Definition of American Literature 1865-1914 Essay

Definition of American Literature 1865-1914 - Essay Example Naturalism is a movement that emerged in response to the perceived excesses of Romanticism and Surrealism, particularly with reference to those styles’ symbolic, idealistic, and optimistic views of the world and human nature. Nevertheless, while realism sought only to impose empirical value into art by portraying subjects in an earthly way, separate from the idealism of the early 19th century, the movement toward naturalism reflected more of a philosophical shift than an artistic one. Although naturalism is viewed often as an outgrowth of literary realism, it is the result from a leap further into the study of human nature, rather than a study of art. While realism attempted to portray human beings as they actually are, naturalism took a step further by first proposing a theory of human nature and then representing that nature in art. Part of this theory of human nature was determinism, or the belief that every event in the universe, including human behavior, is causally deter mined by previous events. .

Human Resource Management Discussions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Resource Management Discussions - Essay Example The ability to resolve conflicts effectively is an important attribute of successful business leaders and human resource functions (Fleishman, 2009). In all conflict resolution approaches, dialogue has often been described as the best approach to reconcile warring parties, just as in the case of the writers guild of the United States and media owners. During discussions between the WGA and the producers, the former were said not to be bargaining in good faith, this meant that they were not being open in their communication. In addition, failing to bargain in good faith meant that they were not being reasonable and serious on meeting reasonable grounds. In support of this claim, the producers pointed to a time when the WGA members had left the negotiating room after only an hour of its commencement. In addition, they had failed to honor dialogue meetings that had been set to discuss major issues. The claims made by the producers were enough to support their claim since the directors of WGA finally solved the stalemate after further interventions. After failing to reach viable solution, the WGA did eventually strike, in fighting back, the producers would have decided to make away with the work of the WGA and did their business independently or other willing business partners. This would have been a good retaliatory step; however, the results would not have been in the best business interests for both parties. In the approach, the WGA decided to remain silent in the negotiating forums; to this effect, the producers claimed that the WGA had decided to play silence. This is the reason why in all the six meetings that were held, the producers had failed to reach any meaningful agreements. This conflict, like that of the Autoworkers or Teamsters unions against auto and trucking companies is different, this is because, the producers and the WGA are people depending on each other directly. The failure of one party to reach a meaningful agreement is

Women in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Women in America - Essay Example However, the concept of ‘womanhood’ handed down through the ages, prevented them even from understanding that their own frustration, as women had been schooled to think that catering to the needs of the male-ruled world alone was their duty, and that alone can lead to fulfillment; â€Å"As a housewife and mother, she was respected as a full and equal partner to man in his world† observes Friedan (p. 1). Friedan goes on to describe the mental torture and torment that women had to undergo because of this conflict in their real emotions as against what they have been schooled to think.However, the concept of ‘womanhood’ handed down through the ages, prevented them even from understanding that their own frustration, as women had been schooled to think that catering to the needs of the male-ruled world alone was their duty, and that alone can lead to fulfillment; â€Å"As a housewife and mother, she was respected as a full and equal partner to man in his world† observes Friedan (p. 1). Friedan goes on to describe the mental torture and torment that women had to undergo because of this conflict in their real emotions as against what they have been schooled to think.  The important thing in Friedan’s work is that, while implies that women could find better fulfillment, if only they would go beyond the domestic frontiers and the roles imposed on them by the traditionally male-dominated society. Friedan seeks to emancipate womanhood from the ‘gendered’ roles imposed on her sex through work and occupation outside the domestic arena.   While Goldman’s perception of gender relations appears to be stronger and more vociferous. Goldman goes further in the analysis of   ‘feminine mystique’ discussed by Friedan and notes that   â€Å"a short period of married life, of complete surrender of all faculties, absolutely incapacitates the average woman for the outside world. She becomes reckless in appearance, clumsy in her movements, dependent in her decisions, cowardly in her judgment, a weight and a bore, which most men grow to hate and despise†. However, Goldman scorns marriage itself, as it is defeating in all ways.... 1). Friedan goes on to describe the mental torture and torment that women had to undergo because of this conflict in their real emotions as against what they have been schooled to think. The important thing in Friedan's work is that, while implies that women could find better fulfillment, if only they would go beyond the domestic frontiers and the roles imposed on them by the traditionally male-dominated society. Friedan seeks to emancipate womanhood from the 'gendered' roles imposed on her sex through work and occupation outside the domestic arena. While Goldman's perception of gender relations appears to be stronger and more vociferous. Goldman goes further in the analysis of 'feminine mystique' discussed by Friedan, and notes that "a short period of married life, of complete surrender of all faculties, absolutely incapacitates the average woman for the outside world. She becomes reckless in appearance, clumsy in her movements, dependent in her decisions, cowardly in her judgment, a weight and a bore, which most men grow to hate and despise" (Marriage and Love 3-4). However, Goldman scorns marriage itself, as it is defeating in all ways; she says "The institution of marriage makes a parasite of woman, an absolute dependent." (M&L 1) She partially holds women responsible for their subjugation and hampering their own emancipation, "The woman considers her position as worker transitory, to be thrown aside for the first bidder" (Goldman 3). Furthermore, Goldman criticizes the other institutions like religious bodies and the state for burdening women in various ways form which they seek emancipation, "because woman recognizes the awful toll she is made to pay to the Church,

Human Resource Management Discussions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Resource Management Discussions - Essay Example The ability to resolve conflicts effectively is an important attribute of successful business leaders and human resource functions (Fleishman, 2009). In all conflict resolution approaches, dialogue has often been described as the best approach to reconcile warring parties, just as in the case of the writers guild of the United States and media owners. During discussions between the WGA and the producers, the former were said not to be bargaining in good faith, this meant that they were not being open in their communication. In addition, failing to bargain in good faith meant that they were not being reasonable and serious on meeting reasonable grounds. In support of this claim, the producers pointed to a time when the WGA members had left the negotiating room after only an hour of its commencement. In addition, they had failed to honor dialogue meetings that had been set to discuss major issues. The claims made by the producers were enough to support their claim since the directors of WGA finally solved the stalemate after further interventions. After failing to reach viable solution, the WGA did eventually strike, in fighting back, the producers would have decided to make away with the work of the WGA and did their business independently or other willing business partners. This would have been a good retaliatory step; however, the results would not have been in the best business interests for both parties. In the approach, the WGA decided to remain silent in the negotiating forums; to this effect, the producers claimed that the WGA had decided to play silence. This is the reason why in all the six meetings that were held, the producers had failed to reach any meaningful agreements. This conflict, like that of the Autoworkers or Teamsters unions against auto and trucking companies is different, this is because, the producers and the WGA are people depending on each other directly. The failure of one party to reach a meaningful agreement is

Discuss Internet as a tool to International marketing Essay

Discuss Internet as a tool to International marketing research(implications, advantages & disadvantages) - Essay Example   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Market   research   is   a   systematic,   objective   collection   and   analysis   of   data   about   a   particular   target   market,   competition,   and/or   environment.   This   type   of   research   must   always   have   some   form   of   data   collection,   whether   it   be   secondary   research   or   primary   research,   which   is   collected   direct   from   a   respondent.   There   are   two   types   of   research:   quantitative   and   qualitative.   Quantitative   research   involves   numbers.   An   example,   a   fast   food   chain   might   ask   customers   to   rate   the   service   as   excellent,   good,   poor   or   very   poor.   Qualitative   research   tries   to   understand   how   or   why   things   are   the   way   they    are.   The   research   involves   more   Ã‚  face-to-face   contact.   An   example,   a   research   might   ask   a   consumers   why   they   have   decided   to   buy   a   certain   type   of   soft   drink.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The   Internet   has   changed   how   marketing   research   has   changed   internationally.   Why,   percentage   wise,   half   the   homes   in   the   United   States   have   computers.   This   movement   came   about   for   four   reasons:   the   prices   of   personal   computers   are   decreasing,   current   home   connections,   slow,   but   are   now   becoming   more   rapid,   companies   are   spending   large   amounts   of   money   on   small   internet- only   computers,   and   the   introduction   of   web   television.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   All   these   factors   have,   and   will   continue   to   increase   the   number   of   people   with   access   to   the   internet.   What   will   also   increase   is   the   potential   to   gather   information   from   consumers,   access   secondary   data   sources,   advertise   and   sell   products.   This   is  

Reynolds and Reynolds Essay Example for Free

Reynolds and Reynolds Essay Reynolds Reynolds Case Study The Reynolds and Reynolds case about team selling had very many positives and few negatives, and was a very well rounded and planned way for the American Ford Dealership to improve its customer service sector. First, I wanted to point out the effectiveness of team selling that the Reynolds team did well. They had three people comprise the team, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Wiltgen, and Mr. O’Neill. Sherman would pitch the plan to the dealership and discuss the reports with them, Wiltgen was the implementation guy, meaning that he would set everything into place if and when they agreed on what plans to use, and O’Neill was the manager overseeing everything and was there for backup if needed. The three positions and roles they played stayed the same throughout the plan and they followed through with how they wanted to present. Another thing I feel was very effective was how Sherman brought to the attention of the dealership the â€Å"lost opportunities† they had and how more much profit they could have made the previous year. O’Neill confirmed these numbers, thus making a good team decision and presentation of the facts. Also, another effective point they made was bringing up the way the dealership’s competitors were doing business and what systems they were using. The one and only disadvantage I found during this team selling presentation was that Sherman took on multiple roles as the team leader and the business consultant, and the other two were basically just there on an as-needed basis. The Reynolds team also showed great execution to the client access, client education, and fulfillment perspectives. To satisfy client access, they split the client base into three categories: Actives (customers who have been in for service in the previous 6 months), Inactives, and New Customers. Splitting customers into these categories made it easy for the dealership to see who is coming in for service, who should be notified they are due for service, and those new customers they still want to target. They executed client education/ persuasion by creating the â€Å"Preferred Customer Card† program. They also did this by implementing over 100 different types of coupons that can be easily customized to each individual customer by type of car, zip code, etc. and with the service reminder program where customers would be mailed letters, coupons, and notified via phone call that they are due for service or there was a deal going on for them. Fulfillment was achieved by the dealership choosing to implement the Direct Drive program and the service reminder program ideas that the Reynolds team had presented to them, and setting up future plans between the marketing firm and the car dealership.

BP Global: Future Strategy Sustainability

BP Global: Future Strategy Sustainability British Petroleum (BP) is the worlds one of the largest and leading petroleum product manufactures. It has headquarters in London. It operates from 29 countries. Though it has faced safety and environmental controversies in the history of its operations it could overcome all negative images through a concrete focus and consistent efforts towards sustainable developments. BP operates throughout the world in locations, terrains and climates that are tremendously diverse and frequently challenging. However, BP aims to minimize its environmental impact by taking a systematic and disciplined approach to operations, using sophisticated risk assessment techniques that directly inform its business plans. Therefore, BP is incorporating its environmental management systems into the group-wide operating management system that helps BP to set priorities for operations based on assessment of the key risks, including those related to environmental and social performance. BP believes this integration will promote greater efficiency and consistency across the business. It has formulated a set procedure to conduct, at least annually, a formal process to identify and assess risks and emerging issues, including environmental and social issues. Main aim of BP is to manage environmental and social risk during every phase of its operations viz. launching new projects, carrying out day-to-day operations and bringing a project to a close. BP strives to minimize the impact on the environment by identifying risks during the project set-up and using technology to reduce or remedy any impacts. The firm is investing in a broad portfolio of alternative energy businesses and RD, while advocating a carbon price and public funding to support such new technologies. The firms greenhouse gas efficiency achievements will be vulnerable to a shift towards unconventional fossil fuels. Climate change creates both threats to BP through market changing technologies, and opportunities, such as increasing natural gas sales at the expense of coal. BP partly manages these risks by applying an internal carbon price to new projects and through its policy influence. Through its clean energy investments BP is hedging against dramatic changes to the worlds energy mix. In this assignment, we have taken up the BPs sustainability report of 2009 and studied its activities enabling it to achieve sustainable growth. We also assessed its capabilities, current position and forecast its future sustainable growth. British Petroleum Limited (BP) Introduction Website: http://www.bp.com Location of Headquarters: 1 St. Jamess Sq., London, SW1Y 4PD, United Kingdom Sector Industry: Basic Materials Energy Nature of Business: Oil Natural Gas Business Wind Solar Energy Business Bio-fuel Business Energy Security Energy Diversity Business Technology Partnership Products: BP petroleum and derived products BP service stations Air BP Aviation Fuels Castrol motor oil ARCO gas stations am/pm convenience stores Aral service stations solar panels Historical Background: BP (NYSE:BP) is one of the worlds largest oil and gas companies in terms of production capacity. In 2009, the companys exploration and production segment produced approximately 2.53 million barrels of oil per day as well as 8.48 million cubic feet of natural gas per day while the companys refining throughput averaged 2.28 million barrels/day. BP expands its production capacity through improved rig equipment and technology as well as expansions into other countries. As of April 2009, BPs operates in 29 countries including Mexico, Russia, Algeria, and many others in the Middle East and Africa. While BPs global reach gives the company an ability to access untapped reserves, many of its operations are exposed to political risk in those countries. In particular, BPs Russian operations faced significantly managerial problems in 2008, but these tensions eased in January 2010 with the appointment of Maxim Barsk to CEO. BP has been involved in a number of environmental, safety and political controversies during its history, including the 1965 Sea Gem incident and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Its primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange and it is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. BP on the Sustainability: Before we predict BPs position in future, let us first have look in to its present position and future plans for protection of environment, commitment to society and efforts towards economical growth and sustainable development. Present: BP operates responsibly with better corporate governance and management systems. BP strives to deliver secure and affordable energy while addressing the global issues and climate change. Efforts are made to develop large scale business towards the production of alternative energy sources with low carbon emissions. BP has given utmost importance to safety reliability of operations. But the accidents and fatalities have not been on reducing trend, which can have a major impact on it sustainable growth. BP focused on low carbon or green house gas emissions, biofuels, and operations that can emit fewer pollutants. People Management: There is clear focus on training development of the workforce and reward and recognition system but there is no clear evidence of integration of people development with its diversified business requirements. Community Initiatives: BP has made efforts to build a strong mutually beneficial relation with society wherein they work. Future Plans: In BPs business strategies especially for the sustainable growth, there are many ways forward, but certain parameters are clear. The response must be integrated, global and balanced in terms of social, economic and environmental solutions. BP plans to focus on major public policy issues such as climate change, environmental protection and human rights. The future plan is to show that everything that is done, and every product and service that are provided, is delivered in an environmentally and socially sound manner. The challenge is to adapt, to become more sensitive to the wider world with change in environment. The future plan mainly boils down to the environmental protection and economy growth. BP needs to integrate its future strategies in all its business units to bring the transparency for verification against a common factor on a single platform. There is a clear focus on developing value leaders in future with strong HR strategies. The focus is more on integrating the HR policies across its operations to improve the skills and knowledge of the people. IT must also help BP to develop future leaders who can be visionary to achieve sustainable growth. Even though future plans of BP clearly focus on economy development, workforce development and environmental excellence but the community development appears to be in the last bench of the agenda as the concrete evidence of plans to reach Phase 4 or 5 of the sustainability model is not available with respect to community development. BP Today: Today BP displaying the following characteristics: Systemic plan to integrate human resource functions to reduce cost/increase efficiency Focus on value add training/development opportunities i.e. waste reduction, lean principles Undertakes community projects where cost-benefit can be exemplified. BP The Good Days By the early 1990s, a newly envisioned BP appeared to be adopting a strategic approach (Phase 5) towards sustainability. Like its competitor Shell, BP too strategically placed itself to move beyond petroleum. It committed itself in inventing alternative energy sources and technologies. It also committed itself to the Kyoto Protocols and greenhouse gas emissions. BP also ventured into social and community sustainability efforts, working towards enhancing the efforts in the respective local communities. These efforts were incorporated to its corporate strategy as part of five broad spectrum of business policy: ethical conduct, employees, relationships, health, safety, and environmental performance, control and finance. BPs vision was to market itself as the greenest fossil fuel producer in the industry: Their Beyond Petroleum won two PR Week campaign of the year awards and the gold Effie from the American Marketing Association. Ogilvy, the firm behind the slogan ironically still boasts of Beyond Petroleum as a successful case study in its website. BP CSR Disaster: Unfortunately for BP, the carefully marketed CSR plan went awry with the gulf oil spill. The oil spill taught the world rather brutally, that the heart of the relationship between BP and society did not lie in honest commitments. Chastened by the Exxon Valdez disaster, BP along with every player in the oil industry became rather religious on CSR initiatives. CSR actually poses a problem in such a situation in that it muddies the waters. Beyond Petroleum, the marketing campaign was the result of painstakingly long plan spread over years-but that was all it was, a carefully constructed marketing plan for external stakeholders that suggested CSR was at the heart of BP, but did little to show any evidence of it. BPs isnt out there to lead the green revolution. Their actual business is to make money for its shareholders; in BPs case by producing energy, mainly from fossil fuels. Today, not only has their motto come under external pressure, but has also instigated soul-searching within BPs ranks. Todays marketplace demands a lot more from corporations to establish long term sustainability. It should begin with a basic principle: A successful company must embrace corporate responsibility in all its forms-both internal and external. While BP did an excellent job externally for many years (see Sustainability Portfolio below), it requires much more in-depth introspection from management to get the internal vision re-aligned. Strategies of BP Today BP has a sound platform on which to achieve their commitment to combine growth with the discipline of performance and strategies. So the concept of sustainability is already part of business today. But it also demands a deeper, broader, more creative level of engagement than conventional environmentalism. Climate Change, demographic change and poverty are the three major trends that will set the corporate sustainability worldwide The BP has challenge to create a future energy mix that meets three of these objectives sufficiency; security; and sustainability of the energy. But there are hard political choices involved in agreeing to cut emissions and accepting the implications for energy. The company drives the necessary innovation or deployment of emerging low carbon technologies in the operation. In the drive for efficiency, BP will collaborate with the vehicle manufacturers on advanced engine technology and lubricants and provide better and cleaner transport fuels through less energy intensive processes and increase the energy efficiency of their facilities and equipment BP was the first energy company to be widely recognised as accepting the obligation to act on climate change. They have invested nearly $4bn in low carbon business since 2005 and commitment to invest $8bn in alternative energy in coming years. BP are creating long-term options for the future in new energy technology and low-carbon energy businesses. They will be also enhancing capabilities in natural gas, which is likely to be a vital source of relatively clean energy during the transition to a lower-carbon economy and beyond. BP will utilize the best talent inside and outside the company to develop and apply the technology associated with their business challenges. They have the right people in the right places with the right skills. They have developed a new leadership framework and extensive training programmes to build the professional skills of employees, BP will focus on operations and fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement across all their activities. BP is a diverse and inclusive company where everyone can achieve their potential. BP will be able to demonstrate clearly how technology improves performance and improve the safety factor. BP will able to reduce its hydrocarbon emissions to water and hydrocarbon emissions to air, the burning of waste gas, carbon dioxide emissions, emissions of non-greenhouse gases, such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides significantly.. BP will be using its landholdings as a base for solar generation of electricity. BP focus is on four key businesses: biofuels, wind, solar and carbon capture and storage. Their goals are no accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment. Company will work to achieve this through consistent management processes, ongoing training programmes, rigorous risk management and a culture of continuous improvement. Community development must be focused on BP as an integral part of CSR rather than initiating just as a compensatory act for the damage caused to public and environment. As a company with extensive operations in developing nations, some whose BPs own revenues surpass, it needs to carefully manage aspects such as human rights approach and maintaining ethical business practices. BP would be stick with its commitments towards safety concerns, security, safe operations and accountability in all the locations. BP shall plans to further improve operating and cost efficiency right across the company, from refineries and marketing operations in the downstream to procurement, drilling and project management in the upstream efficiency and reduce costs for profit growth. BP will develop the culture of innovation in all their operations. BP continues to access new business opportunities, with new agreements in other countries. To increase its financial flexibility, BP shall plans to reduce its debt, now about $23 billion, to $10 billion within 18 months. BP has to establish new ways of communication with all stakeholders to improve the brand image and reputation across the globe. BP shall view the corporate governance as a strategy for long run sustainable growth and survival. They should also ensure that board should be structured appropriately to ensure the implementation of rules, regulations, ethical, moral principles and obligation in all activities. It is essential to achieve high standards in all three elements of the triple bottom line agenda economic, environmental and social performance. Focusing on any one at the expense of the others is not sustainable. BP shall build competitive advantage by procuring and multiplying resources create abilities over them and developing synergy of resources and capabilities. Core competencies enable BP to formulate strategies and draw strategic action by converting competencies into profitable business activities. Suggested Future Strategic Concepts for BP: BP should plan to re-conceive its product portfolio and the market it is being catering to till date. Taking a holistic view of the market, BP should mould the goods to cater to the energy needs of the community and not just oil or natural gas. Presently BP defines its productivity by production rate i.e. MT/annum. However, we would suggest that real productivity of BP product can happen when the firm follows up its product till its life cycle. It has already started activities in this direction by entering into strategic alliance with vehicle manufacturers. But it needs to take shape. Actual productivity definition for BP should be Amount of energy converted to actual use by the community per MT of fuel provided by BP. Say for example a Diesel Engine operated by Heavy Fuel (a product of BP) operates at about 30 to 35% efficiency. 10,000 Kcal of Energy provided by the oil is converted to just 3500 Kcal of another form of energy which again is not utilized to 100%. Hence BP should redefine productivity so that the benefit is directly transferred to the community. Such activity would be a win-win situation from BP as well as society at large. BPs one of the strategic management thoughts should be to secure its own future competitiveness. Given the finite life of natural fossil fuel, BP should start its activities in thinking differently on each different use of fuel. Let us take an example of transportation. All vehicles use fossil fuel. Scientists have already come out with hybrid cars, solar cars, compressed air cars, etc. BP should actually go a big way in developing Anti Gravity Cars. We all see UFOs and Flying Discs, etc. Can this earth not produce such vehicles? This is no fancy idea, BOAC have a specific RD drive for such vehicles. They already have achieved some success lifting about 3gm material. Ultimately, we aim at developing competencies by BP in a wider scope of business which would then not get jeopardized due to depleting finite resources. Improvement in Corporate Governance has to reinstate the confidence in community which has shaken up due to past disasters. The pace of expansion activities has overshot the governance speed. Here comes the role of strategic leadership. Two of the key qualities of an effective leader are to anticipate and envision. BP needs to provide more stress on these two aspects. We are aware that as and when there is a need, the fossil fuel prices are raised and there is no one to question them. BP should analyze in further details as to what extent the suppliers contribute to the competitive dynamics of oil business (this is one of the key pillars of the Porters 5 force model and extremely relevant one for BP). A simple coordination between the oil rig, VLCC and met department can effectively reduce cost to BP substantially. Many times this is not done because there is no stringent specific target or cap on total cost of product/MT. This effort will not only help BP outperform its competitors, but also can pass on the benefit to the customers for benefit of the community.