. This is in contrast to a traditional career, which is highly immobile and where a single career path and organizational setting has to be adhered to. Also, a modern career requires individuals to be highly self-responsible in their career choices and determine career goals based o personal value, which is contrary to traditional careers where organization determines the career path to be followed. This evolutional in career opportunities mean that I have a wider range of choices available in modern careers with greater autonomy, despite employing the similar skills as could have been applied in a traditional career.

Mini case chapter10 ( solve question E to f and g) Study

Mini chapter10 ( solve question E to f and g) - Case Study Example As compared to franchise L this will lose its taste among the customers in a few years time S would also be rejected if r were above 23.6%, this is because it will have a negative factor. To get an understanding the preference of conflict between NPV over IRR, it is prudent to by and large to recognize that NPV recognizes the â€Å"correct† rate. This is the cost of capital, to be discounted to the cash flows, as compared to the â€Å"arbitrary† rate. In the arbitrary approach where the IRR, makes assumes NPV to be 0. Supremacy of the Net Present Value rules that the reduction cost on capital procedure inborn in both the Internal Rate of Return and Net Present Value systems absolutely assumes that the reinvestment of the cash flows at any given discount rate is used, either Internal Rate of Return or the cost of capital. In the event that the internal rate of return is very big as compared to the cost of capital it becomes impractical to presume in undergoing for reinvestment with such high rate of risk. The gradient of the Net Present Value is dependent to the project’s timing pattern of the cash flows; long-term projects have high gradients as compared to short-term projects. The Net Present Value technique assumes that the entire cash flows of the project period be reinvested back to the project at the firm’s preferred rate of return, on the other hand the Internal Rate of Return technique assumes that these cash flows are possible to reinvested at the Internal Rate of Return. More often, the NPV is assumed to be a better as compared to IRR. The reason being that the project’s cash inflows are generally used as substitutes of outsourcing capital, This means that the, projects cash flows replace outside capital and, hence, save the firm the cost of outside capital. The Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR) is imitative of IRR that keeps away from the latter’s

Descartes Views on the Mind and Body

Descartes Views on the Mind and Body In Meditation VI (see week 5 reading) Descartes argues that there is fundamental difference between mind and body. Do you think Descartes is right? If yes, explain why, if not, explain why The mind body dilemma has been subject of philosophical analysis for decades and has yet to be fully understood. As the principal advocate for dualism, Descartes states that as humans we are composed of two major substances: the mental and the physical which manage to exist side by side. Without a doubt, Cartesian Dualism was one of Descartes major contributions to the study of philosophy; idea with which I agree based on the following analysis. The fundamental choice between the mind-body problem and its contra argument is the existence of materialism and its denial. Descartes states that the mind is separate from the body based on the reasoning that the mind exists and stands alone as a substance, therefore; they must be separate things. He then proceeds to add that anything that is physical occupies space. Unlike the mind, the body can be altered due to its materialistic nature, and can be changed and divided into smaller components. We find further support in Leibniz Law, which states that if a has a property that b lacks, then a is not identical to b which are applicable to the mind and body, as the mind does not occupy space, it is just housed by the body. Another argument is the one of introspection, which relays on the rationale that our best evidence for the existence of mental substance is the access to our own minds. Via introspection of the mind, we are capable of accessing and assessing different features of our own minds such as feelings, sensations, desires, etc. None of them have physical properties. Descartes then elaborates on this principle stating that there are certain things that come naturally to us as humans such as desires, which come instinctively. However, there are others such as thinking, which needs to be based on intentionality. Among these features we also encounter consciousness, which has been defines by Descartes as the epitome of the human nature, although it is not something that can be perceived by the senses, thus, it is not physical. We are capable of imagining the existence of our mind without the body. In the case of any material object, you can describe object a as existing or object a as not existi ng; however there cannot be a blending of both premises. Contrary to this, we have consciously just pictured the mind existing without the body, therefore it must follow that the mind and the body are separate things. As written in Descartes Mediation VI: And although I may, or rather, as I will shortly say, although I certainly do possess a body with which I am very closely conjoined; nevertheless, because, on the one hand, I have a clear and distinct idea of myself, in as far as I am only a thinking and unextended thing, and as, on the other hand, I possess a distinct idea of body, in as far as it is only an extended and unthinking thing, it is certain that I, that is, my mind, by which I am what I am, is entirely and truly distinct from my body, and may exist without it. [i](Descartes, Meditation VI) An example would be a paralyzed patient, where he is totally aware of his environment, and is conscious about his desire to perform an action, yet he cannot do so. He lacks the capability to acquire sensations physically, although he can still imagine what it would feel like to perform such task. As with any major idea, we find opposition, in this case, on the hands of the scientific community. The notion that Descartes work fails to completely explain how the connection between mind and body works is enough to trigger a response. As explained in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Willis wrote about the pineal gland that we can scarcely believe this to be the seat of the soul, or its chief faculties to arise from it because animals which imagination, memory and other superior powers of the soul have this glandula or kernel large and fair enough. (Lockhorst, 2013)[ii] Furthermore, Descartes idea has been rejected based on the fact that the attributes linked to the mind are simple responses to neurological and chemical stimulus in the brain. An example can be the use of any drug. Although the mind is supposed to be an independent entity from the body, when any sort of chemical/drug is ingested it can alter the mental state, though most of the time, it also alters your body as well. Same analogy applies if the patient suffers some physiological damage to the brain; it will yield physical consequences and changes in motor coordination. Although the bridge between the mind and the body may not lay at the pineal gland, a clear distinction between these two properties has been done in the past and it should not be neglected the fact that according to Descartes the single most important characteristic of the human nature is consciousness and not the soul as the human essence, our ability to think and rationalize our thoughts. As in all, although Descartes dualism theory is not infallible and it fails to thoroughly explain how exactly the connection between body and mind works, it does satisfy the purposes of explaining why would the mind be something different from the body via means of his very simple, yet logical arguments. Descartes went as far as creating what it is called a trialistic distinction where he unites and acknowledges the possibilities of the existence of the mind, the body and the union of the latter as a third state. References [i] Descartes, Meditation VI Canvas excerpt. [ii] Lokhorst, G.-J. (2013, September 18). Descartes and the Pineal gland. Retrieved March 5, 2017, from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pineal-gland/

Internet Censorship Essay - Internet Needs a Dot Kids Domain :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Internet Needs a Dot Kids Domain The Dot Kids Implementation and Efficiency Act of 2002 proposes the creation of a second level domain within this Country's United States Top Level Domain that sets aside an address on the Internet and World Wide Web for information that is suitable for minor children of age 12 and younger. Various pro-family groups fully endorse and support this initiative. For example, those at the National Law Center for Children and Families can wholeheartedly say that such a domain is needed, would be a welcome solace to parents and educators who care about the best interests of our children and grandchildren, and is a constitutionally viable program for our Government to provide. There are those who will complain that Congress and our Government should not create domains at all, but Congress and the United States Government created the Internet and have a stake in its development and usefulness, including to children, who are our most dependent citizens. Whether management of a .kids.us sub-domain is beyond direct agency control or whether what is "suitable" is left to the discretion and best judgment of those entrusted with management of the United States domain and the Dot Kids subdomain are not serious problems. The Dot Kids domain would not be a public forum, but rather a proprietary and gratuitous public service of the Government. The courts should not consider it a justiciable issue for challengers to claim vagueness or access rights to this domain or its operation. A Dot Kids domain should be free from judicial review and immune from outside demands, much like the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution have the right to manage their own collections and decide what content and links to place on their own Websites, as well as every other Federal agency. If the U.S. Park Service decides to create a playground for children under 13 and exclude older kids and adults, they should be able to do so, and if Congress will create an online safe-haven for kids under 13 to find suitable, age appropriate information and entertainment, it should be able to do so.