Statistical techniques in engineering Management Essay

Statistical techniques in engineering Management - Essay Example (d) Since central limit theorem uses a sample of the population that is chosen at random it will not affect the location and the spread of the data. The data will follow the same normal distribution curve as the entire population. The mean, median and mode will be the same or approximately the same as that of the entire population. (b) Fixation indices- is the description of the expected level of heterozygosity in a given data. It is used to determine or measure the correlation between data drawn from different levels of a subdivided entire set of data. (c) Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)- is set of statistical models and the procedures entailed, in which the variance in one variable is subdivided to different sources of variations. It is commonly used to test average of different groups of set of data. Because if the process inputs are correct and accurate, if the method of calculating and analyzing are correct the process output will be accurate or near accurate. If you concentrate on a process output the inputs might not be correct and even with the correct analysis the the output is bound to be wrong and therefore misleading. (a) Primary Data-this kind of data is collected specifically with its objective in mind. It was collected for a specific purpose. An example is data collected from staff or clients in form of questionnaires or data collected from the variation of a product in a manufacturing process. (b) Secondary data- is data that was collected for a specific purpose but now it is being reused for another different method. For example using questionnaires and initial analysis to calculate the viability of something new or use of initial set of variations results of a product to predict the likelihood of it occurring

Benefits to Bailing Out the Big 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Benefits to Bailing Out the Big 3 - Essay Example Sure, these companies will be subject to certain conditions when borrowing federal money; however, it is no different if they were to borrow from a bank. Banks also like to see what the borrowed money will be used for, and in some instances, they like to see an entire plan drafted up before letting the money go. Lenders like to see that the one they are lending to has a purpose for borrowing from them, and the borrower is subject to those terms until the loan is paid off. While numerous individuals put a lot of effort into disputing why helping these three companies with their losses is not a good idea, there are a number of reasons why the bail out of these three companies makes great sense for the American people. First of all, we must look at how long these three companies have been in business, as well as the history behind these companies. Ford has been in business since 1903, when it was first founded by Henry Ford, Sr. The first car manufactured by the ford family, known as the Model T, was ready to deliver to the public in 1925. This company was the first to put the first car on the road, as well as the first to make cars available to the masses. Ford made sure just about anyone could afford to have a car, as they did whatever possible to cater to those of the middle class. Not to mention, Ford is big on human rights and providing jobs to the jobless, and their priority has always been to make sure that everyone working for them receives fair wages, as they were the first to enact a five dollar a day policy. Ford has been proven to make a large impact on America, even today. Ford has always done business in this fashion since their very beginning, as they have always been all about the people (NPR), (Ford Motor Company). Then, there is General Motors, a company that has been around almost just as long as Ford. General Motors is the manufacturer of some of the most popular cars, such as the Cadillac, the Pontiac, and the Hummer, a car that a lot of people try to get their hands on to drive in ultimate luxury ("Merchandise," General Motors). General Motors was founded in 1908 by William C. Durant, and has now become the world's largest manufacturer of cars. Though General Motors has had a rocky history-the company sinking into debt after doing well for two years, Durant resigning from his company in 1920 to later file for personal bankruptcy, a violent sit-down strike in Flint Michigan by hourly workers in the year 1937, another strike occurring for one hundred and thirteen days between 1945 and 1946, being convicted of conspiracy in 1949, losing more than $750,000,000 in 1980 due to the drop in sales on cars and trucks, and another strike that occurred in 1998 that almost shut down all of General Mot or's production in North America-they have accomplished a great deal. Some of the accomplishments of General Motors was that a Cadillac was made with the first electric self starter in history, General Motors accounted for twelve percent of the car market in the United States, they expanded to working overseas, first starting in Britain and Germany between 1925 to 1929, their market shares rose to 41% in 1941, were the first to manufacture cars with air conditioning,, and they have gone as far as to selling cars in

Effect of Homeopathic Treatment on Insomnia

Effect of Homeopathic Treatment on Insomnia CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Introduction Insomnia is a major health concern particularly when individuals develop dependency and problematic withdrawal symptoms related to conventional prescription drugs. Approximately 27% of the adult male population and 31% of the adult female population in South Africa suffer from insomnia (Strangers et al., 2012). Insomnia disorder is characterized by one or more of the following: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early morning waking, and non-refreshing sleep (South African Association of Sleep Medicine, n.d.). Current conventional treatment for insomnia includes psychological and drug therapies. Conventional medication for insomnia is limited and has its drawbacks (Moch, 2011). While continued research and development is ongoing to broaden the clinical evidence on the use of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of insomnia to further establish its benefits, current information suggests that the effect of individualised homeopathic treatment has not been researc hed to date in females with insomnia disorder. Aim of the Study The aim of this study was to determine the effect of individualised homeopathic treatment on insomnia disorder in females using detailed case studies and the Insomnia Severity Index. Null Hypothesis It is anticipated that the individualised homeopathic remedy will not be effective in the treatment of insomnia disorder in females. Hypothesis It is anticipated that the individualised homeopathic remedy will be effective in the treatment of insomnia disorder in females. Importance of the Problem CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Sleep Sleep can be defined as a state of reversible unconsciousness in which the brain becomes less responsive to external stimuli (Schupp Hanning, 2003). Although the amount of sleep a person needs varies, most individuals need an average of six to eight hours of sleep a night in order to feel refreshed (Attele et al., 2000). Numerous physiological processes are regulated during sleep and therefore it is a universal need that is essential for well-being (Moch, 2011). 2.2 The Physiology of Sleep Normal sleep is divided into two distinctive states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which can be differentiated by an electroencephalogram (EEG) (Schupp Hanning, 2003). Normal sleep begins with NREM sleep and progresses through deeper NREM stages, before the first episode of REM sleep occurs about 80 to 100 minutes later. Thereafter, a sleep cycle, which is the alternation of periods of NREM and REM sleep, lasts approximately 90 minutes and recurs 3 to 7 times per night. NREM sleep is more prominent and deeper than REM sleep during the first half of the night; NREM constitutes the main sleep activity. NREM sleep is shallow during the second half of the night, and the proportion of REM sleep gradually increases during each subsequent sleep cycle (Carlstedt, 2010). Figure 2.1 shows EEG graphs of these sleep stages. 2.2.1 NREM Sleep NREM sleep appears as wakefulness-maintaining mechanisms decline. NREM sleep is divided into 4 stages (Lee-Chiong, 2006): Stage 1: an individual first enters stage 1. The EEG is difficult to distinguish from the waking EEG of a drowsy person, theta wave activity occurs, and heart rate and muscle tension begin to decrease. During this early stage of sleep an occasional muscle jerk, usually of an arm or leg, referred to as myoclonus may be experienced. This experience is often accompanied by a brief visual image, such as tripping or falling (Freberg, 2009). Stage 2: after 10 to 15 minutes in stage 1, the individual enters stage 2 NREM sleep. The EEG shows sleep spindles and K-complexes, which reflect the brain’s effort to maintain sleep while monitoring the external environment. Heart rate and muscle tension further reduce. During this stage the individual is able to sleep through familiar stimuli, but wakes in response to unfamiliar stimuli (Freberg, 2009). Stage 3 and 4: after approximately 15 minutes in stage 2, the individual enters stage 3 and stage 4 NREM sleep, also referred to as slow-wave sleep. In both stages, the EEG shows delta wave activity, however, stage 3 differs from stage 4 in the sense that a greater proportion of stage 4 consists of delta waves. During these stages heart rate, blood pressure and core temperature are at their lowest levels. Awakening the individual during these stages is difficult and disorientating (Freberg, 2009). 2.2.2 REM Sleep REM sleep is also referred to as paradoxical sleep because while the EEG resembles the waking EEG, it is accompanied by reduced skeletal muscle tone of stage 3 and stage 4 NREM sleep, except in the eye where rapid eye movements (saccadic eye movements) occur. These saccadic eye movements are small, fast, jerky movements, which bring the eye from one visual fixation point to another and may be associated with watching the visual images of dreams (Sanoop et al., 2012). Despite the apparently alert EEG it is more difficult to awaken an individual from REM sleep than it is to awaken them from slow-wave sleep. In addition, there is an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate, as well as increased blood flow to the genitals. Control of core temperature is poor during this state of sleep (Wagner Silber, 2004). During REM sleep the EEG becomes desynchronised and low voltage fast activity is seen, PGO (ponto-geniculo-occipital) spikes also appear, which is characteristic o f REM sleep (Sanoop et al., 2012). SLEEP STAGES ON AN EEG Figure 2.1 Different Stages of Sleep as seen on an EEG (Source: J. A. Horne. (1998). Why We Sleep: The Functions of Sleep in Humans and Other Animals. Oxford Uni. Press, England) 2.3 The Function of Sleep There are 3 theories accredited to the function of sleep: Energy conservation theory: according to this theory, energy expenditure that has occurred during waking hours recovers during sleep (OrthoApnea, 2012). Two mechanisms explain how sleep is able to conserve energy. First, sleep reduces energy expenditure by indirectly reducing activity; this mechanism is also active when individuals are awake, but inactive. Secondly, sleep reduces energy expenditure below that achieved by quiet wakefulness by causing a change in physiology (Kryger et al., 2011). Findings that endothermic mammals, including humans, reduce their core temperature and metabolic rate during sleep to support the waking demands support this theory (Kothare Kotagal, 2011). Restorative theory: this theory suggests that the function of sleep is to restore physiological and biochemical processes that have been depleted during waking hours. Indirect evidence supports this presumption: There is an increased release of growth hormone by the pituitary gland following sleep onset Endogenous anabolic steroids are released during specific stages of sleep There is an increased rate of bone growth, as well as increased mitosis of lymphocytes during sleep During sleep, genes involved in brain protein synthesis, myelin formation, synaptic vesicle turnover, lipid metabolism, and membrane maintenance are unregulated (Kothare Kotagal, 2011). Learning and memory theory: this theory proposes that sleep is necessary for brain plasticity, which is essential in the processes of learning and memory. Several studies have shown that sleep improves learning and memory without task repetition, which suggests that information processing and long-term memory consolidation are enhanced during sleep (Kothare Kotagal, 2011). 2.4 Insomnia 2.4.1 Definition and Description of Insomnia Insomnia is defined as the inability to obtain an adequate duration or quality of sleep (National Sleep Foundation, n.d.). It is characterized by one or more of the following: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early morning waking, and non-refreshing sleep (South African Association of Sleep Medicine, n.d.). Insomnia occurs despite an adequate time and opportunity for sleep and results in impairment in daytime functioning (World Health Organisation, 2009). 2.4.2 Incidence, Epidemiology and Demographics of Insomnia Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and the second most common overall complaint reported in primary healthcare settings (Attarian, 2004), with approximately 30% of the general adult population in South Africa occasionally suffering from insomnia. Insomnia is present in around 50% of individuals treated in a clinical setting and about 10% of these individuals suffer from persistent insomnia. Although insomnia affects individuals of almost every demographic, complaints of insomnia increase with age, and women are more affected than men (Truter, 2008). 2.4.3 Insomnia in Females Epidemiological studies comparing the prevalence of insomnia between the genders all report a higher prevalence amongst females. Studies have shown that there is an increased prevalence of insomnia amongst younger females, even in adolescent girls, compared to their age-matched male counterparts. One of the most common perimenopausal symptoms in women aged between 35 and 55 is insomnia (Grewal Doghramji, 2010). Biological differences in sex hormones may contribute to the gender difference in insomnia. For some women, insomnia may arise secondary to menstrual symptoms e.g. headaches, bloating, cramping and breast tenderness. Sleep disturbances during menstrual periods are associated with alterations in progesterone, prolactin and melatonin levels. Melatonin modulation by sex hormones may cause dysregulation of sleep-wake mechanisms (Soares, 2005). Insomnia occurs in approximately half of all menopausal women and may be directly associated with the presence of hot flushes. Nocturnal hot flushes may cause repeated awakenings throughout the night. Menopausal women experiencing hot flushes report more frequent awakenings, inefficient sleep, and poor quality sleep, compared with those who do not experience hot flushes. Temperature-regulating and sleep-regulating centers in the brain may be disturbed by changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian hormone levels that occur during menopause, resulting in hot flushes and insomnia (Soares, 2005). In addition, increased levels of psychological distress have also been postulated as potential contributors to insomnia in women; including social changes, stress associated with the â€Å"empty nest† syndrome, nursing aging parents or family members, separation from life partners due to divorce or death (Soares, 2005). 2.4.4 Classification of Insomnia Insomnia may be situational (acute), persistent, or recurrent. Situational insomnia lasts for a few days up to a few weeks and is usually caused by life events or rapid changes in environment or sleep schedules. Once the precipitating event subsides, the insomnia usually resolves. In some individuals, insomnia may persist for a long period of time after the initiating event, possibly due to conditioning and heightened arousal; conditioned arousal may then persist and lead to persistent insomnia. However, in some individuals, insomnia may have an insidious onset where no identifiable cause can be found. Insomnia may also be episodic, with recurrent episodes of sleep difficulties occurring during stressful events (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). According to the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition), insomnia disorder is classified as: A predominant complaint of dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality, associated with one (or more) of the following symptoms: difficulty initiating sleep; difficulty maintaining sleep, characterized by frequent awakenings or problems returning to sleep after awakenings; and/or early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, educational, academic, behavioural, or other important areas of functioning. The sleep difficulty occurs at least 3 nights per week. The sleep difficulty is present for at least 3 months. The sleep difficulty occurs despite adequate opportunity for sleep. The insomnia is not better explained by and does not occur exclusively during the course of another sleep-wake disorder (e.g., narcolepsy, a breathing-related sleep disorder, a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder, a parasomnia). The insomnia is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication). Coexisting mental disorders and medical conditions do not adequately explain the predominant complaint of insomnia (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). 2.4.5 Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia Symptoms and signs of insomnia include lying awake for extended periods of time before being able to fall asleep, waking up several times during the night (sleeping for short periods of time), waking up early in the morning with an inability to fall back to sleep and/or waking up in the morning feeling unrefreshed or tired (NIH, 2011). 2.4.6 Predisposing, Precipitating and Perpetuating Factors of Insomnia Factors that predispose an individual to insomnia include: genetics, personality traits, psychologic arousal (eg. anxiety, agitation, and heightened vigilance), and time of day sleep-wake preference (Lee-Chiong, 2008). One theory is that physiological hyperarousal may be a predisposing factor for insomnia; research has shown that individuals with insomnia disorder have an increased metabolic rate, increased secretion of ACTH, increased beta activity in the EEG, a more rapid increase in heart rate in response to stress, and increased daytime alertness despite having a shorter sleeping period. Another predisposing factor for insomnia may be a decreased homeostatic drive for sleep; research has shown that patients with insomnia disorder do not have the same increase in slow-wave sleep following sleep deprivation that is seen in those without insomnia. A decreased sleep drive would make it more difficult to initiate and maintain sleep under baseline as well as sleep-deprived conditions ( Lee-Chiong, 2006). Insomnia is a symptom with numerous and diverse aetiologies, and in a large percentage of the population more than one cause may be present; these include: stressful life events such as conflicts in the workplace, marital distress, or final examinations; a change of usual habits; sudden changes in sleep-wake schedules caused by jet lag or changes in work shifts; environmental disturbances such as excessive noise or light in the bedroom; medication use or medication withdrawal; substance abuse; and chronic medical or psychiatric conditions. Examples of chronic medical conditions include: any condition associated with pain, respiratory or cardiac diseases associated with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, renal failure, hyperthyroidism, and neurodegenerative diseases (Lee-Chiong, 2006). Perpetuating factors are cognitive and behavioural changes that occur after an individual has had insomnia for a period of time. Cognitive changes that occur include preoccupation with sleep during the day, as well as a fear of not being able to sleep and fear of daytime impairment. This leads to tension at bedtime, and upon waking up during the night. Behavioural changes include keeping irregular sleep-wake schedules, taking naps during the day, staying in bed in an attempt to gain more sleep, and engaging in stimulating activities during the night. Individuals often make these changes in response to their insomnia, in an attempt to get more sleep; however, while these changes may relieve insomnia in the short-term, they promote insomnia in the long-term (Lee-Chiong, 2006). 2.4.7 Consequences of Insomnia Insomnia may result in feelings of fatigue and sleepiness. A number of individuals complain of mood disturbances and cognitive difficulties such as irritability, mild anxiety and depression; they may also complain of poor memory and concentration, and difficulty performing complex mental tasks. Because of the irritability and fatigue that is associated with insomnia, interpersonal difficulties may result; on the other hand, interpersonal difficulties may be the cause of insomnia. Insomnia may result in restriction of daytime activities, such as work, exercise and social events. This lack of regular daytime activity may in turn contribute to insomnia. In addition to these, insomnia may exacerbate symptomatology of co-morbid disease, and may herald the onset of mood disturbances (Schutte-Rodin et al., 2008). 2.5 Measurements used to asses Insomnia 2.5.1 The Insomnia Severity Index The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item questionnaire that provides a global measure of an individual’s perceived insomnia severity based on the following indicators: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and early morning awakenings; satisfaction with sleep; degree of impairment with daytime functioning; degree to which impairments are noticeable; and distress or concern with insomnia. Each item is rated on a 5 point Likert scale, and the total score ranges from 0-28. The ISI has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. It has proven to be sensitive to therapeutic changes in several treatment studies of insomnia. This instrument can be used to evaluate the initial severity of insomnia, as well as the clinical significance of improvements achieved during the treatment of insomnia (Edinger Carney, n.d.) 2.6 Treatment of Insomnia 2.6.1 Pharmacological Treatment

Julius Caesar - Tragic Hero :: essays research papers

Julius Caesar As A Tragic Hero In Julius Caesar William Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a noble man of high rank, by showing that he was a historical figure with a tragic flaw which lead to his downfall, and by showing that Caesar accepted his fate of death & achieved honor and respect in his death. There is a contradiction between who the main tragic hero of Julius Caesar is. Can there possibly be 2 main tragic heroes in one book? If Julius Caesar wasn’t the main tragic hero of the book then why is the book named after him? Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a noble man of high rank. Every Roman followed his leadership and Caesar also defeated the great Pompey. First of all, At the Feast of Lupercal Caesar manipulated the commoners and made himself look noble to the commoners. Casca said, "Why there was a crown offered to him;...people fell a-shouting" (I,ii,221-223). Next, To show how noble and great Caesar was, the Romans would stand along the street sides to watch him pass by. "Madam not yet, I go to take my stand; /To see him pass on to the Capitol," said the soothsayer (II,iv,25-26). Finally, Caesar had the greatest rank possible as he would have been crowned king if it wasn’t for the conspiracy’s plot. As Casca said, "Indeed they say senators tomorrow; /Mean to establish Caesar as king..." (I,iii,87-88). Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a historical figure with a tragic flaw which lead to his death. Julius Caesar took over most of the Roman Empire and his events are very important to history. First, Julius Caesar is very historical because if he wasn’t then, we would not be talking about him today. As Cassius ironically said, "...How many ages hence /Shall this our lofty scene be acted over in states unborn..." (III,i,112-113). Secondly, Every tragic hero has a tragic flaw that leads them to their death and one of Julius Caesar’s flaw was arrogance. As Caesar himself said, "But I am constant as Northern Star.../There is no fellow in the firmament" (III,i,60-62). Finally, Caesar made a big mistake which lead him to his downfall when he didn’t take the soothsayer’s warning. Again this was the fact that Caesar was arrogant. The soothsayer said warning Caesar, "Beware of ides of March" (I, ii,23) then Caesar replied that the soothsayer was a fake, and to dismiss him. Julius Caesar - Tragic Hero :: essays research papers Julius Caesar As A Tragic Hero In Julius Caesar William Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a noble man of high rank, by showing that he was a historical figure with a tragic flaw which lead to his downfall, and by showing that Caesar accepted his fate of death & achieved honor and respect in his death. There is a contradiction between who the main tragic hero of Julius Caesar is. Can there possibly be 2 main tragic heroes in one book? If Julius Caesar wasn’t the main tragic hero of the book then why is the book named after him? Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a noble man of high rank. Every Roman followed his leadership and Caesar also defeated the great Pompey. First of all, At the Feast of Lupercal Caesar manipulated the commoners and made himself look noble to the commoners. Casca said, "Why there was a crown offered to him;...people fell a-shouting" (I,ii,221-223). Next, To show how noble and great Caesar was, the Romans would stand along the street sides to watch him pass by. "Madam not yet, I go to take my stand; /To see him pass on to the Capitol," said the soothsayer (II,iv,25-26). Finally, Caesar had the greatest rank possible as he would have been crowned king if it wasn’t for the conspiracy’s plot. As Casca said, "Indeed they say senators tomorrow; /Mean to establish Caesar as king..." (I,iii,87-88). Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a historical figure with a tragic flaw which lead to his death. Julius Caesar took over most of the Roman Empire and his events are very important to history. First, Julius Caesar is very historical because if he wasn’t then, we would not be talking about him today. As Cassius ironically said, "...How many ages hence /Shall this our lofty scene be acted over in states unborn..." (III,i,112-113). Secondly, Every tragic hero has a tragic flaw that leads them to their death and one of Julius Caesar’s flaw was arrogance. As Caesar himself said, "But I am constant as Northern Star.../There is no fellow in the firmament" (III,i,60-62). Finally, Caesar made a big mistake which lead him to his downfall when he didn’t take the soothsayer’s warning. Again this was the fact that Caesar was arrogant. The soothsayer said warning Caesar, "Beware of ides of March" (I, ii,23) then Caesar replied that the soothsayer was a fake, and to dismiss him.

When to bail out

Even the proponents of free economy accept some form of regulatory intervention on organizations that become mighty powerful. The regulatory authorities have a right to intervene, if the market forces are giving unfair advantages such as monopoly or pollution. Commercial banks can become mighty powerful and at the same be very fragile. Even flourishing capital markets have not undermined the importance of commercial banking. Commercial banks are a widely used tool to stimulate the economy through loans that stimulate consumption and investment. Therefore, in essence the health of the banking sector is directly related to the health of an economy. Liquidity risk is inherent to commercial banking because the depositors can come and claim their deposits at anytime. A mismatch of time to maturity of advances and deposits can create severe problems. For instance, a wave of panic-stricken withdrawals can essentially bankrupt a bank in no time. This can trigger systematic risk and leave the entire economy shaken. The banks need to monitor their asset liability management statistics because any mismanagement can lead to bank runs or cash shortages. For these problems, central banks require of commercial banks to insure their deposits and provide them with liquidity support. By providing liquidity support central banks regulate the money market and injecting cash in the economy when demanded. These solutions in effect lead to other problems. For example, in insured deposits, depositors stop monitoring a bank’s performance and the banks increase their risk appetite by increasing lending. To address this issue the central bank requires banks to maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and regulate insurance premiums to be proportional to the risk of a bank’s lending. However, recent stats suggest that capital adequacy is not a safe determinant to monitor banking sector. Commercial banks start to over rely on central bank’s liquidity support and tend to lend high premium loans to institutions with lower credit ratings. Even if such lending results in volatility in the money market such variations are small compared to the bank’s capital. Central bank needs to be proactive rather than be reactive because the public cost of economic instability and high interest rates is too high. Even the Basel II addresses risk capital framework but does not address provisioning for funding. The emphasis should be on liquidity rather than on solvency alone. Therefore, commercial banks need to be scrutinized through stricter prudential regulations.

Summary of Human Resource Management

It is very important that human research management to transform from being primarily administrative and operational to strategic partner. The reason is it important is because the human resource department plays a crucial role in determining the culture of an organization. Human resources promote and implement policies and procedures. The key areas are hiring practices, compensation, management relations and employee conduct and behavior. The decisions made by the human resources department will effect an organization in a positive or negative way. The areas that will feel the impact or challenges will be creating awareness, compensation plans, hiring practices and behavior. â€Å"The role of the Human Resource Manager is evolving with the change in competitive market environment and the realization that Human Resource Management must play a more strategic role in the success of an organization. Organizations that do not put their emphasis on attracting and retaining talents may find themselves in dire consequences, as their competitors may be outplaying them in the strategic employment of their human resources†. The human resources department can give the benefit of showing management what the culture is really like. What is revealed may lead to positive changes in the organization culture, it could also lead benefits that the employee’s need. The human resource office can also help management decide if there is a need for change or eliminate programs that are not necessary. The human resource depart is vital when it comes to compensation because it is responsibility for the design or layout programs for the organization. A lot depends on how well the human resource department does their job, such as the positive and negative impact on organizational culture. It is instrument that the HR department creates a plan with an incentive program for employees, which could motivate the employees and increase productivity. If productivity is up, then I believe they are headed in the right direction. The human resource department also determines the hiring and recruiting practices used by the organization, which has a great impact on the organizational culture. The relationships between a successful business and Human Resource Management have to be incorporated into an organizations plans and strategies to be able to maintain longevity of success. The history of the development of human resource management can be traced back to the early 1900s. Human resource manager’s original function was to basically manage the relationship between businesses and labor unions. Galbraith and Nathanson developed a model for the human resource management function that divided the human resource management function into four basic sub functions. The human resource management function was divided into seven parts. Human resource management are viewed as an essential part of an organization, also seen as a necessary to deal with labor unions. Human Resource Management focuses on securing, maintaining, and employing an effective work force, which organizations can strive. Human Resource Management involves a variation of activities, which include recruitment, and screening employees, preparing training needs, analyze human resource forecasts, compensation systems, and an understanding of the laws. The Human Resource Management function has evolved significantly since the early 1900. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) was undergoing a renewal period. With renewal and change, it is essential for the human resource management function to adopt a strategic role in order to support and enable CSC ‘s business drivers. CSC is in the people business, and people and positive relationships comprise our most important asset; this is essential for fulfilling our public safety mandate. Every person at CSC has a role to play in helping to achieve the results set out in this Plan. CSC ‘s managers have shared accountability for these results. The Assistant Commissioner Human Resource Management is accountable for setting the foundation and people services that will enable managers to meet their business goals efficiently and effectively. The Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners, and managers and supervisor within their region or sector, are accountable for the implementation of good human resource management to provide a healthy workplace and ensure a productive and innovative workforce, and enabling learning and development. Employees are responsible for being a partner to create a healthy workplace, productive and innovative workforce, and for their learning and development. Regional support for the Plan will be assumed primarily by the Assistant Deputy Commissioners of Corporate Services. [Full description of figure: CSC's Program Activity Architecture] This Strategic Plan for Human Resource Management covers the period of 2009-2010 to 2011-2012. The Plan integrates CSC's business lines as found in the Program Activity Architecture and as outlined in the CSC Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP). In December 2007, after completing an in-depth review of the federal correctional system, an Independent Review Panel delivered its report, A Roadmap to Strengthening Public Safety. The human resource management priorities are aligned with the Review Panel's observations and recommendations. The CSC Review Panel endorsed CSC ‘s Strategic Plan for Human Resource Management for 2007-2008 to 2010-2011. The Review Panel developed a set of recommendations to respond to issues that came out of discussions with frontline staff and to the underlying issues CSC must address in order to further the strategic priorities outlined in the Plan. The following chart provides a summary of the Panel's recommendations. These recommendations are integrated throughout this plan. Full description of figure: Human Resource Management] In endorsing the previous Strategic Plan for Human Resource Management , the Panel stated that â€Å"CSC ‘s priorities in matters related to human resource management must ensure that practices are robust and effective to allow the organization to deliver on its key operational priorities and other activities in a cost effective manner, and that this is done in a way that is consistent with public service values that are essential to a healthy workplace and to the confidence and trust of Canadians. † 2 This statement is as true today as it was then, and whil e the previous 2007 CSC Strategic Plan for Human Resource Management achieved a number of milestones and brought ownership and accountability to CSC leaders by placing important HR issues on the organization's agenda, there is still much work to be done. This Plan builds on the results of the initiatives put forth in the previous plan and continues to build on those important achievements to further support the organization in meeting its evolving business needs and the Government's overall public safety agenda. Regional and Sector activities in the area of human resource management and services flow from this Strategic Plan. Integrated into the foundation of services provided by human resource professionals in all regions and at national headquarters in support of CSC activities, are plans and measures related to CSC priorities. Of importance in the medium and longer term is forging relationships and engaging our partners to continue to build on the current foundation of human resource management, and investing in our people through several key activities outlined under these three priorities. These priorities and key activities, including Public Service Renewal, will bring about improvements in human resource management in support of CSC's transformation and business objectives. The organization that I would like to discuss is actually the United States Air Force. As the Career Assistance Advisor, I work with the hiring officials and putting the proper individuals with the right job. There is a process that the Human Resource department has to follow and it is imperative that they get it right. Each year the military need individuals in certain positions that meet certain criteria fill jobs. The HR department at Randolph Air Force base has to work closely with organizations or units to fill their manning needs in order to support their mission. There is an analysis of manning done for each career field to determine if a position needs to be filled, once that is determine, HR department matches members with the location and job. Also, each year the Air Force determines that some career fields are over manned and some are short manned. This situation creates a need for hiring for the short manned career field to meet the Air Force retention goals. The HR department works with units to fill special duty, regular and chronic critical jobs. The HR department finds out the needs and requirements for the positions from the units. Then the HR department creates the advertisement and screens the applicants that apply to ensure that they make the right decision based upon the needs and requirements. The HR department must ensure that the applicants meet the requirements, because when they do hire the individual, there is a lot that follows. The first thing to follow in getting the individual trained which might require technical school. The next step is getting the member to the new job location, which both cost the government money to do. The HR department that I deal with on a daily basis does a thorough job of ensuring that the individual is even eligible, before they go any further in the process, so by doing so save the government time, money and resources. The HR department is the key to keeping the Air Force properly manned and ready at all times for the mission. (2013, 02). Discussion Essay Questions. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 02, 2013, from http://www.studymode.com/course-notes/Discussion-Essay-Questions-1428542.html http://www.zeromillion.com/business/hrm.html (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })()

Memorable Quotes from Camus The Plague

Memorable Quotes from Camus The Plague The Plague is a famous allegorical novel by Albert Camus, whos known for his existential works. The book was published in 1947 and is considered one of the most important works by Camus. Here are some memorable quotes from the novel. From Part 1 The truth is that everyone is bored, and devotes himself to cultivating habits. Our citizens work hard, but solely with the object of getting rich. Their chief interest is commerce, and their chief aim in life is, as they call it, doing business.You must picture the consternation of our little town, hitherto so tranquil, and now, out of the blue, shaken to its core, like a quite healthy man who all of a sudden feels his temperature shoot up and the blood seething like wildfire in his veins.8,000 rats had been collected, a wave of something like panic swept the town.I cant say I really know him, but ones got to help a neighbor, hasnt one?Rats died in the street; men in their homes. And newspapers are concerned only with the street.Everybody knows that pestilences have a way of recurring in the world; yet somehow we find it hard to believe in ones that crash down on our heads from a blue sky. There have been as many plagues as wars in history;  yet always plagues and wars take people equally by surprise. We tell ourselves that pestilence is a mere bogy of the mind, a bad dream that will pass away. But it doesnt always pass away and, from one bad dream to another, it is men who pass away.They fancied themselves free, and no one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences.He knew quite well that it was plague and, needless to say, he also knew that, were this to be officially admitted, the authorities would be compelled to take very drastic steps. This was, of course, the explanation of his colleagues reluctance to face the facts. From Part 2 From now on it can be said that plague was the concern of all of us.Thus, for example, a feeling normally as individual as the ache of separation from those one loves suddenly became a feeling in which all shared alike and- together with fear- the greatest affliction of the long period of exile that lay ahead.Thus, too, they came to know the incorrigible sorrow of all prisoners and exiles, which is to live in company with a memory that serves no purpose.Hostile to the past, impatient of the present, and cheated of the future, we were much like those whom mens justice, or hatred, forces to live behind prison bars.The plague was posting sentries at the gates and turning away ships bound for Oran.The public lacked, in short, standards of comparison. It was only as time passed and the steady rise in the death-rate could not be ignored, that public opinion became alive to the truth.You cant understand. Youre using the language of reason, not of the heart; you live in a world of abstractio ns. Many continued hoping that the epidemic would soon die out and they and their families be spared. Thus they felt under no obligation to make any change in their habits, as yet. Plague was an unwelcome visitant, bound to take its leave one day as unexpectedly as it had come.To some the sermon simply brought home the fact that they had been sentenced, for an unknown crime, to an indeterminate period of punishment. And while a good many people adapted themselves to confinement and carried on their humdrum lives as before, there were others who rebelled and whose one idea now was to break loose from the prison-house.I can understand this sort of fervor and find it not displeasing. At the beginning of a pestilence and when it ends, theres always a propensity for rhetoric. In the first case, habits have not yet been lost; in the second, theyre returning. It is in the thick of a calamity that one gets hardened to the truth- in other words, to silence.Death means nothing to men like me. Its the event that proves them right. Whats true of all the evils in the world is true of the plague as well. It helps men to rise above themselves. All the same, when you see the misery it brings, youd need to be a madman, or a coward, or stone blind, to give in tamely to the plague.Paneloux is a man of learning, a scholar. He hasnt come in contact with death; thats why he can speak with such assurance of the truth- with a capital T. But every country priest who visits his parishioners and has heard a man gasping for breath on his deathbed thinks as I do. Hed try to relieve human suffering before trying to point out its goodness.Tarrou nodded. Yes. But your victories will never be lasting; thats all. Rieuxs face darkened. Yes, I know that. But its no reason for giving up the struggle.There comes a time in history when the man who dares to say that two and two do make four is punished with death.Many fledgling moralists in those days were going about our town proclaiming there was nothing to be done about it and we shoul d bow to the inevitable. And Tarrou, Rieux, and their friends might give one answer or another, but its conclusion was always the same, their certitude that a fight must be put up, in this way or that, and there must be no bowing down. Invariably their epical or prize-speech verbiage jarred on the doctor. Needless to say, he knew the sympathy was genuine enough. But it could be expressed only in the conventional language with which men try to express what unites them with mankind in general; a vocabulary quite unsuited, for example, to Grands small daily effort.All this time hed practically forgotten the woman he loved, so absorbed had he been in trying to find a rift in the walls that cut him off from her. But at this same moment, now that once more all ways of escape were sealed against him, he felt his longing for her blaze up again.Ive seen enough people who die for an idea. I dont believe in heroism; I know its easy and Ive  learnt  it can be murderous. What interests me is living and dying for what one loves.Theres no question of heroism in all this. Its a matter of common decency. Thats an idea which may make some people smile, but the only means of fighting a plague is- common decency. From Part 3 No longer were  there  individual destinies; only a collective destiny, made of plague and emotions shared by all.By the force of things, this last remnant of decorum went by the board, and men and women were flung into the death-pits indiscriminately.  Happily,  this ultimate indignity synchronized with the plagues last ravages.So long as the epidemic lasted, there was never any lack of men for these duties. The critical moment came just before the outbreak touched high-water mark, and the doctor had  good  reason for felling anxious. There was then a real shortage of man-power both for the higher posts and for the rough work.The truth is that nothing is less sensational than pestilence, and by reason of their very duration great misfortunes are monotonous.But, really, they were asleep already; this whole period was, for them, no more than a long nights slumber.The habit of despair is worse than despair itself.Evening after evening gave its truest,  mournfulest  expr ession to the blind endurance that had outlasted love from all our hearts. From Part 4 The one way of making people hang together is to give em a spell of the plague.Until now I always felt a stranger in this town, and that Id no concern with you people. But now that Ive seen what I have seen, I know that I belong here whether I want it or not. This business is everybodys business.No, Father.  Ive  a very different idea of love. And until my dying  day  I shall refuse to love a scheme of things in which children are put to torture.No, we should go forward, groping our way through the darkness, stumbling perhaps at times, and try to do what good lay in our power. As for the rest, we must hold fast, trusting in the divine goodness, even as to the deaths of little children, and not seeking personal respite.Nobody is capable of really thinking about anyone, even in the worst calamity.We cant stir a finger in this world without the risk of bringing death to somebody. Yes, Ive been ashamed ever since; I have realized that we all have  plague, and I have lost my pea ce. Whats natural is the microbe. All the rest- health, integrity, purity (if you like)- is a product of the human will, of a vigilance that must never falter. The good man, the man who infects hardly anyone, is the man who has the fewest lapses of attention.Can one be a saint without God? Thats the problem, in  fact  the only problem, Im up against today. From Part 5 Its energy was flagging, out of exhaustion and exasperation, and it was losing, with its self-command, the ruthless, almost mathematical efficiency that had been its trump-card hitherto.Once the faintest stirring of hope became possible, the dominion of the plague was ended.Our strategy had not changed, but whereas yesterday it had obviously failed, today it seemed triumphant. Indeed, ones chief impression was that the epidemic had called a retreat after reaching all its objectives; it had, so to speak, achieved its purpose.Yes, hed make a fresh start, once the period of abstractions was over.It was as if the pestilence, hounded away by cold, the street-lamps and the crowd, had fled from the depths of the town.So all a man could win in the conflict between plague and life was knowledge and memories.Once plague had shut the gates of the town, they had settled down to a life of separation, debarred from the living warmth that gives forgetfulness of all.If there is one thing one can alw ays yearn for and sometimes attain, it is human love. What we learn in time of pestilence: that there are more things to admire in men than to despise.He knew that the tale he had to tell could not be one of final victory. It could be only the record of what had to be done, and what assuredly would have to be done again in the never-ending fight against terror and its relentless onslaughts.