Corporate governance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Corporate governance - Essay Example bility and performance of the product and services are sustained and improved so that firms are not only able to retain existing customers but also attract new consumers. Thus risk management through effective governance, innovation, knowledge management and value addition become critical elements for protecting and sustaining the value of the products for consumers. All people directly or indirectly associated with the company are called stakeholders. Thus, customers, employees, shareholders, creditors, debtors, suppliers, regulators action groups etc. all become stakeholders in the company as they are, one way or another, affected by the business’ activities (Solomon, 2007. The identification of various stakeholders is important they are linkages that significantly impact the performance of the firm and promote development of society in general. In the contemporary environment of competitive business, the firms are not only motivated by financial benefits but play wider roles in the development of the society as a whole. Various stakeholders ensure that the business is having positive impact on the wider imperatives of social causes like environment, better HR practices, effective CSR practices etc. The analysis of stakeholders also helps the firm to proactively support the community welfare and at the same time, meet the changing preferences of the customers, thereby significantly impacting it productive outcome and improving its image and credibility amongst the stakeholders. The corporate governance gatekeepers are people who are in position to influence the decisions and activities of the management for improved and ethically delivered objectives and goals of the company. The main gatekeepers of the firm are: independent and competent board; independent and competent auditors; objective and competent legal council; and competent financial advisors. The responsibilities of different gatekeepers is to ensure that board is given the right advice regarding

Organisational Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Organisational Behaviour - Essay Example Of course, monetary rewards for performance also come into the equation as do the effects of leadership since a good enough leader can motivate a lot more people than a below average leader (Senior, 2002). To better understand this correlates of motivation, it would be useful to examine them individually with practical examples of their use in real world situations. In terms of psychology, it is understood that certain personality types are better at handling certain positions than others and even though personality itself is rather complex to define but the generally accepted notion has been the collection of emotional and behavioural properties as well as the thoughts and ideas of a person (Erdogan, 2005). This idea points towards the notion that certain individuals can be better managers and leaders based on their personal life experiences while others could find it difficult to work effectively if placed in a situation which requires leadership skills (Rosenfeld & Wilson, 1999). The earlier work in the field of personality study is attributed to Jung which was later on expanded by others. While we may say that person X has a cheerful personality, scientists prefer to classify personality in three different models including Factorial models, typologies and circumplexes which are directly connected with how they perform in given situations (Clarke & Robertson, 2005). Depending on the needs of an organisation, certain personalities and behavioural tracts can be more useful for the company than others. A personality evaluation profile can be created to screen candidates for some positions but there is a negative point associated with such a procedure since the ethics of such an approach can be questioned. There is a significant amount of research and information which shows that there is a definite link between personality and certain job roles. Of course much of the evidence presented is based on anecdotes and observations by individuals

Growth and Change in the English Language

Growth and Change in the English Language English is a rich and colorful language that is constantly in flux. The English language has evolved over time, the way all languages do. As members of a society grow and develop, so too must the tools they use to communicate with each other. As Coulmas points out, languages are often said to reflect the social realities of their speech communities (1989, p. 2). Since social realities are constantly shifting, the language that reflects them must adapt as well. This is particularly true of English. One reason for this is that there are so many variations of the language itself. In addition, it is such a widely spoken language, and it is spoken by people in all parts of the world. Non-native speakers of English now outnumber native speakers 3 to1, according to a recent Newsweek report (Power, 2006, par. 4). In addition, non-native speakers of English not only learn the language, they change it: the new English-speakers arent just passively absorbing the language theyre shaping it (Powe r, 2006, par. 5). Changes in Grammar and Vocabulary Even among native speakers of English, the language constantly evolves. Language itself provides the seeds of change, and social circumstances provide fertile ground for their growth and spread (Wolfram,2005, par. 3). We can see this in the grammar and syntax of the language, as well as in the vocabulary. Grammar, for example, has changed gradually over the years. A recent example of this is the need to reflect a new awareness of gender equality. In contemporary usage, instead of always using the male pronoun, speakers and writers employ a variety of ways to acknowledge the equality between the genders. At times, he or she is used. As an alternative,many times people will simply use the plural forms, since they refer to both males and females. Vocabulary changes because new things are constantly invented, and we need ways to name them, and to communicate about them. When new inventions,or new concepts, become part of our lives, we need to have words for them. For example, with the invention of the Internet, new words had to be coined so that people would have a way of discussing it. And since the influence of the Internet continues to grow, new words are continually invented, or borrowed, to categorize the many concepts that have become pertinent to our lives. Innovation in language is necessary because there is a constant need to name novel objects, processes, and relations, asserts Coulmas (1989, p. 15). The options available to a speech community when it needs a new word for a new idea or invention are limited, however. Coulmas breaks it down as follows: When a speech community wants to express a concept for which there is no word in its language it can either borrow one from another language or coin a new one; it can, in other words, borrow the form and the meaning or the meaning only'(1989, p. 15). English Language from a Linguistic Perspective Linguists explain that language, by its very definition, must change and develop overtime in order to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Language is seen by linguistic experts as a fluid and constantly evolving tool, one that must adapt in order to continue to meet the needs of the individuals who use it. Occasionally, a language may suffer a period of stagnation, or it may even go through a period of deterioration. Coulmas discusses this, and explains that languages tend to have a basic resiliency that allows them to get past these periods and continue to develop: In the course of history, languages have been known to adapt successfully, thus recovering their full communicative potential after a period of retardation or degeneration (Coulmas, 1989, p. 4). Aitchison explains that human language is a communication system used by humans, but that it is hardly the only system that exists. Other life forms communicate, too,although their medium is not words. The methods these other life forms use to communicate shift over time to accommodate changes in the needs of those who use it. Human language is no different. Human language is not unique among animal communication systems in its tendency to alter itself continuallyasserts Aitchison (2001, p. 95). However, she swiftly points out that it is only recently in the twentieth century that linguists have come to develop plausible theories about the ways in which language changes, and the reasons those changes occur (Aitchison, 2001, p. 95). One of the pioneers of linguistic research is Labov, whose years of research in the field have provided a basic framework for later investigation by other linguists. Labovs studies on language and language change have been hugely influential. His basic premise is that one cannot understand the development of a language change apart from the social life of the community in which it occurs (Labov, 1972, p. 3). This means that the study of language alone is insufficient; the language must be studied within the larger framework of the culture it reflects. The conditions of that culture, historically, socially,economically all play a role in the evolution of that cultures language. In keeping with Labovs theory, Aitchison suggests that language developments happen as a direct consequence of events that occur with in a cultural setting. According to Aitchison, a social trigger is needed to ignite a change (2001, p. 98). She then goes on to explain that these changes do not happen at random, but that there are deeper causes at work. She separates these causes as being either natural tendencies or therapeutic changes (p. 98). Natural tendencies, she explains, are part of a normal and expected linguistic process. An example of this is the tendency for members of a speech community to drop the final consonants of their words. This has happened in other languages, and it is now happening in English as well(Aitchison, 2001, p. 99). Therapeutic changes, on the other hand, are forged by speakers of the language for purposes that may not be initially evident. An example of this is politeness, and the desire to avoid confrontation. Humans learn to create constructions tha t will be less likely to stir up unpleasant interactions (Aitchison, 2001, p. 100). Some changes have overt prestige: speakers regard certain pronunciations as classy, and they want to talk that way themselves (Aitchison, 2001, p. 96). Speakers of a language consciously and unconsciously become aware of certain levels of speech within their language.In order to advance socially, then, some people adopt the words that are spoken by individuals they perceive to be on a higher social level. In so doing, they believe that they will improve their own status. This may work to greater or lesser degrees. However, this can also result in other consequences, such as hyper correction Hyper correction, Aitchison explains, tends to occur in fairly formal styles, when people are trying to speak in a careful way,especially if they are insecure, and want to impress those around (Aitchison,2001, p. 96). Once a language is no longer capable of growth and change, it dies out. Languages that are no longer used, then, are no longer growing. Languages like Ancient Greek and Latin are examples of this. They are alive only in the sense that they area key to past civilizations, but they are no longer used as a means of verbal communication. One linguist writes, change is one of the inevitable facts in the life of any language. The only language not in a perpetual state of flux isa dead language (Wolfram, 2005, par. 3). English, clearly,is alive and thriving, and it continues to change in ways that were never thought possible. As Power notes, all languages are works in progress. ButEnglishs globalization, unprecedented in the history of languages, will revolutionize it in ways we can only begin to imagine (2006, par. 6). Conclusion As this paper has demonstrated, English is a rich language that is spoken all over the world, by natives and non-natives alike. As such, it is in a constant state of evolution. As members of a speech community grow and develop, their language must grow and adapt along with them. Social realities constantly shift, and language clearly reflects that shift, through grammar and syntax as well as through the vocabulary itself. Linguists describe and explain these changes in a number of ways; the discipline of linguistics, much like language itself, is continually evolving and developing as new researchers and new theories come along. English is unique in its ubiquity and in its ability to adapt and reinvent itself, and will certainly continue to change and thrive in years to come. Reference List Aitchison, Jean.2001. Language Change. Pps. 95-104 in The Routledge Companion to Semiotics and Linguistics, ed. Cobley, Paul. London: Routledge. Cobley, Paul, ed.2001. The Routledge Companion to Semiotics and Linguistics. London: Routledge. Coulmas, Florian.1989. Language Adaptation. Pps. 1-25 in Language Adaptation, ed. Coulmas, Florian. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Labov, William. 1972.  Socioloinguistic Patterns. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Power, Carla.2006. Not the Queens English. Newsweek International Edition. Accessedon February 14, 2006, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7038031/site/newsweek/ Wolfram, Walt. 2005.The Truth About Change. Accessed February 14, 2006, from http://www.pbs.org/speak/ahead/change/change/#change

George Frideric Handel, the Famous Composer Essay -- Biography Biograp

George Frideric Handel, the Famous Composer George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Germany, on February 23, 1685. He died in London on April 14,1759 and was buried in Westminister Abbey. Handel was one of the famous composers of the Baroque Period. This great composer was mostly known very well for his English Oratorio, particularly the Messiah. His trouble in his operas that he made lied within his uncertain temper and uncertain lack of tact. Handel first learned how to play from an instrument called a clavichord. This was like a forerunner of the piano. With the help of one of Handel's friend, they smuggled the instrument up to his attic in his house. Every night he would sneak up to the attic after everyone was asleep and he'd play it until he finally mastered it. The instrument could not be heard through the closed doors. When he was about twelve, he went to Berlin to study and while there he became well-known for playing the Harpsichord. Handel's parents wanted Handel to grow up in the profession of law, but music was in Handel's blood. When Han...

Exploring Race and Ethnicity: Racial Passing Essay

What do we mean by ethnicity and what are some of the most important types of ethnic identification? Discuss how a country’s transition to democracy might increase ethnic tensions in some cases and decrease it in others. According to Handelman, â€Å"ethnicity is a social construction with certain common qualities† (2001). What this means in my opinion is the ethnicity is identifying with a group based on what that group has similar or alike. According to that text the most identifying types of ethnicity groups are Nationality, tribes, race and religion. Nationality is almost self-explanatory; this identifier of ethnicity is based on what the commonalty of being from the same county or land. Nationality is the combination of having the same culture, speak the same language, and having the same genealogical background. An example of this ethnic group would be like native India to the Haitians or Japanese people. This leads way to the next group tribes. A tribe is, â€Å" sub-national groups, particularly in Africa, that share a collective identity which include language and common lineage† (Handelman, 2001). I believe that tribe is not limited to those in Africa but also reaches to the many various tribes in the rain forest to Austria. This group I feel is a sub group within nationality, tribes form the same land loses the connective to Nationality based on the separation of language, culture and linage. Next we have race, basically race is based on physical identifying characteristics such skin completion and so forth. Race can be a little more harder to identify correctly based on so many factors can cause the appearance of one race on another. Also with race, it can be a common factor with tribe and nationality but the two groups still have separation despite that common trait. Last but not least is religion, unlike the others this group can be a self-choice to join. This group at most times can be based on nationality, tribe or race but can change because one’s identifying with a particular religion. Ethnicity can play a role of hindrance and positive for movement towards democracy. As defined â€Å"democracy is measured by the transparency and fairness of the essential procedures governing the election and behavior of government officials† (Handelman, 2001). Based on the different groups of ethnicity, democracy can be hinders because of one’s strong connection to it group. For example, to have a full democracy both men and women should vote, some tribes and religions do not agree with women have voting rights. Some people are so proud of their nationality and some to their race that they feel that they are the better group and do not feel others should right. On the other end of the spectrum ethnicity can help with transition towards democracy based on it wanting to come together for a greater good. For instance two races or nationalities joining together against a common enemy fight towards a form of democracy. Handelman, H. (2011 ). Dependency, Modernization, and Ethnic Conflict. In The Challenge Of Third World Development (p. 113). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

Check Point Personal Philosophy of Education

Checkpoint Personal Philosophy of Education Rachel Pearson AED 200 03/16/2013 Dr. Maloney Hunter-Lowe Philosophy of Education The Philosophy of education I would use would be Essentialism education. Essentialism hypothesis tells that there is a general nucleus of talents and information that an educated individual should have. I share the same opinion. I trust that there are certain talents that all people should have. The talents are basic talents however they are the starting point. Talents are building blocks that let children to continue stepping up to the next higher level of education that an individual should have.Instructional Philosophy I would have a behaviorist style in my class. The hypothesis of behaviorist is an educational and psychological hypothesis that states that one’s attitude is revealed by surroundings, not some one’s heredity. I believe that this is very significant because if an individual is in a bad surrounding, then their learning is slowed d own by that bad surrounding. If a child is in a good surrounding they are more willing to learn and they absorb the teachings better. Behaviorist or Constructive approach to instructionI personally love the opinion of having Essentialism and Behaviorist merged together. Those two are my personal philosophy in education. Essentialism philosophy and the behaviorist style combined bring out the reality that there are definitely talents required and that the surroundings must be precise for a child’s learning. These opinions will help me supervise my classroom better and assist with my instructional technique. When the four are combined, they will work fine with each other and make me a better teacher. Check Point Personal Philosophy of Education Checkpoint Personal Philosophy of Education Rachel Pearson AED 200 03/16/2013 Dr. Maloney Hunter-Lowe Philosophy of Education The Philosophy of education I would use would be Essentialism education. Essentialism hypothesis tells that there is a general nucleus of talents and information that an educated individual should have. I share the same opinion. I trust that there are certain talents that all people should have. The talents are basic talents however they are the starting point. Talents are building blocks that let children to continue stepping up to the next higher level of education that an individual should have.Instructional Philosophy I would have a behaviorist style in my class. The hypothesis of behaviorist is an educational and psychological hypothesis that states that one’s attitude is revealed by surroundings, not some one’s heredity. I believe that this is very significant because if an individual is in a bad surrounding, then their learning is slowed d own by that bad surrounding. If a child is in a good surrounding they are more willing to learn and they absorb the teachings better. Behaviorist or Constructive approach to instructionI personally love the opinion of having Essentialism and Behaviorist merged together. Those two are my personal philosophy in education. Essentialism philosophy and the behaviorist style combined bring out the reality that there are definitely talents required and that the surroundings must be precise for a child’s learning. These opinions will help me supervise my classroom better and assist with my instructional technique. When the four are combined, they will work fine with each other and make me a better teacher.