Detailed explanation of how other businesses support the retail sector P2 Essay

There are many different businesses that help in the retail sector to keep the business going and running efficiently and without these businesses it would be extremely hard if not impossible to get a business off the ground or even keep one running. Opening a sports shop in Manchester To begin with we need a place for all the money to go so that we can keep track of incoming and outgoing money so we need a business account with a bank. A bank is a business that provides a place for you to hold your money securely and also providing a way to track and manage your money and accounts making it easier for you to manage your taxes sales and expenditures and having an account you need someone to manage these for you so you would need an accountant there are businesses that can provide you with an accountant or accountants that will work for you they manage your accounts balancing your sales, expenditures and your taxes giving you more time to work on other areas of the business. A lot of business is now done on computers or if it’s a shop on tills so this requires a place for you to get your computers, tills or other hardware needed to run the store being a sports shop we will be using tills for the sales of products, computers for managing accounts and emailing, printers for making bank notes, receipts and bills and telephones for making calls to make sales and orders so we will need a phone company to provide us with a phone line and an account with them for phone usage, an internet provider to give us an internet connection so that we can send e-mails, check accounts online, make a website to advertise and even sell our goods on which will require a web designer who will make the website and manage it for us. We also need electronics stores that could sell us the computers, telephones and printers. Tills are a specialist item to buy so you will need to find a company that will provide and perform the necessary upkeep on them and we also need I.T specialists who can provide us with the software and management of the software for the tills and computers. We also need to find a supplier to provide us with the sportswear and sporting goods for us to sell a supplier is a company that usually make the goods themselves or buy it from the manufacturers and sell everything in bulk for a cheap price and then you sell the goods on for a profit, so they are two more businesses that can help us manufacturers and  suppliers without these businesses we would struggle to get the goods we need to sell. Then we need logistics companies to transport these goods to us and even from us to the customers, we might also need a place to store our goods so we will need warehousing and possibly security services to make it safe to store the goods so you might look into security companies/businesses that will manage the shops and warehouses. We also have accidents at work in stores and possible needs for legal action so we could do with lawyers/solicitors so finding a law firm that can help is also a good thing to be aware of. When you have problems with the buildings that you are using for your business activities you will need trades people to fix any issues you may be having i.e. Say your plumbing is leaking or toilet facilities or malfunctioning you will need to find a plumber to come and fix the problems you are having, if you need lighting or sockets or general electrical work doing you will need an electrician, if you are building a new building you will need architects, brick layers, window fitters, roofers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, landscapers and possibly more to make your new building. If you want to expand your business and help it grow but you haven’t got the money for it straight away you might consider looking for investors who will give you the money upfront for your business venture for a percentage of the company profits. We also have accidents and tragedies that happen and could cause problems or losses within a company and for these times you can also get insurance from an insurance company who will help you and even pay for any issues that need to be fixed and solved. So to sum it all up there are many businesses that we need to make a business and to keep a business running and without these different businesses there would be no retail and no business.

Health Insurance and Medicare

This presentation involved an interview with Gerry Flanagan. She is an agent with Human where she specializes in Medicare advantage plans. She and I worked together In Florida, Alabama, and Georgia as Insurance agents. She was my supervisor and a good friend. During the Interview, Gerry and discussed the three issues that agents and supervisors face In the industry. Licensing, MedicareMedical regulations, and how the Affordable Care Act would change Medicare. Licensing Is a big Issue, as there Is a lot to do to get a license. First, a person must complete a background check.This requires a fee and a fingerprinting process. Twenty-four pre-licensing courses must be completed. These classes involve life, accident, health, and annuity education. Once these are completed a state exam must be passed in order to hold a license. Many people are not aware of all the requirements involved. Gerry gets to weed out those not meeting the basic elements to be an agent. Medicare has changes that oc cur yearly, agents have a lot of rules they have to follow. Center for MedicareMedicaid Services (CAMS) does a good job of protecting seniors.There are certain ways to handle clients. Agents cannot call them. We use to do a lot of cold calling when we got leads. Everyday seniors could get many calls from agents trying to get them to sign up for their plan. This created a lot of frustration and contusion tort seniors. Some other things that are restricted: we could not buy them lunch to hear our sales-pitch or offer them a gift tort listening. CAMS makes these rules & If you don't follow them, pay a fine or you could lose your license. Basically, Medicare Is a health Insurance plan you pay Into prior to retirement.It has 4 parts A, B, C, ; D. There Is an annual enrollment period, which this year Is 10/15-12/7. Ten thousand Baby Boomers will age In everyday between the years 2012-2031. This Is an amazingly large amount of people to have in the system. Medicaid is an income-based insur ance plan. It can help with fees for all parts of Medicare. There are 4. 6 million seniors that qualify for Medicaid. Of those, there are 3. 7 million seniors that have a disability of some form. All together, there are 8. 3 million seniors that meet the criteria for both Medicare and Medicaid, being dually eligible.The Affordable Care Act will have a big effect Medicare. It will provide an out- of-pocket expense at a cap of $6700. The new Annual Enrollment Period is now 10/1 5-12/07/2012. It gives a reduction of donuts-hole costs. There will be an increase in premiums for seniors with higher incomes. CA will provide more managed care than fee for service in health care services. Advisory boards implemented that will attempt to reduce spending per person. Providers will have an Accountable Care Organization where they agree to be more accountable for over-all Medicare infirmaries w/ their primary care physician.Finally, an insufficient care clause where there Is a 1% reduction In pa yment for excessive admittance of seniors. Most of these parts are to be In effect by 2015. This concluded my Interview with Casey. Being a former agent, I know the importance of being informed about Medicare. Seniors would wait patiently for me as I worked with clients Just to ask a question. I want to briefly go over Medicare ; shed some light. Odds are that you will know someone turning 65 this year. Medicare NAS 4 parts ; D Witt each avian a different function and fees.You must be 65 years old or have a disability. Part A is the hospital care received as inpatient, a skilled nursing facility, hospice, or home care. No fee is required if you paid into the system prior to retirement, if not $AAA month is the fee currently. With Part B, which is the medical part of Medicare, seniors will pay 104. 90 a month with a $147 deductible. You have a deductible for Part A as well per benefit period, which begins when you are admitted and ends when you are discharged 60 day consecutively. Th ese can be many per year as well. For days 1-60, there is a deductible of $1184.For days 61-90, expect a $296 coinsurance per day per benefit period. For day 91 and over, there is a $592 coinsurance per â€Å"lifetime reserve days†. A senior can have 60 over the scan of their lifetime. These 2 parts are known as Original Medicare. It has three key gaps with additional expense: prescription drugs are not covered, Parts A and B have out of pocket costs, and there is no cap on annual out of pocket expenses. Part C is seniors' Medicare Advantage or Media-gap policies. These options are extremely important as Original Medicare can get very expensive.Both of these choices offer the same benefits as Original Medicare but some offer additional benefits like vision and dental and have a cap on out of pocket expense set at $6700 with Medicare Advantage. Media-gap policies are more expensive but have more benefits. They offer that same basic benefits like host, med, but can cover 100% o f costs associated with health care. Prices can start as low as $75 a month. Some of the basic benefits are hospitalizing of Part A coinsurance plus 365 additional days after Medicare benefits ND.The first three pints of blood are covered each year. Hospice is covered through part A coinsurance. Each Media-gap policy has many plans. Plan A-N can be chosen depending on the need and can pay up to 100% of coinsurance & deductibles, 50-75% of fees for SIN, provide coverage for foreign travel. Prices can start at $75 a month. There are many plans to choose from. It pays to do some research. Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Seniors must enroll when they turn 65 years old or will face penalty of $31. 17, plus a premium each month.Monthly premiums are based on a senior's income. The yearly deductible is $320. However, some plans have $0 escapements or deductibles. However, this depends on formula and tier of drug. Part D plans can cover costs in the coverage gap, called the â €Å"Donuts Hole†. So let's talk about the â€Å"Donuts Hole†. All costs do not include a deductible. From $0-$2930 is spent, seniors are in the gap. In there, seniors will receive 52. 5% discount on drugs. This is an out of pocket expense. After seniors spend $4700, they come out of the â€Å"donuts hole†.Then seniors qualify for catastrophic coverage for medicine. They will then pay a small Coplay or coinsurance for remainder of the year for all medication. In summary, do your homework and read all you can to learn about Medicare and the costs associated with it. Start preparing now; it is never too early to start. Try to stay updated each year with all the changes. You can check an agent's license at this website: http://insurance. KY. Gob/Agent/Default. Asps? Manuel=46;Diva_id=2 . All information with this presentation was verified through the Medicare. Gob website.

Collegative properties Essay

A detailed explanation, one paragraph or more in your own words, of the colligative property being discussed and why that property changes the way that it does when the amount of solute is increased. A detailed description, at least one paragraph, of a real-world application of the colligative property, including an explanation of how this application of the colligative property is important or useful to those affected. The real-world example must be one that was not mentioned in the lesson. An introduction and conclusion that is appropriate for the audience and for the content of the article. At least three resources (web sites, articles, etc.) that you used to write the article. Colligative properties can be confusing, but all you really need to remember is that the more solute in a solution the lower the boiling point. The more solute in a solution, the higher the boiling point. A colligative property of a solution or solvent varies depending on the amount of solute particles in it, though it doesn’t matter the kind of solute. The more solute the more colligative property of the solvent. Also, its boiling point changes. The more solute, the higher the boiling point. Less solute causes a lower boiling point. Antifreeze lowers the freezing point of an H2o based solution.Antifreeze is commonly used for airplane wings, cooling systems, and defrosting things. Antifreeze can be used to achieve high boiling points and also lower boiling points. Antifreeze keeps things from boiling and freezing all at once. It keeps things around atmospheric temperature. The amount of solute decreases the boiling point. The pressure keeps the atmospheric temperature lower than the pressure with the solute. Antifreeze used in heating and cooling systems is a solution of water and ethylene glycol has a lower freezing point than pure water or pure ethylene glycol. Antifreeze is a good example of the colligative property, except its special because it keeps from boiling or freezing. Read more: http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ce-Co/Colligative-Properties.html#ixzz2gOJ05F9U http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze#Measuring_the_freeze_point http://library.thinkquest.org/C006669/data/Chem/colligative/antifreeze.html http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ce-Co/Colligative-Properties.html

Owning a Electric Car Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Owning a Electric Car - Essay Example Electric cars are the solution people have been waiting for years. The electric car marketplace is in the introductory stage of its product life cycle. Electric cars are a new product that is going to have a growing demand in the future. It is estimated that by the year 2020 hybrid and electric car sales will reach 6.6 million annual units which will account for 7% of the light-duty vehicle market (Marcacci, 2014). The government is helping companies to sell cars profitably by offering subsidies for the sale of green vehicles such as electric cars. The profitability for companies is going to increase once the demands rises because firms will be able to enjoy the benefits of economies of scale. Electric cars are the wave of the future. People are going to switch from gas to electricity because gas is going to continue to rise in price. A five dollar a gallon mark is closer than people realize. As electric cars go down in price more people are going to purchase more of these vehicles. One of the cons of some electric cars is their limited driving range. Car manufactures have to fire out a way that the range of the battery of electric cars match the range of a full tank of gas. Marcacci, S. (2014). Electric Vehicles Speeding Towards 7% of All Global Sales Towards 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2014 from

Answer the questions in Bold Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Answer the questions in Bold - Essay Example Resultantly, employees cannot be guaranteed a basic level of coverage from their employer. Three government programs are in place to assist high-risk members of the population with access to health care (Home, 2013). Medicare is a federal program for people over 65 (sometimes younger with approved disabilities) and provides short-term care insurance. However, most drugs and long-term service costs are not affected by this system. Medicaid, which is both federally and state funded, supports the portion of the population with the lowest amount of resources. This program tends to apply to a wider range of services than Medicare, though regulations vary from state to state. SCHIP is another large plan, and provides insurance for children of families with low income, but not low enough to qualify for Medicaid. Some smaller state-specific programs also extend coverage to specific subpopulations. Despite the presence of the above mentioned programs, a large portion of the US population remains without coverage (Americas Health Insurance Plans, 2013). Those who make too much for Medicaid, and are too young for Medicare, may find themselves exposed to the immense burden of health care costs. Drug expenses are especially cumbersome, as many employer programs (and otherwise) tend to focus on the delivery of hospital services. The restricted availability of insurance results in a great imbalance in health care utilization between various segments of the population (Young & DeVoe, 2012). The most services are accessible to (and are accessed by) the wealthiest members of society, due to the increased likelihood of quality employer coverage, as well as the ability to purchase insurance at a premium (an unreachable luxury for much of the middle class). The oldest and poorest people in the US have some coverage due to government programs, but cannot always take advantage of these opportunities due to other barriers to access, like

Tthe First Bank of the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Tthe First Bank of the United States - Essay Example They needed to shore up their own fiscal policy and standardize a currency that could be adopted nationwide and begin to get the country off on the right financial footing. The First Bank of the United States was an effort to do this, and its charger came into effecting 1791. While certainly far from perfect, nor even ideal in the eyes of many, it was a solid first effort by the founding fathers of the nation to set the country on the right path to financial security and freedom, in addition to their newfound global independence. They also wanted to show the world that the nation was capable of not only paying back its debt, but also in handling its own internal needs moving forward. This was seen as a necessary first step towards establishing domination throughout the region and keeping potential invaders from arriving on the shores of the young country. To understand this First Bank, one needs to discuss the background of Hamilton’s Plan, the economic policy associated with the Bank, and its eventual implementation. While the First Bank of the United States was all about creating fiscal policy for the new country, it is still important to remember that it was also an actual physical building. The bank itself was built in Philadelphia, which at that time of the capital of the country. Alexander Hamilton was the brainchild behind the concept of the bank, and his desire was to implement a mechanism by which the United States, and each individual state within the union, could begin to tack its monumental debt as a result of the Revolutionary War. Prior to the creation of the bank and the implementation of its charter, coins and paper currency were actually issued by state banks, and these individual currencies combined to form the national currency. For obvious reasons, if the Union was going to succeed, they had to nationalize its monetary

Finance International Investments Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Finance International Investments - Assignment Example The country is expected to capture 1% of the global trade in the near future. The level of exports has grown to nearly 24% as compared to the last four years (Guenthner). India is expected to be among the largest economies by 2035 (Guenthner). This is the right time to invest in India based on the level of economic growth and future prospects. India is viewed as an appropriate market for investors who have long term objectives. Risks of investing in India Investing in India is considered as a huge risk by a number of investors claiming that the chances of success are equal to those of failure (Canada.com). However, these risks are known to exist in any given business venture in a country. This concerns the acceptability of the new product in the market (Trade Chakra). The Indian population is at 1.1 billion however only 40 million people frequently use the internet (Guenthner). Funds should be invested in the online sector as it is among the most promising. In the past, the country h as experienced a couple of terrorist attacks and this has had negative effect on investor confidence. However, this concern has a short-term impact and it should not prevent investors from investing their funds in India. Nevertheless, it is a country with high levels of poverty and strict traditions and it may be hard to introduce new products in the market. Its economy has a long way to go before it fully develops and this poses a risk and challenge of growth to any company. Most of the people are employed in the agricultural sector and 30% of the population lives below the poverty line (Guenthner). The country has a poor infrastructure and this may prove to be a challenge to an investment. Long-term potential for growth in India Indian economy possesses immense economic promise and potential. This has captured a great deal of attention from investors globally. India is said to be an economy with numerous possibilities and can have unpredictable impacts on businesses (Hall and Polo z, 771). The economy is expected to grow at a high rate (12.8% per year) in the near future and this is quite attractive to the investors. The income for Indians is also expected to increase in the coming years. The economy is expected to be among the most powerful in the next two decades. While it is true that the market in India has greater potential than other markets globally, available funds should be invested in sectors with long-term prospective growth such as technology more so the internet. The funds should be invested in areas where the rate of return is over 15%. Political or economic upheavals that might impact performance of the fund Political stability in any given country is vital since it determines the stability of the business environment. India is considered to be the biggest democracy in the world. The current political situation in the country can be described as fairly stable. The major problem facing politics in India is corruption which is a contributing fact or to poor investor confidence. Citizens feel that democracy is not fully exercised which can lead to an uprising in future leading to political instability. The economic state has been improving over the years as earlier mentioned. In terms of purchasing power and GDP, India is ranked third globally after the US and China (Guenthner). The GDP in 2007 was estimated to be $2.965 trillion and the GDP per capita was estimated to be $2700 (Guenthner). The FDI in 2007 was $16 million while in 2006 it was $5.5 million

One of each Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

One of each - Essay Example By the latter part of the 1960s, as the impacts of the economic development pursuit upon the environment turned out to be more obvious, environmental concerns began to receive more attention and gain more importance. The Torrey Canyon accident, a major oil-tanker that broke up resulting in to the discharge of oil onto England’s south-west coast, raised severe public concern and underscored the fact that elevated consumer consumption was vulnerable to environmental threats. The growing industrialisation of agriculture in the United States was also seriously criticised for the environmental harm attributable to the application of agro-chemicals on farmland. Scholarly criticisms eventually had a key influence on public awareness and later on policy making, with the restriction or prohibition of use being placed on agro-chemicals classified as being the most hazardous (Holden 2003). Nevertheless, the tourism industry remained basically invulnerable from environmental criticism, the tourism’s reputation being chiefly an environmental friendly affair, or what some referred to as the ‘smokeless industry’. This image was boosted by the descriptions of tourism, encompassing values of beauty and purity, as depicted in sceneries of lush mountain areas and glamorous beaches enclosed in sunshine. Still, there were disagreeing remarks about tourism’s ‘smokelessness.’ There are academics who argue that in 1961 there was interest being shown over the potential ecological imbalance that may lead to tourism growth in the island of Tahiti in the Pacific (Holden 2003, 67). The examination of the impacts of growing population of people going down upon scenic regions in the 1960s provoked Mishan (1969, 141) to comment: Once serene and lovely towns such as Andorra and Biarritz are smothered with new hotels and the dust and roar of motorised traffic. The isles of Greece have become a

Womens Health and Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Womens Health and Rights - Essay Example Females have the capability of carrying a fetus in their wombs. It is a distinct characteristic of females that males would not be able to replicate. This makes females an important entity in the preservation of mankind. However, with such importance, are females given the same importance with regards to health information and breakthroughs compared to the males? Females are continuously proving to the society that they are just as capable as the male members of the civilization. This is despite the fact that there are differences between the characteristics of the two genders. There are specific distinctions in health needs between males and females. A female’s reproductive system is more complex than that of the male. It is during the adolescence when females experience a number of physical changes. This is the time when females start having their monthly menstruation period. There are certain discomforts that go together with this health condition uniquely present in female bodies. There is neither an excuse nor a medication that can stop this health event from happening. There are sites in the worldwide web that aims to report health information and concerns. One of these sites is WebMD.Com. As the site’s slogan goes, if a person is well-informed on how to take care of their bodies, these people would have better health and will be living a better life. This site does have a specific page for women’s health that addresses women’s needs to be able to gain better knowledge of their physical well-being. It is truly necessary for medical information websites to have pages that would address to women’s health. There are health conditions that need to be addressed especially when they will eventually lead to life threatening ailments. The issues that are being tackled at the site vary from puberty to menopause. Navigating to the page is only a click away from the homepage. It is good that WebMD presents this page exclusively for women’s health. Even men can use this page as a guide in understanding their partners especially when women are undergoing hormonal changes. There are a number of ailments that only a woman can acquire. This goes hand in hand with their ability to get pregnant. Even if this is given information, women’s health is often neglected as men’s health is often the given more attention and focus. It is quite alarming though that the most discussed aspect on the site is related to the reproductive system. Females are smart and can understand information just like as their male counterparts. Health conditions are not always on the good side. When females are faced with serious health problems, lay down the truth and do not sugar-coat the reality. Birth control is one of the aspects that affect the females more than the males. However, this may also be the cause of several reproductive disorders that women acquire during their lifetime. A female needs to intake pills or i nject contraceptives to be able to control hormones that are possible for them to conceive. What are not clearly stated though would be the after effects of these medicines to women who would eventually stop using them and acquire the desire to conceive? Instead of stating artificial birth control methods, to truly protect women’s health, medical sites or institutions should promote natural form of birth control that would not manipulate hormones or genes that might be the cause for infertility and other ailments as their side effects. When a reader does not research further, only the positive effects or the negative effect of the medication can be known which can be considered impartial. If this website would stand for its slogan, the possible negative effects of medications to women at the onset should be

Fluency in a Foreign Language Essay Example for Free

Fluency in a Foreign Language Essay Thesis: Fluency in a foreign language should be required for all students before graduation from high school. Introduction: In a world of advancing technology and higher education, it is imperative that students take the time to develop unique talents and skills in order to gain a competitive edge over the average individual. I. Fluency in a foreign language builds character. A. The time and commitment required from students to learn an entire new alphabet and vocabulary builds diligence. B. The achievement realized by students as they begin to understand and converse in a second language produces confidence. II. Fluency in a foreign language builds life skills. A. The ability to converse fluently in another language with an entirely new realm of people builds communication skills. B. The readiness to alternate between languages with family and friends builds flexibility skills. III. Fluency in a foreign language creates unique opportunities. A. Fluency in a foreign language gives unique traveling opportunities. B. Fluency in a foreign language creates unique job opportunities Fluency in A Foreign Language Should Be Required For All Students Before Graduation From High School In a world of advancing technology and higher education, it is crucial that students take time to develop unique talents and skills which will give them a competitive edge over the average individual. Though many doubt the ability of fluency in a foreign language to advance students in society, businesses, educational systems, governmental offices, and health care departments are all eager to hire students with skills in foreign languages. As globalization becomes more prevalent, foreign language skills are quickly becoming a vital factor in preparation for the future. Fluency in a foreign language should be required for all students before graduation from high school. First of all, fluency in a foreign language builds character. The time and commitment required from students to learn an entire new alphabet and vocabulary builds diligence. According to Walter Pauk, a prominent professor of education at Cornell University, developing an open mind to new phrases and grammar structures along with finding the time required to practice them are two difficulties commonly encountered when studying a foreign language (Pauk 2). Young mindsets are impressionable, and habits are installed early on as students begin to discover and incorporate grammatical structures particular to their mother tongues. In order to break these habits, students in foreign language study must constantly open their minds to accept new rules that are introduced. While relearning and sounding out basic vowels, students must also adjust to sentence patterns that have been completely inverted. Students learn to work efficiently with limited time allowances available between their busy schedules of daily life, striving to move beyond formerly learned language habits. Distractions are pushed aside as students repeat new sentence patterns, rewrite new alphabets, and reread literature that seems to make no sense. The Department of Education from the University of Pennsylvania reports, â€Å"The nature of language immersion teaches students how to stick to difficult tasks. This diligence translates to better performance on exams, because students will be more likely to persist on challenging problems† (in White 2). Regardless of how difficult a task appears to be, students who have mastered another language view the situation simply as one giant project to be conquered bit by bit. Constant and sincere effort spent learning a foreign language produces a firm determination in students to persevere and achieve their set goals. While the important character trait of diligence is being formed through foreign language study, the achievement realized by students as they begin to understand and converse in a second language is also producing a separate character trait of confidence. Introductory lessons in a foreign language start out as seemingly impossible to master, yet in due time begin to make sense. Excitement escalates as the brain starts functioning in another language and continues beyond the first few lessons alone. Dincay, a professor at Istanbul Arel University, notes, â€Å"the feeling of accomplishment that comes with [students’] first steps toward a second language can spur them on to a deeper and broader passion for learning in general† (Dincay 1). Students who reach an expertise level in foreign language carry that same capability acquired first through language studies over into other realms of life, producing competent results beyond areas concerning language alone. In her article, â€Å"Benefits of Being Bilingual,† Marcos writes, â€Å"Studies suggest that persons with full proficiency in more than one language (bilinguals) outperform similar monolingual persons on both verbal and nonverbal tests of intelligence† (Marcos 1). Proficiency in a foreign language develops a needed sense of accomplishment in students, enabling them to move on and conquer other tasks and responsibilities with rare poise and fortitude. They realize that unlike monolinguals, their lives are not confined to one culture alone, but can easily extend to impact an incredible realm of people throughout their lives. Fluency in a foreign language builds character traits such as diligence and confidence, both needed in daily life yet hard to produce. Secondly, fluency in a foreign language builds life skills. The ability to converse fluently in another language with an entirely new realm of people builds communication skills. Students unfamiliar with another country’s language will find it more difficult to understand and accept the specific guidelines associated with the language; however, as Ting-Toomey, professor of Human Communication studies at California State University, writes in her book, â€Å"To the native speakers, the rules of their language make perfect sense and are naturally more logical than those of any other languages† (Ting-Toomey 86). Fluency in a foreign language carries students far past the simple phrases of â€Å"Hello,† â€Å"How are you,† and â€Å"I love you,† and allows them, like the natives, to converse comfortably through a completely foreign vocabulary and grammatical set-up. Once students comprehend and begin to intelligently utilize a foreign language, they are able to understand and relate to the society and culture in a way that many never will. Ted Ward, Dean of International Studies and Missions for a time at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, writes in his book that â€Å"a highly competent level of [foreign] language skill allows [students] to conceive ideas and communicate them in a way that is synchronous with those of the people of the host culture† (Ward 154). Whereas monolinguals are often confined to the society of others who speak their language, students fluent in a foreign tongue are free to get involved in a second world. Benefits produced from the time and effort spent in mastering another language include filling out visa forms, reading public newspapers, and ordering from local restaurant menus with ease. Teaching, debating, and participating in discussions with words and phrases making the most sense to native speakers are yet other privileges opened up to students with foreign language skills. Along with better communication, the readiness to alternate between languages with family and friends builds flexibility skills. Bhattacharjee, author of the article â€Å"Why Bilinguals Are Smarter,† states, â€Å"In a bilingual’s brain both language systems are active even when he is using only one language, thus creating situations in which one system obstructs the other† (Bhattacharjee 1). Students must constantly determine which language their listeners will understand and recall the correct words and grammatical format to use with that particular language. Though it might seem terribly overwhelming at first, Bhattacharjee concludes that â€Å"this interference . . . isn’t so much a handicap as a blessing in disguise [,] . . . [forcing] the brain to resolve internal conflict, giving the mind a workout that strengthens its cognitive muscles† (Bhattacharjee 1-2). Students fluent in a foreign language respond immediately to one picture, sentence, or idea with two answers from two different languages. Sometimes one particular language carries a better explanation or definition than another, and for the student fluent in a second language, the opportunity is open to decide which language better suits certain situations. Definitions go beyond one explanation alone, and society life is extended to two worlds rather than one. Students can be taught, or teach others from two vastly different spheres of humanity and not be overwhelmed. Third and finally, fluency in a foreign language creates unique opportunities. Fluency in a foreign language gives unique traveling opportunities. While discussing various advantages given to foreign language students, Dincay shares that although thousands of people gain from their travels across the globe each and every year, it is the bilingual students, particularly, which receive the much broader traveling experience. While everyday tourists remain simply outsiders peering through a glass into another country’s unique culture, those familiar with and fluent in the native tongue are able to step beyond that glass barrier and enjoy their visits with full easy and liberty (Dincay 2). Whether visiting historical landmarks, using public transportation systems, or shopping in local markets, students fluent in the foreign language of the country are not restricted to taking pictures, relying on others’ directions, or following suggested prices. They may raise questions over history, follow posted transportation signs, and bargain for better values. Fluency in a foreign tongue gives traveling students an opportunity to stand out with something special that most tourists cannot claim. In his book Why Johnny Should Learn Foreign Languages, Huebener states, â€Å"The American businessman who can speak the foreign tongue fluently and who can make intelligent comments on the art and literature of the country will gain not only the business but also the respect of the person he is dealing with† (Huebener 46). Tremendous time and energy are required to reach fluency in a language, and communicate incredible care and consideration to the country’s citizens as the student is seeking to enter their world and communicate with them on a much more intimate level than sign language alone. Many societies take great pride in their native language and culture and when another individual has developed a firm knowledge and unders tanding of it, the natives, in turn, form a strong appreciation and respect for these students that many outsiders have not taken the time to earn. Fluency in a foreign language does not only create unique traveling opportunities, but also gives unique job opportunities. As the world advances in higher education and technology, men across the globe are seeking to make resources available to all. As one director in the Center for Applied Linguistics shares, â€Å"The need for individuals who can speak and understand languages other than English is acute . . . from business and social services to national security and diplomacy† (Malone et al. 1). A stronger focus on internationalism is emerging, making interaction with people from different linguistic backgrounds inevitable. Washington State University advertises a brochure that considers careers such as â€Å"government, business, law, medicine and health care, teaching, technology, the military, communications, industry, social service, and marketing† to be promising fields for students fluent in a second language, namely because â€Å"an employer [sees them] as a bridge to new clients or customers† (â€Å"Knowing Other Languages Brings Opportunities† 2). Students fluent in a foreign language can easily connect businesses with customers from a wide array of linguistic backgrounds and handle international business without hiring outsiders to translate. Proficiency in a second language is a skill envied and sought after by several employers as they seek to hire a staff to serve and elevate their organization to its maximal potential. Fluency in a foreign language should be required for all students before graduation from high school. The advantages produced from foreign language fluency are incredible and the opportunities limitless. Students are set up for successful futures in modern society as they leave high school and transition into the career world as young adults, able to communicate freely and work confidently in global communities around the world. The foundation laid is vital for young people going out to begin their adult lives in today’s world. Bibliography Bhattacharjee, Yudhijit. Why Bilinguals Are Smarter. The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. Budig, Gene A. Foreign Language Study Vital to U.S. Students. Lawrence Journal World (8 May 2010): SR12. LJWorld.com. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. Dincay, Turgay. Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at an Early Age. Todays Zaman. Todays Zaman, 25 Nov. 2011. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. Hawkins, Eric W. â€Å"Foreign Language Study and Language Awareness.† 1999: 124-42. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. Huebener, Theodore. Why Johnny Should Learn Foreign Languages. Philadelphia: Chilton Company, 1961. Print. â€Å"Knowing Other Languages Brings Opportunities.† New York: Washington State University, n.d. Foreign Languages and Cultures. Washington States University. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. Malone, Margaret E., et al. Attaining High Levels of Proficiency: Challenges for Foreign Language Education in the United States. CAL.org. Center For Applied Linguistics, 2005. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. Marcos, Kathleen M. Benefits of Being Bilingual. CAL.org. Center For Applied Linguistics, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. Pauk, Walter. Studying Foreign Languages. UWEC.edu. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 13 Jan. 2012. Web . 7 Oct. 2012. Ting-Toomey, Stella. Communicating Across Cultures. New York: Guilford, 1999. Questia. Questia. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. Ward, Ted W. Living Overseas: A Book of Preparations. New York: Free Press, 1984. Print. White, Mercedes. Language Immersion Classrooms: Programs Are Popular, Diligence Translates to Performance. Deseret News. Deseret News.com, 29 Jan. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2012.

Five Types Of Qualitative Research Psychology Essay

Five Types Of Qualitative Research Psychology Essay This essay will start by defining qualitative research, it will then continue to discuss Creswells five types of qualitative research. Each type of study will be discussed and an argument will be made supporting these qualitative research technique in an organisational context (over quantitative methods). The essay puts much emphasis on justifying qualitative research in organisations to positivists. It will conclude with a short summary of the provided arguments that justify qualitative research in organisations. Qualitative research can be defined as, any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification (Strauss and Corbin p.17). One might argue that in todays business world there is no room for qualitative research, but only for solid proven statistics. However, organisations are not just numbers and numeric devices it is important to realise that the most important asset of organisations are its people. The aim of qualitative research is to find out more about the human element within organisations, and looks for meaning behind the numbers. The definition of qualitative research by Strauss and Corbin (2007) is very broad. Creswell (2009) defines qualitative research as a means for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. This definition narrows down qualitative research. Creswell also states that qualitative researchers can choose from a wide range of researching methods such as; open-ended questions, interview data, observation data, document data, audio-visual data, text and image analysis, emerging methods, and themes patterns and interpretations. He (2009) goes even further and puts forward five types of qualitative research; narrative research, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory studies and case studies. Narrative Approach The narrative approach or the story telling approach is an account or a history of something. Storytelling is an effective tool in making sense of change; identifying who we are, and where we come from. According to Rouse and Boff (2005), human culture itself, rests to a large extent on our ability to capture real and imagined events as sequences of cause and effect (i.e. stories) and share these sequences (pg. 300). The need to share these experiences is crucial in the process of collective sense-making, which we can find all around us. Newspapers for example, were referred to by Philip Graham, are the first draft of history. We tell each other stories to make sense of our social environment, and these stories keep developing. In the cultural web of organisations proposed by Johnson, Scholes and Whittington (2006), they argue that stories are a key proponent to the organisations culture. They are devices for telling people what is important in the organisation (pg. 203). A narrative approach to understanding organisational theory is crucial as Zukier (1986) argues that most people think in a narrative fashion as opposed to paradigmatically or argumentatively (in Weick, 1995). Through a subjective, collective storytelling effort, an objective reality is created. Positivists however, seek the rational pursuit of factual truth (Thorpe and Holt, 2008: pg. 155), and criticise the narrative approach as being unreliable due to its subjective nature. However as Czarniawska (1998) explains, the perceived coherence of the sequence of events rather than the truth or falsity of story elements determines the plot and thus the power of the narrative as a story (pg. 5). When examining organisational culture, the validity of the stories told is not what is of essence, seeing as whether true or false, the story plays a hand in creating the culture. In the Laskarina case study by Brown, Humphreys and Gurney (2005) for example, employees were all familiar with the story of how t he founding couple of the company fell in love with Laskarina on their honeymoon. Whether this story is true or not, it is clearly a key aspect of the companys culture and as such is relevant to understanding the organisations identity. A positivist would fail to recognise this, as the subjectivity of respondents is replaced by the objectivity of the researcher whose voice is that of a disinterested scientist [who] is simply an informer of decision makers (Lincoln and Guba, 1994: pg. 112). We find in the Humphreys and Brown (2008) Credit Line case-study, storytelling efforts made by managers and others regarding their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Boonstra and Caluwe (2007) explain that, [As an organisation] you process what you find difficult, but you comment on the things that people are proud of (pg. 49). We find that at Credit Line, CSR is a top-down approach, where managers heavily promote social responsibility through storytelling. Again, regardless of the storys vali dity, the narrative approach provides insight into the corporate culture. Not only are crucial points overlooked with a positivistic framework, but a disinterested scientist is unlikely to engage the reader very well. During my internship, whilst trying to better understand cultural differences, I interviewed some of my colleagues to learn how they felt about the need to be secluded from the rest of the bank. I was surprised to receive a variety of responses; some felt it was unnecessary, while others were quite adamant. This plays to an advantage of narrative analysis; representing the organisation as encompassing a variety of viewpoints that coexist as polyphony. Phenomenology Phenomenology is a philosophical school of thought which aims to recognise the association between human consciousness and the social environment. Developed in the early twentieth century by Edmund Husserl, its existence is a result of the shortcomings of positivist mentality (Orleans, 2001). Husserl felt the predominant school of thought at the time precluded an adequate apprehension of the world (Husserl, 1931 in Orleans, 2001: pg. 1). The main issue is that positivists do not recognise the importance of the process of thought and the direct impact this has on ones environment, which is the essence of phenomenology. In an organisation (as in any other social setting), in order to understand its way of life, we must first understand the mindset of its members. Understanding the individual and collective sphere of human consciousness allows a level of intimate comprehension, far greater than would be possible with positivist methodology. Unlike positivism and other scientific methods , phenomenology does not produce propositions that can be empirically tested. Human consciousness and thought process is too complex for quantitative analysis. Furthermore the transferability of findings from one social environment to another is not possible. Organisational culture is a subject that can benefit from this type of qualitative analysis. The concept of culture is in itself a human construct. It is a shared experience between members of a particular society. According to Connor (2000), when studying organisational culture it is important the researcher enters the field without any predetermined problems or hypotheses that require solving or testing. Such a positivist approach can lead to an inadequate apprehension of the world (or at least of the organisation). An interesting aspect of social behaviour is that of common sense. This constitutes what the norm is in the organisation. Orleans (2001) claims, common sense serves as an ever present resource to assure actors tha t the reality that is projected from human subjectivity is an objective reality (pg. 4). Hence we find that through sense making an objective reality is created. This is because the organisational social environment and its culture are human constructs. A positivist approach in defining common sense would be inappropriate. A positivist researcher would take the process of thought for granted, as subjectivity in not encouraged. This would lead to a tainted view of the life-world. Upon starting my internship in Islamic banking during the summer, and entering the field, the most challenging aspect was the culture change (perhaps even culture shock) involved with being a western, non-Muslim working in Islamic banking. This became evident on my very first day, when I tried to introduce myself to a female colleague with a handshake. What I did not realise, was that her culture prohibited such physical contact with a stranger. Interestingly, their organisational culture was that of their religion, Islam. It governed their subjective thought processes and determined common sense, providing an objective social reality. The purpose of my project was to determine whether due to their cultural difference, if Islamic banking and conventional banking were compatible (i.e. ability to exist under a single corporate umbrella). If I were to have approached this study as a phenomenological researcher, I would be more interested in the thought processes of the employees. As suc h, I may seek to understand what the notion of cultural difference means to those working in Islamic Banking but for a Western organisation. The key theme of phenomenology is understanding how consciousness of the self affects reality. This is important not only for the members of the society (the subjects), but also for the researcher. Introspection is necessary to determine any effects the researchers presence may have on the social environment. Reflexivity is the chief aspect of Watsons (1995) study. Watson provides us his subjective sense-making process involved with how to write his paper, in the form of a dialogue with himself. In my case, as an outsider in Islamic Banking, it is possible my interpretation of the data can be wrong, as I am attempting to analyse the situation through a familiar (western) lens. As Levinas states, western ontologyis [the] reduction of the other to the categories of the same (Levinas in Kearney, 1995: pg. 183). Grounded Theory Grounded theory, in comparison to scientific methodology, is a reverse style research system developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. The basic process involves; coding the key points in a data set, using theoretic sensitivity to group codes into categories by looking for links, and formulating theories from these categories. The purpose being, that if completed correctly, the formulated theory is grounded in the data, and should perfectly fit the dataset. Glaser and Strauss realised at the time, sociological practice relied exclusively on quantitative analysis. Goulding (1999) refers to the research of the time as extreme empiricism or grand theory (Mills, 1959). According to Glaser and Strauss, the result was that theory had restricted empirical relevance, and grounded theory was their solution to shut this embarrassing gap between theory and empirical research (Glaser and Strauss, 1967: pg. vii). Their main objective was to derive theory from the data that could provide pred ictions, explanations, interpretations and applications (Glaser and Strauss, 1967, pg. 1). A positivistic quantitative method of data derived theory is the ANOVA process. However ANOVA is a simplistic additive model that fails to explain the complexities of the manner in which variables interact. Furthermore, unlike grounded theory, the ANOVA process does not necessarily take into account the entire dataset. Outlying data variables are deleted and not accounted for in the theory. Though grounded theory (if performed correctly) can better represent the dataset than quantitative methods, according to Strauss the theoretic development process determines the quality of the theory. Glaser and Strauss (1967), proposed that theory is never a finished product. Instead it is a work in progress that requires continuous updating. Theoretic development as a sustaining concept is relevant to organisational theory (e.g. culture). This is because an organisation is a work in progress as well. Mark et conditions change, competitors come and go, and organisational culture needs to adapt. Unlike positivistic methodology, a grounded theorist enters the field without preconceived hypotheses that need to be tested, resulting in a better understanding of the organisations true naturalistic situation (Douglas, 2003). Positivists such as Haig (1995) argue that constructing hypotheses prior to entering the field is necessary because a researcher must identify a specific question that needs to be researched. A grounded theorist can enter the field having a general reason for undertaking the specific research. This does require the formulation of hypotheses and hypothetical problems. In Jefferys (1979) study Normal Rubbish, he identified the casualty department at the NHS had problems, and that it was an undesirable place to work, before entering the field. Formulating hypotheses as to why this was the case at this stage would not have been fruitful. Through conducting qualitative resear ch (interviews, participant observation, etc) Jefferey was able to identify links through the language used by doctors and staff (good patients, rubbish, etc). By adopting such an emergent theory development process, Jefferey discovered the culture that was associated with the casualty staff at the NHS. Douglas (2003) found that when grounded theory is applied in the organisational context, theory emerged from empathising the ways in which respondents construct their reality, their world (pg. 53). That is, grounded theory enables understanding of how the organisation views itself in the context of its environment. Through appreciation of the interactions and processes of the organisation in its natural setting, its culture can be understood. Grounded theory is a complex process, which if fulfilled, provides many benefits. Due to its advantages, many researchers claim to have fully undertaken the process, but few actually do (i.e. cook the carrot for the full nine hours). While conducting my study on the culture of Islamic banking I did not use a grounded theory approach due to my lack of experience and understanding. Van Maanen (1979) emphasises the importance of recognising the issues in their natural context. This is especially important in the case of understanding organisational culture. By formulating a theory, without forming prior hypotheses and being purely grounded in the data, we can appreciate the organisations true nature. Ethnography Ethnography is a descriptive style of study on human society. In terms of studying organisational culture (or any culture), ethnography is arguably the most relevant methodology that can be utilised. Ethno-graph literally translates to, culture- writing. Ethnography has its roots in colonialism, in the quest to learn about the other and their culture. It is of little surprise that ethnography was developed outside the United States (Kenya, Samoa, Bali, Brazil) (Schwartzman, 1993: pg. 1). Ethnography is a reality-based research system which is placed in the context of the subjects life. This is more effective than quantitative methodology as the research is grounded in the respondents natural setting, and does not require the participant to place themselves in hypothetical situations (such as when answering questionnaires). This is crucial as there can be a difference between what participants do as opposed to what they say. Mariampolski (2005) points out that participant observation is an advantage since a respondents self disclosure can be idealised, obscured and poorly recalled (pg. 10). As such, ethnography provides an insight into the organisations social setting through understanding the respondents interactions with it. Positivistic methodology however, lacks engagement of the natural setting. For example, by defining variables such as gender, expectations, and pay-level of participants, positivists can determine the level of correlation. However this is not helpful in explaining the social world as experienced by its social actors. We need to ask, what is the meaning behind the numbers? Mariampolski (2005) points out that ethnography is the closest a researcher can get to the respondent. Given this, she questions why it has taken over one hundred years for qualitative research to become popular in organisations (such as marketing firms conducting consumer brand research). Similar to the findings of Glaser and Strauss (1967) and Edmund Husserl (1931), pos itivist mentality used to be the norm. In such a world anything can be objectively perceived and counted. This makes life easier for managers, who need to worry about consumer targets and budget reports. However Mariampolski (2005) points out that the positivistic methodology is a fantasy. It fails to understand the complexities of human behaviour and fails as a predictive tool (Mariampolski, 2005: pg. 13). Spradley (1979) defines culture as, the acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour (pg. 5). In essence, it is a group of peoples way of life, and cannot be measured through quantitative techniques. As mentioned earlier ethnography aims to understand the other in our terms (i.e. by us, for us). However auto-ethnography is an autobiographical style of writing, where the researcher investigates a familiar culture for non-members of that society. The benefit of this is that the reader is provided with a genuine account of a social environ ment by a member of that culture. Hence the concern of misinterpreting data by viewing it through a familiar lens is overcome. Positivist methodology does not benefit from such valuable insight, as the researchers role in minimised in the outcome of the study. The study I compiled while doing my internship in Islamic banking was definitely of an ethnographic nature. I was the first non-Muslim to work in that division at the bank, and that made me feel as though I were back in the days of colonialism, setting off to learn about the other and their culture, so that I could bring my findings back to the West and report them (to my university). In order to understand a society, entering the field is necessary. For example, prior to arriving in Dubai, one of the aspects of Islamic banking I did not understand was their need for segregation from all other operations of their own organisation. However upon entering the field, I learned that according to Shariah law (the Islamic law), the Islamic banking division of an organisation cannot have any affiliation with any conventional banking operations. Other than having to be physically separated, Islamic banking earnings and funds cannot be reported along with conventional banking earnings. In fact within the organisation, the Islamic banking division operated like an independent sub-organisation, which included its own name. As Mariampolski (2005) explains, ethnography is holistic in that one needs to piece together the respondents world, through utilising inner and outer-world elements that can only be identified upon entering the field. Conclusion The colonial days of travelling to unchartered territories to research an unknown tribe of people in their local setting may be over. Today, organisations provide the perfect social environment. Corporate culture varies not only across national boundaries but from organisation to organisation. Quantitative methods, though useful in understanding certain aspects of organisational theory, is unable to explicate the human dimension of organisations. Through the use of the mentioned qualitative research techniques, valuable insight can be gained into many aspects of an organisation, not just culture. Which qualitative technique to choose, depends on the nature of the study at hand. It has been shown that there is a definite benefit (if not requirement) of using qualitative analysis in an organisational context. Eigentlich Intro This is because positivists are usually sceptical of qualitative methods and undergo technical and quantitative training. The disadvantages of positivistic methodology in organisational research will be emphasised. The purpose of this is not to prove one is better than the other. But to justify the need for qualitative research, the shortcomings of positivistic, quantitative methodology must be emphasised. As a student of Corporate Strategy and Governance, I understand the significance of corporate culture. It is an organisations identity and has been described by some as its soul. For the purpose of this study understanding an organisations culture will be the focus of the justification of qualitative research in organisational studies. This is because quantitative research is unable to explain organisational culture. My interest in corporate culture also arises because I have undertaken field research in the area before. In the summer of 2007, I applied for an internship in Islamic banking with a large English multinational bank in Dubai. Other than gaining practical exposure to the field, my primary motivation was to conduct research for a strategy based assignment I had been given for university. As a westerner I was looking forward to understanding the cultural differences between Islamic banking and conventional banking. Wherever appropriate, I try to relate my experiences. Word Count: 3,200