The Adventure of The Speckled Band Essays

The Adventure of The Speckled Band Essays The Adventure of The Speckled Band Paper The Adventure of The Speckled Band Paper I think the reader and Holmes thinks he is capable of committing a crime as firstly the size and strength of him enable to easily overpower or extremely hurt some one. He also seems slightly apprehensive that Miss Stoner has been talking to Holmes in case he could possible get found out about something. He also has a motive as if his step-daughters were to marry, he would have to pay our i 250 to each of them, and inconveniently one of his step-daughters is shortly to marry. I think he is a stereotypical villain as he is a very big, tall being and is very angered towards Holmes and many other people. In the end Dr Grimesby Roylott succeeds in killing of his daughter by using his deadly Indian snake so he does not have to part with any of his money, however, his plan backfires and the snake turns on its owner and he is the victim of a deadly bite. In the story Watson describes Holmes as a very well dressed person with good manners and overall follows the role of typical gentlemen. He tells us of Holmes being a late riser, as a rule. This suggests Holmes gets his own way no matter what and he is very strong willed. Holmes behaves very calmly and cautiously when faced with a client, also when he comes under threats from Dr Grimesby Roylott makes an unexpected entry to Holmes office. He also make sure he takes in every minor detail when dealing with a case to help give him the best chance of solving it and not making any mistakes, You have come by train this morning, I see whatever your reasons maybe, you are perfectly correct. I think the author wants us to see Holmes as a very intelligent and inquisitive person who is very good at his job. He is also very reassuring and comforting as shown by when Helen Stoner is in distress about her situation after telling him what has been happening, Holmes reached forward out of his chair and stroked Miss Stoners forearm. Holmes carries out his investigation carefully by visiting Helen Stoners residence personally and examining every possible cause of the crime. He is also asks lots of questions to make sure everything is clear in his mind and he is sensible and doesnt want to take any unnecessary risks as he tells Watson to slip his Revolver into his pocket as his life may depend on it. But this does suggest he his willing to endanger himself to some extent. Holmes solves the crime by way of elimination until he is satisfied that each possibility was not the cause. Holmes dominates the story as he is the main character and has a very important role as he is the one to be solving the crimes at the end of the day. Conan Doyle reflects the fact that the Police were not very good in ways of solving the many murders and other crimes that were happening at the time and therefore many people who had the money would turn to private detectives such as the likes of Holmes to get a better chance of the crime being solved. There are two main settings in the story, Holmes office and Stoke Moran. There seems to be a link between the two main characters in the story and the two main settings. Holmes office is warm and welcoming, just like him, Ha! I am glad to see Mrs Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire. This link in called pathetic fallacy, where the mood and the atmosphere compliments the scene. Stoke Moran is unlooked after, rundown and rather abandoned-looking, just like Dr Grimesby Roylott. In the text itself, these two settings are described. Firstly, Holmes office is welcoming and we can gather this from Holmes himself, who when asked by Watson what is going on, he tells of that there is a young woman waiting for him in the sitting room, this suggests that he has unhesitatingly welcomed her in and allowed her to make herself at home, we also know that he has got up early especially to meet her. Holmes office is warm and welcoming, just like him, this is suggested by Ha, I am glad Mrs Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire. This link in called pathetic fallacy, where the mood and the atmosphere this suggests Holmes has his own place well organised and he wants the best for his guests. This is back up by I shall order you a cup of coffee as I observer you are shivering, which again suggests he wants the best for his clients. On the other hand, Stoke Moran is described as the family ruin and after the past century nothing was left save a few acres of ground. It is unlooked after, rundown and rather abandoned-looking, just like Dr Grimesby Roylott. I think the settings do fit a classic story as one setting seems to be duller and gloomier (Stoke Moran) than the other (Holmes Office). This is interesting as the villain and also the crime is situated at Stoke Moran. The atmosphere in Stoke Moran is cautious and apprehensive as is the mood, this fits with the scene as the outside is dark and dreary. There seems to be a totally different atmosphere of Stoke Moran for different times of the day. When Holmes is travelling there with Watson to examine Stoke Moran, Watson tells of how delightful the surroundings on a lovely sunny day. However, when Holmes and Watson are waiting for the signal to invade Stoke Moran to carry out further investigations they are met with very dark and gloomy surrounding and are very careful to watch their step, especially as they aware of the wild animals roaming free. It is also interesting to see the contrast between travelling to Stoke Moran and arriving there. The story is put together in chronological order and in terms of when the mystery of the story is being described, which also includes some flashbacks of events from Holmes client. The story isnt too long but is longer than a typical short story as in this one there are lots of events and red herring presented as well such as when it was first thought the gypsies were to blame for the low whistle in the dead of night and also because of the fact they were bandanas. These are used to keep the reader involved and also help to create unexpected events later on. Conan Doyle uses short sentences and victims speech to build up tension, e. g. It is not cold which makes me shiver, It is fear Mr Holmes, it is terror. He uses long sentences to keep the writing flowing and the reader reading on without stopping to take in all the information. The story is narrated by Watson who is Holmes side kick, this is interesting as what he is telling us in the story is primary evidence as he is one step behind Holmes all the way, as well as we, the readers are too. We also arent in doubt about its reliability even though he does include bias positive comments on his friend, such as I had no keener pleasure than if following which were submitted to him

The history and culture of Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The history and culture of Japan - Essay Example Japan's history is a rich and varied one, with the different periods marked by remarkable change. In the Yayoi period (300 BC - AD 300), rice cultivation was introduced from China and Korea, and Japan's oldest religion, Shinto, identified "divine forces in nature and in such human virtues as loyalty and wisdom."The Kofun period (300-645) showed the emergence of powerful clan rulers, and Japan begins to establish close contacts with mainland Asia. The Asuka period, (645-710) brought a great wave of reforms and new aristocratic families were created. During the Nara and Heian periods (710-1185) the emperors began to practice Buddhism, believing its teachings would protect the state. The Muromachi era (1333 to 1568) brought disintegration of the central government, firearms were introduced by the shipwrecked Portuguese soldiers, and Christianity was introduced . Finally in the Edo period (1600-1868) Japan enters into an age of "peace and national isolation". The United States wants to u se the Japanese ports as supply bases for its commercial fleet, and, in a surprise move, Japan accepts the US demands and opens its doors for the first time in two centuries. In the Meiji period (1868-1912), the emperor was restored, and Japan made its transition to nation-state. The Showa period (1926-1989) brought many more changes for Japan, including World War II and its aftermath, including the necessary economic recovery. In 1941 Pearl Harbor brought the US into war in the Pacific and in August of 1945 "the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the second on Nagasaki; the emperor airs by radio a statement of unconditional surrender." (Background, 2005, p. 5). The years of 1945-1952 brought allied occupation of Japan, with women gaining legal equality as well as the right to vote. Japan's political life was changed to a parliamentary state, and with the peace treaty signed in 1951, Japan regained independence. The "High Growth Age" in Japan occurred from the late 1950's t o the early 1970's and Japan was rewarded with a booming economy. (Background, 2005, p. 5). Japan is made up of five islands; however there are some thirty-six hundred islands in the entire group, and dozens that are actually inhabited. Japan has twenty-nine thousand kilometers of coastline, and the total land area is 142,000 square miles which makes Japan one-twenty-fifth the size of the United States, or roughly the size of Montana. Ostensibly, some one billion years ago these Japanese islands were part of the Asian mainland, however movement of the earth's plates resulted in part of the Asian coastline breaking free and traveling east. Then a mere 100 million years ago, in the area that is now the Sea of Japan, a huge lake appeared, eventually linking up with the Pacific Ocean in the north and south, leaving the highest regions to become the islands of Japan. (Lafayette, 1995, p. xi). Seventy percent of Japan's land mass is made up of high mountains and hills. These mountains have over two hundred volcanoes and geothermally active areas. There are eleven peaks in Japan that are over three thousand meters high, and thirteen that are over 2500 meters high. These mountainous areas make Japan one of the most scenic groups of islands in the world.(Layfayette, 1995, p. xi). The climate of Japan is generally rainy, with a fairly high humidity. The Japanese enjoy warm summers and long cold winters in the north, and hot humid summers and short winters in the central regions. The southwest has long, hot, humid summers, and mild winters. (Library, 2005, p. 1). Japan's population is currently 127,417,224 million people, a huge number for such a small area. Japan is second only to the United States in the number of large cities-they presently have ten cities with populations over one

How Intersectional Identities Must Shape an Asian American Agenda for Assignment

How Intersectional Identities Must Shape an Asian American Agenda for Social Change - Assignment Example This paper illustrates that a census of our own presents a masterpiece that resulted from a 2010 Queers Southeast Asian survey. This sample had 364 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Asian Americans from the entire United States. Intersectionality connects to the diversity of Asian American people through the difficulties in communication. Often when in public places, the Asian American people fear to talk because they will be oppressed due to their inadequate knowledge of the native English language. Therefore, to emphasize on discrimination based on the diversity of the Asian American culture, many people from this race miss various educational scholarships based on their racial backgrounds. The educational experience of many Asian Americans is biased. To drive the social agenda of the Asian American community of affirmative action, equity must be allowed to prevail in the selection processes of students set to join universities. The excessive acceptance by the educational establishments on the previous cases of racial discrimination threaten the authorities to face stern legal actions form the social change activists. In fact, intersectionality in the education system is prime in the classroom balance experience in multiple learning institutions of the United States. Furthermore, affirmative action requires the equal enrollment of the minority into the prestigious educational systems, to eliminate the educational segregation attached to racial diversity. The immigration experiences of the Asian Americans present a partisan treatment of the immigrants based on their racial background. The continuous efforts by the elected members of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) indicate the difficult requirements that the authorities have put in place to discourage the inhabitation of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Such provisions as the military enlistment and the requirement of good moral conduct cast the Asian American community in the bad picture as they require many strict eligibility criteria to be permanent legal residents of the United States.

How Effective Korean Air Hr Strategy Is Management Essay

How Effective Korean Air Hr Strategy Is Management Essay This report discusses the details of suggested HR scorecard for Korean Air that shows how effective HR strategy is crucial for the successful achievement of its own strategic goals with appropriate measurement system HR Scorecard. Development process began with a clear statement of the companys strategy and operational goals with a strategy map showing the causal linkages in the value creation process. As next steps of process, workforce competencies and behaviors and strategically relevant HR system policies and activities are identified to create HR scorecard and the process concludes with presenting suggested HR scorecard with measurement. >During analyzing HR system and the organization, some points to be improved were emerged and these are mentioned with recommendation. If the HR concerns are solved, the company will be more resilient to face external environment with competitive workforce. HR Scorecard helps employees know and understand the organization strategic goals, encour age them to have skills and responsibilities in accordance with the goals, and guide them to achieve goals with measures. To make measurement system, the cooperation of HR managers and line managers for choosing proper metrics is very important. As strategies and goals are changed, the metrics and measurement system of HR Scorecard should be updated to be an effective and influential tool for strategic success. ii I. INTRODUCTION Many CEOs agree with the concept People are the most important assets and the fact that the companies with more effective HR management systems outperform their competitors, however, HR function and influence on companys performance are difficult to measure. Besides professionalism in Human resources are challenged to take a more strategic perspective and HR professionals are requested to prove Human resources are competitive advantages with measuring HRs performance corresponded with corporate strategy and its contribution to the company. Effective HR measurement system shows a clear and consistent view of how the company can implement its strategy in the organization and how HR can contribute to companys success with discovering and solving current HR problems. To start with defining corporate strategy of Korean Air, it will be evaluated how HRM play a strategic role, produce core values and interrelated with every level in the organization for achieving companys strategic goals using creating its own HR scorecard. II. BACKGROUND OF KOREAN AIR 1. Company overview Korean Air is an international airline headquartered in Seoul, Korea. As Koreas first private airline in 1962, it has grown into the worlds largest air cargo carrier and the thirteenth largest airline in the world. According to World Air Transport Statistics, Korean Air is the worlds largest commercial airline cargo operator since 20041. and was rated as the best airline in Asia for the third straight year, having the best business class on routes to Asia in 2009. 1 2. Corporate Vision and Mission Keeping with its vision To Be a Respected Leader in the World Airline Community, Korean Air is committed to provide best service that customers can value and trust and make a corporate culture that encourages innovation upon their mission Excellence in Flight 2). 3. Major Business Processes Passenger service takes the biggest part, however, cargo service gives the company considerable profits with a reputation as the largest international air cargo carrier. Korean Air has developed catering, maintenance, and unusually for an airline, an aerospace manufacturing business with researches and development programs for general aviation craft, military trainer and satellite since 1976 3). The aerospace division generated revenues of $470 million in 2008 and employs a little over 2,500 staff.4) 1) Business Review 2) (As of 2008) [Unit: Hundred Million Won, 1 US Dollar à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ 1,150 Won] 2) Operating Results 2) (based on 2008 IATA standards) 4. Structure Korean Air reorganized a corporate structure with new promotions for divisional responsibility management in 2003. It offers flexible management for planning, budget, recruiting and other key functions to all divisions. Every head of divisions would take a firm responsibility for outcomes and be appraised based on achievement.5) 2 a) Employees 2) (Total: 18,600, As of January 2009) b) Organization chart 2) 5. Business strategy Korean Air takes improved business strategies to implement corporate missions as below. 1) Globalization: To be ranked as global leading carrier with globalized manpower, service, and brand image. 2) Knowledge management : Encouraging learning and continuous improvement. 3)E-Business: Introducing more e-Commerce solutions and constructing upgraded Intranet for training and fast communication. 6. Relationship with external entities 1) International competitors : Business travelers who still consider Singapore Airlines with its young fleets and strong branding and Cathay Pacific which has a superior hub location due to its geographical proximity to China as superior in service and quality to Korean air.6) 2) Global airline alliance SkyTeam: Korean Air is a founding partner in SkyTeam, the worlds second largest airline alliance of eleven members and three associate carriers and expands its operations by code sharing and seat trading.7) Recently, Korean Air helped Uzbekistan airway and Garuda Indonesia to be joined.8) 3 III. HR SYSTEM AND THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF HR IN KOREAN AIR 1. HR system of Korean Air 1) Job Grade system Job Units are divided largely as Administration, Engineering, Cockpit crew and Cain crew. 9) Administration and engineering units operate a Course system for training and application purposes. Each unit has job grade scheme organized differently for every job unit and course to fortify expertise competencies. 2) Development training system à ¢-   Training organization Korean Air has developed and operated various training programs.10) Human resources development department and center take a charge of establishing training plans and integrated education. Professional training organization offer enriched education. As an implementation of Ubiquitous learning, Cyber campus is used. à ¢-   Training programs The training programs are prepared for each job grade and divided as Management development training, global competency training, job skills improvement training, and organization revitalization training. 4 3) Appraisal system 11) The appraisal system is based on measuring a contribution to company and individual work competency including performance, job aptitude and leadership. As Total analysis with giving feedback, they use appraised data for granting differential rewards or training and development. 4) Compensation and welfare system 12) Korean Air provide incentives, benefits (housing, medical and education support and culture leisure benefits) and favors such as discounted tickets and easier ticket purchase as a privilege of being with airline. 2. The Strategic Role of HR in Korean Air The long term strategies of Korean Air can be defined as follows; à ¢- ² To be ranked among top 10 international passenger airlines Developing new routes and reinforcing SkyTeam network Heighten global image awareness with excellent quality service and culture sponsorship 1) Korean Air will reopen the route to Saint Petersburg and launch Irkutsk, Russia this year. When Tunxi international airport in China opens this March, a route will be put on Huang Shan line. It is planned to expand a route network to Central Asia, Europe and Africa and extend the number of destination cities to 140 cities by 2019 through SkyTeam. To attract more customers, more investment for ordering A380 Airbus fleets and changing new luxury and upgraded seats for all classes is drawn from revenue. 13) 2) As global cultural sponsorship, Korean Air tries to cultivate different type of brand image. Korean Air sponsored the multimedia guide at the Louvre Museum in Paris and Russias State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg in 2008. It is spread out to the British Museums new set of handheld Multimedia Guides.14) 5 à ¢- ² To make China its biggest Market Korean air has strategic relationships with China Airlines and China Southern Airlines and makes an effort to expand it more with other Chinese airlines. Routes to Guangzhou, Dalian, Weihai, Yantai, Changsha and Shenzhen were added and its route network has covered 19 Chinese cities with more than 150 flights. It is one of the most expansive networks in the China among non-Chinese carriers and chosen as The best foreign airline in China. 15) Korean Air established a Chinese-only counter China Express in Incheon International Airport and began its operation to enhance convenience for a growing number of Chinese tourists.16) For brand awareness, outdoor billboards in Kunming, Wuhan, and Zhengzhou were built. Book donations to poverty schools and inviting children in earthquake damaged cities to Jeju island are one of its social responsibility activities in China.17) à ¢- ² To be a leading air cargo carrier Korean air made a contract to create Central Asian logistics hub with Uzbekistan government and Navoi airport in 2008 with cooperation from Hanjin Transportation Co., Ltd. (ground transport) and Korea Airport Service (airport ground handling). 18) By 2013, constructing an airport infrastructure and attracting investments from global logistics companies will be kept up. Whole project is planned to be finished by 2018. In China, cargo terminal in Tianjin will be completed until the end of 2010 for activating the market.19) HR Strategic roles for these major strategies All strategies are global related and to achieve these goals, it is necessary to recruit manpower with international competency and train its employees with various and differential programs per position as long term system. 1. Recruiting As the demand of international professional staffs for conferences with SkyTeam and developing Chinese market is increased, fluent English speakers, China regional experts and MBAs with proper educational backgrounds are highly needed to improve business competiveness. Common recruitment is by internet, headhunters, employment agencies, internal sources and college recruiting. 2. Training : Korean air operates Global online education system around 50 branches in the world. The systems handle the hands-on skills of reservation, ticketing, customer service, transportation, maintenance, and language study. Yet, it is needed to be more practical and wide ranged for employees to solve their problems encountered at work. 1) Foreign languages: New flight attendants take 4-week training included correcting pronunciation and aviation English and Japanese at cabin crew training center. Every employee depends on online education system afterwards. 6 2) Management knowledge: Customized MBA courses developed with Seoul National University for executives are offered. Manager level complete AMS courses which cover specialized knowledge of air transportation industry and management theories.20) 3) Overseas regional specialists: To enlarge global network, area specialists are indispensable. 1 year of Overseas services- short term international assignment for senior managers and managers is executed to send them to foreign branches for experiencing local languages, cultures and operating systems. New employees go to Mongolia as volunteering activities to plant trees for desertification for brand image and giving opportunities to look around the Mongolia as a next market. 3. Corporate culture: Korean air has reformed hierarchical culture which caused serious accidents as creating a central clearinghouse for monitoring and investigating safety reports and audit findings so that all divisions are ordered to share and coordinate data. In 2009, Koreas Ministry of Gender Equality signed an agreement with Korean Air to promote a women-friendly corporate culture and support career possibilities for women. 21) 7 IV. HR SCORECARD OF KOREAN AIR Step 1: Define Business strategy 21C leading global airline with globalized human resources, services, and brand image To be ranked among top 10 international passenger airlines To make China its biggest Market Leading air cargo carrier Step 2: Value chains of each division Step 3: Outline a strategy map and identify the strategically required organizational Outcomes Strategy map 8 Outcomes 1) More customers choose Korean air because of excellent service and flight convenience. 2) Korean air will leap to global brand not restricted to an airline in Korea. 3) Empowerment and teamwork will help to be a Learning organization. 4) Improved revenue is expected owing to transport increase of passengers and cargos Step 4: Identify the Required Workforce Competencies and Behaviors Speaking good level of English, Chinese or other languages to deal with foreign customers and doing business with international companies Fast operation based on participation and empowerment immediate feedback, open communication Service-oriented and committed employees for attracting and retaining customers Top management who educated with efficient and practical management knowledge Continuous trained maintenance and engineering manpower for safety Creating a powerful corporate brand with full understanding competitors and the future direction of company.22) Deepened knowledge about other countries to start or have projects with. Professional service training force for satisfying every needs of passenger service Step 5: Identify the Strategically Relevant HR system Policies and Activities 1. Inspiring allegiance to the company and raising morale 1) Setting up firm policies of compensation and benefits for motivation Specify pay per performance, rewards, recognition, retirement, family friendly benefits, time off with pay, maternity leave and safety health protection programs. 2) Rewarding individuals and teams, team development 3) Encouraging organizational commitment, job satisfaction and job security 2. Professional training schemes for cabin and customer services Reinforcing on-line and OJT programs, participation in related seminars of experts, comparison with those of competitors, refined grooming and etiquettes. 3. Provide segmented and enriched education for required job skills and the knowledge improvement of all level from in or outside. University-industry collaboration for academic programs Arrangement of related reputable institutes to short term education Job rotation for internal training by superiors Increasing overseas dispatch for studying languages and cultures Support to study abroad for highly performed employees. 4. Recruit right employees Select candidates with language proficiency, proper educational backgrounds and global experiences under conditions of detailed job description and specification for reduction training costs and fast adaptation to the organization. 9 Step 6: Design the HR Scorecard Measurement System Applied assessing measures for HR activities about workforce competencies and HR systems for HR scorecard are as follows; Assessing HR system 24) 10 Step 7: Periodically Evaluate the Measurement System It is hard to manage all of HR systems with interrelated metrics as the organization is bigger and its business is diversified. Currently Balanced scorecard, a computerized model, help top management track and monitor HR data with marketing and finance metrics for companys strategic success. With establishing customized software system (refer to http://www.activestrategy.com or http://senalosa.com), it is expected to have improved effectiveness for updating and evaluating HR information periodically. Yet, it should be implemented on the premise that creating Scorecard team to select and validate measures and collecting data with cooperation of all departments. 11 V. Conclusions and Recommendations 1. Conclusions Below suggested HR scorecard process of Korean Air shows how the scorecard measures the organizational outcomes, workforce competencies and behaviors and HR system policies and activities aimed at implementing the corporate strategy 21C leading global airline with globalized human resources, services, and brand image. Basic themes are 1. Create service-oriented workforce, 2. Provide enriched training for global competency, and 3.Raise morale and create positive corporate culture. For example, the theme Create service-oriented workforce is implemented from Recruiting and selection. The metrics for recruiting can be chosen among No. of applicants per sources; No. qualified applicant/position, proportion of employees selected based on validated selection methods. After selecting, the step would be moved to Training and appraisal with related metrics. Outcomes also can be measured upon 3 major tiers of customer responses, international corporate image, and inner communication derived from the strategy. 12 With metrics for each process combined with strategic goals, HR performances can be objectively and quantitatively. It is easier to see and check from the start to the final purpose of company increased revenue from the point of view of HR. The scorecards will be a more efficient tool to evaluate HR system when proper measures are added, refined and connected as the organizations strategic goals are achieved and developed. Besides, periodically revising the HR Scorecard help HR managers assess how well it supports the organizations strategy implement efforts. 2. Recommendations Despite aggressive strategies to grow, Korean air hasnt been identified as distinctive global airline. Among business travelers who still consider Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific China as superior in service and quality to Korean air. HR should play a pivotal role for reinforcing employee development one of an organizations competitive advantages more than ever because the competencies will be determined as Human resources with definite strategic goals ultimately. 1) Training Foreign languages and academic learning Company puts a huge energy to China market so speaking Chinese is another challenge. Furthermore their English proficiency is still rather below compared with Singapore airline, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways as Asian airlines. It is important to create competitive environment with rewards or punishments through taking a test regularly and prepare for efficient language learning system with qualified teachers and teaching methods. Speaking languages with proper level is not accomplished within short period so it should be planned as long term schedule or to save relative costs, hiring international manpower at the first step should be considered. 2) Corporate culture: Chronic top down and secretive management style due to primogeniture and reluctance to outsiders is one of organizational factors in Korean Air to be improved. The solution of safety concerns and increasing customer expectation of broad and excellent services is satisfying employees as internal customers. Research has long shown that accidents and poor service quality are rooted primarily in social aspects not technology such as inferior management, decision making, teamwork, employee motivation or communication, can translate into loss of customers, market share, organization assets and, above of all, life. 26) High quality service is principal for differentiating among airlines and influential in customer choice. HR need to check whether the company has positive corporate culture encourages innovation, improvement and responsibility of each employee. Supervisors open door policy for communication, treating employees with respect and dignity can be a start. 3) Appraisal and compensation Fair compensation with appraisal will strengthen the organization. Regular in-house training for the system by HR department will be helpful for understanding and participation. Compensation should have its own schemes to prevent further grievances. Fairness of salaries and promotions should be kept because pay equity is connected to job satisfaction. 13 These three HR factors should be complemented with validated measures and implemented into HR scorecard soon for achieving strategies efficiently. HR managers need to cooperate with line managers to select effective measures for evaluating required HR activities and revise HR scorecard as the strategies are changed. It is important to have a comprehensive human resources measurement policy which enables to collect consistent information relevant with overall business strategy. With a solid HR metrics program, HR management can make business decisions that are based on facts and use the exact figures to support company performance. *Word count: 2,933. 14 Notes 1) International Air Transport Association (2008), World Air Transport Statistics. 52nd ed. Canada: IATA. Section 4: Airline ranking 2007. p.95-96. 2) http://www.koreanair.com/local/sg/gd/eng/au/ci/eng_au_ci_ov.jsp, accessed Feb 15, 2010. 3) http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kal.htm, accessed Feb 15, 2010. 4) http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/06/18/328529/interview-korean-air-chief-executive-cho- yang-ho.html, accessed Feb 16, 2010. 5) http://www.airportal.co.kr/life/history/lee/LfLeeGu010.html, accessed Feb 16, 2010. 6)http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/profile/2009-08-23-travel-airlines-korea_N.htm, accessed Feb 16, 2010. 7) http://www.skyunionvirtual.co.cc/about/carriers/koreanair.html, accessed Feb 16, 2010. 8) http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Indonesia%3a+Korean+Air+expands+codeshare+with+Garuda.- a0218567145, accessed Feb 16, 2010 9) http://recruit.koreanair.co.kr/personal/personal_b.asp, accessed Feb 15, 2010. 10) http://recruit.koreanair.co.kr/personal/personal_d.asp, accessed Feb 15, 2010. 11) http://recruit.koreanair.co.kr/personal/personal_e.asp, accessed Feb 15, 2010. 12) http://recruit.koreanair.co.kr/personal/personal_f.asp, accessed Feb 15, 2010. 13)http://www.etimes.net/service/etimes_2007/ShellView.asp?LinkID=6001ArticleID=201002041 8164103144, accessed Feb 17, 2010, The replacements will be in 32 B777s and A330s, which have recently been furnished with Kosmo Suites (First Class), Prestige Sleeper (Prestige Class) and New Economy (Economy Class) seats. 14) http://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/02/17/2009021700672.html, accessed Feb 17, 2010. 15) http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-136897605.html, accessed Feb 18, 2010. 16)http://news.mk.co.kr/english/newsRead.php?rss=Ysc=30800011year=2009no=461130, Korean Air Puts Effort to Attract 1.3 billion Chinese Tourists, accessed Feb 18, 2010. 17) http://www.newswire.co.kr/newsRead.php?no=452353lmv=A02 , Korean air is the best foreign airline in China, accessed Feb 19, 2010. 18) http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4128479/, Korean Air Builds A Logistics Hub In Central Asia, accessed Feb 19, 2010. 19) http://www.sgtusa.com/detail.php?number=7280thread=22r07, Interview with COO Lee Jong hee, accessed Feb 19, 2010. 20) http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?type=2aid=2009110446921nid=910sid =0001, accessed Feb 19, 2010. 21) http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2900768 On board, gender equality still up in the air, accessed Feb 19, 2010 22) Steven Howard, Corporate Image Management: A Marketing Discipline for the 21st Century 23) Gary Dessler (2008), Human Resource Management: 11th ed. Singapore: Prentice Hall. Chapter 2: Strategic HRM and the HR scorecard. p.62 24) Gary Dessler (2008), Human Resource Management: 11th ed. Singapore: Prentice Hall. Chapter 2: Strategic HRM and the HR scorecard. p.67 25) Brian E. Becker, Mark A. Huselid, Dave Ulrich (2001). The scorecard: Linking people, strategy, and performance. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. p.66. 26) Steven H. Appelbaum, Brenda M. Fewster (2003). Human resource management strategy in the global airline industry A focus on Organizational development. Equal opportunities International. Vol. 21. No.7. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). p.70.

Rene Descartess View on God Essay -- Philosophy essays

Rene Descartes's View on God      Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1996, songwriter Joan Osborne performed a song called "One of Us" that was nominated for three Grammy Awards.   What made this song so successful and interesting were the powerful lyrics that basically asked, "What if God were a human being?"   As she was writing the lyrics to "One of Us," she was wondering about God and how the world would be different if God did exist in real life and not just a supernatural force.   You may be asking yourself, "What does this have to do with the seventeenth century?"   Well, in the seventeenth century, there was a man, named Rene Descartes, who was interested in God and wondered about His existence.   After an unforgettable night in November 10, 1619, his interest in God became stronger, and had developed many views that concerned or were about God. When he expressed his investigations of applying inductive methods of science and mathematics to philosophy by the "Cogito ero sum" (I think, therefore I am), he started to ar gue the existence of God by saying that God and science could co-exist, since he proved that he existed.    Rene Descartes, a Catholic, had the benefit of an extensive classical education, which influenced him to become a great philosopher.   When he was eight years old, "he was enrolled in the Jesuit school of La Fleche in Anjou, where he remained for eight years" ("Descartes").   There, he received instruction in mathematics, scholastic philosophy, and classical studies. Although he was planning on having a military career in the Netherlands, "his attention had already been attracted to the problems of mathematics and philosophy to which he was to devote the rest of his life" ("Descartes").    Descartes experienced an unfor... ...    Descartes was an important philosopher in the seventeenth century and one of the reasons why was his view on God.   Because of his knowledge and inspiration that November 10, he has been able to elaborate on philosophy.   He had a mission to accomplish during his life, a mission to see the truth.   He was able to accomplish this mission by seeking the truth of God, algebra and geometry, reasoning, and many other theories that have caused him to be called the father of modern philosophy.    Works Cited: Descartes, Rene.   The Philosophical Works of Descartes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1911. Vrooman, Jack Rochford. Rene Descartes. New York: G.P. Putman's Sons, 1970. "Descartes, Rene." Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls Inc.,1952. "Rene Descartes." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.   13 July 1999.

Racc

Design and Development of Strategy Processes at RACC 1. What have been the goals of the strategic planning exercise at RACC over the years? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the RACC approach? Previously all the strategic planning exercises involved a wide management participation coupled with bottom-up approach. The aim was the development of a multi-product and multi-channel strategy. In 2000-02 the emphasis of the strategic plan was focused on geographical expansion.Which were formed by participative process by including 21 senior managers from level 1 and 2 who carried out and external analysis, followed by an internal feasibility analysis. As a result, five corporate strategic priorities were identified, with expansion to the rest of Spain as the highest priority. In 2003-06 the focus of the strategic exercise was to tackle the issue of how to capitalize on the successful expansion. The middle level was given more importance in terms of participation.Significant chang es in the market had occurred in 2005 and 2006 along with diversification of RACC’s core business had initiated a change in the approach to strategic planning process to bring the business back to its shape. From a broader participative approach, RACC started practicing a top-down approach. The goal went to being the development of a multi-product and multi-channel strategy while ensuring compatibility with the ongoing and revised strategy that had already begun to be implemented.The objective of the change was to increase the profitability and secure the survival of RACC in the insurance business keeping the multi-product and multi-channel strategy as the key strategy in order to increase cross-selling opportunities and to increase the sales revenue and market share. In 2005, unexpected stagnation of the insurance businesses proved difficult for RACC to function as a result the top management had to abandon the bottom-up approach in order to quickly react to the disturbance in the core business of RACC. 007-08, the senior management deemed it necessary to trigger an update of strategic planning exercise of RACC to incorporate the impact and needs of these ongoing projects and to identify additional initiatives. This was taken into consideration to establish overall strategic coherence and help revamp projects that would ensure future financial stability. The 2008-13 exercise was to be carried out by external consultants since they would have a more objective approach along with a team of 10 top managers. The exercise reinforced the concept of service to the car driver and established ambitious growth targets for RACC in the car insurance.With more emphasis on multi-product and multi-channel strategy to expand the services for car drivers and were designed with ambitious targets. Bottom-up approach/ broader participative approach * Advantages Commitment of the RACC people towards the strategy was formed which resulted in impressive growth in terms of pr ofit, number of members and geographical growth within Spain. * Disadvantages This approach could not foresee the market. The symptoms of stagnation could not be detected which led to an negative impact. Top-down approach * AdvantagesThe strategy allowed it to operate its different business in different ways whilst producing synergies between them. The strategy also provided better customer service and fostered cross-sales as it encouraged better relationships between the businesses. * Disadvantages The current cross-selling activities needed to be improved which proved as a significant challenge as it required updating the current customer information, analysis of competitors and market trends channel mix, geographical expansion, organizational restructuring, definition of commercial supervision redistribution systems and probably many other issues that could arise. . Should RACC go through a more conventional top down approach given that a participative approach did not seem to fo resee the changes in the market? Given that the previous participative and bottom-up approach could not foresee the changes in the market, the top-down approach proved more beneficial since it was more sensible to work with external consultants because of their objective approach.The symptoms of stagnation were unpredicted and to react to such unforeseen circumstances it was required lay emphasis on the top level managers because of their exclusivity towards the strategy and the lack of time to resolve the occurrence. However, the broad participation approach had proved beneficial for a significant time as well, since it involved the organization participation as a whole, which encouraged implementation due to the involvement. But due to the urgency to take remedial action it would not be feasible to initiate bottom-up approach. . Having faced market changes and having updated the corporate level strategy, should RACC go back to broader participation for the multi-channel strategy? In terms of reacting proactively and effectively to a sudden crisis, it is best for the strategic planning decisions to be carried on by the top level along for a more professional, objective and realistic approach. Regarding the implementation of the strategy, the top level can set directions and supervise the lower levels.However, to maintain a balance and motivate the lower levels a bottom-up approach can be considered once RACC obtains a more stable position. To facilitate multi-channel strategy the integration of broader participation can enhance cross-selling with the supervision of the top level managers. Core decisions should be in the authority of the higher levels. 4. Can a participative strategy making process increase the chances of future stable profits for RACC? Yes, as long as the core strategic decisions are under the authority of the CEO and top level.A broader participative approach can be initiated once again when RACC stabilizes itself in the market since this me thod had been adopted from prior times and had in fact double profits previously because of the commitment of RACC people towards the strategy. Although this can only be opted for enhancing multi-channel strategy, since RACC has diversified itself from a broker to having its own insurance products and services and it is difficult for the lower level to comprehend the wide array of multi-products being implemented. Concentration on cross-selling can prove more viable to sustain growth.

Oscar Wilde Art Essay - 1488 Words

Oscar Wilde Art We begin another chapter in the life of Oscar Wilde, the year 1888, many things have taken place, Oscar has been married and bore two children, Vyvyan and Cyril and his touring of the United States and other countries have brought forth success to the literary giant. Some of his successful writings are The Picture of Dorian Gray(1891), A Woman of No Importance(1894) and his most resent essay known The Decay of Lying. Is it true that lying has fallen to its deepest shadow of shame? In the words of Wilde it is shamefully true. How could this type of atrocity take place, it seems that the Victorian society is still under the belief that the Romanticism of life is still coursing through their veins, dead veins as†¦show more content†¦Wildes creative writing is to be used as a outlet to escape from the Realism of life. The definition is to emphasizes the importance the ordinary, the lay person and the simplisticness of lifes varied situations. It seem that the artists, have been rejecting the notion of stories based on the heroic, the aristocratic and firmly excepted the common man and the middle class as a basis for their story. Why must our stories continue to focus on the simple life? It seems that we have learned nothing in the centuries that have past. Wilde stated that the art of writing by some of the best know writers has boiled down to speaking of the everyday housekeeper and their d aily routine. This is type of work is labeled as plain and unworthy of spending another moments time on this subject let alone on publishing it for that matter. Why must every new book, prose, poetry, drawings, painting and even play contain a moral purpose or lesson? Just for a few moments wouldn’t it be extremely pleasurable to escape from the down-to-earth drudgeries of life? Wilde’s hope is that his essay The Decay of Lying will be able to stress this point. In this particular essay Wilde uses his two main characters Vivian and Cyril to explain the ills of the days society. The two are discussing the basic characteristics of life, Cyril tries to convince our writer to takeShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Art By Oscar Wilde785 Words   |  4 Pagesthe artist materials for an art† (Wilde 2) and Wilde approached the same in bold and direct ways. In one of his most famous lines, Wilde sets the ground for his novel â€Å"there is no such thing as a moral or immoral book†. When his novel was published in the year 1890, it faced much controversies and condemn. Wilde was charged for corrupting the youth with the ideas of homosexuality and licentiousness. Despite the audacious narrative, Wilde conformed to his beliefs that art should hold an individual positionRead MoreThe Theme of Decadence in the Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde1553 Words   |  7 PagesThe theme of decadence in The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde Staring from the definition found in the dictionary, the decadence is a literary movement especially of late 19th-century France and England characterized by refined aestheticism, artifice, and the quest for new sensations. [1] In decadence, important is not necessarily what is seen, but the hermeneutics: what man feels when he sees the creative result of this feeling. It is the current that requires a co-operationRead MoreHuman Connectivity And Response On Art : The Portrait Of Dorian Gray1030 Words   |  5 Pages9 October 2016 Human Connectivity and Response to Art: The Portrait of Dorian Gray Is it the morality or immorality of art that affects our lives, or do we bring that morality or immorality to art? Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Portrait of Dorian Gray, can be seen as a discussion on the effect of art on life and how there exists a unique connection between the morality (or immorality) of art and the importance of human connectivity and response to art. The preface to The Portrait of Dorian Gray existsRead MoreOscar Wilde: A Brief Biography660 Words   |  3 PagesBackground Information: Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde, son of William and Jane Wilde, was born October 16, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. Wilde was born into a well educated and literate family, as his father was an ear and eye surgeon who had written multiple books during his practice. His mother was also a writer; she wrote articles relating to Irish nationalism, the rights of women along with multiple poems, essays, and stories (Shuman). Oscar excelled in school and received multiple recognitionsRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Essay1460 Words   |  6 Pagesbe the theme of Oscar Wilde’s book, The picture of Dorian Gray, art an beauty are both the same, yet they are different. But how can this be? Well, beauty and art are intertwined the moment art is used to capture a sliver of pure beauty, in order to make that moment last forever. According to Lord Henry, â€Å" Yes, Mr. Gray, the gods have been good to you. But what the goods give can easily be taken away. You only have a few years in which to live really, perfectly, and fully† (Wilde Pg. 22). HoweverRead MoreWilde s Early Life, Marriage, Works, Later Years1326 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction (Brief comment leading into subject matter Thesis statement on Wilde) II. Body- (Wilde’s Early Life, Marriage, Works, Later Years) 1. Wilde’s Early Life 2. Wilde’s Early Life 2 III. Wilde’s Best Works 1. Work a 2. Work b 3. Work c IV. Wilde’s Later Years 1. Work a 2. Work b 3. Work C â€Æ' Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born on October 16 of the year 1854, at 21 Westland Row in Dublin. His father was William Wilde and his mother Jane Francesca Elgee. Wildes’s parents were very successfulRead MoreOscar Wilde Research Paper837 Words   |  4 PagesOscar Wilde was an incredibly influential Irish poet, writer, and playwright that changed the way people wrote and the structure of writing. He was one of the greatest writers of the 18th century and possibly one of the greatest writers and wordsmiths of all time. His works earned many awards and high acclaim, even years after his death, leaving a legacy that most people would do anything for. He used a newfound way of writing and presented himself in a enigmatic and eccentric way. His clever andRead MoreThe Influences of Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray1582 Words   |  7 PagesThe Influences of Oscar Wilde Throughout his life Oscar Wilde had many strong influences exerted upon him. During his early childhood his mother influenced him and into college some of his professors and certain philosophers left a substantial impression upon him. Into adulthood these influences leaked out in his writing. These influences gave him ample ideas for writing The Picture of Dorian Gray. Wildes study of the Hellenistic ideals of Epicurus, his coddled lifestyle as a child and his devotionRead MoreAnalysis Of The Picture Of Dorian Gray1301 Words   |  6 Pages More often than not, it is hard to face the consciousness of the inevitable. Everyone feels the distress of realizing that time is fleeting and they will soon grow old and wrinkly, no longer their youthful self. The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, illustrates this human condition specifically through the main character Dorian Gray. Mr. Gray captures the artistic imagination of artist Basil Howard, who constantly paints portraits of Dorian. Basil usually depicts Dorian as an ancient GreekRead MoreThe English Renaissance675 Words   |  3 Pageseventual commercialization of arts and expression (Grech). Wilde was the poster-child of the men of the new aesthetic movement (Adut); â€Å"The men of the movement were wispy, narcissistic and solipsistic.†(Anderson). Wilde paraded on the indulgence of male beauty and that in the countered-face of Victorianism he acted vain and pretentious according to Himmelfarb, Wilde would not deny this but rather flaunt his vanity. This vanity coupled with his homosexuality made Wilde quite indiscrete. There is no