Essay on International Families

Essay on International Families Essay on International Families Introduction The family structure on an international basis comes from the diverse nature of the world. This is basic even in the simple family structure. The status, â€Å"nuclear family† does not give sense to our society as it once did. The change in the mode of family diverts to single parents as single parents raise more children. The growth of diverse families in terms of religion, race and ethnicity increases with globalization. The differences are common in the life of children, making it a comfort issue in the making of unique family decisions. Families are different, making it difficult to link the similarities and differences. Children are likely to compare their family situations with others making it viable for them to get lessons on appreciation. Comparison on international families International families consists of traditional and the modern family. To analyze this understanding, we look at the family in terms of sociology. International families come in different sizes and family types. The modern family is smaller but uses independence to ensure continuity and growth in the family. The traditional family protects its members by using obedience and bringing the family together. The modern family displays as a nuclear family comprising of a father, mother and children. The average number of children may be one or two depending on the family setting. The comparison of this in the traditional family is the existence of extended individuals. The traditional family setting comprises of more children, grandparents, parents and sometimes aunties and uncles. International families also differ in the roles played in the family. The modern international families present a working father and mother. Both their income help in the upkeep of the family. The father helps in the family chores and in the taking care of the children. The mother and father share equality in the roles presented in the family. The traditional family provides a different setting where the father financially provides for the family. The mother’s responsibility is in taking care of the house chores and in taking care of the children. The other difference is in the values of the family. The modern family values independence. They take matters into their own hands, working to secure responsibility of their actions. This transfers to their children making them independent. The traditional family values obedient values with the father being the main authority of the family. As a result, the children depend on the family. The families display many differences, but also have many similarities. Both families focus on the family’s happiness. The modern family ensures happiness through sharing responsibilities and promoting independence. The traditional family aims at pro tecting the family by ensuring followed authority. The analysis of the families will be in form of values, cultural aspects and relations. Values The interception of family values into the family extends to ensuring working within the set beliefs and standards. It comes with importance for international families to consider the difference in upbringing children. Values of a family help in the definition of beliefs and importance of family growth. The high series of staggering statistics indicate high rates of single mothers, divorce, and reduced child bearing statistics in black families. The difference between the white and black family has an achievement in terms of maintaining stability approach. The â€Å"black family† tales charge in urban centers experience incompleteness in urban centers. An analysis of a documentary, provides us with details pertaining the growth of the family in different views. The documentary follows up very well through on the two high school students, William Gates and Arthur Agree, as they went through with their education in their first year of college. The movie plays a superb role in th e film industry because it is used as a tool to demonstrate some of the social issues faced in the inner city life in the poor black neighborhood. The movie also portrays that it really takes a lot of support either from family, friends as well as a lot of self-motivation in order to encourage and achieve the kind of dreams that transform Arthur Agree’s life having to know the kind of harsh reality that they were facing already not knowing what lay ahead of them. This is seen in the movie as it entails the story of two high school students In Chicago who had a dream of becoming professional basketball players. The two African American teenagers; Arthur Agree and William Gate, studied in a white, Roman Catholic high school called St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois after being recruited by the schools’ scout (Kalman 202). Cultural aspects Cultural aspects play a big role in bringing up children. Different families follow different cultural aspects. International families hold cultural values passed down from their ancestors. Despite the economic adversity, long hours commuting, change in environment and difficult training, Agree and Gates worked very hard to enhance their basketball skills despite the competitive industry in the job. Their families also played an important role in supporting them with the school basketball program. In the film, we get to see Americas’ present view of education, race, economic diversity, social class and values. William Gates of the two students is obsessed to play in the National Basketball Association. Four years down the line, William Gates progresses to the Nike All-America basketball camp. During the camp, one of the coaches, Mr. Lee, informs them that the only reason they were in the camp was to make their schools win and make a lot of money. At the camp, the college coach es tended to overlook high school players. Family relations differ in the procedures of solving neglect and in the advice of teenagers. In relating with other individuals, the life of children varies from the system followed at home and that of school (Mcbride 228). The description of the film shows the family as a social institution relating with the American community. For example in the case scenario where ‘coach Lee’ gives advice to Arthur Agree and William Gates that everything they were getting involved was at it about money and even quoted; â€Å"the whole thing is about money† and tried to explain how they were being used by the school so that it would win and make a lot of money. He even went to further to tell them that, the only way that people like them, people from the poor black neighborhood, would defend themselves as well as their interests from such situation, was through being aware of the fact that it was not just about playing basketball but everything was revolving around money (Mernissi 235). Arthur Agree lived with his parents who broke up but later made u and were back together after Arthur’s father had a drug problem (crack) but managed to get over it. They lived in the Cabrini-Green housing project, whereas; William Gates lived with his single mother and his older brother called Curtis who had missed his own basketball career in college but didn’t give up but rather invested his dreams in his younger brother William Gates. He had so much trust in his small brother such trust in his younger brother such that he even made a comment saying he does not see how the brother, William Gates was not going to make it through his career. Arthur Agree meets his hero in basketball, Isaiah Thomas, an NBA star when he visited St. Joseph High School. William is very excited and makes big smiles as he goes one on one with his favorite basketball star. Isaiah’s had been a student at St. Joseph High School. Arthur Agree and William Gate get temporary scholarships to St. Josephs High School because the school seemed to be a lifetime opportunity to prosper in the pro career in basketball. William and Arthur read at a fourth grade level. William finds a private sponsor to support him cater for the tuition share through St. Josephs high school after facing financial constraints. This only happens after William decides to improve on his reading level and fairing on well in the varsity basketball team. On the other hand, Arthur does not fair on well in his sports or academics. He has indecent behavior in class and gives an excuse that he has been around many white people though he was ready to adjust. Arthur’s coach, Coach Pingatore, sees this kind of behavior as a way of deteriorating to the influence of the new environment Arthur was in (Scheibner 213). Image and identity is differently laid in the public and private sector. The private aspect of the film concentrates on the main issues concerning smoking. Arthur, both in the private and public setting, does not show a difference in his opinion on smoking. His statements in the private setting of his company can be compared to while he is in public. It is controversial as in the real world; many people will have two different characters. In public, attributes of calmness, understanding, and action orientation will be portrayed, but in private, they will posses opposite attributes (MapXL 45). Relations Through relations international families build a strong relation with other individuals. The overall message outlaid by the film creates a basis for discussion. Various competing views are presented in the film. The flexible views strongly rely on the people who the message is targeted. The movie stats in favor of Arthurs views, as he is perceived to have more relevant opinions. Audiences love him, as he is able to justify his arguments, using statement that will draw the attention of crowds. Knowing well that most people relate to evil things, or bad lifestyles, he uses this aspect to support his views. The stable view is that smoking is going to be a continued aspect no matter the circumstances. It is clear that no matter how many talk shows are held on smoking, the tobacco industry will continue to have a reasonable number of customers. Some patients who have cancer due to smoking continue to hold their smoking habit with an attitude of nothing being able to change the circumstanc es faced. This aspect is unchangeable as control to every individual is difficult to attain (Kalman 202). Conclusion The structure of the family is an international basis comes from the diverse nature of the world. This is basic even in the simple family structure. The status, â€Å"nuclear family† does not give sense to our society as it once did. The change in the mode of family diverts to single parents as single parents raise more children. The growth of diverse families in terms of religion, race and ethnicity increases with globalization. The differences are common in the life of children, making it a comfort issue in the making of unique family decisions. Families are different, making it difficult to link the similarities and differences. Children are likely to compare their family situations with others making it viable for them to get lessons on appreciation. If you need custom essays for money dont hesitate to visit custom writing company now! Affordable prices start from $13/page. Professional writers will help you on any topic.

4 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Job

4 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Job You know you’re the best person for the job. So what is the most efficient and effective way to let hiring managers know you’d be an asset to their team? Before you apply for a job, take a good hard look at how you’re presenting yourself. Keep these 4 tips in mind when preparing your professional documents and yourself for the job application process. 1. Tailor Your Resume  for the Specific Job PostingIn the old days, people kept a master  resume with a job history and then dusted it off to update it when it was time to apply for jobs. With so much competition in the workplace, it’s now expected that you will  tailor your resume so that the hiring manager can see right away how  your qualifications match the job description.Use specific language in your resume and put your job history in an order that gears your qualifications toward a specific job. For example, if you’re applying for  an office manager job, purposefully highlight times in the past where you utilized your organization and people management skills.2. Edit your Resume and Cover Letter  Tired Old ClichesAfter a potential employer sees the terms â€Å"team player,† â€Å"transformational leader† and â€Å"responsible for† countless times, it becomes stale and really doesn’t say much about your previous job history.Instead of saying â€Å"responsible for,† use your resume to say what you actually accomplished, in specific numbers, which  benefited the company in your previous job. Don’t call yourself an â€Å"expert.† Let your resume show precisely what your strong points are, and stay away from cliches.3. Skip the ReferencesHere’s another way you can streamline your resume. Years ago, it was expected that your resume would include several references at the bottom  that a hiring manager could call for more information about you as an employee. Now, it’s assumed that  any  potential e mployee can supply references if asked.Some hiring managers even find a resume containing the words, â€Å"references supplied upon request† an annoyance- it’s a given that doesn’t have to be stated.4. Practice Before Your Live InterviewEven though you know you’re a perfect fit for the job, your nerves can betray you in interview day. Getting in some practice of your â€Å"self pitch† in front of a mirror might be a good idea.Your potential employer will surely want to know what assets you can bring to the company, so think about your answer to that question beforehand. Go over your pitch until you feel comfortable so  you will not go suddenly blank when the interview starts. Believe it or not, a statement that has been repeated often enough can appear practiced.

Collective Bargaining Process in P-12 Education Research Paper

Collective Bargaining Process in P-12 Education - Research Paper Example Significant Changes in Education Law Section 3012-c The revamp of the old law carried with it major changes in the evaluation process of teachers and principals, known as the new and improved Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) system for teachers and principals. â€Å"The new APPR system applies only to evaluations of teachers in the common branch subjects or English Language Arts, and Math in grades four through eight, as well as building principals for the school year 2011-2012. The new APPR system will apply to all teachers and principals effective in the 2012-2013 school years. The APPR system requires teacher and principal evaluations to result in a single composite score made up of the several components† (New York Labor and Employment). The composite score shall be the basis for the teacher’s promotion, retention, tenure, termination, and will entitle the teacher to additional compensation. The composite score shall be divided into the following criter ia: The first 40% percent shall be based on the student’s achievement and the other 60% shall comprise of the teacher’s overall effectiveness. Modification of the Existing Provisions of Collective Bargaining Agreement Based on the labor relations standpoint, the requirement of a negotiated appeals process is one of the more contentious aspects of the new law. The appeals process by the way, is developed locally, wherein the teacher or principal shall have the right to question the basis of the evaluation. The factors taken in deriving at such result must be compliant to specific standards and guidelines for reviews and implementation of a â€Å"Teacher Improvement Plans† (TIP) and the â€Å"Principal Improvement Plans† (PIP). This method will be used for those teachers and... It aims to discuss the direct relationship of the new law to the concurrent provisions contained in the previous collective bargaining agreements. Due to the enactment of the new law, it mandated that all collective bargaining agreements entered by teachers and building principals after July 1, 2010 must be harmonize and complement with provisions of the new law. This report stresses that the new law does not require the school district, BOCES, parents’ and teachers’ representative union to indicate the references used in the newly incorporated provisions in the successor collective bargaining agreements. Strict observance must be complied as regard to the consistencies with the provisions of the new Education Law. This paper makes a conclusion that the enactment of the new law redounds to the benefit of the school district, BOCES, teachers and principals because they are given equal opportunities to improve their existing conditions and opens doors for more better opportunities which they can enjoy in the future. In the case of the students, they will be ensured of quality education as their teachers are required to attain a high level of effectiveness among their students. According to Tom Loveless, â€Å"what is certain however is that the scope of bargaining, although previously restricted in many states with regard to issues of wages, hours and working conditions, has in practice greatly expanded beyond those formal limits†.

Price Elasticity of Demand Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Price Elasticity of Demand - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that in a business aiming at maximizing revenue, the PED has to be exactly 1. A PED higher than 1 reflects a very elastic product where the quantities demanded are largely affected by the price change. The figures in the paper reflect the way the various curves will look like in different scenarios. Mylan Laboratories Mylan Laboratories is a pharmaceutical company in Pittsburgh. The company announced an increase in the prices of their drugs. One client claimed that the company increased the price of a drug referred to as lorazepam from an initial $11 to $85. The man who had been a worker at an oil rig was involved in an accident and is now dependant on those drugs to relieve the pain. He is on a government scheme that entitles him to $1,000 every month. He usually uses around 100 pills every month and he has taken out a loan in order to finance his drug requirements. This move is seen as a means of fleecing the citizens as the pharmaceutical companies await the government to remove patents to some drugs that have long been on the patent list. There are others who are claiming that the move is in anticipation of the new health care bill. The pharmaceutical industry has been under a lot of strain caused by the AIDS pandemic and companies have been criticized for failing to reduce their prices to the benefit of millions of people living with the disease in Africa and Asia. The major point of criticism was the patents that protect these much-needed drugs hence driving costs of the medicine up. Pharmaceutical products are very inelastic as they are considered as necessities. Therefore, the price elasticity of demand for them would not exceed 1. In this case, Mylan Laboratories has increased their prices by close to 600% and this will have an effect on the demand as many people cannot afford the extra expense that is accompanied by the price increment. There are a number of factors that will inform the elasticity of the deman d. First, the availability of substitutes is a major determinant. With the presence of generic drugs that are supplied by competitors, the increase in prices of the patented Mylan Laboratories’ drugs may decrease the demand. The substitutes’ closeness to the Mylan Laboratories’ drugs, their uniqueness and their prices may be the greatest deterrent to Mylan Laboratories increasing revenues from the sale of the drugs even at the increased rates. The second determinant is the cost of switching to the other drugs. Many consumers of drugs are usually covered by insurance companies. If the company is responsible for the purchase of drugs, this might make it impossible or expensive for the consumer to change to other drugs. The price of the patented drugs is too high for the citizens and there has been no significant increase in income. Another problem that may hinder the change in demand for the drugs may be brand loyalty. Some consumers are attached to certain brands such that they become insensitive to price changes. This might be so for the people with greater disposable incomes who still may find the increased prices still within their means. Another determinant of the PED is the time the consumers will take immediately after the increase. Some consumers may wait for some time in order for them to resume buying the product.

Working Across Boundaries: Advantages and Disadvantages

Working Across Boundaries: Advantages and Disadvantages This paper examines the perspective of working across boundaries from the lens of Hunan Resource Management. The paper is split into four main parts. The Introduction which provides the background to working across boundaries as it applies in HRM today. A definition section that examines the different aspects of working across boundaries i.e. social, physical, knowledge and mental. Further examination of some theoretical perspectives including the work of Heracleous. The reason that modern organisations need to work across boundaries together with consideration of strategy and leveraging capabilities. A section that looks at the advantages and disadvantages of working across boundaries with a focus on the public sector including healthcare organisations and local authorities. The conclusions summarise the key points. DEFINING WORKING ACROSS BOUNDARIES During the last decade, the concept of working across boundaries has become a popular concept. The basic premise is that individuals and organisation need to traverse boundaries if they are to achieve their goals. Essentially earlier concepts of fixed organisational demarcation lines no longer apply in modern day business concepts. Within the organisational framework the concept of boundaries can become a reasonably complex issue. There still remains an active debate as to whether the definitions of boundaries are realistic, objective or imagined. The concept has become more complex with the use of outsourcing and Public/Private partnerships in terms of lines of demarcation and authority. (Bishop, 2003) The concept of boundaries within organisations takes on different shapes and forms. Much of this has to do with social and knowledge boundaries. The explosion in technological and communication advances has simplified the concept of working across boundaries. Despite the fact that organizations still are challenged to collaborate and share information, nevertheless individuals seem much more liberated in this regard with advancement in social media. Russ Linden is one author who has investigated this, with particular focus on Public sector organisations. (Linden, 2003). The old fashioned concept of organizational design was the creation of silos or departments where functions, roles and responsibilities would be clearly defined within the context of a hierarchical matrix. For example Sales, Finance, Production would each be self-contained units within the organisation and clearly defined lines of demarcation within the business. The Heads of these Departments would be Senior Managers and expected to collaborate with one another but not trespass into the other domains. The holistic business strategy relied upon each unit to fulfil its role within the overall strategic plan. As organisations involved in size and complexity this model posed serious shortcomings and new thought processes were required. This required improved leadership thinking and more collaboration across boundaries. (Stevens, 2006). Working across boundaries remains an important part of Public Sector relationships and impose significant challenges to business operations but they create distinctive value sets and improved goals in the business relationships (Sullivan, 2007) Concepts of working across boundaries In management terms boundaries are often classified as lines of demarcation that often impose constraints. Those items that determine managerial effectiveness. For example: how a business works within the confines of a specific environment; the concept of specific leadership styles and the influence on organizational behaviour. It was Heracleous  [1]  who pointed out in 2004 that both organisations and the environments they function in are inter-related. They create structures and social orders that assist in the definition of the business and its purpose. (Heracleous, 2008) Understanding social boundaries This essentially relates to the relationships that are formed between groups of individuals within an organization. Heracleous maintained that boundaries have remained central to the thinking of social scientists in the establishment of social boundaries between groups and individuals. Particular reference made to that of transactions costs and how modern technology like sophisticated communications and the internet have had a profound impact here. It has directed whether the boundaries have either diminished or enlarged and the effect on production costs has influenced important decisions like that of outsourcing or internalisation of specific tasks. (Heracleous, 2004). Understanding social change can be studied by the adoption of Lewins Forecefield Analysis. There are numerous models that you can adopt to examine the impact of Change to the Organization. One common method approach is that of Lewins Forecefield Analysis. Fig 1 provides an example of the model. Figure Force field Analysis exampleThis enables you to examine both the driving and restraining forces that emerge as a result of the proposed changes. The model is particularly good for identifying forces that are considered to be polarized i.e. a change in one condition creates an equal and opposite effect in the other. The model was designed by Lewin to assist the Process Analyst to guide people through the unfreeze, move and refreeze stages of business process analysis. It is also an excellent means of demonstrating the dynamics that are in play. So by completion of the Force field Model you have acquired the data in order to complete Lewins Three Step Model. In the Unfreeze you examine the status quo and those driving forces for change. You can decrease the resisting forces against change. The move element involves taking actions and moving people. The freeze means make the changes permanent and establish new ways of doing things. Introduce concept of rewards for achieving the d esired outcomes. Understanding knowledge boundaries The sharing of knowledge has both an internal and external boundary. For example in the internal model it is desirous for information to be shared between the Sales and Marketing departments. This empowers both department to do a better job. Externally, there is the sharing and collaboration of knowledge and information between allies. For example a UK based company and its overseas subsidiary. In order for an organization to be successful it must manage its four pillars of knowledge. These being Leadership, Organization, Technology and Learning. Information Technology (Pillar 3) has achieved an amazing impact in the promotion and dissemination of knowledge in the business environment. Unfortunately Technology has had a greater influence on guiding the strategic planning of organizations, as opposed to the other way round. One example being that of Enterprise Planning Systems like SAP and J.D. Edwards One World system. Organizations have re-engineered their knowledge base and business processes in order to meet the integrated demands of the software application. (Bixler, 2002) Knowledge Managers need to understand that despite the many advantages Information Technology (IT) has to offer the workplace it is not a magic utopian panacea. Equally any Information Technology application that undervalues Knowledge Management will equally fail in the business place. (Mohammed). If Knowledge Management is to be considered effective with IT in business it must be treated as its equal partner. Knowledge Managers have criticised IT as being lacking in areas like tacit knowledge. Hence there is a need to incorporate items of behavioural consideration and cognitive function. (Bixler, 2002) There is an increasing demand and challenge being placed upon the CIOs of business organizations and as such Managers need to become more vocal about their expectations and use the four pillars as a framework in order to further improve the integration of knowledge in the organization. Understanding physical boundaries The concepts of boundaries are important because it is these that represent challenges which organisations must overcome. Although organisations are essentially construed as open systems and these providing a continued interface with their environment. Many academics still believe that it is management that defines the physical boundaries and how you differentiate between internal and external items. (Schnieder, 1987). In reality it is difficult for management to define these boundaries as organisations have multiple stakeholders; such only by the integration of the combined needs can you truly obtain an understanding of the organisational identity. AS such those members of the organisation are of a precarious nature and there are many different ways in which they may be depicted as being inside or outside of the organisational composition. (Lane, 2000). Understanding Mental boundaries Mental boundaries essentially relate to individual perception of what is considered to be internal or external to the organisation. This being what is considered to be acceptable and that which goes beyond this to the realm of external control. It is this form of cognitive schema that helps individuals to create and understand the different social boundaries within an organisation. These differentiations often create perceptions of attitudes related to us and them and the formation of symbolic boundaries that enable distinctions to be drawn. (Heracleous, 2004). The need to work across boundaries Essentially the need to work across boundaries relates to that of collaboration with other entities in order to help the development and growth of the organisation. This may range from that of strategic business alliances, creation of partnership arrangements, developing business networks and other forms of collaboration and communication in order to benefit the business. Further, the concept of business transformation and organisational change can promote the need to work across boundaries. Hence regardless of the barriers created, being real or imaginary, we are almost compelled to work across them. Advantages and Disadvantages of working across boundaries Advantages of working across boundaries There are numerous advantages to working across boundaries, particularly within the Public Sector environment. Briefly, these may be enumerated as follows: Increase in working collaboration Integration of partnerships with the Private Sector Reduction of costs and process improvements Expanding networks and building knowledge Response to complex public policies Leveraging strategy and operational capabilities Aligning organisations and cultures Improvement of leadership capabilities balancing risk and reward (Blackman, 2010). Increase in working collaboration Historically the concept of collaborative working was rarely recognised as having any strategic importance. Silos were created in both Public and Private sector organisations and many of these departments functioned self-autonomously. In modern day context this has all changed and it is recognised that collaborative working both inter and intra the organization has significant benefits. In particular the organisation is better equipped for: Dealing with business transformation and change Ability to provide better service levels and customer support Optimization of resources and cost reduction strategies Ability to innovate and create by improved knowledge acquisition Easier to transition to new change requirements Increased flexibility and ability to share successes and failures The concept of collaboration is an enabling function that allows you to bring people together with different views and opinions. This concept of diversity enriches the decision making process and improve the dynamics in business working relationships. This has been successfully introduced in the Health Sector in Wales. Here different local authorities were required to formulate med-long term strategic plans. Direct collaboration between the authorities enabled the sharing of knowledge and ideas which facilitated rationalization and a more improved overarching holistic result. (Sullivan, 2007). Another example of collaboration is the ability to bring key stakeholders together in a collaborative environment. This has been effective in both local and central government projects. Bringing the stakeholders together creates greater synergy and improved policy implementation with the organisational setting. Collaboration has extended into areas of joint policy making, as opposed to just sharing information. Geoff Delamare from Surrey County Council states there are some distinct learning points from collaborative working i.e. Creating the level of trust between partners, ensuring transparency in communications and sharing knowledge; admitting mistakes, creating a collaborative environment and not imposing a ruling regime. (McCann, 2012). Integration of partnerships with the private sector Partnership approaches have increased in popularity over the last decade. In the public sector they have obtained wide political support. This has been seen as a means of making process improvements whilst optimizing cost expenditures in order to provide improved value for money. The UK Audit Commission is an example of where they have crossed boundaries to embrace working relationships with counterparts in the European Union (EU). This has been effective in collaboration to help improve inter-governmental policy implementation. (McQuaid, 2000). Reduction of costs and process improvements In these difficult financial times both Central Government public sector bodies and local authorities have been faced with managing tight budgetary programmes and reducing costs. The latter meaning resource and cost optimization in order to show the best returns on investment for monies expended. This has focused attention on streamlining processes in order to create improved efficiencies and eliminate redundancies. In addition, concepts of outsourcing to reduce resource costs and capital expenditure. Local Authorities in the UK have been very active in this area. Barnet Council is implementing an outsourcing plan in order to save  £120m . Others like Cornwall Council have been examining strategic partnerships to outsource both front and back office functions. IT departments remain particularly vulnerable because they are capital intensive and expensive to both operate and maintain. (Terry, 2013). Expanding networks and building knowledge In order for an organization to be successful it must manage its four pillars of knowledge. These being Leadership, Organization, Technology and Learning. Information Technology (Pillar 3) has achieved an amazing impact in the promotion and dissemination of knowledge in the business environment. Unfortunately Technology has had a greater influence on guiding the strategic planning of organizations, as opposed to the other way round. One example being that of Enterprise Planning Systems like SAP and J.D. Edwards One World system. Organizations have re-engineered their knowledge base and business processes in order to meet the integrated demands of the software application. Knowledge Managers need to understand that despite the many advantages Information Technology (IT) has to offer the workplace it is not a magic utopian panacea. Equally any Information Technology application that undervalues Knowledge Management will equally fail in the business place. If Knowledge Management is to be considered effective with IT in business it must be treated as its equal partner. Disadvantages of working across boundaries The main disadvantages of working across boundaries are enumerated as follows: Complexity and Commonality People, Culture and Leadership Power and Politics Performance Accountability and Budgets Complexity and commonality The success to working across boundaries is where sufficient empathy exists to recognise shared goals and values in order to predicate a desired outcome. Where there is a lack of sufficient commonality this can be a serious barrier towards attaining a successful outcome. The importance of shared or common goals is therefore of paramount importance in any collaborative venture. Trying to force collaboration in the wrong environmental setting will most likely incur resistance and ultimately force of costs and resource effort providing little return on investment. One particular example in the Public sector relates to the large failure of IT projects that have often lacked sufficient commonality. In 2003 in the UK a poll stated that only one third of all IT projects were successful. Nearly 70% of all projects being severely challenged or failing in their entirety. (Post Report 200, 2003). People culture and leadership The people issue is extremely important when working across boundaries as it requires a structured but flexible work group that are able to collaborate over both hard and soft structure. In the public sector the staff need to develop cross-boundary skills in order to facilitate inter agency co-operation. These however can be highly influenced by both policy and political agenda. It has been argued that within the public sector the influence of Human Resource Management (HRM) groups have created significant barriers to cross-party working relationships. Lack of good leadership skills in the public sector provided the inability for many senior leaders to work across boundaries and manage complex business transformation programmes. This prevented optimum leveraging of resources between different organisations. Good leaders are important enablers as they are important for leveraging resources, motivating people and ensuring that the work gets done. As such poor leadership constitutes a serious barrier in order to enable working across boundaries. This results in what has often been referred to as silo management style, the inability to progress beyond your own defined domain. Power and Politics The concept of working across boundaries may have a serious influence on the reshaping of power and politics within an organisation. This can be particularly potent where an area is perceived to be under threat. In this sense both politics and power are intertwined and political endorsements have the ability to create tremendous barriers. Ministers set the signals for civil servants to work across boundaries but this is often towards the attainment of specific political agendas. These can be very fickle and subject to change, hence the civil service has to be articulate in how this is both managed and interpreted. Performance in accountability and budgets Improved performance targets have been very popular in recent years. This has meant working across boundaries to optimise business processes and resource effort. Failure in the reconfiguration of performance systems can create significant barriers and a great deal of disruption in provision of remedial action. Budget attainment has equally been criticised in terms of holding Managers responsible for achieving budget figures, despite the fact that cross border relationships have provided them with only limited control and influence over the finances. (Parton, 1998). CONCLUSION The concept of working across boundaries is not a new concept but one that has been with us for many decades. Technology has created more enablers in terms of making this more operationally efficient and the ability to share information and knowledge. The reality of globalisation, struggling financial markets, the need for cost cutting and austerity measures have increased the need for more collaborative working. The use of sharing information in a collaborative environment often results in better outcomes and an improved managed risk portfolio. Leadership skills have become of paramount importance and in particular the skills required to motivate and influence others in a collaborative teamwork environment. Local authorities have been particularly successful in working with private sector relationships in order to enhance service provision, increased efficiencies and implementation of cost reduction programmes.

The Farewell to Miss American Pie

â€Å"Bye-bye Miss American Pie†. These words were now immortalized in the halls of music industry, and perhaps will be last tribute to the legendary era of ‘rock and roll’ and turbulent times of the 60’s. This song was created by Don McLean, and became phenomenal hit in 1971, charting almost four weeks on the billboards. But there is more than saying goodbye to Ms. American Pie, which in itself is a symbol and image to the profound interpretation of the song. The message pierces more than a county boy strumming a guitar, or it speaks beyond the farewell to an unknown lady.Don McLean, in his official website, made interesting comments regarding the song. While he allowed the song to be interpreted in various lenses, he himself confessed that the song was an allusion to historical or factual events, people and places that his song discussed. Don McLean said, â€Å"I am very proud of the song, it’s biographical in nature, and I don’t think anyo ne has ever picked up on that, the song starts off with my memory with the death of Buddy Holly.But it moves on to describe America, as I was seeing it, and how I fantasizing it might become, its part of reality and part of fantasy but I’m always in the song as a witness, or even as a subject, sometimes in some verses† (Starry, Stary Night Video 2000, cited in www. don-mclean . com). Realizing that McLeans work is to be approached in autobiographical sense, the memories of his childhood his personal persuasions and feelings can be deduced.In the very first line, â€Å"A long, long time ago, I can still remember, how the music made me smile, and I knew If I had a chance, that I could make those people dance, and, maybe they’ll be happy for a while†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Miss American Pie lyrics). The persona in the song, was â€Å"I†, a first person point of view, bolstering the point of McLean that this is biographical. The persona clearly stated that it was his à ¢â‚¬Ëœmemory’ and it was his wish to ‘make people smile and happy’ for a while. This simple statement speaks of a typical young man musician’s dream, his own wishful thinking.As also stated in his website, the song was openly dedicated to the death of Buddy Holly and his companions, who died in a plane crash. This tragic death, moved to illustrate the transiency of life, and wishes in that sense are to be as pure, as simply stating: â€Å"chance to make people dance and make them happy for a while†. Clear from the second and third stanza the descriptions were, â€Å"But February made me shiver†¦bad news on the doorstep, I couldn’t make one more step†. This alludes to the death of Buddy Holly, one of the prominent rock singers in the 60’s (RS, 2004).Their plane crashed in February 3, 1959, which shocked their audience of their untimely death. It could be said that the dedication of the song to Buddy Holly was not because he was a major contributor to the genre of McLean’s music, rather, it was a common knowledge that Buddy Holly was the pioneer of rock & roll music, long before, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles invaded the long playing discs. But the death of Buddy Holly was more than the death of an individual, as the song suggests â€Å"This’ll be the day that I die†¦Ã¢â‚¬ .The demise of Buddy Holly signifies the death of a young promising man, the death of dream, and the death of wishful thinking. Linking the first stanza, to the second and third, the dream of the persona, to live, to entertain, presented a harsh reality of transiency, of â€Å"non-permanence of things. Like the death of Buddy Holly, who may epitomize the budding career of an ambitious young man only to be interrupted by the fact that, death is no respecter of persons.The chorus lines, were repetitious saying â€Å"bye-bye Miss American Pie†. The seeming relevance of this allusion is the representation of American Pie, as the symbol of the â€Å"young and vibrant Americans†. As McLean admitted, â€Å"the song was written as my attempt at an epic song about America, and I used the imagery of music and politics to do that. Also, I was influenced by the Sgt. Pepper album, and the American Pie album was my attempt to do that, but the song totally overshadowed the album† (McLean, 2000, cited www.don-mclean. com). Thus, the â€Å"American Pie† is an image of America, and the persona’s attempt to picture the America as it strives to be, and it might become. But contrasting words will reveal that, if the persona illustrates â€Å"American Pie† as the young America, then why a bid of farewell? Is the persona, trying to say goodbye to future America has? Again, it can be viewed skeptically, the young dream, as mentioned earlier, the wishful thinking must not be allowed to vanish, it must move, it must sojourn.The next lines driving the chevy, â€Å"but the l evee was dry†, this illustrates the life of the young America to rise, go or, to go farther, or move on. But the dry levee was said to illustrate the painful realities of life as we move along. Even driving oneself to that dream, the levees of experiences and circumstance would always be dry. A realism is seem to be presented, that life is not a bed of roses, rather it was a long winding trip to the end. The melancholic lines continuously read: â€Å" The good’ol boys were drinking, whiskey and rye, saying this’ll be the day that I die†¦Ã¢â‚¬  .Presenting the realistic point of view, the good old boys verbalized the promising young people, yet with the painful realities, they have succumbed to the defeatists attitude of lurking themselves, as pictured by the words, â€Å"drinking, whiskey and rye†. The drinking symbolizes solitary, loneliness and isolation. This thought bolstered the point of death, and surrender by proclaiming â€Å"this’ll be the day that I die†. Two oppositions may come into the picture.First, wishful thinking and dreams versus the paralyzing truths of life, we may succumb to surrender and declare our defeat with our own death—demise of our dreams, our lives, our hopes. Yet, this could pose as challenge, that the farewell to Miss American Pie, may be a welcome to her—as we welcome the challenges and bitter moments in our lives with energy and courage. The song illustrates several allusions more to the music icons, the rage of politics, the America’s society, but this attempt is to illustrate the more profound meaning of the song, realization of life, and how do we deal with it.As said, we may live and fight be sad, and drink whiskey and rye to our own discontent or we may rise above the situation, and welcome our American Pie, with â€Å"Hi, Hi, Miss American Pie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  SOURCES: Don McLeans. Don McLean’s American pie. American Pie. com. 2007. May 29, 2007 < http://www. don-mclean. com/americanpie. asp> The Immortals: The First Fifty, Rolling Stone Issue, 946. Rolling Stones. April 15, 2004. Bressler, Charles. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1994 (please include the source in LA Times, the data is difficult to recover, LA Times, February 3, 1959. )

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