The Life and Works of Maya Angelou free essay sample

A discussion of Maya Angelous life, talent and contribution to the black community. This paper focuses on the life and works of Maya Angelou, one of the greatest African-American literary figures in the United States. This multi-talented woman has had a major impact on the black community because of her active participation in the civil rights movement. Maya Angelou is an award winning writer, poet, historian, playwright, producer, and director and in short she is an amalgamation pf many talents, which are all, related to art. This amazingly writer has influenced the lives of millions of her readers because of her strong spiritual beliefs and an inner strength that she displays in her stories and other work. She has also actively participated in the civil rights movement because she feels that black still d not have equal rights in the United States; she has thus inspired many black men and women to achieve more by emulating her. We will write a custom essay sample on The Life and Works of Maya Angelou or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She has written some autobiographies which are very famous among the public because of their emotional content as they come form the very core of the authors heart, these include All Gods Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986), The Heart of a Woman (1981), Singin and Swingin and Gettin Merry Like Christmas (1976), Gather Together in My Name (1974), and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), which was also nominated for the National Book Award and has been one of her most widely read works.

Medias Influence on Society essays

Medias Influence on Society essays Human curiosity is the essence of our lives; we live to understand and explore others troubles or triumphs, their faults or follies. However, since the beginning of time, our views have been slanted by whoever tells these stories. We are led to believe that what they say is the truth, when it could be simply their view or version of the story, without fully understanding what they were preaching themselves. In todays society, our views of our weight, beauty and sexuality are simply the extended beliefs of third party sources, such as magazines, newspapers, radio and/or the television. We are fed their beliefs, disguised as simple telecasts. Television is no longer what it once was. Showing a great singers hips, as he graced the stage of the Ed Sullivan Show, was once believed to be blasphemous and too much for society to handle. Today it is the complete opposite, however, producers jump at the chance to expose a womans breast or a mans butt, or even go as far as providing the audio of a man and woman involved in sexual activities. These acts are but a part of ABC, CBS, Fox and especially MTV, with their reality show hit, the Real World or any one of their other music countdown shows. But lest we forget who the principal audience is for these shows; young teenagers are watching these shows, where women dress in reveling clothing and grind up against a willing man. They are led to believe that this is how one should act to be accepted or feel older. They do not realize, however, that these stunts are simply that, stunts to produce a larger audience, for the pure financial gain of the company. This common access to sex on the airwaves has greatly affected teenagers in the recent years, despite education on abstinence in schools. Aside from the more provocative dancing, which teens have been accustomed to lately, sexual activities have become more rampant at parties and childrens homes. Teens are ...

A Creative Writing on an Interview with Joseph About His Charitable Acts

A Creative Writing on an Interview with Joseph About His Charitable Acts This is an interview with Joseph on October 21, 2021. Joseph has spent the past 3 years helping the homeless with whatever he can, from donating non perishable goods to thousands of dollars. His charitable acts have become publicized when he was caught on camera handing out over fifty bagged meals to the homeless in Los Angeles. He has been recruited by Society First CA for this in depth interview at Society First CA’s headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. I think it all started when I visited Los Angeles when I was 16 years old. Everywhere I looked, there was someone begging for help, whether it’s food or money. I hated the sight. Not the sight of the homeless themselves but the sight of the fortunate ignoring the unfortunate. It was saddening that a fellow human being would ignore another just because of their social status and their wealth. I saw the disgust within the faces of those passing by and my heart broke. That’s when I decided to donate at least $5 to any homeless I see every day. I actually saw your charitable act myself a few years back myself. I was surprised that a teenager would give their own money to someone less fortunate, especially in this generation. It left an impression in my mind. Thank you! While my motive for helping out the homeless isn’t to gain attention but any publication which shows the current situation of the homeless helps. I’m trying to bring attention to the homeless problem within L.A. right now, as it is a big problem, but I want to help everywhere I can. And if my actions left an impression within you, maybe you can help out too (laugh). I would love to (laugh). Have you been doing anything else to help out with the homeless situation? I actually help out at the nearby soup kitchen. When I have extra money, I often go to the local supermarket and buy non-perishable food to donate. Then I go to the kitchen and help out with the cooking. Although this may not be much, some of the homeless haven’t had hot food in several days. The warmth they give when they receive their food fills my heart. It really makes me understand how privileged I am to be able to have hot food every day and a roof over my head. How long do you plan to continue your humanitarian works? I don’t plan to stop any time soon. In fact, I don’t want to stop. I believe that if you do good works the good works will come back to you. If I suddenly became homeless, I wouldn’t want to be ignored and stay helpless. I would want hot food to warm myself when it’s cold. I would want a roof over my head. I hope that my good works will be reciprocated and that the homeless can flip their lives around and help others. In fact, I actually want to try making a non-profit corporation devoted to helping out the homeless and the less fortunate. However, until that happens, I plan to continue to donate to charity and give to the homeless. This genre is for the Improve society #1 of my bucket list. I chose the genre of an interview because I felt that this genre would be the most effective way to show my motive for helping out at homeless shelter. This genre is important to my bucket list because I have always had a heart for the unfortunate people who are victims of circumstances which they could not control. Additionally, I have seen so many people who ignore the homeless and it breaks my heart when I see that happen. I used a basic outline of an interview, having the interviewer ask me a question and lead the conversation from the response. I mainly focused on the humanitarian aspect of my motive to help the homeless. I used a casual tone instead of a professional to make the interview more intimate and honest. To create the interview itself, I imagined myself actually being asked these questions and responded to it. While I may be able to help out the homeless, I feel that this wouldn’t have an impact if it was not shared. I want others to be aware of the homeless problem within society and that we have an obligation to help a fellow human being. Many are afraid of the homeless or believe that the money we give will be used for other purposes. However, if we are to show love and be altruistic, I believe in the natural human goodness within everyone and believe that the homeless can have a change.

International business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

International business - Essay Example The foundation of this approach is that the developing country takes up industrialization and upgrades its own industries by capitalizing on the learning opportunities that are made available through its external relations with the more advanced countries. Japan is the primary source of inspiration for South Korean business because it has been the hub of industrialization in the post war scenario. Manufactured goods and primary commodities arrived mostly from Japan, which has also been the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment in South Korea. Diversification, stabilization and growth momentum are three aspects of the Japanese economy that have been vigorously adapted by South Korea. For example, in the post war reconstruction scenario, the South Korean state undertook early import substitution projects in cement, fertilizers, oil refining and synthetic fibers, utilizing Japanese imports as a means to standardize and develop its own products. Kim (1987) has explained how the Japanese tradition of considering bureaucratic careers as a means of legitimacy for State initiatives was also followed in South Korea, where the bureaucracy and the military have managed to retain themselves as elite groups. The most powerful bureaucratic organ was the Economic Planning Board, which coordinated economic policy through a control of the budgetary processes. Managers of the EPB were promoted into ministries, which produced strong ties between the regime and the largest conglomerate businesses, Chaebol, paving the way for rapid economic development by establishing its legitimacy in accordance (Evans, 1995). These Chaebols like Samsung and Hyundai were modeled along the lines of Japanese firms such as Sony and Toyota a group of formally independent firms that are operating in diverse industries and are controlled by family members, congregate into a large business group that is able to overcome market imperfections through the creation o f

Using ICT-enabled feedback to improve student learning in secondary Literature review

Using ICT-enabled feedback to improve student learning in secondary schools in New Zealand - Literature review Example What is Feedback? Feedback is often described as a systematic dialogue between teachers and students. A proper feedback can help both to assess their strategies.To be more precise,for students it is a method to ascertain the effectiveness of their learning strategies. On the other hand, for teachers, it is a method to assess the problems faced by students. As a result, the teachers are able to adapt more student friendly teaching methods A carefully designed classroom lesson attracts more attention from students (Black and William, 1998, pp. 139-148). In many literatures the description coined by Ramprasad (1983, p. 4) â€Å"Feedback is information about the gap between the actual level and the reference level of a system parameter which is used to alter the gap in some way† is used to define feedback. However, many scholars are of the opinion that such definitions of feedback, makes it a complete responsibility of the teachers. On the other hand, an effective feedback require s both the teachers as well as the students to give their serious effort. (Black and William, 1998, pp. 139-148) In 2006 Boston Consultancy Group (BCG), conducted a survey in the primary school of Bellfield in Victoria, Australia. The survey clearly indicated that Feedback in school level balances positive aspects of teaching with room for future improvement. The survey also showed that feedback encourages teachers to build up their confidence. The survey further showed that constructive and properly tailored feedback help teachers to formulate new methodologies to improve learning in their class... The teachers must gain the student’s confidence. A feedback, which is very critical by nature, can make students feel incompetent. In feedback, teachers need to highlight the achievements of the students in a realistic yet positive manner. By providing students non-judgmental feedback, the teachers can become their mentor. The greatest fear that students have is the fear of being wrong, and it is the responsibility of teachers to encourage them to come out of their inhibition. (Gager and Berliner, 1991 p. 143, 349) Feedback can be categorized into two category, namely â€Å"Formative† and â€Å"Summative† assessment. Formative assessment involves regular feedback throughout the academic year. On the other hand, summative feedback is the assessment done at the end of the academic term. Formative assessment In case of formative assessment, the approach is a combination of formal and informal processes applied by students and teachers for improving the learning expe rience. Formative assessment done by teachers mainly focus on the following points (Heritage and Stigler, 2010, p. 56) The direction in which the student is heading, i.e. the strategy the student is following. The current state of the student The direction the student must take next to make further improvements The priority in formative assessment is to set the learning goals along with the success criteria for each lesson. The feedback help teachers to shape up their curriculum in such a way that the students are able to close the gap between his or her current learning ability and the goal they have set for themselves. The teachers must be aware of certain factors, when they formulate their formative assessment strategies. There are certain factors, which must be

Stereotype With Women Essay Example for Free

Stereotype With Women Essay ?The popular saying, â€Å"Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus,† is a simple way of explaining that men and women are completely different. Is this difference due to biology – the genetic difference with which that we are born? Or is it due to the cultural difference that society influences’ – the orthodox disadvantages that discriminates women in the workplace, at home, and in society as a whole. The stereotypical role that women, especially mothers, are made to sustain in their everyday lives shows such unrealistic expectations – just due to their womanhood. â€Å"Stereotype: A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing: sexual and racial stereotypesi. Stereotypes are judgments created by our society that are based on perceived actions of an individual. It is a picture in society’s mind, though it is not an accurate illustration of the real world. The ongoing pressure of women having to follow these false assumptions of ‘right’ kind of mother to be, or the ‘right’ way to dress is not making our world a better place to be in any sense. The female stereotype first comes into play in that many women are generally seen as frail individuals and men are supposed to fill the role of the protector or, as Valenti would refer to it, â€Å"He can be a beast, She must be a beauty†(Valenti, 42). It’s the parents that tend to be children’s first stereotypical influences in their lives, such as the colour they provide their rooms, as well as the toys they bring home and the sports and hobbies in which they enroll them. A family hit television show, â€Å"Toddlers and Tiaras,† where girls as young as five years of age partake in beauty pageants after being subjected to false fingernails, wigs, eyelashes, fake tans, hair extensions, and somewhat â€Å"over the top† makeup. Its a trap in which many women are caught: women feel pressured to look like the social norm to fit in and somehow society makes it all seem right, causing more people join that assembly and creating more pressure on others to also do this. In previous decades, the stereotypes of women had clear expectations: they would get married, have children, raise the children and keep the house in order, and unfortunately their lives were restricted to these limitations. Consequently, some of these traditions still exist today leaving mothers with the role of playing â€Å"housewife. † They are supposed to clean the house, cook dinner, do the laundry, have the children, and take care of their children. â€Å"Mothers are responsible for and are naturally better at children and family and Fathers are responsible for and are naturally better at employment and earning money. As a result, women and men incorporate the roles of mother and father into their identities in different ways and at different paces†ii While women take control of these responsibilities, the dominant male goes out and earns a wage for the household. Since the male subject is never home, he can sometimes not know what goes on or how to react in different situations with the children. For example, if the father wants to go out for dinner without the children, the mother may be reluctant to get a baby-sitter. As the mother, she feels bad about leaving the children. As her partner, he doesn’t quite understand; he wants to spend time with his wife and he doesn’t see anything wrong because he is used to not being around his children nor raising them as much as the mother. We live in a society that has long penalized women for growing old. Western society is one in which the media have relentlessly portrayed the middle-aged woman as old-fashioned, boring, someone who is losing her looks, not to mention sexual appeal, etc. Valenti writes in her book: â€Å"When they get older- women who are pretty much done for. We’re deemed unfuckable and unlovable and, subsequently, useless. † (Valenti, 70) As many women struggle their entire lives trying to fit into the societal expectations of being â€Å"beautiful† and in that definition creates such an unrealistic belief that sets women up for failure with poor self confidence believing that they will never be good enough. As I am writing this essay in Tim Horton’s, I’m watching 3 construction workers gawk their revolting site on two helpless girls scrummaging in their backpacks for enough change to buy a donut to split. Even though these type of things occur all the time, and as I’ve grown up especially; being called names by truck drivers hollering out their windows†¦ I flaunted it, I felt good about myself when it happened, and when It didn’t I was concerned, wondering if I wasn’t wearing to right outfit, or had my hair to right way to catch the eyes of creepy men. At some point in my mind when I was a child, I got in my head that this was okay. Jessica Valenti introduces how stereotypical Double standards are present but are nothing new and women have to deal with them every day. I related with her book in many different ways, and some of the things I read I just had to laugh and turn to my girlfriend and we would totally agree on her statements. The book looks, at title glance, like a list of fifty depressing facts, but it isnt. She doesnt only tell us about how bad women have it. She talks about how this stuff hurts everybody, including heterosexuals’ cismales. She gives kudos and praise to heterosexual cismales who are clearly part of the solution or who are trying or who are progressive. Every person who is not affected by a cause but is an ally to it deserves to be recognized. This is often forgotten. Most importantly of all does Jessica stop at listing the bad things? Hell no! At the end of every section is a page titled What you can do about it where she offers advice on how a person can undo the sort of hurtful thinking. In some sections she admits there isnt much she can think of, even then she offers something. She tries. Jessica keeps it light and happy where she can. The topics in this book are downers, so Jessica reminds us to keep our heads up. Shes constructive, helpful, and dedicated to the cause, which is equality for everyone. And unlike lot of people who fight against sexism, she does it without resorting to using hate speech and man-hating slurs. This is why Jessica is a published author and successful person- she combines righteous anger with fierce love for those who are helping. She tells everyone that they dont have to just lay there and take that nonsense, and she doesnt either; I idol her in every which way, and will continue to improve my insight on feminism as does she. Works Cited:

Essay examples --

my enjoyment of Business Studies at AS level. For me, Business Studies has proven to be an extremely interesting subject, one that offers many opportunities. I would like to study this course to broaden my knowledge about all aspects of running, managing and marketing a successful business. I believe that the business profession requires individuals with good interpersonal skills, who are committed and quick thinking, all of which are attributes that I have identified within myself. Whilst at university, I will be looking forward to participating for a year in a business to gain first-hand experience, which I believe, will give me an edge over other business graduates. Academically, I have always been a very committed and determined student, willing to go beyond the basic requirements. This is demonstrated through the enthusiasm that I have shown towards my Physical Education A-level, not only have I completed what was expected of me, I have also stayed behind after school, attended sessions on days off and given up lunch hours to ensure that I achieve the best result possible. My Ps...

What to Do if There are Suspicions or if Someone Alleges They are Being Abused

RecogniseRecognise the signs and symptoms or believe what you are toldRespondComfort – warm and caring Reassure the person that you believe them and that it is not their fault/they are in no way to blame Do not promise that you will keep it secret (may need to pass on to help them, important not to say one thing and do another) but only to people who need to know and will help Protect the individual – ensure they are in a safe place and protected from any further possibility of abuse Medical assistance if requiredReportReport the allegation immediately to a senior colleague (manager or named safeguarding lead) May have formal referral procedures or may make initial verbal referralRecordPreserve any evidenceTry to remember as much as you can – listen carefullyFull written report as soon as possible after the event including everything you observed, everything you have been told, any previous concerns you may have had, what has raised your concerns on this occasion Accurate and factualMake clear what you have actually seen and what is hearsay. Do not ask leading questionsReferYou may need to make a referral to another agencyIdentify ways to ensure that evidence of abuse is preservedIf this is a potential crime scene, must be very careful not to destroy any potential evidence.Do not clear up or wash or clean any part of the room or area in which the alleged abuse took place †¢Don’t disturb the scene, clothing or victim.Don’t remove anything (e.g. clothing, bedding).Do not allow victim to wash, bathe, brush hair or teeth etc).Secure the scene (e.g. lock the door).Preserve other potential evidence (e.g. documents) by locking them away.Keep other people out of the area.Get advice from the police if in doubt.Bear in mind that any medical treatment is a priority and must be provided immediately but make it clear to any medical staff that the situation may result in a prosecution so they need to record any findings carefully in ca se theu need to make a statement later.Explain the importance of an accessible complaints procedure for reducing the likelihood of abuseShould be simple to follow because it encourages people to raise their concerns.Indicates the organisation will respond to those concerns.If it’s too difficult to make a complaint, people won’t complain and the abuse may continue.Can identify any areas of weakness in a provider and help improve the service.If a complaints procedure is clear and easily accessible, abusers are more likely to be challenged on their behaviour. Knowing this would make them less likely to abuse.Helps vulnerable individuals to feel protected, empowered and less likely to accept abuse.Describe unsafe practices that may affect the well-being of individualsLack of training (e.g. manual handling, personal care, eating and drinking).Not observing confidentiality.Not following infection control procedures.Confusion over prescribing and administering medication.Fire evacuation procedures.Failure to comply with regulations.Explain the actions to take if unsafe practices have been identifiedTell their manager or named safeguarding person.Describe the actions to take if suspected abuse or unsafe practices have been reported but nothing has been done about itRecord any information carefully (factual, time and date etc).Keep moving through the management chain. If no one in your organisation responds, contact CQC or IW Council Safeguarding Adults Board (google and find out how to contact).If it is a criminal offence (e.g. theft, fraud, physical or sexual abuse) refer the matter to the police.Public Concern at Work is a national organisation that provides information legal advice to people who are concerned about malpractice at work.Free and confidential advice. (www.pcaw.co.uk) May be very difficult to pass information on – this is known as ‘whistleblowing’ Public Interest Disclosure Act (1998) protects whistleblowers and ensure s you cannot be victimised by your employer for reporting abuse or any other illegal acts So long as you have a ‘reasonable belief’ that one of the following is taking, has taken or may take place, you are protected by law:A criminal offence.Breach of a legal obligation.Miscarriage of justice.Danger to the health and safety of any person.Damage to the environment.Deliberate covering up of information tending to show any of the above.

Assess the importance of setting in Heart of Darkness Essay

The setting is the basis of every story or novel, the basis of every prose work. Heart of Darkness is by no means an exception. Joseph Conrad’s nouvelle or rather said mysterious work is not being easily understood let alone assessed. But each reader of Heart of Darkness should try to solve the mystery the author has opened. The setting reveals itself to be a mystery within the mystery. What is really the setting of Conrad’s nouvelle? And is it at all important to the work as a whole? Is it the usual setting of an adventure story that was popular at the time, is it a place of darkness, the heart of it, or just the jungle in the Congo region? The setting may be all of the above and it looks like composed of several different ones colouring the mysteriousness of the nouvelle, some contrasting the others. Heart of Darkness begins in a voice that is not belonging to the protagonist. This later appears to be the auditor of the protagonist’s(Marlow’s) story, so for short he may be called the Auditor. His introduction reveals that the setting is a yawl, called Nellie, swinging on the surface of the Thames awaiting for the turn of the tide so she can sail off. The beginning of the setting reminds the Auditor of England’s naval glory, he recalls the great knights – known and unknown – of the sea while the banks of the Thames remind Marlow that they have also been â€Å"one of the dark places of the earth†. And exactly the word â€Å"dark† is the one that defines the setting throughout the whole of the nouvelle, varying only in shades. This becomes crystal clear from the moment Marlow begins to speak and he speaks through the whole of the nouvelle except the few introductory paragraphs. Going further to describe the setting Marlow begins his s tory about his journey in the Congo region, the heart of darkness. The protagonist explains that as a boy he looked at the blank spaces on the maps and dreamed of exploring them, but the Congo region was no blank space anymore, ironically according to Marlow it has become a place of darkness. He is fascinated by the river in the heart of darkness, for him it resembles a snake, symbol of evil; while the river Thames described earlier is calm and serene contrasting the setting in the Congo river. Both rivers may be symbol of the tamed and untamed. London is tamed by civil and moral rules, that’s why it’s calm  while the untamed Africa is cruel but free. Marlow sees danger even before his journey has begun but it doesn’t stop him from going to the other setting, the office of the Company. The following description is the gate towards darkness and death, the gate of Hell. The setting stays in Marlow’s mind and later on in his journey he remembers the two women dressed in black, knitting black wool and holding a black cat; guardian angels to the â€Å"gate of Darkness†. Conrad reveals that not many of those who have been introduced to the Company by the younger woman had the chance to return and look at her again, as if by giving them a glance she turns them to stone like the Gorgone Meduse and dooms them to eternal darkness. Relatively the same is the moral â€Å"preached† in the setting in the doctor’s office. The doctor is interested in measuring the skulls of all those who leave for the Congo with the distinct idea that he could measure them again on their returning but so far none of them has returned. A fact that suprises Marlow who understands from the doctor that no matter what, the changes take place inside the skull; the doctor seems like the prophet to Marlow’s enlightment. Finally Marlow leaves in a French steamer for the Congo. The setting changes as they sail nearer to the coast of the jungle. Marlow feels isolated and delusional by the immense water and the only touch with reality are the boats coming from the shore with â€Å"black fellows† in them. This particular setting is the first touch of civilization with wilderness and savagery. Civilization is characterized by light and â€Å"straight forward facts† while to the wilderness is given the heart of Darkness and freedom. The setting communicates the meaning of the episode. As it does in the next one presenting the Company’s station that Marlow is left in. The black boy he meets fascinates him with the white thread from beyond the seas around his black neck. Civilization intrudes the lives of the Africans and enslaves them. The white thread looks like a manacle around the boy’s neck. After such a sight the white man Marlow meets at the â€Å"station† setting looks like a sort of vision. This miracle later appears to be the Company’s chief accountant. He strikes Marlow with devotion to his work and the fact that he had achieved something in his life, everything in it is in order while the whole station is falling apart. The accountant and his office is the island of salvation for Marlow when he wants to get away from the misery at the  station. The importance of this particular setting is the mentioning for the first time the name of Mr.Kurtz, defined by the accountant as a remarkable person and from this moment on the mysterious Kurtz enters the thoughts of Marlow as well as the reader’s. The setting of the Central Station serves its purpose too to the whole of the nouvelle. The forest near it looks huge and calm to Marlow, the setting alone sends the feeling to all of the readers, misery and greatness fill their hearts. Together with this the tickling feeling of the awaited by Marlow meeting with Kurtz makes the breathing of the reader harder. In the Central Station he meets a brickmaker who gives more detail to the fast-growing character of Kurtz in Marlow’s mind. He is an extraordinary human being, an emissary of pity and what not, bringing civilization to the dark continent. The brickmaker is sure that Marlow has some resemblance to Kurtz and if this is true the reader is only to find out on their own. The months spent awaiting the needed rivets for the repair of the mysteriously broken down steamer are over. Marlow leaves for the Inner Station where he is to find out if the rumors about the best Company’s agent are true, the narrator leaves in search for the ill Kurtz whose death is awaited by most of the Company’s staff. The setting changes once more only to become the same as earlier in Marlow’s journey. Black people, enemies that are hiding on the shore like evil that is creeping and getting closer and closer to the steamer. Finally the evil prevails, the devoted black helmsman is murdered from a spear. The setting had built an unhealthy darkness that doesn’t allow the reader even the slightest chance to forget the focus of the nouvelle; the darkness within the heart of the jungle gradually fills the heart of the protagonist and respectfully the reader’s too. Maybe the most interesting part of the setting is Marlow’s meeting with Kurtz at the Inner Station. The setting presents the true darkness, the very heart of it. It also echoes the cries of the Russian sailor who meets Marlow at his arrival. From the story of the naà ¯ve young sailor Marlow understands about Kurtz’s brilliance and the semi-divine power he exercises over the  natives. The setting provides the visual confirmation of Kurtz’s cruelty. A row of severed heads on stakes round the hut gives an intimation of the barbaric rites by which Kurtz’s has achieved his ascendancy. An educated man like Marlow, a very intelligent one, a man of promise for the Company Kurtz has used his brains and gun, symbol of civilization, to enslave the natives and make his one dark tribe that would inhabit the heart of darkness. Though at first sight the setting looks like a true adventure one underneath transpires the psychological and moral level of the work as a whole. Moreover Conrad’s nouvelle and respectfully it’s setting is also a symbolic journey of the soul towards the heart of man which he sees as capable of great evil. Kurtz is good personification of this particular idea. The setting may be interpreted as an allusion to Dante’s The Inferno, Marlow’s journey looks like an expedition to the underworld, a journey through the circles of hell and Kurtz is the devil himself. But the devil doesn’t want to leave his tribe nor do they want to leave him. When his tired and sick body is taken in the steamboat his black mistress appears. She looks at him with her â€Å"wild-eyes† giving Kurtz the power to live on but he couldn’t. The setting changes and presents the deck of the steamboat. Kurtz is lying there awarding Marlow with his manuscripts and his words, his last ones â€Å"The horror! The horror!†. The setting reveals the whole moral of Conrad’s work, or in Marlow’s words â€Å"the moral victory†. For Kurtz the horror he talks of is his life and like he has shown the reader man is capable of great evil. Kurtz has neglected the signals of his heart that evil was inside him. Kurtz is outside of control of the moral rules of civilization whose representative he is. So the horror is he himself, the heart of darkness is not the jungle anymore but his own. The setting has changed once again only to become Kurtz himself, the most important figure for the nouvelle, the heart of it, the heart of darkness. The setting is one of the most important for the work because it reveals simple but existential truths to the reader. Man finds himself when is isolated especially from civilization as Kurtz does. But why is he considered mad by the â€Å"civilized† people that get in touch with him. He is mad for them because he had taken off the mask and everybody can see his true face – evil or remarkable is up to the reader to  decided. The important role of the setting is capturing the attention and the thoughts of the reader. Kurtz was like Marlow – an uncorrupted creature from the imperialist world that wanted to help the natives rather than colonize them but the darkness prevailed his heart and Marlow sees what he could become if he lost the trail. But Kurtz recognizes his action as cruel and evil that is his horror, he knows that what he is doing is wrong but the heart of darkness haven’t given him another option to survive. The setting also reminds the reader through the character of Kurtz of Europe at the end of the Imperialism era. The nouvelle is not only an adventure story but a political statement as well. Kurtz’s relationship with his mistress represents Europe’s love for their imperialized country, only the passion is temporary. Kurtz dies leaving Marlow and the reader with the conviction that they should explore what is inside them and in most cases they’ll find their own heart of darkness. Intriguing are also Kurtz’s manuscripts and the words â€Å"Exterminate all the brutes!† He never told who are the brutes but the overall impression is that the brutes are not the uncivilized man, maybe everyone should find the brute within himself and exterminate it. The philosophical manuscripts did not solve any problems they just have shaped Marlow’s perspective and although he didn’t approve of Kurtz’s actions he was amazed with his spiritual and intellectual power, with the ability to persuade. That is exactly why Marlow stays loyal to Kurtz’s even after his death. The setting takes the reader back to Belgium in the house of Kurtz’s fiancà ©e. She, the woman that will always wait for him and always will mourn for him. She believes that she is the person that understood Kurtz best but Marlow is not convinced in that and he lies her about Kurtz’s last words. He never tells her what they really were, he mentions only that they gave him her name and that’s why he found her. Marlow is not sure if she’ll understand Kurtz’s ‘horror’. Africa has become a topology of his mind and the mind in general. Letting the forgotten savagery in the European and being the symbol of man’s inner change. Kurtz’s ‘horror’ is Marlow’s self discovery. The importance of the setting, given that it has shown to the reader the Congo region in it’s very heart of darkness, is that reminds the reader that it is time to make their own self searching. Last but not least the setting of the nouvelle has shown darkness, the heart of it. It is important for the work as a whole because it presents Marlow’s individual journey towards enlightment that serves the purpose of a model for the reader to follow. It presents also Kurtz’s ‘horror’ who has taken one step further in the dark continent that Marlow is not ready and willing to take. The setting of the whole work enriches the reader following the narrator in the serpentine Congo. The setting emphasizes the idea of the conflict of what is real versus what is ‘dark’. Here particularly the word ‘real’ represents the civilized part of the world while dark is Africa. Marlow represents civilization on the edge while Kurtz represents civilization stepped over leading in the ‘darkness’. The setting also is ivory, Conrad uses it as a symbol of man’s inner savagery, greed and evil. The author also uses ivory as contradiction to the usual symbols of good and evil. If good is represented with the white colour, here is Heart of Darkness ivory is the evil part no matter that it is one of the purest and whitest materials in the world. The contradiction the setting presents entraps the attention of the reader and provokes once again his search for self-discovery. The setting is pretty important to the work as a whole because it reveals the darkness within every one of us; the question is whether like Marlow we shall defeat it and gain enlightment or be defeated by it like Kurtz and fall in the very heart of Darkness.

Performance Appraisal as a Tool for Achieving Organizational and Employee Development

Performance Appraisal as a Tool for Achieving Organizational and Employee Development Overview of RMRDC The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) promotes the development of industrial raw materials in the Republic of Nigeria. It also oversees the utilisation of the same minerals, while its activities are considered part of the Nigerian government on a federal level.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Performance Appraisal as a Tool for Achieving Organizational and Employee Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The organisation started in 1988 and has grown to become an essential institution that supports federal service. It serves many stakeholders who are involved in the country’s vast raw material sector. The organisation began when the country had limited foreign exchange earnings. At the time, Nigeria relied on petroleum products. With the functioning RMRDC, the country can lower its import bill by focusing on domestic raw material production, rather than rely on im ports (RMRDC, 2015). Background of the study This study will focus on the subject of performance appraisal. According to Armstrong (1998), researchers mainly concentrate on accuracy and fairness whenever they are conducting performance appraisal studies. This is a subject under Human Resource Management (HRM), and it refers to the use of tools and frameworks to enhance the productivity of human capital within organisations. When organisations measure their performance, they gain insights into their operations and can, therefore, address emerging issues related to performance. This can be in the actual sense of speed of delivery or the impediments to delivery. Being able to identify these areas allows the organisation to respond appropriately to avoid trouble and build on its past and ongoing successes. As a result, the use of performance appraisals can be a way of achieving competitive advantages.  Employees can offer their viewpoints on different aspects of their jobs with the sy stematic evaluation and its related adjustments. They use the process to improve their performance and get a basis for earning rewards. This reason makes the performance appraisal concept crucial as an HRM tool and highlights its ability to help realise capabilities of an organisation’s human resources.  Although performance appraisal increases employee productivity, much is unknown about its effects on financial performance.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Pollitt and Bouckaert (2011), there is no research evidence available for the link. Nevertheless, the consensus among researchers and practitioners is that the process should be continuous and involve supervisors who regularly evaluate their approach to measuring the performance of subordinate employees. The benefits of appraisal include an increase in efficacy, productivity, and morale. Many organisations exist as hierarchical structures. Such organisations require structured performance appraisals so that they can tell what each department in different levels is doing and why the problems that arise at any level fail to be resolved. With the information, the organisation can streamline its decision-making processes and achieve a better execution of strategic choices. It also moves away from the chaos that can plague its administrative hierarchy (DeVries, 1983).  The definition of performance appraisal follows its tie to human resources, which is regarded as a source of competitive advantage for organisations (Farndale Kelliher, 2013). It can be a review, evaluation, or discussion about the development of employees in relation to the present standards. After examination, result documentation of the comparison occurs and the information serves as a guideline for intervening in employee relationships concerning their jobs and the realisation of an organisationâ⠂¬â„¢s objectives (Farndale Kelliher, 2013). The employment of performance appraisal leads to the identification of staff members needing training, promotion, demotion, retrenchment, firing, or recognition, among other eventualities within the mandate of human resource departments (Farndale Kelliher, 2013). Aim This study aims to look at performance appraisal in the context of an organisation’s determination to achieve employee development. Therefore, the study is going to focus on the Raw Materials Research and Development Council of Nigeria. In doing so, it will specifically concentrate on how subordinate employees within the organisation perceive the existing performance appraisal methods used by the organisation. It will also examine the outcome of the evaluation of management staffs and the subordinate staffs. Lastly, the research will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the performance appraisal program at RMRDC in seeking to find out areas that can be improved o r introduced. Objectives To determine the perception of subordinate employees on performance appraisal program at RMRDC To examine the strengths and weaknesses of performance appraisal program used by RMRDC To examine the goal and outcome of performance appraisal in RMRDC on the subordinate employee level and management employee level To identify gaps in the efficacy of the current performance appraisal program in structure and purpose regarding best practices and organisational context. Justification of the research The research will be useful in the Nigerian organisations’ context because of the following contributions.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Performance Appraisal as a Tool for Achieving Organizational and Employee Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It will enhance the view of performance appraisal and lead to its appreciation as a productivity tool for firms. It will result in the proper structuring of performance appraisals after highlighting the strengths and limitations of the current structure at RMRDC. The study will provide organisational insight that practitioners can readily apply to their respective institutions to realise the additional potential of their human resources. It will lead to the identification of the role and relevance of different stakeholders in a government agency, such as RMRDC It will highlight the benefits of performance appraisal from an empirical context. Purpose of the research The basis of this research is to understand the impact of performance appraisal program/s at RMRDC on the council’s staff. It will result in is a significant contribution of information that is integral in decision-making by stakeholders for the improvement of the program/s or process of performance appraisal. Evaluation of the Relevant Literature Performance management links corporate objectives, performance standards, and evaluation in one proc ess, which is used by managers to serve the following three roles in an organisation. First, it assists in the administration, development, and communication functions of any entity (Beam, 2008). In its administrative role, it captures staffing, compensation, promotion, and punishment or rewards for members of the organisation to ensure that the human resource functions optimally. In its development role, it identifies and builds potential for future performance. It gives an organisation a capability that it can tap on when conditions are favourable. In its communication role, performance management seeks to offer feedback to employees concerning how they are executing their duties. According to Brown (2008), records of performance appraisals help employees to fight against wrongful dismissal.  The development of appraisal instruments so that the measurement of human effort is objective and accurate is an important research issue under performance appraisal (Cash, 2010). At the sa me time, Glaveli and Karassavidou (2011) noted that research tends to focus on supervisors and employee characteristics, thereby highlighting their bias on performance appraisal ratings. Lastly, research on the subject has also concentrated on the process as it is executed within organisations (Sinclair, 2005). Techniques of appraisal for management purposes can be observational or actual measurements. Organisations use ratings in their simple applications, and behaviour anchor scales in complex applications. This follows the theoretical assumptions of motivation. According to Watkins (2011), problems with performance appraisals relate to the lack of focus, poor training, inefficient communication, and biased criteria. A number of motivational theories can help explain performance appraisals. They include the Maslow’s needs hierarchy theory and the Herzberg’s two-factor theory because of their elaborate description and fit in organisational contexts (Watkins 2011). Acc ording to Watkins (2011), other relevant theories in performance appraisal include the expectancy theory, goal-setting theory, and the McClelland’s needs achievement theory.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The goal setting theory helps to explain better how employees operate in the work environment. It also offers insights on how to influence employee performance. It relates to the direction of employee attention. The theory encourages effort and provides avenues for encouraging persistence. Managers can use the theory to foster goal attainment and following of strategic action plans. The theory is relevant because every performance appraisal starts with a goal. The concept of performance appraisal management became famous in the mid-1980s, and Barry (2007) coined it. Since then, researchers have explored it further. Armstrong (2011) considers it a strategic and integrated approach. It offers sustained success of the organisation. This happens through the improvement of performance appraisal for people and the creation of capability teams and individual contributors (Armstrong, 2011).  Therefore, performance appraisal is strategic, systematic, and holistic. It concerns the broader i ssues facing an organisation, as much as it is detailed on specific individual performance. Based on the research by Bach (2004), performance appraisal relates to behaviour and results. Behaviour comes from a performer. It transforms performance appraisal into action. Behaviour is an instrument for the result, and it is an outcome of mental and physical efforts. However, this is only as long as the mental and physical efforts go to a specified task. Therefore, behaviour can be judged independently or as part of a task. In the end, performance appraisal is reactive. Theoretical framework Scholars have examined individual employee performance for many years. Nowadays, researchers and practitioners agree that employees play an important part in a firm’s competitive advantage realisation. Rao (2011) sees that competitive advantages, in this case, arise in the presence of four conditions. Based on the resource-based theory of the firm, the researcher notes that the conditions are addition of value to a company, rarity of skills or advantages gained, difficulty in imitating human capital investments, and the ability to structure and program jobs so that employees work as desired. These conditions were also supported by research by Waldman (2011) and Barry (2007) concerning difficulties in other firms replicating another firm’s strategy. Based on the above citations, it is clear that the behaviour of employees in a firm affects the performance of the particular company. Therefore, performance appraisal will result in changes in organisational performance because it affects employee performance. It can affect motivation and skills of staffs positively. The associated return on investment due to increased performance and growth should result in better financial performance. Based on the understanding, it is possible to use these effects as dependent variables. Review of empirical studies Studies show that individuals’ attitudes and feelings about t heir work affect their behaviour at work and their attitude towards work practices, such as performance appraisals that human resource departments use (Chang Chen, 2011). According to Waldman (2011), age, tenure, and job experience predict the results of an employees appraisal.   On the other hand, Sinclair (2005) considered age, tenure, salary, and education, and performance appraisal as having a negative relationship. Other studies that look at the relationship between job attitudes and behavioural aspects are Downs and Swailes (2013) – a capability approach to organisational talent management, Dimba (2010) – on strategic human resource practices and how they affect employee performance, and Farndale and Kelliher (2013) with a study on the exploration of performance appraisal on the implementation of performance appraisal. The three studies support the findings by Sinclair (1995). They record relationships between job attitudes and behavioural aspects that can lea d to, interfere, promote, and arise from the individual performance evaluation.  The findings can be inconclusive and mixed. Meier (2005) indicated that the direction of the relationship between organisational commitment and other variables was conditional and relied on the types of commitment. On the other hand, a significant, positive relationship happened when there were affective commitment and performance appraisal. A negative relationship existed between continual engagement and performance appraisal, which was an illustration of the inconclusiveness of the present research and highlighted the need for additional studies on the same. According to Esu (2009), demographic factors and job attitudes like job satisfaction and commitment to a particular organisation are important because they are associated with positive results in an organisation. They lead to increased effectiveness and efficiency in the organisation. At the same time, Waldman (2007) indicates that diversity in individual characteristics has the potential to affect decision-making for performance appraisal. Research Philosophy Research philosophy relates to the development of research background, research knowledge, and nature, with research philosophy being a broad framework that comprises of perception, beliefs, understanding of theories, and research practices. Therefore, research philosophy acts as a precise process encompassing the steps that the researcher will undertake to create a relationship between the objectives and questions that the research seeks to answer (Galliers, 1991). Philosophical and Methodological Considerations This research will use a mixed method approach, where there will be primary and secondary sources of data. In the main research part, data collection will take place using questionnaires as the instruments. The questionnaires will be delivered to RMRDC staffs chosen to participate in the research. Therefore, RMRDC will be the case study organisation. The stu dy is going to include two interviews with two directors of the Council. The study timeline will cover the questionnaire survey first, before proceeding to the interviews with the directors. The expectation is that out of 30 questionnaires, at least 20 will be filled accurately and completely to aid in the analysis part of the study. The figure below elaborates the study process. Figure 1: Research onion showing the process of study (Saunders, 2009). The following section provides definitions and elaborations of the different concepts that inform the methodology of the proposed research. Data Collection Data collection relates to the act of getting information about a particular research question to inform decisions and analysis that seek to answer a research question. This study will use surveys and interviews among the available data collection methods. The survey uses questionnaires as an instrument for collecting data. With questionnaires, respondents get forms that have specif ied questions that they have to answer. Questions will be both structured and unstructured. Structured questions require a particular response, while the other questions provide freedom for the individual to answer. The research will try to interpret the responses based on the study criteria. Interviews differ from questionnaires in the way they are conducted. Interviews could embrace structured answers or unstructured questions, depending on the needs of the study. In this case, both will suffice. Usually the researcher and the interviewee meet physically or virtually. Cross-sectional Study Cross-sectional studies are specially constructed explorations into a research question. The study collects data for a defined population. Cross-sectional studies happen once or for a short time. The aim of a cross-sectional study is to estimate the existence of a hypothesis in a given population. The researcher surveys information from a set of literature as a way of doing it as a secondary res earch. The literature sample will be selected using keywords, the focus of the studies consulted, and the time of research or any other relevant criteria. In this case, the keywords will be performance appraisal and human resource management. The focus will be on the keywords and public organisations, while the time will be the last decade. The findings will then be summarised to give a description of the secondary data. Case Study A case study is an in-depth investigation into an event or organisation. Data is gathered from different sources. A case study relies on several methods of research. Therefore, a case study is a research that includes all or any other research methods, such as surveys. It can be a cross-sectional study too, given that this research will be based on RMRDC. A case study allows the researcher to investigate a topic in a detailed way that would be impossible when there are so many participants and too many variables. In this regard, a case study is only an ap proach, but it is not a research method. It uses typical research methods highlighted above (Bryman Bell, 2011). Multi Methods As the name suggests, multi-method research relates to the inclusion of two or more methods of research in one study. It mixes qualitative and quantitative data, methods and methodologies, or paradigms to arrive at a comprehensive finding that would be impossible or shoddily done with only one method or research tool. It can be simply the inclusion of different standpoints, and may use many methods and standpoints (Bryman Bell, 2011). Inductive Research The inductive research follows the inductive reasoning, where the intention is to provide significant evidence for a conclusion. Thus, the study provides evidence to support a conclusion, which makes the conclusion probable pending further research that can confirm or deny it. The evidence presented in the study will support a conclusion about performance appraisal and its application at RMRDC (Bryman Bell , 2011). Positivist Learning Positivist learning concerns the collection of information that is observable and classifiable. It leaves out internal meanings, motives, and feelings or emotions of individuals, and only concentrates on the explainable and observable facts. Therefore, positivist learning relies on statistical data to facilitate learning. In positivist learning, correlations of different variables matter (Bryman Bell, 2011). Ethical Considerations This study will explain its importance to the organisation in question as a way of gaining acceptance. The researcher will seek permission from the relevant authorities before proceeding with the research. Respondents will volunteer information and the only information collected in relation to identity will be demographic collected used for specified exploration tenacities only. Here, staffs at RMRDC will receive requests for research and have seven days to respond. There will be no incentives used to obtain information. The e xpectation of the research is that all participants will provide accurate information without coercion. The participants will only access their responses and will not find any opportunity to know what other participants will answer. This option seeks to safeguard the job interest of participants and prevent any victimisation by colleagues, supervisors, or directors at RMRDC. Contingency Plan I have earmarked two directors for the interview and two chief scientific officers as alternatives in case the directors are not available for the research. The intention here is to use 20 questionnaires. Nevertheless, the researcher will commence an inquiry with 30 questionnaires presented to the Council. Conclusion It is important to understand the performance appraisal from a particular organisation’s context so that other practitioners can have a credible example to relate. Using a positivist learning approach, this research will contribute significantly to the existing literature on factors affecting the realisation of performance appraisal objectives in public organisations. Other than the meeting of research objectives, the shortfalls of this research could arise because of a small sample size and failure of participants to provide accurate information. However, the study will rely on professional conduct of the research process to increase its validity. References Armstrong, M., Baron, A. (1998). Performance management: the new realities. London, UK: Institute of Personnel and Development. Bach, S. (2004). Employee participation and union voice in the National Health Service. Human Resource Management Journal, 14(2), 3-19. Barry, J. M. (1997). Performance management: A case study. Journal of Environmental Health, 60(4). Web. Bryman, A., Bell, E. (2011). Business Research Methods (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. Beam, G. (2001). Quality public management: What it is and how it can be improved and advanced. Chicago, IL: Burnham Publishers. Berman, E. M., Bowman, J. S., West, J. P., Wart, M. R. (2012). Human resource management in public service: Paradoxes, processes and problems (4th ed.). New York, NY: SAGE Publications. Bryman, A., Bell, E. (2011). Business research methods (3rd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Cash, J. (2010, May/June). Human resource management handbook. Harvard Business Review, 3. Chang, P.-C., Chen, S. J. (2011). Crossing the level of employees performance: HPWS, affective commitment, human capital, and employee job performance in professional service organizations. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(4), 883-901. DeVries, D. L. (1983, August 26). Viewing performance appraisal with a wide-angle lens. Web. Dimba, B. A. (2010). Strategic human resource management practices: effect on performance. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 1(2), 128-137. Downs, Y., Swailes, S. (2013). A capability approach to organizational talent management. Human Resource Developmen t International, 16(3), 1-15. Esu, B. B. (2009). A case for performance management in the public sector in Nigeria. International Journal of Business Management, 4(4), 98-105. Farndale, E., Kelliher, C. (2013). Implementing performance appraisal: exploring the employee experience. Human Resource Management, 52(6), 878 897. Galliers, R. (1991). Choosing appropriate information systems research approaches: A revised taxonomy. In R. Galliers (Ed.), Information systems research: Issues, methods and practical guidelines (pp. 144–162). Oxford, UK: Blackwell. Glaveli, N., Karassavidou, E. (2011). Exploring a possible route through which training affects organizational performance: the case of a Greek bank. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(14), 2892-2923. Harper, S., Vilkinas, T. (2005). Determining the impact of an organisation’s performance appraisal management system. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 43(1), 76-97. Lawler, E. E. (1994). Performance appraisal management: the next generation. Compensation and Benefits Review, 26(3), 16 –19. Pollitt, C. Bouckaert, G. (2004). Public management reform: a comparative analysis. (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Rao, V. (2004). Performance management and appraisal systems. New Delhi, India: Response Books, a division of Sage Publications. Ristow, A. (1998). Transformational leadership and organisational effectiveness in the administration of cricket in South Africa, Rhodes University, Faculty of Commerce. MSc Thesis. Web. RMRDC. (2015). Raw Materials Research and Development Council. Web. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A. (2003). Research methods for business students. Harlow, England: Prentice Hall. Sinclair, D., Zairi, M. (1995). Effective process management through performance measurement: Part III-an integrated model of total quality-based performance measurement. Business Process Management Journal, 1(3), 50-65. doi:10.1108/146371595101032 20 Waldman, D. (2011) Performance in organisations: Determinants and appraisal. Glenview: Scott, Foresman and Company. Watkins, R. (2007). Designing for performance, PART 3: Design, develop, and improve. Perf. Improv., 46(4), 42-48. doi:10.1002/pfi.124

Any topic that is current Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Any topic that is current - Essay Example In this paper, we shall discuss some of the events which led to the Arab Spring and how most of the public protests were organized. The Arab Spring came into existence as a response to the lack of political freedom in the various countries in which it has occurred. At first, they were peaceful protests some of which became armed struggles whose aim was to topple the autocratic regimes ruling over these countries. According to Ben-Meir (106), the rebellion against such governments was due to the fact that instead of taking into consideration the calls of their people to allow them to have political freedom. These autocratic regimes responded with violence against peaceful protesters, a move that may have been spurred by their conception that their authority was being threatened and that there was a need for them to reclaim such authority by using brute force. The use of force against unarmed civilians led to the discrediting of the legitimacy of such governments and calls for the stepping down of these leaders were made from many international organizations and governments. Moreover, in cases such as Libya and Sy ria, the peaceful protests suddenly became fierce armed rebellions against the government which attacked the unarmed civilians. Jones (447) states that protesters in the Arab Spring made very good use of modern technology such as social networks in order to organize protests as well as making people outside their countries aware of what was really going on because of the media blackout that had been created by the autocratic regimes. Many of these regimes had banned and continue to ban international journalists from having access to their countries perhaps because they do not wish for their crimes against their own people to be revealed in the international arena. To counter this, many protesters have devised ingenious ways of getting the information out of their countries including hacking through the heavily censored internet to sites which

Team Performance Measurement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Team Performance Measurement - Essay Example Even though performance evaluation can be a successful process that acts as a basis for human resource development in healthcare organizations, there is a likelihood of various challenges being encountered especially if some of the team members consider it to be a punitive undertaking by the management. In a situation whereby individual accomplishments are valued more than teamwork (Sangvai et al. 2008), the junior staff in the healthcare cadre may regard performance measurement as an undesirable process due to their minimal contributions in the hierarchical structure where physicians dominate leadership and public trust. Such attitudes of inferiority may hamper the process of performance measurement as some team members feel intimidated (Castka et al. 2004). Members of a team usually have different perceptions regarding their individual performance and that of others. Some perceive themselves as the top performers, which may present a challenge in the performance measurement process when the continuous feedback to the group reveals results that are contrary to their expectations. If such individuals are rated below their counterparts in the preliminary results, they are likely to be de-motivated and discontented, thereby lowering their performance. Enthusiasm of such team members to participate in subsequent performance measurement processes may decrease; hence delaying the evaluation exercise and the ultimate results (Schrader & Lawless, 2004). Even though a strong team is expected to pursue shared objectives, the different roles require individual performance evaluation so that the management can determine the career development needs for each employee (Sanwong, 2008). This presents a major challenge since the teams normal workflow is affected by the idiosyncratic approach that promotes individualism rather than collective accomplishment of tasks. Some of the team members are likely to develop a pessimistic attitude thereby reducing their