The Deepwater Horizon Is An Oil Drilling Rig - 1661 Words

The Deepwater Horizon is an oil drilling rig that was built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2001. The rig was a massive mobile drill as it was measured to be â€Å"396 by 256 feet† (Report). Additionally, it was considered to be an exploratory rig, not an actual excavator rig. The rig was commissioned to Transocean which later leased it to British Petroleum, an oil and gas company. The oil rig was once well known as â€Å"it set the world record for the deepest oil and gas well †¦ 35,055 feet† (http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/04/deepwater_horizon_rig_had_hist.html). However, in a more recent event, it is well known for the worst man-made environmental disaster in United States history. The disaster would occur 50 miles from Louisiana, at the Macondo well. The well was leased to BP in 2008 and drilling operation began in 2009. It had a crew of 146 people. The intention of drill the Macondo well was to create a route between the g as and oil supply that was under the sea floor. The disaster occurred on April 20, 2010, when the mobile drill unit, Deepwater Horizon was beginning final preparations to end drilling operations in the Macondo well. The plan was to seal the well and extract hydrocarbons at a later time and move on to a new drilling site. This, however, would not be the case as the rig experienced an explosion on board the drill. At around â€Å"10:00 p.m., the rig unexpectedly began to shake and a loud surging noise was accompanied by natural gas,Show MoreRelatedThe Deepwater Horizon Oil Drilling Rig1480 Words   |  6 PagesThe Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig caught fire on April 20, 2010, exploring and sinking after some days. The explosion was as a result of the equipment failure, perhaps the blowout protector, and the emerging explosion and fire killed 11 people, injuring others. The aftermath of the explosion became the largest issue in the US, estimated to surpass 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. The environmental contamination was huge, greatl y impacting marine life in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding beaches ofRead MoreEthical Dilemma with the Bp Oil Spill1125 Words   |  5 PagesThe BP oil spill, more famously referred to as the Deepwater Horizon Spill, occurred in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico and flowed unmitigated for as long as 3 months. The BP oil spill has fared as the largest marine oil spill ever confronted in the history of the petroleum industry. The oil spill on the 20th of April 2010 was primarily the result of a gas release followed by an explosion in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, in the Gulf of Mexico, established on the Mocando exploration well designed forRead MoreCurrent Ethical Issues on Oil Spill1482 Words   |  6 Pagesconsumptions of oil have led to increased prices of gasoline whereby alternative forms of energy production are sought. With this in mind, offshore drilling can be a viable option for satiating the need of oil and also to boost the economy of the nation. In this report, I am going to discuss how the current Deepwater Horizon rig explosion has led to disastrous oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico causing environmental problems and also discuss how the oil spill if resolved and with safe and secure drilling techniquesRead More The Oil Spill is Affecting Animals, but What About the Government?1204 Words   |  5 Pagesreliant on fossil fuels such as oil for energy. Oil fuels our car, warms our homes, generates our electricity, and creates a myriad of goods including everything that contains plastic. In our global economy, oil must be transported great distances to reach markets throughout the world. With seemingly increasing frequency, these journeys sometimes end in accidents that result in oil being spilled into the ocean. The most devastating oil spill, The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, occurred on April twentiethRead MoreOffshore Oil Drilling and the Deepwater Horizon Spill of the Gulf of Mexico1591 Words   |  7 PagesOil is a very important fossil fuel th at is used for various sources of energy. Oil supplies power to industries, fuel for transportation, heat for buildings, and provides raw material for plastics, paints, textiles, and other materials (hybrid cars). To access this fossil fuel, oil drilling is used. Land-based oil drilling became less productive and as the global stipulation for energy increased, technology, law, and geology impacts stepped in and pushed the exploration of oil away from shores (CITE)Read MoreThe Spill Of The Deepwater Horizon1188 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Deepwater Horizon experienced an explosive blowout on a rig located in the Gulf of Mexico. The explosion was about 40 miles of the Louisiana coast. With the flow of gas leaking out, it caused the death of eleven workers on the rig. About two days later the rig sank, which caused quite a lot of damage to a pipeline that laid drawn-out through 5,000 feet of water. As a result, the oil begin pouring from the damaged pipes into the ocean nearby, at the in credible rate. The Deepwater Horizon was builtRead MoreDeepwater Horizon Was An Offshore Drilling Rig966 Words   |  4 PagesDeepwater Horizon was an offshore drilling rig built in 2001 in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries. In September 2009, the rig drilled the deepest oil well in history with a vertical depth of 35,050 feet. An unplanned flow of well fluids into the wellbore can be dangerous as it could cause a blowout which would then cause a fire. In order to prevent this, driller’s pump a drilling mud into the well, creating a barrier between the undersea oil and gas and the rig. The safety of the drillingRead MoreBp Oil Explosion in the Gulf of Mexico1412 Words   |  6 Pagesof its worst oil spill disasters in the history of marine petroleum exploration. A deadly oil well blowout at Macondo Prospect, about 41 miles off the southeast coast of Louisiana, spewed huge quantities of oil for 87 long days causing major environmental and economic troubles to the Gulf region (Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill). It started with a fire and explosion, killing 11 workers, and then unleashed a slow motion disaster that spread across the 600 mile gulf coastline. The massive oil spill disruptedRead MoreArgumentative Essay : Bp Oil Spill1558 Words   |  7 PagesArgumentative Essay: The BP Oil Spill Phillip Staton PHI 445 Personal Organizational Ethics Prof. Gloria Zuniga y Postigo February 29, 2016 Argumentative Essay: The BP Oil Spill Introduction In 2010, BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, causing millions of barrels of crude oil to be leaked out into the Gulf of Mexico. The extensive oil spill created a lot of pollution and far-reaching effects on the tourism industry. The resultant damage to marine wildlife such as fish will continue to be feltRead MoreThe Issue Facing Bp Pre Oil Spill1074 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction On Tuesday, April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon rig burned for 36 hours, combusting 700,00 gallons of oil leaving a trail of smoke over 30 miles long and spilling 53,000-62,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf per day from April 20 and July 15. As of 2010, the Deepwater Horizon disaster was the largest marine oil spill ever to occur in U.S. water. Oil was found on the shores of all five Gulf States and many birds, fish, and reptiles perished due to the oil spill (Ingersoll, 2011, p. 1-2; O’Conner

Effects Of Social Networking Sites On Relationships

Effects of Social Networking Sites on Relationships Several studies have found that using social networking sites excessively, including partner surveillance and monitoring, posting ambiguous information, and compulsive internet use, can be detrimental to romantic relationships (Ridgway Clayton, 2016). Social networking sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, negatively influence our relationships. It is important to know the common conflicts and how to avoid them. It is also important to realize how influential social networking sites affect our relationships daily. In the following paragraphs, I am going to talk about conflicts in relationships that are caused by Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Facebook is one of the most popular networking sites in the world, next to LinkedIn and Google plus. However, recent studies have found that people are unaware of Facebook’s influence on our lives. With recent technology and being able to communicate with thousands of peopl e a day Facebook has influenced our relationships in ways we would not have even thought of fifteen years ago. People today are now meeting over Facebook and it allows people to have a false identity. According to Sherrell and Lambie (2016), â€Å"one participant explained how frustrating it is to have spent time Facebook chatting with someone they met online, only to find out that, in person, that someone is not what he or she seemed like on Facebook. Participants in a Sherrell and Lambie’sShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Social Networking On Society1317 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Social Networking Intro Over half of the world uses the internet. 2.2 billion people actively use any kind of social networking. There were 176 million new users of social media just last year (Regan 1). With the influence of so many people a pressing question: Is the impact of social media harmful or beneficial in its effects? Social networking is one of the biggest reports of online traffic. So, if so many people are using these networking sites, what are the effects on us? The â€Å"first†Read MoreDiscuss the Influence That Social Networking Plays in Society Today? How, and to What Extent, Has It Re-Defined Social Relationships and Is This Generationally Specific?1144 Words   |  5 PagesDiscuss the influence that Social Networking plays in society today? How, and to what extent, has it re-defined social relationships and is this generationally specific? Social Networking plays an important role in society today; it will be argued that social networking has redefined social relationships and that this effect is generationally specific (Salman,2009) Social Networking sites such as Facebook have had a profound effect on personal relationships. The twenty first century is an imprisonedRead MoreSocial Networking and Effects on Society1326 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Networking and Effects on Society Wouldn’t you say that online social networking has changed the way society interacts with friends, family and perfect strangers. When someone exposes themselves to these sites, they open the door to allow these people into their lives. Some of them you would have passed on the street and not even thought of befriending. These people you have chosen to interact with, whether they are in your city, another state, another country or just someone you met onlineRead MoreThe Impact of Social Media on Youth and Adults1646 Words   |  7 Pages Overview of topic and issues discussed Social networks like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter allow individuals to connect with anyone from coworkers to former classmates. The accessibility of these connections allow for individuals to feel easily connected to a larger community, but they have downsides. From false senses of connection, to data pervasiveness ,social networking is something that effects all groups within our culture to the point where we will have to decide if it is benefical orRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On Society1270 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Social Media Social media is defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary as â€Å"Forms of online communication, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content† (Merriam Webster). Social media, if used responsibly, is a great way for users to connect with the outside world in ways never before imagined. Such forms of communication have been able to connect millions of people from around the world and put them right at a user’sRead MoreSocial Networking Sites1614 Words   |  7 PagesSocial networking sites Online social networking site is a very common tool for communicating and socializing with each other. Nowadays, most of the adolescent like to use Facebook. There is a rapid growth of the number of user of social networking sites. According the recent research, Kreutz (2009) stated that â€Å"starting from 1997 to 2010 there are some 1.5 billion users of social networking websites† (p.222). This shows that how popular the social networking site is. Although many parents thinkRead MoreRelationship Status Based On Social Sites1220 Words   |  5 PagesVallin Mr. Blair English 121 22 October, 2015 Relationship Status based on Social Sites(1027) We live in the era of technology and many people say that in a sense social networking has become their life line to the world. Social networking is a way for people from anywhere in the world to be involved in someone s life even from a distance. Social networking has redefined the way people interact with one another (Guo 617). Many of the social networking sites allow people to communicate what s goingRead MoreSocial Networking Services Success Essay examples1026 Words   |  5 PagesVarious social networking services have achieved enormous success at the first decade of the 21st century. Up to 2010, more than 500 million users globally have been regularly using Facebook (Kirkpatrick, 2010, 2). For this purpose in this essay, social networking site is defined as an online platform where socially related users can communicate and share information with each other, such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Renren. It has long been a question that whether these services brought moreRea d MoreControversial Issues essay about Social Networking2034 Words   |  6 PagesThe Benefits of Social Networking Abstract In the following essay, the benefits and consequences of social networking are explained and the different uses of social media are revealed. Websites, such as Facebook, have grown so popular that they have been created into mobile apps for individuals to use when he or she is unable to access a computer. With the significant increase in the number of its users, social networking has become a universal activity with its positive effects outweighing itsRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society954 Words   |  4 Pagesaccess to the internet, and the use of social media has basically become a new way of living and communication between people. Some people stated that the social networking sites has more advantages than there is disadvantages. This statement is somewhat reliable since people can chat with friends, family, and other people that are in different countries through some social networking sites. However, there are also some serious problems that come up with social me dia if people cannot use it in the

Gender Roles in the Play Trifles free essay sample

Gender roles have caused strain over decades to not only females, but recently males as well. There are many attributes that humans have associated with each gender, causing a divide between sexes not only with each other, but also separating the two into almost completely different species. Due to this categorizing which is placed on gender, there can be a declining value of a person or even a higher hand given to the one gender which is seen as more powerful to society.The stereotypical labeling of genders can determine one person’s outlook on life. The judgment can make one feel like there is a set rubric to follow in order to remain in the lines regarding which gender they belong to. Such influences from peers or partners can alter ones thoughts on what is supposed to be versus what the person truly desires or feels. Influences such as these are also capable of making one feel inferior and certain personal characteristics may make one feel automatically categorized as male or female. The resources that have demonstrated characteristics of gender roles or have input on this topic have made their way into literature and journals that have opened the door to gender topics and what that can entail. Literature has demonstrated people’s beliefs, wants, downfalls, and differences on the subject of gender roles. These pieces of literature have proven the change which has been made over time through the transformation of gender classification.Literature such as this is what has made a better understanding and sense of relief on this suppressing stereotype. Opening up the ideology of gender roles, there are many things that determine how we associate gender and sex with peoples’ identities. The article, â€Å"The Context of Current Content Analysis of Gender Roles: An Introduction to a Special Issue† written by Rudy Rena, Lucy Popova, and Daniel Linz, demonstrates the idea of symbols representing our sex and gender and are explained by bringing up social influences associated with our sexual categories (705).An important part of this article is also a timeline description simply picking apart the order of where gender roles shifted and what powered this separat ion of physical characteristics. Within this timeline, there are different viewpoints in which stem from feminist movements, comparing reality with media, and media’s influence on its audience. Gender roles have been present for decades, and the everlasting struggle for equality between men and women has been a never ending battle still to this day.Although there has been quite a lot of success for women dealing with equality, there was not always a perfect balance in the household for gender roles. It began in the 1950’s when women began to break free of the hand that held them under and they began to surface and push through their harsh labeling (707). Humans have mainly been labeled because of their attributes and sexual characteristics and under minded for their contributions as human beings. It seems there has been a mutual agreement formed that humans are categorized based on characteristics such as strength, emotional stability, and power.In the 1950’s, there are examples of gender and sex roles integrated into media and advertisement. Women are seen powerless before this time and it was a struggle to remain equal with the media advertising them as pow erless due to their gender. There has been a labeling formed under the surface that automatically associated the male gender with power and success. In a study on comic strips in the 1950’s, women figures lacked presence due to their â€Å"powerless† state of being.Using the male gender to portray strength and success forced a strong opinion on its young audience and began to shape minds at an early age. Female comic characters were associated with issues of romance and personal charm through their domestic duties and males seemed to be geared to continually seek achievement and justice (707). Comic strips were not the only source of advertising sexual segregation, the television, the radio, and even treatment in the workplace were a huge part in dismissing a persons’ ability to succeed in equality due to their gender.There has been a major shift in gender roles since the 50’s, but due to media and its power to mold peoples’ opinions, it was definitely a struggle to maintain equality because of the cataloging of sexual characteristics. Home life is a core area that can be the biggest influence on ones opinions of gender roles. The content of the article â€Å"Parental Influence on Children’s Socialization to Gender Roles† written by Susan Witt introduces where stereotypical gender association derives. Gender roles can easily be dopted through the household and when children are placed in an environment where it is easily transmitted through the parents’ then that child will follow their parents’ influences (Witt, par. 1). Schooling, media, and society are also large influences on children at a young age to behave a certain way. Self-concept is also a large chunk of the way children see themselves when they begin to grow and criticism from parents can be a large influence on shaping that child’s perspective (Witt, par. 3). As humans we nurture newborns and associate them with their gender immediately. Whether this be the colors concerning their gender before they are even born, their clothing as a baby, even the toys we supply them with as children, humans gravitate naturally to associate certain characteristics with gender. Unknowingly, parents find themselves setting their children up for sexual segregation regarding what sports they play as children to what toys they possess and favor (Witt, par. 7). It is interesting to point out that although both parents have influences on their children, men are more likely to push the gender role farther to make sure their child meets that association with their sexual characteristics (Witt, par. ). Studies also have shown that partners that appear to be androgynous in a relationship have a lasting effect on the child and succeed as parents to be more supportive of the child and encourage them highly to be unique (Witt, par. 14). In relation to androgynous relationships and appearances determining household roles the article â€Å"Gender, Gender Roles, and Physical Appearance† written by Linda Jackson, Linda Sullivan, and Janet Hymes, dissects the ideas and determines how we decide what gender pertains to certain household duties and also how physical appearance dictates a persons’ personality.Physical appearance and gender associations are what determine how we label someone as masculine or feminine (51). Similar to how parents view their children’s’ roles, society views people based on appearance and that too can have an effect on someone’s personality traits (51). Within different gender roles and sex groups there have been studies that prove who finds physical attractiveness more important. It is obvious that in traditional beliefs of men being masculine and women being feminine, women are more concerned with their appearance than men (52).In androgynous roles where men and women are equally feminine and masculine, physical appearance was seen as less important to each partner (52). These mentioned influences in different sex groups also have lasting influences on how gender roles are perceived. These influences are normally tendencies that have been passed down through parents and how partnerships form ideas and combined traditional beliefs. Again, this concerns the importance and heavy influence on children from their parents in the household, schooling, and media.Throughout literature there has been clear evidence of turmoil dealing with gender roles. There are several pieces of literature that display these characteristics and act as foundations for jurisdiction of gender role classification. â€Å"Trifles† written by Susan Glaspell is a prime example of associating the societal view of hierarchy based on sexual characteristics. The characters in the play all seem to act on the idea of segregating themselves due to their gender.From the beginning of the play, it is apparent that the women and men separate themselves into two different groups almost as if they are completely different species, â€Å"Come up to the fire ladies,† the attorney suggests to the women inviting them into personal space (1334). â€Å"I’m not—cold† Mrs. Peters responds (1334). The women maintain the household chores, as this is common of this time period in 1916 and the men are the hardworking business men whom run the household. Due to the period, this play is the viewing of gender roles before women stood up to men and they seemed belittled in their sexual category.It is an interesting note that in Glaspell’s play, the women are seen belittling men as well behind their backs, â€Å"I’d hate to have men coming in my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing† (1337). Although during this time it is an easier to see how women were suppressed, it is interesting to note that they too have opinions about the opposite sex. In literature, it is widely seen that women are put down and have been placed in that role for years, but Glaspell turns the situation around giving the women the right to also put men beneath them. This is the ongoing battle that is experienced between men and women and how it is almost seen as a competition to be seen as equals in a partnership. Other literature explores opposite sides of the gender spectrum such as the poem â€Å"Those Winter Days† written by Robert Hayden in 1962. Hayden uses a male approach to suggest that the father in the play is beaten down, wore out, and goes unwelcomed by anyone (line 5). Hayden flashes small examples in this poem such as this that lets the audience see a side to men that has barely been viewed when suggesting that males are not always seen as soft.The father does demonstrate the classical characteristics of a hard working male however, with cracked aching hands from labor, waking up early, and even anger associated with his personality (lines 1, 3, 9). This portrayal of a male figure is interesting in the sense that this poem seems to be taking a turn to see a side of the male gender that is rarely seen in society during this t ime. â€Å"Cat in the Rain† written by Ernest Hemingway is a powerful example of how gender roles can weaken partnerships. The couple in this short story demonstrates how placing set roles on different genders can put pressure and stress on personal achievement. The wife in â€Å"Cat in the Rain† demonstrates these same issues as her husband seems to disregard her desires and views her as a petty housewife, â€Å"’Oh, shut up and get something to read’, George said† (689). The husband does portray the ultimate â€Å"male dominating† role that society places on majority of men at this time of 1925. This active forceful attitude begins to push his wife away from him once she reaches a conclusion that she is searching for more than she possesses now. I want a cat. I want a cat now. If I can’t have long hair or any fun, I can have a cat,† the wife begins to struggle with her real emotions as they begin to surface from her frustration with her husband suffocating her (689). The female figure has turned to search for her true wants and finds a mysterious quality in the hotel owner who seems to supply her with materials and gestures that appeal to her liking. These qualities of gender classification supply as evidence that forcing societal roles to certain genders are headed for and unhappy ending.Failure is more likely common within assigned gender role relationships due to the fact that partnerships cannot remain equal if one person has an upper hand over the other. â€Å"Boys and Girls† is a short story written by Alice Munro which is the most recent piece of literature out of these chosen examples. With the idea in the 1960’s involving feminism and women’s rights as humans, Munro releases some of these suggestions on her short story. This story has a foundation associated with parenting and children’s ideas of gender as they are raised.The daughter in this story strives to be what is defined earlier as manly characteristic s of power, emotional stability, and strength. She is lying in bed at night and pictures herself as filling a heroic, powerful figure as most men would be portrayed in stories or films (792). The young girl is filled with excitement, adventure, and daring personality that pushes her to strive after her father in the sense of assisting him in daily farm chores. Her personality that is so lively and unimpressed by feminine traits is soon diminished when she sneaks to see her father kill their farm horse (797).Soon after this incident is processed in the mind of the young girl, it reaches time for the other farm horse by the name of Flora to be killed also, â€Å"this time I didn’t think of watching it,† (798). As the story continues and the young girl matures, she seems to begin to adopt the principles of a young woman as society has claimed to be traits of sensitivity and compassion. The young girl begins to pull away from her parents due to the fact that they are beginning to try to shape her into the lady she is d estined to be according to society.In the end of the story her father stamps the gender label on his daughter firmly by stating â€Å"Never mind, she’s only a girl,† (800). The father dismisses the girl’s ability to maintain masculine traits due to the fact that she illustrated her emotions for the death of the horse. Munro supplied evidence that it is exemplified that women and men are asserted characteristics formed by their reactions to attachment, comprehension of death, and duties. â€Å"General Review of the Sex Situation† written by Dorothy Parker is a short and witty poem that pin points every genders societal characteristics of the other.The title of the poem clearly dictates that there is a situation between sexes and it is not a situation that appears to be up for debate. Parker forms generalizations on men and women labeling traits that women pursue such as finding commitment, love, and faith while male characteristics gravitate towards trophy winning, showcase qualities, and are easily stricken with boredom (lines 1-6). Parker is clear in the end of her poem in questioning what good can come of the combination of male and fem ale (line 8).This questioning brings the idea to minds of readers of how two separate genders that are positioned on such opposite ends of the spectrum work as a partnership. This ideology begins to stir ideas within the mind and supports the claim that people must be willing to present equal agreement in their traits to cohere successfully. Although gender roles have several angles and explanations that try to justify their reasoning, it is common knowledge that the labeling issues have come a long way throughout history.The following articles are based upon studies that provide evidence that people in today’s generations are more understanding of gender roles within the household and society. The journal, â€Å"The Role of Husband and Housewife as Perceived by a College Population† written by Diane Wentworth and Robert Chell, explores studies that have been performed based upon the differences of sex and how gender is automatically assumed with that sexual connotation (640). This collection of studies examines nearly every aspect of male and female interactions with society and household labels that are supplied by humans.The most interes ting search that was reported in this journal was in the summer of 1999 and was a study of men leaving work to remain at home while the wife went to work (641). The reasoning behind these findings is simply the statement of the husband saying that the women was simply making more money in her workplace in comparison to his, and he would rather give care to his own children then sending them to a daycare (641). The study reaches another question of whether the men’s gender roles have been affected within the family and majority answered no (641).The idea of the male figure being capable of caring for the household with the women supplying the income is a very large change from the 1950’s where women were belittled in society. The people in this study are evidence that in the past, gender biased situations and roles were unnecessary when trying to form a family, household, and even societal views. The last article that also provides evidence of gender biased situations being put to ease in â€Å"Adolescents’ Attitudes toward Female Gender Roles: Implications for Education† written by Randy and Ryan Mills.This article examines teachers’ thoughts on their own middle school students and how 90% of them believe that their students are more understanding and open to accept equal gender roles (742). These teachers believe that the cause of this high rate concern ing gender role flexibility relies in media and school curriculum changes that have been made over the years to create a more equal environment (742). This study also demonstrates how gender is now being placed on a more equal playing field and how younger generations are influenced by media that empowers each gender to follow their own personal traits regardless of their sexual orientation. Gender roles have remained a powerful topic throughout all of history. Gender roles can be taught, ignored, or placed on someone and all of this judgment winds up being in that persons control. This topic holds a large amount of weight as it is a heavy subject that is powered by peoples’ beliefs which are all extremely diverse. Although in this lifetime there may or may not be sight of complete equality in the world, it is safe to say that gender roles have evolved drastically in time and seem to be reaching a more equal state.

Othello Iagos Manipulative Nature Essay Example

Othello: Iagos Manipulative Nature Essay In life, those who may wound us most deeply are not our open rivals, but rather are those in whom we place our trust. William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello utilizes this concept to great extent in the development of its devious villain, Iago. While Iago clearly feels no allegiance to even one other character in the play, he makes each feel as if he is his or her personal confidant and most trustworthy friend and advisor. Additionally, he continually places himself in a dominant role, as one who knows more or is more capable than his peers, and can therefore execute their affairs for them, or at least advise them most aptly on what best to do. In these ways, Iago is able to manipulate the lives of all those around him with ease. The other characters’ trust of Iago is apparent through both their actions and their words. Othello not only entrusts Iago with his affairs, such as repeatedly relying on him to be a truthful witness (II. iii. 180, 220) but openly proclaims this trust, calling him â€Å"most honest† (II. ii. 7). Ultimately, it is upon Iago’s exaggerated reports that Othello, misunderstanding Iago’s treachery, bases his painfully ironic decision, which he announces to all those in attendance, â€Å"I know, Iago/ Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,/ Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee;/ But never more be officer of mine. † (II. iii. 251-254) This statement alone not only shows how Iago’s ability to endear himself to others directly allows him to influence their decisions, but it also demonstrates his deviousness in such influences. We will write a custom essay sample on Othello: Iagos Manipulative Nature specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Othello: Iagos Manipulative Nature specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Othello: Iagos Manipulative Nature specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Rather than directly say to Othello that Cassio ought to be dismissed from his position, Iago defends Cassio in a rather weak way, in order to alienate no one while still ensuring Cassio’s dismissal, an occurrence necessary to his most carefully calculated plot. Despite such wrongs that Iago has, in reality, committed against Cassio, his apparent sincerity and friendliness blinds Cassio to his true nature. For instance, it is Iago’s calculated amiability that convinces Cassio to drink in the first place, prompting a series of disgraces that ultimately ruin him. When Cassio repeatedly refuses to drink, it is Iago’s friendly, â€Å"But one cup! I’ll drink/ For you† (II. iii. 34-35) that allows him to control and still not estrange himself from the useful Cassio. It is this ability of Iago’s to stay on good terms with Cassio that is proven most useful to him later, as Cassio accepts Iago’s advice of what best to do in order to restore his good name after his drunken brawl. In advising Cassio, Iago constantly plays himself up as truthful, loving and steadfast. He claims bluntly that all his advice is merely because he is a true friend, saying â€Å"I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest/ kindne ss. † (II. iii. 330) In planting even these small suggestions, Iago makes great headway in his ability to influence Cassio, proven when Cassio later says, regarding Iago, â€Å"I never knew/ A Florentine more kind and honest. † (III. i. 42-43) This statement is especially rich in irony, taking into consideration that it was Iago’s subtle deception that first landed Cassio in trouble. Friendliness is not the only means, however, by which Iago wins the favor of those around him. Part of what makes him such an appealing character, both to those in the play and to the audience or reader, is his incredibly magnetic personality. He has an impeccably sharp wit and a presentation that, while varying from flirtatious to charming to near clownish, never wavers from this charming spectrum (except for his moments of soliloquy, at which point his true wickedness becomes patent). His charms can be seen as he greets Desdemona with a clever round of couplets upon her arrival in Cyprus. II. i. 134-193) While he is biting in his verse, it is a calculated meanness, intended to delight Desdemona and consequently win her favor. While this scene entertains both those in the scene and in the audience, it also allows Iago to assert himself as the dominant party. This position fulfills his personal desire for power as well as lends his advice to those around him the authoritative pull it would otherwise lack. This dominant nature of Iago’s becomes most apparent in his scenes with Roderigo. In their conversations, Iago demonstrates most clearly the characteristics that make him an extraordinary villain; not only is he charming and extremely clever, he is also deeply persuasive, able to dominate Roderigo and control his actions while continuing to appear friendly. Iago establishes this dominance over Roderigo not only by elevating his own position in their relationship, but also by subtly belittling Roderigo, such as when he first presents his plan to hurt Michael Cassio. â€Å"If thou be’st valiant (as they say base men being in love have a nobility in their natures more than is native to them), list me. (II. i. 247-249) Such challenges to Roderigo’s character make him bound to prove himself, at which point he becomes easy fodder for Iago’s manipulations. Roderigo is not the only character whose integrity Iago challenges. When Othello enters to see Montano and Cassio fighting, he chides them, only to be loudly echoed by Iago. Oth. Hold for your liv es! Iago. Hold, hold! Lieutenant—sir—Montano—gentlemen! Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold! The General speaks to you. Hold, hold, for shame! (II. iii. 166-170) In saying this, Iago succeeds in both ingratiating himself to Othello, a condition necessary in order to gain his trust, and establishing his dominance over the other characters in the scene because of his acting as Othello’s â€Å"right hand man. † In saying these few lines, Iago has highlighted his quickness to act, his sense of duty, and his high morals, and has most likely impressed all those present. While Iago is incredibly careful to always remain friendly when those he needs are present, it is when they leave that his backstabbing nature is revealed. Despite all the camaraderie Iago puts on when speaking with Cassio, in his absence Iago makes no attempts at false allegiance. This is made clear in the scene in which Montano and Iago discuss Cassio behind his back and Iago lies, â€Å"’Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep. / He’ll watch the horologue a double set/ If drink rock not his cradle. † (II. iii. 124-126) This lie is made doubly frustrating to hear by the fact that it was Iago himself who coerced Cassio into drinking heavily, something he would not have otherwise done. Every move that Iago makes is utterly calculated, every word a lie to guide others to his own ends. This fact becomes fully apparent only in Iago’s moments of soliloquy, when no other characters are present to be deceived. It is during these times that Iago speaks his mind freely and lets the audience see that all his civilities are merely stepping stones in his quest to undo Othello. After divulging his plan in soliloquy, Iago states, â€Å"When devils will the blackest sins put on/ They do suggest at first with heavenly shows/ As I do now. † (II. iii. 353-354) This precisely encapsulates the nature of his manipulative powers; Iago suggests with heavenly shows, but is truly a devil just waiting for the right moment.

Changes in the Foreign Service essays

Changes in the Foreign Service essays Since February 8, President Clinton has appointed nine foreign ambassadors. The countries included in these appointments are Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, Australia, Bangladesh, Poland, Kyrgz Republic, Mongolia, and Laos. These individuals have degrees from Yale, Harvard, the University of Alaska, Emory, George Washington University and several others (U.S. Newswire). In some cases, these individuals can speak as many as five different languages. There seems to be a very real public perception that ambassador's role in other countries is more ceremonial than a reflection of America's foreign objectives. The perception is that this group of individuals and their appointments are a remnant of the Jacksonian spoils system. On February 10, Clinton made a statement on embassy security initiatives and increasing their funding. Not only a simple increase, but a doubling of the federal funding of embassies abroad. More than $1.1 billion will be included in the 2001 budget to reduce further loss of life from terrorist attacks on our overseas diplomatic missions. Over $200 million will go into actual security measures (perimeter barriers, alarms, etc.) to defend these individuals from those individuals who desire no intervention from the United States. One might ask if all these measures are necessary to view ourselves as a humanitarian superpower. If terrorists attack an American embassy, there is a greater message to be heard. Foreign policy and the ambassador system represent an agreement between the host country and the United States. The host is just as responsible for insuring the security of our diplomats as we are, but if there is no cooperation then there is no diplomacy. Terrorist acts upo n United States embassies could be viewed as a growing animosity towards our interventionist style and now there are nine new targets. In the Rosati text, there is an essay on the "tradition of 'political ...

The Difference Between a Weak and Strong Verb

The Difference Between a Weak and Strong Verb The distinction between a weak verb and a strong verb is based on how the past tense of the verb is formed. Weak verbs (more commonly called regular verbs) form the past tense by adding -ed, -d, or -t to the base form- or present tense- of the verb, such as call, called and walk, walked. Strong verbs (usually called irregular verbs) form the past tense or the past participle (or both) in various ways but most often by changing the vowel of the present tense form, such as to give, gave and stick, stuck. Strong vs. Weak In Garners Modern American Usage, author Bryan Garner explains the difference between a week and strong verbs: Irregular verbs are sometimes called strong verbs because they seem to form the past tense from their own resources, without calling a The term strong has been inherited from Old English grammar, and many of todays irregular forms are descendants of common Old English verbs. Although fewer than 200 modern English verbs are strong, these irregulars- most of which are just one syllable in length- are among the most common in the language. Examples of Weak Verbs With week verbs, the stem vowel does not change in the past or past participle tense. Take the word walk, for example. The past and past participle of this verb would be walked because the stem vowel does not change. Another example would be work, where the verb becomes worked in the past and past participle. Other examples of the week, or regular, verbs would be as follows, where the verb is listed on the left with the past/past participle on the right: Add addedBeg beggedCall calledDamage damagedEarn earnedMark markedTaste tastedYell yelled The past tense or past participle of these verbs looks roughly the same as the present tense because, as noted, the stem vowel does not change. Strong Verbs Examples By contrast, strong verbs generally do have a change in the stem vowel in the past or past participle. For example, the past tense and past participle of bringing is brought. At other times, the stem vowel in a strong verb might change in the past tense but not in the past participle, such as arise, which becomes arose in the past tense but arisen in the past participle (as in he has arisen.) Other examples of strong verbs would be: Blow blew (past tense), blown (past participle)Break broke (past tense), broken (past participle)Do did (past tense), done (past participle)Feed fed (past tense and past particle)Lie (down) lay (past tense), lain (past participle)Speak spoke (past tense), spoken (past participle) As you can see, there is no hard-and-fast rule for determining if a verb is a week or strong. Since there are fewer than 200 strong verbs in English, the best method is to memorize their use in the past and past participle.

Principles and Practices of Effective Leadership - D1 Essay

Principles and Practices of Effective Leadership - D1 - Essay Example ing this factor, an understanding of the various leadership approaches which leaders could adopt to lead their company is extremely crucial for a successful leadership. Leadership approaches are directions which help leaders follow the required path and therefore successfully achieve the goals established by their organization. It is important for a leader going through a process of leadership development to understand these leadership styles and adopt the various characteristics and roles defined by these approaches in managing their company. Moreover, leadership styles like autocratic leadership, democratic leadership, laissez-faire and transformational leadership, each define a set of characteristics, traits, agendas and the relationship a leader adopting each of these styles have with his/her subordinates. This brings us to authentic leadership, which is highly dependent upon persuasion which is linked to building trust which brings in three elements required for authentic leadership establishment pertaining to the factor of building trust; establishment of a trusting environment, continuous facilitation and training by experts and awareness of the limits to train leaders according to their job requirements since pushing too hard may lead them to be distraught and stop learning, thus negatively impacting the organization in the long run. Lastly, to become an authentic and good leader, one must act proactively, must take up responsibility for his/her actions if consequences faced, show commitment to the work and be friendly with the workforce, take regular feedback from workforce and share your vision with them to make them feel important and highly value their opinions (Bernel,

Phase 4 Individual Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Phase 4 Individual Project - Essay Example Such ethical standard promotes high standards of integrity and ethical behavior for the benefit of the company instead of an individual. The ethical standards in any business create a fundamental foundation in maintaining public trust, for every ECG member. In the first situation the executive member of ECG violated professional integrity, honesty, objectivity and genuineness while serving in the company. The financial interest disclosure of any member serving as an executive in the company in Government Allies increases the integrity standards in the company’s leadership to all investors. Any person serving in the leadership roles is entitled to show uppermost level of transparency and trust. The shareholders have a lot of expectation in the leadership of the company and if that confidence is not maintained may lead to the migration of the investors. In this case there may be no confidence in the management of the ECG stock after the completion of the initial public offer (IP O) successfully and the acquisition if all executive members and their families does not disclose their financial interest. ... Several lawsuits may also be witnessed due to company employees acting in contrary to ethics that are significant to the organization’s productivity. Professional integrity brings implicit trust of the shareholders interest and more confidence in the management of the company. In the second scenario a team of members of ECG is formed to develop a proposal and give a presentation to X in order to win the contract in Information technology consultancy. One of the members who had worked with the two current executive at X Telco may influence the results of the bids review either negatively or positively depending on the past relationship when working with them. In this situation the composition of the team to participate in the review exercise may have violated the professional relationship code of conduct. This is because the past working relationships may increase the chances to harm the reviewing results or impair the team’s professional judgment. However, in some situa tions it may not be completely feasible to avoid nonprofessional or social contacts between the members in the two companies. Implicit trust is perceived as being an ethical practice in the management of dual relationship in the operations of the organizations. It is supposed to be communicated very clearly down the administrative line before taking the executive roles. The policy that relates to the company’s code of ethics finds its application in this regard (Hoffman &Dawn-Marie, 2002). The code of ethics in any organization should be clearly understood by all employees irrespective of their position in the work place. To enhance this understanding, the management of the ECG has the obligation of training and writing standardized ethical policies down and

Nights Dream Essay Example for Free

Nights Dream Essay Task: Discuss the importance of magic in A Midsummer Nights Dream 10c1 English Coursework Magic is probably the main theme in A Midsummer Nights Dream. It plays a vital and extensive role in each story line. Each time Shakespeare uses magic, there is an important if subtle consequence. Shakespeare explores many aspects of magic, including how it causes problems and how it solves them. Magic is often used by Shakespeare to support and implement the comedic sections of the play. Before I explore the importance of magic in the play, I must explore magic itself,as it means different things to different people and to different cultures. Magic is defined in the dictionary as Any art that invokes supernatural powers. However, to other people and the majority of religions, magic is an evil force within the world, practiced by sinners and wrong doers. This seems to be the main view of the society Shakespeare lived in. However, nowadays magic is generally not believed in. This seems to be Shakespeares point of view; this can be seen by his use of magic to create a comedic and mischievous though certainly not evil- atmosphere throughout the play. In this way, Shakespeare could be seen as a writer ahead of his time. The effects of magic in A Midsummer Nights Dream may have been influenced by the social attitude of the Elizabethan era. During Elizabethan times magic unlike today was widely believed in. It was considered a crime to practise magic and was an offence punishable by law. People (usually single women) were executed if they were suspected of committing this crime. I think that this may have influenced Shakespeare to make magic have such a dramatic and often catastrophic effect. An example of the disastrous effects of magic is when Robin Goodfellow pours the love potion in the wrong mans eye, causing him to fall in love with another woman. This shows us that magic often has devastating and consequential effects, which affect the play as a whole. It also insinuates that magic might be a devious, if not evil, force. Magic plays a large and indispensable part in the plays main plot, with the lovers. Magic is actually used to structure the main story line. This can be seen where Oberon says: A sweet lady is in love/ With a disdainful youth: anoint his eyes -/ But do it when the next thing he espies/ May be the lady This shows us that magic is an extremely significant theme throughout the play. There would have been no main plot, had Robin Goodfellow not anointed the wrong mans eye with the love potion. Magic also plays an essential part in many of the subplots. This can be seen where Bottoms head is turned into that of an ass. Titania is then made to love him through magic. This suggests that magic is crucial to make the play the comedy that it is. These subplots can seem slightly insignificant and trivial at times, however, they all merge to create a gripping and interesting story. Magic is also used to solve or correct the problems at the end of the play. This can be seen where Shakespeare writes Jack shall have Jill; / Nought shall go ill: / The man shall have his mare again and all shall be well This can also be seen in Pucks final speech, for example Think but this and all is mended The lovers are all as they were except Demetrius who now loves Helena (though this is a good thing); Bottoms head is restored etc. These, when combined form the resolution/conclusion of the play. Without the use of magic, normality would not have been restored. The play would not have had a proper ending. This supports my opinion that magic plays a fundamental and imperative part in the play. Magic is also used to make the lovers happy. Demetrius is made to fall in love with Helena. Consequently, Hermia can marry Lysander, with whom she is in love. This also makes up a critical part of the conclusion another main role. Magic affects the environmental setting in the play. This can be seen when Titania says Therefore the winds, piping to us in void/As in revenge for having sucked up the sea This shows us that the whole of nature has been set off balance by a mere argument between the rulers of the fairies. This shows us the intensity and extent to which magic influences the setting and design of the play. The name of the play, itself suggests the importance of magic. The reference to midsummer at first does not seem significant to the story. Why, then, did Shakespeare include it in the title? The reference to midsummer is actually an inconspicuous clue of the events in the play. Midsummer is widely considered to be a time of magic and mystery. Such tales of fortune personified walking on Earth support this. The fact that this play is set in midsummer contributes to the mysterious effect created by Shakespeare. This seems to be a direct and deliberate indication of magic, before you have even read the first word. Another hint of the content of A Midsummer Nights Dream is the use of the word dream. Dreams are also widely considered to be a magical aspect of life. They are often interpreted and read by those who believe in magic. This, again, seems to suggest that magic will play a crucial role in the play. Even the word night could be interpreted as a reference to magic. Often especially in older writings magic plays a more vital role during the night, i. e. the hours of darkness. This is another obvious hint of magic, situated by Shakespeare before the play begins. This further reference to magic implements the role of magic as a theme in A Midsummer Nights Dream and highlights its criticality to the story as a whole. In fact, Shakespeare actually seems to personify magic. After all, what is Puck? A mischievous being of magic that invokes supernatural events. This again is evidence of the importance of magic. Puck is often the character to inflict magic upon others resulting in a catastrophic yet comedic effect. Without the use of Pucks magic, the lovers would not have ended up falling in love with the wrong people, and as this is the main storyline in A Midsummer Nights Dream I think this is one of the most significant roles that magic plays and proves its necessity to the play. Magic, is therefore a significant factor of A Midsummer Nights Dream. It is woven into most of the subplots and plays an extremely important role in the main plot. In my opinion, it would have been impossible for Shakespeare to have written this play without including magic. Therefore, magic is almost definitely the most important and essential theme of the A Midsummer Nights Dream. Shakespeare impresses this significance on us using all of the story lines in the play. It affects nature, physical appearance and even the mind. Magic is used both positively and negatively throughout the story. It is often the cause of problems, but ultimately it solves them.

COMPOSITE MATERIALS Essay -- Sturctures, Types, Mechanical Propertie

The word composite comes from the latin â€Å"composititus† meaning made up of distinct parts. A composite material is a material composed of two or more distinct materials[1], or constituents, with one constituent acting as the reinforcing phase and the other as the matrix[6]. A composite material is defined by having different macroscopic behaviours, or chemical and physical properties then its constituent materials, and has a distinct interface boundary on the microscopic level[5]. Structure of Composites In a composite material the constituents are arranged generally with the reinforcement phase embedded in the matrix phase. Due to a composite being essentially a mixture between the reinforcement phase and the matrix there is no intermolecular bonding between the two, however, as in the case of fibrous composites, the most mechanically efficient structure is a criss-crossed fibrous lattice suspended in a material matrix. In the case of particulate composites however, the reinforcement phase acts essentially to strengthen the matrix material adding support. Types of Composites Composite materials are usually classified according to the type of their reinforcement phase. The two main types of composites are fibrous composites and particulate composites, which may again be divided further. In fibrous composites the fibres acting as the reinforcement, may be either continuous or chopped, and suspended in a material matrix. In composites in which the reinforcement phase is composed of either chopped or discontinuous fibres, the composite may have an either random or biased orientation. They may be used to make single layer composites or lamina. In particulate composites particles are suspended in a ... ...onent which gives little deflection when acted upon by a given weight is desirable, so a material with maximum ties in tension (E/Ï ) component which gives the least deflection for a given weight is that made of a material with a maximum E/Ï  (ties in tension), E1/2/Ï  (beam in bending) or E1/3/Ï  (plate in bending). As explained in the diagram below.[4] Works Cited 1 - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composite 2-http://composite.about.com/od/aboutcompositesplastics/l/aa060297.htm 3 - http://www.fibersonixx.com/Composites%20101.htm 4 - http://afrodita.rcub.bg.ac.rs/~rzoran/263-276%20from%20Engineering%20Materials%202.pdf 5-http://www.scribd.com/doc/36051965/Intro-to-Composite-Materials 6-DT260-2 BSc in Industrial and Environmental Physics - Mech Properties and Materials- CERAMICS 7-http://www.ehow.com/about_5149655_uses-composite-materials.html COMPOSITE MATERIALS Essay -- Sturctures, Types, Mechanical Propertie The word composite comes from the latin â€Å"composititus† meaning made up of distinct parts. A composite material is a material composed of two or more distinct materials[1], or constituents, with one constituent acting as the reinforcing phase and the other as the matrix[6]. A composite material is defined by having different macroscopic behaviours, or chemical and physical properties then its constituent materials, and has a distinct interface boundary on the microscopic level[5]. Structure of Composites In a composite material the constituents are arranged generally with the reinforcement phase embedded in the matrix phase. Due to a composite being essentially a mixture between the reinforcement phase and the matrix there is no intermolecular bonding between the two, however, as in the case of fibrous composites, the most mechanically efficient structure is a criss-crossed fibrous lattice suspended in a material matrix. In the case of particulate composites however, the reinforcement phase acts essentially to strengthen the matrix material adding support. Types of Composites Composite materials are usually classified according to the type of their reinforcement phase. The two main types of composites are fibrous composites and particulate composites, which may again be divided further. In fibrous composites the fibres acting as the reinforcement, may be either continuous or chopped, and suspended in a material matrix. In composites in which the reinforcement phase is composed of either chopped or discontinuous fibres, the composite may have an either random or biased orientation. They may be used to make single layer composites or lamina. In particulate composites particles are suspended in a ... ...onent which gives little deflection when acted upon by a given weight is desirable, so a material with maximum ties in tension (E/Ï ) component which gives the least deflection for a given weight is that made of a material with a maximum E/Ï  (ties in tension), E1/2/Ï  (beam in bending) or E1/3/Ï  (plate in bending). As explained in the diagram below.[4] Works Cited 1 - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composite 2-http://composite.about.com/od/aboutcompositesplastics/l/aa060297.htm 3 - http://www.fibersonixx.com/Composites%20101.htm 4 - http://afrodita.rcub.bg.ac.rs/~rzoran/263-276%20from%20Engineering%20Materials%202.pdf 5-http://www.scribd.com/doc/36051965/Intro-to-Composite-Materials 6-DT260-2 BSc in Industrial and Environmental Physics - Mech Properties and Materials- CERAMICS 7-http://www.ehow.com/about_5149655_uses-composite-materials.html

Barack Obama: The Audacity of Hope

The words â€Å"The Audacity of Hope† comes from Obama’s 2004 Democratic Convention keynote address. Much of the book deal with Obama’s policy positions on a number of issues, from health care to the occupation of Iraq. In this book, Obama criticizes the existing policy positions of the Bush government, and tries to reconcile political differences based on the twin principles of respect and statesmanship. There are several issues that Obama discussed in the book. The first issue is about racial discrimination. Obama rejects the notion that the United States is divided into politically racial spheres.Obama argues that the so-called ‘racial divide’ is a social construction – hence, cannot be immersed in policy-making. The personal attributes of people, according to Obama, should not become a hindrance to their own development. The second issue is rather unusual for the common reader. Obama rejects the ‘either – or formulationsâ€⠄¢ as a matter of policy. Here, he is referring to George W. Bush absolutists’ foreign policy that does not take into consideration alternatives. Obama provides a general background of such policy in the 60’s.According to Obama, the admission of African-Americans, minorities, and women to full citizenship had greatly undermined the power of the racial majority. What had developed was a system of grudge that, even today, manifests itself in government, business, education, and defense. The unity of the American nation had been greatly undermined. Obama argues that the only means to restore that unity is towards reconciling political differences. Although this is difficult to achieve, the price of success far outweighs the short-run costs.Obama’s idea of national unity transcends race, creed, and political differences. His idea of unity resembles that of Martin Luther King. Much of Obama’s thoughts on foreign, military, and domestic policies are a general t riangulation of liberal and conservative ideas – probably a way to appease both liberals and conservatives in society as Tony Blair did. In any case, his ideas about national security are much more enlightened than that of Bush. Obama’s argues that war in Iraq was a misguided war on the basis that it increased the associated risks to the United States.It did not put an end to terrorism, rather magnified it threefold. Tolerance, according to Obama must be observed in domestic and foreign policies. This is the only way to achieve an everlasting peace. The thesis of the book is: Unity of the American nation transcends race, creed, and politics, and the way to achieve peace is tolerance. For an intelligent reader, this thesis is something more of a vague statement. It does not attempt to give specific solutions to specific problems. There is no evaluation of alternatives.It is even possible to argue that Obama’s thesis is a coagulation of his political motives †“ a desire for higher political office. In any case, unlike his predecessors, Obama’s attempts to give a general view of American policies are generally unbiased and to some extent open-ended. Much of his enthusiasm of a possible end of conflict in Iraq is generally based on the hopes of a policy-shift – whether a Republican or Democrat is elected to the White House. Here, one can see that Obama’s audacity in intellectual leadership in his party exceeded that of George W. Bush.One can therefore argue that even if Obama’s thesis is a motherhood statement, it is in fact a radical alternative of the conservative-either-or policies of the Bush administration. Here, one sees the views of both a rising politician and a ‘dreamer of the 1960s. ’ Again, the specification of Obama’s thesis is still problematic, even though it carries a very meaningful radical policy-shift. In any case, there is no end to the question, â€Å"Is unity a long-ru n possibility? † Reference Obama, Barack. 2006. The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. New York: Crown.

Middle Ages & Renaissance Study Guide

Middle Ages Dates: 500-1450 1. What was going historically during this era? What was life like? It was a chaotic period of social and political unrest. Religious and political differences between and within regions led to nearly constant warfare. The life of all the classes was dominated by the feudal system – feudalism. 2. Who or what had the power? The church 3. Who were learned or literate? Holy men or people of important status such as kings, queens, and knights most other people were illiterate 4. Who were allowed to sing in church? Only men were allowed to sing in church 5.Most of the music that was notated during the middle ages was sacred or secular? Sacred 6. Was most medieval music vocal? Yes 7. What is Gregorian Chant? Discuss its origin, texture, melody, rhythm, text. How did it receive its name? What is its purpose? Music to which portions of the Roman Catholic service are sung by unaccompanied voices singing in unison. The melodies of Gregorian chant are commonly sung a capable and in unison by men and boys, or by women in female religious institutions such as convents. The rhythm is free and flexible.The text may be treated in a syllabic manner with one note of music corresponding to each syllable of text. 8. When chant was notated, was the rhythm notated or Just the melody? Gregorian Chant and Just the melody 9. What are church modes? Any of a system of modes used in Gregorian chants up until 1600 10. What is the Mass? Roman Catholic worship service 11. What is the Proper of the Mass? Parts of the mass change according to the seasons of the church year around Easter and others at Characteristic; they are proper or appropriate, only at certain times. 12. What is the Ordinary of the Mass?Parts of the mass celebrated at any season of the year or time of the day. 13. Who is Hildebrand of Bigger? 12th century Benedictine abbess who was a composer of sacred song and chant 14. When did composers begin to write polyphonic pieces? What was this ea rly polyphony like? 15. What is a canon? Polyphonic composition in which all the voices perform the same melody, beginning at different times 16. What is a drone? Sustained tone 17. What is an station? Persistently repeated melodic or rhythmic pattern 18. What is the liturgy? Words of the mass 19. Who is Gallinule De Mach? The century poet and musician who composed the first complete polyphonic setting of the entire Ordinary of the Mass. 20. What city became the musical center of Europe during the mid to late Middle Ages? What was the musical center of this city and who worked there? Vienna Composers came from all over Europe to train in and around Vienna, and gradually they developed and formalized the standard musical forms that were to dominate European musical culture for the next several decades. 21. Composers began to write polyphonic songs that were not always based on chant, what were hey based on instead? 22.By the 14th century a new system of music notation had evolved. It allowed a composer to specify almost any rhythmic pattern. Were beats now divided into two or three parts or both? Was syncopation used? Both and yes Renaissance Dates: 1450-1600 1. What was going historically during this era? What was life like? 2. What is humanism? Period characterized by a new optimism, that began in 14th century Italy and spread throughout western Europe during the Renaissance 3. What effect did the printing press have on music? It enabled books to be printed quickly and inexpensively, making them available to commoners 4.Was every educated person expected to be trained in music? Yes 5. Where did musical activity gradually shift to? From the church to the court 6. Were composers content to remain unknown? No not anymore 7. Does vocal music continue to be more important than instrumental music? Yes 9. What is word painting? Musical illustrations of verbal concepts 10. What is the primary texture of most renaissance music? Polyphonic 11. How many different parts are typically found in a renaissance piece? How does this compare to the music in the Middle Ages?Typical pieces have four, five, or six parts, but medieval music had two and three parts. 12. What is a capable? Unaccompanied group singing 13. What was the rhythm like in renaissance music? Rhythm is more a gentle flow than a sharply defined beat. 14. What was the melody like in renaissance music? The melody usually moves along a scale with few large leaps. 15. What were to the two main types of sacred music? Define each of them? Motet is a polyphonic choral work set to a sacred Latin text other than the ordinary of the mass. Mass is a polyphonic choral composition made up of five sections: Keri, Gloria,Credo, Sanctum, and Gangs Die. 16. Who was Joaquin Deeper? What type of music did he compose? Netherlands composer of the Renaissance who composed Western Music 17. Who was Giovanni Periling dad Palestinian? Italian Renaissance composer of sacred music and the best- known 16th-century representative of the Roman School of musical composition. 18. What was the counter-reformation and the Council of Trend? The time when the Church launched its counter-attack to reformation 19. List the three complaints with the sacred music of the day? 20. What is a Lutheran chorale?A four-part choral piece by theologies and writer Martin Luther, who also composed, used in Lutheran church services. 21. What is a psalm tune? Tuneful settings of the 150 psalms in versions suitable for congregational singing 20. What is a madrigal? Secular song introduced in Italy that became popular in England as well. Polyphonic in texture and expressive in mood, madrigals are written in the vernacular. 21. Who was Thomas Wilkes? An organist and church composer 22. How were instruments categorized in the Renaissance? Low or soft 23. Explain how dances are performed together?During the Renaissance period, there was a distinction between country dances and court dances. Court dances required the dance rs to be trained and were often for display and entertainment, whereas country dances could be attempted by anyone. At Court, the formal entertainment would often be followed by many hours of country dances which all present could Join in. Dances described as country dances such as Charlatans or Carthaginian remained popular over a long period – over two centuries in the case of this dance. A Renaissance dance can be likened to a ball.

University Admission Essay

University Admission Essay University Admission Essay Secrets of University Admission Essay Writing University admission essay writing is a serious assignment as you have to take into account numerous aspects of your life and then squeeze all that information into a two-three page essay. Not an easy task, is it? Moreover, your university admission essay must be nothing less than brilliant; otherwise, youll never get accepted into university of your dreams. One of our senior writers was a member of admission committee at one of the reputable American universities. We asked him to share his opinion on winning university admission essays. Here are several suggestions:http://.com/blog/writing-admission-essay Bad University Admission Essays More than 90% of applications are poorly written. Those university admission essays never get a single chance to be accepted. Bad university admission essays are five-paragraph papers which are nothing more than a group of unrelated and unsupported sentences. There are no mistakes or grammar problems, but they are boring to read and do not get any attention. Bad admission essays open with the general statement which provides immediate answer to the stated question. Such openings deprive admission committees of an opportunity to be interested in reading till the final sentence. Yes, you must keep the attention of the reader from the very first lines. In overall, there is nothing wrong with the boring university admission essays. However, such an essay will never contribute to your admission, unless you have the best grades in the city. Good University Admission Essays Good university admission essays are not the ones which are written in untraditional way. Good university admission essays are excellent because of their voice. It means that good essay shows your personality rather than tells about it. By showing, I mean that you must appeal to all of the senses. Even if you think that the topic is not relevant (of course, you should not go into description of the absolutely irrelevant issues), the way you present it determines whether you get admitted or not. In addition, you should show respect to the intelligence of the reader. Your good university admission essay should focus on ideas which come behind the details. Finally, do not forget that precision is a power in your university admission essay. Custom Written University Essays If you want to get the best written university admission essays, you may confidently ask our professional essay writers for assistance. We are able to write good university admission essays because we are aware of all the secrets of admission process. Moreover, our writers are experienced and have already helped many students! Do not delay your successful university admission essay writing! Read also: Critical Essay Outline Essays on Patriotism Assignments for Sale Maths Coursework

How to highlight transferable skills in a resume or cover letter

How to highlight transferable skills in a resume or cover letter If you’re currently considering a career change, you’re probably finding that the gap between where you are and where you want to be feels more like a gaping chasm. And you’re no doubt wondering how on earth you’re going to prove to an employer that you’re a good fit for a role you’re under-qualified for (at least on paper). Fortunately, there’s a way to shrink that gap: by drawing recruiters’ attention to your transferable skills. These are strengths and abilities honed in previous jobs that can also be applied to other (distinct) positions – skills like time management, problem-solving and research.To make these softer competencies work for you, it’s important that you build a resume and cover letter that clearly calls them out. In other words, you need to do the work of making the connections between your background and the job at hand for hiring managers.Here’s how to put together a job application thatà ¢â‚¬â„¢ll support a successful career jump.Identify your relevant transferable skillsFor every position you apply for, first carefully consider which of your transferable skills are most worth highlighting. Start by examining the job description and picking out required competencies listed there that you feel confident you possess. Ask yourself, â€Å"Which of the skills that I developed in job/industry A will be useful in job/industry B?† Think about strengths you’ve gained from side gigs and hobbies too – these are equally valuable.Use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to your advantageWhen choosing words to describe your transferable skills, bear in mind that the ATSs that many companies use to screen resumes rely heavily on keywords. If you match your wording to the language used in the job ad precisely, you improve your chances of being identified as a match and potentially landing an interview.Consider how best to demonstrate your skillsIt’s all well and good to say you’re an analytical thinker or team player, but you need to convince employers of this claim. How? By quantifying your transferable skills and illustrating how you’ve applied them previously. Think about past accomplishments and objectives you met in former roles, and express these in numbers as proof that you can do what you say you can. The idea is to impress employers enough to shift attention away from your inadequate employment record.Give your transferable skills a leading role in your resumeThere are a number of ways you can draw attention to transferable skills in your resume. Pick the route that feels right for you.Change up your resume formatOne way to make sure your relevant strengths are noticed is to create a combination resume, which first lists your key transferable skills, backed by accomplishments, and only then details your work history in reverse chronological order. Alternatively, you could opt for a nonchronological functional res ume, which sorts competencies into categories, with examples, achievements, and experience listed as bullet points below each header. It’s a good way to keep the focus off your career path, but be warned- the absence of specific details might frustrate recruiters.Separate out your relevant skills and experienceIf you’re concerned your transferable skills might get lost on your resume, then give them their own sub-section. Divide ‘Key Skills’ into ‘Related Skills’ and ‘Other Skills’ and, similarly, split up ‘Work Experience’ into ‘Related Experience’ and ‘Additional Experience.Start with an objective statementInstead of a summary statement, kick off your resume with an objective statement that explicitly addresses the fact that you’re changing careers and highlights how your skills will travel well into this new industry. A statement like this should positively impact the lens through which re cruiters read the rest of your resume. While the resume objective statement is for the most part dead, the one time it’s okay to is in a career shift situation.Shift the focus of your cover letterGood news is, if you’re battling to communicate how well your skills translate in your resume, you have another chance to do so in your cover letter. Just remember the following:Concentrate on the skills you do haveIt may feel necessary to acknowledge your lack of industry experience in your cover letter, but rather than focusing on the negatives, use this precious space to highlight the value you can bring. Show how confident you are about your ability to do the job by getting straight to those invaluable transferable skills of yours.Use a format that gives prominence to your transferable skillsWhile most candidates will opt for a more traditional letter format that outlines their work history, if you’re changing careers, it makes more sense to structure the letter aro und your relevant abilities. Pick three or four key transferable skills you possess and organize the body of your cover letter around them – you could even dedicate a paragraph to each and call them out with bolded subheadings.Author Bio:LiveCareer offers assistance to job seekers at every step of the journey. Access free  resume templates  and  resume examples, plus a  cover letter builder  and advice on how to answer  interview questions  of all stripes.

Emanuel Medical Center Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Emanuel Medical Center - Case Study Example While this was a public relations problem in the short term, the issue pointed out the larger systemic problems that exist at EMC. The ED has increasingly become a cost center, and staff morale and quality of care is reflected in this dilemma. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) of 1986 mandated that emergency rooms must treat all patients, without regards to their ability to pay. This legislation took effect at the same time that the numbers of under and uninsured people in California began to escalate. Lacking primary care physicians, the uninsured have made the ED the primary clinic for their health care. This further exacerbated EMC's financial position from two aspects. First; uninsured people were using the most expensive delivery system available, which overloaded the capacity of the ED. Second; people were waiting until their condition was chronic or terminal before seeking treatment, which further drove up costs. The outdated ED was operating well in excess of capacity, which put an additional strain on nurse availability, response time, and specialty services. With half of the patients that were admitted through the ED either uninsured or underinsured through Medi-Cal, Moen's challenge was to find areas that could compensate for the large losses incurred by the ED. With all of health care experiencing declining reimbursements and increasing expenses, it has been a difficult task to find areas of profitability. EMC expenses have outpaced revenue growth in the period of 1997-2002. Wages and salaries, the largest single expense, grew by 28 percent during this period, while revenues increased by only 23 percent. The nursing shortage has contributed to the problem, as it has forced EMC to hire temporary nurses, and reduce the number of beds available, which have both negatively impacted the bottom line. During this same era, reimbursements from Medi-care, Medi-Cal, and HMOs were declining. An experiment with capitation in the late 1990s did not prove successful, and the hope of vertical integration became an insurmountable expense. Area competition has also put pressure on EMC. Specialties and high-tech procedures are largely not available at EMC, and this business goes to the competition. The financial reality of EMC operating at a loss for the past several years has made capital investment in new equipment and technology out of reach of financing. In addition, closures and consolidations have increased the hostility of the external operating environment. All of these factors; increasing expenses, reduced reimbursement, competition, and escalating salaries have all combined to form the perfect storm. The only bright spot on the balance sheet has been the investments that EMC made in the 1990s, which managed to keep them operating into the 21st century. In fact, without these investments the financial solvency of EMC would be in doubt. In addition, EMC enjoys a significant amount of community support, and has aggressively sought community involvement through a matching grant from the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation. Moen's greatest operational challenge will be to reduce operating expenses, and increase patient revenue within the realities of their current financial situation. 2.) There are numerous strategic options available to Robert Moen, though they all have a large degree of uncertainty in regards to their financial

Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 8

Sociology - Essay Example I called another friend and we carpooled; he drove. It was quite a drive so it’s a good thing that there was no drinking after all. On the way, we were talking about how the others were doing now, what keeps them busy and entertained. We finally arrive. The door of the house opens and the smile of a beautiful lady, which neither of us knew, greets us. â€Å"Hello,† she says, â€Å"I’m Ann. I’m Matt’s girlfriend. He’s in the kitchen right now but your friends are already in the dining room.† We enter the dining room, and were surprised to see everybody seated and having the same sort of puzzled, amazed look on their faces. Ann guides us to our seats and sits down herself. Then, Matt comes in, but we couldn’t see his face, that is, until he puts down a giant turkey right in the middle of the table. Everybody exchanges looks. One friend then says, â€Å"Didn’t we celebrate thanksgiving already? What’s the turkey for Matt?† Matt replies, â€Å"Of course it isn’t thanksgiving. But it doesn’t have to happen only once a year you know. You can be thankful anytime. In fact, I have a lot to be thankful for. I called you all up and you’re all here. And of course, you met Ann. I’m thankful for her too, of course†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Matt goes on talking until we finally get to taste the delicious bird, the stuffing, and the cranberry sauce. We all went home happily. But most of all, we all went home thankfully. We were thankful tha t everybody was doing well, thankful that we all came, and, certainly, thankful that we all have a friend like

Women as Property and Marriage as Slavery (responses) Assignment

Women as Property and Marriage as Slavery (responses) - Assignment Example Also, I agree with Anthony’s arguments on the need to list women in the property rights and ownership. This is because men are less responsible in managing property and children through their ill behaviors of drunkenness and licentiousness. In this case, women stand a greater chance of suffering in the society given that they depend on men for daily bread and property. That is why Anthony states, â€Å"Most prosecutions in our courts concern breach of promise, divorce, adultery, bigamy, seduction and rape.† I disagree with John Stuart Mill’s arguments on the subjection of women. It is essential for women to have rights and freedom of existence in a free world. The legal subordination of women to men due to the natural acts that state, â€Å"The conquered should obey the conquerors† should be a forgotten past. Women and men should have a perfect equality where both have powers, privileges, independence and development records on a personal ground (Mill 74). I also support the arguments of Engels on the need to create a worker-run state socialism where there would be formation of trade and wage labor unions and abolish capitalism. Engels derived his argument from the fact that women suffered inequality in a capitalist society where there was inequality in workplaces and homes. He states, â€Å"The division of labor between two sexes is determined by quite other causes than by position of women in the society.† Consequently, the society should empower women since they take part in agriculture, amassing surplus wealth and property yet they are not entitled to ownership in the government (Engels,

Innovation for Competitive Advantage in International Market

Innovation for Competitive Advantage in International Market INTRODUCTION Organizations must run fast to keep up with changes taking place all around them. They must modify themselves all the time. Change, rather than stability, is the norm today. Every business is affected by a number of powerful environmental forces such as; technological advances, environmental changes, evolving society and customer desires, and maturation of market, which drive the need to change in todays globalized economy. All of these enviromental forces have created opportunities and threats. Every organization strives to take advantage of opportunities and manage the threats which have arisen during the change process (Daft, 2001). Organizations, to be considered innovative, need to implement technologically new products and processes, or need to make significant technological improvements in existing products and processes. Organizations generate and apply the appropriate knowledge required for producing something new and improving the existing product or process, simply known as â€Å"knowledge creation† (Atmaca, 2006). The rate of innovation and technical change is important to an economys rate of growth. Differences in knowledge creation, diffusion, and use have implications for international competiveness, standards of living, and quality of life (Feldman and Massard, 2002). To remain competitive, established firms must continually seek out opportunities for growth and new methods for strategically renewing their performance. Changes in customer needs, new technologies, and shifts in the competitive landscape require that companies continually innovate and initiate corporate ventures in order to compete effectively (Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner, 2008). The discussion begins with defining the innovation concept focusing on different literatures from professional writers. Innovations can take many forms, including radical breakthrough innovations as well as incremantal innovative improvements, and todays researchers are strongly emphasizing that innovation is one of the most valuable differentiator for sustainable competitive advantage. The concept of innovation is compared to the concept of invention and creativity as they are confused and interchangeably used. Later, the discussion concentrates on the importance of innovation in identifying opportunities and threats coming with change; which are followed by suggestions how to become successful innovators to overcome these threats. The discussion continues by identifying the four types of changes an organization undergoes to achieve advantage in the international environment. These changes can be used to update the products or the services, the technology, the existing strategy and structure, and culture in the organization. Then, focus will be on how organizations can build innovation by applying key elements that create a truly innovative and entrepreneurial one. The next chapter identifies some successful global innovators that have delivered novel benefits to their customers. This thesis reviews the innovation concept and the forms it takes to achieve competitive edge in the market. It identifies the benefits driving from innovation, explains why people and organizations resist change and identifies the appropriate steps to overcome barriers resisting it. It explains the role management has during innovation and the key elements to create an innovative organization. It concludes by explaining why healthcare sector is different and identifies the best practiced innovations in healthcare sector. The later chapter concentrates on how innovation evolves in the service sector. The biggest industries for RD spending for 2009 are identified. The important features of services sector; the concept of service innovation and its four dimensions are compared to the service product concept. To conclude, some suggestions how management in service companies can achieve effective innovation are given. The last chapter concentrates on the healthcare sector. It focuses on the main and best practised innovations in the healthare sector, as healthcare is a part of the service sector. The reasons that make the healthcare sector different from others are underlined. Big structure, complex size, and different government policies are some of the reasons. To sum up, best practised processes and services which are applied by present healthcare service providers are identified. CHAPTER I LITERATURE REVIEW IN INNOVATION 1.1 Defining Innovation According to King (2009) innovation is doing things in new ways in order to achieve significant results and make a huge difference in performance compared to others. Innovations goal is to have a positive change, to make someone or something better. Testing and evaluation of ideas is critical in achieving this goal. The ideas that do not work are identified through testing. Failure is an integral part of the innovation process. Failing means collecting data and evidence about the changes that organizations want to undergo. This view is supported by Mulgan and Albury (2003) who define innovation as new ideas that work and a successful innovation can be achieved through the creation and implementation of new processes, products, services and methods of delivery which will result in significant improvements in the profitability and enhance the growth of an enterprise. Innovation is a special case of planned change and learning that either transforms current products, services, and markets, or creates an entirely new market by introducing a radically new product or service. An organization is considered innovative if it stirs up the marketplace, by creating competitive pressures and new opportunities. It has been recognized that innovation success in an established organization requires balancing the stabilized efficiency of the current market offerings and building new capabilities to create and develop offerings for unknown markets (Bloisi, Cook and Hunsaker, 2003). The changes used to adapt the environment can be evaluated according to the scope and to the extent to which changes are incremental or radical for the organization. Incremental changes maintain the general equilibrium of the organization through a series of continual progressions and affect only one part in organization. On the contrast, radical changes, transform the entire organization. Incremental changes include technology improvements, such as the introduction of computer-integrated manufacturing or product improvements in the established structure and management processes. In radical changes, the technology is likely to be breakthrough, and new products created will establish new markets (Daft, 2001). Importance of innovation seems to be the most talked management issue these days. Knowledge plays a crucial role in the economic processes because within the knowledge-based economy, innovation plays a central role and stands at the heart of economic change. Firms innovate to defend their competitive position as well as to achieve competitive advantage. Organizations possessing more knowledge outperform those with less. It was believed that an enterprise can maintain competitive advantage through quality and price. While todays different researches have revealed that innovation is one of the most valuable differentiator for sustainable competitive advantage (Tyagi, 2008). 1.1.1 Invention Tyagi (2008) has made a distinction between invention and innovation. Invention is discovering of things never existed before while innovation is discovering how to introduce and commercialize new products, processes and new ways of adding customer value through innovative business models and management systems. This point of view is supported by King (2009) who defines invention as the generation of new ideas which have the potential to make someone or something better. New ideas can drawn from scanning other industries, by having conversations and meetings, or accessing information which is not usual in your business. All innovations starting point is invention of creative ideas. The distinction between them is; invention is having an idea about a service, product, technology or device, while innovation is the successfull application of those ideas. Another author who has discussed about the difference existing among invention and creativity is Sloane (2010). Invention is the creation of a product, device or method that has never been made and existed before. So, every invention is an innovation. But every innovation is not an invention. When a company first publishes its website this is a major innovation for the company even though many other websites may already exist. 1.1.2 Creativity Creativity is defined as the process of thinking and generating new things, new concepts, and new ideas. Converting these thoughts into tangible things, bringing these ideas to life is innovation. Creativity is like dreaming up new things and innovation is making those dreams come true. Expressed in other words, creativity is the capability of conceiving something unusual or original while innovation is the implementation of those unusual or original things (Difference Between, n.d.). 1.2 Benefits and Barriers of Innovation In the last years change has occured incrementally and infrequently. A globalized economy is creating both opportunities and hazards to everyone. Firms are forced to make dramatic improvements not only to compete and prosper but also to survive. People who have been through difficult, and not successful change efforts end up drawing pesimistic and angry conclusions. They become suspicious of the motives of those pushing for transformation (Kotter, 1996). This section will focus on the discussion of benefits and barriers that come with innovation. The advantages supporting a strong leadership and the factors causing resistance toward change will be identified. In addition, this section will also explain some methods that managers can use to implement change successfully within the organization. 1.2.1 Benefits of Innovation Bhatt (2007) states the reasons that make companies innovate, those are listed below: To advance in technology. To change the environment. The evolving of the society. The evolving of the customer desires. Competitors improve their products and services. Customers stop buying your old products so you need to replace them and add new products. Innovation opportunities can arise due to environmental changes in technology, science, and data analysis. Environmental changes may result in creation of new customer needs or may enable the organization to develop better solutions to current customer needs. Service or product innovations have to fulfill four benefit aspects listed below: Unique. The target group should perceive the new benefits generated from the new service or product as unique. Important. The customers should perceive the new benefits as important. Sustainable. The new benefits should be protected against followers by measures such as patents, time to market and brand management. Marketable. The organization should have the resources, capabilities and competencies to market the product which also includes an effective and ready to market version of the product (Anon., 2008). Stark (n.d.) has identified the benefits of good innovation, those are listed below: First to market. Premium prices. Best customers. Large market share. Increased shareholder return. Increased employee motivation and morale. 1.2.2 Barriers to Innovation Beer and Nohria (2000) state that one research team concluded that ‘The brutal fact is that about 70 per cent of all change initiatives fail. These researchers conclude that there are two primary reasons why organizations undergo change: one is based on ‘hard economic value (e.g. financial return to shareholders); the other is based ‘soft organizational capabilities. The organizational approach develops corporate culture, human capabilities, feedback, measurements and reflections on evolutionary progress. Both people and organizations frequently resist change, even if it is in their best interests, especially in large and established organizations. Bloisi, Cook and Hunsaker (2003) suggest five main reasons why individuals resist change: Selective perception. People sometimes perceive the same thing differently. When changes are initiated, individuals tend to focus on how they will be personally affected rather than seeing the big picture for the entire organization. Lack of information.People will resist change if they are not informed about what is expected from them or what benefits change will bring. If the reasons for change are not clearly presented, people tend to fill in the missing pieces with speculation, which often assumes the worst in terms of initiator intentions and personal impact. In addition, if people do not have enough information about how to change, they may fear making mistakes, so they will not try. Fear of the unknown. Individuals resist change when they are uncertain about how it will affect their well-being. They fear downsizing, uncertainties about not knowing how to change, not being able to perform as well as before the change, losing position, income, and status or power. Habit. Many people prefer familiar actions and events, even if they are not optimal. Breaking a habit is difficult because it takes hard work and involves giving up perceived benefits from the habit, even if the new behavior has more desirable consequences. Resentment toward the initiator.If a change seems arbitrary or unreasonable, resentment and anger are directed towards those initiating the change. People resent being controlled and losing autonomy over their works and lives, when their thoughts and feelings are not considered by change initiators. Finally, without trust in the initiators inventions, people may resist the change out of resentment or fear of possible unknown consequences. Bloisi, Cook and Hunsaker (2003) state that organizations resist change for many of the same reasons individuals do. There are also many forces inside an organization that create resistance to changes initiated by environmental conditions. Some of the main ones are summarized below: Power Maintenance. Changes in decision-making authority and control of resource allocations threaten the balance of power in organizations. Units benefiting from the change will welcome it, but those losing power will resist it. Structural stability. Organizations create hierarchies, subgroups, rules and procedures to promote order, consistent and predicable behaviors. People who ‘fit these desired behavioral criteria are hired and shaped to confirm further through the socialization process and organizational conditioning. Functional sub-optimization.Differences in functional orientation, goals and resource dependencies can cause changes that are seen as beneficial to one functional unit and as threatening to another. Functional units usually think of themselves first when evaluating potential changes and support those that enhance their own welfare, but resist the one that reduce it. Organizational culture. Organizational culture promotes predicable ways of thinking and behaving. Organizational members will resist changes that force them to abandon established assumptions and approved ways of doing things. Group norms. Groups develop their own norms to promote desirable behaviors. Many members conform these norms. Consequently, any change that disrupts group norms, tasks or role relationships will probably be resisted. Strategos conducted a survey of innovation practices of more than 550 large companies, where majority of respondents in every industry rated innovation as critical and said that the importance of innovation would grow in the future. According to Loewe and Dominiquini (2006) the top six obstacles to innovation identified by respondents across industries are: Short-term focus. Lack of time, resources or staff. Leadership expects payoff sooner than is realistic. Management incentives do not reward innovation. Lack of a systematic innovation process. Belief that innovation is inherently risky. Below is a list of suggestions how to become successful innovators about overcoming the barriers to innovation: Have a vision for change. Innovation has to have a purpose, a statement which defines the direction for the business and which people will readily understand and remember. Your team needs to know the direction they are headed in order to be innovative. Illustrate the goals and explain to people how their role is decisive in meeting the goals to fulfill the organizational vision. Fight the fear of change. Innovative leaders constantly explain the need for change. They must paint a picture that shows an attractive future that is worth taking risks to achieve. Have a dynamic suggestions scheme. Great suggestion schemes are focused and open to all. Leaders do not need to offer huge rewards. Sometimes, recognition and response are generally more important. Break the rules. To achieve radical innovation leaders need to challenge all the assumptions related to how things should look in your environment. Business is like Art, with no well-defined rules and referees. Innovation is filled with opportunities for people who can take advantage in creating new ways to provide the goods and services that customers want. Give everyone two jobs. Ask your people to run their current jobs in the most effective way possible and at the same time to find completely new ways to do the job. Encourage them to identify the purpose of their role, the outcomes delivered through this role and if there is a better way to deliver that purpose. Collaborate. CEOs must see collaboration as key to their success during innovation. Success can not only be achieved by using internal resources, but also by looking outside of the organization for people to partner with. Welcome failure. The innovative leader encourages a culture where people feel free to innovate and experiment. Innovative leaders tell people that each unsuccessful attempt is a step along the road to success. When innovative leaders welcome innovation and create a culture of experimentation, means that they except failure and welcome it. Build prototypes. Innovative leaders are suggested to try the new ideas at low cost by building prototypes and see what the customer reaction is. You will learn more in the real world than you will in the test laboratories. Be passionate. Leaders must concentrate on the things they want to change, on the challenges they want to face and be passionate about overcoming them. Organizations need passionate supporters, who are inspired to innovate and change the way they do things to come up with extraordinary results. Be passionate about what you believe, communicate that passion every time you speak and explain why reaching the destination is really worthwhile (ArticleSnatch, n.d.). 1.3 Types of Innovation There exist four types of changes to achieve strategic edge within an organization. Managers can use these four types of changes to achieve competitive advantage in the international environment. Each company can have maximum impact upon the chosen market through its own unique configuration of technology, product and services, strategy and structure, and culture as explained below (Daft, 2001). 1.3.1 Technological Innovation Technological innovations refer to changes in an organizations production process to enable distinctive competence. Changes in an organizations production process, including its knowledge and skills base, are designed to produce greater in volume or to have a more efficient production. Changes in technology involve the work methods, equipment, and work flow techniques for making products or services. For example, in a university, technology changes are about changes in methods for teaching the courses. Tyagi (2008) suggests that traditionally innovation has been associated with the use of technological knowledge, and research and development activities. A technological innovation is any innovation due to an industrial application of scientific knowledge. Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner (2008) suggest that innovation involves the usage of new knowledge to transform organizational processes or create commercially viable products and services. The latest technology, results of experiments, creative insights, or competitive information may be the sources of new knowledge. However it comes about, innovation occurs when new combinations of ideas and information bring about positive change. Among the most important sources of new ideas is new technology. Technology creates new possibilities and provides the raw material that firms use to make innovative new products and services. But technology is not the only source of innovation. There can be innovations in human resources, firm infrastructure, marketing, service, or in many other value-adding areas that have little to do with anything â€Å"high-tech.† 1.3.2 Product and Service Innovation Product and service innovations refer to the product or service outputs of an organization. New products may be in the form of entirely new product lines or small adaptions of existing products. New products are designed to develop new markets, or customers, or to increase the market share. Tyagi (2008) states that product innovation is about the introduction of new goods and services which have improvements in terms of design excellence, core characteristics, technical specifications etc. and are derived from customer or industry insight, or strategic alignment of the organization. Godin (2005) suggests that the old rule was to create safe and ordinary products that were combined with great marketing. The new rule is to create remarkable products and figure out a great theory by looking at whats working in the real world and what the various successes have in common. Identify what the successful companies have in common and do something to be remarkable. Roberts (2002) has made a distinction when discussing if innovation is between product/service innovation and process innovation. Product/Service innovation refers to efforts to develop new products or services for end users. Product/Service innovations tend to be more radical and are more common during the earlier stages of an industrys life cycle. As an industry matures, there are fewer opportunities for newness, so the innovations tend to be more incremental. Process innovation, by contrast, is associated with improving the efficiency of an organizational process, especially manufacturing systems and operations. Process innovations occur in the later stages of an industrys life cycle as companies seek ways to remain viable in markets where demand has flattened out and competition is more intensive. As a result, process innovations are often associated with overall cost leader strategies because the aim of many process improvements is to lower the cost of operations. There are several problems with seeking competitive advantage through investments in process technology. Firstly, the people who sell you robots or point-of-sale terminals, software to analyze production or service delivery will sell the robots, terminals, and software to your competitors. Your ability to obtain the benefits of this technology depends on your ability to implement it more rapidly and more effectively. Secondly, investment in specialized technology is not a substitute for skill in managing the work force. This is because more skills may be required to operate the more sophisticated and advanced equipments. Having a higher level of investment per employee will result in increasingly expensive interruptions in the process which means that the ability to operate, maintain, and repair equipment effectively becomes even more critical (Pfeffer, 1996). 1.3.3 Strategy and Structural Innovation Strategy and structural innovation refers to the administrative section in an organization. It is related to the management and supervision in the organization, including changes in an organizations strategic management and structure, policies, accounting and budgeting systems, reward systems, labor relations, coordination devices, management information and control systems. Strategy and structure changes in an organization are mandated by top management. They usually have a top-down structure. An example may be if the corporate goes downsizing. On the other hand, product and technology changes may come from the bottom up. 1.3.4 Cultural Innovation Cultural innovation refers to changes that may occur in an employees attitudes, beliefs, values, expectations, abilities, and behavior. Culture innovation tends to change the way employees think. These are changes in mindset rather than the technology, structure, or products and services. Culture can be a powerful force undermining or shoring up the effectiveness of a nation, a business, and a manager. Recognizing the presence and power of culture will help in better navigating through the rough seas of international business. Discovering how to harness the power of culture in an organization will help the organization gain competitive advantage (Schneider and Barsoux, 2003). To conclude, it can be said that successful innovation in an organization occurs when technological and product or process innovations in the value chain are implemented through effective strategy and structure innovation. Innovation in an organization, which includes people, leadership, creativity, process and organizational culture, is the driver to grow, to achieve high profits and to succeed in the market. Innovation in an organization should be approached in a systematic way and not a piecemeal manner and should be initiated even at the lowest levels (Tyagi, 2008). 1.4 Leadership in Practice of Innovation Many organizations are resistant to changes and continue operating the way they had been operating in the past. To remain competitive, they work harder, improve efficiency, reduce cost and implement best practices. But, this is not enough. Instead of getting stuck in their standard mode of operations, organizations need to adopt innovative ways to change the strategies. The best way to create a competitive edge and be in the head of the competition is to innovate by drawing advantage from the creative power of your people. Turn your greatest assets into opportunistic entrepreneurs who discover new ways and improve the way they do business. Management innovation involves total transformation of existing culture to enhance organizational performance in an integrated manner involving technological innovation, product and service innovation, and strategy and structural innovation (Tyagi, 2008). Sloane (2003) suggests that every organization needs to have a vision, a culture and a process of innovation to build a truly innovative environment. There are eight key elements that create a truly innovative and entrepreneurial organization as below: Painting the vision. The first step is to paint a desirable, challenging and believable vision. Innovative leaders must be sure that people share a common goal and embarke on a journey all together. Being all together means they accept easier the changes, all the challenges and difficulties that show up during the journey. Innovative leaders should delegate more responsibility, and empower the staff with control over their work. Once staff is aware of the goal and direction headed, they contribute the best creative ways to solve challenges and obstacles that lie ahead. Build an open and questioning culture. The painted picture quickly fades away from view, so great leaders should take time to meet staff and illustrate the goals to be achieved and the challenges to overcome. Leaders inspire the staff to become entrepreneurs finding innovative routes to success and constantly remind them how their role is decisive in fulfilling the vision and meeting the challenges. Empowering. The purpose of empowering your people is to turn them into entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities. By empowering, leaders enable them to develop the skills for the task and achieve the change through their own efforts to come up with radical innovations. People need freedom to succeed and need to understand and agree on what management expects of them. People and management must agree on the scope of freedom and responsibility. Empowering means trusting your people, supporting and believing that they will achieve great things. Set goals, deadlines and measurements for innovation. Change is uncomfortable, resulting in anxiously people fearing an embarrassing or costly failure. Leaders should spend time with people encouraging them to undertake risks and come out from their safety zones. Leaders should reassure them that risks are necessary and worth taking and no one will be punished if their initiatives do not succeed. Use creativity techniques to generate a large number of ideas. Innovative leaders should build a culture where everyone can come up with creative solutions and crazy ideas through techniques, methods, and workshops. The goal is to change the people within the organization; from people who do routine jobs into highly energized entrepreneurs who constantly search for new and better ways of making the vision a reality. People need to be trained to learn the skills and to develop the confidence to try new methods, and use creative techniques to come up with new solutions. Review, filter and select ideas. In the innovation process many ideas are generated in response to a given issue or challenge. At the end, the most promising idea is selected. Prototype the promising proposals. After the idea is selected, then the move is to rapidly prototype it. Analyze the results and the successful projects. New product is tested for its feasibility, attractiveness and payback. Those that pass these criteria are given more funding. King (2009) suggests that the most effective, efficient and leading edge organizations are those that innovate and encourage innovation. Innovative organizations require a strong leadership team to approve the importance of innovation and create a culture for it. A development of strong capabilities for innovation leadership need to be started early in the career development process. In an innovative culture, the staff is given freedom to innovate and experiment. In an innovative culture, risks are managed and the organization understands and accepts that future success is built on a series of learning from unsuccessful attempts. Collaboration with outside parties to generate and adopt innovations is encouraged. Success will depend on strong leadership. We can take learning from market leaders to help us identify key leadership behaviors to promote innovation as explained below: Lead continuous innovation and improvement. Develop and communicate an encouraging story. Encourage partnerships and collaboration. Staff should be exposed to new viewpoints and ideas that can be adapted in the organization. To do this, the organization should create partnerships and collaboration with different parts within or outside the organization. Promote innovation. Organization should consider innovation as a core part of its role, and time is allocated for its employees to innovate. Different organizations have created bespoke Innovation for Competitive Advantage in International Market Innovation for Competitive Advantage in International Market INTRODUCTION Organizations must run fast to keep up with changes taking place all around them. They must modify themselves all the time. Change, rather than stability, is the norm today. Every business is affected by a number of powerful environmental forces such as; technological advances, environmental changes, evolving society and customer desires, and maturation of market, which drive the need to change in todays globalized economy. All of these enviromental forces have created opportunities and threats. Every organization strives to take advantage of opportunities and manage the threats which have arisen during the change process (Daft, 2001). Organizations, to be considered innovative, need to implement technologically new products and processes, or need to make significant technological improvements in existing products and processes. Organizations generate and apply the appropriate knowledge required for producing something new and improving the existing product or process, simply known as â€Å"knowledge creation† (Atmaca, 2006). The rate of innovation and technical change is important to an economys rate of growth. Differences in knowledge creation, diffusion, and use have implications for international competiveness, standards of living, and quality of life (Feldman and Massard, 2002). To remain competitive, established firms must continually seek out opportunities for growth and new methods for strategically renewing their performance. Changes in customer needs, new technologies, and shifts in the competitive landscape require that companies continually innovate and initiate corporate ventures in order to compete effectively (Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner, 2008). The discussion begins with defining the innovation concept focusing on different literatures from professional writers. Innovations can take many forms, including radical breakthrough innovations as well as incremantal innovative improvements, and todays researchers are strongly emphasizing that innovation is one of the most valuable differentiator for sustainable competitive advantage. The concept of innovation is compared to the concept of invention and creativity as they are confused and interchangeably used. Later, the discussion concentrates on the importance of innovation in identifying opportunities and threats coming with change; which are followed by suggestions how to become successful innovators to overcome these threats. The discussion continues by identifying the four types of changes an organization undergoes to achieve advantage in the international environment. These changes can be used to update the products or the services, the technology, the existing strategy and structure, and culture in the organization. Then, focus will be on how organizations can build innovation by applying key elements that create a truly innovative and entrepreneurial one. The next chapter identifies some successful global innovators that have delivered novel benefits to their customers. This thesis reviews the innovation concept and the forms it takes to achieve competitive edge in the market. It identifies the benefits driving from innovation, explains why people and organizations resist change and identifies the appropriate steps to overcome barriers resisting it. It explains the role management has during innovation and the key elements to create an innovative organization. It concludes by explaining why healthcare sector is different and identifies the best practiced innovations in healthcare sector. The later chapter concentrates on how innovation evolves in the service sector. The biggest industries for RD spending for 2009 are identified. The important features of services sector; the concept of service innovation and its four dimensions are compared to the service product concept. To conclude, some suggestions how management in service companies can achieve effective innovation are given. The last chapter concentrates on the healthcare sector. It focuses on the main and best practised innovations in the healthare sector, as healthcare is a part of the service sector. The reasons that make the healthcare sector different from others are underlined. Big structure, complex size, and different government policies are some of the reasons. To sum up, best practised processes and services which are applied by present healthcare service providers are identified. CHAPTER I LITERATURE REVIEW IN INNOVATION 1.1 Defining Innovation According to King (2009) innovation is doing things in new ways in order to achieve significant results and make a huge difference in performance compared to others. Innovations goal is to have a positive change, to make someone or something better. Testing and evaluation of ideas is critical in achieving this goal. The ideas that do not work are identified through testing. Failure is an integral part of the innovation process. Failing means collecting data and evidence about the changes that organizations want to undergo. This view is supported by Mulgan and Albury (2003) who define innovation as new ideas that work and a successful innovation can be achieved through the creation and implementation of new processes, products, services and methods of delivery which will result in significant improvements in the profitability and enhance the growth of an enterprise. Innovation is a special case of planned change and learning that either transforms current products, services, and markets, or creates an entirely new market by introducing a radically new product or service. An organization is considered innovative if it stirs up the marketplace, by creating competitive pressures and new opportunities. It has been recognized that innovation success in an established organization requires balancing the stabilized efficiency of the current market offerings and building new capabilities to create and develop offerings for unknown markets (Bloisi, Cook and Hunsaker, 2003). The changes used to adapt the environment can be evaluated according to the scope and to the extent to which changes are incremental or radical for the organization. Incremental changes maintain the general equilibrium of the organization through a series of continual progressions and affect only one part in organization. On the contrast, radical changes, transform the entire organization. Incremental changes include technology improvements, such as the introduction of computer-integrated manufacturing or product improvements in the established structure and management processes. In radical changes, the technology is likely to be breakthrough, and new products created will establish new markets (Daft, 2001). Importance of innovation seems to be the most talked management issue these days. Knowledge plays a crucial role in the economic processes because within the knowledge-based economy, innovation plays a central role and stands at the heart of economic change. Firms innovate to defend their competitive position as well as to achieve competitive advantage. Organizations possessing more knowledge outperform those with less. It was believed that an enterprise can maintain competitive advantage through quality and price. While todays different researches have revealed that innovation is one of the most valuable differentiator for sustainable competitive advantage (Tyagi, 2008). 1.1.1 Invention Tyagi (2008) has made a distinction between invention and innovation. Invention is discovering of things never existed before while innovation is discovering how to introduce and commercialize new products, processes and new ways of adding customer value through innovative business models and management systems. This point of view is supported by King (2009) who defines invention as the generation of new ideas which have the potential to make someone or something better. New ideas can drawn from scanning other industries, by having conversations and meetings, or accessing information which is not usual in your business. All innovations starting point is invention of creative ideas. The distinction between them is; invention is having an idea about a service, product, technology or device, while innovation is the successfull application of those ideas. Another author who has discussed about the difference existing among invention and creativity is Sloane (2010). Invention is the creation of a product, device or method that has never been made and existed before. So, every invention is an innovation. But every innovation is not an invention. When a company first publishes its website this is a major innovation for the company even though many other websites may already exist. 1.1.2 Creativity Creativity is defined as the process of thinking and generating new things, new concepts, and new ideas. Converting these thoughts into tangible things, bringing these ideas to life is innovation. Creativity is like dreaming up new things and innovation is making those dreams come true. Expressed in other words, creativity is the capability of conceiving something unusual or original while innovation is the implementation of those unusual or original things (Difference Between, n.d.). 1.2 Benefits and Barriers of Innovation In the last years change has occured incrementally and infrequently. A globalized economy is creating both opportunities and hazards to everyone. Firms are forced to make dramatic improvements not only to compete and prosper but also to survive. People who have been through difficult, and not successful change efforts end up drawing pesimistic and angry conclusions. They become suspicious of the motives of those pushing for transformation (Kotter, 1996). This section will focus on the discussion of benefits and barriers that come with innovation. The advantages supporting a strong leadership and the factors causing resistance toward change will be identified. In addition, this section will also explain some methods that managers can use to implement change successfully within the organization. 1.2.1 Benefits of Innovation Bhatt (2007) states the reasons that make companies innovate, those are listed below: To advance in technology. To change the environment. The evolving of the society. The evolving of the customer desires. Competitors improve their products and services. Customers stop buying your old products so you need to replace them and add new products. Innovation opportunities can arise due to environmental changes in technology, science, and data analysis. Environmental changes may result in creation of new customer needs or may enable the organization to develop better solutions to current customer needs. Service or product innovations have to fulfill four benefit aspects listed below: Unique. The target group should perceive the new benefits generated from the new service or product as unique. Important. The customers should perceive the new benefits as important. Sustainable. The new benefits should be protected against followers by measures such as patents, time to market and brand management. Marketable. The organization should have the resources, capabilities and competencies to market the product which also includes an effective and ready to market version of the product (Anon., 2008). Stark (n.d.) has identified the benefits of good innovation, those are listed below: First to market. Premium prices. Best customers. Large market share. Increased shareholder return. Increased employee motivation and morale. 1.2.2 Barriers to Innovation Beer and Nohria (2000) state that one research team concluded that ‘The brutal fact is that about 70 per cent of all change initiatives fail. These researchers conclude that there are two primary reasons why organizations undergo change: one is based on ‘hard economic value (e.g. financial return to shareholders); the other is based ‘soft organizational capabilities. The organizational approach develops corporate culture, human capabilities, feedback, measurements and reflections on evolutionary progress. Both people and organizations frequently resist change, even if it is in their best interests, especially in large and established organizations. Bloisi, Cook and Hunsaker (2003) suggest five main reasons why individuals resist change: Selective perception. People sometimes perceive the same thing differently. When changes are initiated, individuals tend to focus on how they will be personally affected rather than seeing the big picture for the entire organization. Lack of information.People will resist change if they are not informed about what is expected from them or what benefits change will bring. If the reasons for change are not clearly presented, people tend to fill in the missing pieces with speculation, which often assumes the worst in terms of initiator intentions and personal impact. In addition, if people do not have enough information about how to change, they may fear making mistakes, so they will not try. Fear of the unknown. Individuals resist change when they are uncertain about how it will affect their well-being. They fear downsizing, uncertainties about not knowing how to change, not being able to perform as well as before the change, losing position, income, and status or power. Habit. Many people prefer familiar actions and events, even if they are not optimal. Breaking a habit is difficult because it takes hard work and involves giving up perceived benefits from the habit, even if the new behavior has more desirable consequences. Resentment toward the initiator.If a change seems arbitrary or unreasonable, resentment and anger are directed towards those initiating the change. People resent being controlled and losing autonomy over their works and lives, when their thoughts and feelings are not considered by change initiators. Finally, without trust in the initiators inventions, people may resist the change out of resentment or fear of possible unknown consequences. Bloisi, Cook and Hunsaker (2003) state that organizations resist change for many of the same reasons individuals do. There are also many forces inside an organization that create resistance to changes initiated by environmental conditions. Some of the main ones are summarized below: Power Maintenance. Changes in decision-making authority and control of resource allocations threaten the balance of power in organizations. Units benefiting from the change will welcome it, but those losing power will resist it. Structural stability. Organizations create hierarchies, subgroups, rules and procedures to promote order, consistent and predicable behaviors. People who ‘fit these desired behavioral criteria are hired and shaped to confirm further through the socialization process and organizational conditioning. Functional sub-optimization.Differences in functional orientation, goals and resource dependencies can cause changes that are seen as beneficial to one functional unit and as threatening to another. Functional units usually think of themselves first when evaluating potential changes and support those that enhance their own welfare, but resist the one that reduce it. Organizational culture. Organizational culture promotes predicable ways of thinking and behaving. Organizational members will resist changes that force them to abandon established assumptions and approved ways of doing things. Group norms. Groups develop their own norms to promote desirable behaviors. Many members conform these norms. Consequently, any change that disrupts group norms, tasks or role relationships will probably be resisted. Strategos conducted a survey of innovation practices of more than 550 large companies, where majority of respondents in every industry rated innovation as critical and said that the importance of innovation would grow in the future. According to Loewe and Dominiquini (2006) the top six obstacles to innovation identified by respondents across industries are: Short-term focus. Lack of time, resources or staff. Leadership expects payoff sooner than is realistic. Management incentives do not reward innovation. Lack of a systematic innovation process. Belief that innovation is inherently risky. Below is a list of suggestions how to become successful innovators about overcoming the barriers to innovation: Have a vision for change. Innovation has to have a purpose, a statement which defines the direction for the business and which people will readily understand and remember. Your team needs to know the direction they are headed in order to be innovative. Illustrate the goals and explain to people how their role is decisive in meeting the goals to fulfill the organizational vision. Fight the fear of change. Innovative leaders constantly explain the need for change. They must paint a picture that shows an attractive future that is worth taking risks to achieve. Have a dynamic suggestions scheme. Great suggestion schemes are focused and open to all. Leaders do not need to offer huge rewards. Sometimes, recognition and response are generally more important. Break the rules. To achieve radical innovation leaders need to challenge all the assumptions related to how things should look in your environment. Business is like Art, with no well-defined rules and referees. Innovation is filled with opportunities for people who can take advantage in creating new ways to provide the goods and services that customers want. Give everyone two jobs. Ask your people to run their current jobs in the most effective way possible and at the same time to find completely new ways to do the job. Encourage them to identify the purpose of their role, the outcomes delivered through this role and if there is a better way to deliver that purpose. Collaborate. CEOs must see collaboration as key to their success during innovation. Success can not only be achieved by using internal resources, but also by looking outside of the organization for people to partner with. Welcome failure. The innovative leader encourages a culture where people feel free to innovate and experiment. Innovative leaders tell people that each unsuccessful attempt is a step along the road to success. When innovative leaders welcome innovation and create a culture of experimentation, means that they except failure and welcome it. Build prototypes. Innovative leaders are suggested to try the new ideas at low cost by building prototypes and see what the customer reaction is. You will learn more in the real world than you will in the test laboratories. Be passionate. Leaders must concentrate on the things they want to change, on the challenges they want to face and be passionate about overcoming them. Organizations need passionate supporters, who are inspired to innovate and change the way they do things to come up with extraordinary results. Be passionate about what you believe, communicate that passion every time you speak and explain why reaching the destination is really worthwhile (ArticleSnatch, n.d.). 1.3 Types of Innovation There exist four types of changes to achieve strategic edge within an organization. Managers can use these four types of changes to achieve competitive advantage in the international environment. Each company can have maximum impact upon the chosen market through its own unique configuration of technology, product and services, strategy and structure, and culture as explained below (Daft, 2001). 1.3.1 Technological Innovation Technological innovations refer to changes in an organizations production process to enable distinctive competence. Changes in an organizations production process, including its knowledge and skills base, are designed to produce greater in volume or to have a more efficient production. Changes in technology involve the work methods, equipment, and work flow techniques for making products or services. For example, in a university, technology changes are about changes in methods for teaching the courses. Tyagi (2008) suggests that traditionally innovation has been associated with the use of technological knowledge, and research and development activities. A technological innovation is any innovation due to an industrial application of scientific knowledge. Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner (2008) suggest that innovation involves the usage of new knowledge to transform organizational processes or create commercially viable products and services. The latest technology, results of experiments, creative insights, or competitive information may be the sources of new knowledge. However it comes about, innovation occurs when new combinations of ideas and information bring about positive change. Among the most important sources of new ideas is new technology. Technology creates new possibilities and provides the raw material that firms use to make innovative new products and services. But technology is not the only source of innovation. There can be innovations in human resources, firm infrastructure, marketing, service, or in many other value-adding areas that have little to do with anything â€Å"high-tech.† 1.3.2 Product and Service Innovation Product and service innovations refer to the product or service outputs of an organization. New products may be in the form of entirely new product lines or small adaptions of existing products. New products are designed to develop new markets, or customers, or to increase the market share. Tyagi (2008) states that product innovation is about the introduction of new goods and services which have improvements in terms of design excellence, core characteristics, technical specifications etc. and are derived from customer or industry insight, or strategic alignment of the organization. Godin (2005) suggests that the old rule was to create safe and ordinary products that were combined with great marketing. The new rule is to create remarkable products and figure out a great theory by looking at whats working in the real world and what the various successes have in common. Identify what the successful companies have in common and do something to be remarkable. Roberts (2002) has made a distinction when discussing if innovation is between product/service innovation and process innovation. Product/Service innovation refers to efforts to develop new products or services for end users. Product/Service innovations tend to be more radical and are more common during the earlier stages of an industrys life cycle. As an industry matures, there are fewer opportunities for newness, so the innovations tend to be more incremental. Process innovation, by contrast, is associated with improving the efficiency of an organizational process, especially manufacturing systems and operations. Process innovations occur in the later stages of an industrys life cycle as companies seek ways to remain viable in markets where demand has flattened out and competition is more intensive. As a result, process innovations are often associated with overall cost leader strategies because the aim of many process improvements is to lower the cost of operations. There are several problems with seeking competitive advantage through investments in process technology. Firstly, the people who sell you robots or point-of-sale terminals, software to analyze production or service delivery will sell the robots, terminals, and software to your competitors. Your ability to obtain the benefits of this technology depends on your ability to implement it more rapidly and more effectively. Secondly, investment in specialized technology is not a substitute for skill in managing the work force. This is because more skills may be required to operate the more sophisticated and advanced equipments. Having a higher level of investment per employee will result in increasingly expensive interruptions in the process which means that the ability to operate, maintain, and repair equipment effectively becomes even more critical (Pfeffer, 1996). 1.3.3 Strategy and Structural Innovation Strategy and structural innovation refers to the administrative section in an organization. It is related to the management and supervision in the organization, including changes in an organizations strategic management and structure, policies, accounting and budgeting systems, reward systems, labor relations, coordination devices, management information and control systems. Strategy and structure changes in an organization are mandated by top management. They usually have a top-down structure. An example may be if the corporate goes downsizing. On the other hand, product and technology changes may come from the bottom up. 1.3.4 Cultural Innovation Cultural innovation refers to changes that may occur in an employees attitudes, beliefs, values, expectations, abilities, and behavior. Culture innovation tends to change the way employees think. These are changes in mindset rather than the technology, structure, or products and services. Culture can be a powerful force undermining or shoring up the effectiveness of a nation, a business, and a manager. Recognizing the presence and power of culture will help in better navigating through the rough seas of international business. Discovering how to harness the power of culture in an organization will help the organization gain competitive advantage (Schneider and Barsoux, 2003). To conclude, it can be said that successful innovation in an organization occurs when technological and product or process innovations in the value chain are implemented through effective strategy and structure innovation. Innovation in an organization, which includes people, leadership, creativity, process and organizational culture, is the driver to grow, to achieve high profits and to succeed in the market. Innovation in an organization should be approached in a systematic way and not a piecemeal manner and should be initiated even at the lowest levels (Tyagi, 2008). 1.4 Leadership in Practice of Innovation Many organizations are resistant to changes and continue operating the way they had been operating in the past. To remain competitive, they work harder, improve efficiency, reduce cost and implement best practices. But, this is not enough. Instead of getting stuck in their standard mode of operations, organizations need to adopt innovative ways to change the strategies. The best way to create a competitive edge and be in the head of the competition is to innovate by drawing advantage from the creative power of your people. Turn your greatest assets into opportunistic entrepreneurs who discover new ways and improve the way they do business. Management innovation involves total transformation of existing culture to enhance organizational performance in an integrated manner involving technological innovation, product and service innovation, and strategy and structural innovation (Tyagi, 2008). Sloane (2003) suggests that every organization needs to have a vision, a culture and a process of innovation to build a truly innovative environment. There are eight key elements that create a truly innovative and entrepreneurial organization as below: Painting the vision. The first step is to paint a desirable, challenging and believable vision. Innovative leaders must be sure that people share a common goal and embarke on a journey all together. Being all together means they accept easier the changes, all the challenges and difficulties that show up during the journey. Innovative leaders should delegate more responsibility, and empower the staff with control over their work. Once staff is aware of the goal and direction headed, they contribute the best creative ways to solve challenges and obstacles that lie ahead. Build an open and questioning culture. The painted picture quickly fades away from view, so great leaders should take time to meet staff and illustrate the goals to be achieved and the challenges to overcome. Leaders inspire the staff to become entrepreneurs finding innovative routes to success and constantly remind them how their role is decisive in fulfilling the vision and meeting the challenges. Empowering. The purpose of empowering your people is to turn them into entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities. By empowering, leaders enable them to develop the skills for the task and achieve the change through their own efforts to come up with radical innovations. People need freedom to succeed and need to understand and agree on what management expects of them. People and management must agree on the scope of freedom and responsibility. Empowering means trusting your people, supporting and believing that they will achieve great things. Set goals, deadlines and measurements for innovation. Change is uncomfortable, resulting in anxiously people fearing an embarrassing or costly failure. Leaders should spend time with people encouraging them to undertake risks and come out from their safety zones. Leaders should reassure them that risks are necessary and worth taking and no one will be punished if their initiatives do not succeed. Use creativity techniques to generate a large number of ideas. Innovative leaders should build a culture where everyone can come up with creative solutions and crazy ideas through techniques, methods, and workshops. The goal is to change the people within the organization; from people who do routine jobs into highly energized entrepreneurs who constantly search for new and better ways of making the vision a reality. People need to be trained to learn the skills and to develop the confidence to try new methods, and use creative techniques to come up with new solutions. Review, filter and select ideas. In the innovation process many ideas are generated in response to a given issue or challenge. At the end, the most promising idea is selected. Prototype the promising proposals. After the idea is selected, then the move is to rapidly prototype it. Analyze the results and the successful projects. New product is tested for its feasibility, attractiveness and payback. Those that pass these criteria are given more funding. King (2009) suggests that the most effective, efficient and leading edge organizations are those that innovate and encourage innovation. Innovative organizations require a strong leadership team to approve the importance of innovation and create a culture for it. A development of strong capabilities for innovation leadership need to be started early in the career development process. In an innovative culture, the staff is given freedom to innovate and experiment. In an innovative culture, risks are managed and the organization understands and accepts that future success is built on a series of learning from unsuccessful attempts. Collaboration with outside parties to generate and adopt innovations is encouraged. Success will depend on strong leadership. We can take learning from market leaders to help us identify key leadership behaviors to promote innovation as explained below: Lead continuous innovation and improvement. Develop and communicate an encouraging story. Encourage partnerships and collaboration. Staff should be exposed to new viewpoints and ideas that can be adapted in the organization. To do this, the organization should create partnerships and collaboration with different parts within or outside the organization. Promote innovation. Organization should consider innovation as a core part of its role, and time is allocated for its employees to innovate. Different organizations have created bespoke