Freud paper

Freud and psychoanalysis has changed the way the world thinks for many years. His ideas have been accepted by the public as more of a second belief. Freudian psychiatry has also impacted the way we think about God and the Bible. In his analysis, Freud seemed to eliminate God, saying that He was created by us. He also said that we don't need to answer to a higher power in our lives. If we go by this rule, we are basically setting our goals to society's standards; we are going to be accepting what society thinks is right and rang, not what God thinks of as right and wrong.You are simply going by matter of opinion and not what is truly correct. Freudian psychiatry challenges biblical teaching by saying that we do not need God to answer to or to even have in our lives. Freud is essentially saying we don't need a God to ‘survive' in society's eyes; everything can be explained either materially or scientifically. In a way, having no God in our lives is an excuse to not pay any mind t o God's teachings. If this is true, can we commit rimes and not have to worry about the consequences?It seems that according to Freud, we will only have the trouble of answering to society; we shouldn't even have to worry about the shame of telling God. But as Christians, we should filter other theories through the Bible to confirm its solidity in God and His teachings. So is Freudian psychoanalysis correct? I am not going to judge it and tell you if it is right or wrong; I will merely state my opinion on it. Fraud's theory is very similar of that of Darning's theory of SocialDarwinism; survival of the fittest. In a sense, if we take God out of the picture, we will only be competing for top spot in society. There will be no seat next to God in Heaven. There will be, according to Freud, no eternal life. The most of our worries would be answering to society's judgment upon us. Freudians theory clashes with the Bible in many aspects; we should still sift outside information through the Bible to get the answer that is correct, not in our eyes, but Gods eyes.

Administrative Thought and Ethics

The â€Å"Allegory of the Cave† tells about Plato’s idea of the reality of the human situation. In the Allegory, Plato envisioned human existence as like slaves chained together in a deep, dark cave dimly illuminated by a fire burning some distance behind and above them.They chained and fettered in such a way that they have no way to see what is behind them. The Analogy of the Cave tells us that the appearances of things around us and as we understands them, are merely shadows of reality. The realities of these things are inaccessible to us.2. According to Plato, what are the â€Å"Forms?† How does Plato’s doctrine of the formstie in with the Allegory of the Cave?The â€Å"Forms† for Plato is a unified theory of reality, knowledge, and value. In other words, the Forms are concepts or ideas which are eternal rather than physical things. Forms are the incorporeal, eternal entities which constitute the ultimate realities.Reality of things lies in the w orld of perfect world of Forms or Ideas, and physical things are merely shadows of reality.  Ã‚   Plato’s doctrine of form tie with the Allegory in the Cave in the context that both tells that the realities are intangible. What we see around us are merely shadows or imitation of the reality which are ideas or forms.  What does Aristotle say about Plato’s doctrine of the forms and account of the good?  Aristotle regarded Plato’s doctrine of form as old ideas. According to Aristotle, Plato separated ideas from the physical forms of things. Plato held that physical things are merely shadows of what is real; Aristotle says that it is the substance that makes things real, and the essence or the substance of material things do not exist separately form those things.Aristotle says that for anyone to be good, he must first be able to manage his own family well. That is, goodness is reflected by how individual play his or her role in the family. However, the highes t good according to Aristotle can be obtain if we chose to desire a particular objective and is not complicated by desires of everything merely to satisfy our cravings (Aristotle, p. 1)According to Aristotle, what are the â€Å"virtues of thought?† Which of these do we use in making decisions about politics and ethics?The virtues of thoughts according to Aristotle are reason and choice or desire. Aristotle explained that if is reasoning are true and desires are right, it results to an intellect that is true and practical. Of these two, we use choice or desires most in making decisions about politics and ethics because choice or desires directs efforts towards the good actions. In other words, those who have these virtues are men who are capable to make a choice and whose reasoning are true.What is the main point that James Scott is trying to get across in his book, Seeing Like a State?The main point that James Scott is trying to get across in his book is that the state as mos t powerful institution is the great architect of modernization of the society as well as its deterioration by designing a social life that would not be in conflict with progress.It features an authoritarian state which placed â€Å"a single planning authority rather multiple source of invention and change; in place plasticity and autonomy of existing life, was a fixed social order in which positions were designated† (Scott, p. 93). Scott emphasized that high modernism emphasis does not all brings blessings but it also greatly brings disgrace and destruction.  Briefly compare and contrast the following sets of opposing concepts:   Monism vs PluralismIn a nut shell, Pluralism stands for the distributive form of being while the monism for the collective form. Monism held that there is one right way of resolving value conflicts-either by appeal to some supreme value, or to some authoritative ordering value. Pluralism on the other hand refers to the subset of public values suc h as liberty, justice, equality, and community.  Rationalism vs. Anti-rationalismRationalism is concern about the good of the society whether religious or not. It seeks to make morality the sole agenda of life and it declares that must be guided by reason and regulated by science. Aside from being the opposite, Anti-rationalism believes that rational belief alone cannot produce either exciting or justifying reasons. This view held that moral truth cannot be derived an objective judgment of right and wrong.Purposive State vs. Civil AssociationPurposive state according to Michael Spicer is a political association â€Å"in which individuals recognize themselves as united or bound together for the joint pursuit of some coherent set of sustentative ends while civil association† (p. 15).Spicer explained that purposive state is a planned social order that is a â€Å"method of establishing order that consist in limiting freedom of things and men to stay or move about at their plea sure, by assigning to each a specific position in the prearranged plan† (Spicer, p. 15).Civil association on the other hand is â€Å"one in which men and women see themselves as essentially free to pursue their own particular interests and values. Civil associations according to Spicer â€Å"understands themselves as bound together by their recognition of their acknowledgment of certain rules of conduct† (Spicer, p. 21).Work CitedAristotle (Trans. Ross, W.D.) â€Å"Nicomachean Ethics† Book I (Happiness)Scott, J.C. â€Å"Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed† USA: Yale University PressSpicer, M. â€Å"Public Administration and the State: A Postmodern Perspective† USA: The University of Alabama

Department store Essay

â€Å"What I Heard at the Discount Department Store† ─David Budbill.  Q: How soon do you understand that a character, other than the poet, speaks this poem? What is her tone and how do you know it? In David Budbill’s poem, â€Å"What I Heard at the Discount Department Store†, it is evident by line six that someone other than the poet speaks this poem. The poem starts off in first person. The character is an angry mother â€Å"dealing† with her young child in a discount department store. Stop it. I mean it. You know I do. If you don’t stop, I’ll give you fucking something to cry about right here and don’t think I won’t either (lines 2-5). This displays how the character which is obviously the mother is speaking and it also displays her anger and frustration. The poem continues on and the point of view changes and as the reader, I became the spectator. â€Å"So she did. She slapped him across the face. / And you could hear the snap of flesh against the flesh†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (6-7). Understanding that both the poet and the character are speaking in this poem occurs early on and it isn’t until the poem redirects back to first person point of view, that it is understood that there are two speakers in this poem. Budbill emphasizes the tone of the mother’s character (anger and frustration) by the words he chose for the mother to say. In line three of the poem she drops her first â€Å"f-bomb† and does so again in line 20, which is  followed by another curse word. â€Å"You can get away with fucking murder there, / but you can’t get away with shit like that with me† (20-21). It is obvious that she is angry by the words she is using with her young child and it is also evident that she is frustrated with her child’s behavior. The mother’s frustration is demonstrated through line 16-21 when she explains how her child is not at school, where she believes him to get away with misbehavior, and that he is now with his mother where no misbehavior is accepted, â€Å"You’re not in school anymore. / You’re with your mother now† (18-19). The tone of the mother’s character is displayed through her choice of words and how she speaks so aggressively to her son.

Hobbes, Machiavelli and Moral Relativism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hobbes, Machiavelli and Moral Relativism - Essay Example The morality that The Prince espouses has immortalized the famous notion that the ends justify the means, that a ruler should not concern himself with abstract concepts of virtue and ethics in the effort to hold power. In this realist construct, since the ruler is power, the idea of sacrificing power in the interest of the virtuous rule is not only an irrelevant idea, it becomes illogical. In this perspective, Machiavelli argues that the ruler must â€Å"learn to be able not to be good and to use this and not use it as necessity dictates.†1 â€Å"Necessity† is the operative word in this idea, and emphasizes the â€Å"real-world† morality of Machiavelli’s invention. â€Å"The Prince must govern in the real world with men as they are, and not in some ideal world where men behave as they ought to.†2 To Macchiavelli, actions bear an intrinsic â€Å"virtue† of their own, regardless of whether those actions can be identified as â€Å"evil.† In other words, if the ruler, by his actions, is able to solidify his power and thus keep his rule secure from those who seek to supplant him, then he has, by definition, done good. Though Thomas Hobbes disagreed with Macchiavelli concerning the role of the state, the two agreed on this 2 point: â€Å"In stressing the power of the sword and the inefficacy of mere words, Hobbes was following Macchiavelli.†3 Both Hobbes and Macchiavelli concur in the political â€Å"virtue† of fear and power, and that â€Å"there should be no limitations placed upon the rights of rulers.†4 For both Hobbes and Machiavelli, metaphysics has no place in the real world of men, the world in which power is the only real currency. The effective ruler is never one who would consider virtue to be anything more than an abstraction, which can in no way aid him in wielding and maintaining power. Morality has a slightly different meaning for Hobbes, who proposes a â€Å"natural condition of ma nkind,† in which there is chaos, a condition devoid of political organization or power.5 In this natural state, Hobbes argues that there is no possibility of morality because there is nothing to give it context and meaning. Hobbes counters that in a commonwealth, the organized political state in which all have a place, it is essential, and the individual’s bounden duty, to obey those who hold power. Hobbes may have followed Machiavelli in the fundamental beliefs concerning the primacy of power and authority over ideas and moral ethic, but he diverges from Machiavelli over the doctrine that morality is something that not only exists within the bounds of the political state, but is something that the individual must concede to the state for his own well-being and that of society. Hobbes was writing from firsthand knowledge about religious warfare, specifically, the horrific experiences of the English Civil War, the outcome of which had forced Hobbes to flee England to avo id Cromwell’s wrath over his proposition that obedience to unrestrained royal authority must be absolute. 3 Hobbes postulated a form of human equality for which Machiavelli does not allow. Yet Hobbes’ â€Å"equality† is not in the same vein as that of the ancient Greeks, or the great philosophers and writers of the Enlightenment. In Hobbes’ view, â€Å"men should be seen to be equal politically because of a decisive point of equality: every human being, even the strongest and smartest, is susceptible to being killed by others.†

Thames Water Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Thames Water Case Study - Essay Example As regards the second, Thames’ decision to let employees go and its failure to keep wages stable in real terms, means that it does not regard its employees as stakeholders. Thames is failing to uphold both its corporate social responsibility and to define employees as stakeholders is not a sustainable situation. Certainly, the company is reporting profits at the moment, probably due to the fact that there is no substitute threat to their product but, in the long-run, the company will loose out and its profits will decline. It is extremely important that Thames redefine its employees as primary stakeholders and, directly connected to this, adopt a corporate social responsibility framework. Through a review of the theory on employees as stakeholders and the relation of corporate social responsibility to the stated, this research shall illustrate that there is an immediate connection between corporate social responsibility and the acceptance and treatment of employees as stakeholders, on the one hand, and between these two and corporate success on the other. Corporate social responsibility refers to the level of an organizations involvement in the improvement of the quality of life of its community, and its acceptance of the fact that it has an important role in improving quality of life (Margolis and Walsh, 2003). Even though there is no precise definition for quality of community life,’ since it is dependent on many factors, such as socio-political climate, the state of the economy, the type of industry attempting to identify the problems, and location of the business, among others, the fact is that it refers to the degree to which an organisation gives back to the community and regards itself as part of the community (Carroll, 1999; Margolis and Walsh, 2003). Corporate social responsibility is founded upon an organisation’s understanding of the social issues which

Read the requirement paper carefullyall of the requirements are in the Essay

Read the requirement paper carefullyall of the requirements are in the documents - Essay Example Thus based on the product the segmentation is decided. Here segmentation will be done based on demographic, geographic, psychographic and behavioural variables. Demographic segmentation tends to divide the market in segments based on factors such as gender, age, income and others (Ferrell & Hartline, 2010, p.117). Based on demographic segmentation, Sleep Bug application will be made available to both the genders male and female as the application which is designed for windows phone 7 and iOS are used by both the segments and thus the segmentation are done keeping in mind the female market and the male market segment. The sound and the music along with feature installed in the application have also been developed according to the segments likes and dislikes. Age is the next factor in demographic segmentation, and the sleep bug pro will be segmented to the age group 16 years and above. The reason behind selecting the age bar to 16 years is that since everyone in today’s generati on has an access to iPhone, iPad and iPod therefore the application is made available for all the people within the particular age group so that they can enjoy the application and have a sound and proper sleep. Based on the income level, the application are targeted to those having iPhones, iPod and iPads dividing the segment into middle to higher level of income group who has the capacity to afford an iPhone and related product. Geographic segmentation is the process of segmenting the market by region, market size, climate and also market density (Lamb, Hair & McDaniel, 2008, p. 234). Based on geographic segmentation, Sleep Bug will be segmented on population density to the urban people who have problem while sleeping due to heavy work pressure, and other related problems. Behavioural segmentation segments the market based on the usage of the product. Sleep Bug will segment it for those who are conscious about their health and improve memory as proper sleep will boost up health, pe ople who are fascinated towards new applications , who would use it on regular basis and status conscious that is the segment who are not price sensitive. Based on the above segmentation a detailed customer profile has been developed, Sleep Bug is an application which can be used in Windows Phone 7 and iOS and focus mainly on the customer segment. The target market for Sleep Bug is those segments that suffers from poor sleep, secondly the working group who demands peaceful and sound sleep, thirdly for those who like handling new application and show it as a status symbol. The third target market also includes students apart from the college goers. Analysing the growth of mobile application which is expected to grow from $6.8billion to about $25billion in the next four years (App Muse, 2012), there seems to exists potential customer base helping Sleep Bug to generate revenue and profit in the long run. Task 2 Consumer Behaviour Factors Consumers are the centre for the marketers and w ithout satisfying the customer the marketing manager cannot be termed to be successful in his given task. The behaviour of consumers tends to differ from person to person as each of them behaves in respect to their inner motives. As per the definitions given by Philip Kotler, â€Å"Consumer buying behaviour refers to the buying behaviour of final consumers who buy goods and services for personal

Urban Land use Issues and Concepts within London Essay

Urban Land use Issues and Concepts within London - Essay Example rch has been conducted for the urban sustainability of London, the twenty four hour city, to know the positive and negative impacts of the densification and diverse activity resulting from land uses for residents, businesses and reactions of the people over mixed use and increased development activity. Case study results of conceptual and empirical model were attempted by VIVA 2020 IN Clerkenwell, situated on the city fringe of London, a typical urban village. Survey results of a comparative study between central Sheffield where new apartments and mixed-use construction is going on and Manchester, making a secondary analysis of residential survey, besides other stakeholders including local authority planners (policy and development control), conservation and economic development & regeneration officers, local estate agents, developers and design firms to evaluate the quality of life realized and criteria that impacted decision making by the stakeholders (Viva 2020, 2010). As per the findings of the case study comparison between central Sheffield and Manchester, the social and economic uses can remain there to the limit of mixed-use at building, street and neighbourhood level. Some functions were deemed spatially different to be within walking distances like housing and nearby functions. Housing above the retailing at the level floor and entertainment was found practically discernible if rest of the issues could be looked after well by design quality and management (Viva 2020, 2010). Major issues faced were related to environment – litter/waste, noise, anti-social behaviour. Criminal activity was found related and associated with cafà © and street culture near to residential areas and outsiders’ access to street and, but fringes of streets with poor security. Residents made choices between a lack of balcony space and reduced car use and trade-off it with public transport. Facilities like local shops, green area and play fields were prime quality of life

EA Framework Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

EA Framework Paper - Essay Example These needs depend on the complexity of the organizations operations and the amount of data traffic that they experience. The frameworks have different components, which make up their basic operations. These components include, the views, the methods and the training involved. The two most common frameworks employed are, The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) and the Zachman Institute for Framework Architecture (ZIFA). In this paper, the discussion will focus on TOGAF. The Open Group Architecture Framework The TOGAF is a framework that is commonly used in organizations that are developing the enterprise architecture for their internal use. This framework provides an approach to planning, designing and implementation of the enterprise architecture that is very holistic. The TOGAF is a trademark registered by the Open Group in the United States of America and in other countries of the world as well (Bernard, 2005). Its basic structure is based on the notions of modularization an d standardization. The methodologies and technologies used in its design are ones that have been existing and been duly tested and proven. The framework is comprised of three main components that make up its structure. The first one is the Architecture Development Method. This component is used to determine the type of enterprise architecture that will be implemented in the organization. It derives this based on the operations of that organization. The second component is the TOGAF Enterprise Continuum. This component illustrates how the different architecture is developed from their foundation and through all the different models according to their functions. The third component is the TOGAF resource base; this provides the tools necessary for the application of TOGAF. The resource base provides the techniques based on the requirements of the business or on the type of the business (Ross, 2006). The Architecture Development Method forms the core of TOGAF and it has been specificall y designed to tackle the organizations business needs and information systems needs, as well. The TOGAF, as all other frameworks has its strengths and weaknesses. Its strengths appeal to the users and make it a better choice compared to the others. It has weaknesses in other areas but with the continuing development, these weaknesses are looking to be eliminated or reduced to a minimum. One of the strengths of TOGAF is that it performs the process of designing the systems in blocks. This is easy because, when development takes place in block or modules it makes it easier to manage errors, because it is easy to locate them. The development of these blocks can also take place simultaneously, making it time efficient. Development using modules also improves re usability because; common modules can be reused in familiar systems. The framework also provides information on how these blocks interact and fit together. This makes it easier for all the entities involved to understand the syst em, and how it works. Another strength is that, the TOGAF develops a common vocabulary that is used in all that stages of development of the framework (Ross, 2006). The use of a common vocabulary makes the process of designing easier for all the parties involved and it improves communication. The framework al

American Presidency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Presidency - Essay Example In general, each man who has held the position, has faced somewhat similar circumstances while holding the job, but have been forced to approach them from an individualistic standpoint that stays true to their respective convictions, while outlining their legacies in the pages of the history books that future generations will come to read. As for the American Presidency, the following are listed under Article II of the US Constitution in regards to the issue of the role of the office of the Presidency and in particular the tools available to its occupant; Chief Diplomat: Under the Constitution, the president has more authority over foreign policy than the other branches of the government (but not sole authority). The president can negotiate treaties (with consent of the Senate), appoint diplomatic personnel, and has sole power to recognize governments. Commander-in-Chief: The Constitution places the president as the head of the armed forces of the United States. One way to look at this is that he is the general of the generals. This is important because it guarantees civilian control over the military (something missing in many countries of the world). One of the last major challenges to the presidency as commanderin-chief came when General douglas McArthur challenged Truman's policies during the Korean War which led to President Truman's firing of McArthur. Chief Legislator: No bill propos... Commander-in-Chief: The Constitution places the president as the head of the armed forces of the United States. One way to look at this is that he is the general of the generals. This is important because it guarantees civilian control over the military (something missing in many countries of the world). One of the last major challenges to the presidency as commanderin-chief came when General douglas McArthur challenged Truman's policies during the Korean War which led to President Truman's firing of McArthur. Chief Legislator: No bill proposed by the congress can become a law without the president's signature. Thus the president is also involved in the process of legislation. But the Constitution mandates that the president "from time to time" inform the congress on the state of the union (the U.S.). By tradition, this has become a yearly event known as the State of the Union Address. Through this address the president helps to set legislative priorities for the coming year. ("The Presidency", p.1). Different President's come into office at different times during the course of their nation's history. Contrary circumstances that can lead different men in vastly different directions and lead them to having distinct Presidencies in their own right. In regards to what would enable a President to succeed, as well as what could make then fail, "Two hundred years of our country's history suggest that five qualities have been constants in the men who have most effectively fulfilled the oath of office. First, every successful president has had vision, insight, or understanding: a clear idea of

Global trends affecting the retail pharmacy industry in the next 5-7 Essay

Global trends affecting the retail pharmacy industry in the next 5-7 years - Essay Example Online merchants have been growing in number as well. The retail pharmacy industry must take advantage of websites in order to keep up with the technology. These two trends will impact the retail pharmacy industry within the next five to seven years. The first trend of more one on one consultation is due to the second trend of more patients. Doctors are becoming overwhelmed by the field of geriatrics. More and more elderly patients are seeking medical care, and thus prescriptions and other over the counter medicine. Doctors are seeing as many patients possible, leaving the prescription counseling to the retail pharmacy industry. Since doctors are busy, appointments take a month or more to receive. Thus elderly patients are coming to pharmacists with questions on routine nutrition, over the counter medicines, and common illnesses. The retail pharmacy industry is becoming the first stop for patients, instead of the doctor’s office. Thus more one on one consultation would be routinely done daily. If the rise in consultations continues, the need for more retail pharmacy industry consultants and pharmacists will also rise. This would mean more training for retail pharmacy industry jobs. That would create a need for teachers, curriculum, and students relating to the retail pharmacy industry. It would also be necessary to recruit individuals interested in this type of work field. A lack of personnel in the retail pharmacy industry could hurt the industry. In order to take advantage of the billion-trillion dollar need, personnel must be interested and trained for the retail pharmacy industry. Online services are showing up for most major retail pharmacies. These online services can be convenient. Doctors can place prescriptions on secure websites. Customers can transfer existing prescriptions. Consultants are made available online. This is through live consultants and

Some Useful Recommendations in the law Commission's report 'Public Essay

Some Useful Recommendations in the law Commission's report 'Public Service Ombudsmen' - Essay Example It recommended that statutory provisions that warrant complaints to be made to ombudsmen in writing have to be repealed. Secondly, section 5(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 should be repealed. This is the section that directs that Ombudsmen should not carry out investigations on matters that can be the subject to judicial review proceedings or appeal unless the ombudsmen are satisfied that in the particular situation, it is not reasonable to expect the complainant to follow up the matter in such ways. The commission recommended that this section of the law be replaced with a discretion to investigate except where the matter is considered inappropriate. The third recommendation was that the Administrative Court should have an authority to stay in action before the matter to allow for an investigation or disposition of the matter by the public services ombudsman. Fourthly, a reaped should also be made on the ‘MP filter’ which similarly applies to the Parliame ntary Ombudsman. The public services ombudsmen should be able to complain either via an MP or directly. Fifthly, â€Å"a specific power to make a reference to the Administrative Court asking a question on a point of law† should be given to the Ombudsmen1. ... Finally, there needs to be a fundamental review of the current public services ombudsmen as well as the ombudsman's position in the landscape for administrative justice. An analysis of these recommendations shows that they are useful in enhancing the ability of the public services ombudsman to seek and deliver justice to the public in case of any complaints of injustice. However, the commission did not adequately focus on the role of the Ombudsman in regard to judicial review. Evidently, it dwelt much on the law and courts but failed to understand 'ombudsmary'. This inadequacy is highly evidenced by the case Bradley v Secretary of state for work and pensions [2008]. On 15th march, 2006, the public services ombudsman published a report entitled â€Å"Trusting in the pensions promise: government bodies and the security of final salary occupational pensions (HC 984)†. In this report, the public services ombudsman addressed the circumstances under which salary schemes were wound u p and it also revealed the role of the government on this scandal2. The ombudsman revealed that the department of work and pensions (DWP) had published leaflets encouraging the public to stick to company pension schemes but this information was incomplete and misleading. It failed to warn the public that their pensions were at risk if the pension schemes of their companies wound up. The ombudsman therefore concluded that there was a maladministration and the Actions of the DWP lead to injustice to the public. The findings of the ombudsman's report were rejected by the State's secretary for Work and Pensions. However, through a judicial review of this rejection, the actions of the state secretary for WP was

Religious Ethics Essay Example for Free

Religious Ethics Essay In this essay, I will be taking religious ethics to mean the ethical principles of Christianity, i.e. Christian Ethics. This includes the moral decisions based on the teachings of Christianity from such sources as the Bible. The term environmental issues covers a broad spectrum of concerns. As far as ethics is concerned, the issue is how far our moral concerns should extend to the environment and how we should live out our responsibility towards it. By environment, the earth and all its living entities are concerned. As our concern for the environment has increased and our general awareness heightened, debates about morality towards the environment have emerged. Issues such as climate change, pollution, global warming and the extinction of species can all be linked to the actions of humans (e.g. CFCs and the burning of fossil fuels). Therefore, as the damage to our environment becomes more problematic, the link between its deterioration and the actions of humans becomes more prominent. Anthropocenctrism, usually attributed to the teachings of Christianity, places humans at the centre of the world and therefore the environment. Aristotle taught that nature has made all things specifically for the sake of man; he basically states that humans are the only beings on earth that have intrinsic value, and that everything else placed on this earth has instrumental value and is to be used for the benefit of humans. Humanity is placed at the top of Aristotles hierarchy due to their possession of reason; animals can move and feel pain so come next; plants who can only grow and reproduce are placed at the bottom; and he appears to place no value on inanimate objects as they dont even have a vegetative soul. During the late 18th century and the early 19th century, the thinkers of the enlightenment period, also known as the age of reason, emphasised anthropocentric approaches and concluded that reason is the mark of authority. Scientific discoveries were made that bred confidence in mans ability and shifted philosophical thought away from the teaching that God and the church are the centre of morality. Capitalism emerged which taught emphasising the success of the individual. Immanuel Kant placed humans at the top of his hierarchy with their intrinsic worth due to their possession of reason. Kant also viewed animals as of no moral concern to humans; the only time it is wrong to hurt an animal is when it could instrumentally harm a human. However, by Kants reasoning that we can only have concern for animals if the impact is on humanity, he is contradicting himself as he looks to the consequence, which denotes it as a hypothetical imperative and therefore immoral. He also decides on moral action using formulations of the categorical imperative; 1. universalisability, where no contradictions can occur. Kant did not intend his theory to be used as an environmental ethic as it was not relevant at the time. 2. Kant declares that only moral rational agents need moral consideration as ends in themselves and we should exclude animals from moral worth which concludes it to be outdates and unsuitable to be used as an environmental ethic. Therefore, Kants ethic is likely to be an unsympathetic approach and would probably lead to damage to the environment. Christian anthropocentrism is mainly derived from the teachings of Genesis. The creation story (Genesis (1:26-28) teaches us to fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. This implies that God has made all things for the sake of humans; that the only beings upon this earth that have intrinsic value are humans, and that everything else serves to benefit humanity (instrumental value). The only reason we need to have care for the environment is because our actions may have an impact, sooner or later, upon ourselves. St Thomas Aquinas also held this belief and stated that injury to an animals leads to the temporal hurt of man, either the doer of the deed, or of another. Dr Lynn White suggested that we need to re-examine our attitudes towards nature, which derive from our religious beliefs, in order to successfully address the ecological crises. He said Human ecology is deeply conditioned by beliefs about our nature and destiny that is, by religion. He develops this suggesting that our destruction and damage to the environment can be traced to the technological advances of the industrial revolution and the enlightenment period which are a result of the despotic interpretation of the Judeo-Christian teachings declaring Western Christianity as the most anthropocentric religion the world has seen. Utilitarianism is another approach towards ecological issues that one can consider when deciding the best approach towards environmental issues. Peter Singer is a preference utilitarian, who doesnt measure happiness in the measure of extent or duration of happiness but instead on the satisfaction of desires or preferences. Singer measures the importance of an individual or being, not on their possession of a soul or reason, but on their ability to suffer. To Singer, it doesnt matter whether the being in question is human or not and both humans and sensory non-humans are equally entitled to moral concern. As we can imagine that their preference would be to avoid pain. He accused many moral philosophers and scientists of Speceism; refusing respect to the lives of other species, not just humans, and proposed that we need to include animals in the expanding circle of moral worth; If possessing a higher intelligence does not entitle one human to use another for his own ends, how can it entitle humans to exploit non humans for the same purpose?. The problem that arises from Singers theory is whether or not plants, and lesser life forms and non-life forms are included in the expanding circle of moral worth as they are not conscious living entities so we dont know what their preferences would be. Initially, Singer does not consider lesser life forms to have any moral significance, but in the second edition of his book states the argument from intrinsic value of the plants, species or eco systems is at best problematic. Singers utilitarian argument has weaknesses in so far as it has no clear boundaries as to where our moral concern should lie. Unlike Christianitys anthropocentric approach which clearly places humanity as the centre of our moral concern, Utilitarianism only beholds vague ideas of where our moral concern should extend to. The utilitarian argument has its strength in its positioning of the capability of suffering above the possession of reason. This does bear a more sympathetic approach towards humans of lesser intelligence (i.e. those with special needs) but then suggests that they are on the same level as animals. This would suggest Christianity to be a better approach as it is more compassionate. Biocentrism, proposed by Paul Taylor, extends the circle of moral worth to include all living things and thus declares that humanity is not the centre of existence. Taylor argues that all life forms have intrinsic value which human beings have a duty to respect. We therefore have a moral responsibility towards them which would entail engaging in practices and policies aimed at specific ways of preserving the ecosystems. Taylor holds non-living things such as mountains to only hold instrumental value and therefore they bare no ethical status. Taylors argument is fairly balanced as it doesnt presume that human beings are the only beings with intrinsic value but he fails to introduce any sort of hierarchy and places humans on the same level as bacteria, which seems absurd. He also implies that we should all be vegans, but fails to address this, and doesnt consider whether a lion is acting immorally if it eats a zebra. Christianity therefore is more logical as it sets a clear hierarchy which allows mowing the lawn and eating meat. Ecocentrism is another approach to environmental issues. It recognises the importance of the ecosphere and the environment with out suggesting that any organism as more important than the other. Aldo Leopold proposed an ecocentric theory; The Land Ethic which simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soil, waters, plants and animals. Or collectively the land. He argued that current conservation policies are based on economic motives. He says it is inconceivable to me than an ethical relation to land can exist without love, respect, and admiration for land and a high regard for its value. By value, I of course mean something far broader than mere economic value; I mean value in the philosophical sense. He argues that Christianitys teachings of dominion saw us as conquerors of the land and that if we are to resolve the ecological crises we need to see ourselves as members of the community that also includes the land. Another ecocentric approach is that of deep ecology devised by Arne Naess. It was born out of appreciation for non-Christian religions that recognised the sacredness of natural phenomena. This includes the notion of biospheric egalitarianism which views that all living things have intrinsic value. Deep ecology views the world as a network of interconnected and interdependent phenomena; a web of life. These theories fail to determine how lesser life forms could have any moral interest, and how mountains and the like could have any moral interests whatsoever. This weakens it as Christianity. However it does appear to be more sympathetic as it concludes that other life forms have intrinsic value, not just humans. Another ecocentric approach is that of the Gaia Hypothesis proposed by James Lovelock. After discovering that it is the earths unique atmosphere that makes life on earth possible, he declared the difference between earth and the other planets was Gaia. All life forms are part of Gaia and he saw the earth as a self regulating living system. In his words Gaia is a complex entity involving the Earths biosphere, atmosphere, oceans and soil; the totality constituting a feedback or cybernetic system which seeks an optimal physical and chemical environment for life on this planet. He saw the ecosystems of the earth as intelligently organised, not by God, but by Gaias self engineering. He concludes that if humans were taken out of Gaia, it would survive without us; therefore, humanity is not integral to the environment. Lovelock later suggested that as the environmental issues increase, the planet may not be able to recover and we are in the process of killing the earth, which he refers to as matricide. This suggestion that the earth is intelligently organised has much evidence (for example the water cycle, the reproductive system). However, by suggesting that the earth is alive and therefore self regulates these systems is weak as it is hard to prove. For Christians, the intelligent organisation is of course a result of God. The despotic readings of the creation story present Christianity negatively as White argues. Because we are made in the image of God we believe that the world was made for our sake only. However, one must look at other interpretations of Christian teachings that would suggest a more considerate approach to the environment. One could interpret the use of the word dominion no as despotic, but as a call for stewardship. God has chosen humanity to regulate the response of the natural world to its creator so we must care and conserve and acts as the director of natures obedience to God. This makes Christian teaching more theocentric than anthropocentric as it suggests that the peak of creation is God. If we used this as a basic principle when approaching environmental issues, then it would be a strong theory, as it allows humanity to care for the land. Aquinass Natural Law theory is based on the thinking of Aristotle, that all things in nature are for the good of man. He extends this further to explain how things are not worthless, but valuable because they are what God intended them to be; they fulfil their own Telos. Humans are declared as the most valuable beings due to their creation in imago dei and possession of reason but we should follow stewardship rather than despotism. This would however suggest that despite the strengths of being stewards, being a Christian Ethic, one must have a belief in God to conclude this to be a valid approach to environmental issues. Another Christian approach is Joseph Fletchers Situation Ethics which emphasises the importance of love in moral decisions, but was never considered an environmental ethic. Fletcher believed in personalism; that people are placed before the laws, again being anthropocentric in that we are suggested to be able to do what we want. He promoted pragmatism; that one must do something that would produced the most loving consequences in that situation. This would be a positive approach to the environment as people would be loving towards it. This could perhaps places the environment second to human needs which would be a negative attitude. However, Fletchers ethic is too vague to be considered in any depth as we cant define what is the most loving thing, who its for or even what love means. Attfield suggests a deeper interpretation of Christian teachings in order to accurately devise an ethical basis towards the environment. He saw that in Job (38:25) for example, God is said to send rain for the plants and uninhabited wilderness. And to have made wilderness for the Ass. Also the proverbs inform us that a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast. This would be the understanding that Jesus would have had, following the Old Testament teachings. There are New Testament teachings that would instruct a more sympathetic attitude to nature such as Jesus time in the desert amongst wild beasts after his baptism, and the use of nature and animals in his teachings and parables. However, there are the passages of the Gadarene swine and the cursing of the fig tree that suggest a more inconsiderate attitude is permitted. In Hebrew tradition, Kings were answerable to God, not absolute monarchs in themselves, therefore according to Attfield the biblical dominion of man is no despotism. However, White argues that in medieval times the embrace of Christianity and the rejection of paganism changed the relationship between man and nature. The pagan ideas of living beings having a soul or a spirit (animism) encouraged a positive attitude towards nature, which were corrupted by the growth of Christianity. Attfield however counter argues these claims and says the ecological crises cant be blamed on ancient traditions as they have happened in more recent times (post 1945). Japan, for example, which is not a Christian country, shares many of the environmental problems that the West has. It is not just paganism and Buddhism that impose a limit on humankinds use of nature. Attfield then concludes that we neednt have a new environmental position; we just need to revert to stewardship rather than dominion. Walter H OBriant proposed a born again Christian belief in the rapture; that Christ will return and the bodies and souls of the saved will go to heaven. The earth is, according to OBriant, a temporary home therefore it doesnt matter what we do to the earth. After considering the theories discussed and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses I would argue that religious ethics are the best approach to environmental issues, provided we revert to a more stewardship attitude, rather than the despotic interpretation.

The Workplace As An Effective Learning Space Education Essay

The Workplace As An Effective Learning Space Education Essay Introduction Nowadays society, peoples understanding of learning space is no longer just confined to traditional areas of school education, but extends to all aspects of society. The workplace as an effective learning space, and its learning behavior has arouse widespread attention by educational theory and practice workers. Workplace learning as a form of learning, compared with traditional corporate training, not only improve employee skills to complete certain tasks, improve employee performance, change employee behavior and attitudes, but also to enhance overall quality of the employee, to enhance their knowledge to adapt to globalization and other external and internal environment change. Workplace learning is different from traditional forms of learning and training, it connected learner and worker, emphasizing to train the core competence, and get more and more attention. The rapid development of science and technology to accelerate the change cycle of the knowledge,also makes the work of those who need to use extensive knowledge or the main work is create knowledges employee face enormous pressure to update their knowledge and career development pressure. Especially the knowledge workers retraining and learning become the enterprise very concerned and attention problem. In the 1960s, the famous American scholars Foster once pointed out: the trainee get the employment opportunities in the labour market and the development prospects of taking office, is a key factor in the development of vocational education.Practical courses should be carried out within the enterprise, As far as possible reduction the distance between the regular school and the actual working situation.If you want to have some professional ability, it is necessary to participate in a solid and extensive vocational training; If you want to keep this professional ability and obtains the success in the future work, we must continue to develop own ability. Workplace learning is becoming an important form of lifelong learning. Many soft skills. Such as the ability to communication with others, methods ability, teamwork spirit, initiative and innovative spirit and so on.Its often acquisition in the work of informal learning rather than in formal education and training environment. Workplace learning challenge to the traditional education and the training system in some inherent formed. The concept of workplace learning Billet defines workplace learning as: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦is a way to participate in real task and members of skilled guidance of the activities directly or indirectly, acquire knowledge and skills in ways. (Billet 1993)  [1]   He put the knowledge of the study were divided into three types: 1. The declarative knowledge is the answer to what it is of the kind of questions. That the information on what things is. This kind of knowledge learning is the memory process. 2. The procedural knowledge is complete how do it of the kind of tasks. Must be demonstrated through practical activities. Such knowledge is the result of repeated practice and practice. 3. The tendentiousness knowledge is decided to do or not do, do what. For example. A person not willing to do something is hard to do it well. Do not even do it. Tendentiousness knowledge is the product of individual long-term emotional experience. In the workplace learning, procedural knowledge often can be directly observed, and conceptual knowledge of the content is rather ambiguous. Orientation determines the first two types of knowledge while knowledge creation, learning and use. Only three types of knowledge with each other in order to become full sense of the knowledge, have real value. According to the perspective of Mansfield, who defines workplace learning from the angle of skill, workplace learning is study method of learners developing working operational capacity in workplaces(Mansfield 1991)  [2]  .He points out that four forms of skills are required in work of learners: technical skill. task management skill. the capacity of planning. deciding,prioritizing and managing emergencies as well as role and environmental skills. He also stresses that the skill is integrated with important components of comprehension, emotion, value and emotional stability etc. A German professor Rauner raised five stages from freshman to expert, and each stage which people are moving forward to requires different knowledge: Know about orientation,general situation,and the contents of basic operation as well. The knowledge concerning to the occupation, that is to say ,people should assure how to connect this job with the other jobs, and consider the reason why such connection is needed. Specific and functional knowledge, which refers to knowing the contents involved in a certain specialized work and make sure how it works. The deep knowledge based on experience includes the investigation on how to explain the relevant jobs in systematically and the further development. Proceeding from the above stages,the learners progress in gaining the professional ability from freshman to expert is no more than a process from receiving information passively to more reflection and participation. Besides, the knowledge becomes more internalized as time goes on, which is nearly close to self-construction.( Smith,PJ.Smith,ES. 2006)  [3]   FreshmanÆ’Â  personnel with progressÆ’Â  adeptÆ’Â  skilled personnelÆ’Â  expert Billet and Mansfield present the definition of workplace learning from the angle of learning results of knowledge and skills etc. with the purpose of establishing a theoretical frame so as to summarize and distinguish each form of learning in workplaces and combine them with work of the employees. Blended learning in the workplace Blended learning in the workplace refers to the comprehensive learning activities performed by adults within the workshops for the solution of work problems and the adjustment to the new working environment, including blended working activities, learning activities, learning technologies and learning environment. Blended learning, the new term takes shape on the foundation of e.Learning reflection features effective combination of traditional learning methods and e. Learning, does not only avoid the disadvantages of traditional learning, but also absorb superiority of e.Learning(LeeZhao 2004)  [4]  .In recent years, there is an increasing number of professional managers and training supervisors in workplaces accepting the concept of blended learning and exploring to put its means into application in enterprise trainings as well as employees studying. Compared with single e.Learning, blended learning can increase training efficiency, reduce worker cost and decrease training periods(RossettFrazee 2006)  [5]  . Essence of workplace learning lies in blending, for instance, employees can pass on working experience through communication, learn technology through listening and observing colleagues and study new operating procedures by attending trainings. In recent years, an increasing number of managers and trainers in North American workplaces start to accept the conception of blended learning. According to the survey conducted by Sparrow in 2004 with the subjects of over 300 training professionals from countries such as America and Britain, more than 2/3 subjects believe that blended learning is the most effective training approach with the highest cost efficiency. Besides, it is forecasted that investment in blended learning will account for 30% of training budget in the companies in 2006. The final target and difficulty of blended learning, the integrated strategy of transferring learning and promoting performance that means dynamic integration of many approaches including combination of formal and informal learning, face-to-face and internet learning, teacher-instructed and self-tutored learning and the digital resource-assisted and aspectant communication and discussion learning, lie in improving studying and performance of the organization and selecting appropriate connections of multiple ways in accordance with specific situations and subjects respectively. Many American enterprises are conducting practice and exploration of blended learning, IBM, for instance, has designed and developed Basic Blue blended learning system applicable for the training of over 30,000 new managers that are globally distributed and constantly on the move, which consists of self-evaluation of online e-learning, online simulation of commercial scenarios, online communities, face-to-face tutor instruction as well as workshop discussion, synchronous/ asynchronous virtual collaboration tools (emails, telephones, instant messaging and electronic white board) and professional e-tutors etc.( RossettSheldon 2001)  [6]   It is obvious that blended learning is a good idea, but is it suitable for all organizations? It is more complicated than traditional classroom instruction at fixed time and in fixed places. In spite of the considerable consensus people have reached on conceptions, namely, significance of learning in workplaces deserves affirmation and its effect can not be ignored, it remains not enough to encourage enterprise employers to decide to increase investment budget in this area with the reasons that it might be a long-term investment career without producing any effects in a short period, meanwhile, it calls for enough and a large number of capital investment, which is only enough to shut some small and medium-sized enterprises out of door. As employers, the attitudes towards educational investment will eventually depend on what kind of investment can produce considerable output, which will on average make the enterprises caught in a dilemma. On one hand, major companies are convinced tha t learning activities can constantly satisfy the organizations demand for skilled labor force with comprehensive knowledge, which is conducive to enhance their competitiveness in the international market; on the other hand, we can not fully grantee that the expenditure utilized in employee learning and training is bound to create profits and benefits for the enterprises, especially that there exists a phenomenon of frequent job mobility among young employees owing to the function and influence of flexible market, and there is no doubt that they will take away with them all the knowledge and skills learned when they employee conduct resign and job-hopping, which means it is a movement of high risk for all enterprises, especially the small-sized and micro ones to overly invest in employee training. Take Denmark, the typical country as an example, on one hand, local enterprises on average are not willing to bear the education and training cost because people in Denmark are used to pay in a full manner the cost of continuing education and skill training by public finance, and they are not willing to pay the cost unless it is an education and training program of special significance for enterprises or employers; however, on the other hand, they have to admit that learning content, purpose and approaches in workplaces will indeed pose great influence on enterprises, and accordingly development and implementation of corresponding learning program is good for enterprise development. Therefore, investment in this part will be gradually increased in enterprises. As for that of general education, it will be decreased gradually due to the enterprises perspective that it will not produce direct economic profits. The above are the double attitudes towards learning produced by companies. Ho wever, they will positively prefer to introduce in quantity such learning into enterprises provided that workplace learning can enable enterprises to get some financial subsidies from other aspects. Learning island In Germany, the traditional dual training system is encountering unprecedented challenge. Many people are for the opinion that under the mode of dual system, enough attention has not been paid by vocational training to learning and training in workplaces, especially that professional trainings of large enterprises are generally purely consumptive skill trainings conducted by training workshops that are independent from the manufacturing process, which separates vocational training far away from practical production of the enterprises despite that it is conducive to the formation of fundamental skills. However, the significance of learning and training in workplaces is becoming increasingly prominent in modern training system. In addition, the capacity of learning and working in a team can not be taught, which requires the learner to learn as a member of the team. In order to change the situation, large corporations in Germany begin to explore training approach that is closely connect ed with the process of production in recent years, emphasizing learning in the working process. It is just under this background that the conception of Learning Island is introduced to the field of vocational learning and training in Germany. Learning island, which is a working area established in the actual production environment of a company, marks a component of real production process from whether the spatial perspective or the organizational one. That is to say, it enjoys the same working conditions and procedures for the solution of work and problems with actual production environment. In learning island, the trainees jointly accomplish a certain working task in the production process through cooperation in the form of groups and teams, and the productions they manufacture should meet the quality requirements, namely, they should enjoy economic value. Meanwhile, as the coach personnel, training teachers provide assistance about the problems and difficulties they encounter to the learners  [7]  . There are some learning islands establishing in Benz car plant in Gaggenau that are separated areas including producing and educating equipments in the working plant. In the unit of groups, learners there carry out work by taking projects as orientation with the content of scheming producing task, manufacturing certain parts and solving logistical problems. The productions manufactured need to go through quality tests and those qualified will be assembled to the cars. Work of the whole group will be supported by a coach who only coordinates and intervenes when it is necessary so as to maintain the initiatives of trainees. Each group is supposed to accomplish a specific work or task goal within five weeks, the process of which will be fed back regularly to relevant groups in order to encourage learners to seek improvements. With the purpose of providing help to learners in learning island, some employees from the front line of production will be selected by senior workers to take the duty of tutoring personnel, and the production losses resulted from absence of tutors from the first line of production will be fixed by groups in learning island, through which what their work means in an industrial or commercial environment will be confirmed by the learners. Only when serious mistakes happen can the tutors, who serve as contact points of work groups and play the role of advisor intervene with the purpose of maintaining self-governing of the group work as far as possible. Work-based learning The concept of work-based learning Boud, Solomon Symes describe work-based learning as follows: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a class of university programs that bring together universities and work organisations to create new learning opportunities in workplaces. Such programmes meet the needs of learners,contribute to longer-term development of the organisation and are formally accredited as university courses. There is a wide variation in the mix of elements they include, ranging from little more than a lightly tailored version of an existing course delivered in the workplace with some work-related assessment activities to programmes which focus more closely on the needs of learning in work. At the more interesting end of the spectrum are those programmes which depart substantially from the disciplinary framework of university study and which develop new pedagogies of learning. (Boud, Solomon Symes 2001:4)  [8]   Work-based learning is designed to use the opportunities, resources and experience in the workplace'(Margham 1997:2)  [9]  . These programs link theory and practice and are underpinned by appropriate professional knowledge and reflective practice (Hunt 2000)  [10]  . Work-based learning can be organised in a variety of ways and often consists of a hybrid mix of activities, however, they commonly include students undertaking a project or series of projects in their workplace. The context of work-based learning The work-based learning is an important component in Dual System Vocational Education in Germany, which has also achieved development in Australia,America, England in recent years. The development of the work-based learning in Australia The work-based learning system is developed with the evolution of apprentice system and trainee system, which are powerful in Australia.In the past seven years,under the support of finance and fundamental training programs, there was a great increase in the number of youths and adults who participated in training programs in Australia. In 2000, the apprentices and trainees who were accepting training are 275,000(Smith 2002)  [11]  .To tell the difference between apprentice system and trainee system, we should have a brief review on the historical evolution of the training system in Australia.Before the mid-1980s,orientation training was the work of traditional apprentice system and involved limited occupations.The Kerribi Report in 1985 suggested a one-year trainee system should be set up for the youths at the age of 16,17.In this system, 20% of time was used in school-based learning, while 80% of time was in work-based learning and the trainees also could receive 80% of the sala ry.People who participated the training in apprentice system were called apprentice, and in trainee system were called trainee.During 1996 to 1997, the number of trainees surpassed that of apprentices for the first time. Australia officials have ever expected to merge these two systems, and hoped to use Australia Vocational Training System,Modern Australia Apprentice System and New Apprentice System to unite the old names.But in fact , it is difficult to tell the difference between apprentice and trainee in Australia. Generally speaking, apprentices training time is longer than two years according to contract, otherwise, is trainee. Whatever in apprentice system or trainee system, the core part is the work-based learning. The development of the work-based learning in America In the late 1980s and the early 1990s, some areas and school districts or schools have noticed the problems in education so they launched reforms in local areas ,began to introduce the work-based learning and formulated various of models. For example, Georgia stipulated in its legislation in 1992 that any students in the grade of 11,12 or at the age of or more than 16 years old can register one of Youth Apprentice System programs provided by public schools(Smith 1998)  [12]  .A part of these models was adopted in School-to-Work Opportunity Act (STWOA) of 1994 and was spread through government. 3.the development of the work-based learning in England The work-based learning of England is reflected in the modern apprenticeship. The traditional apprenticeship was collapsed dramatically in 1970s. The main reason is it had little relation with mainstream educational system. In order to bridge the gap in training employees, the British government carried out a series of vocational training plans from the late 1970s to the late 1980s , however, its youth training plans didnt launched until 1990, and did not achieved success as hoped. Therefore, the British government initiated modern apprenticeship in September 1994. The early modern apprenticeship was applied in 14 industrial departments, and since 1995, its aim was to applied it in all industrial departments.There are three interrelated aspects in British modern apprenticeship:(1)apprenticeship is operated within the framework of contract which stipulates the rights and obligations of employer and apprentice explicitly and detailedly.(2)it includes cultural and social aspects before work and during the working process.(3)it contains school-based and work-based learning system which is an important characteristic of post-war British enterprises apprenticeship.Thus,the work-based learning is also the center of the British apprenticeship. The development of the work-based learning in worldwide has proved that it is a valuable and novel learning form in the recent vocational education and it is fully reflected the practicality of vocational education.At present,the extent of the promotion of the work-based learning is different in varied countries.For example,apprenticeship never plays an important role in cultivating skills in United States.And the 1990s modern apprenticeship did not gain the expected success in rebuilding the descending traditional apprenticeship in England. Compare to US and England,Australia was successful in this. Conclusion and Reflection Through the literature review,I have learned that Workplace learning is more than having structure,but a complicated one.However, due to the influence by too many elements,very few people can have full insights into the identity of work and learning and make natures of the two,with respect to learning or work,influence and supplement each other.Instead of maintaining an unchanged state in the whole interning process in workplace learning,the constantly changing environment, individual and different development demands of learners and the formed learning motivations will present a fluctuation in different occasions.Learners are also workers,and vice versa,so as to realize the required role coordination.The workplace-developed knowledge,which is primarily practical one under specific situation, is not public and can be structured only with experience.As a result, experience and reflection serve as its core elements, and it is of great significance for the individuals to participate in the practical process.Workplace learning, which marks a learning activity with instruction owing to the fact that it call for not only initiative as well as independent activity with abundant sense of responsibility, but also instruction and demonstration of experienced workers, allows learners to consolidate their own capacities through more practical operations and expend them with the organic combination of marginal participation and guidance. Everyday work activities when effectively structured provide opportunities for accessing and constructing robust and transferable vocational knowledge.The qualities of workplaces most likely to secure this knowledge are those that structure activities which assist individuals to move from peripheral activities to those which are more central to the functioning of the particular work practice;that provide expert guidance which presses individuals into accessing more complex forms of knowledge and which explicitly illuminate that which is not readily revealed. Through the literature review that I know how design of workplace learning mode for enterprises, guide and instruct workplace learning in an effective manner in order to achieve ideal learning effect of workplace learning, satisfy employees demands of career development and individual growth as well as coming to an agreement with business goals.The workplace is now commonly used as a setting for acquiring vocational knowledge.This situated approach to learning offers access to authentic vocational activities and the guidance of more expert others . Experience is most easy to grasp in practice.So,sharing experience is also a learning.Workplace learning is taught by one person who have experienced to no experience.Interest is the result of the learning experience,learning experience will impact personal education in the future and the development of vocational skills.Although the experience is the base of learning,but without reflection,learning is not complete.In fact,if the individual does not reflect on the experience,or did not consciously learn from experience,the experience of individuals may not learn.

High Contact Service

High Contact Service Summary of the Reviewed Article High-contact service industries are those in which service employees and customers have close and direct interactions for a prolonged period of time (Chase, 1981). A high-contact environment of services has the characteristics of longer communication time, understanding of communication, and richness of the information exchanged (Kellogg and Chase,1995). In this article, the impact of employee satisfaction on, quality and operational performance in high-contact service industries is investigated. The hypothesized relationships among employee satisfaction, service quality, customer satisfaction, and firm profitability are examined. Employee satisfaction plays a significant role in enhancing the operational performance of organizations in the high-contact service sector. Firm profitability has also a moderate effect on employee satisfaction, which lead to a satisfaction-quality-profit cycle. The reason of conducting this research is that the research in operational management to invest igate the relationships between quality, customer satisfaction and business performance has been conducted (e.g., Heim and Sinha, 2001; Balasubramanian et al., 2003; Nagar and Rajan, 2005), but research on the impact of employee satisfaction on operational performance is relatively scarce. In order to represent the whole service firm, service employees are often the first party and therefore are essential to shaping customers perception of service quality (e.g., Parasuraman et al., 1985; Hartline and Ferrell, 1996). Service employees job is considered as a three-cornered fight, in which the organization and customer are at the two ends, while service employees are caught-in-the-middle among them, Bateson (1985). It is important for service employees to meet the target of productivity performance in the organization and to fulfill customers needs and external quality goals. Hypotheses There are four hypotheses made by the writers of this article with empirical support and theoretical backing of the previous studies that employee satisfaction, service quality, customer satisfaction, and firm profitability have relationships with one another. Hypothesis-1. Employee satisfaction has a positive influence on service quality. Hypothesis-2. Service quality has a positive influence on customer satisfaction. Hypothesis-3. Employee satisfaction has a positive influence on customer satisfaction. Hypothesis-4. Customer satisfaction has a positive influence on firm profitability. Data Collection This study was conducted in Hong Kong. They identify 12 main shopping areas in Hong Kong (e.g., Tsimshatsui and Causeway Bay) and they selected five major shopping centers randomly from each area. They choose small service organizations with only two to five service employees, because employee satisfaction level tends to be more consistent and easier to capture. in small organizations (George and Bettenhausen, 1990). To collect the data, they prepared survey packets, in which one shop-in-charge questionnaire and two service employee questionnaires are included and they choose eight different types of service shops. Results In their results they show that All the four hypothetical relationships were supported at the significance level of p = 0.01. The linkage between employee satisfaction and service quality (Hypothesis 1) is highly significant (P = 0.423, t = 4.778). Supporting hypothesis-2 service quality has a positive influence on customer satisfaction (P = 0.287, t = 3.33). Employee satisfaction has a significant and direct impact on customer satisfaction, H-3, ( P = 0.234, t = 2.77). The relationship between customer satisfaction and firm profitability (Hypothesis 4) is also highly significant (P = 0.270, t = 3.64). Hypothesized model Alternative Models In this study, the writers have also made some alternative models which shows the different relationships among employee satisfaction, service quality, customer satisfaction, and firm profitability. They did this work keeping in view the point of Bentler and Chou (1987), who said that to shed light on the key features of the hypothesized model, the researcher should build a few alternative models in an ideal situation. Critical Review In this article, it is asserted that employee satisfaction is an important determinant of operational performance and is crucial in achieving quality and profitability in the service industry. While in another research paper it is suggested that customer satisfaction has a significant impact on financial performance, findings also suggest that employee satisfaction has no direct impact on financial performance because the relationship between employee satisfaction and financial performance is an indirect one, which is mediated by customer satisfaction(Christina G. Chi *, Dogan Gursoy, 2009). In another study of the relationship between employee loyalty, service quality and firm performance in the service industry, it is argued that employee satisfaction has no direct relationship with customer satisfaction. When there is an employee satisfaction, then employee loyalty is created which has the direct effect on customer satisfaction and employee loyalty is an important determinant of f irm profitability. In the same study it is concluded that a loyal employee has more opportunities to understand and fulfill the specific needs of the customers, leading to a greater impact of employee loyalty on service quality and if there is low contact time between employee and customer, then the relationship between employee loyally and service quality would diminish. Employee loyalty plays a significant role in enhancing the performance of organizations in high-contact service sectors and is used to boost service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Workers who are strongly committed to the organization or highly satisfied with their jobs show up at work more often than those with weak commitment and low satisfaction. Employees who are highly satisfied with their jobs and are strongly committed to the organization will avoid withdrawal behaviors, (like absenteeism, lateness), and maintain continued attachment to work (Blau Boal, 1989). An employee who is absent from work intentionally or unintentionally is expressing negative attachment to the organization. In the reviewed article a lot of material is written on the relationships between employee satisfaction, service quality, customer satisfaction and financial performance and it is highly asserted that employee satisfaction is very important and cannot be neglected in any case. But how an employee satisfaction can be gained, it is not emphasized. In another research, some factors are mentioned as antecedents of employee satisfaction. These antecedents are the employee empowerment, Employee training, teamwork, appraisal systems, and employee compensation. When an organization focus on these factors, then employee compensation is automatically created. All employees will become satisfied, when they are given empowerment, training, teamwork, compensation and their efforts are appraised. Formal and informal training could focus on instilling the employees with the thought that service quality involves also transferring positive emotions to customers. The writers of study have found that top management commitment has a positive impact on all the antecedents. And as a result, all these factors have a positive impact on employee satisfaction (Minjoon Jun , Shaohan Cai , Hojung Shin, 2005). Relevant to the Organizational Policies This topic is highly related to our subject that is organizational policies, because while making policies, employee satisfaction cannot be neglected. Oliva and Sterman (2001) unambiguously showed that maximizing throughput that drives employees to working overtime traps service organizations in a vicious cycle of declining service quality, causing severe and permanent financial losses. There is a concept of balanced scorecard, where employee morale and growth, internal business process, customer satisfaction and financial measures are regarded as four balanced quadrants that drive the strategic initiatives of an organization (Kaplan and Norton, 1996). In case of a lack of focus on any of these four perspectives, the entire organization will be thrown out of balance, causing strategic efforts in operations to collapse. As it is concluded that organizational profitability emanates from satisfied employees, so it is suggested that organizations in high-contact service industries should thus focus their efforts on improving employee satisfaction, and only satisfied employees can maintain the service quality and ensure customer satisfaction.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists :: essays research papers

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists From 1787-1790 the development of the American Constitution was a battle between two opposing political philosophies. America’s best political minds gathered in Philadelphia and other cities in the Northeast in order to find common ground in a governmental structure. The Federalists and the Anti-Federalists had both some political thoughts that agreed as well as some political thoughts that disagreed. However, both parties would compromise and ultimately come together. The Federalist Party, led by James Madison, was in favor of the newly formed Constitution. One of the main objects of the federal constitution is to secure the union and in addition include any other states that would arise as a part of the union. The federal constitution would also set its aim on improving the infrastructure of the union. This would include improvements on roads, accommodations for travelers, and interior navigation. Another consideration for the Federalist Constitution would be in regards to the safety of each individual state. They believed that each state should find an inducement to make some sacrifices for the sake of the general protection. The Anti-Federalist Party, led by Patrick Henry, objected to the constitution. They objected to it for a few basic reasons. Mostly the Anti-Federalists thought that the Constitution created too strong a central government. They felt that the Constitution did not create a Federal government, but a single national government. They were afraid that the power of the states would be lost and that the people would lose their individual rights because a few individuals would take over. They proposed a â€Å"Bill of Rights†, to make sure the citizens were protected by the law. They believed that no Bill of Rights would be equal to no check on our government for the people.

Analysis of Salman Rushdies Midnights Children Essay -- History Nati

Analysis of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children Salman Rushdie’s novel Midnight’s Children employs strategies which engage in an exploration of History, Nationalism and Hybridity. This essay will examine three passages from the novel which demonstrate these issues. Furthermore, it will explore why each passage is a good demonstration of these issues, how these issues apply to India in the novel, and how the novel critiques these concepts. The passage from pages 37-38 effectively demonstrates the concept of history, as it foregrounds elements important to this issue. Rushdie, challenges the conventional modes of history through his self reflective narrative structure. The passage is a good demonstration of its topic as it illustrates the problems of re-writing history. His mode of writing attempts to encourage the reader to reconsider the valid interpretation of his history. Saleem writes â€Å"please believe that I am falling apart† ,as he begins â€Å"to crack like an old jug†, illustrating a sense of fragmentation of his story. This parallels the narrative structure of the novel as being circular, discontinuous and digressive. This fragmentation appropriates the concept of history, which was developed by colonisers. History works for a particular class of ideology, and therefore it will be contaminated, oblique and subjective. The ‘fictionality’ of history is grounded in the simple assumption that life is shaped like a story. For Saleem, who is â€Å"buffeted by too much history†, it is his memory which creates his own history. â€Å"Memory, as well as fruit, is being saved from the corruption of the clocks†. This reflects back to concepts of time and place. Yet, for Rushdie, it is not based on the universal empty time that has been conceptualised by the colonisers. Notions of time and space are integrated into his own history. The novel critiques concepts of history by challenging traditional conventions. Rushdie uses unreliable events to subvert official notions of history. For example, in his description of the Amrister Massacre he describes the troops that fire on the crowd as being white, when they were not. He does this perhaps to illustrate how much history is based on interpretation and ideology. It also illustrates how fact (written down as history), fails to take into account different notions of space and time. For example, in the pas... ...s, his biological father is a departing colonist. The passage on page 211 clearly demonstrates Saleem’s hybrid identity. He relates hybridity to history by entailing the hetreogeneity of memory. â€Å"Memory’s truth because memory has its own special kind† . For Saleem, his memory provides a search for the truth, rather than many truths. Saleem links his hybrid history to ‘chutney’ which illustrates the sign of a mixed identity. â€Å"Green chutney on chilli-pakoras† , this imagery of chutney runs throughout the novel and assist Saleem’s story. He later, uses this image to sum up his hybridise culture, which parallels â€Å"the chutnification of history† and â€Å"pickling of time†. Rushdie comments on the colonised mimicking the coloniser. Two histories have emerged together, which is filled with contamination as mimicry becomes a problem as it disrupts the power. This reflects, what Rushdie calls like ‘chutney’, a mixture of history, and nationalism that become so dense and enmeshed that they transform to create a new culture. Rushdie effectively tackles issues of post-colonial studies of history, nationalism and hybridity, and Midnight’s Children illustrates and challenges these concepts.

Explain Why Pope Urban Ll Called for a Crusade

In 1095, at the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban ll made a powerful and well planned speech. His message was clear and precise, ‘go to the holy land in Jerusalem and claim back what is rightfully yours or die trying, and in return remission of all your sins with the assurance of the imperishable glory of the kingdom of heaven’. He was addressing Christians from all over France calling for a ‘Crusade’ in the name of God and as many would argue, abusing his authority and status he received from the Catholic Church.What occurred during the First Crusade is well known to many, whereas the reason behind Pope Urban ll calling the Crusade is a highly debated and contradicting issue. One of the reasons which are occasionally cited for Urban’s calling of the First Crusade is the call of help which Alexins Comnenus had sent to Urban at the Council of Piacenza. This letter was sent in response to the loss of Byzantine land which had occurred after the battle of M anzikert in 1072.The letter When Urban received this letter it is debateable as to whether he was actually galvanised by the thought of helping Alexins or if his main motive was an attempt at ending the schism between the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox church in Constantinople. This is likely as it was one of the ideals of the papal reform movement which Urban belonged to, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Gregory VII. By making out to help the Byzantine emperor in their time of need, Urban hoped to heal the schism.Another reason behind why Urban called for a Crusade is for religious purposes. He felt Christians in the East needed to be rescued from persecution and had ‘suffered mightily at the hands of the Turks’ and there men and children were being persecuted and there women raped , this was also backed up in Alexins letter to the Pope. Christians were supposedly suffering under Muslim rule after the Byzantine Empire was defeated by the Seljuk Tu rks who reverted to Islam, at the point when Islam was a religion quickly rising in power and dominance.Urban saw this violation of the Christian race as a great disrespect of Christianity and used it as a stimulus in his speech at the Council of Clermont which angered and therefore manipulated the Christian race into heading to the holy land for the First Crusade. Finally, an additional reason for Urban’s calling for a so called Crusade was that he felt ‘the lands of Christ needed to be reclaimed’ and in the control of Christianity not in the hands of ‘infidels’. Jerusalem is at the centre of the Christian faith and is the eligions birth place. It is the land in which Jesus was crucified and then, as Christians believe, bought back to life in a miracle event. Urban said in his speech, ‘wrest that land from the wicked race, that land which the scripture says floweth with milk and honey and was given by god to the children of Israel’. By these few words we can understand why Urban felt so strongly that it the land of Christians and why he ordered for it to be reclaimed, even if it mean death.At the time of Urban’s speech Jerusalam was under the rule of Muslim, who also have a strong attachment with the land as it is the place where the holy prophet descended to heaven. Urban however believed that it belonged to the Christians and therefore ordered it to be reclaimed in the ‘name of god’. Pope Urban ll called for a Crusade at the Council of Clermont to claim back what he believed rightfully belonged to the Christians and unite the Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. Through the cover of Alexins plea for help Urban strengthened relations with the Byzantine Empire and called on a Crusade that was to claim thousands of lives.

Early and Middle Adulthood Paper Essay

In this paper, I will discus two theories that are related to early and middle adulthood. Also, I will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each of the theories. The two theories that I have selected are Erikson’s Intimacy versus isolation to explain the early adulthood stage, and the Life Events Approach theory. In the Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory (intimacy versus isolation stage), Intimacy can be explained as â€Å"is the ability to fuse ones identity with that of another person without fear of loosing it† (Feist, 2008, 258). It further means an ability and willingness to share a mutual trust. It involves sacrifice, compassion, commitment and so on. Isolation on the other hand, is the psychosocial counterpart of intimacy. It is defined as â€Å"the incapacity to take chances with ones identity by sharing true intimacy† (Feist, 2008, 259). Erikson believed that there should be a fine ratio between the intimacy and isolation; as too much isolation can further cause problems such as depression. Love is the basic strength that is gained as a result from the crisis of intimacy versus isolation). According to Erikson, love includes intimacy but it also contains some degree of isolation, because each partner is permitted to retain a separate identity (Feist, 2008). Strengths†¢His theory gave a life span developmental process. †¢His theory explains each stage in detail including the time frame, and the changes involved. †¢He addressed it is important to move through the stages in order or it could causes crisis. †¢Extended Freud’s theory into different developmental stages such as adolescence, adulthood and old age. †¢Claimed that growth occurs across the life span. †¢Places emphasis on social and historical influences on development in his theory†¢Conflict between the opposing elements of each phase produces an ego strength or basic strength. Weaknesses†¢His theory is not based on scientific evidence. †¢His psychosocial developmental theory does not take into consideration different cultures of the world. †¢The age groups with the developmental stages do not sound consistent. †¢Generalizes that everyone goes through the same psychosocial developmental stages. The Life-Events ApproachIn the earlier version, some events such as a death of a spouse, divorce and marriage could be life changing and could influence an individual’s development. In other words, such events could force the individual to change their personality as they bring along lot of stress. However, contemporary life-events approach emphasizes that individuals personality development does not only depend on the life events itself but also on mediating factors (physical health, family supports, for example), the individual’s adaptation to the life event (appraisal of the threat, coping strategies, for example), the life-stage context, and the sociohistorical context (Santrock, 2008). Strengths†¢Helpful addition to understanding adult development. †¢Takes into perspective life stressors and other mediating variables that could influence ones development. Weakness †¢The life-events approach places too much emphasis on change. †¢It does not adequately recognize the stability characterizes adult  development. †¢It overlooks daily events that could be very stressful as well for individuals. Therefore, in this paper, I have discussed two theories related to early and middle adulthood in detail. The two theories are Erikson’s and the life events approach theory. Also, I have discussed the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. References Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2008) Theories of Personality (7th edition). New York: McGraw-HillSantrock, J. W. (2008). Essentials of life-span development. NY: McGraw-Hill.

Library management system Essay

1. 1 Background of the study With diminishing finances, it is rarely possible for a library or information center to have enough resources to fulfill the needs of its clients. What is being delivered is only a portion of what their clients actually need (Ramos & Mohd Ali, 2005). Collaboration is widely recognized as the best way for libraries to cope with the ever increasing challenges: volume of information resources; nature and quality of information; user needs and expectations; information and communication technology competencies and infrastructure; inflated cost of information resources; and staffing needs. However, although these challenges have continued to prevail, libraries working under collaborative initiatives like the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) have registered tremendous success. This thesis reports the findings of a thorough study to establish the factors that have led to the success of CARLI and how such success factors can be applied in libraries of developing countries like Uganda. Emphasis is placed on the establishment of CARLI leadership, the sharing of responsibility and decision making processes as well as sources of funding for the consortium. Also central to the research study is exploration of the role and responsibility of participating member libraries and their contributions to and expectations from the consortium. I contend that lack of funding to facilitate consortium activitiesis not the central factor in the failed progress of the planned consortium activities in Uganda, rather it is the lack of committed leadership and cooperation among participating libraries that is responsible for the lack of progress. In any kind of organization or cooperation like a library consortium, funding has never been enough due to ever changing technologies and continuous demands from library patrons. However, good leadership and cooperation among membership plays a bigger role in achieving a common goal. Having and working towards a common goal, under dedicated, dynamic and faithful leadership with an active and energetic membership plays a great role in the success of a consortium. 2 To assist in the possible improvement of consortium operations in Uganda, I need to understand the leadership, responsibility, staffing, collection, policies and procedures, funding and structure of academic libraries in the participating membership of CARLI in comparison with those of Uganda. My research has incorporated interviews with CARLI staff and a questionnaire survey to all the participating CARLI membership. 1. 2 Problem statement. There is now ample research on the benefits of library collaboration mainly in developed countries (Kaul 2001, Riley 2006, Wright 2006, Bennett 2007, Foulonneau et al. 2007, Williams 2008, Feather, Bracken & Diaz 2008, Butler 1998, Domatob, 1998). In Africa, a lot of research has been devoted toward the need for collaboration (Musoke 2008, Paulos 2008, Kinengyere 2007, Ibeun & Obasuyi 2007,Amaeshi (Ed. ) 2003, Kaul 2001, Rosenberg 2001, Ade Ajayi, Goma & Johnson 1996) and a few registered successes (Musoke 2008, Paulos 2008, Rosenberg 2001, Kinengyere 2007, Ibeun & Obasuyi 2007, Amaeshi (Ed.) 2003, Kaul 2001). However, no research has been reported on how to apply identified success factorsfrom developed countries in order to bring a change in developing countries. Developed countries have registered tremendous success stories compared to less developed countries; failure in developing countries has been attributed to poor funding without looking at other factors like committed leadership and cooperative membership. The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) (2007) indicates that there are six public and twenty-four private universities giving a total of thirty registered universities in Uganda. Of these, only twenty-one universities and two research institutions are actively and currently participating in the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries, (CUUL) (2008). It is clear, however, that most of these universities do not have adequate resources to support certain, if not all, areas of their academic and research programmes. Since 2005, access to computer facilities, books and other learning materials has improved; still many are farfrom reaching ratios comparable to world standards; and, unfortunately, the student tobook ratio dropped from twenty-three books per student to nineteen in 2006 (NCHE, 2007). The NCHE 2006 (2007) study further shows that there has been a 9. 4% increase in the total number of students that enroll in the universities from 124,313 in 2005 to 137,190 in 2006 without an increase in 3  the number of information materials in most of these universities. Although there is evidence of no increase in the number of information resources to be used by students in these universities, NCHE instead attributes the low level of research across the higher education spectrum to inadequate funding; more so, the student to book ratio stated above is far below the set standards and NCHE does not suggest for these universities to participate in resource sharing as a way of bridging the student to book ratio. The NCHE (2007) acknowledges the usefulness of the library, stating that â€Å"the library†¦ is the heartbeat of an academic institution†. However, its 2006 study indicates that universities have continued to reduce the amount of money spent on books (0. 1% in private and in 2. 5% in public universities) and that library space is being converted to student instruction classrooms. This is an indication of low spending on library books; much as these universities are still working harder to acquire information materials, space to store them is also becoming another challenge. One of the important things I have learned all through the time I have worked at Makerere University Library’s outreach programme inpartnership with CUUL as Deputy Country Coordinator for E-resources, on top of other significant institutional challenges among African universities, a committed leadership and membership was noticed as still lacking among CUUL membership. While there are already tangible successes registered by CUUL, still much has not been achieved, like spearheading resource sharing as one of its objectives since inception. This study begins to address issues that are surrounding the inefficiency involved in partnership, networking and collaboration among university libraries in Uganda. This includes how universities with far better information resources like Makerere University can share with newly established universities lacking sufficient library resources. More particularly, the study directly addresses consortium issues like leadership, communication and membership contribution as key factors in this kind of collaboration. 1. 3 Objectives of the study. †¢ Study the consortium history among academic and research libraries in the state of Illinois 4 †¢ Identify the factors that influence libraries to join and continue to participate in a consortium †¢ Determine how consortium values affect participating libraries †¢ Determine the effectiveness and extent of resource sharing among CARLI member libraries †¢ Identify factors that lead to the success of a consortium other than money †¢ Suggest practical ways for resource sharing in developing countries like Uganda 1. 4 Limitations of the study. Any comparison of differing societies, or search for causal relationships must be conducted within dimensional identities (Amaeshi (Ed), 2003); meaning, a perceived need to understand the economic, political, educational and sociological factors that affect information sharing among universities in both developed and developing countries. While the majority of the developments are standard practice in academic libraries in the developed world, many of these issues are relatively new to us in developing countries, and we have had to contextualize them by finding practical but local ways of addressing some of them (Musoke, 2008). In this study therefore, I do fully understand the dimensional identities that exist among CARLI and CUUL; I try to contextualize identified success factors by finding practical but local ways of applying these factors that have led to CARLI advancement putting into context the economic, political, educational and sociological environments of operation between the two consortia. 5 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW. 2. 1 Introduction In my literature review, I have found a good representative literature discussing the need for collaboration among Uganda’s universities and research institutions and a few outlines of the benefits so far registered in these universities. However, little is written in detail about resource sharing as a way to bridge the shortage of information resources among these universities. I am grateful to some authors (Musoke 2008, Paulos 2008, NCHE 2007, Rosenberg 2001, Kaul 2001) who identified some of the factors that have hindered collaboration in Africa, although their discussions outline funding as a major factor in this progress as opposed to good leadership, effective communication and responsive membership. By studying the relevant literature, it will help me understand more fully how other factors play a big role in the development of consortium in developing countries. 2. 1. 1 State of higher education in Uganda. To date, the existing physical resources of higher education institutions are quite inadequate. Past political instability, lack of financial resources and the general lack of a culture that values maintenance have combined to cause gross negligence in the maintenance of physical infrastructure including laboratories, seminar rooms, libraries, research facilities and staff offices (Musisi, 2003). Higher education received about 10 percent of a total Ministry budget of UGX 619. 93 billion in the 2004/05 budget year (Ministry of Education and Sports,  2005), a rate that has remained more or less constant since the mid 1990s. The implementation of cost sharing in institutions of higher learning has increased revenue generation to supplement transfers from the government. In addition to cost sharing, funds are generated internally through private sponsorship of students, consultancies, sales of services and contributions from donors, (Musisi, 2003). However these sources have not beenable to accommodate the ever increasing budget needs. Due to such poor funding, much has been left undone. 2. 1. 2 Structure of academic libraries in Uganda According to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001, with reference to Makerere University library structure (Makerere University Library, 2007), 6 the overall administration of libraries is vested in the office of the University Librarian who reports to the Vice-Chancellor through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Academic Affairs (DVC-AA). The University Librarian is a member of Makerere University Top Management and Senate. Within the library, the University Librarian and deputies form the Library’s Management team, which works with heads of sections and branch libraries to implement University Library policies and programmes, and enforce library rules and regulations. The policy making body of the University Library is the Academic Programmes and Library Committee, which is a senate committee chaired by the DVC-AA. It is composed of members of Senate representing the sciences, arts and humanities, library, students and other relevant stakeholders. 2. 1. 3 History of consortium in Uganda To strengthen the network of librarians, researchers and academics in developing countries and Uganda in particular, the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) encouraged librarians to form national consortia. During a workshop on the topic of library cooperation for effective provision of information in Uganda and beyond, CUUL was established in 2001. Areas of cooperation include resource mobilization and sharing, and training and marketing of member libraries (Kinengyere, 2007). One of the challenges being addressed by CUUL is the sustainability of e-journal subscriptions atthe end of donor funding. In November 2005, CUUL decided on the mechanism of cost-sharing the e-resources, starting in 2006. Out of the 43 registered Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information institutions-(PERI)-Uganda, only 11 (25%) responded to the e-resources sustainability initiative in time for the 2007 subscriptions and this trend has not changed to date (Kinengyere, 2007). The networking and collaboration of CUUL has not yielded good results as outlined in its objectives and thishas been blamed on the lack of funds without looking at other factors like the commitment of its membership, and trust from its leadership. Both CUUL and CARLI which began in July 1, 2005, do have a lot in common in their formation. Like UIUC for CARLI, Makerere University Library is the coordinating institution for CUUL under the PERI programme. The current establishment of CUUL as per its constitution (2001) is composed of a five member elected executive committee (Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, 7 Publicity) who conduct CUUL activities in addition to their institutional responsibilities; and a committee of representatives from actively participating institutions called ‘Functional committees’ who help to coordinate CUUL activities in their respective institutions. It is interesting to note that the ‘Functional committees’ referred to by CUUL are never as active as they should be. 2. 1. 4 The need for collaboration A perceived need for collaboration among the African university libraries was stated as early as 1990 (Ifidon, 1990); and was outlined in the Carnegie meeting of 2004, which identified the ability to participate in a global economy that is increasingly centered on access to knowledge as a critical key in solving the problems of the African nations. One of the goals of the conference was to develop partnerships between libraries and donors, and establish a platform on which future consortia and agendas could be built. During the meeting, many problems faced by African university libraries were discussed, such as poor networks, little cooperation between institutions that create their own databases of local materials, and very few digitization programs to increase African content on the Web and respond to the thousands of different cultures and languages across the continent. The benefits of collaboration, consortia, networks and peer support have been emphasized in information science literature for a long time. Most of the success stories reported by African University Librarians revolve around collaboration and networking within institutions to lobby policy makers, within the country to form consortia and share the subscription of e-resources, build capacity andget professional support. The actual and potential of networking, cooperation and digitization is to modify the functions of acquiring, storing and disseminating information and knowledge, hence the need to be supported (Musoke, 2008). Because of limited resources there is, therefore, need to build on the achievements, share experiences and best practices through collaboration and networks. 2. 1. 5 Resource sharing The concept of resource sharing has been used in the developed countries as a means to alleviate the resource inadequacies of individual libraries. In Africa, it has been seized upon as a way of sustaining informationservices. Rosenberg (2001, p. 14- 8. 15) in her paper â€Å"The sustainability of libraries and resource centers in Africa† quoted a Kenyan librarian who concluded that â€Å"there is no doubt that resource sharing programmes have a significant role to play in developing countries, given the problem of scarce resources† and â€Å"if libraries are to continueto meet the demands of other users, increased cooperation and resource sharing are vital†. Rosenberg (1993) continues to note that on the ground there is little in the way of resource sharing. In some ways the situation has deteriorated, as systems that used towork (like the East African Literature Service) have collapsed. The survey (Rosenberg, 2001) of University libraries in Africa found that interlibrary lending (the main, if not the only, form of resource sharing practiced), was minimal, especially in-country and within Africa. Such evidence suggests that there is a lot that needs to be done in order to bring a change about the idea of resource sharing among universities and research institutions. Even though these universities have little to share, even a little sharing may help future sharing of acquisitions in the most demanding subject areas. 2. 1. 6 Research and research paradigms In her paper â€Å"Strategies for addressing the university library users’ changing needs and practices in Sub-Saharan Africa†, Musoke (2008) states that there is drastic change in the methods of conducting research and research paradigms. For example, the demand for a multidisciplinary approach to research has meant that a research project in the Medical School, which would ordinarily require medical literature now also requires some social science and ICT components. Such approaches put further demands on the already meager information resourcesin our libraries, hence the need for sharing. The diversity of research methods is an indicator of the complexity of research and the challenges of meeting the information needs of human beings conducting research. Such challenges call for immediate revival of resource sharing among these universities in order to meet the changing needs. The presence and advancements in information technology can also help in this process. 2. 1. 7 Policy formation and leadership The Association of African Universities (AAU) emphasizes that the way ahead for the development of research and postgraduate capacity in African universities is through selective concentration of resources within the university system, and the 9  achievement of collaborative links among African universities, and between African universities and research institutions (AAU, 2009). In order to achieve that goal, AAU suggested that providing effective leadership to facilitate meaningful regional interuniversity cooperation among African universities may help to ease the resource constraints and to build a viable educational enterprise in Africa capable of meeting the challenges ahead (Ade Ajayi, Goma & Johnson, 1996) 2. 1. 8 Consortium membership. Among the most serious problems of Uganda’s libraries is the low level of and response rate towards collaboration and consortium in a number of library and information science activities. According to Paulos(2008), the most successful libraries in southern Africa, like in Botswana and South Africa, have been able to form strong alliances. Developing complex and strong links and partnerships facilitates the utilization of information resources. An example of a successful regional network is the Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA). In addition to its international connections, AHILA has two internal concerns—sharing scarce resources through interlibrary cooperation and developing systems for improved bibliographic control of the health literature produced in Africa (Kinegyere, 2008). Such strategies if applied at the national level will not only strengthen regional networks, but also work as satellite communication networks for international organizations to overcome the problems of lack of physical infrastructure and as a basis for enhancing access to information among university libraries with fewer resources. 2. 1. 9 Library funding The importance of government support towards consortia is elucidated in the plan of the United Nations (UN) World Summit on theInformation Society. This body acknowledges the significance of addressing fundamental issues of development in universal access, infrastructure, information and communication technologies, literacy, skills and training, E-learning, and E-Agriculture (Ibeun & Obasuyi, 2007). If Uganda is a signatory, it should join other countries in the attempt to support libraries and archives. Lack of funding has been a bigger issue among university libraries and has been attributed to lack of understanding of the role of libraries in an institution of higher 10 learning by university and political leaders as it emerged from the Carnegie conference (2004) and mentioned by many other writers (Musoke 2008, Ade Ajayi, Goma & Johnson 1996, Paulos 2008, Rosenberg 2001). However, not all African countries are dependent on external funding. Libraries in Botswana and South Africa are examples where funding is internally generated and the quality of library resources is very high, (Paulos, 2008). As a source of funding for libraries in Africa, including Uganda, Paulos (2008) in his paper â€Å"Library resources, knowledge production, and Africa in the 21 st century† suggested the need for funding from African governments; the importance of proactive approaches on the part of academic librarians in Africa – including the importance of identifying unique materials in the collections and seeking collaboration to digitize them; and the importance of outreach, in particular, seeking the support of Africans in the diaspora. 2. 1. 10 Increasing number of library users The growing number of university students, the increase in study programmes coupled with paradigm shifts in curriculum and research, the increase in research and the rapid ICT developments have all changed the routines of traditional academic librarianship (Musoke, 2008). The demand for information resources has increased, with diminishing budgets, resulting in a poor service to library users. This is further evidenced in the NCHE report of 2007 as outlined above. 2. 2 Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) CARLI is an unincorporated association, with a total of 153 member institutions all over the State of Illinois (CARLI, July 2009). 2. 2. 1 History July 1, 2005 saw the merging of three Illinois academic library consortia to a consolidated consortium called CARLI; the merged  consortia include: Illinois Cooperative Collection Management Program (ICCMP), formed in 1986 and provided statewide collection studies and grants; Illinois Digital Academic Library (IDAL), formed in 1999 and provided centralized electronic resource licensing; and Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO) formed in 1980, provided the shared integrated library system Illinet Online which became I-Share in the consolidation. The merging of these three consortia was aimed at improving the efficiency and cost 11  effectiveness of services, increasing the effectiveness of consortial and member library staff efforts, and creating opportunities to pursuenew programs and services that the three constituent consortia would not have been able to provide on their own. CARLI has continued to add new products, services and programs including: The I-Share integrated library system, E-resources licensing, digital collections and statewide collections awards and programs. 2. 2. 2 Strategic plan, values, and goals CARLI remains fully committed to fulfilling its established mission: The Consortium leads Illinois academic libraries tocreate and sustain a rich, supportive, and diverse knowledge environment that furthers teaching, learning, and research through the sharing of collections, expertise and programs  and attaches great importance to cooperation among academic and research libraries of all types, sizes and missions; respect for the diverse missions and populations served by member institutions; recognition of each member institution’s autonomy; Sharing the full range of academic library resources effectively and economically; free and open access to all intellectual resources; excellence in providing services and programs; innovation in identifying and implementing collaborative solutions to shared challenges; responsiveness to member needs; cost-effectiveness in the delivery of programs, services, and products; careful stewardship of all CARLI resources; protecting the privacy and security of library records; supportingintellectual freedom; and advocacy for academic and research libraries at the local, state, regional and national levels. Furthermore, the consortium reaffirms its commitment to resource sharing, through the continued maintenance and development of its integrated library management system, and the provision of meaningful electronic resources, through brokering, subsidization and cost-sharing agreements as outlined in its four broad strategic priorities: Collaboration and Leadership, Innovation, Resource Sharing, and E-Resources (CARLI, 2007). 12 2. 2. 3 Membership 2. 2. 3. 1 How to become a CARLI member All higher education institutions in Illinois that are recognized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and are members of the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET) are eligible for membership in CARLI; andwill agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the CARLI Membership Agreement and any other subsidiary agreements governing participation in a specific CARLI service. However individual member libraries retain autonomy over their own operations. CARLI membership includes three categories each with a different entitlement and responsibility, and different annual membership fees. As of the fall of2009 there were 107 Governing, 30 Associate and 16 Basic members. 2. 2. 3. 2 Membership categories and obligations Governing membership is entitled to participate in all CARLI products, services, and programs at the fullest level of central support; participate in all CARLI committees, task forces, and user groups; receive priority status on waiting lists to join I-Share and other premium services like enrollment in training sessions. Associate membership is eligible for most services and programs, and participates in CARLI governance as a group represented by a single voting member on the CARLI Board of Directors. Basic membership qualifies for selected services and programs, and does not participate in CARLI governance or voting. CARLI member institutions may upgrade to a higher or move to a lesser membership level by following the CARLI Bylaws. Eligible institutions that have not joined CARLI may participate in CARLIemail discussion lists, and may attend CARLI training events and workshops at a feesometimes higher than that of the three membership categories. 2. 2. 3. 3 Membership benefits. CARLI serves over 98% of Illinois higher education students, faculty and staff at 153 member institutions of which 76 institutions benefit from I-Share; E-resources brokering with over 1,000 discounted subscriptions to electronic journals and other resources; a 24-hour delivery by Illinois Library Delivery Service (ILDS) to 141 CARLI libraries and all the state’s regional library systems; the Book Digitization Initiative for Illinois academic and research libraries; in-house development of VuFind an open 13 source front end to I-Share catalog; and participation in the University of Rochester’s Extensible Catalog project. 2. 2. 3. 4 Funding sources CARLI’s sources of funding include annual subscription membership fees where Governing membership contribution ranges from a minimum of $1000 to a maximum of $10,000 and is calculated by student Full Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment and institution type, Associate members pay $500, and Basic membership is $100. Other funding includes contributions towards e-resources brokering, development of library systems like I-share catalogue and VuFind, support for digitization projects and the Open Content Alliance, through conducting workshops where each membership contributes different fees to participate in any activity, and grants from the state and federal governments. The CARLI financial year runs from July 1 – June 30. 2. 2. 4 Governance CARLI operates under the direction of the CARLI Bylaws 2008 (CARLI, 2008, 2006). The University of Illinois serves as CARLI’s fiscal and contractual agent under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and CARLI Board of Directors. CARLI operates as a unit of the University Office for Planning. and Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 2. 2. 4. 1 Board of Directors and committees CARLI Board of Directors oversees the affairs of CARLI except those reserved for the entire membership; sets strategic directionof the consortium; oversees all CARLI committees; reviews and approves the detail and thetotal organizational budget each year; advises and gives recommendations on the hiring and evaluation of the Assistant Vice-President for Planning & Administration/ CARLIExecutive Director; and provides advice and input to the University of Illinois in matters relating to the Consortium. The Board meets regularly throughout the year. In addition to the Board of Directors, there are several committees, working groups, user groups, and task groups established to support the Board in carrying out operational and programmatic activities of the consortium; assist the Board in the development, implementation, operation, and evaluation of programs and services; provide the Board with advice and recommendations related to policy, management, fiscal, and on other matters that 14 require the Board’s attention. Each committee or group has CARLI liaison fulltime staff who works as a focal point for a designated committee; committees meet quarterly with CARLI Board of Directors or as required. The committees and groups are required to present reports at the end of each task assigned tothem; the reports are published and made public online on the CARLI web page. 2. 2. 4. 2 Board committee organization Board committees are of two categories, standing (permanent) committees referenced in the CARLI Bylaws and temporary â€Å"ad hoc† groups established to carry out a specific task and then discharged. All committeesreport to the Board on a schedule established by the Board. Each Board committee has a CARLI staff liaison. Ad hoc groups have sunset dates at which point the group will be discharged. 2. 2. 4. 2. 1 Standing (permanent) committees There are five permanent committees established by the CARLI Bylaws. Executive committee: The officers of the CARLI Board of Directors shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Committee is advisory both to the Chair and to the Board of Directors on scheduling agenda topics and preparing information for the Board of Directors’ review and action. The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors on any urgent matter requiring Board approval, unless a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled to take place within 48 hours. The CARLI Board elects its own Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect each year to join the current Chair, Past Chair, and CARLI Executive Director in forming the Executive Committee and will meet as needed to update the Board on their plans and actions. CARLI Executive Director is the Staff or Board liaison. The finance committee provides the Board with recommendations related to annual budget requests, the annual budget, the annual financial performance report, and any other financial matters that require the Board’s attention. It’s composed of four Board members, one each from public institutions, private institutions, community colleges, and one at large. The Past CARLI Chair isthe chair of the committee. The Finance committee reports to the CARLI Board of Directors, on a quarterly basis. CARLI Staff or Board liaisons are the CARLI Executive Director, and CARLI Director for Business and Financial Services. 15 The personnel committee provides the Board with recommendations and input into the recruitment, compensation and evaluation of performance of the Assistant VicePresident and Executive Director. The Board, in turn, provides its recommendations to the University of Illinois. The Committee may also provide the Board with recommendations and input into any other personnel matters that require its attention. The Personnel Committee is composed of four Board members, one each from public institutions, private institutions, community colleges, and one at large. The ViceChair/Chair Elect is the Chair of the Committee. The group reports to the CARLI Board of Directors and University of Illinois Associate Vice President for Planning and Budgeting on an annual basis. The CARLI Board liaison is the University of Illinois Associate Vice President for Planning and Budge.