International Organisational Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International Organisational Behaviour - Essay Example Sony has its operations in many countries spread across six continents of the world. It was in 1973 when this Japanese giant entered the Singaporean market and since then it has become one of the leading players of the consumer electronics market. Sony Singapore (Sony, 2011) functions include with its activities of â€Å"engineering, information technology, manufacturing, sales and marketing, treasury services, logistics and others†. Sony Singapore (Sony, 2011) employs from than 1900 employees in the country. This paper is an attempt to explore, investigate, and examine various aspects related to the organisational behaviour of Sony Singapore. Systematic study of Organisational Behaviour Systematic study of organisational behaviour refers to the scientific approach used by organisational behaviour to combine various fields of â€Å"human psychology, organisational development, management, organisational theory, human resource management, and sociology† (Champoux, pp. 29 -44, 2010). The systematic study of organisational behaviour refers to the fact that the â€Å"overall purposes of the field are understanding/explanation, prediction, and control† (Knights & Willmott, 79-81, 2006). Furthermore, the definitions provided by the field are operational and precise and the measures are reliable and valid. Psychology is the first and foremost behavioral field, which contributes to the field of organisational behaviour. It seeks to explain the behaviour of people, measure, explain, predict, and control these behaviours. Without any doubts, Sony continuously tries to find way to alter and tame the behaviours and attitudes of its employees in such a way that the organisational productivity (Champoux, pp. 421-428, 2010). Sociology is another behavioral discipline, which has a close link with Organisational behaviour. People do not live and operate in vacuum, in fact, their behaviours are continuously influenced by social factors. The organisation of So ny itself is a social institution and norms, social roles, values, and customs have constant affect on its employees and managers. Shaping Behaviours of Sales Executives Successful organisations and managers are the ones who know how to align their human resources with the organisational objectives. In other words, it is the task of the organisation and its managers to motivate and push its employees towards achieving the goals and objectives assigned to them. Following are the four possible ways in which a sales manager at Sony can shape the behaviour of it sales executives. First, in the light of the operant conditioning theory, behaviours can be shaped by presenting a reward every time the subject engages in the desirable behaviour. For example, if a sales executive is putting in extra effort to take training sessions then acknowledging his effort in front of the whole staff and applauding him could be a reward, which would reinforce that behaviour (Knights & Willmott, 79-81, 200 6). Second, other than positive reinforcement of behaviours which has been mentioned above, negative reinforcement is also an option. Like positive reinforcement, it refers to the practice of taking something undesirable in order to reward and reinforce any behaviour. For example, if a sales executive achieves the target of his monthly sales even before the last week; negative reinforc

Effectiveness of the Current Credit Risk Management of Techcombank in Dissertation

Effectiveness of the Current Credit Risk Management of Techcombank in Vietnam - Dissertation Example How significant does the current credit risk management decreases the credit risk of Techcombank? What are the strategies to decrease the credit risk of Techcombank? In order to address this research question, this paper shall measure the credit risk under the previous risk management strategies compared to the credit risk under the current risk management strategies. If the findings indicate that the current credit risk management does not reduce the credit risk of the bank, then the reasons for it shall be analysed. 1.1.3. Statement of Research Hypothesis In this research study the Null hypothesis (H0) will be tested against the alternate hypothesis (H1) in each case. The null hypothesis (H0) states that Techcombank has established effective controls for reducing credit risk occurrence while the alternate hypothesis (H1) states that Techcombank still does not have established controls for effectively reducing its credit risk. 1.1.4. Scope of the Study The scope of this research is restricted to a study of credit risk and credit risk prevention in Techcombank Vietnam. However, in order to be able to critically review the credit risk situation in Techcombank of Vietnam, the research will rely on literature review from various authors about credit risk, credit risk controls and credit risk prevention. 1.2. Research Objectives / Hypotheses The specific objectives of the research are as follows: Analysis and review of credit risk faced by banks Determining Techcombank’s credit risk controls measures Proposing standards for measuring the credit risk in a bank such as Techcombank based on scientific footings 1.2.1. Significance of Study This study will identify the main causes of credit risk for Techcombank before and after the... The paper tells that for many banks, loans are the most obvious and the largest source of credit risk. However, there are other sources of credit risk which include bank acceptances, interbank swaps, bonds, equities, options, guarantees among others. In the modern times, as the economy of the world continues to grow and the effect of globalization continues to impact on economic activities, need for financing by investors has also grown, causing an increase in demand for financial services from banks. With the growth of the world’s economy, the number of people using banking services is also increasing as many people are increasingly appreciating use of bank services to undertake their businesses and day-to-day financial operations. As the number of borrowers requiring financial services from Techcombank Vietnam increases, the number of financial services extended to borrowers in form of loans, guarantees, bank acceptances, trade financing and foreign exchange transactions is also increasing. Techcombank Vietnam can fail in two ways. First, a bank can become insolvent by suffering losses on its assets or investment portfolio, resulting in a depletion of its capital. Second, a bank can be a profitable business operation, but fail because it cannot meet the liquidity demands of its depositors. The greater a banks expected deposit variability, the greater the proportion of liquid assets Techcombank should hold. The dilemma facing banks is reconciling the conflicting goals of solvency and liquidity on the one hand and profitability on the other.

Study On Busbecqs Letters History Essay

Study On Busbecqs Letters History Essay I would like to analyse some Western European descriptions of the Ottoman Empire from The Turkish Letters, written by Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, who described the Ottoman Empire in a series of letters that he wrote when he served Ferdinand I of Austria as the ambassador for the Holy Roman Empire to the Ottoman Empire from 1554 to 1562. Included in this paper is my analysis on parts of three of his letters which are concerned with in particular: the Turkish Army, the Turks openness or lack thereof in borrowing from other cultures, and Christian Slaves. Busbecq presents an absorbing eyewitness account of the Ottoman Empire from the perspective of a well educated Western observer at the time of the Ottomans greatest ever ruler: Sultan Suleiman The Magnificent. In the letters Busbecq describes some of the workings and details of the Turkish Army, including interesting information on The Janissaries. In another letter he talks about the Turks openness in adapting military manoeuvres and c ombat skills of the Europeans such as that of the Greeks, and their reluctance in adopting useful things such as public clocks and printing books. In the third letter he portrays some information on the Christian slaves of the Ottoman Empire. He details impressions on everything he saw and experienced in Turkey from the army, slavery, and other matters and does so with literary talent and though quite gripping there is a strong possibility that his depiction was slightly exaggerated because he was trying to bring about reform at home. Of particular significance is his account of the Turkish Army where goes into vivid detail about the campaigns. The Sultan when he sets out on a campaign, takes as many as 40,000 camels with him, and almost as many baggage-mulesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ This is an explicit illustration of the organisation, might, and sheer size of the Sultans army. Busbecq further goes on to describe the Turks campaign into Persia, the way rations are used, and the importance of the soldiers health. He also makes note on the Sultans respect and willingness to help the soldiers whenever he could by assisting ill-fated soldiers who have come across bad luck in losing their horse or suffering from illness or injury. Suleiman the Magnificent is plausibly the most illustrious figure in Turkish history. For the Turks his status is legendary and his reign saw the greatest extension of Turkish power. His devotion to his own religion and his tolerance of other faiths, his charity and generosity, won him the loyalty of his subjects and the respect of his enemies. The Janissaries represented the well trained and adaptable soldiers for the Turkish army. They were well looked after and respected for their courage in battle, repeated victories, and experience in warfare; hence they were highly valued. They were a product of Suleimans progressive system. The Turks adopted from the Europeans many smooth military combat techniques and the use of canons to great effect in their battles, for example the shooting against the door which was formerly used by the Greeks and the Turks had adopted from them. Conversely at the same time the Turks were never able to bring themselves into accepting the use of public clocks or to print books. As Busbecq strongly puts it They hold that their scriptures, that is, their sacred books, would no longer be scriptures if they were printed; and if they established public clocks, they think that the authority of their muezzins and their ancient rights would suffer diminution. This I believe is an understandable stance considering their position and their culture. They did not want their culture to be diluted this is not to say they werent tolerant to other cultures but only to keep their own pure from western influence. The extract of the letter by Busbecq in Documents in World History on Christian slaves portrays completely bleak and miserable image for the slaves: Youths and men of advanced years were driven along in herds or else tied together with chainsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..At the sight I could scarcely restrain my tears in pity for the wretched plight of the Christian populationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. This particular document if read by someone not familiar with Busbecqs writings and general view of the Ottomans could be misleading. In his book The Turkish Letters Busbecq explains the advantages of Ottoman slavery and stipulates that it outweighs the drawbacks. For example, young male slaves had the opportunity to have a prestigious career and be trained as Janissaries or diplomats. Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq wrote impressions on everything he saw and experienced in Turkey, including landscapes, plants, animals, Islam, ethnic groups, architecture, slavery, military, court practices, clothing, gender and domestic relations, the Sultan himself, and even plants and animals. I think his letters offer lessons in understanding and appreciating cultural differences. It is clear to me that he describes the Ottoman Empire as being powerful and admirable; he makes it obvious that he respects the Ottomans in many ways and almost even considers them as better than the great European nations. Nonetheless I suggest that he may have been exaggerating what he thought and knew about the Ottomans to an extent in an attempt to bring about reform in Western Europe. After all he was writing at or near the time when the Ottoman Empire was at the pinnacle of its power, and one of his aims could have been to frighten European rulers and governments into transformation and improvement. K eeping this in mind I would still consider The Turkish Letters a great source of insight and entertaining reading. The letters are a standard for understanding the Ottoman Empire written with frankness and in great detail by a noted diplomat with an established reputation.

Marginalization of Women During the Cold War Essay -- gender roles, Co

At the height of the Cold War in 1959, Vice President Richard M. Nixon visited the Soviet Union to discuss political ideology with Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. In what was labeled the â€Å"kitchen debate,† Nixon presented Khrushchev with an American â€Å"model home† that highlighted the merits of capitalism to a global audience. But as the politicians entered the Americanized kitchen, Nixon took a step further. Instead of keeping the focus on economic systems, the Vice President turned the discourse to the two nations’ construction of gender roles. While looking at an American dishwasher, Nixon said, â€Å"This is our newest model†¦In America, we like to make life easier for women†¦ I think that this attitude towards women is universal. What we want to do, is make life more easy for our housewives† (teachingamericanhistory.org). While the accessibility of consumer products that reduced labor for homemakers was an achievement of American capitalism, Nixon’s comments promoted a new American vision of the family. The traditional family in Cold War culture, which featured men as breadwinners and women as homemakers, was now an important component of the American Dream. By referring to women as â€Å"housewives,† Nixon effectively reinforced the pervasive sentiment that women could not only be homemakers in a financially prosperous capitalist society, but that it was also expected of them. As these expectations became fully engrained into the mainstream, gender roles became increasingly rigid, which discouraged many women from considering professional careers, let alone pursue them. As the Cold War era prompted Americans to find refuge in the traditional family, women were expected to operate within the framework of the home and in resul... ...represented an escape from the uncertainty of the future. But with the rise of a new traditional family in America, complete with strict and separate gender roles, women were denied opportunities in the workplace and forced to embrace the task of homemaker. While Nixon argued in the â€Å"kitchen debate† that American strength rested on each member’s ability to rise and fall, the marginalization of woman in Cold War culture masterfully highlights the distance between political idealism and reality. Works Cited Books May, Elaine Tyler. Homeward Bound. Friedan, Betty. The Feminine Mystique. Movies The Home Economics Story. Online Resources â€Å"The Kitchen Debate.† Articles Stevenson, Adlai E. â€Å"A Purpose for Modern Woman.† Chambers, Whittaker. â€Å"Witness.†

Various Laboratory Tests on Cement

VARIOUS LAB TEST ON CEMENT: Checking of materials is an essential part of civil engineering as the life of structure is dependent on the quality of material used. Following are the tests to be conducted to judge the quality of cement. 1. Fineness 2. Soundness 3. Consistency 4. Initial and Final Setting Time of Cement FINENESS OF CEMENT: We need to determine the fineness of cement by dry sieving as per IS: 4031 (Part 1) – 1996. The principle of this is that we determine the proportion of cement whose grain size is larger than specified mesh size. Apparatus: The apparatus used are ) 75Â µm IS Sieve ii) Balance capable of weighing 10g to the nearest 10mg iii) A nylon or pure bristle brush, preferably with 25 to 40mm iv) bristle, for cleaning the sieve Figure No. Sieve No. 200 Procedure to determine fineness of cement: i) Weigh approximately 10g of cement to the nearest 0. 01g and place it on the sieve. ii) Agitate the sieve by swirling, planetary and linear movements, until no m ore fine material passes through it. iii) Weigh the residue and express its mass as a percentage R1,of the quantity first placed on the sieve to the nearest 0. 1 percent. v) Gently brush all the fine material off the base of the sieve. v) Repeat the whole procedure using a fresh 10g sample to obtain R2. Then calculate R as the mean of R1 and R2 as a percentage, expressed to the nearest 0. 1 percent. When the results differ by more than 1 percent absolute, carry out a third sieving and calculate the mean of the three values. Reporting of Results: Report the value of R, to the nearest 0. 1 percent, as the residue on the 90Â µm sieve. Test To Check Soundness Of Cement: SOUNDNESS : Soundness of cement is determined by Le-Chatelier method as per IS: 4031 (Part 3) – 1988.Apparatus – The apparatus for conducting the Le-Chatelier test should conform to IS: 5514 – 1969 Balance, whose permissible variation at a load of 1000g should be +1. 0g and Water bath. Procedure to determine soundness of cement i) Place the mould on a glass sheet and fill it with the cement paste formed by gauging cement with 0. 78 times the water required to give a paste of standard consistency. ii) Cover the mould with another piece of glass sheet, place a small weight on this covering glass sheet and immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at a temperature of 27 Â ± 2oC and keep it there for 24hrs. ii) Measure the distance separating the indicator points to the nearest 0. 5mm (say d1 ). iv) Submerge the mould again in water at the temperature prescribed above. Bring the water to boiling point in 25 to 30 minutes and keep it boiling for 3hrs. v) Remove the mould from the water, allow it to cool and measure the distance between the indicator points (say d2 ). vi) (d2 – d1 ) represents the expansion of cement. Test To Check Consistency Of Cement : CONSISTENCY : The basic aim is to find out the water content required to produce a cement paste of standard consis tency as specified by the IS: 4031 (Part 4) – 1988.The principle is that standard consistency of cement is that consistency at which the Vicat plunger penetrates to a point 5-7mm from the bottom of Vicat mould. Apparatus – Vicat apparatus conforming to IS: 5513 – 1976, Balance, whose permissible variation at a load of 1000g should be +1. 0g, Gauging trowel conforming to IS: 10086 – 1982. Procedure to determine consistency of cement i) Weigh approximately 400g of cement and mix it with a weighed quantity of water. The time of gauging should be between 3 to 5 minutes. ii) Fill the Vicat mould with paste and level it with a trowel. ii) Lower the plunger gently till it touches the cement surface. iv) Release the plunger allowing it to sink into the paste. v) Note the reading on the gauge. vi) Repeat the above procedure taking fresh samples of cement and different quantities of water until the reading on the gauge is 5 to 7mm. Reporting of Results Express the amount of water as a percentage of the weight of dry cement to the first place of decimal. Test To Check Initial And Final Setting Time Of Cement : INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME : We need to calculate the initial and final setting time as per IS: 4031 (Part 5) – 1988.To do so we need Vicat apparatus conforming to IS: 5513 – 1976, Balance, whose permissible variation at a load of 1000g should be +1. 0g, Gauging trowel conforming to IS: 10086 – 1982. Procedure to determine initial and final setting time of cement : i) Prepare a cement paste by gauging the cement with 0. 85 times the water required to give a paste of standard consistency. ii) Start a stop-watch, the moment water is added to the cement. iii) Fill the Vicat mould completely with the cement paste gauged as above, the mould resting on a non-porous plate and smooth off the surface of the paste making it level with the top of the mould.The cement block thus prepared in the mould is the test block. A)Â  INITIAL SETTING TIME : Place the test block under the rod bearing the needle. Lower the needle gently in order to make contact with the surface of the cement paste and release quickly, allowing it to penetrate the test block. Repeat the procedure till the needle fails to pierce the test block to a point 5. 0 Â ± 0. 5mm measured from the bottom of the mould. The time period elapsing between the time, water is added to the cement and the time, the needle fails to pierce the test block by 5. 0 Â ± 0. mm measured from the bottom of the mould, is the initial setting time. B)Â  FINAL SETTING TIME : Replace the above needle by the one with an annular attachment. The cement should be considered as finally set when, upon applying the needle gently to the surface of the test block, the needle makes an impression therein, while the attachment fails to do so. The period elapsing between the time, water is added to the cement and the time, the needle makes an impression on the surface of the test block, while the attachment fails to do so, is the final setting time.

Social Work and Empowerment Assignment

The purpose of this essay is to explore social work theory and practice. The essay is based on a scenario of a father (Mathew), who after many years of caring for his disabled son (David), and having suffered a stroke attack an year ago, finds he is struggling to care for himself or the son. In relation to working with the elderly, the essay will discuss the roles of a social worker, the practice of empowerment, possible ethical dilemmas and an anti-oppressive practice. The type of agency chosen for this essay is Learning Disability Partnership (LPD) in Cambridgeshire. LPD is an organisation, which includes multi-disciplinary teams of Social Care Services and Health professionals. LPD dedicates services which help learning disabled people lead normal lives and life in abundance. Fully aware of the strain and stress brought on by caring, LPD tries to provide services which help people with learning disabilities, and their carers, to cope with these pressures. The diversity of social work roles in this organisation includes advocacy, direct change agent and executive. These roles can be used singly, or as a combination of two roles. The role of advocacy is about people speaking up for themselves directly or indirectly (Beckett, 2006: 9). Despite having communication problems, and assumning a positive mental capacity rationale on David, a social worker may advocate for David by providing specialist communication equipment that enable him to directly communicate without undue influence by his father. Similarly, in the best interests of David and Matthew advocacy is met through negotiations for services and resources within the agency or through multi-disiplinary teams, this is a mixed role of a negotiator and a co-ordinator. The social worker is obliged to assess the needs of Matthew and David for community care services and implement services accordingly, role of a care manager. Simultaneously, eligibility criteria are checked (role of a researcher) after which costs and services availability are checked before commissioning resources. For effectiveness, a social worker must have sufficient knowledge, skills and values to conduct good professional practice. Empowerment means â€Å"working in a way aimed at increasing people's sense of power and control over their lives† (Beckett, 2006:126). The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) includes in their definition of social work the promotion of â€Å"†¦ social change†¦ and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. † (Thompson 2001) cites empowerment as an ongoing â€Å"process† and a â€Å"goal† that takes a long time. Cooper (2000:15) cites the four major principles of empowerment as â€Å"entitlement which include legislation, rights and policies; social model which looks at social, economic and culture; needs-led assessment which looks at wants in life; and promotion of choice and control which moves institutionalisation to independent living†¦ In view of this topic's diversity I shall address each principle briefly. In terms of entitlement law, rights and policies offer guidance and support, good example been the 1990 Community Care Act and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 which places a duty and requirement on local authority to provide services, resources and funding for services and resources for the needy people in the community (Brammer, 2003:304). To empower David and Matthew rights to live in own home entitlement services like home carer provide personal care and help with shopping. David may also be entitled to practical home assistance to improve on safety and mobility. However, despite been eligible for service, due to limited resources services may not be easily implemented by local authority. The main objective of need's led assessment is to concentrate more on individual needs and preferences rather than the services available. Needs determine the level of assessment required based mainly on empowerment and choice (Parker, Bradley, 2007). Contrary, defining the meaning of ‘need' inevitably leads to procedural bias and restriction of services due to financial constraints. If the service user satisfies the local authorities eligibility criteria then they have a legal duty to provide the necessary assistance. For example needs for both Matthew and David vary and might change over time. Matthew's perspective might be need of rehabilitation and home help to enhance his physical well being whilst David's needs might be gradual introduction to socialisation and communication needs. Choices for independence targets services for persons at risk for institutionalisation. The Kantanian approach of individualisation (rights and respect for David and Matthew to be treated with personal differences) and user-self-determination (liberty to make informed choices or decisions) promote choice and independence (Banks, 2003:31). Direct Payments, supports self-directed care. This enables David and Matthew to recruit, organise and pay for their own services, enabling them to exercise choice and control over their lives. The campaign for real choice by guardian newspaper quotes that â€Å"the growth of direct payments is causing for celebration, alongside pilot schemes for individual budgets which give disabled people more independence† (www. guardian. co. uk). Social model is concerned with experiences of vulnerable people at a risk of oppression and social devaluation, seeking to reserve vulnerability. Medical terms have been used to normalise people, for examples labelling David as severe learning disabled and Matthew as suffering from stroke is disabling in itself, and leads to total loss of rights. However these terms are used to check threshold criteria for assessment of their needs enabling empowerment. Consequently, on meeting the criteria, local authority must facilities for services, which at this point must be pointed out that they may not necessarily be needs led as intended, but resource led due to limited resources. Simultaneously, this leads to David and Matthew depending on the state welfare instead of encouraging independence and active participation (Oliver, 1996:25). Similarly, choices encourage empowerment. David expressing his wish to stay at home proves that his mental capacity is able to receive, retain and make decisions. (Adams, Dominelli and Payne 2002:196) states capacity and ability to act on decisions brings about equality, however, this supports choice making more than services that best suits David. Possible ethical dilemmas encountered include: Choice and capacity: Because of communication problems with Matthew his dad may have to translate his thoughts expressed. Dilemma occurs as dad's interpretations may not be accurate with the Matthew's needs; this may lead to a social worker implementing wrong services. Similarly wrong services may also be offered if in the past Matthew has had little or no experience of choosing. Care and control imposed due to limited resources, social workers are obligated to evaluate David and Matthew against other service users who are in need. Following the utilitarian approach, the dilemma here is whose needs outweigh the other? On what orders would these needs be prioritised? If David and Matthew's priority are of low, then resources will be allocated to those in most significant risk. Consequently lead to two immoral issues: (a) Societal distrust in social work profession as most people fear being selected for sacrifice despite their needs, (b) David's and Matthew's health might get worse as they have to wait a long time for care packages to be implemented. Empowerment process shifts power away from social workers and given to service users. This reliance to create the conditions for empowerment and identify eligible for empowerment would appear to contradict this intended shift of power. Conflict of interest arises on who the primary client is. Once a referral has been made, a social worker will purposely be going in to assess whoever is in need. However it soon comes to light that both the service user and the carer are in need, torn between two people in need a social worker therefore has to work with the whole family creating conflict of interest. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 states that: â€Å"a person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that he lacks capacity†. In line with this, dilemma occurs on how to assess capacity and to what extend would capacity be measurable? A social worker is obliged to make a value judgmental call, and if the wrong move is made then the consequences lie with the social worker. To overcome these dilemmas awareness training and anti discriminatory practice would give a balance. From learnt theories it is evident that some social workers might have limited resources and lack of awareness. If a social worker is not aware or informed of these factors, then they will not be able to achieve empowering practice and that they will find their practice may revolve more around issues of empowerment and control are evidently forgetting service users and carers self-determination. Conclusively, Social workers are employed in varied social settings necessitating diversity of social work roles. Empowerment enriches and enhances human suffering, therefore should always be linked with anti-discrimination. The topic of empowerment is very broad, it not only requires technical competence but also qualities of integrity, genuiness and self-awareness.