Sampling Future of Food Innovation †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Sampling Future of Food Innovation. Answer: Introduction Our team comprised of five members who were responsible for gathering and analyzing different segments of the Knowledge Management report. The team faced several ups and downs but it was a good attempt to understand the business context in real life challenges. We would like to work for Share-A-Meal by 2025 due to socioeconomic reasons. This report helps in looking into the external environment of Singapore through PESTEL analysis management that can be controlled by contextualizing the venture Share-A-Meal. It is analyzed that Singapore is a successful business hub with higher cost of living. There is competitiveness in the country that gives a boost to all kinds of businesses. By 2025, Singapore shall be reliable on high end technology and highly skilled employees shall be able to serve the jobs. It is analyzed that our company, SAM shall reduce food wastage in Singapore which is a necessary step for social and economic development of the nation. This project helped me in understan ding the value of food and money which would otherwise be only treated as a low-level discussion. This paper helped me in understanding the impact of food wastage and designing the idea of reduced food wastage with the help of advanced information technology. This report helped me determine the challenges that could arise in the uncontrollable or external environment, so that I can transform the threats into opportunities. By analyzing our personal strengths and weaknesses, the suitable roles in the organization such as CEO, CFO and others could also be identified. Conclusion This report helped in understanding that Singapore is a safe country with a stable economy. The study found that Singapore has high job opportunities that make the economic condition better. It is found that Singapore invites foreign investor and businesses due to the strong stability and environment. There are declining birth rates and education is considered highly important. Singapore shall have a higher cost of living by 2025 that would increase competitiveness in education and workforce. With the advancement in technology, the jobs shall require greater skills and prepare people for an even rapid growth. The company, Share-A-Meal shall strive to meet the needs for consumer in the future by helping organizations management and individual to reduce food wastages in Singapore. It shall be based on e-commerce and link the organization by playing the role of a middleman. The report suggests that the target market includes private companies, non-profit organizations and individuals th at are willing to contribute to the society and also helping to reduce food wastage in Singapore. Certain recommendations such as 3D printed meal, double-loop learning and others are provided. Lastly, the report suggests that Renuka could be the Chief Executive Officer, Bella as Chief Finance Officer, Hazima as Chief Operation Officer, Yuen Teng as Chief Marketing Officer, and Azli as Chief Research and Design Officer. These positions are suggested based on the personal strengths and weaknesses of the team members. References Foodbank.sg. 2017. "How It Works".Foodbank.Sg. https://www.foodbank.sg/index.php/banking-differently/how-it-works. Internations.org. 2017. "Cost Of Living In Singapore".Internations.Org. https://www.internations.org/singapore-expats/guide/16061-economy-finance/cost-of-living-in-singapore-16043. Meyer, Arnoud De. 2015. "The Jobs - They Are A-Changing".The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/the-jobs-they-are-a-changing. Mingfeng, Alfred Chua. 2017. "Singapore Workers Unhappiest In South-East Asia: Survey".Todayonline. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-workers-unhappiest-southeast-asia-survey. Nea.gov.sg. 2017. "Waste Statistics And Overall Recycling".Nea.Gov.Sg. https://www.nea.gov.sg/energy-waste/waste-management/waste-statistics-and-overall-recycling. Sadowski, Jathan. 2017. "Food Delivery By Drones: Coming To A Restaurant Near You".The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/food-delivery-by-drones-coming-to-a-restaurant-near-you-20130807-2rf10.html. Salleh, NUR. 2017. "Singapore Climbs To 7Th On Global Least-Corrupt Index".The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-climbs-to-7th-on-global-least-corrupt-index. Shiao, Vivien. 2017. "Sampling The Future Of Food Innovation In Singapore".The Business Times. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/sampling-the-future-of-food-innovation-in-singapore. Spiegel, Alison. 2014. "All The Foods You Can Get Delivered By Drones".Huffington Post India. https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/food-delivery-drone_n_5461689. Todayonline.com. 2016. "The Evolution Of SPoreS Speakers Corner".Todayonline. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/evolution-spores-speakers-corner. Todayonline.com. 2015. "Cost Of Living A Worry For Many".Todayonline.Com. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/cost-living-worry-many. Todayonline.com. 2016. "Prepare For The Cost Of Raising A Child".Todayonline. https://www.todayonline.com/business/prepare-cost-raising-child-0. Yong, Charissa. 2017. "Singapore's Total Fertility Rate Dipped To 1.20 In 2016".Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapores-total-fertility-rate-dipped-to-120-in-2016.

The CIA in the World in the 1950s

Table of Contents Mossadegh’s Removal Jacobo Arbenz Guzman; Guatemalan President Lauding the CIA’s Work in Iran Downplaying the CIA, emphasizing Communism Personal Point of View Conclusion Works Cited In August 1953, Mossadegh, the then Iranian prime minister, was overthrown through a coup de tat; however, there have been intense speculations about the role of CIA in this coup and other coups that happened after the Second World War II. Some critics have looked at CIA’s involvement negatively. For instance, William Blum has come out clearly to criticize CIA’s involvement. This paper analyzes different excerpts, compiled by Mary Ann Heiss from works of different scholars either supporting CIA or faulting it.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The CIA in the World in the 1950’s specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Mossadegh’s Removal Blum posits that Mossadegh pushed successfu lly for nationalization of Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), which was owned by the British. However, this did not go well with the British and after she failed to reclaim her company, she enlisted the help of the United States of America. Amongst those who supported the removal of Mossadegh was John Foster Dulles, an anticommunist who referred to Mossadegh as a lunatic. Therefore, Americans got involved in the removal of Mossadegh than the British. Before the oust, the Americans tried diverse ways to attack Mossadegh including an attempt to announce Mossadegh’s ‘compulsory leave’ replacing him with Fazlollah Zahedi among other dirty tactics that would implicate Mossadegh in all wrong doings. Nevertheless, Mossadegh utilized his constitutional powers and stayed put. Unfortunately, the CIA invented new tactics and later overthrew Mossadegh. Blum insinuates that CIA’s interest was in the rich oil deposits around Iran. Jacobo Arbenz Guzman; Guatemalan Presid ent According to Blum, after CIA’s successful coup against Mossadegh, it applied the same tactics to oust Guzman, a year later. The reason behind this coup was that Guatemala was on the precipice of communism under the leadership of Guzman; however, Blum sees more than these claims in this coup. Blum reveals that John Peurifoy, the U.S ambassador to Guatemala warned that, â€Å"We cannot permit a Soviet Republic to be established between Texas and the Panama Canal†¦the Soviet Union might actually seize the canal† (Heiss 169). Therefore, America’s interest was not stopping Guatemala from plunging into communism; on the contrary, it was to protect the Panama Canal. After the coup, America accused Guatemala of getting weapons from Czechoslovakia; however, it emerged that Czechoslovakia ‘gave’ weapons to Guatemala but for money. This could have happened with any other country wiling to buy weapons. The other reason behind America’s interest in Guatemala was land. Blum points out that the United Fruit Company executives pressured America to topple Guzman because he had expropriated much of its land and the $525, 000 that the government was offering was peanuts compared to the company’s $16 million asking price. Moreover, Anne Whiteman doubled as President Eisenhower personal secretary and wife to one of the executives of the company and this explains why the company had much influence in pushing for Guzman’s removal. Guzman made it clear that, â€Å"Foreign capital will always be welcome as long as it adjusts to local conditions, always subordinate to Guatemalan laws†¦and strictly restrains from intervening in the national’s social and political life† (Heiss 173). Unfortunately, America was not willing to adhere to these laws hence the coup in 1954. Blum argues that the CIA had even tried to bribe Guzman through a Swiss bank; however, Guzman refused and consequently overthrown.Advertis ing Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lauding the CIA’s Work in Iran Despite the fact that many critics questioned the role of CIA’s in different coups, there are those who laud CIA’s intervention in different cases. For instance, in their work, The Mysterious Doings of CIA, Richard, and Gladys Harkness laud CIA’s work. According to Harkness and Harkness, â€Å"On May 28, 1953, President Eisenhower received a letter from Mossadegh†¦The United States would fill his (Mossadegh) bankruptcy account with American dollars ‘or else.’ The ‘or else’, Mossadegh hinted darkly, would be an economic agreement and mutual-defense pact with Russia† (Heiss 175). This was blackmail and CIA acted in the best interest of everyone. Moreover, it halted Iran from walking down the communism path. CIA pursued common good for everyone and freedom for those w ho tirelessly sought liberty at the risk of their lives. Downplaying the CIA, emphasizing Communism Concerning the issue of Guatemala, some scholars support Guzman’s removal. Fredrick Marks III is one of such supporters as he expounds in his work; The CIA and Castillo Armas in Guatemala; New Clues to an Old Puzzle. Mark III emphasizes that, communism was a threat to Guatemala and CIA acted appropriately by overthrowing President Guzman. The then Secretary of State John Dulles said, â€Å"Military force should not be used aggressively to achieve national goals† (Heiss 176). However, at the same time, the U.S got involved in the removal of Guzman. This fact shows that there was a good reason behind CIA’s involvement in the removal of this popularly elected president. What was it then? Marks III posits that, even though Guzman’s cabinet was void of communists, he was surrounded by them running from his advisers, through close allied legislators to communist sympathizers. â€Å"By March 1954, Church leaders, journalists, and even prominent anticommunist citizens started receiving death threats. Score of people just ‘disappeared’ and Soviet Bloc arms started pouring into the country† (Heiss 177). All these events heralded communism and not even Guzman himself could deny that. Therefore, CIA intervened just at the right time to rescue Guatemala from becoming a communist state.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The CIA in the World in the 1950’s specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Personal Point of View Well, future behaviors can be predicted through past and present behavior; therefore, it logically follows that, past behaviors can be determined from future and present behaviors. Looking at current and recent past CIA’s dealings, it is compelling to conclude that it did not act in good faith in ousting both Guzman and Mossadegh. CIA has always acted in ‘personal’ interests. For instance, when millions of innocent Rwandese citizens were being hacked to death in the 1994 massacre, the CIA was just watching and never did anything to stop these crimes against humanity. However, there has been a lot of interest from Far East and this is directly linked to the benefits that the U.S gets from the same; oil. Principles and policies do not change overnight and if CIA acted solely to prevent communism in both Iran and Guatemala, the same principles would have applied in the case of Rwanda. Unfortunately, Rwanda had nothing that would benefit the U.S; therefore, there were no ‘matters of international’ concern that would stir up the CIA. The United States of America has always acted to guard her interests and the same happened in Guatemala and Iran; unfortunately, both Mossadegh and Guzman were only victims as they treaded on dangerous grounds by opposing the U.S.; therefore, they had to go. Conclu sion CIA’s dealings in 1950s attracted friends and foes alike. There are those who supported its involvement in two different coups that saw the removal of Guzman of Guatemala and Mossadegh of Iran. Fredrick Marks III, Robert Harkeness, and Gladys Harkness are such supporters who justify CIA’s dealings. However, the likes of William Blum dismisses CIA’s dealings as ‘personal interest’ moves that had nothing to do with stopping these two countries from becoming communist states. Nevertheless, CIA has on many occasions acted in ‘personal’ interest, not for the common good of everyone. Works Cited Heiss, Mary. (Ed). â€Å"The CIA in the World in the 1950s.† Common Courage Press, 1995. This essay on The CIA in the World in the 1950’s was written and submitted by user Ciara Walton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Summary Of The Great Gatsby †English Essay

Summary Of The Great Gatsby – English Essay Free Online Research Papers Summary Of The Great Gatsby English Essay To Jay Gatsby, he only had one person he could truly confide in and tell his stories and problems to, and that person was Nick Carraway. Nick was Gatsby’s confidant, and throughout the novel exhibited ways he functioned as that confidant. Also, if Nick wasn’t in the novel, the novel would have holes and missing information that only Nick was privy to, and the story wouldn’t unfold without him. In class we discussed how Nick is the observer, basically being brought into all of the happenings in the novel between Daisy, Tom, Jordan, and Gatsby. He always seems to be dragged along, and instead of protesting he goes along with it, sometimes letting a wise crack or opinion come out of his mouth. But, throughout these happenings, he’s always been a friend to Gatsby. There are times that Nick questions whether or not Gatsby is telling the truth, or lying, but through the book Nick stays faithful to Gatsby. Since Nick stays so faithful, he witnesses events that the other characters have not witnessed. For example, you can remember back to when he’s with Tom in New York meeting Myrtle. He witnesses their relationship first hand, unlike the rest of the characters. If Nick hadn’t have been with Tom, the reader would be oblivious to how Myrtle is as a character, and as Tom’s lover. You’d also miss out on the dog Tom purchased for Myrtle, and how it connects with the death of Myrtle. Though Gatsby and Nick have a funny relationship in the novel, they still get along nicely. Nick always is questioning whether or not Gatsby is telling the truth, and Gatsby is always making sure Nick keeps his lawn trimmed to perfection. Gatsby reveals to Nick his dreams with Daisy and Gatsby never seem to let go of those dreams. Nick accepts the fact that Gatsby is hopelessly in love with a person he’ll never get back, but without him being told Gatsby’s dream, the readers wouldn’t realize how deeply infatuated Gatsby is with Daisy. The hopelessness of the romance is comical in a sense, because Nick realizes his dream will never come true because time can’t turn back. Nick seems to pop up in certain places throughout the novel, at the right time. Nick ends up at Daisy and Tom’s house after the extravaganza at the hotel in New York, and sees Gatsby watching over Daisy. While Nick is watching, he notices Tom and Daisy sitting discussing what they should do about what happened. Without Nick being present with Gatsby, the reader wouldn’t realize that Tom and Daisy were preparing to take a long trip to a far away place, deserting the problems that arose in West Egg. Last, Gatsby confides in Nick his history and his family. Nick learns how Gatsby is involved in the bond business, and how his family is â€Å"dead†. Nick also gets to see Gatsby’s father swell up with pride on his son’s achievements, when everyone else thought he was dead. Nick gets more information then any other character in the book, and he gets the same amount of information from every character. He is the only one that knows 110% about Tom, Daisy, Jordan, and Gatsby. Without Nick, there wouldn’t be a novel. Too much would be left out of the novel if Nick wasn’t there. He seals up all the cracks and holes of information and acts as a true friend to Gatsby until the end unlike any other characters in the novel. Research Papers on Summary Of The Great Gatsby - English EssayMind TravelHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayWhere Wild and West MeetHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionHip-Hop is ArtThe Spring and AutumnCapital PunishmentComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoStandardized TestingEffects of Television Violence on Children

Explore the Large Magellanic Cloud

Explore the Large Magellanic Cloud The Large Magellanic Cloud is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. It lies some 168,000 light-years away from us in the direction of the southern hemisphere constellations Dorado and Mensa. There is no one discoverer listed for the LMC (as its called), or its nearby neighbor, the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Thats because they are easily visible to the naked eye and have been known to skygazers throughout human history. Their scientific value to the astronomical community is immense: watching what happens in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds offers rich clues to understanding how galaxies that are interacting change over time. These are relatively close to the Milky Way, cosmically speaking, so they offer detailed information about the origins and evolutions of stars, nebulae, and galaxies.   Key Takeaways: Large Magellanic Cloud The Large Magellanic Cloud is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, located some 168,000 light-years from our galaxy.Both the Small Magellanic Cloud and the Large Magellanic Cloud are visible to the naked eye from southern hemisphere locations.The LMC and SMC have interacted in the past and will collide in the future. What Is the LMC? Technically, astronomers call the LMC a Magellanic spiral type galaxy. This is because, while it looks somewhat irregular, it does have a spiral bar, and it was very likely a smaller dwarf spiral galaxy in the past. Something happened to disrupt its shape. Astronomers think it was probably a collision or some interaction with the Small Magellanic Cloud. It has the mass of about 10 billion stars and stretches across 14,000 light-years of space. A portion of the Large Magellanic Cloud showing its many clusters and gas and dust lanes set against a nebula backdrop.   NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope The name for both the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds comes from the explorer Ferdinand Magellan. He sighted the LMC during his voyages and wrote about it in his logs. However, they were charted long before Magellans time, most likely by astronomers in the Middle East. There are also records of its sighting in the years before Magellans voyages by various explorers, including Vespucci.   The Science of the LMC The Large Magellanic Cloud is filled with different celestial objects. Its a very busy site for star formation and has many protostellar systems. One of its largest starbirth complexes is called the Tarantula Nebula (due to its spidery shape). There are hundreds of planetary nebulae (which form when stars like the Sun die), as well as star clusters, dozens of globular clusters, and countless massive stars.   Astronomers have identified a large central bar of gas and stars stretching across the width of the Large Magellanic Cloud. It seems to be a rather misshapen bar, with warped ends, likely due to the gravitational pull of the Small Magellanic cloud as the two interacted in the past. For many years, the LMC was classified as an irregular galaxy, but recent observations have identified its bar. Until relatively recently, scientists suspected that the LMC, SMC, and Milky Way would collide sometime in the distant future. New observations show that the orbit of the LMC around the Milky Way is too fast, and it may not ever collide with our galaxy. However, they could pass close together, the combined gravitational pull of both galaxies, plus the SMC, could further warp the two satellites and change the shape of the Milky Way.   A view of the Large Magellanic Cloud and all its star formation regions (in red). The central bar stretches across the entire galaxy. NASA/ESA/STScI Exciting Events in the LMC The LMC was the site in 1987 of an event called Supernova 1987a. That was the death of a massive star, and today, astronomers are studying an expanding ring of debris moving away from the site of the explosion. In addition to SN 1987a, the cloud is also home to a number of x-ray sources which are likely x-ray binary stars, supernova remnants, pulsars, and x-ray bright disks around black holes. The LMC  is rich with hot, massive stars that will eventually blow up as supernovae and then likely collapse to create neutron stars and more black holes.  Ã‚   The expanding cloud of material spreading out from the site of Supernova 1987a as seen in visible light from Hubble Space Telescope and x-rays from the Chandra X-Ray satellite. NASA/Chandra/Hubble   The Hubble Space Telescope has been used often to study small areas of the clouds in high detail. It has returned some very high-resolution images of star clusters, as well as star-forming nebulae and other objects. In one study, the telescope was able to peer deep into the heart of a globular cluster to discern individual stars. The centers of these tightly packed clusters are often so crowded that its nearly impossible to make out individual stars. Hubble has enough power to do that and reveal details about the characteristics of individual stars inside the cluster cores.   Hubble Space Telescope looked at the globular cluster NGC 1854 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. It was able to see individual stars at the heart of the cluster. NASA/ESA/STScI   HST is not the only telescope studying the LMC. Ground-based telescopes with large mirrors, such as the Gemini Observatory and Keck observatories, can now make out details inside the galaxy.   Astronomers have also known for quite some time that there is a bridge of gas that connects both the LMC and the SMC. Until recently, however, it wasnt clear why it was there. They now think that the bridge of gas shows that the two galaxies have interacted in the past. This region is also rich in star-forming sites, which is another indicator of galaxy collisions and interactions. As these objects do their cosmic dance with each other, their mutual gravitational pull tugs gas out into long streamers, and shock waves set off spasms of star formation in the gas.   The globular clusters in the LMC are also giving astronomers deeper insights into how their starry members evolve. Like most other stars, the members of globulars are born in clouds of gas and dust. However, for a globular to form, there must be a lot of gas and dust in a relatively small amount of space. As stars are born in this tight-knit nursery, their gravity keeps them close to each other.   At the other ends of their lives (and stars in globulars are very, very old), they die in much the same way other stars do: by losing their outer atmospheres and puffing them off to space. For stars like the Sun, its a gentle puff. For very massive stars, its a catastrophic outburst. Astronomers are quite interested in how stellar evolution affects cluster stars throughout their entire lives.   Finally, astronomers are interested in both the LMC and the SMC because they are likely to collide again in about 2.5 billion years. Because theyve interacted in the past, observers now look for evidence of those past meetings. They can then model what those clouds will do when they do merge again, and how it will look to astronomers in the very distant future.   Charting the Stars of the LMC For many years, the European Southern Observatory in Chile scanned the Large Magellanic Cloud, capturing images of the stars in and around both Magellanic Clouds. Their data were compiled into the MACS, the Magellanic Catalog of Stars.   This catalog is mainly used by professional astronomers. A recent addition is the LMCEXTOBJ, an extended catalog put together in the 2000s. It includes clusters and other objects within the clouds.   Observing the LMC The best view of the LMC is from the southern hemisphere, although it can be glimpsed low on the horizon from some southerly parts of the northern hemisphere. Both the LMC and the SMC look like ordinary clouds in the sky. They are clouds, in a sense: star clouds. They can be scanned with a good telescope, and are favorite objects for astrophotographers.   Sources Administrator, NASA Content. â€Å"Large Magellanic Cloud.† NASA, NASA, 9 Apr. 2015, www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2434.html.â€Å"Magellanic Clouds | COSMOS.† Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/M/Magellanic Clouds.Multiwavelength Large Magellanic Cloud - Irregular Galaxy, coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/multiwavelength_astronomy/multiwavelength_museum/lmc.html.

Effects of Vietnam War on American Society Essay

Effects of Vietnam War on American Society - Essay Example However, 5 years after the fall of the Saigon, there seemed to be a renewal in the interest of the Vietnamese war. Network television, music and even Hollywood made the Vietnam War almost a part of the American culture. The veterans of the war together with journalists and scholars seemed to have immediately discovered a basis for their literature. Most of the messages that were conveyed from the materials produced on the war were pegged on the lessons gained from it as well as the legacies that it had left. The focus was on the extent of damage that the war had on the attitudes of the Americans, the institutions and on the foreign policies that the government had adopted. The Vietnam War was referred by some as the worst occurrence in the then 200 year history of the US. The immediate reaction of the nation was to evaluate the damage that the war had, not only in the physical sense, but also in terms of lost confidence and pride by the people who had long regarded their country as t he epitome of power and as an invincible force. The war was a very costly affair. The exact amount spent was estimated to have been $167 billion (Chambers 3). The economic woes that befell the decision by the then president, Lyndon B. Johnson, to finance the war and the Great Society were translated to the population in terms of increased taxes, double-digit figures in terms of inflation and an increase in the federal debt that was responsible for the lowering of the living standards of the citizens. The war had also served to weaken the political power and competence of the ruling class. The public lost faith in the government in the aftermath of the war. All forms of authority in the country at the time were treated with skeptism that almost resembled cynicism accompanied by high degrees of distrust and suspicion. After 5 years of silence, the public decided to voice their opinions and these were characterized by strong antiwar sentiments. In the wake of these events, the military suffered the worst effects as it was discredited and treated casually for a number of years. There is no other point in history where Americans had as low an opinion for public institutions as the period after the Vietnam War. The bipartisan consensus that America had enjoyed since the end of the Second World War and which supported its foreign policy was dissolved with the public became wary of any calls for the country to intervene in areas where democracy was lacking. There was uproar especially from members of the Democratic Party who questioned the role of America as the world?s policeman. The then democratic majority in congress passed a resolution that barred a president from sending any troops to war for a period beyond 90 days without the congressional consent. Congress further put a limit to the powers that the country could exercise in pursuit of objectives arising from foreign policy. The country struggled to avert the Vietnam syndrome that was associated with the negat ive effects that enfolded there. This syndrome came into play when President Reagan proposed intervention in Nicaragua and also when President Bush I decided to drive the Iraqis out of Kuwait. Although the interventions were successful, the Vietnam syndrome had not completely left the minds of the American as was witnessed in the decision by President Clinton to send peacekeeping troops

Utilization Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Utilization Management - Essay Example Concurrent utilization however has certain strengths as well as some weaknesses. The strengths of the concurrent utilization review pertain to the fact that the concurrent utilization review can highlight the differences and discrepancies that exit in the different business processes across an industry. Moreover the concurrent utilization theory can also highlight the responsibility and accountability factor in the different processes and how it is being handled by the different firms. (Schlesinger & Gray, 1997) The other advantage of the concurrent approach for utilization review is that multiple entities can be thoroughly and comprehensively reviewed in terms of their workflows and utilization strategies. The effect of the different firms and their strategies for operation and utilization can also be studies through the concurrent utilization review. As a result the professional autonomy of the system is clearly depicted in a comparative manner, enabling the reviewer to cross check and compare the results with the review of other similar firms in the same industry. Conclusively it can be depicted that three strengths of the concurrent utilization rev... The reasons that justify this selection of strengths of the concurrent review for utilization pertain to the fact that professional autonomy and effects of accountability are specially and clearly depicted by the concurrent utilization review. They are the most important element ion any business, specifically in the medical field as in the subject case study. The analysis of the work flow and business processes for utilization as per the utilization review helps the end user in linking responsibility and autonomy to the different actors and the functions in the business process. 2. Identify two weaknesses of concurrent utilization review which you believe to be a significant issue. Discuss how the weakness has been compensated for, if at all, and your opinion as to whether you believe it may just eventually compromise the benefits of concurrent utilization review. The main objective of the concurrent utilization review is to make sure that the peoples/ patients in the inpatients as well as the outpatients function or departments have to stay the minimum required and needed time in the facility. This is to ensure that the other patients waiting in line for service and attention can be providing the medical care facility in the hospital and medical centers without congestion and lack of service quality in the facility and aid provided to them. This basically means that the workflow for the incoming and the treatment of the patients has to be managed and utilized in order to ensure that all customers get a standardized form of treatment in the medical facility. As mentioned earlier this is one of the main strengths of the concurrent utilization review. The weakness of

Developing a Learning Organisation: HRM

Developing a Learning Organisation: HRM You are a HRM manager in a global company. Your CEO has made it a strategic priority that the company should become a learning organisation. You have been asked by the CEO to manage this project. Discuss what is meant by a learning organisation, why it is important and as a HR manager how you would establish and develop a learning culture in the organisation. WHAT IS HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT? WHAT MAKES STRATEGIC HRM MORE STRATEGIC THAN HRM Strategic HRM has become topical in recent years but years but definitions as to what is meant by the term vary widely. XXX. Typically, strategic HRM bridges business strategy and HRM and focuses on the integration of HR with the business and its environment. The main rationale for strategic HRM thinking is that by integrating HRM with the business strategy, rather than HR strategies being a separate set of priorities, employees will be managed more effectively, organizational performance will improve and therefore business success will follow. This in itself may not be enough. Tony Grundy (1998) suggests: Human Resources Strategy in itself may not be effective. Integrating Corporate Strategy and HR matters into an Organization and People Strategy may prove more successful. Human resources management needs to be closely integrated with managerial planning and decision making (i.e., international human resources, forecasting, planning, and mergers and acquisitions). Increasingly, an organizations top management is aware that the time to consider organizational HRM strengths or limitations is when strategic organizational decisions are being formulated, not after critical policies have been decided. A closer integration between top managements goals and HRM practices helps to elicit and reward the types of behavior necessary for achieving an organizations strategy. For example, if an organization is planning to become known for its high-quality products, HRM staff should design appraisal and reward systems that emphasize quality in order to support this competitive strategy. Strategic HRM is an outcome, as organizational systems are designed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage through people. For others, however, SHRM is viewed as a process, the process of linking HR practices to business strategy (Armstrong, 2006). Strategic management of human resources includes HRM planning. The HRM planning process involves forecasting HRM needs and developing programs to ensure that the right numbers and types of individuals are available at the right time and place. Such information enables an organization to plan its recruitment, selection, and training strategies. For example, lets say an organizations HRM plan estimates that 12 additional information systems (IS) technicians will be needed during the next year. The organization typically hires recent IS graduates to fill such positions. Because these majors are in high demand, the organization decides to begin its recruiting early in the school year, before other organizations can snatch away the best candidates. WHAT IS AN LEARNING ORGANISATION According to Peter Senge (1990: 3) learning organizations are: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦organizations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together. A learning organization is simply put an organization that learns and encourages learning among its people and knowledge which innovates fast enough to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing environment. It provides exchange of information hence creating a more knowledgeable workforce. This produces a more flexible organization encouraging risk taking with new ideas, allows mistakes, learn from experience and adapt to new ideas and changes through a shared vision. Learning organizations are not simply the most fashionable or current management trend, they can provide work environments that are open to creative thought, and embrace the concept that solutions to ongoing work-related problems are available inside each and every one of us. All we must do is tap into the knowledge base, which gives us the ability to think critically and creatively, the ability to communicate ideas and concepts, and the ability to cooperate with other human beings in the process of inquiry and action (Navran Associates Newsletter 1993). (Navran Associates Newsletter.) THE FIVE DISCIPLINES Peter Senge is a leading writer in the area of learning organizations, whose seminal works The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization, and The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization explain that there are five disciplines, which must be mastered when introducing such an organization: Shared Vision: The key vision question is What do we want to create together?. Taking time early in the change process to have the conversations needed to shape a truly shared vision is crucial to build common understandings and commitments, unleash peoples aspirations and hopes and unearth reservations and resistances.   Leaders learn to use tools such as Positive Visioning, Concept-shifting and Values Alignment to create a shared vision, forge common meaning/focus and mutually agree what the learning targets, improvement strategies and challenge-goals should be to get there. (Senge 1990: 9) Mental Models: One key to change success is in surfacing deep-seated mental models beliefs, values, mind-sets and assumptions that determine the way people think and act. Getting in touch with the thinking going on about change in your workplace, challenging or clarifying assumptions and encouraging people to reframe is essential.   Leaders learn to use tools like the Ladder of Inference and Reflective Inquiry to practise making their mental models clearer for each other and challenging each others assumptions in order to build shared understanding. (Senge 1990: 8) Personal Mastery is centrally to do with self-awareness how much we know about ourselves and the impact our behaviour has on others. Personal mastery is the human face of change to manage change relationships sensitively, to be willing to have our own beliefs and values challenged and to ensure our change interactions and behaviours are authentic, congruent and principled. Leaders learn to use tools like Perceptual Positions and Reframing to enhance the quality of interaction and relationship in and outside their teams. (Senge 1990: 139) Team Learning happens when teams start thinking together sharing their experience, insights, knowledge and skills with each other about how to do things better. Teams develop reflection, inquiry and discussion skills to conduct more skillful change conversations with each other which form the basis for creating a shared vision of change and deciding on common commitments to action. Its also about teams developing the discipline to use the action learning cycle rigorously in change-work.   Leaders learn to use tools like the Action-Learning Cycle and Dialogue to develop critical reflection skills and conduct more robust, skillful discussions with their teams and each other.   (Senge 1990: 10) Systems Thinking is a framework for seeing inter-relationships that underlie complex situations and interactions rather than simplistic (and mostly inaccurate) linear cause-effect chains. It enables teams to unravel the often hidden subtleties, influences, leverage points and intended/unintended consequences of change plans and programs and leads to deeper, more complete awareness of the interconnections behind changing any system. Leaders learn to use Systems Thinking Maps and Archetypes to map and analyse situations, events, problems and possible causes/courses of action to find better (and often not obvious) change options/solutions. (Peter Senge (1990: 23) THREE TYPES OF ORGANISATION LEARNING Single-Loop Learning Double-Loop Learning Triple-Loop Learning Are we doing things right? Are we doing the right things? How do we decide what is right? Single-Loop Learning Single-loop learning assumes that problems and their solutions are close to each other in time and space (thought they often arent). In this form of learning, we are primarily considering our actions. Small changes are made to specific practices or behaviors, based on what has or has not worked in the past. This involves doing things better without necessarily examining or challenging our underlying beliefs and assumptions. The goal is improvements and fixes that often take the form of procedures or rules. Single-loop learning leads to making minor fixes or adjustments, like using a thermostat to regulate temperature. Are we doing things right? Heres what to do-procedures or rules. Double-Loop Learning Double-loop learning leads to insights about why a solution works. In this form of learning, we are considering our actions in the framework of our operating assumptions. This is the level of process analysis where people become observers of themselves, asking, What is going on here? What are the patterns? We need this insight to understand the pattern. We change the way we make decisions and deepen understanding of our assumptions. Double-loop learning works with major fixes or changes, like redesigning an organizational function or structure. Are we doing the right things? Heres why this works-insights and patterns. Triple-Loop Learning Triple-loop learning involves principles. The learning goes beyond insight and patterns to context. The result creates a shift in understanding our context or point of view. We produce new commitments and ways of learning. This form of learning challenges us to understand how problems and solutions are related, even when separated widely by time and space. It also challenges us to understand how our previous actions created the conditions that led to our current problems. The relationship between organizational structure and behavior is fundamentally changed because the organization learns how to learn. The results of this learning includes enhancing ways to comprehend and change our purpose, developing better understanding of how to respond to our environment, and deepening our comprehension of why we chose to do things we do. How do we decide what is right? Heres why we want to be doing this-principles. LEARNING ORIENTATIONS CREATING A LEARNING ORGANISATION The very first thing needed to create a learning organization is effective leadership, not based on traditional hierarchy, but a mix of different people from all levels of the system to lead in different ways (Senge 1996). Secondly, there must be the realization that we all have inherent power to find solutions to the problems we are faced with, and that we can and will envision a future for our library system and forge ahead to create it. As Gephart and associates point out in Learning Organizations Come Alive, the culture is the glue that holds an organization together; a learning organizations culture is based on openness and trust, where employees are supported and rewarded for learning and innovating, and one that promotes experimentation, risk taking, and values the well-being of all employees (Gephart 1996,39). Here we will look at the three aspects of leadership that he identifies and link his discussion with some other writers on leadership. Overall, to create a culture and environment that will be the foundation for a learning organization, people must realize the beginning comes with a shift of mind from seeing ourselves as separate from the world to connected to the world (Senge 1996,37); from seeing ourselves as integral components in the workplace, rather than as separate and unimportant, robotic caricatures. Finally, one of the biggest challenges that must be overcome in any organization, is to identify and breakdown the ways people reason defensively. Until then, change can never be anything but a passing phase (Argyris 1991,106). Everyone must learn that the steps they use to define and solve problems can be a source of additional problems for the organization (Argyris 1991,100). References Single-Loop and Double-Loop Models in Research on Decision Making Author(s): Chris Argyris Source: Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 21, No. 3 (Sep., 1976), pp. 363-375 Published by: Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2391848 Senge, P. (1998) The Practice of Innovation, Leader to Leader 9 http://pfdf.org/leaderbooks/l2l/summer98/senge.html Senge, P. et. al. (1994) The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization Senge, P., Kleiner, A., Roberts, C., Ross, R., Roth, G. and Smith, B. (1999) The Dance of Change: The Challenges of Sustaining Momentum in Learning Organizations, New York: Doubleday/Currency). Senge, P., Cambron-McCabe, N. Lucas, T., Smith, B., Dutton, J. and Kleiner, A. (2000) Schools That Learn. A Fifth Discipline Fieldbook for Educators, Parents, and Everyone Who Cares About Education, New York: Doubleday/Currency