Drug Abuse on High School Students Essay

The hypothesis for this report is that as an individual increases drug use, their success within their education decreases. To prove this is true, there were many investigations involved in the process. Firstly, there was secondary research provided in order to see the drug use of all teenagers in Ontario, as well as dropout rates in Ontario as a whole. As well as definitions, general drug information, and other factors of these variables. Then, there was primary research used to compare the findings from the secondary research to just a sample of students from the Catholic Central High School community. In order to further research the topic of the effects of drug use on high school students and its correlation to educational achievement, 24 surveys were conducted within the Catholic Central High School community (refer to appendix, pg. 2-3), and of these 24 participants, approximately 8% are grade 9 students, 21% being grade 10 students, 29% being grade 11 students, and 42% being grade 12 students (refer to appendix, pg. 4, graph A). Secondary research states that according to the Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS, 2007), 65% of teens say they use drugs to â€Å"feel cool† and to have the approval of others, and their desire for social acceptance. Contrarily, primary research showed that 50% of students surveyed think that friends do not have any influence in their decisions regarding drug or alcohol use, whereas 33% think they do have influence (refer to appendix, pg. 4, graph B). According to Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada (2010), 73% of teens report that number-one reason for using drugs is to deal with the pressures and the stress for school. Likewise, primary research states that 70. 6% of the 24 participants have consumed drugs or alcohol before or during school hours, which shows how teenagers are using school as an excuse to consume drugs or alcohol (refer to appendix, pg. 4, graph C). Primary research indicates that 70. 8% of the students surveyed have experimented with drugs (refer to appendix, pg. 5, graph D), and also, these drugs that they have experimented with were for non-medical purposes. Surprisingly, the top 5 drugs most consumed by the participants are Marijuana (100%), Tobacco (47. 1%), Salvia (41. 2%), Mushrooms (35. 3%), and Cocaine (29. 4%). Refer to appendix, pg. 5, graph E). Similarly, secondary research shows that many teens, 51% to be exact, mistakenly believe that it’s safer to abuse a prescription drug than it is to use illegal drugs. Secondary research explains that the majority of teenagers consume drugs or alcohol because their parents are not paying enough attention to their teenage children, because of family problems, because they have family members who have drug or alcohol addiction problems, or because they are living in a single-parent household which would aslo mean that that single parent does not have enough time to know what their children are up to. Contrastingly, primary research shows that within the students surveyed, 58. 3% are part of a nuclear family (mother, father, and 1 or more biological or adopted children). (Refer to appendix, pg. 5, graph F). Also, 75% do not have family members with drug addiction problems (Refer to appendix, pg. 6, graph G). According to Canada’s Labour Force Survey (1990), nearly 340,000 young people aged 20 to 24, or 1 out of every 6 (16. 6%) had not obtained a high school diploma and were not enrolled in school due to their involvement with mostly tobacco and also illicit drugs. Canada’s Labour Force passed the same survey almost 20 years later, in 2010, the dropout rate decreased and it was now 1 in every 12 (8. 5%) of 20 to 24 year-olds that had not obtained their high school diploma due to the same reasons mentioned above. Contradictorily, primary research demonstrates that out of the 24 participants, 20 of them (83. 3%) feel that students who drop out of high school are stereotyped as people who are involved in drug/alcohol related activities (refer to appendix, pg. , graph H). And also, that 75% of the students think that alcohol and drug use has increased over time among teenagers (refer to appendix, pg. 6, graph I). To conclude, it was found that the primary research and the secondary research are both similar and different in many ways, as in some points the articles, books, and online resources agrees with what the 24 participants know and think about the topic being discussed, and sometimes it does not.

Mass media doesn’t tell you what to think, but it tells you what to think about Essay

Body 1 According to Stanley J. Baran’s (2002) definition of Agenda setting, it is a theory that argues that the media may not tell us what to think, but the media tells us what to think about. Since the media cannot tell us what to think, it cannot dictate ones’ opinion on a subject. An example of this is the subject of taxes. This issue is commonly discussed by the media, but it is up to the audience’s interpretation of higher or lower taxes will benefit the individual. To further support this claim a study called â€Å"The People’s Choice† was conducted in 1972 by Maxwell E. McCombs and Donald L. Shaw. These scholars from the University of North Carolina studied the role of mass media in the presidential campaign in the town of Chapel Hill. In the study they selected 100 undecided voters, because this group of people were â€Å"presumably those most open or susceptible to campaign information.† (Dearing and Rodgers,1992, p.6) In a three week perio d prior to the election these respondents were interviewed. The voter’s public agenda issues were measured by the survey question â€Å"what are you most concerned about these days?† This was interpreted as â€Å"What issues should the government emphasize more?† Out of the 100 voters, the five most common responses were law and order, foreign policy, public welfare, civil rights, and fiscal policy. The media agenda was made up of counting the number of news articles, editorials, and broadcast stories from the nine mass media broadcasters of Chapel Hill. Surprisingly, the results yielded in an almost perfect correlation between the rank order of the media agenda and the rank order of the public agenda. Thus meaning that the higher number of press a government issue had, the more the public voters ranked the subject being more important. Relating back to the statement of â€Å"Mass media doesn’t tell you what to think, but it tells you what to think about †, the voters were not told how to vote (hence they were undecided), but rather the media implemented on what topics to vote for. This can be seen as: the media telling the public what to think about. Body 2 Furthermore, with the rise of television, radio, propaganda, and advertising, a counter argument may be created. The Hypodermic Needle Theory states that the mass media does tell you what to think. This theory suggests that the population is seen as a sitting duck. Mass amounts of ideas can be implemented straight into the population with the intent for a desired response. The population is sought out to be powerless, and have no choice but to accept the ideas. The people are seen as passive and believe what is told because it is the only source of information. In the event of â€Å"War of the Worlds† that was broadcasted on October 30th, 1938 as a hoax played a supportive claim to this theory. During the event, a broadcast on the radio was interrupted by a news bulletin. The audience was told that there was an alien invasion. Out of the twelve million people who heard the broadcast, only one million people believe it and or reacted to it. Scholars and theorist connect the hyp odermic needle theory and this broadcast together. What makes this argument weak is that eleven million people did not react the way the media intended them too.

Managerial Accounting In Business Essay

Managerial Accounting is known as the tongue of business. Formalization of data and numbers in such a manner so as to help to arrive at decision making and financial planning is the main object of accounting process. While book keeping is mainly concerned with organizing and keeping records, i.e. books of accounts but managerial accounting are employed to examine the data of information for taking major business decisions. Managerial reports are prepared from Managerial accounting statements. Managerial accounting assists managers to plan and manage an organization’s operations. Budgets are prepared to convey management’s goals in financial terms by measuring, identifying, analyzing, accumulating, communicating and interpreting accounting and financial information. Over a period, performance reports are prepared to evaluate the actual results with that of budgeted one. With the help of cost accountants, the management keeps watch of how much it costs a company to manufacture a product or to provide the service. (Horngreen, Stratton & Sundem, p.5) Managerial accounting does not require complying with rules and procedures of the GAPP. An organisation can develop its own internal accounting system that will suit most to the needs of the company. Managerial report is a devise for using a financial metric (dollars) as a normalizing mechanism for taking decision about different choices and alternatives. For instance, a managerial report helps you to come to a conclusion whether it is better to add 1000 customer account advocates in a call centre in UK, against staffing a user experience and technical writing department in California and investing in billions in intuitive products, Managerial reporting helps to take decisions and to do right thing. The practice of financial analysis   germinate from the budgeting and accounting reports of an organisation and thus directs to generation of managerial reports that explain into the firm’s overall strategic decision making process. Hence the quality of the report at all level is more significant. The financial statement should reflect the true fiscal position of the organisation and it should not be an obscure. Financial and managerial reports should disclose a factual picture of the organization’s performance, making it to the outsiders and financial analyst to interpret financial results on their own. MAKING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS THROUGH APPLICATION OF FINANCIAL DECISIONS: In this chapter, let us view how financial analysis and reporting are processed and is being used as efficient financial tools. For all decisions made in an organisation must be based on prudent financial information and careful analysis. Can we open a new branch? How many hours per week can we afford to operate our factory? How productive is our employees? How much money is being lost on workers idle time? How cost effective was the training intercession? Can we prolong our services at current costs?   To answer to all the above questions, a manager needs financial and managerial input mainly accounting data’s. (Wertheim Paul, 1993) A prudent financial analysis may help to diagnose the deficiencies in other management areas like project or program management, human resource management, the availability and use of technology or the organization’s leadership. As a curative measure, a manager may have to review his organization’s management strategies, resources, structures, internal and external information needs and capabilities. This broad view may help to enlighten manager’s perspective on how financial management contributes to one’s organisation. Thus this will induce the manager to suitably design or change the chart of accounts, reports, improve financial reforms and databases and train staff to efficiently employ financial information on continuous basis. 2.1. Deciding on Labour and Staffing patterns: Employee cost will disclose the hours worked, cost of staff time and this will help the manager to analyse the labor, compensation issues and staffing matters. One can evaluate from good financial data to study how overtime pay and leave pay accrual are influencing labor costs or employee cost of the organisation. This financial analysis can reveal which actions are most labour oriented which may guide you to restructure management processes and control the level of effort of employees of an organisation. (Hake, E. R., 2005). 2.2 Fixing fees for services and other fees: Cost to provide a particular service can be derived from financial data’s of an organisation as this will help the management to take critical decisions like estimating prices for any products or services , developing budgets , bidding for new projects or business or planning in reduction of costs. If the cost per service of an organisation is arrived at, then it will be easy to take into other factors such so as to come to a decision how to offset these costs. 2.3 Determing the combination of services: Cost per unit of production, cost per unit sold of different services and their cost effectiveness can be derived from financial data of an organisation and this can be utilized to decide to which services to provide, emphasize, promote or subdize. Further information’s like clientele, catchments’ population, service utilization and service volume are also needed for this purpose. By monitoring the services which are rarely used or often lose money, a manager can conclude how best to apply appropriate changes. 2.4 Estimating future supply costs and inventory: From the financial data of an organisation we can infer the price fluctuations, consumption patterns, the costs of keeping supplies in stock which includes transportation, logistics, personnel and facilities management. A manager can use this information for taking decisions such as which supplier to select, which supplier has to be renegotiated, to purchase inventory on a seasonal basis so as to reap the benefit of price advantage through out the year. A manager has also to decide whether the costs of spoiled and expired stock need to be controlled or contained. 2.5 Analysis of Variance: A variance analysis is an exhaustive assessment of disparity between actual and planned results. The main three part of variance analysis are assessment of the actual cost with that of budgeted cost (expenses), assessment of the intended quantity of an activity or procurement with the actual quantity and valuation of the actual output with the planned output. (Kohl beck, M., 2005). 2.6 Budget: It can be explained as a detailed financial plan revealing expected future income and expenses. As an effective controlling tool, it helps to scrutinize current operating environments of an organisation. Immediate corrective action can be resorted by analyzing  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   and on reviewing and reacting variances between expected and actual expenses once variance is reported. 2.7 CASH FLOW STATEMENT: It signifies how cash was engendered and how it was used up for the business purpose. It discloses the incoming   and outgoing of cash in an organisation and it reports various types like cash flow from financial activities, cash flow from operating activities and cash flow from investing activities. It is being deployed by financial managers to assess whether there will be sufficient cash on hand to meet expenditure requirements. RISK MANAGEMENT: A prudent manager can manage the risky conditions by constant examining of financial status of his organisation. Certain happenings may bring potential impairment to the organisation. For instance, a sudden increase in repair costs and sharp decline in sales revenue may leave the organisation without enough funds to provide services and fulfill objectives. A manager must review likely risk and to shun or control perilous situations like failure to meet quality, performance, budget objectives. Financial data’s are the immense source in risk management process which will help to quantify the risks by resources type like inventory, employees, cash, facility or receivables. Finance managers normally apply two techniques for handling risk mitigation and contingency planning. Risk alleviation guarantee strategies and procedures to control, prevent, or reduction of impact of the risk event if it transpires. For instance, if there is risk of fall in sales revenues, a mitigation technique would be to add more products or diversification of business so that the decline in sales of a particular product may not be detrimental. Like wise, a contingency plan would be to add up a reserve fund that could be used to supplement the fall in sales revenue due to competitors strategy or depression. (Kristy James E., 1994) PRUDENT MANAGEMENT DECISIONS FROM FINANCIAL DATAS: One of the critical financial management aspects is to build good financial decisions. Since financial management influences all parts of management, it is better to recognize and realize the sound financial management and discover how to use sound financial information. One of the best ways to compare the financial performance is to look into the competitor’s performance. For instance, a hospital may look into the hospital wide financial reporting which helps to understand how they have performed and to analyse the reasons for poor performance if any. Comparing the gross and net margin with the other hospitals will help to fix the loophole. Further comparison of actual with that of budgets will also assist to know whether revenue and expenses are with in the budgeted range and if there is a variance, the reasons for the same. A hospital may keep a strict eye on its margins and various means to measure the level of profitability by having close watch on emergency department visits, inpatients admissions, surgeries, revenues from scan and x-rays and blood testing etc. This information will help a hospital to manage its cost either on monthly or periodical basis. Admission rates, costs and gross revenues may act as best performance indicators. For example, if the number of outpatient department visits at a particular facility is trailing back, then CEO will talk to physician to know the reasons. Thus managerial report helps to take a decision for the discontinuance of a poorly performing product line.[1] CASH FLOW RATIOS CAN BE EMPLOYED TO FIND REASONS FOR BUSINESS FAILURES: Cash flow information can be utilized to find out the success or failure of the business in advance as it has been evident from the previous empirical studies like Gentry, 1984, Bernard and Stober, 1989, Carslaw and Mills ,1991 , BarNiv 1990. Most of these studies have found that the level of cash inflows and outflows from various activities are highly interconnected and a failure of any part of the system to function may jeopardize or cause the entire firm to fail. (Glover, J. C., 2005) The key ratios are [2] Current ratio:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2 to 1, Quick ratio  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1 to 1 Liquidity ratio  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   0.40 to 1 Equity / debt ratio  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     1.65 to 1 Return on Equity  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   14% If you apply the above ratio and can find out the 80% of the financial health of any company. For instance, if unusual increase in accounts receivable may lead to conclusion that accounts receivable are being managed very badly and may result in high bad debts. But if you have at closer look, you may find out that the company may have introduced a new product or a new market where such receivables are considered to be rational and the new product may elevate the company to soaring heights later or vice-versa. Financial Ratio’s can foretell warning signs: Companies in distress offer difficult analytical problems for analyst. Financial problems like problem in meeting obligations like equity deficiencies, liquidity problems, funds shortage and debt default. Operation problems may result in prospective revenues may be doubtful, ability to operate in danger, consistent failure in operational success, inefficient management, poor control over business operations. Special indicators like incurring operating losses , initiation of liquidity process , a waning allocation of product market , delaying payments to short term creditors , skipping of dividends , bond default and rating changes , bank account excessively overdrawn , insufficiency of cash flows . (Barker, R., 2004). The major disadvantages of the financial ratios include the timeliness of the financial statements, location within the trade cycle, the lack of consideration of the business sector and the overlook of accounting policies. The financial ratios are the best indicators for further examination and not to be construed as a means themselves. CONCLUSION: Thus, management reports are very key elements of the business world. Most of the companies have some form of each type of accounting knitted into their business operations. By adopting appropriate standards for each, the company will be able to successfully keep track of their financial standing for internal as well as external objectives. Banks and financial institutions which have vested interest in borrowing firms should ascertain that the borrowers have to adopt policies regarding requiring customer to prepare the financial reports as per the guidance of Generally accepted accounting principles ,auditor rotation , necessary information on off balance sheet items . Financial analyst should view corporate financial statements and pay special attention to accountant’s opinion letter, management discussion, and the notes to the statements and analysis on public companies and also consider the implications of management’s decisions relative to accounting policies. A financial analyst should also review the company’s latest form 8-k, which is filed with SEC which records the occurrence of any material events or corporate changes of importance to investors or lenders like any disagreement the firm has had with the auditors, any of late changes in the constituent of audit firm.( Saatci, E,2004) By diligent financial analysis, one can identify the accounting irregularities from the financial and managerial reports of an organisation and thus avoid doing business with the management of questionable integrity. Likewise, benchmarking surveys and best practices reviews are beneficial tools for detection of problems, finding out ways to improve and signaling positive changes. Though benchmarking and best practices are modern tools for business improvement but they will not cure everything that is ailing a company. Benchmarking and best practices initiatives are most triumphant when they are advanced with an open mind and the belief that they symbolize an education process. Cash flow information can be utilized to find out the success or failure of the business in advance as it has been evident from the previous empirical studies like Gentry, 1984, Bernard and Stober, 1989, Carslaw and Mills ,1991 , BarNiv 1990 Operation problems may result in prospective revenues may be doubtful, ability to operate in danger, consistent failure in operational success, inefficient management, poor control over business operations. Special indicators like incurring operating losses , initiation of liquidity process , a waning allocation of product market , delaying payments to short term creditors , skipping of dividends , bond default and rating changes , Bank account excessively overdrawn , insufficiency of cash flows . Thus this study proves that the company’s managerial report and internal report are excellent tools for the measurement of efficacy and financial achievement and also a diagnostic tool to detect the perils in advance to undertake correctional measures. A company may overcome its negative factors by undertaking timely correctional methods through its managerial and financial ratios or else it has to remain as an old dog which never learns new tricks.       BIBILIOGRAPHY:    Horngreen C.T, Straton, W.O & Sundem, G.L, Introduction to Management accounting (12th ed,), Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Montgomery, H., Lipshitz, R., & Brehmer, B. (Eds.). (2005). How Professionals Make Decisions. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Cocheo, S. (2005). The Efficiency Ratio: How Good a Tool? ABA Banking Journal, 97(6), 10+.          [1] ‘Are you keeping an eye on your organization’s financial pulse? Healthcare financial Management, Dec 2005. [2] Kristy James E., ‘Conquering financial ratios: the good, the bad and the who cares? –Business Credit, Feb, 1994.

Playing God in the Garden-Planting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Playing God in the Garden-Planting - Essay Example Biotechnology foods may be unnerving to some, but in our quest to feed the world at an affordable cost we need to make some trade offs. Pollans article is a good common sense look at the subject. Nothing comes without a risk, but companies and investors that take that risk need to know that they are making a bet on their own reputation and their financial future. First of all, Bio-Toxin potatoes are not as unsafe as some of the chemicals used in conventional food products. With every new innovation in pest or weed management, there comes a risk of one-day discovering a long-term health effect. The age of chemicals introduced Alar, DDT, and Heptachlor as a miracle application that would produce more food at a lower cost. They were discovered to be extremely harmful to the ecology of our planet as well as our personal health. Socially, we reversed our direction and the industry developed safer products. Unlike the past, Monsanto needs to put its money where its mouth is in regards to its belief that the new genetically engineering approach is safe. Of course, when weve seen the results of tobacco, asbestos, and Enron, there are few reasons to trust a multi-national conglomeration with their reach. The public needs to hold Monsanto and the scores of other biotechnology companies financially and socially responsible for their products. The FDA and the EPA have passed the ball back and forth but have refused to get involved in the game. They have left it to the companies and they and their investors need to be aware that they will be held accountable. Past genetic engineering was slow and took generations to produce any results. 50 years ago, plant geneticists were crossing drought resistant soybeans with a variety that was resistant to mold. After generations of selection, they had a new variety that had the mold resistant gene. Today, this is done in a petri dish in a fraction of the time. There is little difference in the two

Accessibility or Accountability Annotated Bibliography

Accessibility or Accountability - Annotated Bibliography Example The author of the article discusses the controversies between the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. He addresses the problems that take roots in the melding of NCBH and the IDEA. In the course of the analysis, the author defines that the IDEA appears to be suitable and acceptable for the individuals with disabilities than NCLB and invites the U. S. Department of Education to stop the tension between the two acts. The article is important for the understanding of the issue of the collision between the acts and shows the point of view of the counterparty which is opposite to that one discussed in Kaufman and Blewett's article. Â  The article under consideration presents the results of the research on the effectiveness of the No Child Left Behind Act in increasing student achievement rates. In accordance with the authors of the research, despite the negative predictions, the NCLB Act has a positive influence on the rates of student achievement. The article shows that there are significant improvements not only among students with average achievements but among those ones from low-achieving groups. The article can be used in the research while discussing the positive outcomes of the introduction of the Act to the system of education. Â  In the article, Research Professor of Sociology at John Hopkins University Joyce L. Epstein discusses 1118 section of the No Child Left Behind Act that touches upon parental involvement. More specifically, the author of the article presents her own views on the requirements to parental involvement considered in the NCLB Act, gives a range of example from practice.

Determination of Proteins Using Biuret and Lowry Assay Techniques Essay

Determination of Proteins Using Biuret and Lowry Assay Techniques - Essay Example Protein assay is critical in the analysis of agricultural, industrial and biotechnological products. As argued by Bama et al. (2010), it is also important for research especially in analysis of enzymes, lectins and antibodies. This paper covers two kinds of assays used in quantitating total proteins. These includes the biuret and lowry techniques. Biuret assay, which is the least sensitive assay is among the coulometric methods (Quereshi et al. 2010). It is mostly used due to its simplicity and less susceptibility to chemical interference. The assay is dependent on polypeptide chelation of cupric iron in strong alkali. According to Mizuta et al. (2005), most biuret assays are used in samples containing 1 to 10mg protein/ml, which is then diluted five-fold by other reagents to form deep purple color. On the other hand, the Lowry method is a colorimetric assay that is based on folin-ciocalteau reagent and cupric ions of phenolic groups (Muyonga, Cole & Duodu, 2004). It is a popular pro tein estimation procedure even though highly susceptible to discerning compounds that interfere and distort solubility of insoluble proteins. The assay starts with copper ion complex that has peptide bonds, which are stabilized by tartrate in alkaline environment popular known as biuret chromophore. Gornall, Bardawill and David (1949) pointed out that biuret reaction is reduced under alkaline conditions of folin-ciocalteu reagent. Copper ions are used to enhance the reduction process. However, the principle chromogenic groups consist of the peptide linkages that reduced blue molybdotungstates, which catalyses polar amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan. Nonetheless, the sensitivity of this test is based on protein composition and products of chemicals reaction resulting to the heteropolymolybdenum blue solution after being in absorbance condition of approximately 750nm, a wavelength that is out of range of many interfering colors (Layne, 1957). In these two experiments, the basic law of light absorption, popularly knows as Beer-Lambert law is used to explain the linear relationship between protein (collagen) concentration and absorbance (Cliche, Amiot & Avezard, 2003). The yield of collagen is calculated using the following lines equation: Y=(VxC)/ W Where; Yis the yield of collagen in mg/g Vis the volume of collagen solution in ml C is the concentration of the derived solution in mg/ml Wis the lyophilized weight in g Materials used: 1. Protein sample of unknown concentration 2. Standard BSA 3. Distilled water 4. Lowry reagent 5. Test tubes 6. Label 7. Test tube rack 8. Pipettes 9. Pipette bulb 10. Vortex mixer 11. Spectrophotometer 12. Cuvettes 13. Gelatin : 100Â µg cm-3 14. Globulin: 100Â µg cm-3 15. albumin: 200Â µg cm-3 Methods Lowry Technique: Procedure: 1. Prepare samples with up to 100 ?g of protein 2. Label the 9 test tubes as (1 to 10) and place them in a test tube rack. 3. Add water as provided in the instructions. 4. Prepare diluted Folin-Ciocalte u reagent and the Assay Mix. 5. Add 0.5cm3 of the protein solution to tubes (2 to 10). 6. Add gelatin solution to tube 7 and 8 only. 7. Then add 2.5cm3 of solution D to each tube and mix well and leave the mixture at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes.

Car insurance Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Car insurance - Research Proposal Example Many purchasers simply sign on the bottom line without asking many questions or reading the policy. Let’s face it, insurance policies aren’t compelling reading material. They even make an attorney’s eyes glaze over. There are simple steps to take, however, to avoid being scammed. Most insurance scams begin by offering rates that seem ‘too good to be true.’ Guess what, they usually are. These low rates then suddenly jump up to higher than average sums a month or two into the policy’s duration. The insurance company blames some type of human or computer error and doesn’t honor the original quote. To lessen the chance of being scammed, confirm that the company is licensed by the state, as required by law. Ask questions about the coverage and obtain a copy of the policy. If the agent cannot sufficiently answer basic concerns, move on to the next company. Ask companies about their competitors, inquire to friends and neighbors regarding their insurance companies, never sign blank forms or pay in cash, many more people than you’d think are scammed after paying cash (â€Å"Insurance Scams† 2006). Choosing the best insurance company to fit the individual’s specific needs can be difficult and confusing. From national companies such as Allstate, Farmers, Geico, etc, to locally owned insurers, the choices are many but there are guidelines that help making an educated decision. Each state has a department that oversees insurance companies. If there are questions regarding licensing or if a person has issues with their insurance carrier, this state agency should be contacted for assistance. Prices vary widely among different insurance companies. Shopping around takes little time and can save a person hundreds of dollars a year. Phoning different companies and researching prices on the internet is well worth the time spent. Experts suggest getting at least three quotes before deciding. Most state’s insurance

Gay rights Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gay rights - Research Paper Example In their defense, the supporters of the Florida Marriage Amendment emphasize the benefits of dual-gender childbearing and also point towards the role of dual-gender marriage in procreation. A major moral argument has been thrust upon the United States in attempting to justify such state laws as the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment. Not surprisingly, the main backers of the amendment include state churches and pro-family organizations. Florida Marriage Protection Amendment should be repealed because it violates the very basic principles on which this country was built such as the right to liberty and the right for the pursuit of happiness. The law in Florida implies one can choose his or her life partner only from the opposite sex if he or she wants the union to be officially sanctioned by the state. Same-sex couples are experiencing the unfortunate hindrance of their own natural rights as a basis for the state to place a moral compass upon its citizens. By effectively eliminatin g a same-sex couple’s right to marriage, this amendment to state law deprives the same-sex couples numerous financial and non-financial benefits that come with marriage such as joint tax filings, savings on various types of insurance, support payments, and numerous promotional offers offered by commercial enterprises to married couples. This has produced an environment conducive to state-sanctioned discrimination against same-sex couples by denying them the financial and legal rights available to their dual-gender counterparts. The law gives support to the notion that homosexuality is a lifestyle as argued by religious institutions and not a natural phenomenon as argued by the scientific establishment. In other words, gay individuals are believed by the Florida state establishment to be engaging in a lifestyle by choice as opposed to by a fixed destiny based on genetics from birth. The laws are usually intended to protect society from the harmful consequences of one personâ⠂¬â„¢s actions. Human beings are reasonable creatures and thus, perfectly capable of evaluating the potential consequences of their actions. Therefore, it makes sense to hold one person responsible for the harm done to the society as a consequence of his or her own risky behavior. However, the laws attempt to draw a delicate line between individual freedom and one’s rights towards the society. This may explain why not all risky behaviors are regulated in truly democratic societies. While the goal is typically to protect every person within a society, it must also be to provide each person with the natural inalienable rights as set forth by that society’s government and its people. Its people must determine which rights are necessary. As an example, excessive alcoholic consumption can be fatal but there are no laws dictating how many drinks one can drink in a certain period of time but laws do discourage irresponsible behaviors such as drunk driving. Even though both ar e risky behaviors, in the first case, the risk is born by the same person performing the action while in the second case, the risk is involuntarily transferred to the society. The same reasoning could be applied to smoking laws, traffic laws, and numerous other health regulations. By the same logic, same sex marriage is a private matter that does no direct harm to the safety or security of society.

Iraq in the post-Hashemite era & Saddam Hussein and the Ba'th party Essay

Iraq in the post-Hashemite era & Saddam Hussein and the Ba'th party - Essay Example The US led by George Bush invaded Iraq leading to destruction of property and people. The country was in shambles. Consequently, Iran got an opportunity to help its longtime partner in trade and diplomatic ties. Iran responded by provision of goods and service to Iraq to help in the reconstruction of the nation. However, the two nations fought due to the territorial conflicts. The territory between the two nations is oil-rich. This situation led to war between the two nations. According to Tripp, the US had assumed the crucial part in the toppling of the authoritarian government in Iraq by expelling Saddam Hussein from the steerage of the state2. It was assumed as an issue of grave risk to the United States around then focused around discernment reports of Iraq assembling weapons of mass decimation. The results of the Iraq War ought to be looked upon all things considered so as to accept our assumption about sensible clarification3. It respects Americas change of conciliatory connection in the national governmental issues of any country under the impact of the tumultuous times of the Arab

Entrepreneurship class; Business Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Entrepreneurship class; Business Plan - Essay Example Management is also concerned to handle the financial resources in a proper and efficient way so that all the expenses of the business can be meet by the earned revenue and along with that company can earn sustainable percentage of profit in the business. Epiphany Junior is such kind of program which will provide innovative business ideas and try to bring out entrepreneur skill of individual person. Especially youth generation will be benefitted from this kind of program. This project is going to launch online course study which will help to develop the entrepreneurial behaviour of young generation by using chronological method. Creativeness and modernization are the main focus areas of this particular project. Again the project will help to develop individual quality, personality, knowledge, and attitude and management skill. The business owner of this project wants to expand this business outside Florida also. So he will target the other countries which are based in U.S. where such kind of online educational programs are in high demand. Basically the project is based on Florida. So the domestic market will be the main focus area to achieve maximum success and this success will help to achieve more market share in the other countrie s in U.S. Target customers of this project will not be only the young generation and children but also their parents who want to fulfil their children’s dream in a successful way. If the project can implement such kind of courses which can meet the demand and requirement of the targeted customers then only it will be successful to gain competitive advantages in the market. International online learning market is one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the world especially in U.S. It is forecasted that more significant growth can be observed in this particular market over the next three years. It is also estimated that the growth will increase more than 7 % over the next five years. This industry is in growth

Association of Islam with violence in the West Term Paper

Association of Islam with violence in the West - Term Paper Example Previously preaching from Mecca, where he faced persecution, he fled with his followers to Medina. It is in this city that religious conflicts between Muslims and Christians began (Juergensmeyer 13). He fought with the Jews and conquered them. He succeeded in uniting the tribes of Arabia but finally died at the age of 62 in the year 632. After his death, succession disputes broke giving rise to schism in Islam which culminated to the formation of the two Islamic groups. The Islamic religion expanded both by virtual of conquest and peaceful means. Trade was a major expansion tool. Muslims invaded Sub-Saharan West Africa and China for trade and virtually dominated the export-import industry and with it, came the spread of Islam. Its unique cultural style began to diversify and with it people converted to the religion. The ultimate result is the association of Islam with eminent violence (Juergensmeyer 13). Study findings and discussions Argued from all sides and delinking the fact from ones religion, the assertion that Islam religion is violent is partly true and partly false. There is no clear consensus on the nature of Islam religion. Although violence is prevalent in almost the whole world involving many religions like Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, the world associates Islamic religion with violence more than any other religion. Historical events like conquering of Spain by Muslims, Christian crusades started by Christians and the Ottoman domination of Eastern Europe showcase Islamic relation to force and power. Recent violent movements in the Middle East which are advanced in the name of Islam and efforts to resolve conflicts and conditions created by the West in trying to force Western ideas in the Muslim have merely served to reinforce the view that Islam is a violent religion (Wilkinson 20). It is evident that though Westerners have created this notion historically, Islam has had no more conflicts than any other western civilization. Violence by all means takes different forms and definitions based on the prevailing situation and environment. According to Islam, force is to be found everywhere in humans and the environment. Violence in Islamic teachings is only used in accordance with the divine law. Use of force can only be applied if equilibrium is to be maintained. Restoration of a broken equilibrium is accepted as a necessary means of maintaining a just system. Excessive use of force creates a disequilibrium and disorder resulting to more injustice. In fact, excessive use of force depends on circumstances but with the aim of establishing equilibrium and not to fulfill individuals’ interests or for sectarian reasons (Rapoport 659). Although Islam has endured a lot of invasions and attacks, peace is still felt in areas where traditional Islamic teachings are maintained. Islam is opposed to the use of force on the basis of inflicting injuries except in war and executing punishments according to the Sharia law. Islamic law protects the rights of both Muslims and non-Muslims and is opposed to the use of force against other people’s rights. If the violation of people’s rights occurs then that is against the Islamic teachings. Regardless of the various negative economic, social and sectarian factors

Macbeth coursework Essay Example for Free

Macbeth coursework Essay We know that lady Macbeth is not calm in the beginning of act 2 scene 2 because of all the factors used to create tension and an eerie surrounding, these are it is dark, some one has just gone to murder the king and the owl shrieking. She will also be on edge and continually watching her back, this will be because Macbeth has just gone to murder the king, and if it goes wrong everything points to them and they will be executed for treason. To calm her down she has a drink, that which hath made them drunk hath made me bold this shows she has had a drink to make her courageous. To add even more tension to this already tense scene the speech speed dramatically increases, When? Now. As I descended? You can tell the speed increases allot because they dont say more than three words to each other in this banter at this point in the scene. When the two actors playing this scene are acting they should be moving around in synchronised circles around the stage and express their speech in hand movements. After this they move onto a different subject, Donaldbain, the kings son. The whole of this scene should be spoken not to loud but not to quiet because it is so early in the morning that it is dark, and everyone in the castle apart from them two is asleep. Macbeth then starts to tell Lady Macbeth that he heard the two guards and other voices praying and talking to him, Theres one did laugh ins sleep, and one cried murder! he is telling Lady Macbeth about his hearings in this quote. Lady Macbeth believes him but does not want him to develop on these thoughts and move on, consider it not so deeply. She is now telling him to move on to another subject and carry on as normal. She could be a bit worried about her husband Macbeth, these deeds must not be thought she is worried that he is dwelling on this subject too much for his and her own good, it will make us mad. This sentence is very ironic because in the later stages of the play it comes true, this comes true because lady Macbeth goes around washing her hands thinking there is blood on them but there actually isnt. This ends in her committing suicide. She could also be trying to comfort him, What do you mean? she could be trying to get all of his bad feelings out of him and out in the open so she can deal with him. This could also lead to it being easier for her to manipulate him by exploiting his weaknesses. The stronger character in this scene and the whole time she is in the play is Lady Macbeth in the way she controls her whole surroundings to the way she wants, these deeds must not be thought in this part of the play she is in controlling she is literally telling him what to think. There is a great warrior who has killed many in battle is putty in his wives hands, she can mould him into feeling and doing what she wants. Macbeth starts to show a little amount of backbone in the middle of the scene, Ill go no more. This is when he confronts her and tells her he wont do anymore when she tells him to put the daggers back and smear the blood on the guards. Earlier at the beginning of the scene when Macbeth returns from the murder of the king he brings back two crucial pieces of evidence that links them to the murder. The plan was to kill the king with the guards daggers and return the daggers after smearing the blood on the two guards to frame them. He does all of this apart from the returning the daggers. When Lady Macbeth realises this she is furious,Infirm of purpose! She raised her voice severely, to prove how angry she is. She is saying to him that he cant do the simple job he was told to do. So because of this fault it looks like the guards are innocent and they wanted to frame them. When Lady Macbeth goes to return the daggers this shows us she is not a normal women in accordance to those times, Ill gild the faces of the grooms withal this shows us she is not afraid to stare In the face of death and smear the faces of the guards which she has manipulated her husband to do. This is very strange because when this play was made the country was a very Christian and to murder a man in cold blood was a very serious offence let alone blame the murder on his own guards. Lady Macbeth is not a normal as we know because earlier in the play when we first see her in act 1 scene 5 she calls upon evil spirits to make her more of a man than a woman. When Lady Macbeth returns from smearing the blood on the guards she says, A little water clears us of this deed. She is basically saying that all it needs is a little bit of water to clean their hands then they are in the clear of the murder. This sentence is also ironic because when Lady Macbeth gets mentally ill in the later stages of the play she thinks her hands have blood on them so she continually washes them thinking the blood is still there even though there is none there. The way that Lady Macbeth is portrayed throughout the whole play from Act 1 scene 5 till she commits suicide is she is an opportunist; she sees the opportunity that Macbeth can become king so she pushes him and manipulates him to think he is the rightful king. She will also do anything to be crowned queen alongside him. She is also shown as very devious and a manipulator this is shown as she controls the best Scottish warrior is like a dog and she is the owner she tells him what to do and he does it, or a puppet master and the puppet. She also manipulates the noblest warrior to kill in cold blood. She is shown most of the way through the play as the more prominent and powerful character of all the characters in the play. I think that Shakespeare tried and succeed in personifying the devil in Lady Macbeth in the way she controls her environment to her advantage. What I thought of Lady Macbeth in the first time we see her when she reads the letter from Macbeth was that she was an elegant woman nothing like she turns out to be. But after she hears the prophecy about Macbeth becoming the king it is like an on/off switch to turn on or off the evilness inside of her. She believes, He is too full of the milk of human kindness. Meaning he is too kind to do any of the deeds he has done so far. Straight away she is scheming and wanted him to hurry home so she can, Pour my spirits in thine ear. Basically she wants to poison his mind.

Structure, methodologies and approach towards employee satisfaction and motivation

Structure, methodologies and approach towards employee satisfaction and motivation The case study traces over Volkswagen, (South Africas) organization overview highlighting the structure, methodologies and approach towards employee satisfaction and motivation. The entire backdrop of the case study is about Volkswagens internal organizational behaviour, management practices and their effective implementation. In this context, the assignment is focussed initially on the innovatory measures suggesting right direction to retain workforce allegiance and devotion towards an organization. Volkswagen is amongst the few organizations believed to produce world class automobiles, and stands out distinguish, hence the responsibility and related degree of expectations are higher. Considering the competitive environment, todays employee is intelligent yet demanding and hence it has become more complicated to meet their target expectations. The management of VW (SA) is diligently engaged to resolve the issues pertaining to employees financial stability, professional progression, compensations and benefits, challenging and highly equipped surrounding. In extension to this the company has tremendously transformed its cultural values. The introductory part elaborates the management and organizational behaviour practices of VW (SA), discussing the primary objectives, present situation and future prospects determining specific goals. Employee motivation is essential to keep progressive functioning of an organization. The intermediate portion of the assignment is emphasized on the significance of employee incitement and motivational procedures by discussing four substantial theories of workforce motivation and critical analysis of Volkswagen (SAs) initiatives towards employee motivation strategies. The later part concentrates on the importance of co-workers to amalgamate and function as a single unit. Team work introduces a healthy culture that values collaborative efforts and the team firmly believes in thinking, planning, discussing, deciding and functioning to gether with cooperation. Team efforts with positive attitudes and correct path are inevitable to succeed. Critical discussion is based upon the conceptions and innovative ideas by which VW (SA) can ensure their teams to produce efficient synergy and higher productivity. TABLE OF CONTENTS: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Introduction 1 2. VW (SAs) Management Organizational Behaviour 1 2.1 Overview 1 2.2 VWs Behavioural Management Practice 1 (i) In Context of Behavioural Management Theories 2 2.3 VWs Organizational Environment Practice 2 (i) In Context of Organizational Environment Theories 3 3. Motivation 3 3.1 Theories of Motivation 4 3.2 Analyzing VWs Employee Motivation Strategy 5 (i) Structuring Remuneration Package and Benefits 5 (ii) Stipulating Fundamental Equipment 6 (iii) Leadership Training and Development 6 (iv) Open Lines of Communication 7 (v) Professional Content and Indemnity 7 (vi) Company Values 8 (vii) Service Excellence Culture 8 4. Definition of a Proficient Team 9 4.1 Team Contribution to Enhance Productivity 9 (i) Credence on the Leadership 9 (ii) Solidarity of the Members 10 (iv) Articulate Objective 10 (v) Colloquial Ambiance Group Participation 10 (vi) Dissolving Perplexity 10 (vii) Constructive Criticism 10 5. Methods to Ensure VWs (SA) Labour Efficiency 10 5.1 Appropriate Selection 11 5.2 Specifying Codes of Conduct 11 5.3 Establish Substantial Goals 11 5.4 Praise and Appreciation 11 5.5 Developing Sense of Direction 11 5.6 Building Team Spirit 11 5.7 Employee Empowerment 12 6. Conclusive Remarks 12 7. Bibliography 13 8. Appendices 14 (i) Appendix A 14 (ii) Appendix B 14 (iii) Appendix C 15 Page # 1 1. INTRODUCTION: Modern global world is comprised companies and enterprises having highly skilled, knowledgeable, sophisticated and decisive workforce, with dramatically increasing role. Organizations performance and productivity is directly influenced by the commitment and loyalty of its employees. Todays competitive professional atmosphere has compelled the attention of the organizations to apprehend the significance of employee retention and thereby constrained them to develop strategies tailored to fulfil employee satisfaction. The sustainability of an organization is subjected to the overall periphery and circumstances which affect its growth and development. The exemplary employee oriented culture represents correct environment, challenges, individual development, recognition and accurate motivating artifice. Reconciliation of effective leadership and consistent workforce while applying the positive attitudes and correct mind set accounts for higher productivity of an organization. 2. VW (SAs) MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR 2.1 Overview: Volkswagen of South Africa was established in 1946, and is owned subsidiary of VW Aktiengessellschaft (VWAG) in Germany, located in Uitenhage. VW group is the worlds fourth-largest automobile manufacturer, and the largest car producer in Europe, consisting eight brands and operates 44 manufacturing facilities found in 12 European and 6 other countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Being aware of its prestigious affirmation in the automotive industry, the organization is focused and consistently engaged to heighten its profile. In order to achieve the desired level of productivity, internal and external customer satisfaction and indemnification has to be prioritised. VWs brilliant strategy makers have apprehended the situation and are continuously involved in developing policies for the inducement of employees to ensure their retention. 2.2 VWs Behavioural Management Practice: Employee positive or negative interaction with its organization and its management is based on the level of satisfaction. An individual is motivated to work proficiently when given appropriate Page # 2 work environment with sufficient equipment. The behaviour at work is directly affected by the overall atmosphere, the relationship with co-workers, job conditions and requirements, the remuneration package and professional stability. The management must habitually practice to evaluate and address constructively the needs and demands of its employees to gain satisfactory and productive employee behaviour. (i) In Context of Behavioural Management Theories: Behaviour analysis is the study of individual interaction with the environment and management of such behaviour is an essential element characterised to produce direct effect on the profitability of an organization. The frustrating behaviour of an employee is a clear indication of the system failure as the general workers behaviour is the reflection of the management policies. Sound policies addressing employees needs including job security, peaceful atmosphere, stipulated necessary equipment, equality and professional progression is more likely to produce the breed of workforce essential for an ongoing productive organization. Mary Parkers behavioural management theory focuses on the fact that influential leadership is the key to motivate employees and for that assessment of their job improvement capacity will benefit. A Hawthorne study highlights the importance of observing the frequency of behaviours and their outputs. An immediat e feedback on performance with sufficient information for self correction is necessary to improve functioning. VWs approach towards team building session is appreciable and is in correct direction. However, employees of today are not restricted to information instead willing to participate, share and discuss their own views and creative ideas for implementation. The worker is aware of the strengths and weaknesses relevant to the job and is the one who has excessive knowledge and command over it and hence knows how to control and improve the task. 2.3 VWs Organizational Environment Practice: Workforce of an organization is essentially compelled to work within groups where behaviour of employees may vary according to the relevant circumstances, work conditions physical or mental state. Provided the situation the environment of an organization is rooted in the behaviour of its employees. Organizational environment must be friendly, supportive and constructive by allowing the management and the common employees to discuss and share their opinions. Page # 3 Progressive organizations are inclined towards building excellent work status and valued atmosphere for their workforce in order to attain desired results. (i) In Context of Organizational Environment Theories: An organization is comprised of a group of people and resources brought together essentially for interaction and conscious coordination to acquire a common purpose or an objective. The survival of an exemplary environment is subjected to its equilibrium. There are several processes ongoing simultaneously within an organization and the major difficulty is with proposing any change of structure because once the structure is developed it deters to adapt to environmental changes. Understanding the difference between formal and informal communication becomes a difficult task for leadership. The organizational environment theories underline the internal and external relationships; external resources serve as inputs which are further processed into goods and services resulting in finished outputs in the environment. An open system is usually interacts with the environment while the closed system is self centred and usually fails to be a ccepted. VWs management is consistently working to develop a culture of excellence where freedom of speech, informal interaction, and service quality meetings can be carried out as casual practices. The concept is commendable yet challenging. The contingency theory emphasizes that the management must be flexible to react to environmental changes. Modern and technological organizations have likelihood to alter the conventional procedures rapidly, so the management must adapt to change with positive attitudes. There can be mechanistic structured organization where management is centralized at the top monitoring its employees and is stable, on the other hand organic structure of an organization is decentralized and reaching out to employees with a lesser control. Sound environment guarantees the motivated and efficient employees and leads to the higher productivity of the organization. 3. MOTIVATION: There could be a single or a set of reasons for human behaviour, engaged in certain activity for the desired outcomes, the ground for such activity is referred as Motivation. Every individual has needs and specific goals and human life is engaged in satisfying those needs and to acquire the desired goals. To attain the sense of fulfilment and feeling of achievement can be the prime motivating factors. Motivation refers to the initiation, direction, intensity and persistence of Page # 4 human behaviour Geen, (1994). Human nature can be simple yet too complex at the same time. Understanding of human nature is a pre-requisite for effective employee motivation which accounts for higher productivity. Regimentation of aims, purpose and values amongst the staff, teams and organization is the most fundamental aspect of motivation. The better the alignment and personal association with organizational aims, the better the platform for motivation. Work organizations offer a degree of satisfaction for an individual which may include financial support, social engagements, mental and physical challenges, self development, and sense of belonging and intellectual stimulation. It is said to believe that Best businesses have the best motivated workers. It has been observed that the overall productivity of an organization is increased with highly motivated employees in comparison to the organization with poorly motivated workers. 3.1 Theories of Motivation: Motivation theories are the combination of needs, inducement, goals and reinforces. Need Hierarchy Theory was put forth by Abraham Maslow, which is one of the most highly acclaimed and widely mentioned theories of motivation. He envisioned human needs according to a hierarchical structure of importance, from the lowest to highest, highlighting the five basic physiological needs, sense of security, social drives, self esteem and need of self actualization. The management must pay huge amount of attention to the needs of employees and as the needs may vary from individual to individual, hence it is essential to implement an efficient system to evaluate employees necessities and furnish feasible solutions. Herzbergs two factor theories in accordance with Maslows theory, proposed an idea that certain factors such as challenging work, responsible position and sense of recognition may contribute as prime motivators but on the other hand certain factors including desired salary, fringe benefits and appropriate environment, if absent may result as de-motivators. According to his theory as multiple goals and benefits serve as precursor of motivation, probability of de-motivation arises when perks and privileges do not exist. Page # 5 Hawthorne experiments of Elton Mayo focused on incentives, pay-cheques and financial satisfaction to be the primary motivation factor. People are motivated by pay and work conditions at higher level. Furthermore he believed that attitude of people at work are highly influenced by the groups and work environment. His theory concluded that human relations and the social needs of workers are crucial aspects of business management. Mc Rogers theory heavily emphasized on two basic kinds of managements which he categorised in Theory X and Theory Y. The management which falls under Theory X is believed to have a negative approach towards the employees considering them untrustworthy and incapable. Theory Y addresses the kind of management having faith in their employees and thereby recognising their needs positively. He concluded that managers view of the human nature is based on a certain grouping of assumptions and tends to mold their behaviour towards subordinates according to these assumptions. Numerous theories has been put forth addressing the benefits and moral value of an altruistic approach to treat colleagues and workforce as human beings and respecting their dignity in all its forms, developing a phenomenon to understand that people can never be forced to work, they will work positively only if they want to or otherwise if they are motivated. It has been observed that when an obvious likelihood is establ ished between performance and reinforcement, it leads to and maintains high levels of motivation. 3.2 Analysing VWs Employee Motivation Strategy: VW is a German manufacturer of automobiles which is the third largest car producer of the world. The name by itself indicates the value for people as Volkswagen stands for peoples car in German, (more literally, folks wagon). Within the past few years the intricacy and dynamics within and outside organisations have drastically altered. In this context, it has become prime concern of organisations to carry out future-oriented, active development which pursues an elementary goal i.e., Stand out as a winner. The organization must propose additional benefits for employees, clients and stakeholders because only then will its culture, values and products be responded to with commitment and interest. (i) Structuring Remuneration Package and Benefits: Volkswagen approach towards pay and benefits is commendable as it involves market research Page # 6 and salary surveys. There is a continuous effort behind structuring the salary packages and fringe benefits. However, there is an important aspect slightly ignored during the practice which is to involve the workforce by itself to comment on the remuneration structure thereby, visualising the basic needs and desires within the employees which in-turn will serve as a helping tool for developing effective payroll strategy by keeping in view of employees physiological needs as everyone desires to be financially secure. Payroll must be structured such that the income level of an individual well addresses the living standard. Pay scale must be determined by analysing qualification, experience and skills of the employee and must be reviewed according to the efficiency level as reported by the relevant department. While rewarding high performers, average and below average performers might feel neglected hence it is essential not just to recognise the efforts by high performers but to issue certificate of participation and non-monetary rewards to the rest, recognising their contributions and to keep them within the string. (ii) Stipulating Fundamental Equipment: Ceaseless review of the budget for essential materials and equipment is highly recommended. Necessary equipment is a pre-requisite as it enhances the work efficiency and performance level of employees thereby promoting professional satisfaction and rewarding appreciation. In absence of the required material it is imbecilic to expect efficient service by the workforce. It is appreciative that essential equipment can be furnished in accordance to a specific budget but smart management plan keeps control of the equipment handling and propose for a budget review where necessary. (iii) Leadership Training and Development: Leadership training is vigorous only when sensibly articulated into the corporate culture with its positive intents and values. Development of a leader is only focused upon an individual personal attributes, behaviour and approach whereas, leadership development is emphasized on the process unfolding interpersonal relationships, social influence process and team kinetics amongst leader and the team at the conjugation level. Volkswagens strong organizational structure do not require just managers but crave for smart leadership which is essential for workforce motivation and infusing energy in the team members. True leadership is what an ordinary employee will look up to, in order to comply with effectiveness and efficiency. A dynamic leader supports Page # 7 trains and develops his personnel, while increasing job satisfaction and genuine interest to do the job, within his team. Trusted leaders are likely to produce splendid motivating spirits.To keep people motivated, you need to display dynamic leadership, and make they feel they are working with you and not for you. Corelli (iv) Open Lines of Communication: Employees feel confident and equally responsible when they believe they are trusted. It stimulates a sense of incitement within the employees, resulting in a propitious work environment. If a supervisor or team leader approaches the workplace with a positive, upbeat attitude about the work projects, that enthusiasm should transfer to associates, thus creating a better work environment for all. Leaders and supervisors, who are serious about maintaining a productive work environment and motivating their staff to do their best, need to talk with the associates to find out what is important to them. For example, some associates may not appreciate public forms of recognition, while others will. Howell, (2000) (v) Professional Content and Indemnity: Highly trained and seasoned employee is an asset to a company. Remnant of todays face paced work environment is the increasing rate of job churn or employees switching one job to another within short time frames. Employee turnover is costly, causing workforce instability, reduced efficiency, lower effectiveness, and negative impact of the company. There could be variety of reasons in the background explaining the boredom, frustrated, discontented and least interested behaviour of the employees. Another important aspect is the lucrative job offers which tend to satisfy the needs and basic requirements but in some cases employees are looking for more than just compensation and rewards and are more inclined towards their visions and challenges. The underlying cause might differ due to the fact that humans act, think, behave and respond differently in accordance with the relevant circumstances, however, the issue remains unchanged. Volkswagen as one of the giants in the automobile busine ss world is relentlessly involved in figuring out possible solutions to this emergence. In order to retain employees it is required to offer a package that satisfies financial, intellectual and the career aspirations of an individual. Page # 8 (vi) Company Values: The value of a company represents culture, shared beliefs, attitudes, institutions, and behaviour patterns that characterize the members of an organization. Values of a company naturally emphasize continuous improvement of processes, transformation into a healthy workplace, satisfied customers, and a growing, profitable business. The level of employees commitment to their work is closely linked with the extent to which the company values are practiced. Ensure that the values of the company are strongly understood and equally treasured by the management and individual employee. Demonstrate professionalism, respect, integrity and duty as the core values of the company. According to a key quote of Harvard Business Review Companies that enjoy enduring success have core values and a core purpose that remain fixed while their business strategies and practices endlessly adapt to a changing world. (vii) Service Excellence Culture: Volkswagen is amongst the very few organization which thinks through, work diligently and proactively to create the culture that will allow the company to succeed long term. Culture is the distinctive personality of the organization which indicates its strength, by which it understands the needs of the workforce and affects the value created for the customers. Therefore, organizations make effort to understand what motivates their workforce and give them what they need to perform well by providing them clear mandates, operating principles, resources, authority, knowledge, and tools so they can fulfil their responsibilities to bring out the best of their talents and recognize by rewarding them in ways they value. Volkswagen is among such high calibre companies demonstrating successful conceptual thinking and with the ability to see patterns among seemingly diverse phenomena and thereby strengthening their employees and motivating them with positive attitude. An effective organisationa l culture enables a two way process to occur where employees help to influence the direction of the corporate values system, through their individual beliefs and approaches they adopt. A service excellence culture is that which develops a sense of responsibility and achievement together within employees, recognising their contributions and considering themselves as an integral part of the overall reputation and success of the company. Motivation can either produce profitability to an organization or improve productivity if it is Page # 9 positive, on the other hand if employees are de motivated it is more likely to reduce profit margin and will hinder overall productivity. The core vision is to encompass human behaviours, needs, attitudes and demands, as machines can operate according to the desired level and mostly produce accurate results, but considering where human beings act as a major workforce it involves a thought process based on mutual understanding in between the management and the employees. It is highly recommended to understand associates yearn and necessities and fulfilling them to some degree and thereby motivating them to produce desired results in the best interest of the organization. The summation accounts for the fact that if appropriate motivation level is maintained within an organization, the management will gain productive associates. 4. DEFINITION OF A PROFICIENT TEAM A bunch of individuals possessing particular expertise, collectively working to attain a common purpose or goal; by collaborating and consolidating their knowledge and actively participating in healthy discussions. The essence of a team work is togetherness and the success lies within its concrete leadership, which accounts for the productivity of an organization. It is well addressed that When you break down barriers, misunderstandings, prejudices, insecurities, divisions, territories and hierarchies you begin to build teams. 4.1 Team Contribution to Enhance Productivity: Firm belief in the reliability and trust upon the honesty of the members are the prerequisites of a productive team. The level of cooperation and understanding builds strong bondage between individuals. Every member of an efficient and productive team is open to support and encourage the co-workers for the completion of required task. Following are the characteristics by which teams can contribute effectively in the success of an organization. (i) Credence on the Leadership: It is essential that a high level of trust and confidence is present within the team members upon the leadership. True leader make sure that each individual of the team is equally supported, respected, privileged and heard. The amount of patience and credible efforts for keeping the team members within a string enhances acceptance and faith of the members which results in high performance. Page # 10 (ii) Solidarity of the Members: Every team member must actively participate to explicitly discuss the team procedure and functioning to attain a common goal or a sole objective. The entire team tends to share mutually agreed approach, mechanics, norms, expectations and rules to follow. The unity of team pledge for its success. (iii) Articulate Objective: The team must set clear and focused objectives and translate into well-defined concrete milestones against any measured obstacles. Larger goals and objectives are easily accessible followed by a habit of practicing a series of small wins. (iv) Colloquial Ambiance Group Participation: Environment to function effectively as a team requires being informal, homely and comfortable enough for each member to open lines of communication with ease, but must remain pertinent to the purpose of the team. This encourages bringing about creative ideas and unique concepts and gives equal freedom of speech to all. Another important aspect is that the team members become easygoing with each other and believes that everybody is equally heard and respected. (v) Dissolving Perplexity: Where there is freedom of speech confusions and disagreements are most likely to occur. Agile and intelligent teams welcome disagreements and complexities to test their brilliance and understanding. Reasons are carefully examined and a midway is figured out to resolve the issues. In case of an opposition to a general agreement, an apparent consensus is practiced for a fair outcome. (vi) Constructive Criticism: Healthy and positive criticism is highly appreciated as it provides pivotal grounds to review and evaluate critical decisions. Criticism must be arbitrary and benefaction oriented toward removing an obstacle that is hindering the way of a team to achieve goals. 5. METHODS TO ENSURE VWs (S.A.) LABOUR EFFICIENCY Intellectual management serves as a catalyst to amplify work level and overall performance of the apprentice. Volkswagen approach towards reducing maximum doing from their teams is exceptionally good. However, there are multiple measures which can add value to the existing strategy of the organization to ensure high degree of performance and matchless effectuation. Page # 11 5.1 Appropriate Selection: While selecting a candidate it is ideal to analyse the qualities complementing the job nature. Selection must be based on the relevant skills, a blend of technical, problem solving and interpersonal skills account for effective performance. A right set of people at the right place on the right time are the key for a successful team and productive organization. 5.2 Specifying Codes of Conduct: Identifying rules is necessary for developing focus, receptivity, commitment and trust. Rules must be well-defined and strictly governed without discriminating position and genders. The most crucial rules may pertain to attendance, behaviour, confidentiality, contributions, positive confrontation and end product orientation which must be set as a code of conduct. 5.3 Establish Substantial Goals: The basic starts from the fact that each and every team member has a task to achieve. It is necessary to make every individual believe that the team has significant purposes and tasks and there is high level of expectation associated with their performance. There must be a sense of worth associated with the tasks apart from being easy or difficult. A strong team is build when every member knows that they are a vital part of a significant accomplishment. 5.4 Praise and Appreciation: This is a natural urge within human beings to be praised and rewarded upon successful completion of a project or a great accomplishment. Intelligent organizations never ignore this fact and develop strategies to encourage their workforce by appreciating their efforts. 5.5 Developing Sense of Direction: This is another important aspect of team building to develop sense of direction amongst the members. The team leader or the manager must efficiently distribute tasks and provide sufficient guidance by defining responsibilities and adopting clear direction towards the common goal. 5.6 Building Team Spirit: Assign performance oriented small tasks that will allow the subordinates to grow and take on additional responsibilities. The idea generated by such challenging but achievable goals is not limited to overall productivity but to evaluate the Page # 12 mobility of potential team. This will in return enhance the spirit of the team and build an effective bond of togetherness. 5.7 Employee Empowerment: A strategy which enables employees to decide for themselves is worth giving as it develops a sense of responsibility and helps them to take charge of their work and learn from their mistakes. It is a reliable process for enabling people to contribute effectively in the continuous improvement and ongoing success of the organization. 6. CONCLUSIVE REMARKS Positive and reinforcement and correct motivational strategies are the compulsion of modern organization in which employees are completely aware of their rights and understand the significance of their roles in the productivity and profitability of an organization. The growth level heightens when the structure of the organization is concrete and is based upon specific values and contemporary culture, where an employee is empowered and actively participating in the progression of the company. Volkswagen (South Africa) has successfully managed to develop a progressive atmosphere and the management has understood the need to focus on retaining employees loyalty and commitment. The efforts and strategies of the company towards maintain their internal environment is tailored with excellence and absolu

Kenya culture

Kenya culture 1.0 Introduction Development is a multifaceted concept that is determined by different aspects including the resources and the intellectual capacity of using the resources to attain this goal. Governments that have attained this goal are democratic and provide for their citizens with ease. It is also worth noting that the process of development is long term and it calls for some degree of commitment and focus from all stakeholders. This paper analyses the development process of Kenya in light of different theories. Its major aim is to identify key areas that could require attention in order to steer the country to self sufficiency. This invaluable information will be obtained from different primary and secondary sources. Kenya is located in Eastern Africa between latitudes 4 North and 4 South and longitudes 34 East and 41 East. It is bordered to the east by Somalia and the Indian Ocean, to the west by Uganda, to the north by Ethiopia and Sudan and to the south by Tanzania. Its GDP has declined in the recent past to $10.4 and its per capita income stands at US$360 (GOK, 2009). Relatively, its social indicators have also declined just like its economy. Infant mortality stands at 78 per 1000 births and life expectancy declined to 46 years due to the effect of HIV/ Aids pandemic. There is persistence hunger with the children being the most affected. Statistics show that 19% of children under the age of five are under weight (GOK, 2009). The literacy level is presently at 85.1% and the country is characterized by high levels of inequality reflected through unequal distribution of resources. 2.0 Research Findings 2.1 Dependency versus Modernization theory The dependency theory is applicable to the Kenyan economy and it is manifested through the country’s economic state. Over the years, this country has been dependent on loans from the IMF and the World Bank to run its operations. According to the World Bank, today, Kenya has a debt of $ 6.34 billion which it is still servicing. It also highly depends on international economic aid from international countries in cases of natural disasters like famine, floods and diseases. Due to its dependency on the developed nations, the country is susceptible to economic sanctions from the countries it relies on. In addition, the country’s condition has also been contributed to by the increased movement of capital to the west. To this end, the country exports most of its cash produce to the industrialized countries and due to the poor economic state, it has also lost its expertise to other nations as they look for greener pastures. Hence this condition has led to under development in this country. However, if the country adopted the modernization theory with regard to development, it would actually attain the first world level, owing to the fact that it is endowed with a rich natural resource base. In addition, good governance and democracy could be very instrumental in helping the country to attain these heights. 2.2 Religion and Politics Though closely interlinked, religion in Kenya does not influence the entire working of the state. In this respect, religion acts as a check to politics, just like the role played by the media and civil society in the same. Religion in Kenya is used to highlight political aspects that are defective but not entirely change them. However, the state can control religious activities whenever they are deemed insecure or are a threat to state security. It is should also be indicated that that to some extent, the state manipulates religion for its benefit. For instance, politicians in Kenya use the church as a media to communicate their perceptions regarding any political issues in the country. Religion is also highly acknowledged in the country and can be very influential in initiating change and democracy. 2.3 Democracy and Dictatorship Since independence, Kenya was ruled by one party until 1992 when pressure mounted and the country adopted multiparty. The then leader, president Moi assumed leadership again until 2002 when the other parties formed a coalition which led to his defeat. In 2007, there was a dispute over the presidential results between the reigning NARC Kenya coalition party referred to as Part of National Unity (PNU) and the then opposition party ODM. According to the then electoral commission, the chairman was forced to announce President Kibaki as a leader which was contrary to the results in ODM’s party. This implies that the electoral commission lacked credibility and professionalism when executing its duties. In deed, this was way under the international standards and expectations. This led to clashes but later on, under the mediation of Koffi Annan, the two parties agreed to form a coalition government. The country is now headed by a coalition government that has a president and the prime minister. The absence of an official opposition party has led to increased corruption and other evils like impunity by the government officials. The role of putting the government in check has been left at the mercy of the civil society, religion and the media. Although these flaws in governance are always highlighted, little is done to correct them and the media, church and the civil society are virtually a toothless dog. As a result, democracy, besides its fundamental role in development has not been fully achieved in the country. 2.4 Ethnic cultural divisions The disputed 2007 election results made the country to adopt a coalition government for leadership. It is because the country went up in clashes and all tribes fought against the most dominant tribe that the president belongs. Hence the countries leadership was divided between two factions that were representatives of different tribes in the country. Currently, plans are underway to restore peace within all the ethnic classes. In the course of actualizing this reality, the Kenyan government formed a truth and reconciliation commission charged with the responsibility of restoring peace. In addition, most of the refugees that resulted from the post poll clashes have returned to their homes and are rebuilding their lives. Furthermore, the culture of impunity, which has been shunned internationally is being effectively addressed as the Kenyan government has been given an ultimatum to either form local tribunal or have the people who perpetrated the post poll clashes be taken to the Inter national Criminal court. Although this trend is democratically encouraging, studies indicate that if it is no handled carefully, it could result in to ethnic clashes again. The subject is very sensitive because apparently, the perpetrators of post poll clashes are senior government officials and political leaders. These people are very influential and can incite the local communities to fight again. However, if the process goes through peacefully, and the post poll perpetrators are apprehended accordingly, this will be a clear sign that the country is moving towards democracy. To this end, the culture of impunity is unlikely to recur in future. 2.5 Women and Politics Despite the fact that women in Kenya form almost 52% of the entire population, they are widely discriminated against by their male counterparts (GOK, 2009). Indeed, there is a very low representation of women in different sectors of the Kenyan economy including but not limited to education, employment, entrepreneurship and political decision making. Although the Kenyan constitution gives women an equal chance to participate in politics, they always face challenges during campaigns as the political environment in Kenya is majorly anti- women. These challenges range from economic constraints and discrimination to physical abuse where they are raped and beaten. Generally, the representation of women in politics has increased at a snail’s pace since independence. This has also been perpetuated by the cultural and traditional perception of the role of women in the society. Due to the affirmative action adopted recently, women have had a 30% representation in the government. This has led to a significant number of women being nominated as members of parliament. Generally, Handleman’s assumptions are reflected in the Kenyan politics as women, despite being able to provide effective leadership, have been deprived of this chance by the patriarchal society that characterizes his country. 2.6 Globalization Globalization in Kenya has presented both negative and positive implications to all the sectors of the economy. By opening up to the global markets, Kenya is in position to sell its excess produce to other countries. For instance, a significant amount of Kenya’s exports that come from Agriculture are sold to other countries. This has provided the country with foreign exchange and enhanced the living standards of the local farmers. Also, the free movement of information and equipment has seen Kenya adopt various technologies in production. This has in return improved their quality of goods and services to meet the international standards. In addition, increased foreign investment has enabled Kenyans to secure jobs and hence improve their standards of living. Furthermore, globalization has enabled the country to have a taste of the ‘foreign’ culture and generally get exposed to more westernized practices. However, globalization has also presented serious problems to this developing country. In particular, the increased economic production has led to governance problems because the country lacks the capacity to effectively implement and enforce viable policies. Further, the movement of capital to developed countries has deprived this country the chance to develop economically. In addition, the weak environmental policy framework in the country has provided ideal conditions for foreign investments to pollute the Kenyan environment and currently, its environment is degraded. Above all, Kenya has adopted globalization as a full package without identifying the aspects that are detrimental to the performance of its economy. As a result, even with the beneficial aspects of globalization, the country still faces economic decline. Being a highly fragmented country that is characterized by inequality and corruption, globalization just propagates this condition. To this effect, the political leaders are known to amass wealth through corrupt deals. This includes cash, national assets and land that is easily grabbed by the politicians. Hence the gap between the poor and the rich in the country continues to expand everyday. Instead of protecting its individuals, the government officials, through corruption have made the Kenyan people even poorer. Tribalism has permeated to the roots of the country and employment for instance, depends on ‘who knows who’ policy as opposed to the professional qualifications. Coupled with insecurity, this condition has not impressed the investors and they are pulling out of the country steadily. It should be acknowledged that if this trend is allowed to continue, Kenyans are bound to stay in poverty for so long. 2.7 Revolutionary change/Soldiers and politics With regard to the military, Kenya is a stable country whose president is the commander in chief of the same. Concerns however have been raised with regard to extra judicial killings that were carried out by the police during the post poll clashes. Seemingly, the officers were working under directives from their authorities. This is certainly a move that contravenes the provisions of democracy and therefore it should be shunned. Further, the police force in the country is experiencing a considerable degree of tension because of rivalry between the administration police and other disciplines. This should be taken in to consideration and timely interventions taken to avoid possibility of an outbreak of war between the factions. It is because such a condition can compromise the stability of the whole country. 2.8 Social and Health problems in Kenya This country is faced with a myriad of social problems that pose different challenges to the population even as it grapples with the failing economy. Most significantly, the rate of crime in this country has increased a lot with many incidences of armed robbery and car jacking being reported. In the recent past, the trend has changed slightly and now there are many cases of kidnapping. This can be attributed to the increased unemployment especially of the youth. There are also cases of drug abuse and trafficking. This practice is rampant in the coastal town where drugs are sold to tourists by the unemployed youth. The youths also abuse these and severe cases have been reported even in Central Kenya. The drugs are also trafficked to other countries and most recently, some Kenyan youths are facing a death sentence in China because of being caught trafficking drugs. Child and spouse abuse is yet another social ill that characterizes the country. This takes different forms ranging from child labor to child trafficking. Because of the increasing levels of poverty in the country, most children are dropping out of school in order to complement the parents’ efforts of looking for food. They resort to providing labor in large farms and working as house helps in urban areas. Unfortunately the government is doing so little to address this scenario. Children are also sexually abused by strangers as well as their parents. To this end, there have been many incidences of children being raped by their parents who are charged with the responsibility of protecting them. In extreme instances, these children are even infected with HIV and AIDs. Also, in some families, women have often complained of sexual abuse from their spouses. Unfortunately, the Kenyan constitution does not provide legislation for this. The country is also faced with very many health challenges emanating from diseases such as AIDs, Malaria and Tuberculosis. HIV and Aids has been a major threat to the Kenya’s health as infection rates continue to soar. Recent studies affirm that the disease prevalence in Kenya doubled from 5.1% in 1990 to 10.6% in 2003 (GOK, 2009). This has left most children as orphans further making them more susceptible to social ills. These children discontinue their education in order to take care of their siblings. This trend is attributable to the poverty conditions that characterize these people as well as lack of information about the disease and limited resources to manage it. Malaria is another disease that affects the Kenyan population significantly. Studies indicate that round 70% of the Kenyan population is at risk of this threat, implying that indeed, this is a national problem (GOK, 2009). Specifically, expectant mothers and children under the age of five are the most susceptible. This disease continues to claim Kenyan lives despite the effort of the government in addressing the same. The third most dangerous disease is tuberculosis. It is highly contagious and claims so many lives in Kenya. It is associated with HIV and AIDs and its treatment takes a long period of time and is very expensive. However, the government provides this treatment to its citizens free of charge and thus the increasing death levels are majorly caused ignorance and increased resistance levels. Other diseases that pose a threat to the country include outbreaks of cholera, Ebola and other communicable diseases. Usually, this occurs as a result of the government’s delays in addressing the outbreaks as well as lack of enough resources to effectively contain the diseases. 3.0 Conclusion Certainly, from the above discussions, it is notable that the development of a country solely depends on the country’s individual effort. Of course there are different external factors that determine the rate of development but the ultimate goal of attaining this condition is determined by the country. Specifically, rational and viable policies are important in achieving this desirable state. Again, despite the fact that external factors determine the rate of development, the country can hasten this process by adopting positive attitudes. Further, putting in place adequate indicators to measure this development can also have a positive impact on the rate of development as the authorities will occasionally make changes best suited to attain this state. Generally, Kenya is a country that is endowed with enough resources to cater for its needs and provides enough social amenities for its citizens. The major impediment to attaining this goal lies in the poor governance and over dependence on foreign aid. The country should critically analyze its governance and address these concerns accordingly. It should be acknowledged that governance to a great extent determines the type and rate of development of a given country. Indeed, the country’s governance dictates how various resources are sourced used to benefit the citizens. In addition, it determines how the country’s resources are distributed to different parts of the country to be used by citizens in line with priority areas. Apparently, there is need for a paradigm shift with regard to governance in Kenya. However, the ability to achieve this state lies in the Kenyan citizens who have the mandate to elect into power individuals that are development conscious. This can on ly be achieved through education and capacity building as the literacy levels is still very low. 4.0 Reference Government of Kenya, (2009): The Profile of the Republic of Kenya. Nairobi: Government Press.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay -- essays research papers

Their Eyes Were Watching God Analytical Essay One of the most fascinating and unique novels in African American literature is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, not so much for it's story but for it's beautifully written language. The novel is about the main character, Janie, trying to find herself and the meaning of love. Both Standard English and a southern black dialect, and poetry are seamlessly integrated into the story which reveals symbols and hidden meanings. "She was stretched on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her. She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from the root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight. So this was a marriage! She had been summoned to behold a revelation. Then Janie felt a pain remorseless sweet that left her limp and languid."(writes Hurston, 10). This quote shows how young Janie came to the realization of her sexuality as she masturbated under a pear tree. The pear tree represented her sexual desires. Janie soon found herself fond of the opposite sex, as explained by the following quote: 'Through pollinated air she saw a glorious being coming up the road. In her fo...