Category: Uncategorized

Management Controls

Task 1

The main advantage of a fixed budget is cutting down the cost of doing business. It is well known that a fixed budget aids the management of a business in terms of maintain strict controls on the developed budget. This implies that the management does not have to worry about the outlook of the company in future. It has become problematic for many businesses to get their act together in terms of maintaining a specified budget.

The disadvantage of fixed budgets is that the business cannot make adjustments when the market changes. The problem with a fixed budget is that no adjustments can be made until the end objective has been attained. This means that a business with a fixed budget system cannot make good progress in terms of dealing with market changes. The business has to be in a good position in terms of countering changes in the market.

The first merit of a variable budget is that the business can effect changes within the course of doing business. It is evident that the modern business platform keeps on changing. The changes seen in the market system are reflective of choices made by stakeholders in the market. The good aspect with a variable budget is that changes can be made from time to time when there is need.

The main disadvantage of a variable budget is execution of policies. When it comes to the variable budget, the mode of implementation is considered challenging. This is because various issues have to be integrated in terms of making the latter work. For example, the management of the business ought to understand how to use all controls in implementation.

Task 2

City On time Deliver Performance

Quarter 1 (Ending march 31st) Quarter 2 (Ending June 30th) Quarter 3 (Ending September 30th) Quarter 4 (Ending December 31st)

Luton 10,000 10,000 0 0

Glassgow 0 0 0 10,000

Table 2.1

Legends:

Bonus of 10,000/quarter will only be paid to employees if and only if the Deliver Performance will be 98% or more then that

City Profitability Bonus Per Month

Bonus for Moths of Jan, Feb and March Bonus for Month of April, May and June Bonus for Month of July, Aug and Sep Bonus for Month of Oct, Nov and Dec

Luton 5333.33/ Month 5,666.66/Month 4,666.66/Month 6,000/Month

Glassgow 10,666.66/Month 10,000/Month 12,000/Month 12,666.66/Month

Table 2.2

Legend

The formula for calculating month bonus is [(quarterly profit * 0.02) / 3] Where 3 represent number of months in one quarter.

City Total Deduction from Bonus per Quarter

Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

Luton 9,000/Quarter 13,000/Quarter 5,000/Quarter 12,500/Quarter

Glasgow 17,500/Quarter 17,000/Quarter 14,000/Quarter 11,000/Quarter

Table 2.3

Legend

The formula for the deduction is [(total cost of return from sales * 0.5)]

City Bonus after Deduction

Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

Luton 2,333.33/Month 1,333.33/Month 3,000/Month 1,833.33/Month

Glasgow 4,833.33/Month 4,333.33/Month 7,333.33/Month 9,000/Month

Table 2.4

Legend

The formula for total bonus per month after deduction is {[(Total Bonus per Month before Deduction * 3) – (Total Deduction per Quarter)] / 3} Where 3 represent number of months in one Quarter.

Description

As seen from the above calculations, the need for subtracting total bonus from the quarterly income is to gain a net value of total business. This is normally done in order to get an overview of the financial system of the business. The financial system ought to be in a good position in terms of indicating all calculations.

The bonus scheme operated by Quality Tyres has been instrumental in terms of affecting the behavior of managers positively. A bonus scheme improves the output of the manager by motivating the manager to work hard in terms of meeting objectives. Every company has its own mechanism of motivating managers. Despite of the approach used in terms of motivating employees, the objective of a bonus scheme should be improving the output of employees. The percentage bonus scheme aids managers in terms of getting focused about reaching the required targets. The other positive aspect associated with the bonus scheme approach is the idea of making management effective and easy. As long employees are treated well, they tend to respond by being part of running the organization. This provides an ample time for the management in terms of rolling out management policies. A good bonus scheme ensures that employees are rewarded on the basis of their hard work. This implies that a situation where some employees who underperform gain more than others. In other words, the bonus scheme strategy creates a level playing field for all stakeholders in the organization.

Task 3

The best strategy of improving traditional budgeting is through incorporating the latest trends in terms of budgeting and cost controls. It is evident that businesses are skeptical about the relevance of traditional budgeting mechanism in terms of implementing their cost control objectives. This is an indication that traditional budgeting requires further additions in relation to making it better. The approach of using traditional budgeting hit a snag after it became apparent those poor and outdated budgeting tools cannot counter changes experienced in the market system. The current challenges facing the industry are a manifestation of the need to incorporate new measures in terms of budgeting and cost controls.

The first benefit of using return on capital employed as a performance measure is to understand the growth path of the business. Return on capital employed aids the business in quantifying various components of the business such as revenues and cost components. The use of return on capital employed in terms of tracking the movement of the business has become instrumental in terms of bolstering the efforts of the business in terms of understanding the dynamics of the business. Return on capital employed plays a role in relation to guiding the management of the business in terms of making good decisions. Prudent decision-making is an aspect of building a good business and should not be underestimated.

The first non-financial measure that can be taken by the company is changing the budgeting approach in the long term. In a bid to make the right projection, the company has to keep on introducing the new principles of budgeting in phases. This ensures that the right transition is made in terms of having good cost control measures. The second non-financial measure that can be used in terms of budgeting is to understand short and long-term market needs.

Building paragraphs for paper 1

Thesis paragraph—will work on in conference

Paragraph 1

Summary of article

Paragraph 2

Rhetorical paragraph—this paragraph does not need to be in this order but have as much information as possible to show how effective it was Rhetorically.

Writer

What do they use to help construct the argument to show Ethos—types of examples and evidence

Audience

Purpose—overall intention of the article

Exigence

Pathos—how does the author(s) get an emotional response from the audience

Logos—body of paper

Paragraph 3

logical steps and how they construct the article.

Evidence that is most important to you

How does this evidence relate to the larger argument

Paragraphs 4-7/8

Start making connections of your small piece of evidence to the larger article

Name:

Course:

Instructor’s name:

Date:

Persuasive Speech

The speaker has a very high level of confidence, as this is the first and foremost impression created on the audience. She portrays herself as more accurate, competent, credible, intelligent, and knowledgeable. This vital issue makes her have a higher likelihood of persuading the audience at hand. She also has a commendable storytelling art since she applies relevant context for her audience to connect. She also displays a distinct ability to create an easy and comfortable atmosphere with her audience by using varying tones and pitch. It helps the audience understand her narration better and how it is intended. She displays the ability to speak without memorization and so places minimum dependence on her notes. It makes the speaker keep the story short and precise. Moreover, since she tries to persuade her audience by a narration, she avoids veering off the point and ambiguous statements that don’t add value to her narration.

The speaker maintains eye contact enough to try and establish a connection with her audience. By holding it, she creates a bond between herself and her audience, a relationship that is beneficial to both parties. The link made steers her conversation and eventually increases her confidence. When she looks at her audience in the eyes, then there is a more likelihood that they will look at her and thus increase the chances of persuading her audience to take up volunteer positions in the Special Olympics. It is also worth noting that the speaker does not maintain eye contact with an individual listener; instead, she lays her eyes on every part that the audience occupies in the entire room. Even though she refers to her notes, it is critical to note that she ensures that eye contact is in place to drive the point home whenever she delivers a crucial point.

The speaker has used different rhetorical appeals to demonstrate the need to participate in the Special Olympics. The speaker has used Pathos, where she appeals to the audience to become volunteers. She achieves this when she tries to paint a scenario of positive future results, such as having an extensive network of friends only after following the course of action, though becoming a volunteer. She knows how to connect a path where it counts to try and make her audience feel it. The speaker also uses logos by giving out statistical facts and figures. She argues that according to the Special Olympics website, more than 1.3 million people participate in the Olympics, which is an undisputed fact. She also incorporates reasoning during her persuasion when she tells her audience to think for a moment what would happen if one of the kids fell onto their arms or rather, they were theirs.

The speaker has used Monroe’s motivated speech sequence pattern to persuade her audience to become volunteers in the Special Olympics. She has gone ahead to start with the attention step by introducing a story that captures the listeners and makes them more attentive to the discussion topic. At the end of the narrative, the speaker convinces her audience how they are connected to the issue. She states that as the Special Olympics continue to grow, so does the need for volunteers to coach athletes. In part 3, which satisfies the need, the speaker persuades her listeners that the solutions she is proposing, including becoming a volunteer, or fundraiser are the most effective strategy in taking part. In visualizing the future, the speaker tells her audience to think of how others would feel if they came to their aid. While at the actualization stage, the speaker requests her audience to visit the Special Olympics website or use the brochures’ contact details to get started.

The young athletes can flourish under their spotlight and cross their finish line in their own Olympics. She stated that in In1968, the world embraced that the disabled be respected as valued members of society. She tells them to think of what would happen if one of the kids fell onto their hands. As Special Olympics continue to grow, so does the need for volunteers. She goes further to ask her audience what they can do to help but gives them an answer that they can help by becoming volunteers. She provides alternatives for those who feel that they can’t handle trainees as coaches, including working behind the scenes, fundraising, or organizing events. She also states that their contributions could last from a day, year, or lifetime, depending on commitment level. She wraps up by quoting that:” Let me win and if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.”

The speaker persuades due to several facts. She is confident in terms of speech and her body movement, such as eye contact, which increases the probability of persuasion. She is also up to the task as she seems to have prior and substantial knowledge of the topic and does not frequently refer to her notes. She is consistent in whatever she is discussing and emphasizes becoming a volunteer in the Special Olympics. The phrase “a volunteer” has frequently been repeated to ensure the audience gets the topic of discussion and to make the topic sink. Another distinctive feature worth noting is that since the speaker needs her audience to be receptive to her line of thinking, she always explains why. She finally provides her audience with a glimpse into the future of volunteers and gives them a wide range of possibilities from social support to an extensive friendship network.

TO: LEGISLATORS BELONGING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE COMMITTEE

FROM: DIAMOND MARIE BRELAND

SUBJECT: BUIDLING BRIDGES TO ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH CARE

CC: DR. NANDAN KUMAR JHA

SEPTEMBER 8, 2018

Introduction

The inaccessibility to Mental Health has become problematic in the United States. Each year, millions of Americans with mental illness struggle to find care. Nearly half of the 60 million adults and children living with mental health conditions in the United States go without any treatment. People who do seek treatment must navigate a fragmented and costly system full of obstacles. Many people cannot access mental health care when they most need it. Despite the passage of federal mental health and addictions parity law in 2008, significant barriers exist in obtaining mental health treatment and support. Barriers include high rates of denials of care by insurers, high out-of-pocket costs for mental health care, difficulties accessing psychiatric medications and problems finding psychiatrists and other mental health providers in health insurance networks. In 2016, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, conducted its third nationwide survey to explore the relationship between health coverage and access to mental health care. The study found that people with mental illness continue to experience significant barriers to finding affordable, accessible mental health care. These barriers exist whether the person is covered by private insurance or by a public plan such as Medicaid.

Specific Challenges

1. Difficulty finding a new provider

In the United States, getting psychiatric care has been harder than it should be, patients around the country have challenges booking appointments for outpatient care (Linehan, 2018). Besides, the mental health patients face significant hurdles concerning the provision of the inpatient psychiatric care. Various reasons can be attributed to this difficulties:

a. Current Providers are overwhelmed

The number of the psychiatric patients in the United States are limited. With the limited supply of the psychiatric therapists and more people are obtaining insurance coverage under the Affordable care act. A large number of the psychiatric doctors are not taking new patients as they are already overwhelmed with the current number of people with a mental health condition, and this makes it harder for the new patients to obtain care from the doctors. According to Dr Renee Binder, the immediate past president of the American Psychiatry Association, there is a shortage in the number of psychiatrists, and the number gets to be more limited when it comes to those that deal with child and geriatric psychiatry. Per the American Medical Association, the numbers of the children and adult psychiatrist only increased by 12 per cent since the year 1995 to 2013, that is from 43,640 to 49,079. The number lags far behind the 45 per cent increase in the total number of physicians as well as the general population growth in the United States.

Despite the efforts by the Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act that was enacted in the year 2008 to ensure that the mental health services got covered in level with the medical and the surgical health insurance benefits. Psychiatric experts articulate that the coverage of mental health in the United States still lags, and this compels a large number of the mental health patients to pay out of pocket for the psychiatric services or even forgo the coverage. A large number of psychiatrists, on the other hand, don’t accept the private insurance or even the Medicare, while others have decided to opt out of insurance plans or networks, as they cite what they perceive as the unfavorable reimbursement levels.

b. Not enough providers to meet demand

The demand for the mental health services is on the rise nationally, and this can be attributed to the rising number of mental health patients both adults and children and the limited number of the psychiatric health providers such as the psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors as well as therapists in the United States. As a result, the comprehensive mental health legislation is gaining momentum in Congress for the first time in many years. According to Thomas Insel, the director of the National Institute of Mental Health, More than half of the United States counties have no mental health professionals and therefore do not have any access to the mental health services.

According to statistics, nearly one out of five individuals in a population of about 43 million people had a diagnosable mental health condition within the past year. To almost 10 million individuals, the situation was more pressing to affect their ability to carry out their daily activities. Millions of adolescent struggle with a debilitating mental disorder making the demand for the mental health services to rise in a significant proportion. A majority of the people as well have become eligible for coverage of mental health following the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Despite the high number that is eligible for coverage, finding professionals to deliver the much needed mental health care has increasingly proven to be tough.

c. Providers are not located in areas of high need

According to a research conducted by Merritt Hawkins a physician search firm, among the list of 20 most in-demand medical specialist, psychiatry trailed only the primary care doctors in the list. According to the Patient Advocacy group Mental Health in America, the states with the lowest access as well as the highest rates of mental illnesses are in the south and west, with the rural areas experiencing the highest deficits. The lack of psychiatrists, as well as the other mental health providers, are part of the overall shortage of the physicians in the United States. A study conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges indicated that the nation would be faced with a deficit of between 46,000 and 90,000 doctors within a decade. Besides the shortage in supply of the primary care health providers, the largest deficit will be among the specialists caring for the elderly and to whom the psychiatrists are included. Thus an implication that the demand of the mental health providers will be on the rise, but on the contrary the demand will not be met due to the shortage of specialists.

d. Providers are not responding to inquires

The mental health professionals are already overworked as they are understaffed. Besides, the demand for the mental health care has been on the rise, a fact that can be based on the significant increase on the number of people who are eligible for mental health services under the Affordable care act. With the demand for the psychiatrists and other mental health providers being very high, it is unfortunate that there is not enough number of the mental health care providers to cater for a large number of people with the condition. Due to the high demand and understaffing of the mental health professionals, a large number of queries often go unattended as it is impossible for the limited workforce to cater for the high demand appropriately. On the other hand, the mental health services as earlier observed are not provided in all the regions that they are needed especially in the rural areas where people have limited access to the mental health specialist (Jansen et al. 2017). In these regions, it is rare for the mental health professionals to be deployed and therefore any queries relating to mental health services and care remain unanswered.

2. Out of Pocket Costs are too high making it unaffordable

The cost of obtaining therapy for the people with a mental health condition has proven to be too high with the patients being forced to pay around 200 dollars a session (Follette & Cummings, 2016). Mental illness being mental illnesses being a critical condition that demands immediate care to avoid harm such as suicide and to which has affected a large proportion of people around the United States and besides there are insurance covers to cater for the treatments, should not cost the patient too much. On the contrary, the cost of seeking mental health services has proven to be too costly keeping in mind that the mental health professionals do not accept the insurance services citing the reimbursement problems from the government. Due to this, the patients are required to pay for the services from their own pockets of which it is too costly taking up to 16 per cent of individuals’ income. The demand for the mental health services is on the rise, but the number of mental health providers has been limited over time increasing at a prolonged rate, and this has resulted to the high cost of getting psychiatric services. It is not worthy for a single therapy to cost more than 200 dollars as very few individuals can afford to take into consideration that a significant number of individuals live just below the poverty line and this makes it harder for them to pay the amount.

Spotty coverage for the prescription drugs can be another reason as to why the treatment of mental illnesses could be termed as being too much expensive. After therapy, a patient is advised to purchase certain medications that aid them through recovery and therefore these are essential drugs. Unfortunately, these drugs are too expensive and require good money to buy them, proving to be costly for a majority of the patients. Some of the conditions that require to see a psychiatrist are not diseases, but the policy or notion for the coverage that requires a diagnosis before one can pursue a mental health treatment may prove to be not only time-consuming but as well expensive. The reason is that an individual has to seek a physician before being attended by a mental provider.

3. Lack of inpatient mental health care facilities

There is a severe shortage of the inpatient care for the individuals suffering mental illnesses, and this has amounted to a public health crisis (Strauss, 2017). The reason behind is that the number of individuals who are struggling with a range of psychiatric problems is still on the rise. According to Dominic Sisti, the disappearance of the long-term care facilities as well as the psychiatric beds has escalated over the past decade, as a result of deinstitutionalization of the people with a mental health condition in the 1950s and 60s. A report by the Treatment Advocacy Center, a nonprofit organization of the year 2012 found that the number of psychiatric beds had decreased by 14 per cent from the year 2005 to 2010 (Fakhoury & Priebe, 2002). The organization works in the elimination of treatment barriers for the individuals with mental illnesses. In 2010, there were 50,509 state psychiatric beds and the reduction meant that there was only 14 bed available per 100,000 individuals. Dominic continues to state that a majority of the individuals relying on intensive psychiatry care find themselves homeless or more while others in prison. Much of the mental health care for the individuals have now shifted from hospital-based to the correctional facilities.

4. The stigma surrounding mental health treatment

Any person who had previous experience with mental illness can attest that despite the advances in the field of psychiatry and psychology as well, there has been a great deal of the role of stigma inhibiting a person from seeking medical attention. The mental health field has made tremendous progress, but despite all this, the issue of stigma has continued to be a reality. There are two types of stigma that includes the social stigma that involves the prejudiced attitudes that other people in the society have concerning mental illness. Self-perceived stigma is another type of stigma that involves an internalized stigma to which a person with the mental condition tends to suffer from. Both kinds of stigma are real and affect the individual in various ways.

A review of the studies regarding the public stigma of mental illnesses indicates that it is still widespread, despite the public being more aware of the nature of the various conditions related to mental health (Katz, 2014). While some people accept the medical or the genetic nature of the mental states and treatment, a significant number still possess the negative view towards those with the mental condition. The perceived stigma leads to an internalized shame of having the mental illness, and it has been found that the internalized stigma leads to poorer treatment outcomes leading to stigma being the primary challenge that hinders the treatment of mental illness due to relapse.

Future Challenges

If the inaccessibility to mental health services isn’t resolved, this can lead to complicating and detrimental challenges in other sectors of society.

1. An increase in homelessness

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness (Wright, 2017). In comparison, only 6% of Americans are severely mentally ill. In the year 2006, Markowitz published data regarding 81 United States cities, the correlations between the decreasing availability of psychiatric hospital beds and the increase in crime, arrest rates and homelessness. It was reported that as the state hospital bed capacity reduced, the number of mentally ill homeless individuals increased. Besides the crimes and arrests associated with homelessness also increased. The results are consistent with a similar study conducted in Massachusetts, Ohio and New York in the late 1980s with findings that within six months, 27 to 38 per cent of patients discharged from the mental hospitals were homeless or had no known address homes.

The individuals with psychiatric disorders had been swept into the tide of homeliness that was due to macroeconomic shifts that included the loss of unskilled industrial employment, the rise on the service economy as well as the emerging shortage of low-income housing. The homeless epidemic among the people with a mental health condition was the unforeseen by-product of deinstitutionalization. People from the mental illness left the state-funded institutions to return home, nursing homes and other community-based homes. However, nearly half of the proposed community-based dwellings that were to replace the hospital facilities were never built and among those completed, ran into financial distress rendering a large number of the mental health patients homeless. It is projected in the future that the prevalence of the homeless psychiatric patients will be on the rise and this will be a massive problem in the treatment of the people with a mental health condition.

2. An increase in incarceration rates

As a result, 2 million people with mental illness are booked into jails each year. Nearly 15% of men and 30% of women booked into prisons have a severe mental health condition (Lurigi & Harris, 2016). Mental health conditions among the prisoners have consistently exceeded the rates of the disorders in the general population. Despite the court mandate for access to adequate health care in prisons, the treatment depends on the availability of resources available, and therefore the treatment for mental health conditions has been sporadic. The lack of sufficient community-based health treatment options has resulted in the drastic increase in the number of incarcerated individuals with mental illness. For example, the correctional facilities in New York Chicago and Los Angeles are currently among the most significant psychiatric facilities in the United States. The number of hospitalized individuals with severe mental illnesses decreased from 550,000 in the 1950s to 70,000 in the year 2012. On the contrary, the population in prison increased from 178,000 in the 1950s to around 5.6 million currently. The proportion of individuals with severe mental illness in the prisons increased from 0.7 per cent in the year 1880 to 21percent in 2005. The number of incarcerated individuals with psychiatric conditions is also on the rise, and the biggest problem is resulted due to homelessness.

3. An increase in avoidable emergency room visits

Mental conditions in the United States are common. Between 2007 and 2011, the rate of ED visits related to M/SUDs increased by over 15 per cent (Canady, 2017). ED visits involving M/SUDs are considered potentially avoidable—if these conditions were adequately managed through appropriate outpatient care, then ED visits should be rare (Owens et al. 2017). The rate of emergency department visit per 100,000 population related to mental and substance abuse use conditions increased between 2006 and 2013, with the highest increase being evident among the mental health disorders with 55.5 per cent being on depression, stress reactions and anxiety; 52 per cent was for psychoses or the bipolar disorders while substance use disorders accounted for 37 per cent. Between 2006 and 2013, an increase in the population rate for the emergency department visits involving the M/SUDs was more common among the lowest income communities with an increase of about 40.8 per cent substance use disorders to 79 per cent for the mental disorders such as depression, stress reactions and anxiety. The trends on the EDs that are preventable are on the rise, and therefore this possesses a significant challenge in the treatment of the mental disorders.

Implementation

Policy Analysis on the problem of mental health care being inaccessible needs to happen fast as people are falling victim to their untreated mental health illnesses. Mental health illness is a contributor to other negative events that are occurring in our country. By addressing the mental health of our citizens, we are giving people the ability to continue their pursuit of happiness in this country. Inaccessibility to Mental health in a public health crisis where the cure can be found through policy analysis. We ask that you allot funding to research the best practices to address the challenges outlined in this memo. Exploration and implementation cannot be done without support from your legislation.

Reference

Canady, V. A. (2017). Economy, ACA likely cause for ED trends involving mental health, SUDs. Mental Health Weekly, 27(4), 1-6.

Fakhoury, W., & Priebe, S. (2002). The process of deinstitutionalization: an international overview. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 15(2), 187-192.

Follette, W. T., & Cummings, N. A. (2016). Psychiatric Services and Medical Utilization in a Prepaid Health Plan Setting II. In Psyche’s Prophet (pp. 47-59). Routledge.

Jansen, J. M., du Preez, M., Exner, R., & Stroud, L. (2017). A guiding framework for the development of a trans-disciplinary community mental health student teaching and learning platform. South African Journal of Higher Education, 31(6), 218-242.

Katz, I. (2014). Stigma: A social psychological analysis. Psychology Press.

Linehan, M. M. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Publications.

Lurigio, A. J., & Harris, A. J. (2016). Inmates with serious mental illnesses. Advancing Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy, 355-69.

Strauss, A. L. (2017). Psychiatric ideologies and institutions. Routledge.

Wright, J. (2017). Address unknown: The homeless in America. Routledge.

TOP FLORIDA BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS

Florida International University

Table of Contents

Cover Page————————————————————————————-P.1

Table of Contents—————————————————————————–P.2

Abstract —————————————————————————————–P.3

Building Permits —————————————————————————–P.4

Maintenance of Structures—————————————————————–P.5

Renovations————————————————————————————P.6

Inspections————————————————————————————-P.7

Accessibility————————————————————————————P.8

Conclusion————————————————————————————–P.9

References————————————————————————————-P.10

ABSTRACT

The Florida Building Code was created with purpose, and this includes building codes from all over the world. Building codes are constantly changing in order to adapt to new guidelines and this is so that we can adjust the way we conduct our work in hopes or bettering our buildings, structures, etc. The Florida Building Codes are a way to enhance the quality of work which includes the design, construction, erection, alteration, demolition and repair of public and private buildings, structures, etc. within the state. These are codes with which we must comply with in order to facilitate the way we work.

The purpose of this research is to introduce the most common building code violations in the state of Florida and evaluate and analyze what factors led to these violations and how we can use the information that was given or events that took place and dissect these situations in order to look for root causes so that things of similar nature do not occur again. Ultimately, these codes are a way for better integrity of buildings, facilities and structures and to avoid tragedies from occurring. As we analyze the most common violations, we are including all possible factors and in this way we can make better suggestions for future practices and hope to lessen the majority of these violations from taking place.

Building Permits

Under Section 105.1 (PERMITS), it is stated that, “any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building of structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas or mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.” It can be easy for one to keep up with permits and making sure it is following the new permit codes and regulations, but it is something that must take place. It is essential that before beginning any type of work, to have a permit. Ultimately, one should be able to recognize that it is one’s own responsibility to obtain this permit, and if one does have a permit but it is expired; one shall take the proper actions in order to have this fixed. Code enforcement personnel will give one adequate time in order to get situated but it is crucial to take immediate action to avoid any further issues or escalations. With these code violations of course comes consequences and fines. The fees are stated in Section 109 of the Florida Building Code, and usually the fee imposed is double the amount of the normal fee. One who is in violation of the permit requirement for a second or third time will have a fee imposed that is triple or quadruple the normal fee amount. If one has several violations, it is possible that the state or local government will be closely examining the construction project and would want to investigate it. Possible litigation can take place and also this can delay the project and one would not want that. Although some people might get away with not obtaining a permit, it is eventually going to come back and fall on the project and cause many other issues.

Maintenance of Structures

It is evident that this is something that is heavily overlooked and a violation that can cause many issues, one of them resulting in fatalities. One recent and unfortunate example is the Surfside building collapse in Miami, Florida. This building had not undergone inspections and there was evidence of fractures, cracks, etc. all over the building but it was never addressed or resolved. There was an abundance of cracking on the columns, beams and walls in the underground parking garage. The ceiling of the parking garage had very obvious and noticeable water damage. These are all issues that contribute for a structure to fail. The violations that occur when it comes to maintenance may not seem like something that is deemed important to many and that is why situations like the surfside collapse occur. Maintenance is an integral part of the integrity of any building, structure, facility, home, etc. Maintenance allows for things to be caught early on and take immediate and proper action to get situation resolved and prevent tragedies from occurring. Something as simple or minor as a crack can be just a small percentage of what’s really going on inside of the structure. Under the Florida Building Code, it is said that all areas of a building and premises that are exposed to the public shall be maintained in a condition where these is no evidence of deterioration or cracking. These signs are also things that cause panic to the people surrounding the area and living in the area. The exterior wall surfaces should be kept free of faded or chipped paint and has to be painted, recovered or cleaned when 25% or more of any exposed surface becomes discolored or starts to peel. Not only is it based on visual aesthetics but is has a lot to due with the safety of the structure and the safety of the residents.

KITCHEN RENOVATIONS

It is not uncommon that people want to remodel or renovate their homes. In South Florida, kitchen renovations are one of the top code violations. As previously mentioned, it is important to obtain permits because if one does not, there will be consequences and that includes fines. Permits exist for a reason, and essentially it is for own safety and the safety of the people and other structures surrounding us. When someone is going through the permit application process, it is allowing the authorized people to review your plans but also they will have inspectors to make sure everything is done right and in a safe and proper manner. An inspector will review this construction project for its safety and ultimately puts you first. This helps to ensure that everything is in compliance and to forbid for anything to go wrong in the process of the construction project and even later on in the future. Permits may seem like a nuisance, but it is better go not cut corners and do things the right way, just in case there are any issues in the future which results in lost of time and money. If there are small kitchen renovations, that is fine. But if one is moving or adding plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or walls within the home then yes, it is required to get a permit to do such renovations.

INSPECTIONS

Regular inspections are essential in every construction project. Inspections/inspectors ensure that workflows within a project are going according to the stated requirements, guidelines and regulations. Inspections are needed in order to meet the industry standards for quality, accuracy and to keep construction work within the budget and so a project does not fall behind schedule. Contractors may sometimes schedule inspections that they are not ready for because of the fact that they might not know what will be inspected. It is crucial to be aware of these situations but essentially it is to inspect the integrity of the building, structure, facility, home, etc. There are fees/penalties implemented so that these lessons the amount of times that there are inspections and so that these contractors know how to be ready for an inspection. For instance, I am working on the Miami Signature Bridge project, and we have inspectors on sight a majority of the times, usually when we are about to hit another milestone in a project. Ultimately, it is to make sure that the project is coming along as planned and to make sure there isn’t any issues that might occur later on; it is to make sure we are building the arches, bridges in accordance with the plans, FDOT, etc. Without inspections, it compromises the integrity of the project and could potentially put many people and structures surrounding it at risk. With a project of this complexity, it is important to conduct inspections, but this applies to any construction project.

ACCESSIBILITY

This codes purpose is to put in place accessibility to places and for public accommodation and commercial facilities by individuals with disabilities. This code applies to state local facilities, and residential buildings. It is to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration of such buildings and facilities as required by Section 553.501 through 553.512, Florida Statutes. This is important as I feel that many forget that things aren’t so easily accessible for some individuals. People forget that that there are people with disabilities and that is why accessibility is important. There should always be a means of accessibility and this isn’t always just because of those who have a disability. Accessibility is crucial to a safe environment. For instance, a fire could occur in a building so there should always be access routes and access alternatives in order to evacuate the building immediately. If anything was to cave in, there should be accessibility in place. People tend to forget that accessibility is a big part of construction parts, because it is also how workers are allowed on parts of the jobsite. For instance, as previously stated, I work at the Miami Signature Bridge and the access I am referring to in this case is having access when coming out of the “footer.” We are currently working with backfilling the enclosed area surrounding the footer and it is crucial to have accessibility to get in and out, especially with the equipment being used. Epoxy injections are occurring around the footer so it is about 12 feet in depth and anything can happen. When working on the arch 2 pedestal at this project, we find ways for a means of access and egress because the workers have to work in between rebar, rebar cages, etc. Having no means of accessibility on a project puts at risk for accidents and even unfortunate fatalities.

Conclusion

To conclude, Florida Building Codes were established as a way to have rules and regulations set into place and to make sure we are in accordance with everything that the project needs to be. These building codes provide a sense of security and works as a guideline to maintain order. They serve as a way of ensuring security and making sure everyone and everything surrounding a project is safe. We learn as we discover the flaws we find on structures and this way the codes aren’t ever necessarily “permanent.” Codes are always periodically changing and accommodating to issues within the state. Each state may have similar codes, but every state has their own way of conducting things. A lot of factors are taken into account when developing codes for each state and its mainly because no state is exactly the same as another one. For Florida, codes can depend and adjust due to climate change, weather, the soil, and just anything that is observed from the past. If we do not have codes in place, then anyone can do what they want, and a lot of disasters can happen this way. It is important to analyze and evaluate codes as this is a way how we conduct further research and figure out what works and what doesn’t. In this Industry, we carry a lot of responsibility and risk so it is very important that we are inspecting and redefining and readjusting our codes, standards and regulations to accommodate to what we as a state experience. Florida Building Codes serve a purpose to make sure a project is in accordance with all the regulations and standards it should be following, so that no ones safety is compromised and neither is the structures integrity.

 

Bibliography

“Keep an Eye out: Top 10 Building Code Violations.” TampaHomesSold.com, 9 Sept. 2018, https://www.tampahomessold.com/top-10-building-code-violations/.

By, & Hockin, L. &. (n.d.). Building code violations and contractor liability: Florida Construction Defect Lawyers. Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. Retrieved November 18, 2021, from https://www.floridahardhatlaw.com/building-code-violations-and-contractor-liability/.

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/common-building-code-violations-in-florida-58423

https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/florida

Abortion Is The Most Controversial Social Issue

Abstract

This paper will look at one social issue and use two theories to explain it. The theories in question here are structural functionalism, and symbolic interaction. These two theories are going to be used in the paper to explain abortion as one of the most controversial social issue. More specifically, they are going to be used to explain the abortion pill as one of the current social issue.

Introduction

The issue of abortion has resulted to some of the most significant and controversial debates on morals and social issues in most countries today. The issue begun in 1973 with the ruling of the Supreme Court that it is within the constitutional rights of a woman to secure an abortion especially if it is during her first trimester. Several interest groups have remained opposed to the issue arguing that abortion is equivalent to murder of an unborn baby. Most recently, the FDA has approved the utilization of the abortion pill as an alternative to other abortion remedies such as surgical surgery.

Symbolic Interaction

To effectively use this theory in explaining the abortion pill as a social issue, it is essential to use the three core principles of this theory. These include meaning, language and thought. In most cases, women who secure abortion using the pill usually create a meaning of what all this. For example, they create the meaning that they can use this option to terminate their pregnancy because it is less complicated and more private. As a result of this meaning, the women decide to secure an abortion using the abortion pill. On the other hand, other interest groups also create a meaning about the use of this pill. Regardless of the fact that they think that this pill could open better chances and opportunities for women who decide to have an abortion, they create the meaning that the abortion pill is a setback in medicine since it will cause the loss of numerous lives of unborn babies.

The language used to explain this issue is also complex, especially when it comes to the language used to explain where life begins. One of the reasons why this issue has been controversial is because of the fact that the two opposing groups differ on the issue of where life begins, whether at conception or after a few months of pregnancy. The language used to explain ‘the start of life’ can mean different things to different people. The interest groups take any kind of abortion as a termination of life, whether that abortion was done after 1 week of conception or after 2 months. Other people understand that aborting an embryo does not amount to killing an unborn child. Thought is the final facet of this theory. The thoughts that abortions are immoral, antisocial and against religious beliefs are some of the reasons why most anti- abortion campaigns think that abortion should be eliminated. The thought that abortion is the constitutional right of the woman is what drives the legalization and acceptance of abortion by many.

Structural Functionalism

This theory explains a social phenomenon by use of both the negative and positive facets of structures in the society. For example, the abortion pill has numerous positive functions. It is a private way to secure an abortion, it does not involve surgery, and another advantage is that it leads to lesser psychological complications since it takes in young pregnancies. This abortion option, however, also has a number of negative functions. For example, it makes it easier for women to choose abortion over childbirth, the recovery process is slower, it can lead to complications and more lives are lost.

Conclusion

Abortion is an extremely controversial issue that has existed for a long time in many countries. There are numerous opinions upon which the two opposing sides base their arguments as indicated in the above analysis.

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Abortion Should Be Illegalized

The termination of pregnancy which happens intentionally is referred to as conducting an abortion. This practice consents women to put their pregnancies to an end, but typically it implicates killing the immature embryo or fetus. Therefore, for this reason, abortion has led to several controversial debates in the world and primarily in American politics. There are individuals as well as some groups who support abortion and others who are against it. The supporters of abortion rights claim that the fetus or embryo which is terminated during an abortion is not a person, and hence the government lacks sufficient proper proof that the fetus or an embryo is a person and thus has no right to ban it. The supporters of abortion maintain that if there exists a no legal option for conducting abortions, pregnant women will resort to the risky illegal abortions.

Contrary on the other side the opponents of abortion rights contend that the fetus or embryo is a person and therefore the government has the accountability of banning it (Francome and Colin, p.28). According to them, life is lost when an abortion occurs. In the most developed nations, abortion is legally endorsed for the women looking for the safe end of pregnancies. However, there are several valid reasons why abortion should be illegal. This is mainly due to the health threat that abortion exposes the mother after going through this procedure and the long-lasting health risks that remains typically, and also the emotional damage that transpires. This paper discusses and analyzes abortion presenting some reasons and arguments why this practice should be made illegal.

In every state in the United States, abortion has been considered legal since 1973, when the Supreme Court made a ruling that women possessed the right to make medical decisions concerning their bodies (McBride et al. p.24) Abortion is something which is not disregarded, and however, it seems to not exactly being given the proper attention it should be provided. Nowadays abortion has been attributed to causing a lot of turmoil as it is termed as a practice whereby the mother murders the fetus. Regarding making abortion illegal, there are several questions which the women who commit abortion need to ask themselves; if abortion was not an alternative, then what would they do? In which ways could they dispose of the baby? What if their mothers decided to do the same and abort, could they have a chance to experience life? Consequently, abortion should be made illegal since if there existed no other means of pregnancy termination, women would have carried the burden and finally deliver. Therefore the resulting points and discussion also explain why abortion should be discouraged and more precisely be made illegal.

Abortion Is Murder

The murder of a human being who is innocent is evil whether the human being is alive or yet to be born. Abortion tends to terminate a life which has already been started inside the woman womb. The United States government considers the unborn babies human beings, and as the law states, it is illegal to end the life of another human being. In support of this claim, the federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act which was legislated to safeguard the unborn kids from battering as well as murder law states that any individual who is deliberately murdering or attempting to kill a child who is unborn ought to be disciplined under the federal law (Segers et al. p.116). The Act further states that the unborn child is an associate of the Homo sapiens species. Consequently, at least thirty-eight states have enacted related fetal homicidal laws. These laws plus Acts tends to recognize the unborn child as a human being, and therefore abortion should be considered as murder since it inclines to violate these laws.

Life Starts at Conception

The fact that life starts at conception put it into straightforward that the unborn offspring are human creatures who possess a right and privilege to live. After fertilization, an alive human being is formed with a typical genetic individuality which rests unaffected through his or her entire life (Finer et al., p.849). According to a French geneticist Jerome Lejeune, who revealed the chromosome aberration which brings about Down syndrome, it is substantial to consent to the datum that after conception has occurred, there is a new human being who has come into existence. Furthermore, the human nature immediately from conception towards becoming old is not a theoretical argument as it is clear experimental evidence. The fact that life starts after conception supports the argument why abortion should be made illegal.

Medical Problems

Abortion may result in future medical problems for the mother who have done abortion either once or severally. Following is a description of the immediate abortion risks:

Pelvic Infection

During the abortion, the germs in the vagina or the cervix might enter the uterus and result to pelvic area infection. Some antibiotics can be used to treat these infections, but sometimes a repeat of a suction abortion, surgery as well as hospitalization might be prerequisite (McBride et al., p.15). The pelvic infection sometimes is fatal as it may result in the woman develop other complications in the body.

The Dangers of An Incomplete Abortion

A partial abortion affects the part surrounding the fetus or any other pregnancy products which might not drain entirely from the uterus. This may thus require further therapeutic procedures which might lead in infection as well as flow.

Clots of Blood In The Uterus

Through abortion, blood clots which lead to severe cramping can also ensue. Typically the clots are detached through a recurrence surgical abortion process.

Heavy Bleeding

After an abortion some bleeding is typical. However, in some instances, heavy bleeding might occur which can result in fatal problems like even death if it is not controlled.

The Uterine Wall May Develop Some Scar Tissue

A medical abortion can lead to the growth of a scarring material inside the uterus, a disorder recognized as Aherman’s syndrome. The result of this disorder is adverse as it leads to the woman experiencing irregular, lacking or painful menstrual periods. Moreover, there is an excellent prospect of future miscarriages plus infertility.

Therefore abortion exposes the woman to some risks some of which are fatal and permanent. The complications which are characterized by abortion or having numerous abortions may create it hard to have kids in the prospect. Therefore due to the above medical risks which are as a result of abortion, making abortion illegal will reduce some of these risks which are adversely affecting the women.

Abortion Endorses A Culture Whereby Human Life Is Disposable

Abortion makes human life seem to have less value and to be disposable. In 2014 Pope Francis disputed the disposable culture by arguing that in the contemporary world it is not only food which is disposable but human beings are being discarded as unnecessary. In his discussion what he was trying to mean is that abortion contributes to a bad culture where the human life will be seen of having no great value. Hence this notion should be discouraged by making abortion to be illegal.

Pregnant Women Have To Accept the Responsibility That Arises With Producing Children

Individuals are required to be accountable for their actions as well as accept the consequences. They may tend to have sexual intercourse anyhow without looking at the prospect consequences like pregnancies, and this shows how irresponsible they are. Moreover having sexual intercourse where contraceptive methods are used is not a guarantee of not getting pregnant as it carries with it some risks of getting pregnant (Jones et al., p.11) Therefore, the irresponsibility of the adults should not lead to the punishment of the unborn baby. Making abortion legal encourages this vice as there are no rules and penalties involved in aborting and hence the individuals can become irresponsible as they may wish.

Abortions Can Lead To Emotional and Psychological Damage

After an abortion, the emotional, as well as special psychological effects, are more prevalent compared to the physical side effects and they can scope from some slight regret to other severe impediments for example depression. Recent studies suggest that undeveloped women who experience abortion may be considered a more significant risk for consequent misery. In peer-reviewed research which was published in BMC Medicine disclosed that the females who undertook an abortion exhibited considerably greater anxiety scores which were experienced for up to five years after the end of the pregnancy. Another study conducted by the Southern Medical Journal which comprised of more than one hundred and seventy-three women from America revealed that the women who aborted were a hundred and fifty-four percent more likely to commit suicide compared to the women who carried their pregnancies up to delivery (Calvi et al., p.36).

A significant aspect related to the vulnerability of adverse emotional or psychological effects depends on an individual’s belief concerning the unborn baby inside them. The ones who believe that it is not a baby until it is delivered exhibits fewer chances of experiencing undesirable emotional consequences. However, those who believe to the fact that it is a baby have higher chances of suffering emotional side effects. Some of these emotional plus psychological potential side effects characterized with abortion include shame, regret, loss of self-esteem, guilt, sense of isolation or loneliness, anger, insomnia or nightmares, suicidal thoughts as well as feelings, eating disorders among many other related issues.

Women who are more likely of experiencing an adverse emotional plus psychological side effect comprises of; the individuals with former emotional or psychosomatic distresses, those who get an abortion in the late phases of pregnancy and those individuals who have conflicting beliefs with the issue of abortion (Jatlaoui and Tara, p.66). Also, the ones who have been pressured, forced or influenced to get an abortion and finally the women getting an abortion due to genetic or fetal deformities. All these are adverse effects which are a result of abortion. Emotional as well as psychological suffering usually leads to depression which can eventually lead to the death of the individual as they may even contemplate suicide. Therefore to avoid all these perils, it is better to make abortion illegal.

Abortions Should Not Be Used As a Method of Contraception

Killing an unborn child for convenience is wrong. Using abortion as birth control mechanism tends to lower the value of human life. Contraception simplifies the type of relationships as well as the kind of approaches plus moral character which are prospective to result to abortion. Contraceptive mentality treats sexual intercourse as if it had some connection with the unborn babies. It perceives the unborn babies as a mishap of sexual intercourse and also as an undesirable interference into a sexual affiliation as a problem. There exist several methods of contraception, and therefore abortion should not be used as one of them since it involves killing a life which has already started (Manninen et al., p.17). Making abortion as a form of contraception will only lead to increased immorality since individuals will not care more about the survival of fetus since they can eliminate it anyhow and as they wish. Hence abortion should be declared illegal since most individuals might incline to use it as a form of contraception.

Unwanted Children Can Indeed Be Adopted

In some incidences, some mothers may not wish to continue with the pregnancy. This can be a result, for example, the woman got pregnant as a result of rape, and it was not her intention to have a child. Many women have used this method to get rid of the unwanted pregnancies. To solve this problem, in the society there are several families without children who may be in a great need to have children, but due to various reasons, all they can do is adopt children (Finer et al., p.844). Rather than aborting it is better to give birth and later adopt the baby if the mother does not need the child. Adoption is legally accepted, and hence women should not have this excuse of unwanted children.

In conclusion, abortion should be discouraged by making it illegal due to the adverse effects it has the individual as well as the society at large. The individuals undergoing abortions have been characterized by many side effects after the abortion some of which can result in death. As there exists several options of abortion like adoption there exist that great need to discourage making it illegal. Making abortion illegal will, therefore, lead to human value as the unborn babies will be given much respect they deserve. Moreover, individuals will become responsible as once they get pregnant there will be no other option other than retaining the pregnancy up to delivery. Therefore according to the above discussion as well as evaluation, abortion should be made illegal.

Works Cited

Calvi, James V., and Susan Coleman. American law and legal systems. Routledge, 2016.

Finer, Lawrence B., and Mia R. Zolna. “Declines in unintended pregnancy in the United States, 2008–2011.” New England Journal of Medicine 374.9 (2016): 843-852.

Francome, Colin. Abortion in the USA and the UK. Routledge, 2017.

Jatlaoui, Tara C. “Abortion surveillance—United States, 2014.” MMWR. Surveillance Summaries 66 (2017).

Jones, Rachel K., and Jenna Jerman. “Abortion incidence and service availability in the United States, 2011.” Perspectives on sexual and reproductive health 46.1 (2014): 3-14.

Manninen, Bertha Alvarez, and Jack Mulder Jr. “Introduction.” Civil Dialogue on Abortion. Routledge, 2018. 11-20.

McBride, Dorothy E., and Jennifer L. Keys. Abortion in the United States: A reference handbook. ABC-CLIO, 2018.

Segers, Mary C., and Timothy A. Byrnes. Abortion politics in American states. Routledge, 2016.

Entry Modes into China

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Introduction

Research studies explain that China has steadily risen to become one of the major contributors of the global economy in the last few years. With a gross domestic product growth of an estimated 10%, the country is ranked position three with relation to the world’s largest economies. Economic forecasts predict that by the year 2050, China would have surpassed all industrialized nations with relation to purchasing power parity, and for that reason, will be the leader of the global economy (Fishman, 2005). Evidently, the country has been subject to a considerable amount of economic growth, and more companies are looking into the ways through which they can tap the Chinese market. Accordingly, China’s astounding economic renaissance has encouraged business organizations and investors to examine the different ways through which they can enter the Chinese market.

As researchers explain, it is crucial the organizations device new approaches regarding the entry and retention of the business into the Chinese market. Further research on the issue explains that by the year 2005, China had reached a economic high, as the country attracted a revenue of about $1 billion per week (Naughton, 2007). This goes to show how good of a market that China has become over the years. For that reason, business organizations have considered various modes of entry into the country so as to assure their companies of the best possible success in the international market. Most of the firms that have made it in China have looked into business strategy options such as the acquisition of resources and supplies, the diversification of the different sources of supply and low-cost business strategies for the Chinese Market (Fishman, 2005). An examination of the performance of these businesses and firms in the Chinese market, as well as, the market entry modes and the different factors for success is necessary to understand how firms can best survive doing business in China. Though most organizations are reluctant in revealing company information regarding this issue, various successful entry modes have been identified to help in understanding of the Chinese market and its significance to businesses and organizations.

This paper examines the different types of entry modes available for companies wishing to expand their business to the Chinese market. Fundamentally, the paper identifies home production, contractual market entry, and foreign production as the three key entry modes into China. The advantages and disadvantages of each mode will also be examined, and a discussion of the various ways in which the modes have changed overtime provided.

Entry Modes into China

The mode of entry into a new market is one of the most fundamental decisions that business organizations have to make at one point in their business cycle. As research studies explain, a company’s choice of entry into a new market influences the organization in various ways including an organization’s production and marketing strategies. Fundamentally, the choice of a business’s entry mode into a new market determines the how the company faces the various challenges it faces in the new market (Gielens & Dekimpe, 2007). There are as many as fifteen different modes of market entry options for firms wishing to enter a new market. However, these modes of entry vary according to the market, which the company aims to expand its business. More specifically, researchers and economists have identified three chief entry modes into China including, home production, contractual market entry and foreign production (Li, 1995). These three key modes of entry have been subdivided into other options, which companies have employed to ensure their success in the Chinese market.

Home production

Also referred to as the export strategy, the home production entry mode into China defines a market entry point whereby an organization produces goods and services at their respective home countries, and sells to China as their host nation. With an estimate 200 million consumers, China has paved the way for companies to export products and services to their market, thus making it a preferred entry strategy for most businesses and organizations (Gielens & Dekimpe, 2007). This entry mode has been identified as one of the best business strategies for entry into the Chinese market, especially since it avoids the costs related to setting up shop in China. This entry mode, however, cannot work without the use of private entities that help the business organization in selling their products or services in China (Li, 1995). Accordingly, home production, as a mode of entry into China can occur in two main ways including direct and indirect exporting.

Direct exporting

Direct exporting is a form of home production that companies entering China export directly to Chinese customers interested in the purchase of the company’s products and services (Li, 1995). With such an entry mode approach, the business organization handles all market research activities, as well as, the distribution methods that the company will take on for success in the Chinese market. However, the organization will be required to have a connection to the Chinese market, which may be in the form of foreign sales representatives or foreign distributors. If a company opts for the use of foreign sales representatives, they will be required to assign representatives in China to sell their products and services (Gielens & Dekimpe, 2007). The use of foreign distributors demands that companies assign distributors in China whose responsibility will be the distribution of company products and services to the Chinese market. Some of the advantages of this market entry approach is the potentiality to increase profit owing to the elimination of intermediaries, as well as, having full control over the company’s activities. The main disadvantage of this strategy is that it demands a considerable amount of people power, so as to, ensure that the business is successful in China.

Indirect exporting

Indirect exporting is the second approach when considering the option of home production as a market entry strategy into China. As research studies illustrate, companies that have used this entry mode as a strategy have been successful in acquiring Chinese customers especially since it demands the use of Chinese intermediaries to facilitate business activities. This market entry approach requires a company to sell their products and services to an intermediary, who in turn sells these products and services to Chinese consumers (Li, 1995). Accordingly, this market entry approach can be conducted in two main ways including the use of local agents and trading companies in the home country, which in this case is China. The main advantage of this market entry mode is the fact that it is a risk free strategy, that assures the company of almost immediate acceptance of their products and services into the market (Gielens & Dekimpe, 2007). It also frees the organization from various responsibilities, thus allowing the organization to focus on other important business activities.

Contractual Market Entry

Researchers have also identified contractual market entry as the second mode of entry for business organizations wishing to gain a market share in China. In definition, contractual market entry defines the use of contracts as a way of penetrating into a new market. Contractual trade in business involves two or more companies entering into a contract and agreeing to do business with each other. Research studies explain that contractual market entry has long been favored by companies when entering foreign markets (Gielens & Dekimpe, 2007). In most cases, the contractual agreements involve the main company contracting other local companies for the sale of their product and services. In essence, the entry mode requires that a formal permission be granted to local companies in a host nation for the use of the foreign company’s resources for payment. This can occur in two main ways including licensing and franchising.

Licensing

Licensing is a form of contractual market entry strategy whereby local companies are provided with licenses to operate with the main company’s resources and facilities (Li, 1995). Most companies that have succeeded in their market entry into China grant Chinese local companies the permission to conduct business activities using the various brands that the company has. The main advantage of franchising as a market entry mode is that it helps in building a company’s corporate image, and facilitates the development of marketable products and services (Gielens & Dekimpe, 2007). However, this strategy provides a lot of restriction for the companies being licensed, and if not, the licenser will not have control over the sale of the products or services.

Franchising

Franchising is another form of contractual market entry strategy, and it has also been widely used by companies entering into the Chinese market. It is a mode of entry that defines the use of a firm’s name or business model so as to conduct business operations in a particular place (Li, 1995). Franchising in China is commonly used as a business strategy for international companies in the food and beverage industry. Just like licensing, the main advantage of this entry mode is that it helps build a company’s corporate image. This entry mode also benefits companies in terms of staff training and development, as the local franchise companies are provided the opportunity to train their staff members to the standards of the franchising company.

Foreign Production

Also referred to as the equity strategy, foreign production refers to the a mode of entry, whereby a company carries out both production and sale activities in their local home, as well as, the host nation (Gielens & Dekimpe, 2007). Research studies illustrate that out of the three entry mode strategies into China, foreign production is the most widely used entry mode strategy by big companies such as Coca Cola.

Strategic Alliance

A strategic alliance refers to a hompe production approach to market entry whereby a business organization enters into an agreement or collaboration with another firm in the host nation. With this entry mode, the companies that are in alliance share responsibilities of the production and sale of goods and services (Li, 1995). This strategy is advantageous to companies wishing to gain a market share in China because it assures the foreign company of an already existing market. By obtaining an alliance with a company in the host nation, foreign companies benefit from the host company’s market share. However, this strategy can be disadvantageous because of the sharing of profit between companies.

Joint Ventures

The last identified mode of entry for organizations into china, joint ventures are an approach to foreign production whereby instead of sharing company duties and responsibilities, they share ownership of the company (Li, 1995). Accordingly, joint ventures allow shared ownership between the foreign company and a company in the host nation. The advantages and disadvantages of joint ventures are similar to those of strategic alliances.

References

Fishman, T. (2005). China*Inc., How The Rise of The Next Superpower Challenges America

and the World. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Gielens, K. & Dekimpe, M. G. (2007). The Entry Strategy of Retail Firms into Transition

Economies. Journal of Marketing, 71(2): 196-212.

Li, J. (1995). Foreign Entry and Survival: Effects of Strategic Choices on Performance In

International Markets. Strategic Management Journal, 16(1): 333-351.

Lou, Y. (2000). Multinational Corporations in China. Hendon, VA 20172-0605: Copenhagen

Business School Press.

Naughton, B. (2007). The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth. Cambridge

Massachusetts: The MIT Press.

Management Development Techniques

Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc380142959” Introduction PAGEREF _Toc380142959 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc380142960” Literature review PAGEREF _Toc380142960 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc380142961” Management Development Techniques PAGEREF _Toc380142961 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc380142962” Mentoring vs. coaching PAGEREF _Toc380142962 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc380142963” Action Learning PAGEREF _Toc380142963 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc380142964” Job Rotation Technique PAGEREF _Toc380142964 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc380142965” Implications of the literature PAGEREF _Toc380142965 h 7

Introduction

The importance of management cannot be gainsaid as far as the profitability and sustainability of the organization in the long-term and short-term is concerned. This is especially considering that management has a bearing on the priorities that a particular organization has, as well as the resources that are allocated to those activities, both in terms of financial resources and human resources. While there are varied definitions of management, the term may simply be defined as the art of getting certain activities accomplished through people in the same manner that an individual would have accomplished them using the available resources. Scholars have noted that optimum use of resources is the underlying or fundamental rule as far as management is concerned. This underlines the fact that optimization of the use of the available resources comprises a management art. This art revolves around four key functions including staffing, organizing, planning, as well as coordinating/controlling. However, it goes without saying that no single individual can undertake these functions forever. Indeed, business entities are always in a state of constant motion, with every stage necessitating different set of skills for the entity to be sustainable and competitive. This is all in line with elasticity or adaptability, and it underlines the importance or nurturing new individuals to take the mantle in the management of the affairs of the business entity. In this case, management development revolves around the conscious effort that is planned in nature, where an individual gains and continuously improves or increases his or her capacity to manage the financial and human resources and activities in an organization, as well as their own selves. This may also be defined as the process by which a manager discovers and enhances his skills, knowledge and capacity, which would essentially be beneficial to them as well as the organization or business entity for which the individual works. Different management development techniques have different strengths and limitations in which case only a combination of them would be bound to bring the best results.

Literature reviewNeedless to say, the management of resources, both financial and human, requires that the individual has various common traits. These include good communication skills, problem identification and solving skills, leadership qualities, as well as the powers of persuasion, motivation and encouragement of one’s subjects to make their best effort (Hamel, 2007). In some instances, these traits may be dormant or even absent in an individual, in which case it would be imperative that they are developed, identified and nurtured over some time via the appropriate programs of management development. Scholars note that the techniques of leadership and management development revolves around the activities that assist the future, as well as current crop of leaders to undertake a honest evaluation of their current level of skills and knowledge and take on new skills (Griffin, 2011). A large number of businesses are so entangled in the day-to-day running of their operations that the managers do not take some time off to undertake a careful evaluation of their skills or even to systematically prepare the next crop of leaders or managers (Daft, 2010). Nevertheless, it is imperative that employees and other stakeholders in the business who would essentially make leaders or managers in the future are allowed to work in, as well as learn from the varied aspects of the business as this would assist them in gaining a broader perspective not to mention that it would ensure that they have enhanced their skills, knowledge and confidence in the operations of the business entity.

There are varied reasons as to why management development is required in an organization. Scholars have noted that management development comes as one of the key determinants of the success of the organization as it has a direct impact on the economic benefits of the organization. This would also assist organizations in retaining their prized employees, as well as enhancing their customer service (Hamel, 2007). In addition, it enhances the productivity of both the employees and managers, not to mention that the risk-taking and leadership capacities of the manager would be enhanced thereby eliminating the varied challenges that are prevalent in the work environment (Hamel, 2007). On the same note, it comes in handy in the exploration of the skills of the employees, as well as the managers especially those skills that have remained dormant or unresponsive.

Management Development Techniques

Varied management development techniques have been identified and applied in a large number of organizations with different outcomes. These are discussed below.

Mentoring vs. coaching

This comes as one of the most commonly used management development technique, where a senior and experienced worker or employee passes on his or her expertise and knowledge to the less experienced workers in the business entity. In this case, they would be teaching the less-experienced workers based on their experiences (Drucker, 2007). Mentorship may be assigned formally by the management or the relationship may take place in an informal manner. This technique comes in handy in enhancing the manager’s confidence through asking questions and coming up with challenges while also offering the necessary encouragement and assistance. On the same note, it gives the manager an opportunity to have a close examination of himself or herself and the issues or things that they crave for in life (Griffin, 2011).

There are varied advantages to mentorship as a management development technique. First, it allows for the acclimation of a new employee to the organization and job. Mentees would become productive members at a much faster pace as they have a person they can talk to, ask questions or even discus scenarios and learn the varied aspects of the organization. In addition, mentoring allows the mentee to obtain a sense of achievement that emanates from the assessment and feedback of the mentor to the mentee’s progress (Drucker, 2007). Indeed, scholars have noted that the quest of the mentee to gain the approval of the mentor would motivate the mentee to persist in the enhancement of his performance.

However, mentorship always comes with the risk that the mentee and the mentor are mismatched. This is especially in cases where the mentorship program is formal in nature, where the management assigns particular mentors to the employees (Daft, 2010). Indeed, the mentor may find it hard to juggle between his normal duties and the roles that come with mentorship. This strained relationship would be counterproductive and may result in a reduction in the mentee’s job satisfaction (Daft, 2010). In addition, mentorship may result in feelings of frustrations on the side of the mentor especially when he or she does not think that the mentee is progressing at a sufficiently fast pace, or where the mentee seems unwilling and unable to follow the mentee’s instructions. Mentees may also be frustrated in instances where they feel that they are not being granted the necessary guidance (Daft, 2010).

Coaches, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with assisting the individuals who have shown exemplary performance how they can even improve their performance. Effective coaches have the skills, knowledge and technique to assist the performer in achieving without any direction. Scholars note that it is more difficult for mentors to become coaches than the converse to occur (Drucker, 2007). This is especially considering that mentors usually take on a disengaged stance while coaches are usually at the front line with the employees helping in the making of an effective organizational change. However, scholars have noted that mentors offer better guidance and human support than coaches who simply offer inspiration and motivation (Daft, 2010). Nevertheless, the best practice technique does not necessarily result in successful management development rather, it has to be complemented by a consistent implementation of whichever technique is chosen.

Action LearningThis management development revolves around giving employees the freedom to solve problems in line with their comprehension as well as the techniques that they see as most appropriate. This technique allows the future managers to try using varied techniques in solving varied problems and issues. It is based on the recognition of the fact that individuals learn the best from their own experiences as the process would be structured.

Action learning comes with the advantage of providing a creative and intelligent way of learning and acting at the same time, which comes in handy in the rapidly-changing environment and largely unpredictable challenges. In addition, it is extremely instrumental in modifying the corporate culture and creating learning organizations (Hamel, 2007). This is especially considering that different individuals would have different techniques for solving similar problems, in which case the organization would have a large pool of skills to choose from, thereby allowing for the inculcation of the most appropriate culture into the organizational culture (Hamel, 2007). On the same note, action learning comes as one of the most effective way for producing tangible results on the return on any investment that was made in education.

However, action learning necessitates the organization of numerous action learning events so as to ensure its effectiveness (Drucker, 2007). In addition, scholars have noted that in teams where one functional perspective or one individual is dominant, the group would eventually produce outcomes that are far from insightful or innovative.

Job Rotation Technique

This technique revolves around moving the employee between varied jobs at regular intervals and in a planned way thereby allowing the manager to learn the different roles, responsibilities and aspects pertaining to the jobs, and consequently about the employees that would be working under him or her in the future (Hamel, 2007). This technique, therefore, provides hands-on knowledge on the dynamics of the varied jobs thereby allowing the current and future managers to make sound and relevant decisions pertaining to the same. Indeed, positional rotation has been widely used to prepare or groom promising employees for management positions in the future through increasing their perspective, skills and knowledge. In addition, the technique comes in handy in assisting the organization to create members who have a broad base of knowledge about the organization (Drucker, 2007). Of particular importance is the fact that such rotation would also come in handy in the facilitation of new interpersonal relationships and the skills that come with them throughout the organization, which comes in handy in the development of loyalty and cohesion.

However, job rotation technique comes with immense financial cost on the organization (Hamel, 2007). This is especially considering that the individuals would have to undergo some form of training when moving the employees through varied positions, something that would require money and time. Of particular concern is the fact that the employees would not fit appropriately in certain positions or jobs in the company irrespective of the effectiveness of the training program, which essentially underlines the fact that there would be a reduction in the return on investment in the same.

Implications of the literatureThe literature underlines the fact that there are numerous techniques that may be used in developing the capacity of current and future crop of managers to effectively run the organizations. However, these techniques have different results and implications on the performance of the organization (Drucker, 2007). As much as some techniques may have relatively more advantage than others, their applicability in different fields is undoubtedly bound to result in different results. In most cases, management development would necessitate that the different techniques are combined so as to allow for the exploitation of the desirable aspects of each of them while eliminating the undesirable ones.

In conclusion, the management of an organization comes as one of its fundamental pillars as it has a bearing on its sustainability and profitability both in the short-term and long-term. However, organizations are dynamic in which case the current leaders would have to leave the leadership to younger generation. It is imperative that the new crop of leaders is privy to the varied aspects of the management, which underlines the importance of management development techniques. Different management development techniques have been identified, each of which come with different implications, strengths and limitations. This underlines the fact that no single technique would essentially meet the requirements. In essence, it is imperative that a combination of techniques is used so that the organization can reap from the strengths of the techniques used while cancelling out the limitations.

References

Griffin, R. W. (2011). Management. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Drucker, P. F. (2007). Management: Tasks, responsibilities, practices. New Brunswick, N.J: Transaction Publishers.

Daft, R. L. (2011). Understanding management. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Daft, R. L. (2010). Management. Mason, Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Hamel, G. (2007). The future of management. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press.

Mid-term Exam

This exam has three parts: identification questions, short essay questions, and long essay question. It’s supposed to keep you writing, to make you think and help you learn by asking questions about things you’ve read as well as things we’ve reviewed in class. Write what you know and time yourself carefully. You want to be finished with the first two parts within 45 minutes of our 80 total.

Please type all responses within this document and upload to eCampus>Assessments>Assignments before the end of class. Good luck!

Part I: Identification (2 points per questions, 10 points total)

Is Shipwrecks a stable or unstable text and why?

This is a stable text because talks of how a family is trying to find food to eat at a time when it is very difficult. Therefore it focuses on the theme of hunger which is a thing which affects everyone and therefore the text remains relevant and stable.

Is “Bermudas” a stable or unstable text and why?

This is a stable text because it talks of how the adventures of the European people as well as the reasons for adventures. This is a common thing among people and therefore it follows that this will not change and this text remains relevant thus stable.

Are the various sea shanties stable or unstable texts and why?

These texts are unstable because in most of the times they talk of the experiences and the social life of the time they were written in and therefore are unstable to the current society.

Is The Female Marine a stable or unstable text and why?

This text is a stable text as it talks about a lady who had to pretend to be a man for around 3 years and she successfully did that. This is also a reflection of the current time when most individuals have to fake their identity to fit into the society.

How would you class each of the four texts mentioned within a cultural hierarchy (or ladder) that goes from lowbrow, to middlebrow, to highbrow literature?

Female marine is a middle bow literature because it talks of women and it is associated with middle class. It is also easily available in most book clubs.

The ‘shipwrecks’ is a lowbrow literature because it only talks of the experiences of the people and explains the story as the reader expects it.

‘Bermudas’ is a highbrow literature. This is because the culture expressed therein is a lot and it also portrays a lot of intellectual knowledge as of that time.

The sea shanties are lowbrow literature because they talk about the journey of the people of that time and they engage in songs and this therefore is what is expected by the reader.

Part II: Short essay questions on methods of analysis that we’ve studied. Write 2-3 sentences in response to each question (10 points per essay, for 60 points total).

Write a brief summary of Shipwrecks.

The shipwrecks which is a medieval novel talks of a young boy by the name Isaku who is from a family which is financially unstable and therefore he has to learn the skills of a grown man to support his mother to avoid death by starvation. His father already sold himself to debt bondage. The villagers hope and expect a ship to come their way by luring it when they light fires which burn and attract the ships. Even though they do not know what to expect they aleays expect something good. The first time for this to happen when Isaku was among them brought them rice since it carried rice while the next one brings destruction to the island since it is a plague ship. The novel describes through Isaku the ways a person fishes, how to collect barks, the process of making salt. It also teaches the rituals of festivals, ceremonies, funerals and everyday life.

Interpret this passage from Shipwrecks. You want to hone in on particular words and phrases to tell me what is going on in the passage. Relate it to what comes before and after the passage (i.e. locate it within your summary).

Rare though it might be, the coming of O-fune-sama was looked upon in the same light as unexpected schools of fish appearing near the shore, or unusually large quantities of mushrooms or mountain vegetables found in the forest. O-fune-sama was part of the bounty offered by the sea, and its deliverance just barely saved the people in the village from starvation. For Isaku’s village the shipwrecking of O-fune-sama was the happiest event imaginable, but for those in other places, such as the next village, it was an evil deed worthy of the supreme penalty. But if O-fune-sama had never graced their shores, the village would have long ceased to exist, and the bay would have been nothing more than an expanse of sea girded by a stretch of rocks. Their ancestors had lived there, and they themselves were able to continue on thanks only to O-fune-sama. (111)

This passage talks of the ship which came and this is the joy of Isaku because as he says if it had not brought them food to eat the island would have stopped to exist which means that they would have stopped living on the island due to death by starvation. Therefore this is a kind of appreciation to the ship (O-fune-sama) which came to bring them food to eat.

Write a brief summary of Andrew Marvell’s poem “Bermudas.”

This poems talk of the way the English colonists are happy that they arrived at the islands of Bermuda and this makes them happy. They start by first thanking God that they made it to the island as he is the one who directed and guided them through it all. One they get to the island they discover how the island provides an endless spring of natural abundance and this is one of their joys as they settle down in the island. They praise the fruits and they understand the island as a perfect place where God wanted them to be. Also in this place they keep time by the stroke of their oars.

Interpret this passage from “Bermudas.” You want to hone in on particular words and phrases to tell me what is going on in the passage. Relate it to what comes before and after the passage (i.e. locate it within your summary).

What should we do but sing his praise

That led us through the wat’ry maze

Unto an isle so long unknown,

And yet far kinder than our own?

Where he the huge sea-monsters wracks,

That lift the deep upon their backs,

He lands us on a grassy stage,

Safe from the storm’s and prelates’ rage

This passage is part of the song of praise sung by the colonist sailors who come to the island of Bermuda and they are praising God for bringing them this far. They exclaim him for leading them through the maze and they describe the place they were then as much kinder than the place they had been before. Therefore this is a song of praise thanking God for bringing them to the island of Bermuda.

Write a brief summary of The Female Marine.

The female marine discusses of a lady who had to impersonate a man for a period of three years. This lady is the story of Louisa Baker who travels from Massachusetts to urban degradation in Boston. The woman character in the novel dresses like a man and goes to war for the purpose of revenging the death of her lover and partner. Therefore this is a story whereby of a woman trying to live her life in the best manner possible probably because the society does not allow her or because the environment is not friendly to her and she decides to change the environment for her total productivity.

Interpret this passage from The Female Marine. You want to hone in on particular words and phrases to tell me what is going on in the passage. Relate it to what comes before and after the passage (i.e. locate it within your summary).

From the ship’s top I discharged my piece nineteen times, which, as I had not learnt to take pretty exact aim, must, I think, have done some execution. An accident soon after the conclusion of the engagement occurred, which was near betraying my sex to the whole crew of the ship: attempting to go below, I made a misstep, and fell from the shrouds overboard; not knowing how to swim, I sunk immediately; a boat was sent to my relief, but before they could recover me and get me on board, life had become nearly extinct. As soon as they succeeded in getting me on deck, (as I had not strength to do it myself) some of my shipmates were ordered to strip off my clothes and to furnish me with a dry suit, and they had nearly divested me of my out dress, when I mustered sufficient strength to beg of them to desist. (75)

This is a portion which talks of her desire and wish to protect her identity even though it is very difficult and she does not know herself anymore as she had drowned. In this part as she states she was about to reveal her identity but she found out that it was not possible and almost when the other crew members were almost removing her clothes she got the courage to talk to them. This is indicative of the society whereby we want to hide ourselves but there are so many challenges and struggles in doing this.

Part III: Longer essay on theoretical question. Please answer all parts of the prompt in 3 paragraphs minimum. Make specific references to plot, character, setting, etc. of the works you’ve read for the course (30 points total).

Based on what we’ve read so far this semester, what qualities define literature of the sea? How does this literature relate to your experiences near or on the sea? Describe your rationale, why you say what you say.

Literature of the sea is a type of literature which is based literally on the sea and there are sea features in the study of the sea of literature. Some of these sea features include ships, sea water, islands, drowning among many others which make it possible for a person to understand this literature of the sea. However these examples given above do not exist alone but exist together within the novels and other forms of literature like songs, poems and plays which talk about the sea, its features and components. Therefore the qualities which define the literature of the sea are the presence of sea features within a novel and the action of what is being written taking place next or in the sea.

This type of literature relates to me in a great manner. This is because I have had several good and bad experiences at the sea and therefore this makes the literature even more interesting as I try to compare the characters in the different texts with my experiences and what they could have done if they were in my shoes. First of all I once almost drowned in the water and this clearly relates with the female marine protagonist. I drank salty eater of the beach and therefore this novel reminds of those experiences. I have also visited an island and therefore when Bermudas and the shipwreck that applies to me. I also learnt how to avoid waves and swim in the sea at one point and it was a nice experience. Therefore it is a course which has a lot of connection with my personal life.

The reason as to why I have given the above is the fact that this course relates to me at a personal level and therefore this makes it interesting to learn and not just to stay in class and do normal assignments and exams like the other classes. This course therefore focuses on a very special and important part of most people’s lives and it opens a person’s eyes to see the sea, marine life and generally life around the ocean in a different way.

Extra Credit (2 points possible):

To what extent does cross-dressing define female vice and masculine virtue in The Female Marine?

In the female marine the protagonist dresses like a man and this makes her to be viewed as an intruder by the reader or the audience. This can depict the manner in which the females can be manipulative and coercive when they want something which is not freely available for them. This to some people is seen as a vice, however to others it is a lack of opportunity for equity and equality for women to work hand in hand with them.