Nursing Image Essay

1 Introduction One of the most challenging issues nurses striving for since 20 years ago is nursing image in nursing profession. We define ourselves and are defined by others through images and similarly in any other profession like nursing. The way nurses how nurses perceive themselves as professional will affect the way others include family, friends, associate and public to look you. In the Concise Oxford English Dictionary image is defined as ‘the general impression that a person, organization or product presents to the public’ (Soames & Stevenson, 2004) or as ‘a mental picture representing a real object or a more or less accurate likeness of a thing or person’ (Thomas, 1993, p. 965) in Tabor’s Encyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Nurses have to try to get out from the stereotype of nursing image from the past like ministering angel, battle-axe/sex symbol, handmaiden of doctors, subordinate professional and finally autonomous professional that need critical thinking to make decision to ensure the to render the most effective and efficient care for patient. The image of a nurse portrayed in the media will very much influence the public the way they view at nurses either positively or negatively. Nurses are invisible as mentioned by public as they are used to be silent and accept what others think about them until recently some coalition announced In this write up I am interested to explore nursing image and nursing profession in past year that impact current positive image of nursing in the country with strategies that promoting and sustaining nursing image. 2 Critical Discussion on the Current Image of Nursing in the country In order to upgrade the nursing status in Malaysia to become more profession which account to better image of nursing, nurses are encouraged to pursue higher education to admit to degree program, Master’s and PhD courses either in full time or distance-learning program. This uptake brought Malaysian  nurses to become more professionalization. Besides, Malaysia Nursing Board had endorsed a mandatory CPE program in 2008 with feedbacks from nurses to update knowledge, better patient outcome, improve communication skills, increase sense of self-esteem and competency to practice autonomously and improve decision making skills (Chong, 2011). In the study of Natan, 2009 stated 68.5% (245 out of 358) of nursing students of Israel believed they must have undergo change with these Five characteristics of the present profession of nursing, that is, Angel of Mercy, Romantic, Careerist, Obedient and Bureaucratic. Same as other studies that student nurses expect the aspect of Careerist (Mackay & Elliott, 2002; Spouse, 2000) as the major characteristic of nursing profession which represent an intelligent, logical, progressive nurse committed to achieve increasingly higher standard of patient care (Kalisch and Kalish, 1987; Natan, 2009). Due to the strong patriarchal society, nurses in Iran have a poor image of nursing that bring to low self-esteem, sense of frustration, hopelessness and confusion about self-image and social identity of nursing. So, male nursing student strived to get a university degree to work in hospital as supervisor, internal managers, in the office of nursing, or even on business side of medicine or medical equipment but not in patient care provision. And, there is always a need for male and female nurses vacancy as female nurses have their limitation to meet all the male patients’ needs and male nurses always occupy the senior position (Nasrabadi, Emami, & Yekta, 2003; Adib Hajbaghery, & Salsali, 2005; Zamanzadeh, Azadi, Keogh, Monadi, & Negarandeh, 2013). After the Iran-Iraq War there is an increasing demanding in male nurses to provide emergency care in affected area and also in compliance with the laws of the Islamic Republic Iranian male patients’ preference to be cared by male nurses (Fooladi, 2003). Therefore, about 50% of the baccalaureate students admitted into the nursing program in the final years of war (1985-1988) but it dropped to 20% again after the war (Zarea, Negarandeh, Dehghan-Nayeri, & Rezaei-Adaryani, 2009; Nikbakht, & Emami, 2006). Factors that associate with nursing image a) Uniform If a nurse wears a fit uniform which public perceive as sexy, which may suggested more sexualized work attire actually lessens respect for female workers in responsible jobs like management, causing others to see them as less competent and intelligent. b) Gender In general the public reflected nursing as a female profession where they are subordinate, nurturing, domestic, humble, caring and self sacrificing as stereotyped since nightingale’s work and European religious sisterhood model of nursing education (Anthony, 2004). In United State, 6.2% of RNs were men before year 2000 and then increased to 9.6% (Department of Health and Human Service, 2010). c) Media This is the most salient factor that affect nursing image. Due to the media perception about nursing is ‘caring’ but not knowledgeable, competent in patient care, therefore, public will see nurses in the same way as they get known to nursing through what media portrayed. Nurses nowadays are aware of the poor image of nursing as perceived by public had greatly devaluing the nursing profession. Inspiringly, The Center for Nursing Advocacy who helps to guard the influence of nursing image from media by announcing the best and worst portrayal of nurses in the media annually. d) Poor communication According to Gordon 2004, nurses who do have enough confidence, tools and skills to communicate with media will gain respect, public recognition and rewards for being considered as a profession. 3 Critical Discussions on the Significance of Portraying Positive Image in Nursing Profession It is important to have portraying positive image in nursing profession as it reflect nurses’ high quality of patient care, recognition from nurses and others by making a difference in patient wellbeing and hence gain empowerment in decision making in better patient outcome (Ulmer, 2000). By improving and maintaining both public perception of nursing image and nurses self-image, it help to increase nurses’ recruitment and retention, better working environment to improve nurses’ morale and motivation to work, and enhance better job performance, job satisfaction, patients’ satisfaction and empower nurses to affect policy making (Fletcher, 2007; National Students’ Nurses Association 2009-2010). Nurses must grab every single opportunity to positively reflect share your own experiences contributed to patient care in workplace as a role model and mentor to junior nurses formally via organization authority or informally as through your own awareness, mission and enthusiasm in bringing nursing profession to perfection. In 1989, Zukav stressed the way we see and picture ourselves will affect us subconsciously to seek and make the image either positively or negatively and hence gravitate towards others to reinforce it as your image. Nursing had been regarded as a vocation where a nurse provides service to patient and as a divine calling which linked to early roots of nursing within religious order. But in professional field today, nursing is a profession that renders patient care to a complex healthcare system by using our critical thinking skills to make clinical decision together with patients through the specialty knowledge acquired. If only we strike to portray our profession and specialty in positive manner then we must be able to attract and recruit people to join nursing career and to retain in these nursing profession. In addition, the positive nursing image we portraying will correct the devastating image shown in media to public, friends, family members and relatives by telling them what is actually nursing profession means and its contribution to patient care, what are nurses doing in their day to day practice in clinical or non-clinical area, what types of critical or  technology skills we need in order to keep abreast of medical and technology innovation. To genuinely lobbying all these messages through media and discourses with high school students we will be able to recruit more intellectual people not only thinking but also inspired to count on nursing profession as their career. Conversely, the negative nursing image like work incompetently, not interested to work extra effort, not valuing what nurses contributed to patients, gossiping and criticize about colleagues, will make others, public and media to devalue nursing image in nursing profession. As a leader in nursing, nurses should wrote to media to correct whatever the misconception of public regarding nursing image which may devaluing nursing qualities of patient care. 4 Suggestions on Strategies in Promoting and Sustaining Nursing Image Nurses must always identify themselves as a nurse and talking about their nursing profession to public, friends, family and relatives to promote positive image of nursing. Media always interested in human-interest stories rather than nurses professional abilities. Nurses must explicitly explain to media our aspects of work in order to make the nurses profession be visible and to advance. Nurses take themselves seriously and dress the part. With the uniform they wear to keep reminding them to act professionally and collaborate with other healthcare profession to enhance quality of care render to patients through team work among staff and shared clinical decision making with patients and family member. Nurses must join at least one or more professional association. It can be Malaysia Nursing Association (MNA), National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and others. These association helped to organize seminar annually on continuing nursing education in different diversities among different facilities either locally or internationally to update our knowledge to keep abreast with other healthcare professional group to enhance the image of nursing in the  media to make us visible and to represent our practice area to affect the policy maker on Evidenced-Based Practice (EBP) issues by sharing nursing experiences through networking with other nurses. For example, nurses from different facilities meet together to share successful experiences of reducing the rate of Catheter Related Blood Stream infection (CRBSI) among Haemodialysis patient by instilling Gentamicin block into Intrajugular catheter (IJC) and hence to reduce the rate of mortality due to septicemia while awaiting for the Arterio-veno us fistula to be mature and ready for use. In Nurses Week, nurses write to editor of health-related magazine to announce Nurses Day to make public aware of nurses’ contribution to public through clinical experiences to improve and enhance public perception of nursing image to regards nursing as profession. Dispense nurse-related book as free gift to non-nurses to inspire and inform public of nurses’ contribution in healthcare system. Therefore, we can promote our nursing image to them by making it visible and known to public in order to breakdown the stereotype negative images of public. Get involved in a health campaign to give talk regarding contemporary healthcare issue, for example, educate about ‘dengue fever’ by using our professional knowledge regarding disease to educate the public ways of prevention and instruct them to seek treatment in clinic if needed to early detect and improve community health problem. 5 Conclusions Promoting and sustaining positive nursing image is very crucial in nursing profession to keep nurses to be motivated to work and retain in the profession to be more professional and be a role model and mentor nurses everywhere you go to promote nursing image either in personal life or professional workplace. It is also very inspiring to correct public media’s misconception of nursing image by writing to them to keep inform and upgrade them regarding positive image in nursing to recruit more staff to join nursing and retain in nursing and to enhance job satisfaction, job  performance. By actively involved in professional organization to talk to policy maker, write to media or newspaper to keep them well-informed of nurses’ achievement and to get recognition from public. 6 References 1. Adib, H. M., & Salsali, M. (2005). A model for empowerment of nursing in Iran. BMC Health Service Research, 5(1), 24-35. 2. Anthony, A. S. (2004). Gender bias and discrimination in nursing education: Can we change it? Nurse Educator, 29(3), 121-125. 3. Chong, C. M., Sellick, K., Francis, K., & Lim, K. (2011). What Influences Malaysian Nurses to Participate in Continuing Professional Education Activities? Asian Nursing Research, 5(1), 38-47. 4. Fletcher, K. (2007). Image: changing how women nurses think about themselves. Literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 58, 207-215. 5. Fooladi, M. M. (2003). Gendered nursing education and practice in Iran. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 14(1), 32-38. 6. Gordon, S. (2004). Nurses and public communication: Protecting definitional claims. Journal of Nursing Management, 12, 273-278. 7. Kalisch, P. A., & Kalisch, B. J. (1987). The changing image of the nurse. Menlo-Park, CA: Addison-Wesley. 8. Mackay, L., & Elliott, J. (2002). Nursing recruitment: School daze. Health Service Journal, 112(5801), 30-38. 9. Nasrabadi, A. N., Emami, A., & Yekta, Z. P. (2003). Nursing experience in Iran. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 9(2), 78-85. 10. National Students’ Nurses Association (2009-2010). The Ripple Effect of Nursing: How Our Actions Reflects Our Image. Available at: http://www.nsna.org/Portals/0/Skins/NSNA/pdf/pubs_image_guidelines.pdf. 11. Soames, C., & Stevenson, A. (eds) (2004). Concise Oxford Dictionary, 11th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 12. Spouse, J. (2000). An impossible dream? Images of nursing held by pre-registration students and their effect on sustaining motivation to become nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32, 730-739. 13. Thomas, C. L. ed. (1993). Tahor’s Encyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 17th edn. F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA. 14. Zarea, K., Negarandeh, R., Dehghan-Nayeri, N., & Rezaei-Adaryani, M. (2009). Nursing staff shortages and job satisfaction in Iran: Issues and challenges. Nursing and Health Sciences, 11(3), 326-331.

Cardiovascular Diseases Effect On Health Health And Social Care Essay

The cardiovascular system consists of blood vass and one of the organic structure ‘s most critical variety meats, the bosom. Cardiovascular disease or CVD is defined as holding any dysfunctional conditions to the variety meats in the cardiovascular system ( Martini, 2009 ) . This can include Atherosclerosis, Angina Pectoris, Coronary Heart Disease and failure, shot, Peripheral Vascular Disease and Rheumatic Heart Disease ( Donnatelle, 2009 ) . This chronic disease impacts diverse groups of people in society and is the taking cause of decease in Australia. It is estimated that one individual dies every 10 proceedingss because of this disease ( Heart Foundation, 2010 ) . The implicit in causes of CVD are the determiners of wellness. CVD is strongly linked to several determiners of wellness including environmental, behavioural and socio-economic position. Depending on these factors, an person may be more susceptible to this disease than others. Environmental wellness addresses the physical, chemical, biological and societal kineticss in the environment and how it impacts an person ‘s wellness ( WHO, 2011 ) . Direct environmental wellness factors that can impact CVD are factors such as the sum of pollution. A survey in America proved that air pollution can hold an impact on CVD. The survey verified that people populating in more contaminated metropoliss had higher chance of being hospitalised and early decease from CVD ( National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2010 ) . Environmental breaks are another factor that can take to CVD A survey was carried out in Sweden to prove the hypothesis on whether the environment impacts CVD. Results proved that being exposed to loud aircraft noise can increase the hazard of high blood pressure ( Mats Roselund, 2005 ) . Indirect environmental factors can besides impact CVD. It has been proven that occupants populating in countries with small for few employment chances may hold higher degrees of emphasis. Stress may trip put on the line behavioral factors, which can take to CVD ( American Heart Association, 2011 ) . Behavioural wellness refers to an person ‘s lifestyle factors. CVD is a non catching disease and is strongly like to an person ‘s life style. Behavioural wellness references smoke, physical activity, nutrient ingestions, dietetic form and intoxicant usage in an person ( Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010 ) . All these factors contribute to CVD, with smoking being the chief part to CVD. Statisticss suggest that tobacco users have a 70 % greater hazard at developing CVD to person who is a non tobacco user. This is because nicotine additions all the maps of the bosom including the rate, end product and force per unit area. In add-on, the chemicals in coffin nails damage the liner of the coronary arterias and as a consequence cholesterin builds up more easy. As a effect, the buildup of fat tightens the vass, intensifying the blood force per unit area and coercing the bosom to pump harder ( Donnatelle, 2009 ) . In add-on, populating a sedentary life style can far ther lend to CVD. A survey in America was conducted analyzing how sedentary life styles link to CVD. In this survey, 7744 male participants aged 20-89 were to take part in two sedentary activities including siting in a auto and watching Television. During the 21 twelvemonth follow up, 377 CVD deceases had occurred. The male participants who spent more than 23 hours siting in a auto besides had an 82 % greater hazard of acquiring CVD, as to those who had spent less than 4 hours in a auto each hebdomad ( Warren T.Y, 2010 ) . Furthermore, diet has a function in CVD. Devouring a diet high in fat elevates LDL ( low-density lipoprotein ) cholesterin degrees. LDL cholesterin is responsible for the plaque accretion, therefore ensuing in increased hazard of shot and bosom onslaughts. The most vulnerable group to develop CVD due to behavioral factors are fleshy people. This is due to the fact that fleshy people are more susceptible to diabetes. Diabetes leads to promote blood fat degrees and this increasing the opportunities of developing Atherosclerosis ( inspissating and hardening of arterias ) ( Donnatelle, 2009 ) . Though, behavioral wellness has a major impact CVD, another factor that can lend to CVD is socio-economic. Socio-economic position refers to an person ‘s place in society. It can mention to their income, degree of instruction and business. It has been established that low socio economic can hold impact on an person ‘s wellness and well-being ( Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010 ) . Surveies have shown that people with a lower socio economic have higher hazards of diseases, mental wellness jobs, morbidity and mortality rates due to diseases and they besides die younger. This is due to the fact that they have less knowledge about healthy behaviors, prosecuting in behaviors that put their wellness at hazard and prosecuting in less wellness promoting behavior ( Newell. S, 2000 ) . An Australian survey was conducted to separate whether there was a nexus between low socio economic and CVD. The survey involved 11,247 Australian grownups. The two facets of socio economic that were examined in this survey were income and degree of instruction. The survey concluded that pa rticipants with low instruction and low income had higher LDL cholesterin degrees and higher systolic and diastolic blood force per unit area ; all factors that contribute to CVD ( Kavanagh. A, 2010 ) . Overall, it is clear that the most vulnerable to CVD based on socio-economic factors are people with a lower-socio income and lower-education. This is due to their deficiency of consciousness about wellness behaviors, take parting in heath hazard behaviors and the deficiency of part to wellness advancing activities. To sum up, CVD is a deathly disease and it is the figure one cause of decease worldwide ( WHO, 2007 ) . It can consequence assorted groups of people in the population, due to the fact that there a figure of determiners of wellness that all impact and trigger this disease including behavioral, socio-economic and environmental factors. However, the hazard of acquiring CVD can be reduced if behavioral wellness is managed. By cut downing sedentary activities, increasing regular physical activity and pull offing cholesterin degrees can be good for optimum cardiovascular wellness. Entire word count: 920 words.

Analysis of the Old Love Tradition Illustrated In Poems by Chaucer

Analysis of the Old Love Tradition Illustrated In Poems by Chaucer Courtly Love in Chaucer’s poetry Chaucer’s literature was spread across many different spheres of interest throughout his life, often focussing on society and religion. An observer of his own social group, he wrote satirical interpretations of those surrounding him, subverting the traditional writing styles of Beowulf (900AD-1100AD), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (14th century) and even Petrarch (1304-1374), into something that was almost similar to social commentary. Chaucer’s relationship with the courtly love tradition is interesting to examine because of its fluctuating nature; his attitude to courtly love in his earlier writing is very different to the presentation of courtly love in The Canterbury Tales . The woman presented in A Complaint to his Lady is very different for instance to the woman of The Miller’s Tale (who arguably is not so much a heroine of courtly love) in that she is very distant, and rebuts his advances, whilst Alison in The Miller’s Tale is open to the men†™s proposals to gain her affections. Therefore one can assume Chaucer’s intentions in writing the poem are ambiguous at best; it is challenging to decide whether Chaucer uses a satirical presentation of courtly love, or whether he is genuinely adhering to the concept of both courtly love and the chivalric tradition. The tradition of courtly love is based around five elements, which define the relationship between the two participants. The love was primarily a relationship between aristocratic men and women, and was often adulterous. The relationship would be conducted in secret and would often involve the ritualistic exchange of gifts. The final defining element of the affair was the flouting of rigid courtly marriage, which was often only formed for political and financial reasons. Glorification of this kind of extramarital affair was found in songs of gallant knights and their fair ladies, and led to the spread of this kind of relationship in the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The poem itself represents the prescribed courtly love heroine; however its adherence to the protocol of the tradition is variable. The portrait of the traditional courtly love heroine can be found in Prologue of The Canterbury Tales In the description of the prioress, we are told her ‘nose was elegant, her eyes glass-grey; Her mouth was very small, but soft and red, Her forehead, certainly, was fair of spread†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢. This represents her noble features, and her eyes are a metaphor for her treatment of her lover; the courtly love heroine rarely acknowledged the advances of her lover and instead, gives only the merest hint that she shares his feelings. The ‘glassy’ nature of the heroine’s eyes shows a degree of superficiality in the relationship between the man and woman; perhaps even an emptiness of character, even a lack of personality where the heroine becomes a mechanism for the man to project his idealistic feelings upon. A Complaint to his Lady is a poem written from a man directly to a woman whom he clearly adores, detailing his struggle for her affections, and how she is causing him a considerable amount of torment. For example the line ‘so desepaired I am from alle bliss,’ shows an almost self-pitying lamentation that continues until the beginning of part III. The third part of the poem sees the narrator confessing that ‘I can but love hir best, my swete fo;’ which symbolises a sweetness previously absent, a sweetness connected to his love for her, which changes the tone of the poem. The poem takes the form of a monologue; whilst he appears to be talking to his lady, it becomes obvious that she is not there, or is at least unresponsive, and therefore one can presume he is alone. The main element of the poem is distance and suffering, created by this woman, regardless of his devotion to her. Chaucer here represents love as a kind of poison, shown by his statement ‘Th us am I slayn with Loves fyry dart!’, and subsequently leaving the protagonist unable to understand her treatment of him; ‘love hath taught me no more of his art’. The perspective of the protagonist changes as the poem progresses, beginning with establishing the circumstances in which he is in love with her, and then moving on to describe the manner in which she treats him. The quotation ‘The more I love, the more she doth me smerte’ represents the paradoxical effect of the courtly love; the woman will appear to grow more distant. At the beginning of part III, the protagonist describes his woman as ‘Faire Rewtheless’; this is revealing about her mannerisms and ‘Rewtheless’ represents a cold attitude, is very similar to the eyes of the prioress which are described as ‘eyes glass-grey’. The fourth section of the poem is the longest, and represents the efforts of the protagonist to glean some kind of response from his woman. He compares his own shortcomings with her ‘gentileness and debonairtee’, and almost sarcastically states that he is not worthy of her service. Chaucer states tha t ‘Thogh that I be unconnyng and unmete, to serve, as I coude best, ay your hynesse,’ says that even though he is uncouth and unkempt, he would serve the woman as best as he could. This over exaggerated display of emotion implies that the poem could be satirical; however because there is no comparative character, or change of theme, one cannot be sure of Chaucer’s intention regarding the poem. It is interesting that he refers to the lady as a queen, therefore of higher status than himself reinforcing the idea that she has become almost demigod-like, given it is likely that they would have belonged to the same social strata. Part of the attraction of courtly love was the extravagance and exaggeration of action; for women of this period, they would have been repressed for most of their lives, constantly adhering to rules enforced by the crown, or perhaps their own family, and this affair was a rebellion against normality for them, almost a liberating experience. Th e final stanza of the poem, the protagonist proposes an ultimatum of sorts; to grant him some kind of pity, (i.e. respond in some way to his advances), otherwise nothing, no bliss, nor hope will dwell in his troubled heart. From a modern day point of view, the poem becomes repetitive, and the concept appears false; however at the time of writing, this level of extravagance was not uncommon and therefore from a historical perspective, the poem is likely to be a good example of typical courtly love poetry, such as that of Petrarch and Boccaccio. The presentation of the heroine in this poem is comparable with other courtly love heroines in Chaucer’s tales, in particular Alison, from the Miller’s Tale, Pertelote, The Nun’s Priests Tale, The Prioress, The Prologue and Criseyde, Troilus and Criseyde. Criseyde is very similar to the Prioress in many ways; however is assertive in her role as a courtly love heroine, playing an active part in the poem, demonstrated by book III, verse 115. She states ‘Alas, I would have though, whoever told, such tales of me, my sweetheart would not hold, Me false so easily’, showing perhaps a more effective, realistic heroine than the woman in A Complaint to his Lady. In contrast, courtly heroes often use hyperbole to attempt to convey the depth of the affection they feel towards their women, for example when Chaucer’s protagonist says ‘But I, my lyf and deeth, to yow obeye’ (My life and death, to you obey). This essentially states that she has total control over his heart; a fairly typical declaration within courtly love poetry; Boccaccio used many similar assertions in his novel Elegia di Madonna Fiammetta . The courtly love hero is often of a noble disposition, as demonstrated by book I, verse 27 of Troilus and Criseyde. The knightly element of courtly love can be exemplified by earlier literature, such as the description of King Arthur in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written in the fourteenth century, around the same time as A Complaint to his Lady. The nobleness of the courtly gentleman is described in Lines 85-88 of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, when the author describes Arthur himself, as ‘Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were served, He was so joly of his joyfness and sumquat childgered, His lif liked hym light, he lovied the lass’ (Line 85-88). Paraphrased, the above means â€Å"But Arthur would not eat until all were served. He was so youthfully gay and somewhat boyish, he liked an active life .† The general sense of courtly love therefore is a noble relationship outside convention, between a lady and gentleman; the woman is typically more distant while the man ritualistically tries to ‘woo’ her, using any means necessary, and in the case of A Complaint to his Lady, suffers immensely due to the depth of his love for her. Throughout A Complaint to his Lady, the protagonist changes his opinion concerning who is to be blamed for his affliction; in the first two stanzas, he blames himself for becoming so attached, but then unsatisfied with this, blames the emotion of love itself for his sadness. Eventually however he reaches the conclusion that it is her ruthlessness, described as ‘thogh ye never wil upon me rewe, I moste yow love and been ever as trewe’, that causes him so much pain. Chaucer here portrays a hero who will eagerly fall in ‘love’ with a woman, however will be unable to control his own emotions. This degree of instability coupled with obvious exaggeration of his feelings causes us to question whether he is a satirical figure, but also if the nature of this love is genuine as opposed to merely a whim. His status as a courtly love hero is also questionable, because he is portrayed as an ineffectual character as opposed to a gallant, noble member of the court. Assuming there are five main elements of courtly love, many of those should be found in the poem. The most prominent element of courtly love in the poem is the aspect of aristocracy, presented by the protagonist’s placement of himself in servitude to the woman. On numerous occasions he places himself below her, begging her not to ‘from your service dryve’. There is very little in the way of ritualism in the poem to suggest that the couple share gifts or even any kind of relationship at all; Chaucer uses language in such a way that it infers she barely is aware of his existence. This presents the reader with a quandary especially regarding the purpose of the poem. Secrecy of their affair is not alluded to at any point in the poem; this perhaps represents the ambiguity of what has thus far occurred between them, and perhaps therefore it does not follow the tradition in that the relationship (if it can be defined as such) is not adulterous, as far as we can tell. In order to establish this, it may be useful to examine Chaucer’s own life, and his personal situation at this point . In 1368, Chaucer was married to Philippa Roet, a lady in waiting to the Queen, and was an esquire to the house of Edward III. He had also had a son, named Thomas, born in 1367. This information is useful in terms of a biographical perspective on the poem. Chaucer was still a young man at the point of writing A Complaint to his Lady (aged 24) and it is conceivable that the poem was written on a personal basis, detailing some kind of affair he himself was having at the time. This knowledge is useful, because therefore if the poem is autobiographical, the lady he is speaking of is obviously not his wife, thus fulfilling the extramarital nature of a courtly love relationship as presented in the poem. Without any biographical knowledge however there is no mention of any other relationship, which causes the reader to question the very essence of ‘fine love’ in that we can find very little evidence for it from the poem alone. There are however some isolated elements of the trad ition found in the poem, however whether they culminate in a traditional courtly love ritual poem is dubious. The structure of the poem is revealing in terms of the intention behind its writing; the changing forms, and inconsistency present the reader with an almost unfinished poem, sufficiently unrefined to justify this assertion. There are three main changes of form; parts I and II are written in rhyme royal. Part II however does not strictly adhere to the concept of rhyme royal and contains elements of terza rima. Part III sees the complete transition from rhyme royal to terza rima; iambic tercets make the poem sound more rhythmic than it had been previously. After part III however the form of the poem turns into decasyllabic lines, with stanzas being largely ten lines long, with the exception of stanzas eight and nine, which are nine and eight lines long respectively. The final part of the poem is the least rigidly formatted, and has an irregular rhyme scheme. One of the main rhyme patterns of the final section is AABAABCDDC, however not all stanzas follows this pattern. This inconsisten cy therefore is important in ascertaining the writer’s literary capability, almost the level of sophistication his work had reached at the time he’d written the poem. If one were only to examine the structural cohesion of the poem, then one could conclude he was still very much a developing poet. The rhyme scheme of parts I-III is fairly regular because it adheres to two poetic forms, rhyme royal and terza rima . The use of rhyme royal was a fairly common pattern to use during this period, and often was used in less sophisticated rhyming poetry of the time. Chaucer’s use of terza rima however allows the reader insight into the influence of the courtly love tradition on the poem in that in order to use the form, Chaucer would have had to be exposed to it, in its original format by its patrons, at some point during his missions to Europe. In Italy at this point, Petrarch and Boccaccio especially were writing poetry that was very heavily focussed on the tradition of courtly love, experimenting with terza rima; exposure to this may have prompted Chaucer to write A Complaint to his Lady, and to view the poem as an experiment would add credibility to the idea that Chaucer was still developing as a poet, and therefore his ideas were still unrefined, thus explaining the poemâ €™s content. Why Chaucer did not choose to finish the poem in this manner is unknown. There was usually no prescribed rhyme scheme used in the courtly love tradition, except the obvious assumption that it should rhyme. From the composition of the poem one can assume that Chaucer’s influences were mixed; his travels to Italy influenced his work, as demonstrated by the use of terza rima and the protocols he follows when addressing his lady. Another influence of folklore becomes apparent through the emotions he claims to feel regarding her, and the influence of the knightly tales as demonstrated by the noble tone of ‘For neither pitee, mercy, neither grace’. The structure of this poem in comparison with later works shows more of an experimental motivation; for instance, in The Miller’s Tale the structure is simple; rhyming couplets and one long, extended stanza. This structure therefore adds far more focus to the plot as opposed to the intricacies of rhyme. The Canterbury Tales were also intended for an audience, to be performed verbally; wheth er A Complaint to his Lady was intended for public consumption may affect whether the tradition of courtly love actually forms the basis of the poem, because usually, poems written for personal courtship would not be shared with the wider public. The lack of aural consideration in the poem creates the impression that the poem was not supposed to be performed for the general public, even though the concept of ‘fine love’ was very popular in folklore of the time. The Canterbury Tales were however written to be performed verbally; several paintings of Chaucer performing his poetry exist, including â€Å"Chaucer at the Court of Edward III† . Graphological interpretation of the poem is difficult because by modern standards, it is fragmented and inconsistent; however, there are some features of the poem that define certain elements. For example, Chaucer frequently uses commas, which adds to the internal monologue effect he uses, causing the reader to feel as though we are entering conversation with him. This presents a paradox in terms of stylistic quality because the reader almost feels intrusive, whilst being ‘spoken’ to at the same time. ‘This hevy lif I lede, lo, For your sake’ for example is paradoxical because Chaucer is apparently addressing his lady, and yet appears to be addressing the reader in a simplistic sense because of the use of the second person, personal pronoun of ‘you’. There are also several questions used in the poem, which again engages the reader, making it more accessible to an audience. An example of this is ‘Allas, whan shal that harde wit amende?†™ which is a kind of ponderous question. It includes no specific address however invites the reader to respond in some way. In terms of language and lexical choices, the poem is far easier to comprehend than when considering grammar. Broadly, the poem uses three semantic fields; that evolving around the tradition of courtly love, beauty and other such finery, one of religion based ideas, and one of servitude and self deprecation. These are of course very broad spectrums. The field of courtly love is the central theme of the poem, as demonstrated the assertion of ‘gentilnesse and your debonairtee?’ The language used is obviously connected to the overriding theme of the poem. The use of religious imagery is perhaps more interesting; it represents a deep rooted relationship with the social values of the period and perhaps the element of Christianity that was undoubtedly present in the courtly love tradition. The demigod-like presentation of the woman only serves to enhance the enchanting aura that appears to surround the woman in Chaucer’s poem, and because of the depth of religious focus at the time, this was a very powerful feeling to manipulate within poetry itself. The comparison however with the godlike features of the woman, such as his idealisation of her, as in â€Å"Myn hertes lady and hool my lyves queen†, with the position of servitude he finds himself in is bizarre because from a historical point of view, a man is wholly authoritative over a woman. In modern literature, the woman is often seen rejecting the idealisation of the opposite sex due to love, and instead is becoming more internally directed by her own thoughts and emotions. The semantic field of servitude is one common across much of the courtly love poetry experienced; Petrarch, for example regularly wrote so that the role of the man and the woman were reversed; servitude moved from the role of the woman to that of the man, thus subverting tradition and therefore making the concept almost strange to read, if one is in the contextual mindset as the poem demands. The significance of connotation is surprisingly small in this poem because Chaucer was not a great user of metaphor, especially in his earlier poetry; the emergence of figurative language emerged during the age of prescriptivism, from around 1450, some years after his death. Chaucer does use figurative language in some of The Canterbury Tales, however in terms of The Nun’s Priests Tale, the idea of anthropomorphism is more prevalent than metaphor per se. Chaucer’s meaning is very much found at face value; there are wider implications of what he says, however there is little linguistic subtext, in comparison for example with William Shakespeare. There is however much more contextual connotation, in his exploration of the woman and her role in his life, and the religious connections this has. Overall, the poem follows many aspects of the tradition of courtly love, however investigations into form and Chaucer’s personal life may be more revealing about the motivations of the poem; whether the poem was intended for public consumption is unclear, however since the poem appears to be intensely personal, it seems unlikely. Contextually however, rambling tombs of poems dedicated to one’s ‘true love’ were not uncommon; exaggerated gestures of undying love were commonplace particularly in the aristocratic circles in which Chaucer placed himself, and therefore he may have been persuaded to write in this manner by a variety of ‘peer pressure’. The differences between the tradition of courtly love and the poem will be further explored in Part Two, as well as Chaucer’s personal life which may have influenced the degree to which the poem adheres to tradition, and how far it diverges in comparison with The Canterbury Tales.

What Are The Concepts Upon Which Laissez Faire Is Based Essay

What Are The Concepts Upon Which Laissez Faire Is Based - Essay Example Established in the 18th century, the concept of laissez-faire was used in order to oppose any government intervention in business affairs. Vincent De Gournay further popularized the phrase as he was completely in favor of the removal of restrictions on trade and industry in the country as well as deregulation of industry; he gave rise to the phrase â€Å"laissez faire et laissez passer† referring to the commercial workers; it can be translated as â€Å"let do and let pass†. The French phrase even found place in England later in the 18th century with respect to protests for bringing about free trade and non-interference or non-intervention by the government. Later, James Mill and Jeremy Bentham were users of the term, bringing about a wider range of understandings among economists and students alike. It must be understood that the concept of laissez-faire applies not only to economics but also to lifestyle. People desired to lead their lives without governmental interven tion or social regulations, which led to restrictions in many situations. The policy thus applies to individual and governmental or industrial affairs and proposes capitalism, entrepreneurship, and competition among producers to satisfy consumer preferences in order to achieve maximum possible freedom. In Western Europe during the 18th century it was believed that the natural economic order brought maximum wellbeing for the majority of citizens when it was untouched by regulations or adjustments. At the time, there were pioneer economists in France who were known as the Physiocrats, and they led to the primary development of the theory of laissez-faire, which emphasized on non-interference with commercial ventures in order to protect the interests of those yearning to set up their own empires. â€Å"The most important and influential proponent of laissez-faire capitalism, however, was the 18th-century Scottish economist Adam Smith, who believed that individual welfare was more impo rtant than national power. In his book The Wealth of Nations (1776), he advocated a policy of free trade so that the â€Å"invisible hand† of competition could act as an economic regulator. Smith's advocacy of private enterprise as the best stimulus to equitable distribution of wealth gained increasing support in the early 19th century, partly because of the wave of libertarian revolution sweeping Europe and the U.S. His theories were further developed by the British economists David Ricardo and John Stuart Mill.† (â€Å"Laissez-faire versus Government  Intervention†) Laissez-faire could be understood as being equivalent of a free market concept, where the government has little or no say in the matters of private owners. Such a market allows private ownership to flourish and leaves room for creativity. In countries where the concept is not followed, the government tends to regulate market affairs by either subsidizing local industries or imposing certain tariff s and restrictions on carrying out free trade. This is done mainly for the demand and the supply level to reach a particular point at which they are equivalent so as to meet the needs of individuals. The concept of laissez-faire thus may not be carried out in countries where the government is required in order to keep in check the needs of the consumers, for example in underdeveloped or certain developing nations around the world (Cunningham 213-214). In countries like China, for example, monopoly has been held by the government in terms of trade and commerce since the Song and Ming dynasties even though some control has been given to private owners. In

Capital Structure and Dividend Policy Theory Essay

Capital Structure and Dividend Policy Theory - Essay Example instance Sainsbury's being a retailer basically having a huge presence in the UK, has been described as one of the least leveraged firms with 1.6 billion in debt capital and 8.4 billion in equity. Its total capital value has been estimated at 10 billion (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk). The dividend payout for the financial year 2007/08 was 12.0p per share. Sainsbury's retails sales made profits of 543m on sales of 20.4 billion in 2009 (ending May). This shows an 11% rise over the previous year. Dividend cover is calculated by suing the formula (after tax profits/total dividend paid out). For example if a company made an after tax profit of 75 million and paid out 25 million in dividends in the same period, then (75 m/25 m) 3 is a better dividend cover. Any dividend cover less than 1.5 is considered to be a sign of future trouble for shareholders because there is more likely to be a cut in dividends. In fact Sainsbury's dividend cover for the three years - 2006, 2007 and 2008 - was 1.3, 1.5 a nd 1.63 respectively (Friedrich, 2007).This demonstrates that Sainsbury's is having a difficult time because of its lower leveraged position in the capital/financial markets. Though the company has been making efforts to keep the dividend cover between 1.5 and 1.75, right now its dividend cover is coming down due to the lower leverage. The company has been advised to increase its debt capital by borrowing in financial markets against debentures and bonds rather than issuing ordinary shares. This is where the agency problem plays a pivotal role. Theoretically agency problem arises when managers (agents) have more information about investment related outcomes as against shareholders or owners (principals). This principal agent problem is very strongly seen at Sainsbury's. 2.... The capital structure of the firm refers o the ratio of debt to equity and therefore it’s relevant to know how the dividend policy of the firm is influenced by the theoretical underpinnings of the firm’s capital structure determination process. For example, Sainsbury’s as the retailer in the UK has been seeking to raise more equity as against debt. Next, its inability to increase dividend cover in the recent years to match with its expectations between 1.50 to 1.75 shows that the company has depended on the less risky way of equity financing its capital rather than adopting the riskier way of debt financing. Thus the dividend policy at Sainsbury has run into difficulty. On the other hand, Easyjet has adopted a policy of non-payment of dividends to its ordinary shareholders since its launch in 1995. Just now under pressure from its principal shareholder, Stelios, the Board has agreed to pay dividends from next year. Currently, the company has a debt ratio of 53.72 % thus achieving a marginally higher debt financing ratio. However, its position is no better than that of Sainsbury though the company has made good profits.

Behavirol and Socail Sciences on Sex Offenders Essay

Behavirol and Socail Sciences on Sex Offenders - Essay Example It is difficult to predict the occurrence of sex offenders in our localities. However, some precautions are to be taken for minimizing their negative effect. In USA, the sex offenders who are convicted for their crime record are restricted to some places after their release from Jail. They are generally kept away from the school premises and day care centers for ensuring the safety of children and patients. Unfortunately, the number and frequency of sex offenders has been on rising trend in the recent years. This is not a healthy trend. There are several reasons or factors that contribute to the development of behavioral changes in sex offenders (Carla Van Dam, 2001). For successful management of these sex offenders one has to thoroughly understand the types of sex offenders and their behavioral trends in society in general and USA in particular. Keeping this in mind, the present study is being undertaken to assess the present scenario of sex offenders in USA, main causes of nature o f sex offenders and their management techniques. The present study has reviewed some studies undertaken on sex offenders in USA and other parts of the world. In this process, different research studies on factors affecting the sex offenders were analysed. The behavioral changes among sex offenders were identified and prioritized based on the extent. At last the management techniques for reducing the problem of sex offenders were chalked out leading to a meaningful conclusion. It was reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that approximately 100,000 sex offenders in USA are not living in the places of their registration, which is not an encouraging trend (Abby Goodnough and Monica Davey, 2009). Hence, efforts must be made to identify the floating population of sex offenders so that the negative effects caused by them can be minimized. This also throws a light

What do non-humans present in graphic design Essay

What do non-humans present in graphic design - Essay Example AbsÐ µncÐ µ or lack of which could makÐ µ art losÐ µ novÐ µlty. Talking of novÐ µlty, how about looking at art in naturÐ µ? Richard Dawkins statÐ µs that thÐ µ diffÐ µrÐ µncÐ µ bÐ µtwÐ µÃ µn human art or dÐ µsign and thÐ µ amazingly â€Å"ingÐ µnious† forms that wÐ µ Ð µncountÐ µr in naturÐ µ, is duÐ µ tho thÐ µ fact that Human art originatÐ µs in thÐ µ mind , whilÐ µ thÐ µ natural dÐ µsigns rÐ µsult from natural sÐ µlÐ µction. Which is vÐ µry truÐ µ. HowÐ µvÐ µr it is anothÐ µr mattÐ µr that natural sÐ µlÐ µction and cultural sÐ µlÐ µction, that will ultimatÐ µly dÐ µcidÐ µ on thÐ µ â€Å"popularity† of an art don’t function in thÐ µ samÐ µ way. Anyhow How can wÐ µ rÐ µmovÐ µ thÐ µ cultural bias or thÐ µ human bias that wÐ µ havÐ µ in our art forms? .AnswÐ µrs in Artificial LifÐ µ: Artificial lifÐ µ may bÐ µ dÐ µfinÐ µd as â€Å"A fiÐ µld of study dÐ µvotÐ µd to undÐ µrstanding lifÐ µ by attÐ µmpting to dÐ µrivÐ µ gÐ µnÐ µral thÐ µoriÐ µs undÐ µrlying biological phÐ µnomÐ µna, and rÐ µcrÐ µating thÐ µsÐ µ dynamics in othÐ µr physical mÐ µdia - such as computÐ µrs - making thÐ µm accÐ µssiblÐ µ to nÐ µw kinds of Ð µxpÐ µrimÐ µntal manipulation and tÐ µsting. This sciÐ µntific rÐ µsÐ µarch links biology and computÐ µr sciÐ µncÐ µ.†1 Most of thÐ µ A-LifÐ µ simulations today can not bÐ µ considÐ µrÐ µd truly alivÐ µ, as thÐ µy still can not show somÐ µ propÐ µrtiÐ µs of truly alivÐ µ systÐ µms and also that thÐ µy havÐ µ considÐ µrablÐ µ human bias in dÐ µsign. HowÐ µvÐ µr thÐ µrÐ µ arÐ µ two viÐ µws that havÐ µ Ð µxistÐ µd on thÐ µ wholÐ µ idÐ µa of Artificial LifÐ µ and thÐ µ Ð µxtÐ µnt it can go. WÐ µak A-LifÐ µ is thÐ µ idÐ µa that thÐ µ â€Å"living procÐ µss† can not bÐ µ achiÐ µvÐ µd bÐ µyond a chÐ µmical domain. WÐ µak A-lifÐ µ rÐ µsÐ µarchÐ µrs concÐ µntratÐ µ on simulating lifÐ µ procÐ µssÐ µs with an undÐ µrlying aim to undÐ µrstand thÐ µ biological procÐ µssÐ µs. Strong A-LifÐ µ is Ð µxactly thÐ µ rÐ µvÐ µrsÐ µ. John Von NÐ µumann oncÐ µ rÐ µmarkÐ µd â€Å"lifÐ µ is a procÐ µss which can bÐ µ abstractÐ µd away from any particular mÐ µdiumâ€Å". In rÐ µcÐ µnt timÐ µs

MICROECONOMIC REPORT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MICROECONOMIC REPORT - Essay Example It is in this context that mergers, diversifications and rapid expansion at the industrial level are often argued as the symbolic representation of capitalism as a measure for economic development (Pacione, 1985). Notably, this particular understanding has been considered when selecting articles for this assignment. In this regard, it has been observed from the articles reviewed that the government can also play a vital role in terms of formulating adequate guidelines and deregulation systems in order to develop the country’s economic position. Article 1: â€Å"America's Big Banks are Back on Top† As revealed in the article by The Economist (2013), after a remarkable invasion of financial crisis in the year 2008, the American banks have re-established their real role in the Wall Street’s financial environment in the current year. The banking institutions of the US have faced dramatic alterations owing to incessant instability on investments since the last five ye ars. The volatility within the financial performance has also been observed in the financial institutions due to the rapid pace of fluctuation on the global financial movements and variations in the financial portfolio of the global banking institutions (The Economist, 2013). ... overnment have occupied a number of steps in the midst of the financial crisis in the year 2008 with the intention to deal with the financial crisis faced by the country. The crisis initiated in America’s real estates and banking as well as the other financial institutions expansion to the world economy deciphering greater sustainability (Poole & William, 2010). Few of the major decisions of the Federal Government focusing on considerable changes and development of the financial rules by the banking institutions have made the great recession to an end at a much earlier phase than the expected stipulated period. For instance, the Emergency legislation passed by the U.S. assembly in the year 2008 and in the early quarter of 2009 focused on assisting the financially declining phase of various industries in the economy. Additionally, few of the other major initiatives that developed by the federal government as explained in the article The Economist (2013) have been illustrated he reunder. Avoiding breakdown of the major financial institutions Reducing the impact of the limitations of US financial institutions Providing instant incentives to consumer spending through raising after-tax household income Providing temporary funds to the state and the local government in order to reduce the needs and the spending during the recession period Looking after the newly laid off workers and members of other economically vulnerable populations taking anti-poverty measures Making available of federal endorse for infrastructure investment Source: (Poole & William, 2010) Furthermore, as noted in the article, The Economist (2013), in accordance with the recessionary effects in the global financial position, along with the US, the UK financial institutions have also faced severe

Corporations are a threat to environment Research Paper

Corporations are a threat to environment - Research Paper Example This research defines environmental pollution as an unfavorable variation of our surrounding through direct or indirect influence, causing changes in radiation levels, energy patterns, physical and chemical composition of our environment. Environmental pollution can occur naturally or in can be artificial (Antonescu & Mateescu, 2001). Due to this fact it can be said that the environmental pollution caused by corporations in U.S is artificial. Air, water and soil pollution caused by coporations can have health implications to the population living around the industries. Deaths and billions of dollars are lost in medical expenses caused by air pollution (Milton & Rahman, 1999). Industries are known to emit gases such as CFCs and metal ions such as Lead, nickel, copper and iron. These substances can find their way to livestock and contaminate the meat that humans are going to consume (Sabir et al, 2003). The goal of this research is to determine the implication of the pollutants that ar e emitted by corporations. It will also try to aim at investigating whether there are enough measure set in a corporation to recycle their waste as a ration to control pollution. This research aims to answers the following research question: If the hypothesis will be accepted, it will be prudent for the policy makers to formulate policies that will control environmental pollutions caused by these corporations. These will make the morbidity or mortality rates caused by pollution caused by corporation to decrease adversely.

Online Higher Education In UAE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Online Higher Education In UAE - Essay Example The study aimed to evaluate on general overview of E learning in UAE learning institutions.Based on the collected data from the UAE students and staffs, the information will assist the institutions to understand on the barriers affecting adaptation of the E learning system. The higher learning institutions can then begin to analyze on how to combat the challenges at their disposal. The institutions can assess the source of the faculty and students’ negative attitudes in order formulate effective measures like online games or training to alleviate the issue. The institutions can also evaluate which course programs or courses have high E learning registrations to expand their acceptability. The UAE government can also utilize the information to assess the challenges students and higher learning institutions face while using the E learning system to formulate ways of promoting its user-ability and popularity within its borders. The system being expensive to implement, the UAE gov ernment can chip in through offering free technical training or subsidies to spearhead its adaptation among higher learning institutions. This paper makes a conclusion that one of the limitations that the study is likely to face is completion irregularities of the online questionnaire. Most of the students and staffs are normally occupied or busy where they may ignore the questionnaires. Some of the questionnaires can also be returned late, hence hindering the research.

Recruitment and Selection Strategies Recommendations Essay Example for Free

Recruitment and Selection Strategies Recommendations Essay Recruiting for Landslide Limousine Services requires multiple strategies. Confining the company on strategy will immensely decrease the chances of finding quality, skilled applicants with the appropriate attitude towards their position. Recruiting begins with locating potential applicants and enticing them to the company. Advertisements are good, especially for a new company. Another source of applicants is the CDL classes and other limousine companies previous employees. Once a suitable selection of applicants is established the interviewing process begins. The applications are carefully reviewed, along with a background check. This is important because the employees are dealing with high society at times, and it is a commercial driving business. Employees must not have been arrested at any point for certain offenses, especially vehicle or theft related. Once a more refined selection has been made from the written applications formal interviews are next. Formal, face-to-face interviews allow the hiring manager to evaluate ones attitude. The attitude can decide if an applicant would be a good fit for the company and help to raise their image, while a bad attitude would eliminate any customer contact. According to our readings, when conducting an interview certain steps should be followed to ensure the most is gained on both sides other desk. 1) Standard questions, with flexibility is delivery (can be asked in different ways) 2) Set a time and place 3) Pay attention to applicant’s answers and body language. The reason these steps are important is because they provide a uniform method for each applicant. They provide the ability to alter the interview to each individual applicant. Another issue is to make sure not to promise the position to an individual during the interview before reviewing each of the interviews and applications. Some of the areas to pay attention to are an  applicant’s appearance, character, communication styles and habits, intellect, education level, knowledge of the position or craft, special talents, and the potential of furthering their development. The final selection of candidates consists of creating an analysis containing the information gathered during the interview, including the background check, driving records, and their application. This will allow the manager to carefully evaluate and compare each candidate, choosing the most appropriate for the positions available. Workplace Diversity The changes in societies demographics are evident as globalization becomes more common, which creates a more diverse work environment. Managing a diverse workforce will present various advantages (new perspectives on process) as well as challenges (cultural or language barriers). Some of the advantages of hiring a diverse staff are the new outlooks and perspectives of each situation. It will also help Landslide Limousine to cater to clients coming from other countries; the staff member from that area could provide tips on how to better serve the client in a manner that will not be unintentionally disrespectful. Demographics The demographic makeup of Austin Texas, according to US Census Bureau, is mostly white Americans and Latino and Hispanic. The general population, estimated in 2012, is almost 843,000 individuals with an average income of $31,000 a year, and an average of over 80,000 businesses (US Dept. of Commerce, 2014). Keeping this in mind, diversity within Landslide Limousine will not be an issue. According to the average income, holidays and special events will be the most likely first regular busy seasons. Once the reputation grows among the businesses in the area so will the company. This means that Mr. Stonefield must obey the laws pertaining to the varying cultures in the area. Some of the laws important considered for Mr. Stonefield to consider are the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits discrimination based on religion, color, sex or origin. This is law is particularly applicable to workplaces employing more than 15 people (EEOC, 2013). The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967- protects employees from discrimination on the basis  of age. Both private and public employers need to adhere to the provisions of the law which calls for eliminating discrimination of employees above the age of forty (EEOC, 2013). The Americans Act with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination in hiring competent persons with disabilities, for public and private employers (EEOC, 2013). Organizational Branding Creating an organizational brand is crucial in creating awareness of the company and recognition associated with the logo and the quality of service. The point of a brand is to create an emotional connection tying consumers to a brand preference. What this means, is that as consumers, some people prefer a specific brand, or level of brand. Organizational branding creates that perception of the company that resonates with consumers who desire only the best; this directs them to or away from your brand. This branding is first achieved by word-of-mouth from employees, friends, and family. As business gains clientele, they will begin to spread their impression of the company. The goal is to ensure that both the employees and the clients are creating the same impression. Each company has their own design to represent their company. This not only provides an image that Landslide Limousine services wants to promote, but it is a reminder of that goal and source of pride for any company owner. Branding methods are as diverse as society and are limitless; but they also set the standard by which to company wishes to operate. Landslide Limousine Services is an interesting name which should make picking a brand less difficult. The more interesting, with a play on words or an image depicting a desired outcome would be really good choices. Interviewing After applicants have submitted his or her application and each application, is carefully reviewed a formal interview must follows. Conducting formal interviews are important because it will assist the hiring manager and the applicant the opportunity to evaluate the positions working conditions. According to, the text interviews are known as scheduled communication. When conducting the proper interview it is important to follow the following steps (Cascio, 2013). Have a comprehensive list of questions to ask applicant in a flexible method. Prepare for the interview and select a  designated time in a quiet location. Pay close attention to applicants and listen to his or he answers with an opened mind. It is important to avoid interruptions and answering the phone when conducting a formal interview. It is also important to avoid making promises to potential applicants including promising applicants that someone will contact them with the results. If promised it is proper to do so to avoid misrepresenting or misleading the applicant. In addition to conducting a proper interview it is necessary to evaluate the following, Appearance Character Communication Intellect Education Knowledge Talents Potential for furthering his or her development and determination References: Cascio, W. F. (2013). Managing Human Resources: Productivity, Quality of Work Life, Profits (9th ed.) Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin EEOC, (2013). Discrimination by Type. Retrieved from http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/index.cfm US Department of Commerce, (7th January, 2014). State and country quick facts; Austin (city), Texas. US Department of Commerce – Census. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4805000.html

Maya Angelou Essay Example for Free

Maya Angelou Essay As a woman you are created with a special gift, it’s like little extra ingredients that all women have within them. The poem â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† by Maya Angelou, she speaks about the elegance of a woman, her inner being the way she glow without saying a word Maya expressed how men are amazed by her presence â€Å"men themselves have wondered what they see in me† (line 31-32). It’s hard to put your finger on it all women were born with the power. In the poem â€Å"Still I rise† by Maya Angelou she described the struggles of life trials and tribulations you face in society and the way people may judge you. As if she was writing about a woman â€Å"does my sassiness upset you? †She also wrote in another stanza â€Å"does my sexiness upset you? †She used this comparison to show she is a sexy woman who demands respect. Maya’s attitude in this poem is portraying a confident black African American woman. She is really laughing at men challenging them. They cannot stop her from rising above all expectation. This poem gives you not only inspiration encouragement to be fearless; to the end of it all you must believe you still rise above it all. The title gives a sense of entity and power. This masterpiece the poem â€Å"phenomenal woman† has also empowered women to get more in touch with their inner beauty. Maya describes in great detail the mystery of women and the behavior of men and their reaction. It shows women to not only love your-self but to embrace every aspect of your mind, body and soul. Maya show that sexuality isn’t only related to outer beauty, or by the way you dress it more about how you feel within your own skin  she shows you instead of hating your body love it from the crown of your head to the sole of your feet. In society today women enhances their body by doing plastic surgery to feel accepted. She feels inferior clearly stating that every part of a woman is beauty. In comparisons to â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† and â€Å"Still I Rise† both poems Maya speaks about not bowing to the â€Å"oppressor†. You can feel her compassion in every word in Phenomenal Woman â€Å"now you understand why my head’s not bowed† (lines 47). Still I Rise forth stanza â€Å"with head bowed and eyes lowered?†, Within these lines she stresses that she will not conform to what society made her out to be, that she will soar above and beyond everyone expectations. The little gives a sense of entity and power. In conclusion these two poems have few similarities; Maya characterized the strength of an African American woman. By using powerful words she described the emotional aspect of inner beauty, standing proud professing no one will ever bring her down not by the color of her skin nor the fact of being a woman that there’s more within.

Wireless Communication: Applications and Limitations

Wireless Communication: Applications and Limitations Wireless Communications INTRODUCTION First of all, the meaning of wireless must be clearly identified: Wireless communications are the technology that uses any type of waves to substitute the use of cables and wires in order to create links (or a certain kind of connectivity) between different devices; such waves can be radio waves, infrared waves, or microwaves. Even though many people think that wireless communication is a new form of technology, the truth is that many devices that already existed for many decades use wireless technology, in one way or another, to accomplish the tasks or to deliver the services that they were designed for. Such devices include radio and television transmission-reception devices, military communication devices and many more. Mostly, such technology was being utilised only by governments and large organisations. The difference that appeared in the last few years is the one that involves computer systems and other related pieces of equipment and that which involves telephony and communications, which made it possible for individuals and small and medium organisations to have access to such technology and to be able to use it for specific and personalised uses. WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Today, wireless communications are growing steadily in almost all sectors, which include home and individual uses, organisational and governmental uses, and scientific and research institutional uses as well. This is evident in every aspect of connectivity that is present and that is available for each person of us; mobile phones (especially those classified as smart-phones) are the most wide-spread devices that utilise wireless communications for almost all the requirements that wireless technology provides; this includes wireless voice connections, data and messaging connections, and multimedia (audio and video) exchange links. For those devices to be able to accomplish that, they cover most of the types of frequencies that are available through the use of technologies such as infrared, Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM and much more. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are the most significant technological advancement since the beginning of the computer (and the Internet) age. Such technology provides the possibility of active connectivity to companies, universities, schools, research institutions, and even entities of a far smaller nature. A growing number of homes is now applying WLANs because it can provide the users with the same kind of service without the need for cables. Prasad and Ruggieri (2003) give more details about WLANs by stating that â€Å"WLAN systems are a technology that can provide very high data rate applications and individual links (e.g., in company campus areas, conference centers, airports) and represents an attractive way of setting up computers networks in environments where cable installation is expensive or not feasible. They represent the coming together of two of the fastest-growing segments of the computer industry: LANs and mobile computing, thus recalling the attention of equipment manufactures. This shows their high potential and justifies the big attention paid to WLAN by equipment manufacturers. Whereas in the early beginning of WLANs several proprietary products existed, nowadays they are mostly conform to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) 802.11b (also known as Wi-Fi) standard. It operates in the unlicenced 2.4-GHz band at 11 Mbps and it is currently extended to reach 20 Mbps.† When talking about wireless computer connectivity, it must be stated that there are two methods in which it operates today. The first is the â€Å"Ad Hoc mode, or Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). This is a peer-to-peer wireless network. This means that it does not have an access point controlling the conversation.† This method is usually used for small networks which consist of five or less users. Its point of access which â€Å"manages the conversions is gone and the clients send beacons to each other These beacons contain a timer synchronization function (TSF) to ensure that the timing is correct. This function is usually handled in the access point.† The second method is â€Å"the Infrastructure mode, which is called Extended Basic Service Set (EBSS). This is the main type of wireless network. In an EBSS, an access point controls all traffic. Setting up a wireless network in this category requires a piece of networking equipment referred to as an access point. This access point is where the Ethernet data is converted into a wireless signal that is then transferred out through the access point’s antenna. To hear and understand this signal, a wireless network interface card is needed. This card has a small antenna inside it and can hear the wireless signal and transfer it to the computer† (Earle, 2006). As is the case for what concerns wired computer networks, wireless networks are either Wide Area Networks (WAN) or Local Area Networks (LAN). As for the wireless LANs, Vacca (2003) explains that â€Å"wireless data local-area networks (WiFi LANs) have surged in popularity. WiFi LANs provide network access only for approximately 300 ft around each access point, but provide for bandwidth up to 11 Mbps for the IEEE 802.11b protocol, and up to 100 Mbps for the emerging 802.11a protocol. Best of all, the technology is available now and affordable† and the author explains that their reduced cost of deployment, compared to that of the wired LANs, made them more attractive in what concerns the enlargement of corporate networks to other locations: â€Å"The wireless data LAN is a ‘nice and clean’ extension to an office’s wired LAN. Wireless data LANs are attractive to offices that want to enable workers to take laptops into a conference room. Wireless data has a place now† According to the author, â€Å"WiFi is especially popular in the manufacturing, distribution, and retail industries† Liska (2003) explains that the main purpose of using wireless WAN technology is to enable the connection to the Internet and to allow the connection between different offices (of a certain company, for example) that are located in different geographical locations. The author states that â€Å"Wireless WANs have emerged as a low-cost alternative to a traditional method of Internet access. Wireless WAN connection can offer the same amount of bandwidth as a T1, at a fraction of the cost. Wireless connections are also being deployed in areas where cable and DSL access is not available.† Another form of wireless networks is the Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN). In this type, the infrastructure network is not required as there is no need for a central link (or main connection of reference) as the connection is created between specific small devices and users within a given location. The main basic idea behind personal area network is the possibility to inter-connect two or more user-devices within a space of small coverage (that is not more than 10m) where ad hoc communication takes place which is also called personal operating space (POS). â€Å"The network is aimed at interconnecting portable and mobile computing devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), peripherals, cellular phones, digital cameras, headsets, and other electronics devices† (Prasad and Ruggieri, 2003). To give more details about this kind of wireless network, Vacca (2003) states that â€Å"the term ad hoc connectivity refers to both the ability for a device to assume either master or slave functionality and the ease in which devices may join or leave an existing network. The Bluetooth radio system has emerged as the first technology addressing WDPAN applications with its salient features of low power consumption, small package size, and low cost. Wireless data rates for Bluetooth devices are limited to 1 Mbps, although actual throughput is about half this data rate. A Bluetooth communication link also supports up to three voice channels with very limited or no additional bandwidth for bursty wireless data traffic.† For what concerns the standards of wireless networking, we find that for many years the systems were dependant on manufacturers, and this created problems regarding the compatibility of different systems with one another; that is why many standards are now present for use with the wireless systems. â€Å"This made the industry push the IEEE to make some wireless standards and help facilitate the growth of wireless with common standards that allowed various manufacturer cards to work with various manufacturer wireless networks† The standards used today include the 802.11 standard which â€Å"was the first WLAN standard accepted by multiple vendors as a true industry standard,† Other standards are 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11c, and the 802.11g which was approved by the IEEE in 2003. There are other standards such as â€Å"The 802.11i standard [which is] a security standard that can apply to other 802.11 standards† and there is the 802.11j which is â€Å"for use in Jap an only† (Earle, 2006). According to Pallato (2004), a unified 802.11n Wi-Fi will be widely used soon. The 802.11n â€Å"is based on a new radio technology called MIMO (multiple input/multiple output) that allows the transmission of up to 100M bps over a much wider range than the earlier versions.† This will certainly be a step in the right direction in attempting to unify all the wireless standards into one technology that can be accessible to everyone anywhere. But this unification is facing problems and delays: Reardon (2006) explains that â€Å"the new standard that will allow notebook users to connect to wireless access points at much faster speeds than is currently available [will be delayed].. The IEEE approved a draft version of the standard called 802.11n, after much controversy and infighting among chipmakers. A second draft was due for the standard by late fall of this year [2006], but now a new draft won’t likely be ready until January 2007. This could push back the final ratifica tion of the standard until 2008 The delay in adopting a standard has been caused by the nearly 12,000 changes to the draft that have been submitted to the standards group†. The future of the wireless communications technologies is promising; this is because more mobility and speed are the most required factors in what concerns inter-connectivity, they are certainly more desired than the wired options, especially that the cost and the security options are being improved constantly. â€Å"Though still an imperfect technology, wireless data LANs are, nonetheless, booming and remain at least one market segment that’s expected to achieve its anticipated growth rate. IDC forecasts worldwide wireless data LAN semiconductor revenue alone to grow at a 30 percent compound annual growth rate during the next 4 years. And, 68 percent of networking solution providers already deploy wireless data LANs and WANs† (Vacca, 2003). As can be seen by now, wireless technologies are becoming more requested and more used by all sectors of users, from large organisations to schools to home and office users. The overwhelming success of the mobile phone devices (especially the smart-phones with the possibility to have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Infrared links) will force the industry to grow faster and to provide the instruments and the hardware needed for its propagation for lower prices. One of the emerging realities of today is what is called ‘Wi-Fi covered towns’: The more hotspots (or Wi-Fi access points) there will be available in homes, offices, coffee shops, restaurants, and bookstores, the more the ‘covered city’ concept can be put to practice. And with the arrival of the $100-smarphone by the year 2008, more and more people will find themselves directly inside the wireless age. Some are already talking about providing the Wi-Fi service through traditional radio frequencies, and with that , what we were accustomed to in what concerns TV reception can be used for wireless connections to the internet, and through that to the entire world. According to Long (2006), â€Å"One of the latest WLAN technologies [and one of those that are expected to flourish within the next 5 years], MIMO, or multiple-input multiple-output, splits the connection workload [within a LAN] into multiple data streams for increased range and throughput. Another technology, OFDM, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, is a technique for transmitting large amounts of digital data over radio waves.† The future of communications is already known: Every individual will be able to get connected to any group of users he/she chooses, will be connected to his work network on the move and at his home and even when he/she is on vacation with no PDA or laptop. This is why the future seems to be revolving around the WPANs. The Wireless network installation and application will be extremely cheap that continuing with wired networks will be totally unacceptable by all means. APPLICATIONS Even if the beginning of the wireless applications was focused on applications related to vertical markets such as retail, warehousing, and manufacturing, â€Å"current growth is being driven by other market segments. These include enterprise, small office/home office, telecommunications/Internet service provider (ISP) and the public access throughput compared to cellular mobiles networks are the lead drivers for wireless LAN deployment. Voice over IP (VoIP) is also expected to drive this technology in the future† (Smyth, 2004). Vacca (2003) explains that an entire range of applications and services are either dependent on wireless technology or are to be deployed depending on it. The author mentions the service of Triangulation which can be (and is being) used to locate the position of a mobile device through measuring the distance from two or more known points. Another application is Assisted GPS for determining the exact geographic position of the device in use. One important service that is also mentioned is the High-Resolution Maps service. Another important application of wireless networks is the one given to rural areas and locations where no cable or wire related new technologies can reach, for this the wireless technology can be deployed through satellite. â€Å"A new breed of satellite technologies and services allows providers to bring high-speed, always-on, two-way access to the planet’s farthest reaches. For example, McLean, Virginia–based StarBand Communications (a joint venture of Israeli satellite powerhouse Gilat Satellite Networks, EchoStar Communications, and Microsoft) is the first company to launch two-way consumer service in the United States.† The potentials for wireless applications are endless in virtually all sectors. Such applications can be used for workers and sales employees, for warehouse personnel who order parts, for accountants who generate invoices, and for transportations companies such as DHL and UPS. â€Å"New applications are appearing at an ever-increasing rate. Mobile workers, such as salespeople, field service technicians, and delivery people, are an obvious target for new wireless applications. Wireless technology applications can arm these workers with tools and data access capabilities that were previously limited to desk-bound employees† (Hayes, 2003). With wireless communications, data transfer (especially of larger files, such as those related to multimedia audio and video and huge reports and presentations) will become easier whenever the mobile devices become improved in order to utilise higher bandwidths and faster access possibilities. TV and video streaming to wireless devices has already started and the improvements will keep on appearing. There are no limits to the applications of wireless technology. We have already reached the technological know-how that enables us to realise almost all the desired wireless applications, and the cost of their deployment and use will drop until it becomes more common than anything else. Any innovation in the wireless technology camp will be profitable to the manufacturers and desired by the users, mobility is something that is becoming more essential for any organisation or individual that aims at success. â€Å"Wireless Applications are in their Internet infancy and awaiting broader bandwidth. As this becomes available the scope for applications on a cost-per-view basis will increase. Of particular interest for the future are the attempts to commercialize WWW by offering software, which relies on the WWWs free infrastructure to be viable, on pay-per-use basis† (Bidgoli, 2004). PROBLEMS As mentioned earlier, one of the most important problems facing the wireless technology today is the different standards used by different manufacturers, but this is a problem that is supposed to be resolved shortly. The real important issue is security. Earle (2006) mentions some of the security related issues such as Analysis (â€Å"the viewing, recording, or eavesdropping of a signal that is not intended for the party who is performing the analysis†), Spoofing (â€Å"impersonating an authorized client, device, or user to gain access to a resource that is protected by some form of authentication or authorization†), Wireless Denial-of-Service (â€Å"achieved with small signal jammers†), and Malicious Code (which can be used to â€Å"infect and corrupt network devices†). These risks are present in both wireless computer networks and in mobile devices such as mobile phones and PDAs. The major solutions for this are encryption and authentication solutions in various kinds and modalities. But still, the security issue is the most important reason for delay concerning the movement of all the applications and services toward the wireless realm. Another problem is the bandwidth; most mobile devices need to be developed further in order to turn the experience of using them into one that is similar to desktop computers and wired LAN connected devices. Works Cited Prasad, R. and Ruggieri, M. (2003) Technology Trends in Wireless Communications. Boston, MA: Artech House Publishers. Earle, A. E. (2006) Wireless Security Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: Auerbach Publications. Liska, A. (2003) The Practice of Network Security: deployment strategies for production environments. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Vacca, J. R. (2003) Wireless Data Demystified. New York, NY: McGraw-HIll Companies, Inc. Pallato, J. (2004) Unified 802.11n Wi-Fi Standard to Emerge in Mid-2006. eWeek.com.[Accessed 22nd January 2007]. Available from World Wide Web:  http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1735082,00.asp> Reardon, M. (2006). New Wi-Fi standard delayed again. ZDNet Tech News. [Accessed 21st January 2007]. Available from World Wide Web:  http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1035_22-6105494.html> Long, M. (2006) The Future of Wireless Networks. Newfactor.com. [Accessed 20th January 2007]. Available from World Wide Web:  http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=41852> Smyth, P. (2004) Mobile and Wireless Communications:: Key Technologies and Future Applications. London, UK: The Institution of Electrical Engineers. Hayes, I. S. (2003) Just Enough Wireless Computing. Upper Saddler River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Bidgoli, H. (2004) The Internet Encyclopedia. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Is it better to be an Assigned or Self-Initiated Expatriate in Japan? Is it better to be an Assigned or Self-Initiated Expatriate in Japan? Research Question: Is it better to be an Assigned or Self-Initiated Expatriate in Japan? Technology is the backbone of this ever-evolving generation. Japan is not only one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, but, is also an internationally recognized hotspot for people who are looking to expatriate, and to make a promising future in this culturally un-paralleled location. This report will examine the benefits and disadvantages of being either a Company Assigned Expatriate (AE/CAE/OE) or a Self-Initiated Expatriate (SIE) in Japan. Aspects such as; motivation, job satisfaction, cross-cultural adjustment, family factors, compensation, and success factors will be taken into consideration, in this report. To begin the report, it is important to understand what some of the primary differences between assigned expatriates and self-initiated expatriates actually are. First of all, the â€Å"assigned expatriate† refers to a person who is sent abroad to another country, by the company they are working for, or are sponsored by. While, the â€Å"self-initiated expatriate† refers to a person who goes to another country of their choosing, in pursuit of a better life, often trying to find work on their own. A study done by Torsten Biemann and Maike Andresen, found that SIEs â€Å"start their international careers at a younger age, have a higher organizational mobility, and expect higher benefits from international experiences for their future careers† (2010). This implies that SIEs may often be recent graduates, or other young people who do not see much of a career opportunity in their home country, and seek bigger and better things abroad. These expatriates are also more l ikely to change or rethink their career paths, as compared to AEs, since they have more freedom to do what they would like to, as they were not brought into the country from an employer. Also, from leaving their home country, they would have a notion of achieving more, and have a broader list of goals than AEs, as again, nothing is set-up for them to feel like they are limited. They do not feel like career growth only stems from the company that they are linked to, unlike AEs. However, assigned expatriates seem to be more driven by the career factors in accordance to the company that sent them there, and may have more experience than SIEs – which seems to be more attractive to employers. Self-initiated expatriation, in most cases, is not an easy task. It requires much motivation, determination, and the ability to take risks. A SIE has to commit to the idea of leaving everything behind and going off to a foreign country – with some level of uncertainty pertaining to their future. The research done by Jan Selmer and Jakob Lauring discovers that SIEs may be motivated to expatriate because they are either; escaping from unfavourable conditions in their home country – â€Å"the refugee†, seeking financial stability – â€Å"the mercenary†, travelling to a favourable destination – â€Å"the explorer†, or finally, in pursuit of career success – â€Å"the architect† (2012). Furthermore, another study by the two, Jan Selmer and Jakob Lauring, finds that; younger SIEs â€Å"were more motivated by adventure, career and money when choosing to expatriate† (2010). What this means, is that the SIEs that belong to â€Å"the refugee† role, are most often older, may have already started a family, and most likely already have adequate work experience, prior to expatriating. However, self-initiated expatriates still consist of more young people and recent graduates on average, as compared to assigned expatriates. Japan is known for having a relatively low average fertility rate, as compared to the rest of the world (Boling, 2008). This may negatively impact young SIEs that are trying to start a family in Japan. More often, AEs, on the other hand, will go abroad with families they have already started in their home countries. AEs are also less likely to start a family in Japan, as they are aware of the fact that they are only there for a finite amount of time. Therefore, it may not be as big as a problem to AEs, on an average. Assigned expatriates are motivated to go abroad for career driven objectives, and will often not look as the new country (Japan) as â€Å"home†, but rather, a stepping-stone in the projection of their careers. SIEs would more often, treat Japan as a new cultural experience, and will end up staying longer than AEs, or even ind efinitely – unless they do not find success or happiness in Japan. For AEs; â€Å"career-related factors appeared significantly more important to their decision to move abroad, indicating that their desire for an international experience is explicitly coupled with career development and progression† (Doherty, Dickmann, Mills, 2011). This implies that, AEs might not have the same level of appreciation for Japan, as a SEI would, and it may contribute to a significantly less level of enjoyment and fulfillment while abroad. It is also important to understand which roles assigned expatriates and self-initiated expatriates often tend to fill in organizations, upon expatriating. These roles can end up defining or being the highlight of these expatriates’ careers. According to Phyllis Tharenou, the five main purposes of assigned expatriates is to: First, to set up a new operation and establish foreign operations in their early stages; second, to fill a skills gap; third, to develop managers international skills; fourth, to transfer company culture and knowledge to a foreign operation and gain feedback from it; and fifth, to supply the top manager and control the operation and coordinate with headquarters. (2013) This entails that assigned expatriates are given great responsibility and a high position within the organization when expatriated, which also implies that self-initiated expatriates would have to spent more time in the company to work up to that same level, since; â€Å"SIEs are most likely to be: an unsuitable alternative to CAEs for roles requiring firm-specific knowledge† (Tharenou, 2013). This might be the case, even if the AEs and SIEs may have the same or comparable level of education; â€Å"AEs possessed no significant difference in levels of education than SIEs, but were more likely to be in greater positions of authority† (Andresen, Biemann, Pattie, 2015). Unsurprisingly, the greater hierarchical position, leads to greater compensation for AEs on average (Sims Schraeder, 2005). Thus, SIEs are also more likely to be underemployed, since, managers would not be confident enough to trust in the SIEs abilities. This would inevitably cause SIEs to be dissatisfied with their jobs and be alienated from the others in the workplace (Lee, 2005). However, with regards to Japan, it seems as if SIEs obtain more skills that compliment them to have an easier experience of cross-cultural adjustment. Japanese language proficiency seems to be the most important trait in expatriates finding success in Japan. Self-initiated expatriates are much more competent with this skill than assigned expatriates. There may still be language training sessions for AEs, but it is seen as a drag to the management in Japan (Peltokorpi, 2008). This entails that AEs, most likely spend time before expatriating to learn about Japanese culture and the language, and are also likely to spend more time living in Japan than AEs. Thus, they find an easier experience of adjustment to the new culture, since they are prepared for it, in hopes of quickly establishing a successful career abroad. AEs on the other hand, have the sense of security that they will be working immediately upon expatriating. So, they would most likely not go through a lot of preparation for the new culture. However, SIEs would still have to work up to the level of AEs – as mentioned earlier, and would likely contribute to a decreas ed rate of job satisfaction. A study conducted by Fabian Jintae Froese and Vesa Peltokorpi, about expatriates in Japan reaffirms this; â€Å"SIEs suffer from lower job satisfaction because they tend to work more often under HCN (host-country nationals) supervisors regardless of their hierarchical level or the nationality of their employing organizations† (2013). The same studies also found that assigned expatriates and self-initiated expatriates react to cross-cultural adjustment very differently. As established before; AEs see expatriation as an important step in their careers, while, most SIEs take it as an opportunity to appreciate culture and absorb knowledge. SIEs’ increased proficiency in the Japanese language allows them to communicate more with locals, mesh within Japanese culture, and even talk to other expatriates in Japan. While, AEs will remain mostly isolated in their personal lives; â€Å"During their fixed expatriation period in Japan, OEs might be more inclined to interact with other expatriates† (Peltokorpi, 2008). As SIEs interact more with locals; â€Å"they receive information about behavioural norms and the rationale for why people behave in a certain way. The ability to act in an appropriate way and predict the behaviour of others tends to reduce uncertainty and increase psychological comfort† (Pelt okorpi, 2008). This basically means that SIEs will be happier outside of the workspace, as they can enjoy Japanese culture and appreciation for their journey. While, AEs, will be happier in the workspace, as they will have higher positions and be perceived as more successful that SIEs, in the workforce. Another report – by Nancy Napier and Sully Taylor – finds that, expatriating to Japan is a much different experience for women. Due to some of the social patriarchal structures still in place, female self-initiated expatriates will have a harder time to reach the level of, and make as much money as male SIEs – let alone AEs – in an organization. However, female AEs on average, do not face this discrimination, since, they are given and briefed of their position, in their native country, before expatriating. In some cases, women AEs are also offered optional additional cross-cultural training, in order to familiarize themselves with the social contracts and customs of Japan, as they can vary widely from genders and from the constructs and customs of their home country. One problem for female AEs, or AEs in general, can be of repatriation. This report highlights that; â€Å"In one survey of American expatriates, 40 percent said that, on their return to the U nited States, there was no specific job for them†, furthermore; â€Å"another study found that 26 percent of the American expatriates surveyed were actively looking for a different job within one year of returning to the United States† (1996). It is also important to note that this report was a little dated, as it was compiled in 1996; many things could change in a timeframe of almost two decades. To conclude, and to answer the initial research question, both assigned expatriates and self-initiated expatriates have their own unique benefits and setbacks. Preferring to be either an AE or a SIE, depends on what each individual expatriate values in their life. In review, AEs will most likely come to Japan in the pursuit of an increased repertoire and are more driven by career factors. AEs will most likely also start off in a high position (higher than that of a SIE), and in turn, will earn more money, while in Japan. SIEs, on the other hand, can come to Japan for varied reasons, but in order to succeed, they all have to have some skills to help them prepare for this unique culture. Many SIEs have great Japanese-language proficiencies and have a tendency to appreciate the culture and the locals more, as, they will most likely want to stay longer in Japan, than AEs. However, they will usually start off in lower positions, compared to AEs, even though they may have the same level of education. This may lead to them being underemployed and contribute to an overall job dissatisfaction. Women looking expatriate on their own to Japan, also need to consider that they will be facing additional challenges due to the patriarchal structure over there, and may not be happy about their compensation. Thus, may consider expatriating to Japan, through company sponsorship from their native countries. With all of the pros and cons weighted and in consideration, it seems as if being an assigned expatriate may better suit most people’s characteristics. Not many people would like to shift to Japan for life (or most of their lives), thus, assigned expatriation provides a great opportunity to experience Japanese life and culture, while making more money than SIEs, on average. AEs are also given the chance to expatriate elsewhere, and see more of the world after their experience with Japan. SIEs may choose to repatriate to their native countries, but most would choose not to be a SIE again, as they may find it to be too much of a commitment. References: Biemann, T., Andresen, M. (2010). Self-initiated foreign expatriates versus assigned expatriates.Journal of Managerial Psychology,25(4), 430-448. doi:10.1108/02683941011035313 Selmer, J., Lauring, J. (2012). Reasons to expatriate and work outcomes of self-initiated expatriates.Personnel Review,41(5), 665-684. doi:10.1108/00483481211249166 Selmer, J., Lauring, J. (2010), Self-initiated academic expatriates: Inherent demographics and reasons to expatriate. European Management Review, 7:169–179. doi:10.1057/emr.2010.15 Boling, P. A. (2008). Demography, culture, and policy: Understanding Japans low fertility.Population and Development Review,34(2), 307-326. doi:10.1111/j.1728-4457.2008.00221.x Doherty, N., Dickmann, M., Mills, T. (2011). Exploring the motives of company-backed and self-initiated expatriates. International Journal Of Human Resource Management,22(3), 595-611. doi:10.1080/09585192.2011.543637 Doherty, N., Richardson, J., Thorn, K. (2013). Self-initiated expatriation and self-initiated expatriates.Career Development International,18(1), 97-112. doi:10.1108/13620431311305971 Tharenou, P. (2013). Self-initiated expatriates: An alternative to company-assigned expatriates?Journal of Global Mobility,1(3), 336-356. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JGM-02-2013-0008 Andresen, M., Biemann, T., Pattie, M. W. (2015). What makes them move abroad? reviewing and exploring differences between self-initiated and assigned expatriation.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,26(7), 932-947. doi:10.1080/09585192.2012.669780 Sims, R. H., Schraeder, M. (2005). Expatriate compensation.Career Development International,10(2), 98-108. doi:10.1108/13620430510588301 Lee, C. H. (2005). A study of underemployment among self-initiated expatriates.Journal of World Business,40(2), 172-187. doi:10.1016/j.jwb.2005.02.005 Peltokorpi, V. (2007). Intercultural communication patterns and tactics: Nordic expatriates in Japan.International Business Review,16(1), 68-82. doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2006.12.001 Peltokorpi, V. (2008). Cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates in Japan.International Journal Of Human Resource Management,19(9), 1588-1606. doi:10.1080/09585190802294903 Froese, F. J., Peltokorpi, V. (2013). Organizational expatriates and self-initiated expatriates: differences in cross-cultural adjustment and job satisfaction.International Journal Of Human Resource Management,24(10), 1953-1967. doi:10.1080/09585192.2012.725078 Taylor, S., Napier, N. (1996). Working in Japan: Lessons from women expatriates.Sloan Management Review,37(3), 76. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224969161?accountid=14771 1