Power Dynamics between Health Insurer and Its Service Providers Essay

Power Dynamics between Health Insurer and Its Service Providers - Essay Example The research focuses on the power dynamics that arise between the health insurers and the service providers, whereby the power dynamics are the interplays between the insurance company and the healthcare providers regarding the provision of services. Â  Health providers may not concur with the providers regarding the supply of the insurance policies, whereby, the insured person may require more than what the insurance provider is offering leading to supply-chain disagreements. The insurers may need to market their products through the providers since the providers are in direct contact with patients who need the insurance policies. This implies that each party has its catch and if they disagree in marketing their policies, there may be power dynamics between the insurers who are marketing their product and the providers who are the pathway for the marketing. Power dynamics entails the relationship between the insurers and providers in terms of the services provided to the members co nducting studies regarding health care provision is important so as to link the insurers and the patients. According to the study by Booth, Colomb & Williams, the power dynamics, in this case, can be correlated to previous theories including the relationship marketing. This is because each party plays a vital role in ensuring that the members receive quality services, especially from the service providers who are the hospitals and clinics. The research focuses on the health insurers, who are the insurance companies, and the service providers who are clinics and hospitals which are in contact with the health insurers to provide the insured members with health care services, including treatment in hospitals and other services provided for in the insurance policy of members. In regard to previous research work of Goddard & Melville, there are many theories relating to the subject matter. In regard to the current research, the power dynamics that arise between the two parties regarding the provision of services may arise as a result of different preferences including marketing preferences where different patients prefer different insurance policies from different insurance companies, while most providers do not approve the use of some insurance policies.

Accounting and Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Accounting and Finance - Essay Example business functions in the value chain as an essential and valued contributor and integrating and co-coordinating the efforts of all business functions in addition to developing the capabilities of each individual business function. For effectively administering the foregoing themes and to provide the most value in performing their problem-solving, scorekeeping, and attention-directing roles employ a cost benefit approach, the managers should give full recognition to behavioral as well as technical considerations and use different costs for different purposes. Modern day management accountants are faced with the problem of inadequacies in the traditional costing systems and are constantly on the lookout for newer methods of collecting and allocating costs to different products/services. For enabling the management accountant to take a stand on the various assumptions in the process of decision making, the cost of the product or service is a key element. Traditionally there are various methods of ascertaining the cost of a particular product or service. One of such methods is collecting the various cost elements and allocating them to the particular product or service is known as unit costing. A UNIT COST also called AVERAGE COST is computed by dividing some amount of total costs by the related number of units. The units might be expressed as hours worked, packages delivered or automobiles assembled. A plant manager who used the 2004 cost of $ 80 per unit would underestimate actual total costs, if for year 2005 the total output is below the year 2004 level of 500,000 units. If the actual volume in 2005 is only 200,000 units due to some factors on which the company has no control, actual costs would be $ 22,000,000. Using the unit cost of $ 80 times 200,000 units predicts $ 16,000,000 which underestimates the actual total costs by $ 600,000 ($ 22,000,000 actual cost minus $ 16,000,000). An over reliance on unit cost in this situation could lead the plant

Aphrodisiac Activity of Vigna Mungo Seeds

Aphrodisiac Activity of Vigna Mungo Seeds Pharmacological Evalution of The Potential Aphrodisiac Activity of Methanolic and Chloroform Extracts of Vigna mungo Seeds in Male Albino Rats Ravindra Babu Sajja, Eknath Royal P, Suneetha B, Sunanda S ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to investigate the aphrodisiac activity of methanolic and chloroform extracts of seeds of Vigna mungo (MEVM and CEVM) in male albino rats. The aphrodisiac activity of MEVM and CEVM wasevaluated by observing sexual behavioral parameters including Mount frequency (MF), Mount latency (ML), Ejaculatory latency (EL), Intromission latency (IL), Intromission frequency (IF), Ejaculation frequency (EF) and Post ejaculatory interval (PEI) and biochemical parameter like serum testosterone concentration in male rats. Both extracts were administered orally at doses of 200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, showed a significant increase (P Vigna mungo. Keywords: Vigna mungo, Aphrodisiac, Flavonoids, Testosterone, Sexual behavior INTRODUCTION Male infertility is a world-wide medical and social problem. In Homo sapiens, reproduction is initiated by the mating of a male with a female in sexual intercourse which facilitates the coming together of sperm and egg for the purpose of fertilization1. For there to be a normal sexual intercourse and sexual fulfillment in males, the male sexual organs (the copulatory organ, the penis) and factors relating to erection must function normally. Inability to perform this function effectively is a major problem facing the reproductive process. This is known as sexual dysfunction2.This condition which is of various types can be managed by the use of aphrodisiacs. An aphrodisiac can therefore be described as any substance that enhances sex drive or sexual pleasure. Aphrodisiac can also be viewed as any food, drug, scent or device that can arouse or increase sexual drive or libido3. Sexual dysfunction in men refers to repeated inability to achieve normal sexual intercourse. It can also be viewed as disorders that interfere with a full sexual response cycle. These disorders make it difficult for a person to enjoy or to have sexual intercourse. While sexual dysfunction rarely threatens physical health, it can take a heavy psychological toll, bringing on depression, anxiety, and debilitating feelings of inadequacy. Unfortunately, it is a problem often neglected by the health care team who strive more with the technical and more medically manageable aspects of the patient’s illness4.Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in males than in females, It has been discovered that men between 17 and 96 years old could suffer sexual dysfunction as a result of psychological or physical health problems5. Male sexual dysfunction (MSD) could be caused by various factors. These include: psychological disorders (anxiety, strained relationship, depression, stress and guilt), androgen deficiencies (testosterone deficiency), chronic medical conditions (diabetes, hypertension, vascular insufficiency (atherosclerosis, venous leakage), neurological disorders (Parkinson’s disease, stroke, cerebral trauma, Alzheimer’s spinal cord or nerve injury), drugs (side effects) (anti-hypertensive’s, central agents, psychiatric medications, antiulcer, antidepressants, and anti-androgens), life style (chronic alcohol abuse, cigarette smoking), aging (decrease in hormonal level with age) and systemic diseases (cardiac, hepatic, renal pulmonary, cancer, metabolic, post-organ transplant)2,6,7. Vigna mungo most commonly known as Black gram or urad is an erect, fast-growing annual, herbaceous legume grows in many parts of India. It is extensively cultivated all over the India. The seeds are emollient, astringent, thermogenic, diuretic, aphrodisiac, nutritious, galactogauge, appetizer, laxative, styptic and nervine tonic. They are useful in treating scabies, leucoderma, gonorrhea, pains, epistaxis, piles, asthma, heart trouble, dyspepsia, anorexia, constipation, haemorrhoids, hepatopathy, neuropathy, schizophrenia, hysteria, nervous debility, partial paralysis, facial paralysis and weakness of memory. Seeds are believed as spermatopoetic, and used for treating erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation8-11. In this regard, we undertook the present study on Vigna mungo which has been in use by the traditional healers. So far there is no systemic pharmacological study were carried out to investigate the aphrodisiac activity of vigna mungo seeds in male rats. Hence, the present study was aimed to demonstrate the aphrodisiac activity of different extracts of vigna mungo seeds. MATERIALS AND METHODS Collection of Plant material The dried seeds of Vigna mungo plant were procured from the local market of Hyderabad in telangana state. The seeds were authenticated by Dr. S. Madhav chetty, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India. Procurement and Rearing of Experimental animals Healthy wistar Albino rats of both the sex (200-300 g) were procured from Albino Research Center, hyderabad. They were randomly housed in standard polypropylene cages and maintained under environmentally controlled room provided with a 12:12 h light/dark cycle approximately 25 ºC for 10days before the start of experiment12,13. They were fed with commercially available pellet diet obtained from Amruth foods, Pranav Agro Industries, Sangli, India and water was allowed ad libitum.The rats were acclimatized to laboratory conditions minimum one week prior to the experimentation. The study was performed as per the protocols and recommendation of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (Reg No:1662/PO/a/CPCSEA,2013) of Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Secunderabad. Preparation of plant Extract The dried seeds of Vigna mungo was powdered and subjected to soxhlet extraction with methanol, later the dried mark was subjected to soxhlet extraction with chloroform. Both extracts were concentrated by vacuum distillation and subjected to phytochemical screening. Experimental design Healthy and sexually experienced male albino rats (200– 300 g) that were showing brisk sexual activity were selected for the study. They were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each and kept singly in separate cages during the experiment. Group 1 represented the control group, which received 10 ml/kg of distilled water orally. Group 2 served as standard and was given suspension of sildenafil citrate orally at the dose of 5 mg/kg, 1 h prior to the commencement of the experiment. Groups 3–6 received suspension of the methanolic and chloroform extracts of Vigna mungo seed orally at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, daily for 21 days at 18:00 h. Since the male animals should not be tested in unfamiliar circumstances the animals were brought to the laboratory and exposed to dim light at the stipulated time of testing daily for 6 days before the experiment. The female animals were artificially brought into oestrus phase (as the female rats allow mating only during the estrus phase). They were administered suspension of ethinyl oestradiol orally at the dose of 100 ÃŽ ¼g/animal 48 h prior to the pairing plus progesterone injected subcutaneously, at the dose of 1 mg/animal 6 h before the experiment. The receptivity of the female animals was confirmed before the test by exposing them to male animals, other than the control, experimental and standard animals. The most receptive females were selected for the study. The experiment was carried out on the 21st day after commencement of the treatment of the male animals. The experiment was conducted at 20:00 h in the same laboratory and under the light of same intensity. The receptive f emale animals were introduced into the glass cages (40x50x40cm) of male animals with 1 female to 1 male ratio. The observation for sexual behaviour was immediately commenced and continued for first 2 mating series. The test was terminated if the male failed to evince sexual interest. If the female did not show receptivity she was replaced by another artificially warmed female. The following sexual behavioral parameters were recorded on audio video-cassette (Sony Handycam) as soon as they appeared14-17 Mount latency: Time duration (in seconds) from the introduction of the female into the cage till the first mount by the male. Intromission latency: Time duration (in seconds) from the introduction of the female into the cage till the first intromission by the male (vaginal penetration). Ejaculation latency: Time duration (in seconds) from the first intromission till ejaculation. Mount frequency:defined as the number of mounts without intromission from the time of introduction of the female until ejaculation. Intromission frequency: Total number of intromission preceding ejaculation. Ejaculation frequency: The number of times there was expulsion semen by males after vaginal penetration –characterized by rhythmic contraction of the posterior abdomen. Post-ejaculatory interval- is the time interval between ejaculation and the first intromission of the following series Determination of Serum Cholesterol and Testosterone: After recording of the sexual behavioral parameters, blood samples were collected from retro orbital plexus, centrifuged and serum was separated, samples stored at-200C which was used for the testosterone level estimation by using ELISA kit. Serum cholesterol concentrations may be determined by the Chod-PAP method18,19. Briefly, 0.02cm3 of the sample (serum) is mixed with 2.00cm3 of working reagent and the absorbance of the resulting mixture read after 5min at 546nm wavelength. The blank and standard are composed in a similar way except that they are replaced with 0.02cm3 each of distilled water and standard solution respectively. The biochemical estimations were done using respective kits. Statistical analysis The data obtained from this study were expressed as mean  ± SEM, (n=6). Statistical analysis was done by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s test. P RESULTS The preliminary phytochemical screening of both the extracts revealed the presence of active constituents which includes alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols and steroids (table-1). The oral administration of two doses (200mg/kg, 400mg/kg) of methanolic and chloroform extracts of Vigna mungo seed resulted remarkable increase in sexual activity of the male rats. The results of the sexual behavior test shows that the extracts of vigna mungo seed (methanol and chloroform) at the dose of 200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, significantly increased (pvigna muno seed. Table-1: Preliminary phytochemical screening of MEVM and CEVM of Vigna mungo seed + indicates the presence ++ indicates better response Table 2: Effect of Methanolic and Chloroform seed extracts of Vigna mungo on sexual behavior of male rats. Values are expressed as mean  ± S.E.M. (n=6). a= P b = P ML=Mount latency; IL= Intromission latency; EL= Ejaculatory latency; MF= Mount frequency; IF= Intromission frequency; EF= Ejaculatory frequency; PEI= Post ejaculatory interval; MEVM= Methanolic extract of Vigna mungo, CEVM=Chloroform extract of Vigna mungo. Table 3: Effect of Methanolic and Chloroform seed extracts of Vigna mungo on testosterone concentration in male rats Values are expressed as mean  ± S.E.M.(n=6). a= P b = P DISCUSSION Male impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED) is a significant problem that may contribute to infertility. The incidence of erectile dysfunction, probably due to aging populations and other risk factor such as the presence of chronic illnesses (e.g. heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus), smoking, stress, alcohol, drug abuse and sedentary lifestyles. A number of synthetic drugs are available for treating the infertility problems but because of their unwanted side effects folk remedies are gaining importance. Hence, the present study was carried out to investigate the aphrodisiac effects of methanolic and chloroform extracts of Vigna mungo seedin male rats. The preliminary phytochemical screening study of both the extracts revealed the presence of active constituents which includes alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and steroids. It has been reported that steroids and saponin constituents found in the many plants possess fertility potentiating properties, and useful in the treatment of impotence20. The saponins may therefore boost the level of testosterone in the body as well as trigger libido enhancing effect observed in this study21. The presence of flavonoids in the Vigna mungoextract which has been implicated to have a role in altering androgen levels may also be responsible for the enhanced male sexual behaviour in this study22. The alkaloids can also cause facilitation of sexual behaviour and has effect on sexual behaviour23. The improvement in sexual function demonstrated in the current study might be due to the presence of such compounds in Vigna mungoseed extracts. In the present study the sexual behavioral parameters were evaluated to estimate the potency of the Vigna mungo extract. In male rats mount latency and intromission latency are considered as indicators of the sexual motivation, where as intromission and ejaculation are considered as behavioural indication of sexual performance and facilitation24. There was a significant decrease in the latency for mount and intromission by the administration of various doses of seed extract of vigna mungo indicating an enhancing sexual motivation. The methanol and chloroform extracts have shown pronounced effect on sexual behavior by significant increase in mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF) as compared to control. Mounting frequency (MF) and intromission frequency (IF) are considered the indices of both libido and potency. Increase in these frequencies by the administration of the seed extracts might be due to increase in the concentration of several anterior pituitary hormones and serum testosterone, which in turn stimulated dopamine receptor synthesis and sexual behavior 25. Such increase in testosterone concentration should normally reflect a corresponding increase in libido 26.Hence, from these results the aphrodisiac effect of the plant extract may be due to the presence of alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids through a multitude of central and peripheral mechanisms. In the present study there is a significant increase serum cholesterol concentration which may imply stimulation in the steroid genesis, that leads to increased testosterone concentration27. Such increase in testosterone concentration should normally reflect a corresponding increase in libido26 . The present finding shows that the methanolic and chloroform seed extracts of vigna mungo produces a striking enhancement of over- all sexual performance of male rats. Our findings also showed that the aphrodisiac effect of vigna mungo seeds extract, investigated in male rats at 400 mg/kg, which significantly reduced ML, IL, EL and PEI with increased MF, IF and EF. CONCLUSION On the basis of our results the present study revealed that the methanolic and chloroform extracts of seeds of Vigna mungo showed the aphrodisiac activity and it is dose dependent in male rats. From this we conclude that the Vigna mungo seed extract may prove to be an effective and safe alternative remedy in sexual disorders. . 1

Albert Einstein :: essays research papers

Albert Einstein Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm Germany. He lived there with his parents, Herman and Pauline. Einstein attended a Catholic School near his home. But, at age 10, Einstein was transferred to the "Luitpold Gymnasium", where he learned Latin, Greek, History, and Geography. Einstein's father wanted him to attend a university but he could not because he did not have a diploma from the Gymnasium. But there was a solution to this problem over the Alps, in Zurich. There was The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology which did not require a diploma to attend. The one thing it did require was applicant to pass an entrance exam. But then yet another problem arose most scholars were 18 when they entered the institute, and Einstein was only 16. In Berne, on January 6, 1903; Einstein married Mileva Maric. The twowitnesses at the small, quiet wedding, were Maurice Solovine and Conard Habicht. After the wedding, there was a meal to celebrate at a local restaurant. But no honeymoon. After the meal, the newlyweds returned to their new home. It was a small flat, about 100 yards away from Bere's famous clock tower. Upon returning home, a small incident occured, that was to occur many times throughout Einstern's life; he had forgotten his key. A year later, in 1904 they had a child, Hans Albert. In that same year, he recieved a job at the swiss patent office. In 1905, three of Einstein's 4 famous papers; "about a 'heuristical' perspective about the creation and modulation of light, about the movement of in still liquids mixed objects supported by the molecularkinetical theory of heat and about the electrodynamics of moving objects". In autumn of 1922 Einstein received the Nobel Prize for Physics, for his work on the photoelectric effect. He did not receive the prize for his "theory of relativity" because it was thought that at the time it did not meet the criteria of something that a Nobel Prize is awarded for. So when the prize was awarded to him, they said it was awared to him for his work on the photoelectric effect, if his theory of relativity is proven false, and if his theory of relativitywas proven correct, the prize was for that. Einstein died on April 18, 1955. He died of "leakage of blood from a hardened aorta". And he refused the surgery that could have saved his life.

Research Change Models Essay

To make meaningful and long-term change in an organization, an organization needs to follow the guidelines of a change model, a diagnostic instrument, and change intervention. This paper will discuss two change models, two diagnostic instruments, and two change interventions. Change Models The two change models discussed in this paper are Lewin’s Change Model and the Action Research Model. Both of these models give a map on how to create change. Lewin’s model simplifies the process into three steps while the Action Research Model consists of eight steps. Both models three phases: Research phase, changing phase, and solidification phase (Luckett, 2003). Lewin’s Change Model Lewin developed one of the very first models for change management (Luckett, 2003). He stated there are two types of people in an organization; those who resist change and those who strive for change (Luckett, 2003; JPC, 1995; Spector, 2007). He stated the two groups need to be of equal measure to maintain homeostasis (Luckett, 2003; JPC, 1995; Pellettiere, 2006; Spector, 2007). When both groups of people are equal, a frozed state (freeze) is achieved. Lewin (as cited by JPC, 1995) states a driving force is needed to either â€Å"strengthen the driving forces or weaken the restraining forces† to achieve change (para 3). Spector (2007) states, â€Å"to break the social habits that support existing patterns of behaviors, effective implementation needs to start with dissatisfaction, disequilibrium, and discomfort† (p. 29). When one side is strengthened and/or one side is weakened then change (move) can be achieved. During this time, the organization goes through redesign, new roles and responsibilities, and new relationships are made (Spector, 2007). After the change, or movement, is completed, the organization then needs to go back to a state of homeostasis (refreeze). Bridges (2003) echoed Lewin’s three stages to organizational change in his naming of the stages: Ending, losing, letting go; neutral zone, and New Beginning (Bridges, 2003, p. 5 as cited by Stragalas, 2010, p. 31). Lewin’s model with its three steps may be too simplistic for many organizations to achieve change. Without a less ambiguous map, the organization may not be able to sustain change. Action Research Model The Action Research Model consists of eight steps: Problem identification, consultation with behavioral science expert, data gathering and preliminary diagnosis, feedback to key client or group, joint diagnosis of problem, joint action planning, action, and data gathering after collection (Boonstra, 2003; Luckett, 2003). The last five stages can be perpetual. After the last data gathering, the organization should return to â€Å"feedback to key client or group†. Once the feedback is given, the group may want to continue through the next steps. Whereas the diagnosis is completed through the â€Å"unfreeze† in Lewin’s model, in the Action Research model, diagnosis is completed during the â€Å"problem identification, consultation, and data gathering steps† (Luckett, 2003, p. 25). The changing phase for Lewin is the â€Å"move† step. In the Action Research model, the changing phase occurs during the â€Å"feedback, joint diagnosis, action planning, and action steps† (Luckett, 2003, p. 26). In Lewin’s model, the solidified phase takes place during the refreeze. In the Action Research model, solidification takes place during the â€Å"gathering after the action† (Luckett, 2003, p. 26). Moreover, â€Å"the continual process of feedback analysis solidifies the changes as the occur† (Luckett, 2003, p. 27). Unlike the Lewin model, Action Research allows for perpetual analysis that â€Å"facilitates adjustments in the organizations change plan† (Luckett, 2003, p. 28). Diagnostic Instruments Diagnostic instruments, or assessment instruments, are used for data collection and to analyze an organization. Without a proper diagnosis, change is very likely to fail (Pellettiere, 2006). Alderfer (1980) states â€Å"organizational diagnosis proceeds in there orderly phases: entry, data collection, and feedback† (p. 460). The entry phase consists of identifying who will participate in the assessment and if an agreement can be reached (Alderfer, 1980). The data collection phase consists of collecting the information and then analysis of the information (Alderfer, 1980). The feedback phase consists of sharing the results with the organization along with suggestions for the organization (Alderfer, 1980; Preziosi, 2012). The feedback should consist of strengths and weaknesses within the organization (Alderfer, 1980). Salem (2002) states there are three type of assessments: structural assessments, functional assessments, and process assessments. Structural assessments are a snapshot of a specific point in time, functional assessments relates antecedents with actions and outcomes, and process assessments consists of collecting data over an extended period of time (Alderfer, 1980). SWOT Analysis SWOT Anlysis is an acronym which stands for strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats (Balamuralikrishna & Dugger, 1995; Boonstra, 2003; Hughes, 2007; Mind Tools, 2012; RapidBI, 2010; Renault, 2012). According to Balamuralikrishna & Dugger (1995), a SWOT analysis should cover the internal environment and external environment. In regards to education, the internal environment consists of â€Å"faculty and staff, the learning environment, current students, operating budget, various committees, and research programs† (Balamuralikrishna & Dugger, 1995, para. 13). External environment includes â€Å"propective employers of graduates, parents and families of students, competing schools, population demographics, and funding agencies† (Balamuralikrishna & Dugger, 1995, para. 14). SWOT analysis would be very beneficial to school systems. Understanding an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats assists the organization and their leaders to develop a plan of change that will be meaningful, measurable, and achievable. Balamuralikrishna & Dugger, 1995 give many drawbacks to the SWOT analysis. They warn against misusing information to â€Å"justify a previously decided course of action rather than used as a means to open up new possibilities† (Balamuralikrishna & Dugger, 1995, para. 19). They also warn against being too concerned about labels. For example, in many instances threats can also be considered opportunities depending upon the mindset of the leader and/or organization (Balamuralikrishna & Dugger, 1995). Functional Assessment Functional assessments are another diagnostic tool useful to organizations. Functional assessments look at antecedents, behaviors, reasons for the behaviors, and outcomes (Salem, 2002). Antecedents describe what happened before the behavior. The behavior refers to how a person(s) or organization responded to the antecedent. The next question one must ask is â€Å"why did the person(s)/organization act this way?† There are several reasons a person or organization responds the way they do. However, there are only a few categories for any given behavior: attention, avoidance/escape, and control/tangible (McConnell, Cox, Thomas, & Hilvitz, 2001). Finding the reasoning behind a behavior can be very important in overcoming a behavior/resistance to change or to repeat desirable behaviors to change. Problems associated with functional assessments often revolve around lack of direction. What does the organization do with this data? Functional assessments should be followed by goals. Go als are long-term change for an organization. To achieve their goals, organizations need to develop short-term wins, also called objectives. Change Interventions Change interventions are the â€Å"planned programmatic activities aimed at bringing changes in an organization† (Sadhu, 2009, para. 1). Interventions are detailed maps to help an organization achieve its long-term change. Aligning Reward Systems through Objectives Objectives are a road map to achieving an organizations long-term goal. Objectives need to be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely (Morrison, 2010). As employees or other stakeholders meet objectives, a reward system should be set in place. The reward system needs to be appropriate and balanced with regard to the objective and motivate the organization to meet the objective(s) by the deadline. Problems with reward systems include over compensating, under compensating, and the reward not being meaningful to the recipient (Cole, Harris, & Bernerth, 2006; Morrison, 2010; Nevis, Melnick, Nevis, 2008; Sadhu, 2009. Polarity Management Intervention Morrison (2010) states there are benefits of embracing resistance. He states embracing resistance can speed up the change process, help build strong relationships, help all stakeholders to meet some of their own personal goals, and keeping leaders from â€Å"taking untimely or foolish action† (Morrison, 2010, para. 22). Johnson (1992) developed a table with four quadrants to â€Å"depict change initiators and resisters† for both individuals and teams. Using this table helps organizations to see the whole picture, understanding where individuals and the organization as a whole is at this time and how to get it individuals and teams from polar opposites to common ground so change can be made (Morrison, 2010). Downsides to Polarity Management Intervention include loosing individual creativity and freedom as well as neglect of personal needs (Morrison, 2010). References Aderfer, C.P. (1980). The methodology of organizational diagnosis. Professional Psychology, 11(3), 459-468. doi:10.0033-0175/80/1103-0459. Balamuralikrishna, R., & Dugger, J.C. (1995). SWOT analysis: A management tool for initiating new programs in vocational schools. Journal of Vocational and Technical Education, 12(1), 5 pages. Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JVTE/v12n1/Balamuralikrishna.htm. Boonstra, J. (2003). Dynamics of organizational change and learning. Chichester: Wiley. Cole, M.S., Harris, S.G., & Bernerth, J.B. (2006). Exploring the implications of vision, appropriateness, and execution of organizational change. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 27(5), 352-367. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01437730610677963. Holt, D.T. (2002). Readiness for change: The development of a scale. Ph.D. dissertation, Auburn University, Alabama. ProQuest Digital Dissertations database. (Publication No. AAT 3070767. Huges, M. (2007). The tools and techniques of change management. Journal of change management, 7(1), 37-49. doi: 10.1080/14697010309435. JPC (1995). An ethical, means based, approach to organizational change. JPC Media LLC. Retrieved from www.jpcmediallc.com. Linkage (2012). Diagnostic instruments and assessments. Linkage. Retrieved from linkageasia.com/our-leadership-consulting-expertise/diagnostic-instruements-assessments/ Luckett, M.T. (2003). Organizational change and development. (Unpublished dissertation). Walden University, Minneapolis, MN. McConnell, M.E., Cox, C.J., Thomas, D.D., & Hilvitz, P.B. (2001). Functional

Ethics in Group Counseling Essay

Ethics is also termed as philosophy, which is a branch of philosophy that includes the systematizing, defending and recommending concepts of the right and wrong conducts. There are three major field of study within ethics that involves Metha-ethics that concerns with the theoretical meaning that are used to reference of moral propositions and their truth-values that can be determined, the normative ethics that concerns with the practical means of determining a moral course of action. Lastly is the applied ethics that concerns with what an individual is obligated to do in an appropriate situation or at a particular domain. This research paper can explore the various ethical issues that arise during a group session. There are certain ethical conditions that should be upheld in the panel session from the initial stages of the formation of the group to the working phase of the group. The group leader should be able to uphold definitive ethical, moral codes. Thus, the paper can enlighten the various ways that a group leader should act in the midst of a conflict as well as confidentiality within the group. In focusing on the ethical responsibility of members of a group it necessary to concentrate on the following topics that are explained as follows. Ethical Responsibility Ethical responsibility is the duty that follows the moral correct paths. The ethical responsibilities of the group entail that each member has the responsibility to be honest with other group members so that to be able to make decisions in the group sessions. It is necessary that there must be a clear moral standard from the outset. For instance, create and enforce a code of conduct that ensures that group members are treated fairly to avoid the appearance of unethical behaviors. The group leader should be able to ensure that there is transparency when dealing with group members. Also the ethical that you might feel you have, you should consider how the group‘s morality could affect the group productivity. Ethical Communication in  Small Groups Dealing with small groups work we major on focusing on getting the job done while maintain a reasonable relationship among group members. Ethics in a small group involve three levels whereby we have the individual group member, the group, and the group environment. Thus using ethics in a small group, it enhances the moral aspects of the group interaction. The ethical communication enables the human worthiness and the dignity by fostering the truthfulness, fairness, responsibility and enhancing the personal integrity. Thus, ethical communication in small groups is used for caring and accountability for oneself and other group members. Some other principles that are more applicable to small group communication involves: the truthfulness ,accuracy, honesty and provision of the integrity of communication, endorse freedom of expression and diversity of perspective together with the tolerance of dissent to be able to achieve the informed and responsible for making decision making fundament al to a civil society. Unethical communication causes threats to the quality of all communication and the consequently of the well-being of the individuals and the society. In addition, as a manager be able to create a promotion communication climate of caring and mutual understanding that exist with respect and uniqueness needs and characteristics of individual’s communicator and be able to accept responsibilities for the short and long-term consequences. Ethics is more easily discussed than putting into real practice as demonstrated by San Jose Mercury stated that the increasing trend in an organization to integrate a code of ethics for daily activities. Ethical communication requires that an effective critical thinking skills, recognizing the importance of the diverse perspectives and respect for the well-being of self and other taking the responsibility for individual and the group actions and reflecting on the choices the group members can make.. Ethics in Group Counseling During the session of group counseling, consist of the psychiatric care that many patients meet more at therapist at a time. Each group has different topics that they wish to tackle for the growth that enhances the distinction of the financial issue that an individual counseling can be able to create.  The financial tights limit the delivery of the community agency for individual counseling. Focusing on the Barlow Research stated that group-counseling sessions are more successful than the individual ones. Thus by evaluating the various facts that the states that group counseling benefit more patients at one time as well as being used more than the individual counseling. Through McCarty studies, they were able to answer questions that were concerning the indicator of the importance of group counseling as compared to individual counseling. They described the positive aspect of the group counseling as well as stipulating the negative side of the group counseling. The positive results of the group counseling involve the developing of the social skills among the group due to a safe environment in which the group members can share their thoughts feelings and ideas. In addition, the aspect that concerns the patients to be able to receive a positive feedback from their own group mate as well as various perspective on a similar issue, the group members can enhance to learn new ways in order to see a particular problem. Considering the negative aspects of the group therapy involves the clients were not speaking during a group therapy session since they are too shy to share their views in the front of other individuals. The other aspect consists of group settings and the benefits that are more important in the individual setting. The other aspect involves the issue of time which is limited and the group and the group sessions do not have flexibility date setting, thus any session that is placed by the counselor should be mandatory and set in the panel settings Characteristics of an Ethical Leader During the group, counseling session there must be proper individuals that are trained and equipped in an efficient manner to lead during the session. The individual that lead the session is considered as a leader who addresses the various issues that arise during the session. Some research that was done by Kalshoven and Hugh wanted to determine the individual characteristics that a leader requires that to lead an effective a counseling session. They stated that the major features of the ethical leader were both agreeable and conscientious. In their study, they proposed that a leader possess the traits whereby the manager requires the features to ethical standards in the counseling session. Another study that was done  by Riggio stated that the two important moral emotions that a leader must possess is the empathy for their clients as well as compassion for the individual wellbeing. Jacobs in his literature book stated strongly that leaders in group counseling must be at a state to have skills in organizing and planning the counseling sessions in order to keep orders and maintain the structure of the group. As a counselor, he/she must be able to answer the challenging question that can arise and ensure a complete knowledge understanding. The counselor should be able to understand the counseling theory to enhance proper training that can assist in the implementation of the ethical foundations. Primary Planning The counselor should be given proper training in advance with the aim of ensuring an effective ways in the counseling session. Thus, the counselor is required to attend a counseling session to have the insight to the future issues and the dilemmas they might face. Thus in the participation of that session it allows them to coin and gain the understanding and the perspective. According to Corey, the study suggested that for a minimum of 10 hours of observation and taking notes of the session. This paramount process enables the counselor to be involved in ethical decision-making and well-organized knowledge. The area of jurisdiction must be satisfactory to the counselor by screening the patients before joining the group, in a move to avoid disruption and hurting the whole group at the end of the process. During the screening session, it entailed answering, unsettled questions at the stipulated time. Further, there must be an alignment with the purpose of the group as well as make the t eam leader who will be able to meet the needs of the client as much as possible. The process of planning entails alignment of the client and counselor so that the customer will be free to the counselor to give out and share the deep and times emotions. Once the process of screening is finished, there is an informed consent section. The client that discusses what issues they will be able to encounter during the counseling sessions. The preliminary role of these step, it enables the disclosure of information to the group members to inform the clients the pros and cons of joining the group. It is also suggested that the informed consent section has potential risks that the members might face while in a group therapy session. It is well explained by the Corey survey, which  states that some clients might experience their privacy, which is a guarantee that the other member will respect their privacy The informed consent is usually presented to customers in a written and oral manner so that the clients can be completely informed of what they will encounter so that to avoid surprises when the sessions begin. In the consent, the clients are required to contain the role expectations of colleagues and the leader, the policies and the procedures that are governing the mandated group, the documentation requirements and the procedures for the consultation between group leader and the group members. Open or Closed Group It is stated that it beneficial to choose the group counseling since it is better to make a decision. There are supportive reasons to those suggestions that cause the more efficient counseling method. At first, the counselor can reach out a larger group of people. Instead of focusing much time on one person, we assist the lives of many other than concentrating on a single individual. Through group counseling, it benefits both the client and the counselor since it creates a great way to build a community and stimulate the counseling session. Secondly, the group counseling is more effective since the counselor can build his/her leadership skills this is created because of the counselors can encounter various problems and through making mistakes, they can become stronger and efficient leaders as the session progresses. The third reason it beneficial for both the counselor and the group since the counselor can be able to raise his revenue through obtaining a group counselling session as compared to one person and the member of the group can save money as well. Also, the cost of individual counseling is expensive as compared to the panel session The last reason to consider the group session is such that it is much effective since the counselor can continually learn experiment and strive to make a difference in the life of a client. Group Processes According to Corey, he stated that in-group counseling the issue of conflict within counseling in a group is common. The topic at times is inevitable within the group when you have personal clashing and perspectives within the group. However, according to Jacobs warned that the issues that are dealing with the denominator, negative member, and the overwhelming chronic talker,  and some issues of asking a member to leave are expected to arise in the counseling setting. Thus, it is important to note that some of the problems do not solely happen in the group setting but may happen as well in the personal counseling setting session. Therefore, the most important issue about conflict is not the conflict itself but how the counselor will be able to deal ethically with the issue when it arises. Thus, a great tool that one should use is to list all the conflict issues that they may arise and then gain the insight as to how to solve the issue ethically. In addition, it is desirable to seek advice from other colleagues about the tactics that may be used in the sessions to resolve the issues. The counselor is supposed to develop either an open or closed session group setting. Whereby in the public group setting session the members of the group are allowed to go and come at their own pleasure. Nevertheless, in the closed group sessions the member is required to be a continuance of the attendance throughout the designated sessions. Close relationship should be built on the counselor as well as a close relationship in-between the other group members as stated by the Forsyth who stated that the aspect of cohesion when conducting the issue of evaluation the leader must activity gain the virtue to keep the group in a cohesiveness mode. The ethical questions that arise from a closed group therapy sessions show the ability for the client to leave at any point. According to Corey, stated that a member should choose to leave the counseling session then that must openly let the group and the counselor must know that they wish to exit and the reason they exiting the group. It can be done in order not to harm the homeostatic environment of the group. Thus when the team member does not do this, it can harm the rest of the group and disrupt the growth process that there is among the group. It leads to a critical ethical topic that must be addressed in the every counseling group that is the issue of com fidelity. As a counselor it safe to uphold the confidentiality of the group members, this can lead to the group members being shy about sharing certain area their lives. There are certain aspects that the counselor can break in the confidential barriers While in the individual counseling, it involves talking personal feeling thoughts and behaviors and the things that are troubling and spend time in talking about the individual relationship with others. Your counselor will work with you to be able to set goals and the things you require to be accomplished  together. The counselor assists you to develop different strategies that can assist you to be able to reach the personal goals. In some cases, it could mean changing the pattern of thinking, learning new skills, changing the behaviors, and shifting the way you feel and express the emotions. References American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American PsychologicalAssociation (Current ed.) Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Association for Specialists in Group Work. (2007). Best Practice guidelines 2007 revision. Retrieved from http://asgw.org/pdf/Best_Practices.pdf Baurhan, S., Smith, J., Steen. S.(2008). The preparation of the professional school counselors for group work. The Journal for Specialists in Group work, 33(3), 253-269 DOI 10.1080/01933920802196120 Booker, B., Henfield M., Steen S. (2014).The achieving success everyday group counseling model: implication for professional school counselors. The Journal for Specialists in Group work, 39(1), 29-46. DOI 101080101933922.2013.861886 Brigman, G., Campbell,C.(2005). Closing the Achievement Gap: A structured approach to group counseling, The Journal for Specialists in Group work, 30(1) ,67-82. DOI 10.1080/01933920590908705 Corey, G., Corey, M., & Haynes, R. (2014). Groups in action: Evolution and challenges (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 9781285095059 Cornish, M., Post, B., & Wade, N. (2014). Religion and spirituality in group counseling: beliefs and preferences of university counseling center clients. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice. 18(1), 55-68 DOI 10.1037/a0034759 Hartman, D., & Zimberoff,D.(2012). Ethics in heart-centered therapies. Journal of Heart Centered Therapies, 15(1). Jacobs, E. E., Masson, R. L., Harvill, R. L., & Schimmel, C. J. (2012). Group counseling: Strategies and skills (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Petrini, C. (2013). Professional ethics between the individual and society. Physical TherapyReviews, 18(2), 142-143. Stuckton, R. (2010). The art and science of group counseling: The Journal for Specialists in Group work, 35(4), 324-330. DOI 101080101933922.2010.515904

Advantages and Disadvantages of E

Advantages and Disadvantages of E E-learning is the use technology and different forms of electronic devices in learning or teaching, either through internet or intranet means like online instructors and experts, self-paced studying or delivery of taped information in DVDs and CD-ROM. E-learning can include the use of written text, pictures, virtual information, animations and video or audio (Fuller 2009).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This enables learners to get information any time and at any location through the web, computers, virtual methods or using digital material. E-learning is not necessarily academic or for the purpose of receiving awards; it includes some basic forms like knowledge databases which offer information on how to perform some specific tasks or guidelines, answers and explanations for questions . There are many advantages and disadvantages of e-lear ning as compared to traditional learning methods. One of the main advantages of e-learning is convenience, in that it enables an individual to access learning material at any time and from any place as long as their electronic devices are properly configured. People who are working or have busy schedules can learn at their own pace without having to meet set time deadlines and without worrying about being late for classes, they do not have to quit their jobs or leave their families when they go to schools or colleges. Studies are done at home where people do not have to travel and so there is no problem of security when travelling to the learning venues (Fuller 2009). Older people who were not able to pursue their studies or people in the corporate world who need to upgrade their skills or gain new skills can learn through the internet and avoid embarrassing and intimidating situations of being in a classroom setting with younger students and having to compete with them for classroo m resources. The flexibility, availability and affordability of e-learning have made it attractive to many companies and organization and most of them use this method in training and educating their staff (Ebner 2007). A company can train its workforce from different parts of the world at the same time from a single location. Individuals can also terminate their studies whenever they feel under pressure, or when they do not have enough time and continue later when they are ready. E-learning has made it easier for people to pursue long distant learning programs especially at graduate and post graduate levels, where people who are doing research projects are able to communicate with their instructors from anywhere. E-learning exposes student to advanced communication technology that provides them with the experience that is helpful to them in the modern corporate world. Due to globalization and the advancement of information technology, organizations have expanded their businesses to different parts of the world. This makes it difficult and expensive to conduct meetings at the company headquarters or at one particular station.Advertising Looking for report on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Many organizations and enterprises are adopting modern communication technology like sending e-mails, on-line memos and the use of video conferencing methods instead of physical meetings. They also store and up-date their information online and so they expect their employees to be conversant with modern systems of information technology if they are going to be competent enough to work for them (Ebner 2007). Another advantage of e-learning is that it allows for opportunities to study anything. There are a variety of different courses in different education levels and from many colleges both local and international, which are on offer in the internet. A student is able to choose their preferred course which might not be offered in the colleges and universities near them. They can also pursue several different courses in the same institution or in different institutions at the same time depending on their flexibility. Scholars who are far from learning institutions can pursue education via the internet at competitive and affordable prices. It is also beneficial to international students, the advancement of communication technology and internet in the world makes it possible for people especially in poor countries in the developing world to have the alternative of pursuing quality education in colleges and universities abroad without having to incur transport, visa and living costs. This also encourages institutions to provide scholarships and learning opportunities since they do not have to take care of the student. This makes it possible for them to acquire knowledge and information that helps them in developing their countries. A greater number of students can also pursue there education since they do not have to rely on government or private support, small enterprises and organizations are also able to sponsor students (Dasgupta 2006). Research information can be retrieved from the internet with the availability of online journals, books, web articles, and magazines, et cetera. E-learning is also cheap as compared to classroom learning with the reduction of print material, furniture and teachers salaries, one reading session can hold a bigger number of student who cannot be contained in a single classroom or lecture theatre (Fuller,2009 ). The created material can be accessed in the internet and it can be easily stored or transferred sometimes with the payment of a small fee, this reduces the necessity of having to go to a library or buying whole books and journals when one is interested in a particular topic or article. This material remains in the internet and it is not easily tampered and so its quality and reliability is guaranteed (Ebner 2007).Adver tising We will write a custom report sample on Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Another advantage of e-learning is interacting and socializing with other student who come from different areas, in more advanced situations the use of on-line discussions groups, e-mails and video conferencing enables student to exchange information and reading materials. They can also assist each other with problems in their studies without having to meet through collaborative learning (Ebner 2007). Students can meet other people with similar learning styles who are from different cultures and backgrounds. The interaction and integration of students from different cultures diversifies their learning especially on social and other non-scientific subjects. There are healthier and interesting discussions and debates. Students are able to look at their learning from different perspectives. A disadvantage of e- lear ning is that it requires computer and internet knowledge and skills and most people might not have them, it is highly sophisticated and that makes it expensive (Ebner 2007). It also requires one to have uninterrupted and easy internet and computer access, one must be computer savvy to be able to obtain full advantage of this method of learning and also keep on updating themselves on new technological innovations and developments. People have to keep updating themselves with new material from time to time or else they are left behind in their studies (Fuller 2009). E-learning lacks physical interaction between students and their teachers and among students themselves as compared to a classroom setting. It mainly depends on student initiative and the students are responsible for their learning. This can be a disadvantage to those students who learn at slow pace and need assistance or to ask questions because they might be left behind or miss important points (Dasgupta 2006). It is dif ficult to teach subjects that require discussions and debates because even when there is opportunity for interaction, the time is limited and very few people can participate. E-learning can also be boring and tiring when an individual has to sit in front of a computer or listen to an educational tape or video for many hours alone without any other form of interaction which they can also take part, they can doze off.Advertising Looking for report on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There have been arguments about health problems and issues that are related with spending huge amount of times on computers, some people argue that this has a bad impact on socialization, there are also problems associated with lack of exercise due to long sitting hours like obesity and also eyesight complications (Dasgupta 2006). Another problem of e-learning is that people who have a short concentration span might not be able to concentrate when they are studying, either because of the environments in which they are studying or because they get easily distracted, for example in the case of nursing mothers and housewives. A classroom setting ensures that people have close and one on one contact with their trainers and this can increase their concentration, there are opportunities for teamwork and group work in classes and students can ask questions or discuss. There is also no follow up on students who drop out of e-learning either because they loose interest or because they lack t he time to continue studying or they do not have the competence in using information technology. It is easier for students to copy and cheat in assignments especially when there are no sit-in exams. Students can pay other people to do their assignments for them or submit copied work without being noticed by their supervisors. Another problem is assessing the standard, quality and effectiveness of e-learning based courses. Due to the large number and wide variety of courses offered in e-learning, it is difficult to ascertain the impact and quality of knowledge that many e-learning students acquire and whether they are able to keep and apply the acquired knowledge in their different fields and professions when they get through with their studies (Dasgupta 2006 ). E-learning is also not effective when learning sciences or performing scientific experiments. Although there might be well outlined and elaborated guidelines, there is still need for physical supervision to make sure that stu dents clearly understand and follow the instructions and to also make sure that the results are correct and consistent. This cannot be done through e-learning because the instructor needs to teach and observe every student individually. Most applied sciences which involve practical experiments can only be taught effectively in a classroom or laboratory setting. E-learning can also be challenging when learning languages with parts and sounds that require listening and practicing. Many people learn foreign languages in colleges and e-learning might not effectively deliver this knowledge. E-learning has its many advantages and disadvantages. It is important to note that with the rapid spread and advancement of information technology, it is the best way of acquiring education. It is also preferred when there is time constraint and its costs are much less than those of other traditional forms of teaching (Fuller 2009). Blending of e-learning and other traditional classroom and visual met hods ensures that students are able to receive better and quality education. Reference List Ebner, K., 2007, The Impact of Introducing E-learning Courses. Norderstedt: GRIN. Fuller, C., 2009. Advantages and Disadvantages to eLearning. Web. Available at  https://ezinearticles.com/?Advantages-and-Disadvantages-to-eLearningid=2729026 Dasgupta, S., 2006, Encyclopedia of virtual communities and technologies. London: Idea Group Ltd.

Rainbows and Blue Skies

Rainbows and Blue Skies Introduction When we look around, there are many questions one would want to ask. Although most of the answers are found through academic approaches, the truth is that the broadness of this discipline makes it challenging to exhaust every natural phenomenon. Among the many questions asked is the explanation for the color of the sky. Have you ever imagined why the sky is not another color but blue? Is it natural or there are contributing factors which make it blue?Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Rainbows and Blue Skies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Could it be as a result of our natural color blindness that makes us perceive it to be blue? Definitely the questions are countless. This research paper explores reasons, findings, theories and the truth, which surrounds the blue color of the sky and the occurrence of rainbows. In order to achieve this, the research mainly analyses findings, gathered from reput able sources, including but not limited to online articles and books. Blue sky When observed on a clear day, without clouds, mist or dust, the sky always appears blue. Although there are several theories, which explain this concept, it is believed that the blue color is as a result of atoms of oxygen and nitrogen found in the atmosphere (Jacobs 1). Due to the presence of these particles, the white light from the sun is separated into several colors, which are then scattered all over in the atmosphere. Additionally, based on scattering properties of these colors, it has been found that blue light has a wavelength that scatters in the atmosphere better than any other color. This means that blue light dominates the atmosphere, making the sky to appear blue when observed by the human eye (Rea 10). On the other hand, the sun appears orange and red during sunset because the blue light is usually scattered far away from the visible line. This scientific phenomenon that explains light scatt ering and the appearance of the sky is commonly referred to as the Tyndall effect or the Rayleigh scattering. Tyndall effect This theory was put forth by John Tyndall in 1859, explaining the color of the sky. According to his discovery, blue wavelength is shorter and gets scattered better than other wavelengths, when light is passed through a fluid with particles. From a real life perspective, this can be illustrated by shining white light through water that has soap or milk. When observed from the side of the container holding the water, it is possible to observe the beam of white light by the blue light, which is scattered (Mara 23). However, the light that is observed at the end of such an experiment appears red after the beam has passed through the entire vessel of water.Advertising Looking for research paper on natural sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A filter of polarized light can also be applied to i nvestigate the scattering nature of light. This can be compared to the deep-blue appearance of the sky, when viewed through sun glasses. Although the concept is commonly known as the Tyndall effect, many physicists refer to it as the Rayleigh scattering, based on the studies that were done by Lord Rayleigh a few years after it was proposed by John Tyndall in 1859 (Rea 10). In their explanations, Rayleigh and Tyndall argue that the blue color of the sky is attributed to the presence of water droplets in form of vapor and dust particles in the atmosphere. However, if this were true, color variation in the sky would be a common occurrence due to ever-changing humidity. Based on this argument, it was agreed that the presence of nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere is the most appropriate explanation for the blue color of the sky (Jacobs 1). This was fully backed by Einstein in 1911 when he developed a formula applied in determination of scattering light in different molecules. The resu lts were acceptable as they had experimental evidence. From this discovery, it was also observed that the scattering of light by molecules is made possible because light waves have an electromagnetic field, responsible for dipole moments in these molecules. Even though the sky is blue, it is clear that clouds appear white in color when observed. This is based on the fact that they contain particles, which are believed to be greater than the wavelength of light (Mara 23). As a result, all wavelengths are scattered equally, a concept that is commonly known as the Mie scattering. However, the possibility of smaller particles in the atmosphere cannot be ruled out. This explains why some regions are famously known because of their blue haze. It is believed that the interaction between terpenes and ozone leads to the formation of tiny molecules that are approximately 200nm in diameter (Jacobs 2). Importantly, these particles give an explanation for the blue color. Nevertheless, an eruptio n or forest fire may emit particles into the atmosphere, which end up scattering the red light. In such cases, the results would depict the opposite of the Tyndall effect. Consequently, the moon may appear blue since red light is commonly scattered out. However, it is important to note that blue moon is a very rare phenomenon (Rea 10). Rainbows Besides observing a clear blue sky or clouds, human beings equally get fascinated by rainbows. How are rainbows formed? From Greek mythology, rainbows were believed to be the path for a messenger of gods known as Iris. On the other hand, Norse mythology proposed that a rainbow acted as a link between human beings and their gods (Lee and Fraser 33).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Rainbows and Blue Skies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More All these myths make the understanding of the rainbow quite fascinating to human beings. Are they natural in existence or they are fo rmed? These questions have been answered by scientists who spent their time analyzing the scientific explanation for the existence of the rainbow. A rainbow can be described as arc that appears in the sky with colored light. A fact to note is that rainbows have a relationship with water droplets and light. It is believed that this arc forms due to reflection and refraction of light, mainly from water droplets, arising from rain or mist in the atmosphere (Lee and Fraser 322). In other words, rainbows occur when there is splitting of white light into different colors, caused by water. In this line of thought, it is important to underscore the fact that when light falls on a drop of water, it enters into the drop. This penetration allows refraction of various light colors, depending on their respective wavelengths (Dwyer 4). Additionally, this separation of refracted light is similar to the analogy of the glass prism effect. Furthermore, the position of a rainbow is very important with regard to its relationship with the sun. Under whatever circumstances, a rainbow naturally occurs on the opposite direction of the sun as viewed by an observer (Dwyer 10). This position is crucial in explaining why rainbows mostly appear in the afternoon, when the sun is slightly low in the sky. If this occurs in the afternoon, the arc usually appears to the east of the person observing it and to the west if it occurs in the morning. On the other hand, the shadow of the observer is always at the center of the arc, with the rainbow forming the upper segment of the circle. Besides the position of the rainbow, it is worth noting that the angle of reflection of its light to the eye is 42o to the initial ray of light. Its bow-shape is believed to be a portion of the cone of light that is blocked by the horizon (Dwyer 10). Another important fact about rainbows is that no one can move ahead of it. If you tried to overtake the rainbow to be on the other side, it would appear moving, thus m aking it impossible to see the end of a rainbow. Moreover, every person sees a different rainbow since the angle measured is based on the observer’s eye contact with the refracted light from the sun through a drop of water (Lee and Fraser 322). This therefore means that every rainbow observer is usually at the center of the cone formed by colored light. It is sometimes possible to observe a complete circle of the rainbow when flying or at the top of a mountain.Advertising Looking for research paper on natural sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More From the above analysis, it is clear that the blue sky and the rainbow are fascinating natural phenomena, whose existence has an array of scientific and traditional explanations. However, the two are closely linked to properties of light, with regard to the scattering effect. Nonetheless, contributions of John Tyndall, Lord Rayleigh and Einstein remain paramount in the understanding of this concept. Dwyer, Jacqueline. Rainbows. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2001. Print. Jacobs, Marian. Why Is the Sky Blue? New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 1999. Print. Lee, Raymond, and Fraser Alistair. The rainbow bridge: rainbows in art, myth, and science. Pennsylvania: Penn State Press, 2001. Print. Mara, Wil. Why Is the Sky Blue? Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2006. Print. Rea, Thelma. I Wonder Why the Sky Is Blue. New York: Rosen Classroom, 2000. Print.

Causes and Effects of Smoking Essay Example for Free

Causes and Effects of Smoking Essay â€Å"Smoking is bad for health†. It is a very familiar slogan that you can easy to see in all pack of cigarettes and in public places. However, there is a fact that, despite knowledge about smoking damage, the number of people who smoke is increasing day by day. Smoking causes many negative effects than people think. It affects not only health but also environment and society. First, smoking affects health of both smoking person and people around him. There are many dangerous disease germs in tobacco, so that health of people who smoke is threatened a lot when they smoke. According to World Health Organization (WHO), there are 200 toxic chemicals per 4000 chemicals in tobacco, and in these 200 toxic chemicals, there are about 40 chemicals cause cancer such as nicotine, monoxide carbon, benzene, ammoniac, etc. These chemicals have bad effect on nervous system, blood vessel and are the main reason of heart disease, cancer, memory damage. A study of WHO also shows that each day, average 5 million people die because of tobacco and this figure could rise to 10 million by 2020 if countries don’t have effective solution to restrict smoking. In addition, smoke is easy to spread in the air, therefore not only smoking people but also people around them are affected. That mean, when a person smokes, he is harming both himself and many people especially children. These people are call â€Å"passive smoking† people. Because immunize system of children doesn’t complete, they are easy to be affected by harmful factors from smoke. That’s why the threat of disease cause by smoke in children is higher than others. Some statistics in Vietnam show that about 60 -80 per cent children under 5 are affected by smoke. They are also easy to get some diseases like asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis if they usually contact with smoke. Smoking also has bad effect on environment. The tobacco manufacture releases an amount of waste including a lot of toxic chemicals such as oils, plastic, ethylene, glycol, nicotine, etc. These chemicals make water and soil as well as air in surrounding areas is contamination. In USA, tobacco manufacture is rank 18th in toxic industries. Each year, tobacco manufacture of the World releases about 300 million kilograms nicotine, one of toxic chemicals causes cancer and heart disease. Moreover, do you know that 95 per cent filter of cigarette made of plastic cellulose acetate? This chemical is very difficult to decompose and can’t recycle, so that it takes several years to disappear. In this time, this chemical may cause many effects on soil, water, even animal because some kind of birds and small animals confuse filter of cigarette as their food. Chemicals in cigarette filter make animals can’t digest and they may be killed by these chemicals. Not only health and environment but also society is affected a lot by smoking. First, smoking restrains economic development. Because of tax, tobacco is not cheap. In Vietnam, tax on tobacco is accounted of 45 per cent retail tax. It is supposed that a pack of cigarettes costs 10 thousand VND, so if a person smokes one pack a day; he has to pay 300 thousand VND a month for smoking. However, in fact, this is maybe much more money because some kinds of cigarette have higher price and with addicted people, a pack of cigarettes a day is not enough. For person got married, wasting a lot of money for smoking a month affects much on economics of family, especially poor family. Consequently, economics of a country cannot develop when economics of family doesn’t develop. In addition, another problem of smoking is medical burden. Smoking causes many diseases and also kills a lot of people. In Vietnam, each year, there are about 40,000 people die because of diseases related to tobacco. This figure is three times as much as people die because of traffic accident. Furthermore, each year, government has to spend a lot of money for health service in general and for treating diseases cause by tobacco in particular. In fact, expense for treating diseases cause by tobacco in Vietnam increases rapidly from 429, 8 billion in 2004 to 1160 billion in 2006, and in the future this expense maybe higher. It makes a big burden for government to solve smoking problem. There are not any benefits of smoking but serious effects in health, environment and society. It’s very important for people to realize the danger of smoking and give up it. That’s why WHO choose the day 31/5 is World No Tobacco Day. All of us join together to make a world without smoke. Causes and Effects of Smoking. (2016, Dec 07).

Social Issues in Public Sector Human Resource Management in 2034 Research Paper

Social Issues in Public Sector Human Resource Management in 2034 - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that many controversies that are commonly encountered in the public sector fall under human resource management (HRM). AS a matter of fact, HRM accounts for the greatest operating expenditures in the majority of public agencies. The activities of human resource managers in the public sector greatly affect government workers and consequently, public policy. Over the last quarter of the century, many things have happened and much has changed in the various aspects of human life. One of the most remarkable and most impacting happenings is the World War III. During this period many nations including the US used a good portion of their economic and human resources.   Owing to the magnitude of the war and its impacts on society, the country had to traverse a season of recession with its numerous challenges. At the present, the country is striving to address many social issues through its public agencies hence public personnel management is more relevant to the country today than ever. Considering the events of the past 25 years, it is beyond doubt that the human resource has evolved significantly, needs and demands being quite a lot different today.   Among the most vital issues that the current human resource needs to address include reward systems, affirmative action, and social security. Before the Third World War, the United States of America enjoyed a stable economy, the presence of a promising social security system and a relatively peaceful working environment.... The two main components of a reward system are performance and reward according to Norma (67). Over the years, rewards mainly have taken the form of affiliation, direct and indirect financial rewards, and career-related rewards. The hierarchical based rewards system is best suited to organizations that have had sustained success. The recent economic recession has made it difficult for most organizations to reward their employees using this system due to a general decline in the qualitative and quantitative output of the organizations. Most companies have gone through long periods of reduced profits and this has challenged the use of any type of financial rewards. The difficulty of using financial rewards has forced many companies to resort to the utilization of affiliate forms of reward like appraisals. Due to competitive business environment, companies are shifting to career-related motivations like employee education. Furthermore, public agencies have resorted to greater applicatio n of reward systems that focus more on intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic motivation as has been the case during times of favorable economic environments. Formerly HR experts focused their actions on rewarding individual employees more than rewarding groups of workers. On their part, those of present times focus on encouraging group rewards. The present day HR professionals mainly focus on reward systems that promote intrinsic motivation among employees such as recognition and appreciation. Yet again, the current trend is in putting the employee in control of their payslip and rewards. Affirmative action Affirmative action has been very important in ensuring that groups of people who are underrepresented in terms of color, race, nationality or

Tesco Corporate Governance Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tesco Corporate Governance - Case Study Example A quarter of Superstores have received the customer-focused improvements in key areas including car parking, trolleys, signage, counters and availability. Express offers customers the chance to stock up on shopping at their convenience at a diverse range of locations, from inner city stores such as Maida Vale, London, to villages like Yateley in Hampshire. Although on a smaller scale than larger supermarkets, it will provide a broad but carefully selected range of essential everyday products. In the stores that convert to Express, customers will benefit from lower prices, improved service, better fresh food ranges and store environment, as well as better availability, quality and choice. This will also allow Tesco to accelerate their growth in the 20bn convenience market while continuing to run the remainder as OneStop Shops. However, the profitability and growth always goes with the development of the human resource personnel. The human capital after all, continues to be the single most important capital in businesses. Thus, recognizing that they are an essential element to the success and future of providing quality differentiated services at affordable prices, Tesco had also a set of principles that promotes the growth and convenience of its employees. The Tesco Values are a set of principles that describe two work ethics such as: 'Treat people how we like to be treated' and 'No-one tries harder for customers'. Also, employee benefits such as childcare voucher scheme and Shares in Success, where staff with more than a year's service will be eligible for free shares has been devised. Customer Value is what Child (2004) would define as "the difference between the values the customer gains from owning and using a product and the costs of obtaining a product" (pp. 9). Customers usually weigh values and use the product with the best perceived value among the rest and also the product and service that will deliver them the best value. It is what makes a product and service important to them and what will eventually convince them to go ahead and avail of the service or purchase the product. It is thus the responsibility of these firms and organization to be the firm that consumers or customers believe to offer the greatest and highest customer perceived and delivered value. If firms' total customer values are perceived and delivered the best from the combination of "product, sources, personnel and image", more customers will decide to opt for them (pp. 669). Companies now face the challenge of making its target consumers respond accordingly to their marketing efforts. Those who understand its consumers' responses will have a great competitive advantage. The starting point towards this is through the stimulus-response model of buyer behaviour which involves examining the marketing and other stimuli in the consumer's black box that translates into buyer responses (Child, 2004). Marketing stimuli often consist of the four Ps of marketing: product, price, place and promotion while the other stimuli may include economic, technological, political and cultural factors which exist in the marketing environment. Child (2004) explains that the practical application of learning to most companies is that they can build a demand for a product through association with strong drives, motivation cues and positive reinforcement. Lastly, beliefs and attitudes are

Neutropenia in the chemotherapy patient Annotated Bibliography

Neutropenia in the chemotherapy patient - Annotated Bibliography Example This article was concerned with providing information about the consequences and prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. It also identified who may be at risk from febrile neutropenia regardless of the status of their chemotherapy treatment. This aritcle was useful and relevant to the paper because it provided a lot of information and statistics about the prevalence of neutropenia in these patients as well as the usual methods of treatment. This was published in a journal that was peer-reviewed and found on a reliable database and so the information found here can be said to be reliable. Lyman, G. (2011). A comparison of international guidelines for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Current Opinion in Haemotology, 18(1), 1-10. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from the Science Direct database. This article studied the differences between international guidelines for the prevention of neutropenia in chemotherapy patients. From this, there were many conclusions made about which were the most effective guidelines. This was useful to the paper because it provided information on how to prevent neutropenia in these patients and the various different treatments available. The article was published in a peer-reviewed journal and was found on Science Direct, a renowned database, so reliability is high. The information in this article centers around neutropenia in general and how this leads to a higher prevalence of bacterial infections. It also gives information on how this may be dangerous to patients. This was relevant in the writing of this paper because it gave more information about how neutropenia can lead to disease and thus why it is such an important problem. It did not give information specific to chemotherapy patients, and thus the information must be used carefully when generalizing. The information was found in a peer-reviewed journal on a reliable database and is thus reliable. Rolsten, K. (2005). Challenges in the

The Role of Research Methods in Education Essay

The Role of Research Methods in Education - Essay Example Many different approaches have been developed for researchers internationally supporting their work in all its aspects especially regarding the gathering of data/ info that is necessary for the development of various scientific projects. It should be noticed that scientific projects are not necessarily practical, i.e. they do not refer only to mathematical figures (statistics etc.); they can also be theoretical, i.e. referring to the structure and the effectiveness of a specific theoretical model (e.g. Porter’s five forces - in the business sector). In the case of education both the above forms of research, i.e. the practical and the theoretical one are likely to be used by all participants in the educational environment (educators, school administrators, students) when having to conduct research on a specific issue which is included in the curriculum. The value of research in education cannot be doubted; various views have been stated regarding the role of research in various educational areas. We could refer indicatively to the study of Randall et al. (1999) who noticed that ‘research in education is a value-free, unbiased, neutral, social scientific pursuit of truth, using the best methods, and models available—or so we were told when we were learning the craft’ (Randall et al., 1999, 7). In other words, research in education cannot be stable; it should be rather active and dynamic being changed continuously in accordance with the needs of the students, the characteristics of the educational environment and the ability of a specific educational organization to respond to the needs and the demands of a particular research project. It should also be noticed that research in education does not have a specific form; it can have either qualitative or quantitative characteristics or even both of them (after appropr iate transformation of the relevant research framework).  

The Electoral Landscape Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Electoral Landscape - Essay Example While it is nothing new for voters to want for a change in political leadership, the 2008 presidential election represented an important change in American politics. Barack Obama broke a major racial barrier for African-Americans by becoming the first black American president. Race is likely to be a much less important issue in the future than it has been in the past because Obama has proven that race is no longer an absolute barrier to electability. Obama was able to overcome racial prejudice and the disadvantages of being a little known senator by taking advantage of the growing influence of the Internet and social media. The 2008 election was the first presidential election in which communication through the Internet played a major role (NPR). Lastly, between 2004 and 2008 the economy became the dominant election issue over issues of national security and terrorism. While the Republican Party is generally seen as stronger on economic issues, the economic collapse in 2008 was blame d on the economic policies of Bush by a wide margin (Hagerty 1), and the War on Terror fell out of favor. Works Cited Hagerty, Barbara. â€Å"Exit polls link Obama victory to economic fears.† 4 Nov. 2008.

Molly Spotted Elk Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Molly Spotted Elk - Research Paper Example It is therefore believed that Molly Spotted Elk’s life was â€Å"a trail of tears† or a life of sadness and pain. Childhood Molly Spotted Elk was always believed as a â€Å"remarkable person in any light†3 just like what a former director of the Penobscot Nation Museum thought of her. Moreover, the same director thought of her life as â€Å"one of the most amazing unknown lives of any modern American woman,†4 despite the fact that she must have lived a sad life made up of several challenges. The struggle of Molly Spotted Elk must have begun early in childhood. Molly was born on Indian Island, Maine on November 17, 1903 as Mary Alice. Her mother, Philomena Solis Nelson, was a Maliseet Indian and one of the most prominent basket makers of her day. On the other hand, her father, Horace Nelson, was then a future governor of the Penobscot Nation, and was the first member of that Indian nation to go to Dartmouth College. Moreover, Molly’s grandfather had once been a chief of the Maliseet tribe in Canada5. As a child, Molly was different from her seven younger brothers and sisters for she took a great interest in learning traditional dances when she was only 13 years old. She did this in order to financially support her family6. It could have therefore been that at this time, Molly must suffered greatly from having to work for her family at such a young age. Moreover, Molly’s suffering was also evident when she scrubbed floors at night in order to be able to study anthropology during the day. She did this after entering the University of Pennsylvania without having enough money to pay for her tuition7. Moreover, she struggled to make both ends meet for her and for her family as well because she even had to send money to her family from her scrubbing work aside from having to pay for her tuition fee. In fact, â€Å"[Molly] was hungry and she needed to [perform to survive]†8 just like all Penobscot people, who themselves had to work hard and struggle. This must have been difficult for Molly herself considering the fact that she was not only a working student but also that she was a Native American Indian. Career as a Dancer When Molly was a dancer for the vaudeville troupe of the famous rodeo named Tex, she was a dancing sensation everywhere she went. However, although she was, as her family remembered, â€Å"a happy and completely free spirit†9, Molly danced even â€Å"topless†10. This must have been exciting even for her but it does not change the fact that a woman who dances topless does not care much about her image and reputation. Molly must have therefore suffered much at this point in her life. Career as an Actress In 1928, Molly Spotted Elk’s friendship with a Hollywood producer made her star in â€Å"The Silent Enemy,† one of Paramount Pictures’ last silent movies. Molly played the role of Neewa, the daughter of the tribal chief. In the movie, she was amon g the Ojibwa Indians who struggled against hunger, which was the silent enemy of the Indian people before the coming of the white man. The problem was that Molly had to endure the harshness and cold of the Canadian weather in the process. To make matters worse, the movie was not a success at all11. Life in Europe After the failure of â€Å"The Silent Enemy,† Molly went to Europe briefly to dance in front of the Old World Royalty, which included

The Electoral Landscape Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Electoral Landscape - Essay Example While it is nothing new for voters to want for a change in political leadership, the 2008 presidential election represented an important change in American politics. Barack Obama broke a major racial barrier for African-Americans by becoming the first black American president. Race is likely to be a much less important issue in the future than it has been in the past because Obama has proven that race is no longer an absolute barrier to electability. Obama was able to overcome racial prejudice and the disadvantages of being a little known senator by taking advantage of the growing influence of the Internet and social media. The 2008 election was the first presidential election in which communication through the Internet played a major role (NPR). Lastly, between 2004 and 2008 the economy became the dominant election issue over issues of national security and terrorism. While the Republican Party is generally seen as stronger on economic issues, the economic collapse in 2008 was blame d on the economic policies of Bush by a wide margin (Hagerty 1), and the War on Terror fell out of favor. Works Cited Hagerty, Barbara. â€Å"Exit polls link Obama victory to economic fears.† 4 Nov. 2008.

Tourism Management Essay Example for Free

Tourism Management Essay An importance-performance analysis of hotel selection factors in the Hong Kong hotel industry: a comparison of business and leisure travellers Raymond K.S. Chu, Tat Choi*  Department of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Peoples Republic of China Received 16 December 1998; accepted 3 February 1999 Abstract Using an Importance}Performance Analysis (IPA), this paper examined business and leisure travellers perceived importance and performance of six hotel selection factors in the Hong Kong hotel industry. The six hotel selection factors identied were: Service Quality, Business Facilities, Value, Room and Front Desk, Food and Recreation, and Security. Both business and leisure travellers held the same perceptions towards all the six hotel selection factors. The IPA grids illustrated that the Value factor fell into the Concentrate Here quadrant; Service Quality, Room and Front Desk and Security in the Keep Up the Good Work quadrant; and Business Facilities and Food and Recreation in the Low Priority quadrant. Room and Front Desk and Security were found to be the determining factors for business and leisure travellers, respectively, in their hotel choice selection. Implications for Hong Kong hoteliers and researchers were discussed. 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Importance}Performance Analysis; Hotel selection factors; Business and leisure travellers 1. Introduction 1.1. The Hong Kong hotel and tourism industry Hong Kong has long been Asias most popular tourist destination. The total visitor arrivals for 1996 reached a record of 11.7 million, representing a remarkable 14.7 per cent growth over 1995, with HK$84.5 billion (US$10.8 billion) #owing into the Special Administrative Regions economy in foreign exchange earnings. The 14.7 per cent growth rate in 1996 out-performed the world average of 4.5 per cent, as well as the average growth rates for East Asia/Pacic and South Asia, with 7.9 per cent and 4.0 per cent respectively (WTO, 1997). In addition, approximately 8 per cent of Hong Kongs Gross  Domestic Product (GDP) is attributable to tourism (HKTA, 1998). However, since the beginning of 1997, Hong Kongs inbound tourism industry has experienced  an unprecedented decline. As illustrated in Table 1, the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) revealed that the numbers of visitors declined from 11.7 million in 1996 to 10.4 million in 1997, representing a 12 per cent fall (HKTA, 1998). The fall in visitor arrivals has been aggravated by the regional currency turmoil, which has made Hong Kong an expensive destination to travel in comparison with other Southeast Asian regions (Poole, 1997). The depreciation of the Thai baht, the Indonesian rupiah, the Malaysian ringgit, and the Philippine peso has inevitably attracted international travellers who prefer to seek bargain visits to these cheaper destinations. Hong Kong is now considered less vacation-friendly than previously as high in#ation has driven up prices. In 1989, 60 per cent of travellers rated shopping in Hong Kong as above average in value for money, but in 1993 the number fell below 45 per cent (HKTA, 1998). In the early 1990s, Hong Kong su!ered from a relatively high in#ation rate of about 10 per cent per annum as a result of an increase in labour and land costs. This paper attempts to identify both the importance and performance of hotel selection factors in the Hong Kong hotel industry using the Importance}Performance Analysis (IPA) model. More specically, the paper intends to compare perceptions of business and leisure travellers, in terms of importance and performance of hotel selection factors. By identifying the needs, desires and expectations of di!erent segments, hoteliers will be in a better position to develop tailor-made marketing strategies to cater for their target customers and to achieve competitive advantages. Source: Adapted from A Statistical Review of Tourism, Hong Kong Tourist Association (1998). 2. Literature review cent per annum in recent years (Hueng, 1997). The rising cost of accommodation in Hong Kong and the dwindling number of shopping bargains are continuously a!ecting the Hong Kong tourism industry (Brevetti, 1995). Such price in#ation threatens Hong Kongs reputation as a Shopping Paradise. Looking at the visitor prole, in particular at a comparison of business and leisure travellers, there appears to have not much signicant change between the two groups. The leisure segment has constituted almost 60 per cent of total visitor arrivals to Hong Kong over the past ten years, while the business segment contributed up to 30 per cent of total visitor arrivals over the same period (see Table 1). Regarding the hotel industry in Hong Kong, room rates have long been considered as the prime factor that adds to the cost of a trip, contributing to tourism downturn (Beck, 1997; Schloss, 1997). Schloss (1997) reported that Hong Kong hotels are more expensive to stay in than in Tok yo hotels, even when they o!er discounts. Beck (1997) mentioned that Hong Kong hotels are too expensive and that the  high cost is the single factor that continues to a!ect tourism in Hong Kong seriously. Research studies have shown that satisfaction with hotel properties, including services, facilities and price, appears to be one of the major factors leading to the success and repeat patronage of the destination (Shih, 1986; Stevens, 1992). To be successful in business, one must understand how customers perceive the product or service attributes, their importance and performance when compared with other competitors. The importance of being competitive and o!ering competitive advantage has been recognised for some years. In the hotel environment, where competition dominates, hoteliers must study the strengths and weaknesses of the product or service they provide and accurately dene their importance and performance. To maintain Hong Kongs present status as one of the worlds most attractive tourist destinations, hoteliers 2.1. Importance}Performance Analysis Importance}Performance Analysis (IPA) conceptually underlies the multi-attribute models that date back to the late 1970s. Martilla and James (1977) applied the IPA technique to analyse the performance of the automobile industry. Hawes, Kiser and Rao (1982) and Hawes and Rao (1985) used the IPA concept in retirement communities and health care applications. Sethna (1982) found the IPA technique to be a valid and powerful technique for identifying service quality areas that require remedial strategic actions. The underlying assumption of the IPA technique is that customers level of satisfaction with the attributes is mainly derived from their expectations and judgment of the products or services performance. IPA has become a popular managerial tool that has been broadly used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of brands, products, services and retail establishments in various industries in recent years (Chapman, 1993; Cheron, McTavish Perrien, 1989). Hemmasi, Strong and Taylor (1994) measured the service quality of hospital services using IPA as an alternative to the traditional SERVQUAL instrument devised by Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry (1988). While Evans and Chon (1989) used the IPA to formulate and evaluate tourism policy, Keyt, Yavas and Riecken (1994) and Hsu, Byun and Yang (1997) adopted the IPA technique in restaurant positioning. Lewis (1985) used the IPA as a competitive analysis technique to identify tourists perceptions of the hotel industry. Lewis and Chambers (1989) reported the e!ective use of IPA by the Sheraton Hotel in monitoring customer satisfaction. Almanza, Ja!e  and Lin (1994) used the IPA matrix to determine means for improving customer satisfaction. Martin (1995) examined service providers perceptions of customers expectations of quality service in the hotel industry using the IPA technique. In an increasingly competitive environment, a determination of the strengths and weaknesses of a  have high levels of performance in relation to these activities. In the Low Priority quadrant, attributes have low importance and low performance. Although performance levels may be low in this cell, managers should not be overly concerned since the attributes in this cell are not perceived to be very important. Limited resources should be expended on this low priority cell. Lastly, the Possible Overkill q uadrant contains attributes of low importance, but of relatively high performance. Respondents are satised with the performance of the organisations, but managers should consider present e!orts on the attributes of this cell as being overutilised (Evans and Chon, 1989; Hemmasi, Strong Taylor, 1994; Keyt et al., 1994; Martilla James, 1977; Martin, 1995). Fig. 1. Importance}Performance Analysis grid. Quadrant I Attributes are perceived to be very important to respondents, but performance levels are fairly low. This sends a direct message that improvement e!orts should concentrate here. Quadrant II Attributes are perceived to be very important to respondents, and at the same time, the organisation seems to have high levels of performance on these activities. The message here is To Keep up the Good Work. Quadrant III Attributes are with low importance and low performance. Although performance levels may be low in this cell, managers should not be overly concerned since the attribute in this cell is not perceived to be very important. Limited resources should be expended on this low priority cell. Quadrant IV This cell contains attributes of low importance, but relatively high performance. Respondents are satised with the performance of the organisations, but managers should consider present e!orts on the attributes of this cell as being overutilised. 2.2. Perceived importance and performance of attributes Attribute importance is generally regarded as a persons general assessment of the signicance of an attribute for a product. Many studies have attempted to analyse customer satisfaction in terms of both expectations that relate to certain important attributes and judgments of the attribute performance (Myers Alpers, 1968; Swan Coombs, 1976). However, there appears to have been diverse conclusions made about how one should relate attribute importance and performance. The concept of importance is viewed by customers the same as satisfaction (Barsky, 1992; Rosenberg, 1956). When a customer perceives an attribute as important, the customer will believe that the attribute will play a signicant role in in#uencing his or her product choice (MacKenzie, 1986). More recently, the term importance has been used to refer to the perceived importance of an attribute and its e!ect on product or service quality (Carman, 1990). Lilien, Kotler and Moorthy (1993) dened the term important attributes as those considered important by consumers, and that the various brands or products are perceived to di!er. Hemmasi et al. (1994), however, stated that performance lies in customer perceptions of performance of the attribute. Thus, the more favourable the perception of performance, the greater the likelihood of the choice from among similar alternatives. Therefore, it is strategically important for hoteliers to understand and to identify the product (or service) attributes perceived by customers as important, and to examine how customers perceive these product (or service) attributes. It is also very likely that a customers favourable post-purchase experience may lead him or her to repurchase if the customer is satised with the hotel performance. 2.3. Hotel attributes in hotel choice selection Those attributes directly in#uencing choice are determinant attributes: they may arouse consumers purchase intentions and di!erentiate from competitors o!erings  products or services importance and performance seems an undeniable constituent of success. The interpretation of the IPA is graphically presented on a grid divided into four quadrants. Fig. 1 illustrates the IPA  grid. The -axis reports the customers perceived importance of selected attributes, and the X-axis shows the products (or services) performance in relation to these attributes. The four identiable quadrants are: Concentrate Here, Keep Up the Good Work, Low Priority and Possible Overkill. In the Concentrate Here quadrant, attributes are perceived to be very important to respondents, but performance levels are seen as fairly low. This sends a direct message that improvement e!orts should concentrate here. In the Keep Up the Good Work quadrant, attributes are perceived to be very important to respondents, and at the same time, the organisation seems to  (Alpert, 1971). The services and facilities o!ered by a hotel, or hotel attributes, are those features of products or services that lead consumers to choose one product over others (Lewis, 1983). Wuest, Tas and Emenheiser (1996) dened perceptions of hotel attributes as the degree to which travellers nd various services and facilities important to customers satisfaction. Atkinson (1988) found that cleanliness of the accommodation, followed by safety and security, accommodation value for money, courtesy and helpfulness of sta! were identied as top attributes for travellers in hotel choice selection. Wilensky and Buttle (1988) mentioned that personal service, physical attractiveness, opportunities for relaxation, standard of services, appealing image, and value for money were signicantly evaluated by travellers. Rivers, Toh and Alaoui (1991) examined the hotel selection decisions of members and non-members of frequent guest programs. Their results showed that convenience of location and overall service received the highest ratings. Ananth, DeMicco, Moreo and Howey (1992) surveyed 510 travellers, asking them to rate the importance of 57 hotel attributes in hotel choice decision. The results showed that price and quality was rated as the most important attribute across all age categories, followed by attributes related to security and convenience of location. LeBlanc and Nguyen (1996), in particular, examined the ve hotel factors that may signal a hotels image to travellers. These ve factors were: physical environment,  corporate identity, service personnel, quality of services and accessibility. They suggested that marketing e!orts should be directed to highlight the environmental cues in order to attract new customers. An extensive review of the literature for the hospitality industry suggests that attributes such as cleanliness, location, room rate, security, service quality, and the reputation of the hotel have been considered by most tourists in hotel choice decision (Ananth, DeMicco, Moreo Howey, 1992; Atkinson, 1988; Barsky Labagh, 1992; Cadotte Turgeon, 1988; Knutson, 1988; LeBlanc Nguyen, 1996; Lewis, 1984,1985; Marshall, 1993; McCleary, Weaver Hutchinson, 1993; Rivers, Toh Alaoui, 1991; Wilensky Buttle, 1988). 2.4. Hotel attributes as perceived by business and leisure travellers Many studies have looked into a comparison between business and leisure travellers in their hotel selection criteria. These studies indicated that the important attributes a!ecting business travellers hotel choices were cleanliness and location (Lewis Chambers, 1989; McCleary et al., 1993; Taninecz, 1990), whereas security, personal interactions, and room rates were considered as important by their leisure counterparts (Clow, Garretson Kurtz, 1994; Lewis, 1985; Marshall, 1993; Parasuraman et al., 1988). Taninecz (1990) found that cleanliness,  comfort of mattresses and pillows, and quality of towels received the highest ratings from business travellers. Lewis and Chambers (1989) and McCleary et al. (1993) also found that location was the most important factor in#uencing hotel selection by all business travellers. However, they argued that a hotels catering facilities were not important in hotel selection, as th ere are often many alternative dining choices nearby. Leisure travellers seem to be more concerned with room rates and value in their initial hotel selection (Lewis, 1985). Parasuraman et al. (1988) found that the quality of personal interactions with employees was a critical component of the service quality evaluation. Employees service quality has been cited as important to leisure travellers when selecting overnight accommodation (Parasuraman et al., 1988). Knutson (1988) mentioned that leisure travellers were mainly concerned with a hotels safety and security. This concern might stem from the idea that leisure trips often involve families, and these travellers have a high sensitivity to what may occur around them when their families  are involved. Marshall (1993) and Clow et al. (1994) revealed that security was cited as one of the most important criteria in selecting a hotel. Tourists want to be safe and secure in their accommodation, and are willing to pay for this. The safety and security system may di!erentiate one property from its competition, hence becoming a competitive strategy that helps a hotel to gain tourists condence and trust. Ananth et al. (1992) found that leisure travellers were likely to express concern with regard to a hotels reputation and name familiarity. Other studies have suggested that some hotel attributes are seen as important by both business and leisure travellers. Knutson (1988) examined the di!erences between business and leisure travellers in an attempt to determine the attributes that initially attract these two types of travellers to a hotel, and that bring them back. Her ndings suggested that the following factors were considered by both business and leisure travellers when selecting a hotel for the rst time or for repeat patronage: (1) clean, comfortable, well-maintained rooms, (2) convenient location, (3) prompt and courteous service, (4) safe and secure environment, and (5) friendly and courteous employees. Lewis (1984,1985) tested 66 hotel attributes to determine the basis of hotel selection by 1314 business and leisure travellers in six hotels. The ndings showed that location and price were the determinant attributes for hotel selection for both business and leisure travellers. Cadotte and Turgeon (1988) examined data from members of the AH MA (American Hotel Motel Association) on the relative frequency of 26 categories of compliments. Survey results found that the ve most frequent compliments were: (1) helpful attitude of employees, (2) cleanliness of establishment, (3) neatness of establishment, (4) quality of service, and (5) employee knowledge of service.