Home Depot Implements Stakeholder Orientation Essays

Home Depot Implements Stakeholder Orientation Essays Home Depot Implements Stakeholder Orientation Paper Home Depot Implements Stakeholder Orientation Paper CHAPTER 1 The Importance of Business Ethics SUMMARY This chapter provides an overview of the field of business ethics. It develops a definition of business ethics and discusses why it has become an important topic in business education. It also examines the evolution of business ethics in North America and explores the benefits of ethical decision making in business. Finally, the chapter provides a framework for examining business ethics in this text. LECTURE OUTLINE I. Business Ethics Defined A. Business ethics is a complicated and controversial topic: 1. The field of business ethics concerns questions about whether specific business practices are acceptable. 2. Business ethics is controversial and there is no universally accepted approach for resolving ethical issues. 3. Values and judgments play a critical role in the making of ethical decisions. B. Some special aspects must be considered when applying ethics to business. 1. Businesses must earn a profit to survive. 2. Businesses must balance their desires for profits against the needs and desires of society. 3. Maintaining this balance often requires compromises or tradeoffs. C. Business ethics comprises values and standards that guide behavior in the world of business. D. Principles are specific and pervasive boundaries for behavior that are universal and absolute. E. Values are used to develop norms that are socially enforced. 1. Investors, employees, customers, interest groups, the legal system, and the community often determine whether a specific action is right or wrong and ethical or unethical. II. Why Study Business Ethics? A. A Crisis in Business Ethics 1. Reports of unethical activities (accounting fraud, insider trading, falsifying documents, deceptive advertising, defective products, bribery, abusive behavior, harassment, and employee theft) are cited as evidence of declining ethical standards, not only in business, but also in government, science, and sports. 2. Regardless of what an individual believes about a particular action, if society judges it to be unethical or wrong, whether correctly or not, that judgment directly affects the organization’s ability to achieve its business goals. B. Reasons for Studying Business Ethics 1. Studying business ethics is valuable for several reasons. a. An individual’s personal values and moral philosophies are only one factor in the ethical decision-making process- a person’s personal values and business ethics are not the same thing. b. Being a good person and having sound personal ethics may not be sufficient to handle the ethical issues that arise in a business organization. c. Business strategy decisions involve complex and detailed discussions, and a high level of personal moral development may not prevent an individual from violating the law in an organizational context. d. The values people learn from family, religion, and school may not provide specific guidelines for complex business decisions. 2. Studying business ethics helps businesspeople begin to identify ethical issues, recognize the approaches available to resolve them, learn about the ethical decision-making process and ways to promote ethical behavior, and begin to understand how to cope with conflicts between personal values and organizational values. III. The Development of Business Ethics A. Before 1960: Ethics in Business 1. Prior to 1960 the United States went through several agonizing phases, questioning the concept of capitalism. . In the 1920s, the progressive movement defined a â€Å"living wage† as income sufficient for education, recreation, health, and retirement. Businesses were asked to check unwarranted price increases and any other practices that would hurt a family’s â€Å"living wage. † b. In the 1930s, the New Deal specifically blamed business for the country’s economic woes. Businesses were asked to work more closely with the government to raise family income. c. By the 1950s, the New Deal had evolved into the Fair Deal, defining such matters as civil rights and environmental responsibility as ethical issues that businesses had to address. . Until 1960, ethical issues related to business were often discussed within the domain of theology or philosophy. Individual moral issues related to business were addressed in churches, synagogues, and mosques. a. Within the Roman Catholic Church, social ethics included concern for morality in business, workers’ rights, and living wages, for humanistic values rather than materialistic ones, and for improving the conditions of the poor. b. Protestants developed ethics courses in their seminaries and schools of theology and addressed issues concerning morality and ethics in business. c. Such religious traditions provided a foundation for the future field of business ethics, with each religion applying its moral concepts not only to business but also to government, politics, family, personal life, and all other aspects of life. B. The 1960s: The Rise of Social Issues in Business 1. American society turned to causes, and an antibusiness attitude developed as critics attacked the perceived vested interests that controlled both the economic and political sides of society- the so-called military-industrial complex. 2. The 1960s saw the decay of inner cities and the growth of ecological problems. . The rise of consumerism- activities undertaken by independent individuals, groups, and organizations to protect their rights as consumers- began, and President John F. Kennedy announced a Consumers’ Bill of Rights (the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard). 4. Consumer activists, led by Ralph Nader, fought successfully for consumer-protection legislation. 5. Activities that could destabilize the economy or discriminate against any class of citizens began to be viewed as unethical and unlawful. C. The 1970s: Business Ethics as an Emerging Field 1. Business professors began to teach and write about corporate social responsibility: an organization’s obligation to maximize its positive impact on stakeholders and to minimize its negative impact. 2. Philosophers applied ethical theory and philosophical analysis to structure the discipline of business ethics. 3. As social demands grew, many businesses realized that they had to address ethical issues more directly. 4. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was passed during Jimmy Carter’s presidency, making it illegal for U. S. businesses to bribe government officials in other countries. 5. Major business ethics issues had emerged, such as bribery, deceptive advertising, price collusion, product safety, and the environment. 6. Academic researchers sought to identify ethical issues and to describe how businesspeople might choose to act in particular situations. D. The 1980s: Consolidation 1. Membership in business ethics organizations increased, while centers of business ethics provided publications, courses, conferences, and seminars. a. Many firms established ethics and social policy committees to address ethical issues. 2. The Defense Industry Initiative on Business Ethics and Conduct (DII) was developed to guide corporate support for ethical conduct. The DII includes six principles: a. Development and distribution of understandable, detailed codes of conduct. b. Provision of ethics training and development of communication tools to support the periods between training. c. Creation of an open atmosphere in which employees feel comfortable reporting violations, without fear of retribution. . Performance of extensive internal audits and development of effective internal reporting and voluntary disclosure plans. e. Preservation of the integrity of the defense industry. f. Adoption of a philosophy of public accountability. 3. The Reagan/Bush era ushered in the belief that self-regulation, rather than regulation by government, was in the public’s interest. E. The 1990s: Institutionalization of Business Ethics 1. The Clinton administration continued to support self-regulation and free trade, although it strengthened regulation in some areas. 2. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, which were based on the six principles of the Defense Industry Initiative, codified into law incentives to reward organizations for taking action, such as developing effective internal legal and ethical compliance programs, in order to prevent misconduct,. a. The guidelines mitigate penalties for businesses that strive to root out misconduct and establish high ethical and legal standards. On the other hand, under the FSGO, if a company lacks an effective ethical compliance program and its employees violate the law, it can incur severe penalties. b. The guidelines focus on firms taking action to prevent and detect business misconduct in cooperation with government regulation. F. The Twenty-First Century: A New Focus on Business Ethics 1. New evidence emerged in the early 2000s that more than a few business executives and managers had not fully embraced the public’s desire for high ethical standards. 2. To address a loss of confidence in financial reporting and corporate ethics, Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the most far-reaching change in organizational control and accounting regulations since the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The law: a. made securities fraud a criminal offense and stiffened penalties for corporate fraud. b. created an accounting oversight board that requires corporations to establish codes of ethics for financial reporting and to develop greater transparency in financial reports to investors and other interested parties. c. requires top executives to sign off on their firms’ financial reports, and they risk fines and long jail sentences if they misrepresent their companies’ financial position. d. requires company executives to disclose stock sales immediately and prohibits companies from giving loans to top managers. . A 2004 amendment to the FSGO requires that a business’s governing authority be well informed about its ethics program with respect to content, implementation, and effectiveness. 4. In spite of legislation promoting better accountability in financial reporting and other measures to improve ethics, public trust of corporations (particularly financial cor porations) is at a very low point. 5. Around the world, the basic assumptions of capitalism are under debate in the wake of the most recent financial industry meltdown and global recession. a. There is a renewed need to address the level of ethical, legal and compliance regulations needed to help businesses serve the public interest. IV. Developing an Organizational and Global Ethical Culture A. The current trend is away from legally based compliance initiatives in organizations and towards cultural initiatives that make ethics a part of core organizational values. 1. To develop more ethical corporate cultures, many businesses are communicating core values to their employees by creating ethics programs and appointing ethics officers to oversee them. 2. The ethical component of a corporate culture relates to the values, beliefs, and established and enforced patterns of conduct that employees use to identify and respond to ethical issues. B. The term ethical culture can be viewed as the character or decision-making process that employees use to determine whether their responses to ethical issues are right or wrong. 1. Is used to describe the component of corporate culture that captures the rules and principles that an organization defines as appropriate conduct. C. Globally, businesses are working more closely together to establish standards of acceptable behavior. . The development of global codes of ethics, such as the Caux Round Table, highlights common ethical concerns for global firms. V. The Benefits of Business Ethics A. The field of business ethics continues to change rapidly as more firms recognize the benefits of improving ethical conduct and the link between business ethics and financial performance. B. Both research and e xamples from the business world demonstrate that building an ethical reputation among employees, customers, and the general public pays off. C. Ethics Contributes to Employee Commitment 1. Employee commitment comes from employees who believe their future is tied to both the future of the organization, and their willingness to make personal sacrifices for that organization. a. The more a company is dedicated to taking care of its employees, the more likely it is that the employees will take care of the organization. b. Issues that may foster the development of an ethical climate for employees include the absence of abusive behavior, a safe work environment, competitive salaries, and the fulfillment of all contractual obligations toward employees, as well as social programs such as stock ownership plans and community service. . Employees’ perception of their firm as having an ethical environment leads to performance-enhancing outcomes within the organization. a. Trusting relationships within an organization between both managers and their subordinates and upper management contribute to greater decision-making efficiencies. b. When employees see values such as hone sty, respect, and trust applied in the workplace, they feel less pressure to compromise ethical standards, observe less misconduct, are more satisfied with their organizations overall, and feel more valued as employees. . Research indicates that the ethical climate of a company matters to employees. D. Ethics Contributes to Investor Loyalty 1. Investors today are increasingly concerned about the ethics, social responsibility, and reputation of companies in which they invest. a. Investors recognize that an ethical climate provides a foundation for efficiency, productivity, and profits, while negative publicity, lawsuits, and fines can lower stock prices, diminish customer loyalty, and threaten a company’s long-term viability. b. Investors look at the bottom line for profits, the potential for increased stock prices or dividends, and for any potential flaws in the company’s performance, conduct, and financial reports. i)Executives may spend considerable time communicating with investors about their firms’ reputation and financial performance and trying to attract them to the company’s stock. c. The issue of drawing and keeping investors is a critical one for CEOs; gaining investors’ trust and confidence is vital for sustaining the financial stability of the firm. E. Ethics Contributes to Customer Satisfaction 1. Customer satisfaction is one of the most important factors in successful business strategy. a. By focusing on customer satisfaction, a company continually deepens the customer’s dependence on the company, and as the customer’s confidence grows, the firm gains a better understanding of how to serve the customer. b. Successful businesses provide an opportunity for customer feedback, which can engage the customer in cooperative problem solving. 2. Research indicates that a majority of consumers place social responsibility ahead of brand reputation or financial factors when forming impressions of companies. . A strong organizational ethical environment usually focuses on the core value of placing customers’ interests first. a. An ethical climate that focuses on customers incorporates the interests of all employees, suppliers, and other interested parties in decisions and actions. 1. An ethical culture that focuses on customers incorporates the interests of all employ ees, suppliers, and other interested parties in decisions and actions. b. Ethical conduct toward customers builds a strong competitive position that has been shown to positively affect both business performance and product innovation. F. Ethics Contributes to Profits 1. A company cannot nurture and develop an ethical organizational climate unless it has achieved adequate financial performance in terms of profits. a. Many studies have found a positive relationship between corporate social responsibility and business performance. b. Companies convicted of misconduct experience a significantly lower return on assets and sales than firms that have not faced such charges. 2. There are many examples of companies that have experienced significant performance declines after discovery of their failure to act responsibly toward various stakeholders. . Being ethical pays off with better performance. VI. Our Framework for Studying Business Ethics A. Part One provides an overview of business ethics, its importance, emerging issues, and the role of various stakeholder groups in social responsibility and corporate governance. B. Part Two focuses on ethical issues and the institutionalization of business ethics, such as business iss ues that create ethical decision making in organizations and the institutionalization of business ethics including both mandatory and voluntary societal concerns. C. Part Three explores the ethical decision-making process and then looks at both individual and organizational factors that influence decisions. D. Part Four explores systems and processes associated with implementing business ethics into global strategic planning. 1. The more you know about how individuals make decisions, the better prepared you will be to cope with difficult ethical decisions. 2. It is your job to make the final decision in an ethical situation that affects you: Sometimes that decision may be right; sometimes it may be wrong.

Anything Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 11

Anything - Essay Example House ownership grants one access to opportunities for families such as neighborhoods with good schools, jobs and public services. In order for one to get good housing the amount of money he is paid becomes a factor. This essay will examine the trends in housing and the financial position of an individual in details. There is a large gap in house ownership between different people which has continued to increase though barriers in homeownership for the minority groups were lifted long time ago. The current housing policy now targets minority homeownership with the specific intention of closing the gap in house ownership among different groups. The casual expansion of urban land which was traditionally professed as an significant way through which the poorest inhabitants of the urban centers got shelter. This has changed since most of the middle, and high-income households tend to buy land casually for housing. It is clear that those workers who are able to learn new working skills especially in technology will benefit from higher salaries. But on the other hand those who are used to carrying out routine jobs which can be handled by computers and robots will be competing with few jobs or will be pushed into low-skill jobs and hence it will be difficult for them to afford buying better houses (Tal ly 22). It is difficult for the middle-income people to purchase a house in the formal market. This is due to their low-income. This in turn forces them to construct low cost structures as their homes and expenses and can increase the budgets of the developer beyond the monetary capability of the scheme. The cost of land on the other hand, has increased greatly hence this leads to increase the housing gap. Those people who earn larger amount of money posses the ability to construct several houses, which they in turn they rent to the low-income earners at high costs In most parts of the country it evident

Apple i-Pad in 2010 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Apple i-Pad in 2010 - Case Study Example This design advantage also extended into Apple’s image. Apple, Inc. would increasingly cultivate an image that presented itself as the alternative choice to mainstream computer producers. This allowed Apple to become a cultural force resulting in significant market advantage. Another prominent competitive advantage is Apple’s iTunes store. This store implements technology limiting the amount of computers the songs can be played on, further solidifying Apple’s hold on the MP3 market. In terms of the iPhone, Apple’s App Store and inclusion of its unique operating system provide the organization a strong competitive advantage. Are the dynamics in the personal computer industry favorable or problematic for Apple? The dynamics of the personal computer industry present both favorable and problematic situations for Apple. One problematic consideration is that by the late 1990s, â€Å"home and SMB customers started to buy PCs through superstores (Wal-Mart, Costco ), electronics retailers, (Best Buy, Circuit City), and Web-based retailers† (Kim & Yoffie, 2010, p. 4-5). ... How sustainable is Apple’s competitive position in PCs? Apple’s competitive position in PC’s currently is strong, but could experience challenges in future contexts. The Apple Macbook has gained a reputation for quality and contains Apple’s unique operating system. The Macbook has carved out a competitive position through its compatibility with art, design, and music software, making it the industry-computing standard. In addition, the computer has garnered a loyal customer following that views the Apple computer more than simply a product, but also a lifestyle statement. In these regards, Apple’s competitive position in PC’s remains strong. Still, one notes that this industry is highly competitive and with the recent death of company founder and CEO Steve Jobs the future of the organization may experience a position of flux. In addition, increasing competition from generic manufacturers threatens Apple’s position. It’s noted th at, â€Å"White-box† PCs reportedly represented about 30% of the overall market in 2009, and were most frequently sold into the small office and home office markets† (Kim & Yoffie, 2010, p. 5). One considers that with rapid advances in technology, the future could witness these generic manufacturers encroaching on Apple’s claims to quality and art and design efficiency. In these regards, Apple’s ultimate PC sustainability rests on its ability to remain ahead of the curve in both quality and image. How sustainable is Apple’s competitive position in MP3 players? There are a number of considerations in terms of Apple’s competitive advantage in MP3 players. One of the difficulties in future contexts will be

Carlsberg

Carlsberg Company Overview Carlsberg A/S (Carlsberg) is one of the leadingbrewing companies in the world. The company is engaged in the production, retail and marketing of beers and non-alcoholic beverages. It is also engaged in the development and sale of real estate and operation of the Carlsberg Research Center. The company offers wide range of beer, mineral water, cider and malt based drinks through more than 500 brands including Carlsberg and regional brands such as Tuborg, Baltika and Kronenbourg. Carlsberg sells its products in more than 150 countries and operates approximately 100 subsidiaries in Western Northern European, Eastern European and Asian markets. Business description: Carlsberg A/S (Carlsberg) is the fourth largest brewery group in the world. The company along with its subsidiaries engaged in the production, retail and marketing of beers and non-alcoholic beverages. It offers beer, mineral water, cider and malt-based drinks under more than 270 brands. The company is also engaged in the development and sale of real estate and operation of the Carlsberg Research Center. Carlsberg operates through its several subsidiaries in Denmark and globally with over 45,505 employees. The companys beer portfolio includes more than 500 brands which vary significantly in volume, price, target audience and geographic penetration. The companys brand portfolio includes international brands such as Carlsberg, Tuborg, Baltika and 1664, and local brands such as Ringnes (Norway), Feldschlà ¶sschen (Switzerland), Lav (Serbia) and Wusu (Western China). During the fiscal year 2008, beer sales accounted for 75.9% of nets sales of the company. Along with core beer business, the company also offers Malt-based beverages and other beverages such as soft drinks, water and cider. These non alcoholic beverages are available in different flavors namely Coffee, Lemon, Chocolate, Angelica, Cloves, Raspberry, Prunes, Lime, Chili. Carlsberg operates in three geographical regions namely, Northern Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia. The Northern Western Europe segment includes the operations in countries Denmark, Italy, Poland, France, Greece, Norway, Sweden, the UK, Germany, the UK, and Ballistic states. This segment plays an important role in the companys business portfolio. During the fiscal year 2008, the company generated DKK 37,128 million of the total net revenues from this segment. The Eastern Europe segment includes the operation in countries such as Russia, Ukrian, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. In this segment, Russia is the largest and market and accounts for 85% of segment s net revenue. The partial acquisition of Scottish Newcastle increased the importance of this region in the companys business portfolio. During the fiscal year 2008, the company generated DKK 19,137 million of the total net revenues from this segment. The Asia segment operates in Malaysia, Singapore, China, India, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Carlsberg is one of the leading international brewery groups in Asia and has significant positions in a number of Asian markets and the Carlsberg brand is one of the major international beer brands in the region. During the fiscal year 2008, the company generated DKK 3,555 million of the total net revenues from this segment. During the year 2009 the company launched one of the worlds most expensive beers, Vintage No. 2. Further, it acquired 41% interest of Xinjiang Lanjian Jianiang Investment Co., Ltd and increased its stake to 89.3%. Robust Financial Performance The company has exhibited robust financial performance from the past few years. The company reported revenues of (Danish Krone) DKK 59,944.00 million during the fiscal year ended December 2008, an increase of 33.95% over 2007. The operating profit of the company was DKK 6,338.00 million during the fiscal year 2008, an increase of 31.09% over 2007. The net profit of the company was DKK 2,631.00 million during the fiscal year 2008, an increase of 14.54% over 2007. The higher level of earnings was due to the volume increase in growth markets. The strong financial growth of the company signifies its efficient cost structure and market share gains. Also, it would help in the future investments of the company such as strategic acquisitions. Market Leading Position Carlsberg is one of the fastest growing breweries in the world. It operates in Europe and Asia and sells its products in more than 150 countries. With the acquisition of Scottish Newcastle together with Heineken, it became the fourth largest brewery group in the world. It is the market leader in most of the countries in which it operates. The Group is the leader in the Western Europe countries with market share of 63% in Denmark, 54.2% in Norway, 37.7% in Sweden, and 46.9% in Finland. The Group also has a 45% market share in the Baltic countries and acquired number one position in Russia, Kazakhstan and Western China. This dominant market position and wide international presence helps in maintaining its market position and gives it the power to attract new customers and easily venture into new businesses. Consolidation of Beer Industry The beer industry in which Carlsberg operates is very competitive. With entrance of more new players and industry consolidation, the current level of competition is expected to further intensify in the near future, which may result in price reductions. In 1998, the top ten brewers accounted for 34% of the global beer market, but as the global consolidation process accelerated this figure grown to 59% in 2008. In 2008, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. acquired InBev and the company along with Heineken acquired Scottish Newcastle. This industry consolidation increases the company and if the company is not able to maintain the product quality and consumer loyalty, this intense competition could reduce the sales volume of the company, thereby affects its market position. Decrease in Global Beer Sales The decreasing global beer sales has been a major area of concern for the company as its core business activity is the sales of beer across the world. In the first three months of 2009, global beer sales volumes dropped by 6.3%, due to global economic downturn, bad weather and smoking bans in some countries. Beer sales volume in Western Europe declined 1.6% organically in 2008, due to the combined impact of the financial crisis, smoking bans in France, the UK, Finland and the Netherlands, and extraordinary increases in excise duties in the UK. According to the British Beer Pub Association (BBPA), beer sales in the UK, in the first quarter of 2009, dropped by 8.2% as compared to the same period in 2008. As the company operates principally in European beer markets, the decrease in beer sales may affect the sales and profits of the company.

Negative Responses To Mathematics Education Essay

The intent of this study is to analyse the chief cause of mathematics panic in colleges and to offer solutions and give recommendations to the Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statisticss at Curtin University. By reexamining professional literature, scholarly diaries, and accredited web sites a better apprehension of the causes and effects of mathematics anxiousness, this study will accomplish the intent by analysing and reasoning the anterior research and give solutions that aimed at these issues. In add-on, the nature of the mathematics in general will besides be considered and associate mathematics to professional life. The study will foremost travel into an overview of the issues in mathematics learning and larning before covering with the job of the math terror in colleges. A general overview of the nature and societal position of mathematics will be discussed, which will so take to a examination of what universities should make to assist to direct pupils ‘ attitude and apprehension of mathematics.1.2 Background and recent findingsBecause of its public-service corporation and importance, larning mathematics is described as a necessity for a individual ‘s full development in the twenty-first century ( Kogce et al. 2009, 291 ) . However, the popular image of mathematic as hard, abstract, non really practical, and mostly masculine, etc. Therefore, math terror appears in vary degree of schools. Mathematicss anxiousness is introduced foremost by Dreger and Aiken in 1957 and it is defined as â€Å" a sequence of cognitive, affectional, and behavioural responses to a perceived self-pride men ace which occurs as a response to state of affairss affecting mathematics † ( Birgin et al.2010, 1 ) . Mathematicss anxiousness is prevailing among the college pupils population ( Zakaria and Nordin, 2007, 27 ) . Harmonizing to Google-counting, mathematics anxiousness emerges in schools particularly â€Å" in college † has 26,000 happenings ( Brown 2008, 61-92 ) . In add-on, Birgin et Al. ( 2010, 1 ) have found that negative attitudes to mathematics or mathematics anxiousness is a barrier in larning mathematics and go toing callings which require mathematics. As a consequence of mathematics anxiousness, impacts like â€Å" turning away of mathematics, hurt, and intervention with conceptual thought and memory procedures † may even widen negatively in big life.2.0 Causes & A ; consequence of mathematics anxiousnessMathematicss anxiousness has been found that may be affected by many causes, including â€Å" mathematics, educational and curriculum-related issues, parental attitudes, values, and outlooks toward mathematics † ( Baloglu and Kocak 2006, 1325-1335 ) . Numerous researches have analyzed the causes of mathematics anxiousness and the consequences are different from each other. Zakaria and Nordin ( 2008, 27-30 ) have claimed that low mathematics accomplishment normally accompany the happening of mathematics anxiousness. A pupil may be defeat by his/her ain fright that consequence from changeless failure in mathematics and do him/her to believe that he/she can ne'er make good on it. Furthermore, it is besides suggested that the chief cause of mathematics anxiousness has been in learning methods because most mathematics courses â€Å" did non encouraged logical thinking and apprehension † . It is besides believed that attitude towards mathematics can be one of the grounds of math terror ( Kogce et al. 2009, 291 ) . The attitude or value can be affected by instructors or parents. In add-on, clip force per unit area in mathematics trial should besides be considered when refers to causes of math anxiousness. The force per unit area c reated by clip restriction is the combination of emphasis may take to uncertainness about how to make the undertaking and fright of failure ( Buxton 1990, 153 ) . Figure 1. Relationship between anxiousness and self-efficacy ( Beginning: Hoffman, B. 2010 ) As displayed above in Figure 1, the standardised tonss showed a regressive relationship between mathematics anxiousness and pupils ‘ self-efficacy in work outing simple mathematics jobs. It is clear that as anxiousness additions, self-efficacy falls which indicates a strong correlativity between these two points.2.1 Value and attitudeOne of the grounds for mathematics anxiousness is attitude towards mathematics. Students ‘ attitudes or values toward math normally come from instructors and parents. Some researches held by universities show that pupils perform better when making exercisings in mathematics categories without instructors than the pupils under instructors ‘ supervising. Additionally, Buxton ( 1990, 155 ) have argued that instructors should non curtail pupil ‘s thought by stating â€Å" this is non the manner that written in books † or maintain giving the right reply without taking the pupils to believe independently. Otherwise, pupils may ex perience deadening and confounding and their motive to seek mathematics jobs work outing chances may be decreased and conglomerate into fright and turning away. Parents ‘ outlooks every bit much as instructors ‘ may besides give pupils force per unit area in mathematics. Parents normally stand in a place to judge their kids and fail to decide the position with expressed statements. For illustration, some parents show disappointedly on face when kids understand easy in mathematics. Therefore, kids may experience even harder to get the better of the jobs due to take down assurance and this turns into dying and turning away.2.2 Lack of understandingHarmonizing to Zakaria and Nordin ( 2008, 27-30 ) , a deficiency of apprehension is one of the chief causes of mathematics anxiousness and â€Å" that understanding based acquisition is more effectual than drill and pattern † . For most pupils, the first clip when they are afraid of work outing math jobs is when they can non understand the constructs in categories. Therefore, their assurance of larning mathematics may worsen and they lose involvement to get the better of the jobs. Lower accomplishment consequences and a damaging attitude towards mathematics may ensue from this sort of self-perceptions, which can impact their position of larning mathematics ( Hoffman 2010, 276-283 ) .2.3 Time force per unit areaMany pupils suffer anxiousness when it refers to be giving a certain extent of clip to complete certain committedness ( Hoffman 2010, 276-283 ) . This can be one of the factors when discoursing about the causes of mathematics anxiousness. For illustration, pupils who familiarized to work outing jobs without clip restriction might experience dying if they are told to work out jobs rapidly. Furthermore, harmonizing to some surveies, the emotional responses of pupils become intense often when pupils work on math jobs over an extended period of clip ( Buxton 1990, 153 ) . In other words, it is claimed that the more clip pupils spend on work outing math jobs, the more anxiousness they suffer. Most pupils failed in their mathematics tests due to blowing excessively much clip by worrying about the clip limitation and can non finish all the inquiries. Harmonizing to Hoffman ( 2010, 276-283 ) , the Test Anxiety Inventory ( TAI ) and the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Anxiety Scale ( MAS ) were co-operating for the Problems Test of mathematics anxiousness. The pupils were required to react to all the points by giving adequate clip. The pupils finished all the inquiries within 30 proceedingss, although no clip bound was set. Harmonizing to this survey, it can be suggested that job work outing clip limitation can be one of the factors that consequences in mathematics anxiousness. However, Hoffman ( 2010, 276-23 ) suggests that â€Å" high dying persons may really hold faster problem-solving times † . Students may desire to complete the undertaking every bit shortly as possible when they are prompted feelings of dying or concern during the work outing mathematics jobs. This may ensue in faster completion of jobs, even though perchance at the loss of truth.3.0 Mathematics & A ; genderThere is a hypothesis assumes that adult females have more mathematics anxiousness than work forces due to less experience with mathematics. As a consequence, Hoffman ( 2010, 276-23 ) points out that female are less likely to seek chances to work out mathematical job and even mathematics callings, and tend to avoid occupations to make with computing machines and engineering that link to mathematics. However, many surveies failed to confirm considerable gender differences in math terror, even though legion surveies support the position that female have more math anxiousness t han male ( Baloglu and Kocak 2006, 1325-1335 ) .3.1 Gender StereotypeHarmonizing to Hoffman ( 2010, 276-83 ) , although ability may be the cause of public presentation differences, the pessimistic attitude to a high accomplishment shows females did non ‘try as difficult ‘ when work outing mathematics jobs. Some surveies suggest that more male than female enroll in the higher degree of classs in mathematics ( Meece, Wigfield, and Eccles 1990, 60-70 ) . Gender stereotype, one of the grounds why females are much passive in larning mathematics, seems to be the most persuasive 1. Gates ( 2001, 53 ) explains that gender stereotype that maleness associate with ground while muliebrity with alternate attacks is the cause of gender differences in mathematics anxiousness. This difference can impact their feelings in relation to mathematics job resolution. Harmonizing to Gates ‘ survey, ‘masculine ‘ topic such as mathematics and natural philosophies are seen as ‘difficult ‘ by female but ‘interesting ‘ by male. Therefore, female pupils may hold the terror of larning mathematics because they perceive it as being hard although they are interested in this topic. In contrast, Hembree ‘s meta-analysis claimed that the â€Å" negative behaviours associated with mathematics anxiousness † were more marked in males than females. In add-on, present research found that the influence of mathematics anxiousness on the accomplishments of males when work outing math jobs is stronger than females ( Hoffman 2010, 276-283 ) .4.0 Teaching mathematics in collegeâ€Å" Mathematicss anxiousness is prevailing among the college pupils population ( Zakaria and Nordin, 2007, 27 ) . † Harmonizing to Google-counting, college pupils have 26,000 happenings of math terror which is the highest among schooling. Zakaria and Nordin ( 2008, 27-30 ) further stated that the chief factor of mathematics anxiousness is learning methodological analysiss. For illustration, a study of Gabriella and Paul Rosenbaum Foundation called The Effect of Singapore Mathematics on Student Proficiency in a Massachusetts School District: A a Longitudinal Statistical Examination shows in figure 2 that after introduced the learning course of study of Singapore mathematics ( SM ) , the mathematics public presentation of pupils with Coded MCAS, who used to execute bad in this topic improved much better as overall. Furthermore, it is predicted that more than 50 % of the pupils are underprepared when they enrolled in mathematics classs in college ( Baloglu and Kocak 2006, 1325-1335 ) . Therefore, instructors in colleges should stand in a place of guiding and rectifying. Figure 2. Percentage of pupils with Coded MCAS, with and without SM ( Source: Goldman et al. 2009 )4.1 What universities offering presentlyTeachers presents make usage of learning AIDSs and resources such as artworks and theoretical accounts to assist pupils understand mathematical theories and rules ( Gates 2001, 53 ) . Resources are of import because they can supply an image or representation of the figure constructs and ease the apprehension of abstract nature of mathematics. It is argued that utilizing concrete resources in the procedure of larning mathematics can positively â€Å" increases pupils ‘ mathematics accomplishment and their attitudes towards mathematics † ( Kogce et al. 2009, 291 ) . However, the job is whether these resources truly assist apprehension. For case, resource like counters can be used to assist pupils number but the fact is a large figure of pupils can non make mental computation and they focus excessively much on the facets of mathematics of numbering. What ‘s more, another common state of affairs in university mathematics schoolrooms is that non all pupils feel easy to larn mathematics with the aid of the resources and AIDSs and some of them fail to link different facets of math even with the aid of legion graphs and diagrams. Consequently, Gates ( 2001, 125 ) have suggested that a bipartisan interactions between instructors and pupils should be strongly considered. Some pupils may accept the acquisition method given by instructors and ne'er think by their ain and see whether the present method is the best for them.4.2 Computer as instruction assistanceModern engineering today is used in most universities help instructors to learn pupils. Com puter should be one of the most utile technological tools in mathematics schoolrooms. Gates ( 2001, 167 ) have demonstrated that whether the usage of computing machine is effectual or non in mathematics is influenced by the categorization of functions of instructors and computing machines. Computers should be a instruction assistance by instructors and controlled by instructors. Computers used as learning assistance provide a figure of advantages to let go of pupils from some troubles during the acquisition of mathematics and cut down their mathematics anxiousness. For illustration, computing machine presents is used normally as an ‘electronic chalkboard ‘ for expounding and presentation. As a beginning of assorted information through cyberspace, instructors can seek considerable extend information to assist to better pupils understanding of cognition. Furthermore, Gates ( 2001, 168 ) has besides stated that in the signifier of exercisings and games, pupils can pattern mathematics accomplishments and better their coherency of different facets of this topic. In add-on, vivid images and presentation by the usage of computing machine resources may increase pupils ‘ involvement and cut down their terror of the troubles. A perfect illustration of computing machines assisting larning math is the Integrated Learning Systems ( ILS ) . This system n on merely sets exercisings but besides marks the work, evaluates and records advancement, and lead pupils to farther progress work ( Gates 2001, 169 ) .5.0 Mathematicss in our lifeMost people study mathematics until they lose involvement or until they find it excessively difficult for them. Low accomplishment or failure is one state of affairs that doing people reject larning a topic, and believe it ‘s non deserving to try.A However, mathematics is really of import to our life. Selby ( 1995 ) has explained how mathematics works in our day-to-day life individually for assorted facets. For illustration, numeration by manus or with a reckoner is necessary when people calculate weights or sums like money which appears in day-to-day life. Just like work outing mathematics jobs measure by measure, incorrect Numberss that show in one measure of a computation procedure would do all the remainder incorrect. Furthermore, when make fulling the revenue enhancement signifiers, people need to cipher with arithmetic followed the providing instructions measure by step.A Therefore, arithmetic as one portion of mathematics that taught in schools is utile and related to our life. Additionally, people may reason that facets like Algebra and geometry which may utilize with expressions and theories are non related to our life.A However, people should â€Å" understand expressions or calculation methods needed for loans, pensions and investings, A for store maintaining or purchasing and selling with markups or markdowns † Selby ( 1995 ) . What pupils learn in mathematics categories in schools is about understanding how the formulas work and being sensible. By cognizing these, it will offer people more options during gaining, funding or puting money. What ‘s more, statistics, farther subject in mathematics, is really popular nowadays.A A Statistics is utile in theA measuring or appraisal of Numberss and the mistake or fluctuation in the estimations. Such as in the state of affairs of ciphering informations forA productiveness or the monetary value of merchandises, statistics used to connote of import information from values like mean number.A Therefor e, as Gates ( 2001, 24 ) stated mathematics is a â€Å" powerful tool † in the universe that we live.6.0 DecisionIt is clear that the causes of mathematics anxiousness can be identified as, viz. , pupils ‘ values and attitude to mathematics which can be influenced by instructors, parents and even society ; pupils ‘ apprehension of mathematics constructs in categories ; and clip restriction in mathematics tests. There is a figure below helps to exemplify how anxiousness develops and affects pupils ‘ acquisition of mathematics. From chase to turning away, there may be a batch of grounds such as pupils find out they are non gifted at mathematics so they refuse to larn any longer, or female pupils may experience larning this topic is non appropriate for them due to gender stereotype. From assurance to anxiousness, unpleasant experience may be the chief cause. This experience may include deficiency of understanding consequence in failure in work outing jobs ; bla med by parents or instructors as low accomplishments or being compared with talented pupils ; clip restriction causes emphasis in test, etc. All theses causes above may take to failure in mathematics public presentation and turn back to even serious turning away and anxiousness. Figure 3. Math Anxiety Dynamics ( Source: Strawderman, W. 2004 ) In add-on, there is a strong correlativity between gender differences and math terror that males are more likely to go to advanced mathematics classs than females. It has been considered due to gender stereotypes except abilities. However, mathematics is used everyplace in our life and callings. From single measures and disbursals computation to revenue enhancement and funding, we need mathematics as a usher to populate a more choice life.7.0 RecommendationsAfter analysing the relevant issues in this study, assorted recommendations to the Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics have been developed due to extended research showing the impacts of mathematics anxiousness on college pupils. These recommendations are possible solutions to and assist pupils to be more confident in their ain ability to understand mathematics and to advance mathematics in the twenty-first century. The undermentioned suggestions can be undertaken to cut down mathematics anxiousness and increase p upils ‘ accomplishment: Teacher should develop an encouraging acquisition environment, free from tenseness and threatening of embarrassment or humiliation. This may cut down the pupils ‘ anxiousness about being judged by instructors while doing errors or neglecting to understand. Mathematicss instructor should show a caring attitude to their pupils to assist them get the better of mathematics panic. Test taking schemes should be given suitably might assist pupils to raise their accomplishment and cut down their anxiousness of mathematics trial. Students should set themselves under an test atmosphere when they making mathematics homework on a regular basis. Therefore, when they work outing jobs in tests, clip force per unit area will be reduced and pupils may experience more assurance. Activities in categories should include both independent and group work. Group work helps pupils to interchange their thoughts with pickets and reflecting their apprehension to instructors. Therefore, their jobs can be solved instantly or they may recognize that others have the same job as they do. Teaching AIDSs and resourced should be used efficaciously. Make a connexion of mathematics in schools and new engineerings. Small categories like tutorials should be increased alternatively of go forthing countless prep to pupils to complete after categories. Once pupils confused or make non understand during their perusal, they can non acquire solutions instantly and they may lose the motive to go on. Increasing hours of tutorials may work out this job efficaciously. Word count: 2944

Torture: Human and Inescapable Frailty

In â€Å"the Abolition of Torture,† Sullivan argues that we have to ban torture in order to save America. Sullivan insists that we halt abuses on prisoners and terrorists, antithesizing his view with Krauthammer’s for most of the part in the essay. Torture is merely a brutal act of destroying a human being, a completely deplorable execution. And if America observed its favor in this vile act, there would be no more America. To start with, Sullivan says it is absurd that the Bush administration, in the name of military necessity, had permitted aggressive abuse of enemy soldiers.And the abuses in Iraq War resulted in murders of innocent captives. Before discussing the permission of torture, however, we have a severe problem failing to argue: we only swear that torture is morally wrong, before explaining why it has to deal with morality. And Sullivan clarifies it is morally wrong because torture and freedom perfectly counter each other. A human being owns the right to prot ect his or her body. Whereas U. S. Constitution exists in order to protect one’s rights, torture becomes merely against the law.If one is forced to be physically harmed, then he or she is defended by the Constitution. Human beings have â€Å"inescapable frailty† regarding bodily needs. However, torture hinders people’s autonomy, nudging them in the â€Å"inescapable frailty. † People lose their control, then; if one has lost his control over his body or mind, his state becomes â€Å"subhuman. † The Western Freedom was based on the duty to save a victim’s soul. The victim’s body would be damaged, but a lesson was always learned. But today, people are losing their souls as well as bodies.A notion has suddenly been established that in a few cases, we can accept inhumane treatments on whom Krauthammer call are â€Å"so depraved† that they deserve those treatments. Krauthammer says the depraved are so subhuman to be categorized as m onsters. But Sullivan says monsters are still humans, if they have murdered numberless innocent civilians. Humans are responsible for what they have done, a fact which is not applied to animals. Then, humans are not monsters. Moreover, Krauthammer’s excuses are simple hypotheses that rarely happen in the real world.Krauthammer has put three extraordinary events into one scenario and gives a pathetic shot to convince people. If the scenario became a true story, then Sullivan would concede the legalization of torture; the scenario has a chance of about 0. 01% to become true, though. Besides, Krauthammer has not recognized how risky the accessibility of torture will be. Even if abuse were fit in only particular circumstances, torture would be a common scene, because it tends to proliferate. If one abuses another, others will learn by seeing them, and exercise torture.Then, the only means to control torture will be declaring torture to be illegal. Another point does Sullivan oppo se Krauthammer’s idea. Krauthammer claims that torture brings about untrustworthy information. When a captive gets tired of being tortured, to survive, he will spit any words whether they are true or not. Then, such information becomes an option. Sullivan criticizes Krauthammer’s attitude toward this problem, because people torture a person to be classified as subhuman and still get nothing tangible or accurate.After correcting Krauthammer’s perspective, Sullivan provides us a solution. If we look forward to other techniques of extracting information than torture, a vast number of them are awaiting. But, before keeping our eyes on the techniques, we have to give up on our tyrannical behaviors favoring torture. If we remove totalitarian aspects on our faces, we can save America, preserving its fundamental values. However, if we do not completely wipe that violent speck, America will succumb to self-destruction.

Essay on A Solution to the Foreclosure Crisis - 2422 Words

If Americans would like to stop foreclosure on their homes, we need to address the root or the heart of the problem, not just a branch or limb. Solving foreclosure would be like putting a band-aid on a wound which needs surgery. The real problem resides in human behavior and governmental policy concerning the environment which we inhabit. So, with this information, I will address how to come about a real solution in terms of preventing foreclosure (and better than that, solving what causes foreclosure) (which is interrelated with environmental health). So you ask, why should we care about nature and the environment? Why should we have anything to do with the survival of the Earth and its resources? Well, nature, the Earth, and the†¦show more content†¦We are currently not making much progress, but this is the exact reason for why the headwaters project was created—so the public can begin to become informed and take action in this very slow process of change. Within the Headwaters conference, I expanded my horizons into the complexity of environmental issues. The myriad of speakers which presented their ideas opened the various perceptions of how mankind shall go about the reconstruction of our ideas upon the natural world of resources. Dr. Devon Pena addressed the concern on political, environmental, and in detail, our source of food issues. He addressed the 3es and the 3rs as a basis of how we discover what needs to be addressed within our current situation: environment, economy, and equity; resilience, resurgence, and revolution. Each reflect and effect each other in many ways, and in many senses, are in constant balance with one one another. The 3rs are simply the things that need to take place in order to meet the expectations of the 3es—Revolution of change, the power of reconstruction which is resilience, and finally, the ability to rise again to efficient power which is resurgence. These 3rs lay out the steps of action whic h need to take place within the 3es When one of the 3es are effected, all of them are affected, and for that reason, there are many parallels between each of the three which govern our lives. The wayShow MoreRelatedSolution to the Foreclosure Crisis1326 Words   |  6 PagesI have what I believe to be a viable solution to the foreclosure crisis. I am almost certain that, if implemented, it would work. We need social services reform. I hesitate to say this, because it may come off as sounding too radical, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Simply put, if something fails, we must look at the overall picture and see what may be wrong—we need to troubleshoot the system. 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