The Spiritual Revolution in America - 810 Words

â€Å"I’m spiritual but not religious.† In today’s society, it is a trendy phrase that many people often use to describe their belief that they do not need to be affiliated with an organized religion in order to live a faithful and fulfilling life. As life becomes more frenzied and chaotic, people assert that they do not have the time to engage in organized religious activity and turn to a different alternative, one that can be less limiting and narrow minded. While spirituality means something different to everyone, at its core, spirituality provides our lives with context. It arrises from the connection one has with themselves and one’s search for meaning in life. Spirituality can take many different forms, such as meditation and yoga,†¦show more content†¦And we provide them with a variety of options: Protestants, Catholic and a number of other choices. The group that we call religiously unaffiliated consists of those who identify themselves as atheists, along with those who describe themselves as agnostics. And then the single largest part of the religiously unaffiliated are people who say their religion is just nothing in particular† (NPR). Smith also mentions how many of the people who say their religion is â€Å"just nothing in particular† are of a younger generation. Even pop music singer Pink says, â€Å"I love Native American spirituality and paganism, and Ive studied Buddhism. I think organized religion is one of the top problems of the world actually, so no, Id say I steer clear of religion and go straight towards spirituality† (BBC). The rise of this type of spirituality has been driven by a sense that religion is out of keeping with modern values. People associate religious organizations with constraining doctrines that do not allow one to think for themselves. Others also view religion as narrow-minded and prejudicial, stifling the growth of the human spirit. Or worse, some people contend that religion is the worst of all evils, responsible for all the wars and conflicts around the world (the persecution of Jews, endless wars of religion, religious intolerance that leads to terrorism...). Lastly, it would also be valid to say thatShow MoreRelatedAfrican American Religious Leaders That Argued Against Slavery Essay1477 Words   |  6 Pagesperiod of indenture, he served in the Continental Army during the Revolution, with the support and encouragement of the Roses and others; he was ordained to the ministry (Sidwell, 1999). The following essay will discuss his legacy and contributions to society. Thabiti, (2009), states that ?Haynes was licensed to preach on November 20, (1780) and five years later became the first American ordained by any religious body in America. In 1804, Middlebury College awarded Haynes an honorary master?s degreeRead MoreOrigins Of The Twin Revolutions1287 Words   |  6 PagesInstructor –Ibrahim Bilal History 3005 December 1, 2015 What were the origins of the â€Å"twin revolutions† and how did they combine to create what we call â€Å"modernity†? Modernity, it is a macro process of transition from traditional to modern society. â€Å"Formation of a modern political map of the world began in early 1800 in Western Europe and maybe characterized as the product of the twin revolutions.† European colonization of the New World, the economic and political development of new territoriesRead MoreAmerican Christianity Democratized1027 Words   |  4 Pagesand leadership, Americans had sentimental argued that their spiritual beliefs should not be morally tied into their political views using pamphlets, tracts, booklets, journals and newspapers .The early democratization of christianity changed three aspects of religion; First, it denied the class structure that set clergy as exceptional ,movements lead by men like Wesley and Asbury, empowered ordinary people by understand their spiritual state rather than subjection to doctrine and third, sectariansRead MoreEffects Of The Enlightenment On Modern America1592 Words   |à ‚  7 PagesRegina Hamilton Dr. Ermus WOH1030 22 September 2014 Effects of The Enlightenment on Modern America There are many things that set America apart from the world. Most notably are our political structure, social structure, capitalistic ideals, and the free exchange of ideas and beliefs that were all born from the desire for freedom. After hundreds of years of being told what to do by the Church and the monarchy, there came a time when the people decided that it was time to come out from under theRead MoreThe Surrender Of Cornwallis At Yorktown988 Words   |  4 Pagesthe end of the American Revolution but the start of new ideas and a new nation. The American Revolution opened the doors to ingenuity, new traditions, and freedom. The Revolution had an impact on the world around them and in the United States years after it ended. Kingdom of Matthias by Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz explores the life of Elijah Pierson and Robert Mathews or Matthias. Elijah, Matthias and their clan were affected by the ideas that resulted from the revolution including freedom of religionRead MoreThe American Revolution And The War For Independence779 Words   |  4 PagesThe year 1775 marked the beginning of the American Revolution or, to the colonists, â€Å"The War for Independence.† The American Revolution did not happen by itself but past conflicts such as the seven years war provoked the future event of the American Revolution. The seven year war was fought between the Thirteen Colonies and the French Empire as well as Native American allies, over territory in America. Before the seven year war, the British government proposed the colonists to pay for protectionRead MoreThe Decline Of The Protestant Reformation1276 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: The Protestant Reformation was a religious act in the 1500’s that split the Christian Church in Western Europe and led to the establishment of many new churches. It effected spiritual thought, philosophy, political work, and the economies of several countries all around the world. The effects of the Reformation can still be felt in modern times. Stimulated by a devout and renowned German Monk, Martin Luther, this reformation sent shockwaves throughout Europe and played a significantRead MoreWhat Factors During The Colonial Period Essay1636 Words   |  7 PagesEmpire? Be sure to discuss the economic, political, and cultural aspects of the American Revolution. PROVISIONAL HYPOTHESIS: The structure of America revolution to address a various issue, which has great impact on America It, was the procedure where the thirteen colonies of North America became independent of Great Britain also then formed a new integrated government. The major reasons of America revolution are cultural, economic and political. Subset section SUB-SECTIONS: The Americans fought besideRead MoreThe First Half Of The 19th Century1497 Words   |  6 Pages e first half of the 19th century was a time of growth and change in America. The population was increasing at a steady rate. This was mainly because of immigration. In 1790 the population was 4 million by 1840 it was 17 million. Economic growth was also proceeding at a very fast pace, as the beginning of the Industrial Revolution began to take place. The 19th century was also the start of the Women’s Rights Movement. Individualism started to become a main focus for a group that was very importantRead MoreLatin America and the Catholic Church Essay746 Words   |  3 PagesRunning head: LATIN AMERICA AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH xxxx HUMN xxx xxxx February 11, 2011 In 1983, Pope John Paul II visited Nicaragua in response to word that a growing alliance between priests and Marxists revolutionaries was emerging in Latin America. Historically, the Catholic Church in Europe had taken a strong anti-communist stance. And so the emerging alliance troubled Pope John Paul II despite the fact that priests claimed they were simply doing what Christ would do in championing

Martin Luther King Jr. An American Hero - 1193 Words

Thomas Jefferson once said, â€Å"All men are created equal.† These famous words soon became the basis of American ideology, and they outlined the new concept of democracy and American government. They represented what America stood for, nevertheless, these words were untrue. Although all men were created equal, they were not treated equally. Blacks were simply thought to be born inferior to Whites. This inequality was due to the excessive racism engraved in American society, which was rooted from the times of slavery in the American South. African Americans went through generations of struggle to get freedom and equality. They first fought for the abolishment of slavery and then the status of a citizen. However, this still did not create a†¦show more content†¦In 1957, King formed an organization called the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference). The organization’s objective was to fight segregation and attain Civil Rights for Blacks, through the use of Black churches. Churches teamed up with members and executed protests under the direction of King. For example, the SCLC organized multiple marches such as the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom. In April of 1963, King and the SCLC organized the Birmingham Campaign. This consisted of a series of boycotts, marches, and sit-ins in Birmingham, Alabama to fight the segregation laws of the city. However, the Birmingham Campaign met very fierce resistance. Police used high-pressure hoses, dogs, and other harsh methods to control protesters. When media captured this footage, it played a significant role in shaping public perception, as it made people feel sympathetic towards Blacks. Overall, King’s efforts with the SCLC had a great impact on the Civil Rights Movement, by increasing public support and awareness. Additionally, one of King’s greatest speeches was carried out on August 28th of 1963. On this day the March to Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place. Over 250,000 Americans came to Washington DC to gather for one of the biggest political gatherings of the Civil Rights Movement. In front of the Lincoln Memorial, King delivered his most famous, â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech. The speech was aShow MoreRelated Martin Luther King Jr. Essay926 Words   |  4 Pagesindividuals and learn about past people who have had a great effect on people showing us what a true hero is. The late Martin Luther King Jr. is a hero in the eyes of people due to the fact that he spoke his mind as a social activist, risked his life to end segregation, and stood up for what he believed was right during the civil rights movement. Overall he was a hero for the common race. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and developed into a well-mannered and highly educated individualRead MoreThe Heroic Life of Martin Luther King600 Words   |  3 PagesThe Heroic Life of Martin Luther King Jr. Based on the information in Britannica School Encyclopedia Martin Luther King Jr. was a historical figure in African American history. He held many things to end segregation. Martin Luther King was a hero in the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, was a Civil Rights activist during the 1950’s until his death on April 4, 1968. He held many non-violent protests against segregation. He gave famous speechesRead MoreMy Hero: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay542 Words   |  3 PagesA hero is somebody who commits an act of remarkably bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character. (Encarta, 2009) Joseph Campbell has come up with eight of his own characteristics of a hero. Joseph Campbell is known as a scholar of mythology. There are several people in our times that are considered a hero. Whether, these heroes are fictional or nonfiction, they all portray some kind of heroic abi lities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one the mostRead MoreA Biography of Martin Luther King Jr. Essay1366 Words   |  6 PagesA Biography of Martin Luther King Jr. I have a dreamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ are the famous words stated by Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28th, 1963 in civil rights movement speech (King). Although King expressed his feelings on that summer day in 1963, his ideas directly reflect his life previous to the speech and have a huge impact on many people even today. Throughout his life, King devoted so much time to the civil rightsRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr Essay1299 Words   |  6 PagesWhy was Martin Luther King Jr. such an inspiration to African Americans in America? Martin Luther King Jr. was an American minister, Civil Rights leader, and activist who had a strong belief in nonviolent protests (history.com; Martin Luther King Jr.). He was the leader behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington which were eventually effective and a law was passed to end racial discrimination (history.com; Martin Luther King Jr.). On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested forRead MoreHard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminal Insane by Etheridge Knight549 Words   |  3 Pagesanalogies (implied or clearly stated) to appeal to the readers senses and draw them into the story (and ultimately the motif). The poems narrative is centered around a heroic character named Hard Rock. The name Hard Rock is a complicated pun on the American penal system and rock/jazz music as well. Although the term the Rock, is associated with the military/federal prison in the San Francisco Bay, the term hard rock epitomizes freedom (in music). The phrase/name Hard Rock is an excellent exampleRead MoreCoretta Scott, Not Just the Wife of Martin Luther King Jr. Essay1441 Words   |  6 Pageswife of Martin Luther King Jr. But what about the important things she did for this country? Coretta put her life in danger for believing what she supported and was right. Mrs. King also had programs to stay together with the community. She supported other people’s beliefs and doing that gave some people motivation that anything is possible. People also have to give her credit for even being Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife. His family had to go through a lot with him being an African American tryingRead M ore: A Hero Is A Hero1414 Words   |  6 PagesPeople define the word â€Å"hero† differently. Some see them as a dragon slayer that has been tormenting the hero’s village, or someone who sneaks into a booby-trapped cave trying to retrieve a precious stone while simultaneously trying to stay alive. Others see them as someone that flies over their home city saving a baby from a bunch of armed burglars, fighting them with laser vision. Merriam Webster defines it as a â€Å"mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strengthRead MoreBeing A Hero Means To Be A Leader. To Be A Leader You Have1124 Words   |  5 PagesBeing a hero means to be a leader. To be a leader you have to have strength, courage, and commitment. In the 1960s there were many leaders fighting for what they believe is right of freedom and equality of all people. Major leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X they were involved with the Civil Rights Movement during the 60s. They were willing to fight until the end to make a change in society. Both men wanted to give the rights to all black people in America of living as an equalRead MoreClaudette Colvin : Martin Luther King Jr. And Rosa Parks813 Words   |  4 PagesWhen many people think of the Civil Rights Movement and its leaders, the first names that comes to mind are Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. However, there were so many people that were just as influential and deserving of recognition as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. One of these people, Claudette Colvin, was â€Å"Rosa Parks before Rosa Parks†. Claudette Colvin grew up in King Hill, Alabama- a close-knit community that was stuck between two white neighborhoods. She attended a one-room

Leadership Theories and Concepts Free Essays

string(44) " some values and behaviours in their staff\." Evolution of leadership theories 1) The Great man Theory (Trait Theories) These were basis of leadership research until 1940’s. The great man theory from Aristoteham philosophy asserts that some people are born to lead whereas others are born to be led. Trait theory(ies) assume that some people have certain characteristics or personality trait that make them better leaders than others. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership Theories and Concepts or any similar topic only for you Order Now (refer to traits as stipulated by Bass (notes) Behavioral Theories During human relations era, many behavioural and social scientists studying management also studied leadership. Emphasis was on what the leader did – leaders style of leadership (Lewin 1951) and White LippiH (1960) came up with leadership styles: i) Authoritarian ii) Democratic leissez-faire Authoritarian leader is characterized by the following behaviours (refer previous notes also) i) Strong control is maintained over the work group. ii) Others are motivated by coercion. iii) Others are directed with commands. iv) Communication flows downwards. v) Decision making does not involve others. vi) Emphasis is on difference in status (â€Å"I† and â€Å"you†). ii) Criticism is punitive (should be constructive) Productivity is high but creativity, self motivation and autonomy are reduced. Authoritarian leadership is useful in crisis situations and frequently found in large bureaucrasis such as Armed Forces. Democratic leader exhibits the following behaviours * Less control is maintained. * Economic and ego awards are used to motivate. * Others are directed thorough suggestions and guidance. * Communication flows up and down. * Decision making involves others. * Emphasis is on â€Å"we† rather than â€Å"I† and â€Å"you†. * Criticism is constructive. Because many people have to be consulted it takes time and therefore frustrating to these who wants modified. Leissez-Fair Leader * Is permissive with little or no control. * Motivate by support when requested by the group or individuals. * Provides little or no direction. * Uses upward and downward communication – members of group. * Places emphasis on the group and does not criticize. * Leissezfare leadership is appropriate when problems are poorly defined and brainstorming is needed to generate alternative solutions. Situational Contingency Leadership Theories: No one leadership style is ideal for every situation Situational Theories: Leaders are product of a given situation. It supports the follower theory which states that people will follow people who they see as means of accomplishing their personal ends. Contingency Theory .The theory urgues that leaders must alter their style in a manner consistent with the aspects of the context Combines traits and situation. People become leaders because of their responsibility and situational factors. * Leader subordinate relationship (a leader/people to lead). The extent to which the leader is liked, trusted and respected by followers. * The task structure, whether jobs are structured and clarified. The position power and degree of influence a leader has over the group e. g. hire or fire, discipline promotes rewards and 1. Blake and Moutonris managerial grid 9 roles of managerial gnd). The managerial grid Five leadership styles are plotted in four quadrants of a two dimensional grid. The grid depi cts various degrees of leader 1. Impoverished – Low concern for both production and people. 2. Authority compliance – high concern for production and low concern for people. . Middle of the road – moderate concern for production and people. 4. Country club – High concern for people and low concern for production. 5. Team – High concern for both production and people. MANAGERIAL GRID 91. 9 Country club9. 9 Team 8 Concern for people 7 6 55. 5 Middle of the road 4 3 2 1 1. 1 Impoverished9. 1 Authority Compliance 0123456789 Concern for production Continuum of leadership behavior Leadership is depicted as occurring along a continuum. It focuses on decision making styles of managers let and continuum – reflects a manager’s centred style. Managers are autocratic and directive and simply makes and announces decisions. At the right end, managers are employee centred. They use a laissez-faire style and permit employees to set their own goals and function within established parameters. NB: No leadership style is appropriate/correct for every management situation. Manager centred leadershipEmployee centred leadership Use of Authority by The manager Area of freedom for employees * incentives. Contemporary Theories of Leadership i) Schein (1970) – Systems Theory. SYSTEM 4 MANAGEMENT Developed by Likert. It is based on the premise that involving employees in decisions about work is central to effective leadership. It has four dimensions based on increasing levels of employee’s involvement. 1. Autocratic leaders – have little trust in employees and exclude them in decision making. 2. Benevolent leaders – Are kind to employees but still do not involve them in decision making. 3. Consultative leaders – Seek employee’s advice about decisions. 4. Participative or democratic leaders – they value employees involvement, team work and team building. They also have high levels of confidence in employees and seek consensus in decision making. Transformational Leadership Burns (1978) suggested that both leaders and followers have the ability to raise each other to higher levels of motivation and morality. He identified this concept as transformational leadership. He maintained that there are two types of leaders in management. 1. The traditional manager, concerned with the day to day operations was termed as Transactional Leader. 2. The manager who is committed, has a vision and is able to empower others with this vision was termed as Transformational leader. Differences between the two: Transactional LeaderTransformational Leader * Focuses on management tasks. – Identifies common values. * Is caretaker (takes care of tasks. – Is committed (extra mile). * Uses tradeoffs to meet goals. – Inspires others with vision. * Shared values not identified. – Has longterm vision. * Examiner causes. – Looks at effects. * Uses contingency rewards. – Empowers others. Vision is the essence of transformational leadership. Vision implies the ability to picture some future state and describe it to others so they will begin to share the dream. Wolf and colleagues (1994) defined transformational leadership as an interactive relationship based on trust that positively impacts both the leader and the follower. * The purposes of the leader and follower become focused, crating unity, wholeness and collective purpose. Transformational leaders are able to crate change because of their futuristic focus, values, creativity and innovations. * They value organizational culture and values strongly perpetuating these some values and behaviours in their staff. You read "Leadership Theories and Concepts" in category "Papers" â€Å"Visioning is the mark of transformational leader; visionary leadership allows nurses to create a picture of an ideal future. In sharing these visions the transformational leader empowers staff to find a common ground and a sense of connection. Transformational leaders do the following to achieve results: i. Involve stakeholders (including staff) from the outset when change occurs. ii. Focus on the quality of service. iii. Use non-hierarchical teams with devolved leadership. iv. Create supportive and informal culture. v. Implement successful change leadership. Important concepts in leading/directing Supervision (overseeing) Supervision is another leadership behavior. It includes inspecting another’s work, evaluating his/her performance and approving or correcting performance. Good supervision is facilitative because a good supervisor inspects work in progress and can remedy inadequate performance before serious consequences develop. The intensity of supervision should match situational requirements, employees needs and managers leadership skills. Supervision must be appropriate in type and intensity for work groups members to interact effectively e. g. technical nurses need closer supervision than professional nurses. Intensity of supervision should also depend on manger-caregiver ration. A manager can effectively supervise a large number of subordinates when they are confined in a small area, perform similar jobs and are fairly educated. The purpose of supervision is to inspect, evaluate and improve worker performance. Therefore a criteria is needed for judging the quality of work processes and outcomes. Job description and associated performance standards provide such evaluation criteria. The following performance elements should be appraised. 1. Quantity of work output 2. Quality of output 3. Time use 4. Conservation of resources 5. Assistance to co-workers 6. Support of administrators Co-ordination This is another leadership activity. It includes all activities that enable work group members to work together harmoniously. Co-ordination ensures that everything that needs to be done is done and that no two people are doing the same thing (or duplication of activity). Coordinating means: 1. Distributing authority 2. Providing channels of communication 3. Arranging work so that the * Right things are done. * At the right time * In the right place * In the right way * By the right people The overall results of coordination should be orderly work, harmonious, efficient and successful activities Communication Management is working through others in order to achieve organizational goals. Therefore a manager must be able to communicate ideas, opinions, requests and directions effectively to co-workers. Effective communications consist of transmitting an accurate message to the proper recipients at the appropriate time in a manner that conserves the senders and receivers energy, followed by checking that the intended message was received. Communication can therefore be defined as the exchange of information or understanding between a sender (source) and a receiver (audience). It includes verbal and non verbal through which meaning is conveyed to others. Silence is also considered as communication since it can also convey a meaning. The process involves a message which is encoded and transmitted through some medium to a receiver who decodes the message and then a feedback to the sender. Communication model: Methods of communication (channels) Receiver Sender Message Feedback Giving feedback indicates understanding of the message; hence there is effective two way communication which is necessary for effective management: ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION: (give a handout) Formal channels of communication: Those are the official paths prescribed by the management which generally follow the organizational chain of command: information may be communicated in several ways: a. Downward communication b. Upward communication c. Horizontal communication Downward communication: The information flows down the organizational hierarchy from managers to subordinates and the objectives of this four of communication is: * To give directives. The staff is told what needs to be done or given information to facilitate the job to be done e. g. procedure guidelines. Upward Communication: Occurs from staff to management or from lower management to middle or upper management. It mainly involves reporting pertinent information to facilitate problem solving and decision making. It reveals problem areas, indicates status of worker ‘s morale and makes workers feel part of the organization. Horizontal communication: This is routinely achieved through committees or teams e. g. Outpatient management teams, clerical teams. Committees provide a mechanism for representatives of different organizational units at similar levels to discuss common problems and potential problems face to face. This is time consuming, expensive and their decisions are often compromises that may represent ineffectual solution. Lateral Communication: Occurs between individuals or departments at the same hierarchical level (e. g. nurse managers). Diagonal Communication: Involves individuals or departments at different hierarchical levels (staff nurse to chief of medical staff). Both lateral and diagonal communication involves information sharing, discussion and negotiation. Informal Communication: An informal channel seen in organization is the grapevine (i. e. rumours and gossips). This is often rapid, haphazard and prone to distortion. Managers can control negative aspects of the grapevine by communicating accurately, timely information, by maintaining and activating open channels of communication in all directions and by moving quickly to correct inaccurate information. BARRIERS OF COMMUNICATION 1. Environmental Barriers: (Noise, Attention, Time) a. Noise – Can cause misunderstanding since it makes it difficult for one to hear. b. Attention – Multiple and Simultaneous demands on the sender may cause the message content to be packaged inappropriately (phone, signing documents). c. Time – If less, the sender may have little opportunity to completely think through structure the message to be conveyed, while to the receiver there is inadequate opportunity to ascertain its meaning. 2. Philosophy, Levels, Power Status a. Philosophy – an organization that is not interested in promoting communication upward or downward will certainly establish procedural and organizational blockages. E. g. inaccessibility to superiors, lack of interest in employees, insufficient time to receive information, retard communication flow, lack of action with regard to complaints, ideas, and problems tend to discourage flow of information. Multiple levels in an organization hierarchy tend to cause message distortion. b. Levels: When multiple links exists in the communication chain information will be rearranged as it is transmitted to other receivers. c. Power status relationship: This can also distort or inhibit transmission of message. A discordant superior-subordinate relationship can dampen the flow and content of information. In health organizations it is quite common e. g. patients may not question the doctor or a very experienced nurse may not tell a doctor that the treatment is wrong! d. Terminology and Complexity of the message: Words mean specific things to those who are familiar with them and tend to minimize misunderstanding vice versa. Complexity of message with terminology that may be unfamiliar to the receiver will obviously lead to misunderstanding of the message. COMMUNICATION IN GROUPS / TEAMS A GROUP:- A group is an aggregate of individual who interact and mutually influence each other. We have two types of Groups Formal Groups These are clusters of individuals designated by an organization to perform specified organ tasks. Taskforces, committees teams e. injection control team. Informal Groups Groups that evolve from social interactions that are not defined by an organizational structure. e. g People who take levels together who convince sponeneously to discuss a clinical dilemma. A. Teams Teams are real groups in which individuals must work co0operatively with other in order to achieve some goals. They demonstrate healthy interdependence. A team is compo sed of a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, set of performance goals and approach for which they held themselves mutually accountable. Teams have commend or line authonty to perform tasks and membership is based on the specific skills required to accomplish the task. Phases of GROUP AND formation Concepts/ leaves develop in the following phases 1. Forming 2. Storming 3. Norming 4. Performing 5. Adjourning 1. Forming This is the initial stage of group development in which individual members assemble into a well defined cluster ( members get to know each other, and very cautions. 2. Storming The second stage of group department, in which group members develop ** and relationship; competition and conflict generally occur. . Norming 3rd stage of Group development. The Group defines its goals and rules of behavior. They define acceptable and unacceptable behavior attitudes. They define acceptable and unacceptable behavior attitudes ** develops. 4. performing (4th stage) The members agree on basic purposes and activities and came out the work. Cooperation improves and emotional issues subside. Members communicate effectiv ely and interact in a relaxed atmosphere of sharing. 5. Adjourning This is the final stage of group development, in which a group dissolves after achieving its objectives. Team building/ team development. This is a group development technique that focuses on task and relationship aspects of group functioning in order to build team cohesiveness. Team building involves a) Gathering data through individual interviews, questioners and or group meetings a benefit the team and its functioning. b) Digressing the team strengths and arcsine need of development. c) Helding semi- structural retreat sessions usually ducted by an experienced facilitator aimed at addressing priority team problem. Characteristics of effective teams 1. Clear objectives and agreed goals . Openness and confrontation 3. Support and trust 4. Co-operation and conflict 5. Sound procedures 6. Appropriate leadership 7. Regular review 8. Individual development 9. Sound intergroup relations Communicating in Groups Characteristics of Groups 1) Norms: These are informal rule sin behaviour shared and enforced by group members e. g Time keeping, changing of shifts. Roles A role is a set of expected behaviors that fit together into a unified whole and are characteristic of persons in a given context. Roles commonly seen in groups can be classified as auther; Task Roles Nurturing roles or social emotional roles Individuals performing task roles attempt to keep group focused on its goals. STATUS This is a social ranking of individual relative to others in a group based on the position they occupy. Status comes from factors the group values such as achievement, personal characteristics the ability to control rewards or the ability to control information. Higher status members often exercise more influence in group decisions than others. In Summary Communication is influenced by the status and roles of the individuals who dominate team discussions. e. High – status members who are fulfilling key roles in relation to a teams priorities are likely to exercise considerable control over communication in the group by determining topics, setting the tone of the discussions and influencing how decisions are made. Communicating with others in the clinical setting 1. Communicating with supervisions Communicate with supervision to develop a good working r elationship. 1. Always observe professional courtesy. 2. incase of any problem, follow the policy and procedure of the organization 3. If not an emergency, request for an appointment, to discuss the problem further. This demonstrates right time and place. 4. State the concern clearly and accurately. 5. Provide supporting evidence 6. State a willingness to co-operate in finding the solution. 7. Match behaviors to words. Communicating with co-workers * To collectively provide quality patients care, nurses depend on co-workers and this requires effective communication. * Do unto others as you wound have them do into you * Your perspective should be that all members of the team are important to successfully realize quality patient care. * Appreciate others for work well done * Offer constructive feedback Be open to the possibility that coworkers especially those with experience have some wisdom to share with you. Communicating with others practitioners * Always introduce yourself to other practitioners. ( or if you are the manager, introduce new gradates. Students to other practitioners) * Be honest and up front. Ask something that you are not aware off. * Show respect and consideration for other pr actitioners you work with ( But don’t be a dormant) * Present information in a straight forward manner, clearly delineating the problem supported by pertinent evidence. Document well especially if the expected actions were not done in the incident book. MOTIVATION Motivation describes the factors that initiate and direct behavior. Therefore a nurse manager’s most important leadership task is to maximize subordinates work motivation because employees bring to the organization different needs and goals, the type and intensity of motivators vary among employees. Therefore the nurse manager must know which needs the employee expects to satisfy through employment and should be able to predict, which needs will be satisfied through the job duties of each nursing position. Importance of Motivation Motivation is a very important for an organization because of the following benefits it provides:- 1. Puts human resources into action Every concern requires physical, financial and human resources to accomplish the goals. It is through motivation that the human resources can be utilized by making full use of it. This can be done by building willingness in employees to work. This will help the enterprise in securing best possible utilization of resources. 2. Improves level of efficiency of employees The level of a subordinate or a employee does not only depend upon his qualifications and abilities. For getting best of his work performance, the gap between ability and willingness has to be filled which helps in improving the level of performance of subordinates. This will result into- a. Increase in productivity, b. Reducing cost of operations, and c. Improving overall efficiency. 3. Leads to achievement of organizational goals The goals of an enterprise can be achieved only when the following factors take place :- d. There is best possible utilization of resources, e. There is a co-operative work environment, f. The employees are goal-directed and they act in a purposive manner, g. Goals can be achieved if co-ordination and co-operation takes place simultaneously which can be effectively done through motivation. 4. Builds friendly relationship Motivation is an important factor which brings employees satisfaction. This can be done by keeping into mind and framing an incentive plan for the benefit of the employees. This could initiate the following things: h. Monetary and non-monetary incentives, i. Promotion opportunities for employees, j. Disincentives for inefficient employees. In order to build a cordial, friendly atmosphere in a concern, the above steps should be taken by a manager. This would help in: a. Effective co-operation which brings stability, b. Industrial dispute and unrest in employees will reduce, c. The employees will be adaptable to the changes and there will be no resistance to the change, d. This will help in providing a smooth and sound concern in which individual interests will coincide with the organizational interests, e. This will result in profit maximization through increased productivity. 1. Leads to stability of work force Stability of workforce is very important from the point of view of reputation and goodwill of a concern. The employees can remain loyal to the enterprise only when they have a feeling of participation in the management. The skills and efficiency of employees will always be of advantage to employees as well as employees. This will lead to a good public image in the market which will attract competent and qualified people into a concern. As it is said, â€Å"Old is gold† which suffices with the role of motivation here, the older the people, more the experience and their adjustment into a concern which can be of benefit to the enterprise. From the above discussion, we can say that otivation is an internal feeling which can be understood only by manager since he is in close contact with the employees. Needs, wants and desires are inter-related and they are the driving force to act. These needs can be understood by the manager and he can frame motivation plans accordingly. We can say that motivation therefore is a continuous process since motivation process is based on needs which are unlimited. The process has to be continued throughout. We can summarize by saying that motivation is important both to an individual and a business. Motivation is important to an individual as: 1. Motivation will help him achieve his personal goals. 2. If an individual is motivated, he will have job satisfaction. 3. Motivation will help in self-development of individual. 4. An individual would always gain by working with a dynamic team. Similarly, motivation is important to a business as: 1. The more motivated the employees are, the more empowered the team is. 2. The more is the team work and individual employee contribution, more profitable and successful is the business. 3. During period of amendments, there will be more adaptability and creativity. 4. Motivation will lead to an optimistic and challenging attitude at work place. Motivational theories (REFER TO NOTES ON NEOCLASSICAL THEORISTS) Motivational theories were concerned with three things: a. What mobilizes or energizes human behavior. b. What directs behavior towards the accomplishment of some objectives. c. How such behavior is sustained over-time. Motivation theorists 1. Maslow Hierarchy of needs (5). 2. Alderfer – 3 need levels: Existence, relatedness, growth theories. 3. Herzbergs two factor theory 4. Skirine’s reinforcement theory – behavior modification (behavior becomes associated with a particular consequence. Consequences may be positive or negative. A positive reinforces reward, a negative reinforces like punishment. 5. Vrooms expectancy theory – emphasizes the role of rewards and this relationship to the performance of desired behavior. 6. Adams (equity theory) – the motivational theory that suggests that effort and job satisfaction depend on the degree of equity or 7. Goal Theory (locke). 8. Equity – the perception that one’s work contribution is rewarded in the same proportion that another person’s contribution is reward. How to cite Leadership Theories and Concepts, Papers

Evaluation of Procedural Simulation †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Evaluation of Procedural Simulation. Answer: Introduction This case study deals with a patient named Melody King, who had been admitted into the emergency department of the hospital with acute abdominal pain. He had undergone a laparoscopic surgery for the removal of the ruptured appendix. It has been reported that Melody is having post operative complications like increasing nausea, centralized abdominal pain and the assessment report shows that she is having an elevated WBC count and CRP. This study aims to discuss about the possible causes and the complications of the clinical conditions and nursing interventions that has to be taken up during the post operative period of the surgery. This study focuses on how to provide a holistic care of approach to the patient as a registered nurse. A ruptured appendix can be a life threatening condition. When an appendix becomes obstructed or infected, the bacteria residing inside the organ will reproduce and multiply. Due to this the appendix may become filled with puss tissue cells, white blood cells (Biard et al., 2017). This will create pressure on the walls of the appendix as a result the amount of blood flowing in to the organ will reduce. Eventually the tissue of the appendix will die, causing breaking open of the muscular walls of the appendix. According to the case study provided such a condition will cause pain in the lower abdomen (Biard et al., 2017). Her blood pressure is 95/45mmHg, which is quite low. Heart rate 120, which is high than the standard. Temperature- 38.3Celcius. The body temperature is normal. RR 22/min and shallow SpO2 95% on room air Her report indicates that she has got a high WBC count. Normally appendicitis can be diagnosed with elevated level of WBC. But it should get normalized after the application of the antibiotics. An elevated WBC indicates that the infection still persists, which has to be treated (Hussein, Bickel Fischer, 2016). The abdominal distension might have been caused due to the accumulation of gas in to the abdomen. Although, appendix has a very little physiological role in human body, inflammation in any organ is bound to create disturbance in the body. Abdominal guarding is the tensing of the muscles of the abdominal walls in order to the guard the inflamed organ. Since Ms. Melody had been suffering from Appendix infection, therefore it is normal that she will be faced with abdominal guarding (Flum, 2015). Prioritization of the nursing issues Abdominal pain after the removal of appendix is quite normal, but if the pain is intense and is centralized then proper and special care has to be taken. It has been reported that the post operative pain generally decreases with time. To look for the complications- Sometimes appendectomy is followed by complications that require immediate attention. Red skin along with drainage can come out through the incision point. The complication is known as Peritonitis. Things will worsen and will become life threatening if the infection enters the blood stream. Fever, vomiting, abdominal tenderness, abdominal guarding may indicate peritonitis (Giesen et al., 2017). The following case study gives information about the symptoms of then patient which may indicate peritonitis. Improper assessment of the patient, improper dressing of the wound, improper setting up of the nurses protocol, inefficient nursing interventions can pose threat to the life of the patient by bringing about the complications (Bjerrum et al., 2017). To look for the abdominal distension after the surgery It is normal to face abdominal distension and bloating after an appendectomy, although it goes away with time. Proper medications should be administered to decrease the formation of gas in the stomach. Nursing goals related to the case The case provides with the information the Ms. Melody was suffering from some post operative complications like increased level of nausea, abdominal pain. She was having a centralized pain of about 7-8 on a scale of 10, which indicates that she was in quite a distress and the surgery has not been able to remove her from the pain that she was in with the appendix rupture (McAteer et al., 2015). The following can be the nursing goals to provide care to M.s Melody- To reduce the post operative pain To reduce the level of the nausea To reduce bloating To lower the rate of wound infection To prevent comfort To prevent complications To reduce the risk of deficient fluid volume. To assist in proper breathing. To impart proper knowledge to the patient and her family (Ms. Melody and her family) To chalk out an appropriate discharge plan catering to the need of the patient. Post operative nursing care approach The post operative nursing care approach involves (Jaschinski et al., 2014)- The pain and the location should be assessed properly, as in this case the pain is centralized. A complete physical assessment of the patient. Monitoring the vital signs of the patient; in this case the patient is suffering from increased nausea and abdominal pain. The patient should be kept in the semi fowler position in order to lessen the pain, as the inflammatory exudates localizes into the pelvis due to the gravity which gives relief from the pain. Holding a pillow against the stomach during or coughing or getting up can decrease the pain with these activities. Early ambulation has to be given in order to promote normalization of the function of the organs and to prevent complications. Ice bags should be kept on the abdomen during the initial 24-48 hours. The patients laboratory results should be well addressed. Patent IVF should be maintained properly. Proper antibiotics and analgesics should be administered on time after consulting with the doctor. The dressings of the wound should be checked regularly and proper dressings should be done to prevent infections. The characteristics of the drainage should be monitored as it provides early detection of the developing infections like peritonitis. The drainage specimen can be obtained if needed. The patient should be encouraged to do the deep breathing and the coughing exercises. Assistance should be provided in early ambulation. It should be noted the patient had a past history of depression and Asthma, so before applying any treatment plan and the medications, the past reports should be taken into account. NPO and NG suction should be maintained to decrease gastric irritation and abdominal distension. The bowel sound and the movement of the flatus should be assessed. Oral intake should be given in small amounts. The IO and the hydration should be monitored. It can be seen from the case study that the patient has not recovered after the appendectomy. The above mentioned nursing interventions possibly will be able to remove the complications that Ms. Melody is facing with. Antibiotics can decrease the risk of the post operative infections (Jaschinski et al., 2014). Reflection on the patient outcome The following nursing interventions are found to provide better outcomes in the patients. I believe that the pain will be controlled; the patient will appear to be relaxed. The nursing treatments would heal the wound timely and it would free of signs of infection, inflammation, erythema or fever. The given nursing goals would provide comfort to the patient. Further study of the case reveals that the patient had a past history of depression. A feeling of anxiety and fear is always built up within any patient undergoing surgery. Therefore it is the duty of a nurse to provide her with mental support to overcome the fear. As a registered nurse one should be able to adopt a mind-body-spirit-emotion-environment approach to nursing. Conclusion The analysis of the case study provides with the detailed information about the pathophysiology of the appendectomy with a linkage to the given case study. Researches provides us with the information that a proper nursing protocol and a holistic care of approach can bring about better outcomes in patients. Complications after Appendectomy can take an adverse turn if not diagnosed properly or not taken proper interventions. In this case study there might have been any mistake in the treatment or care imparted by the nurses that gave rise to such an adverse condition. Patient assessment and taking proper care can reduce the complications in the patient. Thus, it can be conclude that early detection, proper assessment of the patients condition, proper protocol of evidence based practice can bring better outcome in Ms. Melody King. References Baird, D. L., Simillis, C., Kontovounisios, C., Rasheed, S., Tekkis, P. P. (2017). Acute appendicitis. BMJ, 357, j1703. Bjerrum, F., Strandbygaard, J., Rosthj, S., Grantcharov, T., Ottesen, B., Sorensen, J. L. (2017). Evaluation of Procedural Simulation as a Training and Assessment Tool in General SurgerySimulating a Laparoscopic Appendectomy. Journal of surgical education, 74(2), 243-250. Flum, D. R. (2015). Acute appendicitisappendectomy or the antibiotics first strategy. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(20), 1937-1943. Gasior, A. C., Knott, E. M., Holcomb, G. W., Ostlie, D. J., Peter, S. D. S. (2014). Patient and parental scar assessment after single incision versus standard 3-port laparoscopic appendectomy: long-term follow-up from a prospective randomized trial. Journal of pediatric surgery, 49(1), 120-122. Giesen, L. J., van den Boom, A. L., van Rossem, C. C., den Hoed, P. T., Wijnhoven, B. P. (2017). Retrospective multicenter study on risk factors for surgical site infections after appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Digestive surgery, 34(2), 103-107. Hussein, A., Bickel, K., Fischer, R. (2016). Long-term complications after appendectomy. Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift fur alle Gebiete der operativen Medizen, 87(12), 1074-1076. Jaschinski, T., Mosch, C., Eikermann, M., Neugebauer, E. A. (2015). Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in patients with suspected appendicitis: a systematic review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. BMC gastroenterology, 15(1), 48. McAteer, J. P., Richards, M. K., Stergachis, A., Abdullah, F., Rangel, S. J., Oldham, K. T., Goldin, A. B. (2015). Influence of hospital and patient location on early postoperative outcomes after appendectomy and pyloromyotomy. Journal of pediatric surgery, 50(9), 1549-1555. Salminen, P., Paajanen, H., Rautio, T., Nordstrm, P., Aarnio, M., Rantanen, T., ... Sand, J. (2015). Antibiotic therapy vs appendectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: the APPAC randomized clinical trial. Jama, 313(23), 2340-2348. Sauvain, M. O., Slankamenac, K., Muller, M. K., Wildi, S., Metzger, U., Schmid, W., ... Hahnloser, D. (2016). Delaying surgery to perform CT scans for suspected appendicitis decreases the rate of negative appendectomies without increasing the rate of perforation nor postoperative complications. Langenbeck's archives of surgery, 401(5), 643-649. Shogilev, D. J., Duus, N., Odom, S. R., Shapiro, N. I. (2014). Diagnosing appendicitis: evidence-based review of the diagnostic approach in 2014. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 15(7), 859. Skarda, D. E., Schall, K., Rollins, M., Andrews, S., Olson, J., Greene, T., ... Scaife, E. (2015). A dynamic postoperative protocol provides efficient care for pediatric patients with non-ruptured appendicitis. Journal of pediatric surgery, 50(1), 149-152.

Inquiry Based Learning

buy custom Revision Plans for Previously Submitted Assignment essay

buy custom Revision Plans for Previously Submitted Assignment essay Changes to the previous assignment From the previous assignment, I justify the recommendations for business objectives, management responsibilities, funding and IT governance issues. The assignment should have addressed more issues as discussed in the following paragraphs. Current level of architectural maturity The previously submitted assignment discussed the current level of architecture maturity as business modularity architecture. To add to this, the organization works on allied-unrelated operational model that emphasizes each business containing the fundamental exertion essential to create advantage independently. Matters of common interest are acknowledged and operated among the businesses. It has developed uniform policies that span across many businesses and help synergies across them to be established. Some support is shared across the businesses (Jeanne, Peter David, 2006). Technical Economies of Scale Termed as Recommendations to address IT capabilities in the previous assignment is a very important aspect of achieving an economy of scale. To add to the recommended strategy, it is essential to emphasize the need to use modern facilities that automated production at lower costs. A challenge in this strategy is the initial costs.However, I would like to point out that the final productivity will depend on this. The Proctor and Gamble, which is a well-established long-time market player, can work out on this strategy. However, the organization must not be too fast in adopting a technology as this can cause difficulties for employees in all operations. Not all technologies are suitable for implementation in organizations, therefore meeting thorough preparations is necessary before the change can be initiated (Chris, 2008). Managerial Economies of Scale The previous assignment answered the question of who should be made responsible for certain management tasks. An improvement on this will be based on the geographical area of work and the kind of customers. The management activity in the organization should be based on the diverse needs of the customers and the employees. The organization should encourage management activity to be centred on understanding clients requirements and needs. It also should train managers on how to handle stress business environments. This decision is very important for the organization to develop and maintain comparative advantage. Risk Bearing Economies of Scale The company should embark on advancing on its risk management and introducing diversity in its products. It should as well pay attention to education and research in order too improve the quality of its product. Spreading the risk is an important approach to using economies of scale and working long-term perspectives. Commercial Economies of Scale Another approach to improve on the economy of scale lies on the purchases. The organization can work on their delivery rates to encourage more purchases from them. It can implement systems such as the just-in-time inventory management for this purpose (Jeanne, Peter David, 2006). Ordering in bulk is another approach to control raw materials purchase. The rationale for these changes is to create a platform for developing a cost effective production and a saving scheme. Global Interactions As suggested in the previous assignment, the organization should work on better communication while encouraging digitization of the firm. While considering these factors, the organization should consider the minimum economy of scale. If at some point it has too many employees, the income will be negatively affected. When the products are too many or the locations are too many, the company may lose control and be overtaken by those companies that provide alternative products. These changes are very important for the organization to achieve and use economies of scale, which is getting primary goods for lower costs and earning high revenues. Buy custom Revision Plans for Previously Submitted Assignment essay

Is Social Media Beneficial for Our Society or Not Essay

Is Social Media Beneficial for Our Society or Not - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that social media is not about the exploitation of technology but service to the community. Social media websites have captured our lives. It is not easy to imagine the times when there were no Facebook or Twitter. Almost fifteen years ago, people had to wait months just to hear from each other. However today, the scenario is totally different. Nowadays, people spend more time social networking than actually meeting them in person or doing any other activity at home. With the advent of social media integration in our lives, there is a growing concern regarding its impact on our society as a whole. Like everything else in the world, social media too have both positive and negative aspects to deal with. The biggest portion of its influence on our society is however counted more on the positive side. The world has shrunk and the possibilities to interact across boundaries have become widened. It was never so easy to communicate all around the globe within seconds. Social media has surely brought us closer to many different parts of the world, especially for those who have been doing global businesses. â€Å"By bringing together people who share interests, no matter their location or time zone, social media has the potential to transform the workplace into an environment where learning is as natural as it is powerful.†Ã‚  Among numerous social media websites available today, two names always strike our minds instantly when talking about social media interaction or integration in our society.... Proponents of websites like Facebook and Twitter, suggests that these platforms have promoted online communities to have an easy interaction with friends and family living apart. They also offer teachers, students and mentors create online assistance and distance learning which a huge benefit for our society is. It is also greatly popular in disseminating useful, important or urgent information instantly and accurately. Facebook and Twitter have also been widely used for social wellness and awareness programs. They are not only cost effective mediums of spreading the word and getting assistance, but also helped thousands and millions of people to work for the evasion from the evils of our society. Among the numerous business and marketing benefits, it has also helped tremendously in providing opportunities to empower business women (Small Business - Chron.com). Besides being highly beneficial for the business purposes, marketing, promotion, and spreading positivity to help reduce man y social stigmas, social media has definitely proven itself to be a great tool in enhancing and improving a person’s living standard and quality of lifestyle. It has enabled numerous individuals to maintain an easy, trouble free and more organized lifestyle than before. It has improved the satisfaction towards life through minimizing many threats of health issues. It has been observed on a large scale that due to the emergence and integration of social media websites into our lives, friends and family on social media now have the best way to utilize the trend impact, propagating and assisting with workout, diet controlling, and in achieving goals related to the termination of smoking or

A Comparison of Structured Analysis to Object-Oriented Analysis Research Paper

A Comparison of Structured Analysis to Object-Oriented Analysis - Research Paper Example The structured approach got accepted and started being widely used for development and system analysis. Then, a methodology was created that helped the development of applications with the object oriented languages. This approach came to be known as the object oriented analysis and design. A comparative analysis has been conducted with respect to these two methodologies, along with their basic infrastructure and techniques. The structured approach enables the analyst to split a complex project into smaller and controllable parts. This approach is based on the step-by-step execution of the phases. The start of an activity in a phase will depend on the completion of activities in the preceding phase. It is based on a top-down, hierarchal approach that produces logical and organized systems (Holon Institute of Technology, n.d.). The structured nature of the design facilitates efficient project management, resource management etc. OOAD approach follows an object oriented approach instead of a functional one that is followed in SSAD (Pefkaros, 2008). An object in OOAD is considered to be any place, person or thing that can have the following aspects related to it; Structured approach promotes the concept of clear steps from the initiation of the project till the end; these steps are conventionally planning, analysis, design and implementation. Whereas the object oriented approach does provide any such specific number of phases. There are no clear steps from analysis to design. Structured System analysis and design is process oriented whereas object oriented system and design is data-oriented. There exists a clear separation between the between the data and the processes of the system in the structured approach, while the data and the processes of the system are encapsulated into objects (Pefkaros, 2008). OOAD seems more flexible and adaptive to changes as compared to SSAD. There can be many benefits gained from

Discuss the major barriers to entry of new firms into an industry and Essay

Discuss the major barriers to entry of new firms into an industry and how these barriers can either give rise to or maintain a monopoly company - Essay Example Such firms face little or, in some cases, no competition at all. Each firm in perfect competition is a price taker. This means that changes in output by one firm do not shift the industry supply curve sufficiently to alter the price. If the whole industry makes more or less output, the supply will shift and the price will change but not if one firm increases or decreases output, this means each firm can sell all it wants at the given market price. This also indicates that marginal revenue equals price. Since each unit is sold for the same price in such a market structure, marginal revenue also tends to stay constant therefore giving us a straight horizontal line. However, a monopolist faces a downward sloping demand and is able to set either the price or the output, but not both. A profit maximizing monopolist would choose the output where marginal cost equals marginal revenue. This output will be somewhere over the price range where demand is pricing elastic and will be sold at the price consumers will pay. In most instances, the total revenue for such firms are higher than the cost hence enabling monopolies to earn abnormal profits in the short run as well as the long run. In order for a firm to maintain its monopoly power and abnormal profits there must be barriers to the entry of new firms. Barriers to entry are specifically designed to prevent potential firms from entering into a market. They provide firms a degree of market power without losing their existing market share. Barrier to entry anything that allows incumbent firms to earn supernormal profits without threat of entry (Boyes and Melvin, 220-222). The barriers that can be used to create or maintain a monopoly include: The high fixed cost or setup cost can be the toughest obstacle to tackle. The barrier here is access to capital. Only large firm will be able to fund the necessary investment. An established monopoly is likely to have developed specialized

Resource Based View Strategy Formulation

Resource Based View Strategy Formulation Resource-based view (RBV) is a tool to determine strategic resources and how it affects the performance of the firm based solely on reviewing its internal environment while the external environment remains fixed. Firms using RBV competes in terms of their resources and capabilities. The aim of this paper is to study the factors that influence firms performance. The RBV emphasizes on the firms resources as the essential elements of competitive advantage and performance. It assumes two assumptions in examining sources of competitive advantage which are that the firms are heterogeneous in terms of the resources they control and that resource heterogeneity can continue over a period as the resources used to implement their strategies are not easily portable across firms (Bridoux, F, n.d).. The RBV method of analyzing firms performance is focused that other vital factors tend to be disregarded. Resources are not valuable of themselves; instead they are valuable because they allow firms to perform activities that in return create advantages for them. The competitive value of resources can be enhanced or eliminated by changes in technology, competitor behavior, or buyer needs which an inward focus on resources will overlook (Sheehan, N Foss, N, 2007). Resource uniqueness is essential as this differentiates between the firms. However, resource uniqueness is not sufficient to achieve sustainable competitive advantage and thus the resources must also be valuable, rare, imperfectly imitable and non-substitutable. RBV suggests that business processes that exploit valuable but common resources can only be a source of competitive equality; business processes that exploit valuable and rare resources can be a source of temporary competitive advantage; and business processes that exploit valuable, rare, and costly-to-imitate resources can be a source of sustained competitive advantage (Bridoux, F, n.d). The merits and demerits of RBV as the best strategy route One of the important contributions of RBV is the ability of it to measure and identify the internal environment of the firm. The importance of using RBV as a strategy route is to be able to work the inside-out approach. This means that companies using RBV focus on their internal strengths more as it is the root of their competitiveness. Furthermore, RBV recommends that effective management of operations can create uniqueness in the firms resources. Louis Vuitton is one firm in a competitive industry which has the edge over their competitors because of their product uniqueness. Louis Vuittons expertises are their design skills and manufacturing efficiency (R. Duane Ireland, Robert E. Hoskisson, Michael A. Hitt, 2008). While they may not be able to control the external environment, Louis Vuitton can use the RBV model and analyze their position and work on their strategies. Many organizations have been faced with dilemmas on how to use their resources strategically. Organizations that fail to efficiently convert their resources and capabilities into business processes cannot expect to recognize the potential competitive advantage of these resources. The RBV has little contribution in terms of predicting firm performance because of its nature of being tautological (Truijens, O. (n.d) and its focus is too narrow. Also, as a measure which only focuses on the internal environment, the RBV cannot be taken as the best strategy route. Many firms which focus mainly on the internal environment encounter competitive disadvantages to their business. For example, when IBM, a successful company achieved its success many of their competitors entered into the market. IBMs competitors included other big names such as Hewlett Packard (HP), Dell and Compaq (McNeilly, 2000). IBM did not pay close attention to their competitors because they were focused greatly on their in ternal strengths and not those of their competitors. Some other firms which have experienced failures from the strategies are Marlborough. Marlborough took the price cut strategy too far as they did not consider their competitors possible moves. The CEO of Marlborough started a price war by reducing their prices to attract consumers and gain more market share. However, their competitors also followed in reducing their prices which resulted in Marlborough facing losses. (McNeillly, 2000). RBV is not the only factor which determines performance of the firm. In industries such as the airline industry, other external factors such as timing and marketing are also essential. Entering into the industry requires good timing and this can be influenced by the economic position and consumer choice of quality and lower price. For example, Southwest airlines which are one of the well-known low cost carriers in the United States used the niche market strategy to maintain competitive advantage from its rivals. They avoided large airports, focused mainly on short flights which are ideal for families and business people, as well as excluded seating requirement and on flight meals to reduce their cost (Anonymous, 2010). Porter also mentions the common strategy of lowering cost, and product differentiation allows firms to access its strengths. Firms achieve superior positions based on being a cost leader or earning price premiums at the activity level (Anonymous, 2010). In the cost leader method of achieving sustainable competitive advantage, the firm would sell its products either at the average price to earn profits or below the average price to gain market share. The broader market usually adopts cost leadership. Wal-Mart is a cost leader. Their strategy was to form a close relationship with their suppliers which allowed them to reduce cost when purchasing in bulk (Walden University, 2010). Differentiation is another strategy mentioned by Porter. Firms produce products that vary from others and have unique features to compete against their competitors. This uniqueness of the product also allows firms to charge higher prices for their product. However, there are a few different types of differentia tion strategies. The few common ones include differentiation based on additional features, packaging, and design and positioning (Scribd, 2011). Louis Vuitton is an example of a firm that applies differentiation through design and positioning. Exploring processes, capabilities and the ability to appropriate rent and Porters industrial analysis Porters framework discusses the role of firms in formulating appropriate competitive strategy to achieve superior economic performance, and competitive approach. Also, the source of profits is not to be found in the firm but rather in the structure of the industry, especially the nature and balance of its competitive forces (Bridoux, F, n.d). However, the assumption of any relationship between firm performance and rent generation may be inaccurate. The RBV states that performance consists of rent generation and rent appropriation and we cannot predict firm performance from rent generation only. One such example is IBM. IBM assembled the strategic capabilities that built most of the modem for the personal computer industry. Yet Intel and Microsoft were ultimately able to appropriate a lot more of the related rent (Russell W. Coff, 1999). The factors that allow resources to generate rents should be valuable, rare, imperfectly imitable and non-substitutable. This issue was addressed by identifying the conditions under which a firms resources become valuable by bringing the external environment into the resource-based view. Through nurturing the internal competencies and applying them to an appropriate external environment, a firm can develop a viable strategy. Thus, for a firms resource to become valuable, it must allow the firm to exploit opportunities or neutralize threats in the firms environment (Russo, M Fouts, P, 1986). Resources as an option or real options refer to resources which are bought in present time and are either used or kept to be used in a later period. For example, land can be bought and used right away or it can be kept for use later. Real options create strategic flexibility for firms and when used effectively they can retain or increase in value. These types of resources are very useful in indus tries that have high competitiveness and use high technology. The pharmaceutical industry is one industry where there is high competitiveness. Firms such as Johnson Johnson, and Pfizer invest hugely in research and development in order to develop large numbers of drugs which can used to treat different illnesses although most of the time these drugs fail. Due to the uncertain nature of the products, these firms have to focus widely (R. Duane Ireland, Robert E. Hoskisson, Michael A. Hitt, 2008). However, firms resources on their own accord do not contribute to competitive advantage. Thus, these resources must be combined to form capabilities which in turn develop into core competencies and are used by firms to create value. Capabilities result from combining resources. Honda uses its capabilities in product design, engineering and manufacturing. Moreover, they place a great deal of emphasis on their workforce. Honda encourages their engineers to dream. This allows their employees to discover new things which add to their knowledge. This knowledge in turn will simplify their daily work. Core competencies are the capabilities which the firm pursuits and performs well. Core competencies have a competitive edge when the firms add value and outperform their competitors. The factors of core competencies which lead to a competitive advantage are valuable, rare, imperfectly imitable and non-substitutable (R. Duane Ireland, Robert E. Hoskisson, Michael A. Hitt 2008). Conclusion In conclusion, the RBV cannot be accepted as the best strategy route due its nature of being narrowly scoped and ignorant of the external environment. This measure does not provide accurate information on the firms performance. However, in a stable industry the RBV can be considered as one of the best strategy route. A firms performance should undertake many other factors which include timing, marketing, and advancement of technology, competitor behavior as well as the needs of consumers. I disagree that RBV is the best route as external factors are also very crucial in determining the performance and rent generation of firms as other external factors must also be considered. Porters external environment analysis focuses on the external factors that affect a firms performance. Dynamic industries focus more on the external environment thus preferring to use Porters theory In order for the RBV method to be more effective and efficient; it has to be studied along together with the exter nal environment. That way, firms are aware of their resources and capabilities and can nurture the internal competencies to apply them with appropriate external environment, which will allow the firm to develop practical approaches.

5 Court Cases :: essays research papers

I. Name and Citation STATE OF FLORIDA, versus SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA II. Key Facts In this complaint, the the Tribe was operating "electronic or electromechanical facsimiles of games of chance" and that such operations constituted class III gaming as defined by IGRA. These games were operated despite the absence of a compact between the Tribe and the State regarding the regulation of class III gaming. The State also alleged that the Tribe planned to construct a new facility on its lands in order to conduct additional class III gaming. III. The Issue Does the operation of such games without a Tribal-State compact violate both federal and state law? IV. Holding and Vote No (Opinion by Justice Stevens) V. Reasoning Congress abrogated tribal immunity from state suits that seek declaratory or injunctive relief for alleged tribal violations of IGRA; (2) the Tribe, by electing to engage in gaming under IGRA, waived its immunity from a suit to require compliance with the statutory conditions precedent to class III gaming; and (3) tribal immunity does not necessarily extend to actions seeking prospective equitable relief. Congress may abrogate a sovereign's immunity only by using statutory language that makes its intention unmistakably clear, and that ambiguities in federal laws implicating Indian rights must be resolved in the Indians' favor. The Supreme Court has made it plain that waivers of tribal sovereign immunity cannot be implied on the basis of a tribe's actions, but must be unequivocally expressed. Accordingly, we reject the State's argument that the Tribe's immunity does not necessarily extend to this action for prospective equitable relief. The district court's holding that sovereign immu nity bars the State's suit against the Tribe is affirmed. I. Name and Citation ALDEN et al. v. MAINE II. Key Facts Congress lacks power under Article I to abrogate the States' sovereign immunity in federal court, the Federal District Court dismissed a Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 suit filed by petitioners against their employer, respondent Maine. Subsequently, petitioners filed the same action in state court. Although the FLSA purports to authorize private actions against States in their own courts, the trial court dismissed the suit on the ground of sovereign immunity. III. The Issue Does the federal government have authority under Article I to abrogate a State's immunity in it's own court? IV. Holding and Vote Yes. (vote 5-4) (Opinion by Justice Kennedy) V. Reasoning The Constitution's structure and history and this Court's authoritative interpretations make clear that the States' immunity from suit is a fundamental aspect of the sovereignty they enjoyed before the Constitution's ratification and retain today except as altered by the plan of the Convention or certain constitutional Amendments.

Travel Writing Coursework

The Volvo estate came slowly to a halt outside a boarded up old farm house. A middle aged man and three adolescents clambered out the car to be met by the fresh rural air. The sun shone brightly onto them as they examined the landscape. They were surrounded by fields with a long gravel path lying behind them. They all took a corner and hoisted the khaki Canadian canoe from the top of the estate then carefully lay it on the grass beside them. One of the boys asked the man which way they were going and he replied by pointing down the gravely path which slowly merged into woodland in the distance. The man locked up the car checking it again by pulling the handle and gestured to his son to help lift the canoe. They lifted it up with a heave and began to carry down the path and into the woodland followed by the boys two friends. The cows grazing in the field opposite the farmhouse mooed as they continued down the path. The four of them took turns in helping carry the canoe. The woodland became more thick and the stinging netals brushed at there bare ankles. The bushes and trees were littered with beer cans and plastic bags left by youths. The mans son considered what this was doing to the animals habitat and felt a slight sense of guilt as he new he had done exactly the same in the past. The sound of the river became clearer and the forest came to a ‘T' junction . The man led the way with the canoe and took the right turning. After about a hundred yards they came to a stop carefully placing the boat on the ground again. Before them lay the river. Three or four anglers stood at the side of the bank, one of them acknowledging them by saying what a lovely summer's day it was. The man was a keen fisherman himself and asked if the other man had caught anything. He replied by shaking his head he said ‘The fish don't like warm weather'. The rivers are far too over fished he thought to himself, it's such a shame that some of the rarer fish were dying out. He then shook his head and told the boys to sit in the boat. They did so and he pushed the boat with his might into the murky green water. The boat wobbled about and then stabilized itself, the boys pulling it to the side. The boys laughed nervously. The man then wobbled the boat vigorously to show that it would take a lot to tip it over, the boys shouting at him to stop. He laughed and stopped. Then he handed the boys their paddles and gave them a few last words of advice. The boys waved him goodbye and he shouted at them to ring him when they wanted picking up. They were on their own now, at one with nature. They directed the boat round the first corner past a few branches in the water. Reeds grew either side of the river and made their path very narrow. The boys struggled to direct the boat around the winding corners trying not to crash into the reeds around them. Bracken and stinging netals were visibly close up ahead and the man's son told them to go straight through the middle as they lay either side sprouting through the reeds. The larger of his two of his friends began to paddle without informing the other one and the boat headed straight into the bracken and netals. They all panicked shouting not to tip the boat over. The boat went straight into the side and they were all stung and pricked by the thorns but the boat stayed stable and they sighed with relief. The river opened up and the banks became wider and had no reeds or bracken at the side. They relaxed and let the river drift the boat down stream by itself. The boys basked in the sun and chatted about football and women. Floating on the waters surface lay more cans of beer bobbing up and down. The larger boy contemplated the reason why these people just through their litter into the river. He came to the conclusion that it was a mixture of laziness and thoughtlessness. He pondered what the effect the beer had on the water and what an animal would do if it became trapped in one of the cans. He was snapped out of his thoughts by a hissing swan and the shouts of his friend as he politely told it to go away. His friend slapped his paddle at it as the other two rowed the canoe away from the animal. They all relaxed again as the swan disappeared back into the distance. Everything was calm again and the boy that had swung his paddle at the swan was now happy. A big white boat was now coming at them head on and the boys swerved the boat around it like an adder through water. They boy thought what the fumes coming of the back of the white boat would be doing to the water. He thought of how the fish were being poisoned and the air around the river was being turned into the kind of warm hazy air you'd expect in a city centre. The boat drew closer to its destination and one of the boys asked a walker on the bank if they new how far it would be to the pub. ‘Just around the corner' they answered and the boys thanked them and were happy they were nearly. They paddled the boat around the corner and the pub came into sight. They approached it slowly scanning the bank for a place to park the boat. They spotted a gap in between a large patch of reeds and paddled into it. The boy at the front climbed out first followed by the man's son and the tall boy. They all grabbed a section of the boat and yanked it as hard as possible out the water and onto the bank. They lifted the boat of the ground and made the short walk with it to the pub. They sat down in a heap off exhaustion on one of the wooden tables outside the pub. They ordered a plate off chips and reviewed their hard days work. The plate was empty and the boy's dad had arrived to take them home. They placed the canoe on top of the car again and strapped it in place. They all got inside the car and the boy's dad had asked if had went well. They all agree it had been a good laugh and it was a lot of fun. In front of them a man opened his window and dropped out a hand full of rubbish. The boys all thought to themselves what were we doing to the environment and how we were ruining it for our next generations and animals. The car drove off and the boys sat there in silence just thinking.

The EU will gain considerably from having Poland as a one of essays

The EU will gain considerably from having Poland as a one of essays Since Poland is a country that has a lot to offer, the EU will benefit from having Poland as a one of its member states. This essay will examine the advantages, which the EU will take of having Poland in the Union, by looking at natural, economic, and social aspects. By looking at these points in detail, it will be easier to form a clear conclusion on this issue. The most important point to consider is that Poland has large recreational areas and many unspoiled places with unique flora and fauna. When Poland joins the EU, these places can be turned into ecological resorts. Obviously, this will be a paradise for tourists who are eager to be closer to nature. The best example of this would be the country of the thousand lakes which is the perfect place for those who love water sports and angling. In addition to this, there are some species of animals that can be only seen in Poland. For example, Poland is the only country where European bison can be seen. What is more, Poland has the biggest population of wolves in Europe. Having said that, not only will Poland be able to become a paradise for Europeans but also for people from all over the world. Another significant idea is the Polish goods market. Since Poland is one of bigger countries in Europe, the EU will gain larger market for its goods. The EU market will be extended, and as a result the EU will have another source of money. What is more, Poland is situated in the heart of Europe. Because of this location Poland can be a kind of bridge between the EU countries and the countries of East Europe. As a result, the flow of goods from the EU countries to East Europe would be much easier. Another valid point is huge scientific potential that is cumulated in Poland. Polish scientists who are people of distinction are extremely dedicated to their work. Therefore, they are known as hard working people who are able to sacrifice a lot to reach their go...

Far from Empire - German Colonial History and its Memorials

Far from Empire - German Colonial History and its Memorials Europe’s long and sinister colonial history can still be experienced in many places. Forced-upon European heritage, such as languages or the ominous right to militarily intervene, are found all over the globe. The different colonial narratives of the British Empire, the Spanish Navy or Portuguese traders are well known and often still glorified as a grand national past. Outside of Germany, the country’s colonial history is not referred to often within Germany it is a rather sore topic. Being overshadowed by the two World Wars, it is up to recent historical studies to fully bring it into the light. Even if – in terms of gaining territory, compared to its rivals - Germany’s colonial endeavors weren’t exactly successful, German colonial forces are guilty of terrible crimes against peoples indigenous to their colonies. As are so many European histories of the 17th,18th, 19th and 20th century, the German one is not short of gruesome acts committed in the name of forging a global empire. German East Africa and German-Samoa Even though Germans were part of the European Colonial Expansion right from the beginning, the engagement of Germany as a formal colonial power started its endeavors rather late. One reason was that the foundation of the German Empire in 1871, before that there was no â€Å"Germany† that could, as a nation, colonize anyone. Maybe that is another reason for the pressing necessity to acquire colonies, which seems to have been felt by German officials. From 1884 on, Germany quickly incorporated African colonies such as Togo, Cameroon, Namibia and Tanzania (some under different names) into the Empire. A few Pacific Islands and a Chinese colony followed. The German colonial officers aimed at being very efficient colonizers, which resulted in very ruthless and brutal behavior towards the natives. This, of course, sparked rebellions and uprisings, which the oppressors, in turn, brutally put down. In German South-West Africa (Namibia), the German leaders attempted to segregate all inhabitants by a German upper class and an African working class – following an ideology of deep biologist racism. This kind of segregation was not limited to German colonies. All of European colonialism shows this attribute. But, one can say that German forces were the most efficient as the examples of Namibia and, a Generation later, the occupation of Eastern Europe show. German colonialism was driven by heavy armed conflicts, some of which are rightfully called genocide (e.g. the so-called Herero Wars, which lasted from ca. 1904 until 1907), as German attacks and the following famines were responsible for the death of an estimated 80% of all Herero. The German colonies in the â€Å"South Sea† also fell victim to colonial violence. German battalions were even part of ending the Boxer Rebellion in China. The first period of German colonialism ended after World War I when its protectorates were taken from the Reich, as it was unfit to be a colonial power. But the Third Reich brought a second period of course. A surge of colonial memorials throughout the 1920s, ’30s, and 40s prepared the public for a dawning new colonial age. One, that quickly ended with the victory of the Allied Forces in 1945. Memories and Memorials - Germany’s Colonial Past is Surfacing The last few years of public debate and discourse have made it clear: Germany’s colonial past can no longer be ignored and has to be duly addressed. Local initiatives successfully fought for the recognition of colonial crimes (e.g. through having the designations of streets changed, that bore the name of colonial leaders) and historians emphasized how history and collective memory itself is often a construct rather than an organically grown development. The self-definition of a society or community is created through delimitation on the one hand and the construction of a common past through notions of unifying grandeur, such as military victories, on the other. The composition of the latter is supported by memorials, memorabilia, as well as historic artifacts. In the case of German colonial history, these items are vastly overshadowed the Third Reich and are often only viewed in its context. Recent history and the present show that there is still a long way to go when it comes to processing Germany’s colonial history. Many streets still carry the names of colonial commanders guilty of war crimes, and many memorials still show German colonialism in an exotic, rather romantic light.

Bodybuilding is unhealthy sport Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Bodybuilding is unhealthy sport - Essay Example Nevertheless, bodybuilding is an unhealthy sport, which has sparked criticism from various scholars. Some of the major concerns include; Notably, bodybuilding is not a simple walk in the park or a visit to the gym. It is a process of using various additives meant to expand muscles and ensure various parts of the body grow at advance rates. According to research, body builders require anabolic steroids to realise an outstanding muscle and body mass. In as much as, people have argued against the use of drugs, apparently they promise a higher amount of returns as compared to pure exercise. In special circumstances, competitive bodybuilding encourages the use of different drugs. These additives, however, are not digestible but have long-term effects on the consumers. For instance, drugs like diuretics used during competition are more dangerous than steroids. Despite the availability of exceptional genetics, which support body building and positively respond to it, over half of body builders make use of drugs (Labrada 27). In this light, bodybuilding is a lifestyle trend rather than a health concern intended to improve we ll-being. Based on belief, bodybuilding should be a lifestyle where the people involved combine a good nutrition with training to gain more strength and muscles. However, contrary to belief, body builders have an incredible dieting system aimed at creating a competitive muscle system. It is a sculpting process that takes away more things from the body than the physical admirations depicted in the public domain. In the process of keeping a specific diet, they dehydrate the body; drain the limited energy hence affecting functionality of different organs. Additionally, bodybuilders eat given types of food in excessive quantities not good for the body. For example, many bodybuilders have a habit of eating double or triple what

Inmate Health Care Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Inmate Health Care - Assignment Example ncerned about the high cost of medical care and many have implemented several technologies and innovative methods to reduce the cost of health care with the objective to improve the inmates’ health (Schaenman, Davies, Jordan & Chakraborty, 2013). In recent years, several technologies and information systems have been evolved, which have some contribution to the problem of inmate health care. The information system has the power to reduce the cost of medical care and enhance the outcomes of the health care. Health care means the treatment as well as prevention of diseases. Technology has a great potential to reduce the problem of health care. The information related to the healthcare of the patients is stored electronically rather than paper records, which has facilitated in easy retrieval of their health record when needed. Information system and technologies provide the several methods to enhance the quality of the health care. In the present scenario, the complication of the diseases has increased considerably; therefore, the cost of health care has also augmented. However, presently, various types of advanced technologies and information systems have been used for the treatment purpose of the inmates (Fichman, Kohli & Kri shnan, 2011). Inmate healthcare generally means the physical examination upon admission of inmates into the prison. Now the most of the institutions have implemented some methods to improve the quality of inmate healthcare and thereby reduce the cost. Information system and technology is also observed to influence the health care by increasing the quality of the life of the inmates. Technology helps in improving the method of treatment and eliminates treatment processes that are time consuming. Information system provides the essential information related to inmate healthcare and delivers ways to improve the quality of the medical care. Technology and information system, both are related to each other and work effectively with respect to the

Compare and contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Compare and contrast - Essay Example In the first stanza, the son holds his mother as she vomits in a bowl and then attended to cleaning and changing her clothes with the help of his lover who is also the speaker. Since the strings were tied behind the back the speaker tried to remove the blanket from underneath the old woman and feared that her skin could tear off. This shows that the mother had become a mere cripple and her condition was too fragile. When old age is referred to second childhood, it is justified and sometimes ironical too. The poet talks about the paper diaper, the fragility and all these could be attributed to the status of a baby – â€Å"Everything’s so fragile here/a breath could break you.† (Crozier, line 14-15) The poet and her lover are at a loss and cannot really decide what to do. The mother who has once offered her milk to her son is now feeling shy when her son was undressing her. Despite the weakness she turns her face away and covers her breasts and the lover cracks a joke here, saying that he has undressed many other women before and so she need not feel shy. The tubes and needles used here reflect the medical treatment she was undergoing. The last two stanzas describe the poet’s feelings about his lover when she lies in bed besides him and what happens at the end of the day. The vision of tending his mother is so vivid in her memory that she almost smells him of his mother although he is washed. It seems as if she has licked him to prove to all the girls who lie with him that he is still his mother’s son. The poet ironically talks of the old woman’s tongue’ and might be a little sarcastic in her remark, may be because her time for fun has been shared by the old woman and she puns on the actions of licking. We find the mammals licking their off springs in stead of bathing them and a woman may lick the man for the sake of lust. To some

Memory Boy Essay Essay Example for Free

Memory Boy Essay Essay The book that I choose to read this 9 week period is called Memory by Will Weaver. The book is based on the lives of a family of 4 people; Miles, Sarah, and their two parents. Memory Boy starts out in the Mid West after a mountain range in Washington erupts and spews ash what seems billions of feet up, and over the entire United Sates like a blanket. The ash is so thick that people have to wear dust masks outside to avoid the risk of breathing it in. Miles and his family finally decide to leave the town that they live in to head northwest. Since the ash is so heavy they can’t drive a car because those are restricted, and people can only use them on certain days to avoid the problem of pollution. So Miles assembles a new vehicle that he calls the Princess. It is a mix between a bicycle and a boat that they must pilot by either peddling, or when there is enough wind they have a sail from a boat to put up. They decide to leave under the curtain of night to avoid being detected by other people who would want to take their vehicle from them. As they make their way North they must face encounters with many obstacles such as road blocks, bandits, hunger, the government, nature, each other, and other hazards. In between telling us about they’re adventure north, Miles, who is the main character tells us the events leading up to their departure, starting with the day that the eruption happened. The novel starts out a peaceful journey by the family but they soon learn that their trip will not be easy and they must work together to survive. Miles is our main character and we watch all the events happen through his point of view. He would be a junior in high school if they still actually went to school. Miles is a smart individual who enjoys doing the job of a mechanic. He built the Princess by himself and is the only one who is about to fix and maintain it throughout the book. He takes a strong leadership role; even his parents look to him to solve the solutions. When the volcano erupted he was only in the 9th grade. So every other chapter he will flashback to his 9th grade year to tell us a story about after the volcano erupted. He often compares his life now to that of his 9th grade year, and how he would have done things different. He used to be disrespectful and would often act out in school to seek attention. He will explain to us how some of the events he tells us about have changed him. Miles sister Sarah is a few years younger than he is. She is a dark and morbid girl; the type that is into vampire, dark music, and dark literature. But even though she seems tough on the outside, but she is actually just hiding how scared she has been throughout this entire ordeal. She secretly looks up to miles even though she would never say so to him. She doesn’t like her father very much because he was always away when she was a child. Miles’s father was a jazz musician in a band before the eruption. He was always on the road with his band, so he wasn’t around much when Miles and Sarah were growing up. Although he seems quite docile at the beginning of the book we soon learn that he is actually quite the leader, and when Miles gets overwhelmed his father is always there to take the lead for awhile. Miles’s mother was the main caretaker of the children so she was always around. At the beginning of the book she kept the family together as a unit, they referred to her as being. The children see their mother as being helpless most of the time. It isn’t until later in the book that she really blooms as a character, and becomes a very useful asset to the group.