Freakonomics †A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything †Book Review

Freakonomics – A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything – Book Review Free Online Research Papers Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Book Review By now we have all heard an interview or two on NPR with journalist Stephen J. Dubner and economist Stephen D. Levitt. Or perhaps a friend talking at work or school about this fascinating book: Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. I was given this book before a weekend trip and I stormed through the 200 pages twice. Once on the plane trip there and again 2 days later on the trip home. It was one of those books that I wanted to talk about with all my friends. As a student I have taken macro and micro economics but the concept of incentives never hit home until I read this book. The idea that economics is a holistic study of humans and an organizations choices was hard to understand. However, in this book the authors explore some interesting questions that are a far cry from the typical corporate scandal article. For example, there are chapters that discuss: How is the Ku Klux Klan like a group of real estate agents? What makes a perfect parent? If drug dealers make so much money, why do they still live with their moms? I recommend this book for anyone who is curious about how the world works. I imagine for an economist there is nothing in this book that is shocking. However, for the average person they will find it full of delight. Perhaps because economics makes so much sense for the first time or perhaps because they feel better about their decision to not become a drug dealer. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and anxiously wait for Dubner and Levitt’s next book Super Freakonomics. Research Papers on Freakonomics - A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything - Book ReviewBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenTrailblazing by Eric AndersonThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationMind TravelPETSTEL analysis of IndiaStandardized TestingThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug Use

Organisational success is determined by effective leadership Essay

Organisational success is determined by effective leadership - Essay Example Rather, different criteria should be used each time that organisational success need to be evaluated. Of course, there are certain factors, such as leadership, that are always capable of affecting organisational success. The relationship between effective leadership and organisational success is explored in this paper. It is proved that the traditional thoughts on effective leadership its relationship with organisational success should be reviewed. Moreover, it has been made clear that the criteria for characterizing a leadership style as effective can be different across countries with different social ethics and culture. In any case, it is made clear that effective leadership can lead to organisational success, even in the long term. 2. Organisational success and leadership 2.1 Organisational success – characteristics The criteria used for evaluating the success of modern organisations can vary. Usually, organisational success is related to the performance of an organisation in terms of employee satisfaction (Sims 2002, p.144). More specifically, it is believed that a high level of employee satisfaction reflects the ability of the firm to communicate with its stakeholders, a condition that its critical for its success (Sims 2002, p.144). ... ccess using the above criteria can be inaccurate mostly because the potentials of each organisation to achieve high profits or to survive in the market are differentiated according to the years of the firm’s presence in the market (Kirby & Watson 2003, p.46). For example, the criteria of growth would be more valuable when referring to ‘the start-up of the organisation’ (Kirby & Watson 2003, p.46). Profitability also should not be used as a criterion for evaluating organisational success in the early years of the firm’s presence in the market (Kirby & Watson 2003, p.46). Rather, profitability would be a critical criterion for evaluating the success of an organisation that has been, already, well established in the local or the international market (Kirby & Watson 2003, p.46). The use of an integrate framework for evaluating organisational success helps to control the risks related to the particular task. The ‘Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awardâ₠¬â„¢ (Dinsmore & Cabanis-Brewin 2010, p.130) can be considered as such framework. In fact, the above Award is awarded to organisations that meet a series of criteria in regard of quality (Dinsmore & Cabanis-Brewin 2010, p.130). Leadership is the first of these criteria Dinsmore & Cabanis-Brewin 2010, p.130), a fact that verifies the relationship between leadership and organisational success. Other criteria used in the context of the above framework are: ‘strategic planning, customer focus and workforce’ Dinsmore & Cabanis-Brewin 2010, p.130). From another point of view, Cameron & Spreitzer (2011) note that organisational success should not be related only to the financial performance of each organisation. Rather, the success of organisations in the modern market should be based on their ability to promote

Wal-Mart Business Strategy Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Wal-Mart Business Strategy Analysis - Essay Example Wal-Mart draws its competitive edge in the market owning to its efficient supply chain management. The company has effectively used innovations and technology to generate efficiency in supply chain management that has helped it to fuel its highly acclaimed EDLP (Every Day Low Price) strategy. Behind this successful strategy lies technological innovations like cross docking and use of Enterprise Resource Planning to integrate various business units and generate cost effectiveness. The use of real time information system to forecast demand has helped Wal-Mart to ensure that demand forecasting is done on the basis of real time data. Wal-Mart has also integrated its suppliers with the system and also used the famous cross docking system to ensure reduced inventory carrying costs. The supply chain management of the company has helped ensure that there are no overstocking or stock outs. This has reduced the inventory carrying costs by a huge margin. The cost benefits gathered from the inve ntory management of the company has been used to fuel the company’s Every Day Low Price strategy (Bergdahl, 2008, p.20). However in recent times there have been numerous issues with regards to the company’s cost reduction strategy with reports that Wal-Mart sources low quality goods from third world countries so as to have goods with low price. In order to counter the latest bashings regarding the company, Wal-Mart initiated a slew of measures that ranged from measures to improve the social image of the organization.... This has reduced the inventory carrying costs by a huge margin. The cost benefits gathered from the inventory management of the company has been used to fuel the company’s Every Day Low Price strategy (Bergdahl, 2008, p.20). However in recent times there have been numerous issues with regards to the company’s cost reduction strategy with reports that Wal-Mart sources low quality goods from third world countries so as to have goods with low price. In order to counter the latest bashings regarding the company, Wal-Mart initiated a slew of measures that ranged from measures to improve the social image of the organization as well as promoting employee friendly policies that would have helped it to position its image as a socially responsible and employee friendly organization. In response to the bashings in various quarters, Wal-Mart increased the employee insurance cover for the employees and included both permanent as well as contractual staff. It also revamped its reward and incentive policies in order to project the company as an employee friendly organization caring towards the needs of the employees. Wal-Mart also initiated some community development programs such as eliminating wastage and use of recyclable products in order to showcase its environmental sustainability; it also planned means to reduce energy consumption. For the customers, the company initiated a new design for its stores and also came up with attractive offers and new discounts in order to project a customer friendly image of the company. Strict quality control standards were implemented for suppliers including use of eco friendly ways in their business processes. In addition to this Wal-Mart also took up measures in which it would work closely with their suppliers in order to

Literary Theme Essay Essay Example for Free

Literary Theme Essay Essay The Privilege of Freedom â€Å"Only the educated are free.† Said by Epicetus, this simple quote demonstrates the importance of education. A solid education will provide for an excellent future and give one freedom: freedom to take on a career, to jump at opportunities, and to make choices. There is no saying where the future might take an educated man. Dangarembga uses highly educated and successful characters to illustrate the privilege of education and the power, control, and freedom that it provides. Dangarembga shows that education can change a life for the better by presenting the main character, Tambu, with the privilege of attending an outstanding school. When Tambu is given the opportunity to live with her uncle and go to the mission school, she is thrilled to become educated. Before her brother died, â€Å"the needs and sensibilities of the women in† her â€Å"family were not considered a priority,† and school was not an option for her (Dangarembga 12). Education has provided Tambu with the privilege to escape her old life on the homestead and â€Å"take another step upwards in the direction of† her â€Å"freedom† (Dangarembga 186). Also, education has given Tambu the power to use her education to control the rest of her life. â€Å"By the time she has finished Form Four,† she â€Å"will be able to take† her â€Å"course, whatever it is that† she chooses (Dangarembga 183). â€Å"In time,† she â€Å"will be earning money,† which will then lead to a career and onto the rest of her life (Dangarembga 183). The wealth that Tambu will earn when she is successful will provide for her and her entire family. Education builds the foundation of Tambu’s future, and â€Å"the prospect of this freedom† is unlimited (Dangarembga 186). The character, Babamakuru, is used by Dangarmebga to demonstrate that one educated relative effects an entire family. Education is â€Å"not just an individual blessing† but one that extends to all members of a â€Å"less fortunate family† (Dangarembga 89). For example, Dangarembga shows that one educated man can support the whole family. Babamakuru, â€Å"who had obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in South Africa,† is extremely generous and provides resources and opportunities for his entire family (Dangarembga 13). Whenever Babamakuru goes to visit the homestead, he comes bearing food, gifts, and supplies for the family to thrive off of. Also, Babamakuru is responsible for Tambu’s education and her coming to the mission school. To Tambu’s family, â€Å"Babamakuru was God†, â€Å"big brother to all†, and â€Å"his divinity† filled them â€Å"with awe† (Dangarembga 70, 36, 88). â€Å"As an early educated African,† Babamakuru has â€Å"found himself in positions that enable him to organize his immediate world and its contents as he wished† (Dangarembga 88). His great power has insulated him â€Å"from the necessity of considering alternatives unless they were his own† (Dangarembga 88). Education has given him opportunities that have led to great power and control over others; nobody â€Å"dares to challenge his authority† ((Dangarembga 117). Without a well-educated, successful man like Babamakuru, Tambu’s family would not be as the same. Throughout Nervous Conditions ¸ Dangarembga exemplifies the key role that education plays in becoming wealthy and successful. The basis of a good future begins with education. Such a privilege can lead to so many new things, and when one is educated, the possibilities are endless. Works Cited Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions. New York: Seal, 1989.

stds :: essays research papers

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Essay written by: "pci" STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) are diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse with another domestic partner. Usually STD’s are transmitted through oral, anal, vaginal, or other sexually active bodily contact. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are 100% avoidable. There are many techniques, but the most effective way is to have sexual intercourse with only one partner in your whole life, making sure that your partner didn’t have sexual involvements with anyone else. Another method is a condom. A condom fits over the male erect penis, to protect both partners of any diseases that may possibly exist. It is also vital to buy the right kind of condom. Some condoms are porous, which means bacteria can travel through the holes as well as sperm. A good condom would be one with a small latex tip to avoid breaking of the condom. Overall, latex condoms are good ways to prevent STD’s and pregnancy, but they do break, so its not 100% guaranteed to prevent pregn ancy or disease. There are many methods out there, but the most effective method is to have sexual intercourse with one partner. Who thought that sex would be easy? It’s not. Nowadays we have tons of diseases, which are fatal. Only some of them are curable, and some can be slowed down. But all of them can be prevented. The most common sexually transmitted diseases are: Chlamidia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes(Simplex II), NGU(Nongonicoccal Urethritis), Vaginitis, Genital Warts, Pubic Lice/Scabies, AIDS, and Hepatitis. Chlamidia is a disease, which is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. If you had this disease, you would experience bleeding between menstrual periods, abdominal pain, and painful urination. There is another term for painful urination. It is called â€Å"urinary tract infection†. This group includes Cystititis or Urethritis caused by Gonorrhea or Chlamidia. Fortunately, this disease can be treated unlike many STDs. Actually treatment of Chlamidia is quite simple. Some antibiotics, doxycycline, tetracycline, or zithromax will cure the problem within a week – a month. If this disease is not handled, urination will be more complicated due to the enlargement of the prostate gland in a male, your reproductive organs will malfunction and get damaged, and this disease can be transmitted to the fetus when a woman is pregnant. Gonorrhea is usually the cause of heart trouble and abdominal problems. It is a treatable disease, which takes some time. Usually daily doses of antibiotics will cure this problem. stds :: essays research papers Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Essay written by: "pci" STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) are diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse with another domestic partner. Usually STD’s are transmitted through oral, anal, vaginal, or other sexually active bodily contact. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are 100% avoidable. There are many techniques, but the most effective way is to have sexual intercourse with only one partner in your whole life, making sure that your partner didn’t have sexual involvements with anyone else. Another method is a condom. A condom fits over the male erect penis, to protect both partners of any diseases that may possibly exist. It is also vital to buy the right kind of condom. Some condoms are porous, which means bacteria can travel through the holes as well as sperm. A good condom would be one with a small latex tip to avoid breaking of the condom. Overall, latex condoms are good ways to prevent STD’s and pregnancy, but they do break, so its not 100% guaranteed to prevent pregn ancy or disease. There are many methods out there, but the most effective method is to have sexual intercourse with one partner. Who thought that sex would be easy? It’s not. Nowadays we have tons of diseases, which are fatal. Only some of them are curable, and some can be slowed down. But all of them can be prevented. The most common sexually transmitted diseases are: Chlamidia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes(Simplex II), NGU(Nongonicoccal Urethritis), Vaginitis, Genital Warts, Pubic Lice/Scabies, AIDS, and Hepatitis. Chlamidia is a disease, which is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. If you had this disease, you would experience bleeding between menstrual periods, abdominal pain, and painful urination. There is another term for painful urination. It is called â€Å"urinary tract infection†. This group includes Cystititis or Urethritis caused by Gonorrhea or Chlamidia. Fortunately, this disease can be treated unlike many STDs. Actually treatment of Chlamidia is quite simple. Some antibiotics, doxycycline, tetracycline, or zithromax will cure the problem within a week – a month. If this disease is not handled, urination will be more complicated due to the enlargement of the prostate gland in a male, your reproductive organs will malfunction and get damaged, and this disease can be transmitted to the fetus when a woman is pregnant. Gonorrhea is usually the cause of heart trouble and abdominal problems. It is a treatable disease, which takes some time. Usually daily doses of antibiotics will cure this problem.

Professional Development Journal Essay

Education is an aspect where one’s cognitive and learning abilities are put to tests and pushed to its maximum abilities. It is important because education gives a man a career so he can compete with a career-oriented workplace. Education also prepares a man to efficiently and competitively perform his tasks in the field of his expertise in the real world. I have finished an A.A.S. in Telecommunications and still continuing my BS in Criminal Justice in an online school, the Kaplan University. However, I have been in and out of school because of work. Though BS in Criminal Justice is the career that I want to pursue, the need for financial aspects prohibits me to continuously go to school and finish the degree that I want. My skills in my field of interest is not trained and tested since my ten years of schooling has been in and out. The course that I have finished –   A.A.S. in Telecommunications has helped me get into a telecommunication industry   and this career just provided for my financial needs. When I was employed in chemical   industry which produces flavorings that goes with any processed food that we drink or eat, I settled with that kind of job for the reason that I needed money and that I did not finish a degree to which I can qualify to a higher position in any offices. Now I can say that the level of education that I had did not allowed me to get a good job. Thus, the jobs that I got hindered me from continuing my studies because I cannot balance work and study. I have to work to finance my study, that’s why. Also the level of education I have achieved and the jobs that I got into, helped me realized that I can learn things I thought I would never understand. Like when I was working in the chemical industry, I would not have thought that I would understand the chemical stuff there. The realization thing helped boost my self confidence that I can still learn things if I am given the chance to, though I have been in and out of school. However, taking a look at my former job’s effect in my professional growth, I can say that it has not improved at all. I stayed with my work because I needed to fulfill my financial needs, but professionally there was no growth in it. With the telecommunication industry where I have worked for eight years,   Ã‚  it has opened a new field for me and a field where I can practice the degree I got in telecommunications. I have learned about fiber optics and the pay was good that is why I wasn’t able to leave   my career there to study. In this job, I had grown professionally because I have already practiced the education I earned. But personal growth was very minimal. My learning abilities were put on a test, but the satisfaction I got from my job was nominal. The reason is that my line of interest is still in criminal justice, and so I can only be satisfied if I practice the field that I am totally interested in. Therefore, I have come to realize that in getting the course and career that I want to get into, I should go for the field I am most interested in. Be educated about it by getting a degree and practicing my career after. Only this can give me the maximum personal and professional growth. I have been taking up BS in Criminal Justice online and have been in and out of it for the past ten years. It has not helped my professional and personal growth in any way. I had jobs to sustain my financial needs for the moment, and when the salary is good I stay with the company. My experiences in different jobs I had was rewarding in a way that I was able to learn new things and that learning is good for me when given the chance to. So I can say that when I be given a chance to finally finish my criminal justice course, I’d be doing good in learning and finally may be able to practice it in the field that I want.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In doing this, I have discovered that employed people with low salary and are not satisfied with their jobs have these reasons why they still stay in the work they have. One is, lack of education, and even if they wanted to study, education is expensive and they still have to settle other financial deadlines they have. Another is, they might have taken the wrong choice of career. At some point in people’s life, they are too young to know what they want, that when they get a course in college, they just at times trust their instincts or what they think is cool. Next reason is that there are no other options for them, following reasons for this may vary depending on the kind of life a person has, or the difficulties they encounter. Professional Development Journal is a record of all the activities, seminars, awards and achievements, scholarships, workshops, trainings and education that a person attended that would help him track down his qualifications when trying to prepare for a resume, get employed and succeed in his chosen career. It is important to keep a record of these because it would be a great help especially in reaching a qualification or standard when applying for work or scholarship. A sample format of Professional Development Journal: Name:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Age: Office Address:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Phone No. Permanent/Home Address:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Phone No. Course of study: Major:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   Minor:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   Concentration: List down seminars attended, workshops, organizational activities and positions. Specify the date of event. List down awards, recognitions and scholarships received. Specify the date of event. Career Development: Employment while in school, internship, duty/responsibility, start/end date. Interview questions (may be included). Have you ever planned a whole event by yourself? How was it? Describe briefly. What is your plan of action to the members who refuse to follow rules and do not participate in activities? When was the moment where you experienced being in an ethical conflict? What did you do? Specify References. (Do not use a friend’s or a relative’s name and ask permission before listing.) Work References: (Include company name, position, scope of work, date started and date of the end of contract.) Non-work References: (Include name, title, company, address and contact numbers.) Reference Professional Development Journal. January 30, 2008 retrieved from www.philau.edu/career/parents/documents/ProfessionalDevelopmentJournal_000.doc

Dracula as the Persecuted Outsider in Bram Stokers...

Dracula as the Persecuted Outsider in Bram Stokers Dracula Bram Stokers Dracula is highly acclaimed and has received many different interpretations which deal with complex symbolisms and metaphors. These interpretations often require a great deal of knowledge in psychology, political science, anthropology, and other non-literary disciplines. These interpretations may be valid, as they are related to the disciplines on which their arguments are based, but the true power of the novel is due to a very simple theme that lies beneath the other, more convoluted interpretations. This theme is the universal concept of identity: us versus them. This criticism sets aside outside disciplines and focuses on the literary motif of identity. John†¦show more content†¦In addition to his actions, much has previously been made of Draculas physical appearance. However, as Stevenson so aptly puts it, Draculas physical appearance is only a convenient metaphor to describe the undeniable human tendency to separate us from them (140). Who, then, is the us of the novel? Richard Wasson points out that the group who pursues Dracula represents a cross-section of the English materialist society (26). The fact that the group contains a doctor, an aristocrat, and a lawyer is very significant because it defines the us of the novel. All the journal entries, that make up the bulk of the novel, are written by characters who, as a whole, represent the English society. The only major character in the novel who never has his point of view shown through a journal, or any other means, is Dracula. This structural procedure defines him as an outsider. We know Dracula only through the eyes of English society--wea re not allowed to understand him as an individual. Jules Zanger reinforces the idea of Dracula as an outsider by making a strong case that Dracula represents Jews, who were persecuted because they were moving to England in large numbers in the late nineteenth century. Zanger is correct in seeing Dracula as a persecuted outsider, but the metaphor of Dracula as a Jew goes beyond the theme of the novel. He could be any outsider