Journalism, Real Creativity and Reactionary Creativity :: English Literature Essays

Journalism, Real Creativity and Reactionary Creativity On January 1, 2002 I had finally finished authoring my latest fiction book, which is titled The Great Teen Fruit War, A 1960’ Novel. The work was quite a Promethean task to complete, having 162,000 words on 468 pages presented in 46 Chapters. When I read my final draft, I think I felt a little like Victor Frankenstein must have when he first fully viewed the monster that he had created. The Great Teen Fruit War is set in 1960’ Hammonton and involves conflict between the Blues, the sons of blueberry farmers and the Reds, the sons of peach farmers (please remember, a novel is fiction). The Blues are the antagonists and wear button-down blue denim jackets, and the Reds are the protagonists and wear zip-up red James Dean’ jackets like those worn by the famous actor in the 1955 classic film, Rebel without a Cause. The Great Teen Fruit War is the sequel to Black Leather and Blue Denim, A ‘50s Novel. In the Great Teen Fruit War, Bellevue Avenue is the dividing line between blueberry country to the east and peach territory to the west. To spice up the story, the Reds have one â€Å"antagonist† named Ronald â€Å"Goose† Restuccio, the son of a Mafia kingpin. Complicating matters even further is a third gang, The Ramrodders, a group of greasers that interact with the Reds and the Blues. Now here’s the essential difference between fiction and non-fiction. The Fruit War’s setting is real, but the story and the characters are not. Most of the â€Å"characters† are composite, a combination of two or more people I have known. I have taken elements from these past acquaintances and synthesized each of them into a new person just like Victor Frankenstein had done with his monster. In all due respect to Gabe Donio, Gina Rullo and to Ben Meritt, front-page journalism or news reporting is relatively easy. It is basically accurate descriptive narrative’ writing that involves the questions Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? and then providing a few direct quotes and a first paragraph hook that captures the reader’s attention. Now Gabe Donio and Gina Rullo take the Hammonton Gazette to a higher level of thinking when they write the Editorial Page, because now we have opinion based on fact, which involves interpretation, analysis, problem solving and controversy. These are â€Å"higher level’ thinking skills† where some local citizens might become inflamed because they didn’t savor the way certain facts have been interpreted, analyzed or problem solved.

Working with Children with Additional Needs

Section B: Specific Additional Requirements †¢Describe 3 examples of syndromes/conditions of your choice. †¢Describe 2 strategies for each example described above. These strategies could be medical, nutritional, educational, social or emotional which are meant to meet the children’s additional needs. Down Syndrome Down Syndrome, also referred to as Trisomy 21, is a condition which causes delays in the development of children, both mentally and physically, due to extra genetic material.While normally when a baby is conceived it receives genetic information in the form of 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother and 23 from the father, in a Down Syndrome the baby receives a total of 47 chromosomes, where an extra chromosome 21 is received. This extra chromosome causes the physical features and developmental delays that are associated with Down Syndrome. It is still unknown why Down Syndrome occurs but there is no way to prevent it, and although children with Down Syndrome ma y share some physical and mental features it can still range from mild to severe.It is known that women age 35 and over have a significantly higher risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome. The physical features common to children with Down Syndrome include an upward slant to the eyes, a short neck and a large tongue, which may protrude, poor muscle tone (muscle hypotonia), a flat nasal bridge, unusually large space between large toe and second toe, and small ears.Other problems related to Down Syndrome may include, but vary from child to child, heart defects at birth, digestive system problems, learning difficulties, delayed language development, speech difficulties, pulmonary problems, problems with hearing and vision, thyroid problems, and delayed physical development, reaching developmental milestones later than children without impairment, together with various other medical conditions. Strategies for Down Syndrome. In the case of children with Down Syndrome early-intervention services are recommended.These include various medical check-ups, as well as working together with physical, occupational and speech therapists to help encourage and accelerate the child’s development. Inclusive education with the help of a Learning Support Assistant and a well structured Individualised Education Plan (IEP) based on the child’s needs is also recommended. Dyslexia Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects the reading and writing abilities of a person. Children with Dyslexia usually have trouble learning how to read properly and connecting speech sounds to the letters of the alphabet.Research has shown that Dyslexia occurs because of problems related to the mental processing of information related to language. Because of this, reading itself becomes a difficulty within itself. Dyslexia is usually diagnosed in children in primary school, although sometimes it only becomes apparent at a later stage, when a child is older and is faced with more complex texts. Other problems associated with Dyslexia include difficulty reading, spelling and learning foreign languages. The later Dyslexia is identified, the more difficult it may be to help the child.Children whose parents suffered from Dyslexia are more likely to also suffer from Dyslexia. The later children learn how to speak the more at risk they are of having Dyslexia. Dyslexia may be diagnosed by a reading specialist or a psychologist. To children, having Dyslexia can prove to be very frustrating, firstly because they find it difficult to read, secondly because they feel inferior to their peers. Children with Dyslexia miss out on valuable reading practice and often fall behind their classmates.Strategies for Dyslexia One way of promoting reading to children with Dyslexia is to have a reading corner. Ideally, the reading corner should be attractive to children with comfortable seating, colourful posters and bookcases and possibly a screen to separate it from the rest of the classr oom. The reading corner should be a quiet, comfortable, welcoming area where children can settle down to read. This area may be used for individual reading, peer reading, and small group discussions in a relaxed environment.Another way to help children with Dyslexia is to use interactive whiteboards. Instead of asking all students to copy from the board, children with Dyslexia can be asked to follow during a lesson after which any notes written on the interactive whiteboard will be printed out to aid these children and to make sure that they have correctly written notes. Autism Autism, also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, is a lifelong brain development disability that affects communication, social interaction, together with other behaviours.Autism affects the way people make sense of the world around them, because the brain has a problem interpreting what is seen, heard, experienced, etc. making it hard to do basic everyday things. Although people with autism share certain dif ficulties, each person is affected in a different way, and autism may affect a person in various degrees, ranging from very mild to severe; this is why autism is often referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. People with autism may find it hard to interact with other children, making friends, interpret facial expressions and other body language.People with autism have problems with both verbal as well as non-verbal language, and many may only have a literal understanding of spoken language. Speech may also be limited or not present in people with autism, although this may not necessarily always be the case. People with autism may also have a problem recognising and interpreting other people’s emotions and feelings together with expressing their own, which may make it difficult for them to fit into society.Another problem that people with autism might have, is understanding or predicting people’s behaviour, making sense of abstract ideas or understanding ideas and thi ngs which are outside their daily routine. Despite all these difficulties, people with autism have been known to have very particular capabilities, such as being very creative, having a talent for the arts, or being exceptionally good in working out calculations. Strategies for Autism Although there is no cure for autism, there are various ways in which a person with autism can be helped.Because people with autism find it difficult to understand the world around them it is very helpful for them to have a fixed daily routine. Having a highly structured schedule will help the person with autism to avoid getting confused and frustrated. Since it may be quite a challenge to communicate with a person who has autism, it may help to try to find alternative methods of communication, which the person may understand and react to. These may include sign language, use of technology or other alternative methods. Working with Children with Additional Needs Section B: Specific Additional Requirements †¢Describe 3 examples of syndromes/conditions of your choice. †¢Describe 2 strategies for each example described above. These strategies could be medical, nutritional, educational, social or emotional which are meant to meet the children’s additional needs. Down Syndrome Down Syndrome, also referred to as Trisomy 21, is a condition which causes delays in the development of children, both mentally and physically, due to extra genetic material.While normally when a baby is conceived it receives genetic information in the form of 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother and 23 from the father, in a Down Syndrome the baby receives a total of 47 chromosomes, where an extra chromosome 21 is received. This extra chromosome causes the physical features and developmental delays that are associated with Down Syndrome. It is still unknown why Down Syndrome occurs but there is no way to prevent it, and although children with Down Syndrome ma y share some physical and mental features it can still range from mild to severe.It is known that women age 35 and over have a significantly higher risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome. The physical features common to children with Down Syndrome include an upward slant to the eyes, a short neck and a large tongue, which may protrude, poor muscle tone (muscle hypotonia), a flat nasal bridge, unusually large space between large toe and second toe, and small ears.Other problems related to Down Syndrome may include, but vary from child to child, heart defects at birth, digestive system problems, learning difficulties, delayed language development, speech difficulties, pulmonary problems, problems with hearing and vision, thyroid problems, and delayed physical development, reaching developmental milestones later than children without impairment, together with various other medical conditions. Strategies for Down Syndrome. In the case of children with Down Syndrome early-intervention services are recommended.These include various medical check-ups, as well as working together with physical, occupational and speech therapists to help encourage and accelerate the child’s development. Inclusive education with the help of a Learning Support Assistant and a well structured Individualised Education Plan (IEP) based on the child’s needs is also recommended. Dyslexia Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects the reading and writing abilities of a person. Children with Dyslexia usually have trouble learning how to read properly and connecting speech sounds to the letters of the alphabet.Research has shown that Dyslexia occurs because of problems related to the mental processing of information related to language. Because of this, reading itself becomes a difficulty within itself. Dyslexia is usually diagnosed in children in primary school, although sometimes it only becomes apparent at a later stage, when a child is older and is faced with more complex texts. Other problems associated with Dyslexia include difficulty reading, spelling and learning foreign languages. The later Dyslexia is identified, the more difficult it may be to help the child.Children whose parents suffered from Dyslexia are more likely to also suffer from Dyslexia. The later children learn how to speak the more at risk they are of having Dyslexia. Dyslexia may be diagnosed by a reading specialist or a psychologist. To children, having Dyslexia can prove to be very frustrating, firstly because they find it difficult to read, secondly because they feel inferior to their peers. Children with Dyslexia miss out on valuable reading practice and often fall behind their classmates.Strategies for Dyslexia One way of promoting reading to children with Dyslexia is to have a reading corner. Ideally, the reading corner should be attractive to children with comfortable seating, colourful posters and bookcases and possibly a screen to separate it from the rest of the classr oom. The reading corner should be a quiet, comfortable, welcoming area where children can settle down to read. This area may be used for individual reading, peer reading, and small group discussions in a relaxed environment.Another way to help children with Dyslexia is to use interactive whiteboards. Instead of asking all students to copy from the board, children with Dyslexia can be asked to follow during a lesson after which any notes written on the interactive whiteboard will be printed out to aid these children and to make sure that they have correctly written notes. Autism Autism, also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, is a lifelong brain development disability that affects communication, social interaction, together with other behaviours.Autism affects the way people make sense of the world around them, because the brain has a problem interpreting what is seen, heard, experienced, etc. making it hard to do basic everyday things. Although people with autism share certain dif ficulties, each person is affected in a different way, and autism may affect a person in various degrees, ranging from very mild to severe; this is why autism is often referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. People with autism may find it hard to interact with other children, making friends, interpret facial expressions and other body language.People with autism have problems with both verbal as well as non-verbal language, and many may only have a literal understanding of spoken language. Speech may also be limited or not present in people with autism, although this may not necessarily always be the case. People with autism may also have a problem recognising and interpreting other people’s emotions and feelings together with expressing their own, which may make it difficult for them to fit into society.Another problem that people with autism might have, is understanding or predicting people’s behaviour, making sense of abstract ideas or understanding ideas and thi ngs which are outside their daily routine. Despite all these difficulties, people with autism have been known to have very particular capabilities, such as being very creative, having a talent for the arts, or being exceptionally good in working out calculations. Strategies for Autism Although there is no cure for autism, there are various ways in which a person with autism can be helped.Because people with autism find it difficult to understand the world around them it is very helpful for them to have a fixed daily routine. Having a highly structured schedule will help the person with autism to avoid getting confused and frustrated. Since it may be quite a challenge to communicate with a person who has autism, it may help to try to find alternative methods of communication, which the person may understand and react to. These may include sign language, use of technology or other alternative methods.

The Cask Of Amontillado By Thomas Montresor - 996 Words

In the Cask of Amontillado, Montresor, the protagonist of this story, has been wronged by Fortunato. Montresor feels very strongly about this transgression that Fortunato doesn’t recall. His revenged involved using one of Fortunato’s weaknesses against him. Fortunato boasted that he was a connoisseur of fine wines. One night, Montresor told him about a cask of Amontillado he had recently purchased that he wasn’t sure was genuine. Montresor then says that he was going to meet another friend named Luchesi, who could authenticate the wine. Fortunato in a drunken state, proclaims that they would go to Montresor’s vault which contained the Amontillado. Montresor attempts to convince him that his cough and cold might become worse being down in the cold, damp vaults with the niter. After insisting that he was fine, both men venture into the depths of Montresor’s family catacombs. After being in the catacombs for a short bit, Fortunato begins to cough and M ontresor gives him a type of red wine to cover the cough and to continue to intoxicate him. Montresor’s family had a great deal of members and created a long walk. Fortunato asks what his coat of arms is and Montresor replies with their motto that is â€Å"No one assails me with impunity†. Fortunato begins to cough against and Montresor opens another bottle of wine, to which he empties it almost immediately. Fortunato then does a hand gesture that Montresor doesn’t understand. Fortunato says that you must not be of the brotherhood ofShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Cask Of Amontillado 1140 Words   |  5 PagesKawanda Garner Ms. Roesch ENC 1102 29 April 2016 Main Character Narration and Its Effects The first –person narration style of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is vital in creating the quality of the story. The story allows one of the main characters in the story Montresor, to tell the story from his point of view which gives the reader intimate yet disturbing look into the mind story teller thinks and feels which the reader doesn’t normally get from other narrative styles. The narrative style of thisRead MoreAnalysis Of The Cask Of Amontillado 1109 Words   |  5 PagesThe first –person narration style of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is vital in creating the quality of the story. The story allows one of the main characters in the story Montresor, to tell the story from his point of view which gives the reader intimate yet disturbing look into the mind story teller thinks and feels which the reader doesn’t normally get from other narrative styles. The narrative style of this story is important because it sets the tone of the story. The reader become more familiarRead MoreThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe852 Words   |  4 Pagesand his own gloomy mind. On the basis of A Cask of Amontillado and The Tell-Tale Heart, we can deduct that despite the uniqueness of Poe’s works there are some recurring elements in Poe’s short-stories. Generally, if anyone wanted to write a Poesque short story, here are the ingredients: a fine case of murder, a big spoonful of madness and a pinch of revenge. Despite Edgar Allan Poe being one of the inventors of detective fiction, the Cask of Amontillado and The Tell-Tale Heart are not about detectionRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allen Poe2223 Words   |  9 Pages Edgar Allen Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado tells the story of a man who illustrates vengeance in its purest form. The short story is set in an unnamed Italian city during a time of celebration and carnival. It is told in a flashback by the narrator, Montresor, who recounts the day he took revenge on Fortunato, a man who continuously insulted him until he had enough and responded. This story is one of the most influential works in the horror genre as it possesses valuable insight into the psychologicalRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe1968 Words   |  8 Pageselements of psychology are clearly marked in stories such as â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† In Poe’s stories, he presents complex characters who become susceptible to the diverse forces of the mind such as reverse psychology, guilt, superstition, perversity, revenge, and schizophrenia. First published in 1846, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is an instance of Poe combining psychological elements of two distinct characters. In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† Montresor’s brilliant use of reverse psychology, and his perversityRead MoreThe Father Of American Detective1923 Words   |  8 Pagesof Gothic horror stories. He continues to capture the imagination and inspire literature more than one hundred and fifty years after his death. In examining his life, the critical reaction to his work, and his short story masterpiece â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† it has been said that Edgar Allan Poe remains the most influential early American author. Much like his world famous short stories, Edgar Allan Poe’s life was a sad, dark tragedy. Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809 (MeyersRead MoreAnalysis of the Raven and the Cask of Amontillado1776 Words   |  8 Pagesof literature were â€Å"The Raven† and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† Despite one of these being a poem and the other a short story, they both have similarities in their uses of imagery and intense symbolizations. The symbolism, in both pieces, takes one on a journey to dark, lonely places. One is allowed to feel the mood and intentions of each work through its extremely isolated settings in dark, dreary locations. The Motive for Murder in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† by Elena Baraban, shows supporting reasonsRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado Character Analysis3502 Words   |  15 PagesAllan Poe s The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe s short story The Cask of Amontillado was first published in an 1846 issue of Godey s Lady s Book, a popular women s magazine in America (Nagy). Poe s tale of premeditated murder is narrated by a smug Montresor, who feels vindicated after disposing of his enemy by walling him up in the catacombs. Yet, it is not only the premeditated murder that makes this tale horrifying. Part of the terror of The Cask of Amontillado occurs when theRead MoreAnalysis Of The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allen Poe703 Words   |  3 PagesOftentimes in order to understand a story further, it is extremely important to understand the background and context of the story. This holds true for â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† by Edgar Allen Poe. Through researching the Freemasons and Poe, the reader is able to understand the minute details Poe gently places in the story to ridicule a rival, embed a statement about alcohol and satirize Freemasons. Edgar Allen Poe was born in the United States without ever knowing either of his parents.Read MoreWhat A Lot Of People Do Not Know2305 Words   |  10 Pagesa few of his stories and poems that Poe relied heavily on occurrences in his life for inspiration and that the doom and suffering that goes on in his stories parallel his own life. In stories such as, â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death,† and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† and poems such as â€Å"Annabel Lee,† it is evident that these stories were based off of events in Poe’s life and can be looked at through a traditional lens. To begin, a better understanding of Poe’s work can be made possible by relating his

Dynamic Strategy Formulation And Dynamic Strategic Change - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 9 Words: 2654 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Marketing Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Introduction Dynamic strategy is generally accepted as being the ability of a firm to rapidly switch between strategic configurations, thus dynamically responding to any changes in the environment (Day et al, 2004). Such a strategy formulation is becoming increasingly vital in the contemporary business environment, but also increasingly hard to achieve due to the vast amounts of information available to businesses. As such, this piece will examine the role that information systems, IS, and information technology, IT, can play in supporting dynamic strategy formulation and dynamic strategic change. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Dynamic Strategy Formulation And Dynamic Strategic Change" essay for you Create order This will be achieved through two methods. The first will be a review of the literature to understand the theory and existing studies around the role of IS and IT in driving strategic change, and the second will consist of two case studies of organisations that used IS and IT in their strategic processes. Literature review: The relationship between IT / IS and dynamic strategy The relationship between IT and dynamic strategy is rooted in the relationship between the various patterns of information systems development and the organisational configurations that a business can adopt. This relationship is supported by Burn (1993) who demonstrated that different stages of information systems development tended to require companies to take different approaches to their strategy, based on the available organisational configurations. Indeed, this relationship revealed a pattern of strategic alignment in the organisations, based on the relationship between the organisational configuration and the stage of information systems development. This implies that the main role of information technology in supporting dynamic strategy is as an enabler of different strategic approaches, thus a high level of IT development is needed in order to support the use of dynamic strategies (Burn, 1993). Another important factor in the creation and maintenance of a dynamic strateg y is the fact that information is increasingly being created â€Å"faster than individuals and organizations cart make sense of it† (Lerch and Harter, 2001, p. 63). This not only means that organisations are now able to collect ever more detailed data and information, but also means that understanding and processing this data is more important than ever. The vast amount of available data means that it has become even harder to obtain any degree of situational awareness, with businesses struggling to understand the status and dynamics of an environment that is continually changing in so many ways. In this environment, a dynamic strategy can only be effectively created if the business is able to keep pace with the rapid rate at which information is produced, and can analyse the information rapidly enough to keep pace with the environment. IT and IS play a vital role in achieving this, by enabling managers to better categorise, analyse and act on the data produced (Lerch and Har ter, 2001). In addition to the importance of information technology in supporting an overall level of dynamic strategy formulation, specialist information systems also play a vital role in supporting the development of dynamic strategy in specific areas of the business. One particular example of this is in the use of customer relationship management strategies to support higher levels of customer commitment and retention. The main theory around customer retention is that customers can only be retained when their requirements and expectations are satisfied, and also when the customer is able to obtain fair value from their transactions with the business. Whilst satisfaction is relatively easy to obtain, the notion of fair value can change rapidly, most often when rivals launch offerings which are cheaper or subjectively superior (Park and Kim, 2003). As such, in order to effectively pursue a customer relationship management strategy, businesses need to ensure that they are aware o f what represents fair value from the point of view of their customers. This can only be achieved if the organisation is able to maintain a high degree of customer awareness, through the effective collection and analysis of customer information. Information technology and IT strategy both play a key role in enabling this for businesses, and helping them better retain their customers (Park and Kim, 2003). In addition to enabling specific aspects of dynamic strategy, high end information technology also plays a vital role in enabling businesses to expand and succeed in areas where the requirement for dynamic strategy is even more pronounced. One example of this comes from the attempt by many businesses to become electronically enabled. In order to achieve this on an effective level, businesses need to employ dynamic capabilities to leverage their expertise in the electronic environment. Whilst the key factor in succeeding in this market is a strong degree of visionary managerial le adership, companies also need to show the ability to develop innovative and dynamic IT capabilities in order to support their business aspirations. As such, a sound IT innovation strategy will prove the key to developing a dynamic electronic business strategy to succeed in the new environment (Hackbarth and Kettinger, 2004). One final example of a dynamic business strategy which can be supported by IS and IT is a mass customization strategy, which focuses on succeeding in diversified markets using the cost benefits of mass production and the marketing appeal of individualisation. In this case, information systems play a much more holistic role: not only do they support the process of strategy formulation, but they also enable the entire value chain, particularly in the management of product and process complexity levels. Indeed, Dietrich et al (2007) argue that a mass customisation strategy, and other advanced production approaches, can only truly be achieved if information syste ms are integrated into the operations process, and hence the strategy, at a fundamental level. The role of IT / IS in promoting dynamic strategic change As discussed above, the literature strongly supports the argument that the alignment of IT and IS with business strategy plays a vital role in creating dynamic strategies. However, given the importance of change in the dynamic strategy process, it can also be argued that IT and IS need to play a key role in supporting dynamic strategic change in order for businesses to maintain their dynamic strategies. This argument is supported by Sabherwal et al (2001) who claim that dynamic strategic alignment can only be achieved over a long period of time if the companys IS management profile is set up to support evolutionary changes in strategy. This argument is supported by Hsiao and Ormerod (1998) who argue that information technology enabled strategic change is a vital aspect of any dynamic strategy formulation. Indeed, their study implies that strategic change is pursued is a series of unique ways, each of which rely on the effective management of information and information systems i n order to achieve. This research also shows that IT plays an equally vital role in both planned and emergent modes of change, regardless of the change elements that drive these modes. One specific example of the role that information technology can play in supporting dynamic strategic change is in the field of dynamic process modelling. Dynamic process modelling is used across the entire set of operating and support functions of a business, including the information systems, and plays a vital role in ensuring the continued alignment of all these aspects during a strategic change process (Giaglis et al, 2005). This is a vital component of a dynamic strategic change, as alignment must be maintained in order to ensure coherence throughout the business. If different aspects of the business fall out of alignment during the strategic change, the delays associated with realigning them can disrupt the dynamic process and prevent the company from maintaining its dynamic capabilities and responsiveness to market changes. Information systems can assist in avoiding this through the creation of dynamic simulation models that demonstrate the effects of a proposed strategic change on existing business processes, helping managers be proactive and addressing any changes before they cause misalignment between organisational functions. Indeed, true continued strategic business alignment can only be maintained throughout a dynamic strategic change process if the information technology and information systems of the company are specifically configured to support the dynamic process. This argument is put forward by Chen et al (2008) who argue that dynamic strategic changes require dynamic capabilities in order to ensure strategic alignment process, and also to overcome any difficulties encountered in both achieving and sustaining alignment. This is particularly important in the IT context, given that the path dependencies created in previous changes can act as barriers to fu ture alignment. As a result, the information systems of the business need to be managed and directed, with a clear business vision, to ensure future strategic alignment, and hence business success. Case study 1: Hewlett Packard The first case study in this piece will be an examination of Hewlett Packard, HP, specifically the actions taken by HP when it was engaged to develop a new information system for a large multinational car manufacturer. This new system was a critical aspect in supporting a dynamic strategic change in the organisation, moving it away from a hierarchy and towards a worldwide network of factories and distribution facilities (Feurer et al, 2000). Analysis for the case study 1 This implementation focused on the creation of a new information system for a new area of the business. As a result, it was not dependent on the companys existing IT and IS. This meant that it provides a good example of how a system can be designed to fulfil a specific role in the creation of a dynamic strategy, with the only constraints being the network of suppliers and customers, and the requirements of the parent company. The implementation thus used a balanced approach between people and technology, helping to support a dynamic strategy that could react more rapidly to market requirements, whilst also incorporating internal goals and constraints. The resulting system supported a high level of strategic alignment, as well as a high degree of dynamic strategic control (Feurer et al, 2000). Critical reflection on the case study 1 The main success factor underlying this case study was the use of the information system to support the deployment of flexible resources as late as possible in the production process. This not only saved costs, but also helped support a mass customisation process, as described by Dietrich et al (2007). The use of the information system to provide this degree of flexibility also helped the company use a series of innovative processes to drive production in the network of factories, which encouraged further dynamic strategic development. This use was supported by a breakthrough in the technology enablers, which were driven by the cross functional teams working across HP and the car manufacturer. These breakthroughs made it possible for the system to be used to identify the critical processes which tend to have the strongest impact on the ability of a company to achieve its strategic objective (Besanko et al, 2007). The systems were then able to analyse these key processes and transla te them into high level models of how the new organisational structure would interact with its environment, in terms of the core, support and innovative processes and how these could be proactively adapted to the environment to maximise overall performance. This is a critical aspect of any strategic planning involving information systems (Ward and Peppard, 2002), and played a further key role in the success of the overall implementation, and the relevance of this case study to the development of best practice in the information systems field (Eisenhardt, 1989). Case study 2: Queensland Heath The second case study in this piece is a study of Queensland Health, QH, which is one of the largest Australian government agencies. This agency implemented a centralised IT service management model as part of a dynamic strategic change away from a function based strategic focus, and towards a service based focus (Tan et al, 2010). Analysis for the case study 2 The implementation of the system was widely seen as a success, with the system experiencing a large number of breakthroughs, both organisational and technological. The main organisational factor that supported the success of the case study was that the commitment of senior management was obtained, hence directing all the organisations resources towards the successful implementation of the system, and the resulting organisational change. This was supported by the high level of commitment and skill shown by the project champion, who recognised the need to integrate a change management strategy into the information system implementation, to ensure that the systems implementation acted to support an aligned dynamic change, rather than hinder it. In the technological area of the study, the organisation made sure to maintain close relationships with the vendors that installed the system, in order to facilitate a high level of technology transfer to the in house staff, as well as using a benefits realisation plan to track the project benefits and ensure they were realised (Tan et al, 2010). Critical reflection on the case study 2 The main learning point from this study is the importance of integrating any information systems implementation with a valid and rigorous change management strategy in order to drive successful change. This is in line with the arguments of Keen (1981) who notes that information systems will only act to support an organisational change, and maintain strategic alignment in that change, if the information systems themselves are implemented using organisational change principles. This success factor was also supported and underlined by the role played by the change champion in achieving organisational support for the change, as well as the process of obtaining commitment from senior management. This combination of factors implies that the most important factor in ensuring that IT and IS support dynamic strategic change efforts is the need to use effective change management methodologies to drive the entire process. In addition to this, the results and learning from the technological aspects of the case study indicates that the organisation needs to ensure that it has the required level of technical and technological expertise in order to run and maintain the system and ensure it is achieving its goals. The main factor in ensuring that this is achieved is the need to ensure a high level of involvement in the implementation process and, if external vendors are used, to ensure a high level of knowledge and technology transfer from said vendors. The use of a benefits realisation plan, or other method of tracking and driving project benefits, is also important in ensuring that IS and IT implementations are successful in achieving their goals. Conclusion In the modern business environment, organisations can only create and maintain relevant and successful strategic direction if they follow a process of dynamic strategic formulation. Failure to follow this process will leave the company unable to keep up with market and environmental trends, and hence will be surpassed by superior competitors. Information systems and information technology can support the process of dynamic strategy formulation by making information more available to businesses, and supporting the efforts of said businesses to analyse and formulate their strategy by providing tools to support their strategy formulation efforts. This is supported by the literature, which demonstrates how information systems can support both the development of dynamic strategies and dynamic strategic change at both the general and specific level. The importance of information systems to the process of strategy formulation and strategic change is also supported by the case studies. As the HP case study shows, information systems can play a critical role in developing a strategy and deploying it, by supporting the process of strategic discovery and relating the processes of the organisation to the strategic environment. Similarly, the case study of QH demonstrates the importance of using rigorous methods when driving strategic change. Not only must these methods be used to support the change itself, but also in the deployment of the information systems, to ensure that said systems will support the overall and not act to hinder it in any way. An understanding of the importance of information systems in providing the information needed for strategy formulation was vital in the success of both of the cases examined in this piece.

Are United States Business Laws Effective at Promoting...

The United States ranks as the highest gross domestic product nation in the world (Wickipedia, Retrieved March 22, 2014). This ranking indicates that millions of people buy, sell, trade and perform business transactions daily within a multitude of industries and professions. In order to preserve the trust and integrity of our financial systems, it is imperative that the United States implement, regulate, and enforce business practices to remain relevant and effective within the constantly changing global economic marketplace. The United States has a long history of ensuring fair and balanced business practices through legislation. The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, began a shift in the economy from state commerce regulation to a†¦show more content†¦The main agencies which currently promote United States business laws and practices are the Federal Trade Commission and the Small Business Administration. The Federal Trade Commission, established September 26, 1914, has two key functions which include protecting consumers and promoting competition. (ftc.gov, Retrieved March 22, 2014). Consumer protections include opposing illegal, and unjust business practices within the American economy. The agency investigates, litigates and legislates to promote fair and sound business standards. Promotion of competition is accomplished by the enforcement of anti-trust laws, which results in lower prices, higher quality and free movement of goods. (ftc.gov, Retrieved March 22, 2014) Per the 2014-2015 Federal Trade Commission Performance Plan, â€Å"The agency administers a wide variety of laws and regulations such as the Federal Trade Commission Act, Telemarketing Sales Rule, Identity Theft Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Clayton Act. In total, the Commission has enforcement or administrative responsibilities under more than 70 laws (see http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/stats.shtm for a listing). 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Gatsby Party Scene Paragraph free essay sample

Gatsbys infamous parties are known for their extravagance and whimsicalness, yet all the happiness and laughter is not enough to block out the empty and over-indulgent lives of the rich. There is a lot of mingling among the rich at Gatsbys parties, giving heed to enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each others names(40). While these encounters appear to be very friendly and casual, they are very superficial, as there is no real connection between these people and they are all just conversing for show. Moreover, the party atmosphere can be described as full of happy, vacuous bursts of laughter. Similar to the meetings of the women, on the surface the guests faces appear to be happy, whereas underneath the empty and airy tone of laughter suggests that their happiness is meaningless. Also, the party seems to be an illusion itself, with colored lights (40) and float[ing] (40) cocktail trays. We will write a custom essay sample on Gatsby Party Scene Paragraph or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The movement of the cocktails is much like the movement of the party-ethereal and carefree. Everyone is enjoying themselves and having a good time, yet their actions seem lost and suspended in the air, hinting that the guests actually lead lives with no direction amid the flash and glamour. Furthermore, as the party dies down most of the remaining women were now having fights with men said to be their husbands (51). In contrast with the earlier chatter and laughter, the closing of the show reveals that things are not as carefree and joyful as they seem, and that people pretend to be happy and they party in an effort to forget about the dismal reality of their lives. Fitzgerald reveals that despite all the glamour and class, the rich actually lead meaningless and excessive lives. Gatsby Party Scene Paragraph free essay sample Party Scene Paragraph Gatsby infamous parties are known for their extravagance and whimsicalness, yet all the happiness and laughter is not enough to block out the empty and over- indulgent lives of the rich. There is a lot of mingling among the rich at Gatsby parties, giving heed to enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each others names(40). While these encounters appear to be very friendly and casual, they are very superficial, as there is no real connection between these people and they are all Just conversing for show. Moreover, the party atmosphere can be scribed as full of happy, vacuous bursts of laughter(46).Similar to the meetings of the women, on the surface the guests faces appear to be happy, whereas underneath the empty and airy tone of laughter suggests that their happiness is meaningless. Also, the party seems to be an illusion itself, with colored lights (40) and float[inning] (40) cocktail trays. We will write a custom essay sample on Gatsby Party Scene Paragraph or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The movement of the cocktails is much like the movement of the party-ethereal and carefree. Everyone Is enjoying themselves and having a good time, yet their actions seem lost and suspended in the air, hinting that he guests actually lead lives with no direction amid the flash and glamour.Furthermore, as the party dies down most of the remaining women were now having fights with men said to be their husbands (51). In contrast with the earlier chatter and laughter, the closing of the show reveals that things are not as carefree and joyful as they seem, and that people pretend to be happy and they party In an effort to forget about the dismal reality of their lives. Fitzgerald reveals that despite all the glamour and class, the rich actually lead meaningless and excessive lives.

Supreme Court Essays - Conservatism In The United States

Supreme Court The justices determine which cases to take. They never explain the reason for their choices. Whether or not a case is accepted "strikes me as a rather subjective decision, made up in part of intuition and in part of legal judgment," Rehnquist wrote in "The Supreme Court: How It Was, How It Is," his 1987 book about the court. Important factors, he said, are whether the legal question has been decided differently by two lower courts and needs resolution by the high court, whether a lower-court decision conflicts with an existing Supreme Court ruling and whether the issue could have significance beyond the two parties in the case. For example, the justices likely accepted the sexual-harassment case brought by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee, against President Clinton because it will test the important question of whether a president should have to defend himself against a lawsuit while in office. They also agreed for the term that began Monday to review a case challenging the constitutionality of a federal handgun-registration law, no doubt in part because lower courts are divided about whether the law, which requires sheriffs to check a purchaser's background, unconstitutionally burdens local officials. But the justices do not automatically take on all cases posing significant societal dilemmas. Last June, for example, they refused to hear one on the legality of college affirmative action programs. The case did not garner the four votes needed to accept a petition for review and to schedule oral arguments on it. Before those votes are cast in the closed-door session, however, a case must pass muster with several of the youngest, least experienced lawyers in America -- the 36 law clerks who serve the nine individual justices and who, in effect, are their staff for a term. These clerks, most often four to a justice, usually are recent law school graduates and typically the cream of their Ivy League schools. It is the clerks who first winnow the 7,000 or so annual petitions, settling on the select few that they believe the justices themselves should consider. There is no set number or quota for each week's conference. With the clerks' memos in hand and in the closed conference room, the justices summarily reject most of the appeals. They discuss petitions flagged by one or more of the justices. Then, according to justices' public accounts over the years, they vote aloud, one at a time by seniority but starting with the chief justice. While the chief justice leads the meeting, the most junior justice, now Stephen G. Breyer makes handwritten notes that will be passed to a clerk for public announcement of disposition of petitions. Rehnquist is known for running a brisk session. "Bam! Bam! Bam!" one associate justice said in describing the group's swift disposition of cases. Among the richest sources of inside information about the court are the papers of the late Justice Thurgood Marshall (1967-1991). They describe negotiations as cases moved through the process. They show, for example, that only by the bare minimum of four votes did the justices accept a case that eventually yielded an important 1990 ruling on religious freedom. As is his responsibility by tradition, Chief Justice Rehnquist laid out the facts of the case and lower court rulings on it: Two Native Americans had been fired from their jobs at a private drug rehabilitation center after ingesting peyote, a cactus that contains the hallucinogen mescaline, as part of an ancient Indian religious ceremony. The men were denied unemployment compensation by the state of Oregon because officials said they were fired for illegal conduct. State drug law prohibited use of peyote. The men were never charged with a crime, and they sued the state, contending that denial of unemployment compensation violated their right to religious freedom. The Oregon Supreme Court sided with them, ruling that the anti-drug statute should not outlaw religious use of peyote. The state appealed to the Supreme Court. When the case first arrived here in 1987, Rehnquist voted to hear it. Next in seniority and entitled to the second vote was William J. Brennan Jr., who apparently was concerned that the high court might overturn the Oregon Supreme Court ruling and voted "no." Next came Byron R. White, who voted "yes," the second of four votes needed to accept. Marshall voted "no." Harry A. Blackmun said he would vote "yes" if three other solid votes were committed to hearing it. This vote to "join-3," as it is called, means that a justice is ambivalent but willing to vote "yes" if three